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In this conversation, Christine Gautreaux shares her journey of understanding death and caregiving, beginning with her early experiences of loss in her family. She discusses how these experiences shaped her career in social work and her role as a death doula. Christine emphasizes the importance of self-care for caregivers and the need for open conversations about death and dying. She also shares personal stories about her family and the impact of caregiving on health and well-being. She shares her experiences with art, death, and the importance of having open discussions about difficult topics. She reflects on her relationship with her Aunt Joan, who faced terminal illness with grace and clarity about her wishes. Christine emphasizes the importance of amplifying marginalized voices through her work, which includes storytelling and community engagement. The discussion also touches on the challenges of maintaining personal grounding amidst the emotional weight of her work and the necessity of finding joy and laughter even in the face of loss. She reflects on her father's final days, the role of a death doula, and the importance of being present in the moment. The discussion highlights the importance of communication regarding end-of-life wishes and the therapeutic benefits of nature.

Christine is the co-author of Stillpoint: A Caregiver's Playbook to find ease and to take a deep breath and reclaim joy, and Women Connected in Wisdom stories and resources rooted in the eight dimensions of wellness, volumes I & II. She believes in the power of body wisdom and somatic play to help heal trauma and live the best life possible. Christine coaches professional caregivers, activists, and artists to maintain balance and self-care. Christine is the Co-Host of the Women Connected in Wisdom Podcast and the Co-Founder of the Women Connected in Wisdom Community. She currently serves as the Integrity and Innovation Coordinator of InterPlay.

Interplay.org

Gather the Wild & Colorado Interplay

Women Connected in Wisdom

Self-Care. Care While Giving Care YouTube

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In this engaging conversation, Kilah Storm, a writer and puppeteer, shares her unique perspective on life, death, and storytelling through her art. We discuss her early encounters with death, the impact it had on her desire for honest storytelling, and her journey into puppetry using taxidermy roadkill. Kilah emphasizes the importance of honoring life and death in her performances, aiming to change perceptions of taxidermy and encourage positive conversations about mortality. Through her work, she connects with audiences, especially children, fostering a deeper understanding of life and death. In this conversation, we explore the themes of life, death, and the importance of storytelling in understanding and honoring both. We discuss the value of self-care, the cycle of life and death, and the need for community support in navigating difficult conversations about mortality. The conversation emphasizes the beauty in acknowledging death and the importance of being present in the moment, as well as the significance of solitude for personal reflection.

Kilah is a writer and puppeteer. Obsessed with nature and life’s big questions, Kilah has created a unique line of puppets made from taxidermied roadkill. These discarded critters are now characters in The World Of Fluff, a puppet theater that performs retellings of fairy tales. The World of Fluff has performed in multiple venues, including the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Planet V, and the Oddity and Bizarre Expo in Colorado Springs. Kilah is an active member of the Rocky Mountain Puppetry Guild and the Puppeteers of America.

Links:

Kilah's Website
Oddity & Bizarre Expo (Kilah's next performance)
Planet V

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And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

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You can see the video version of this episode here

In this reflective conversation, hosts Wakil David Matthews and Annalouiza Armendariz discuss the highlights of their third season, featuring a diverse array of guests who share insights on death, dying, and the various cultural and personal approaches to end-of-life care. They explore the roles of death doulas, innovative practices in body disposition, and the importance of community support in navigating grief. The conversation emphasizes the interconnectedness of life and death, the need for cultural sensitivity in death care, and the evolving understanding of grief and loss.

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And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

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In this compelling episode, we speak with Sam Lee Zemke. Sam is part of our podcast family and does terrific work as our editor. He is a jack of many trades and interests: radical anthropologist, neo-mythologist, cooperative living counselor, mediator, artist, musician, improviser, ancestral advocate, part-time house spirit, and service magician. He is my friend on the Sufi path, and I’ve known him since he was a little rascal! Sam has been walking a lifelong journey with the trickster and has an excellent affinity for the liminal parts of life. Transformation and boundary tending have revealed themselves to be key facets of the work Sam has been called to do, and they endeavor to honor that call to the best of their ability.

In our conversation, Sam shares his unique perspectives on death, transformation, and community living. He reflects on his early experiences with and the importance of rituals in processing loss, as well as the interconnectedness of all beings. We emphasize the significance of community and relationships in navigating life's transitions. Ultimately, our conversation underscores the importance of acknowledging and valuing the unique contributions each person brings to the collective experience of healing and support. We explore themes of transformation, community learning, and the importance of reclaiming indigenous wisdom in the face of societal collapse.

LINKS:

His Podcast - A House of Hungry Ghosts

Sam's Instagram

Hospicing Modernity book

Robin Wall Kimmerer's 'The Serviceberry'

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And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

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In this conversation, Seth Samuels shares his journey through understanding death, grief, and emotional expression. He reflects on his early experiences with loss, particularly within his family, and how these experiences shaped his identity and spiritual journey. The discussion explores the cultural significance of grief, the role of humor in processing emotions, and Seth's work in examining male emotions through his podcast, 'The Good World.' We discuss the importance of emotional expression, the fear of mortality, and the role of ministry in today's media landscape. We emphasize the need for connection and presence in a world filled with distractions, culminating in a reflection on the healing power of tears and the importance of being true to oneself.

Seth Samuels is a performer-turned-social scientist-turned-interfaith spiritual leader. His podcast, "The Good World," is available on YouTube and on every podcast platform he is aware of (please let him know if you are unable to find it).

Seth has found that the greatest truths reside at the crossroads where our many diverse traditions intersect; interfaith practice helps deepen his Judaism, Buddhism, Sufism, secular humanism, and his connection to the boundless wonders around us.

His college thesis advisor once said, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and Seth took both of them." Seth takes great joy in continuing to live into that statement.

Seth's YouTube Channel

Poet Jarod K Anderson

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And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

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In this conversation, Jay Deitcher shares his personal experiences with death and grief, discussing how these experiences have shaped his life and work. He reflects on the loss of friends and family, the impact of death on his children, and how writing serves as a coping mechanism. Jay also introduces the unique practice of texting deceased loved ones as a way to process grief and maintain connections with them.

We emphasize the importance of community support and the normalization of conversations around death. We explore the themes of grief, community, spirituality, and the challenges of coping with loss. And we discuss the importance of creating community through shared experiences of grief, the role of spiritual practices in coping, and the challenges faced in writing about personal loss.

The conversation also delves into anticipatory grief, the fear of death, and the significance of acceptance and quality time with loved ones. Humor is highlighted as a coping mechanism, and the discussion touches on the unique challenges men face in expressing emotions related to grief.

“Mourning our parents can start before they die. Here’s how to cope with anticipatory grief.” (Washington Post)

"11 Helpful Ways to Deal With Grief." (Wondermind)

"Why Texting the Dead Helps Those Still Living." (Popsugar)

Jay’s website

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And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

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In this conversation, Dr. Sheila K. Collins shares her profound experiences with grief, having lost both a son and a daughter. She discusses the importance of community support, the role of art in healing, and the misconceptions surrounding the grieving process.

Through her personal stories and professional insights, she emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of grief and the transformative power of love and connection during times of loss.

We explore the significance of end-of-life discussions, the caregivers' role, and the transformative power of grief. We emphasize the importance of intentionality in life choices, the need to face fears surrounding death, and the value of art and dance in processing grief.

We highlight how joy can coexist with sorrow and the necessity of sharing experiences to foster understanding and healing.

Sheila K. Collins, Ph.D
Author, Key Note Speaker, Workshops
817-706 4967|
sheilakcollins@gmail.com

https://www.sheilakcollins.com

https://www.artofgrieving.us

Intro to Sheila’s Work

Sheila’s YouTube Channel

Her books

When Death Threatens Someone We Love
Aging with Aging Parents
Discovering Healing Through Art

Her Books

Her Website

Support the show

You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

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In this conversation, Tim Arsenault shares his profound experiences with death and grief, exploring how these experiences shaped his journey into spiritual direction.

He discusses the concept of spiritual bypassing, the impact of his early losses, and how he found purpose in helping others navigate their spiritual journeys.

Tim also reflects on his current work in spiritual direction, the importance of deep listening, and the challenges he faces in his practice. Our conversation highlights the significance of being present with others in their grief and the transformative power of love and suffering.

We also discuss the importance of attention and listening in spiritual direction, the challenges of navigating resources, and the significance of sitting with pain and fear.

He reflects on faith, uncertainty, and the mystery of death, sharing his hopes for dignity in dying and the importance of resourcing oneself for sacred work. Tim also opens up about his identity as a gay man and the challenges faced within religious circles, emphasizing the need for authenticity and community support.

Tim lives in Clearwater, Florida, with his husband of 30 years and seven miniature
dachshunds. He can be contacted at: tarsen0885@aol.com

Audire Spiritual Direction institution website
Shalem Institute for Spiritual Direction

Support the show

You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.