As I Will It

Meet Benji ! Benji is an old friend and I am so happy he agreed to chat with me. Benji has ad a series of significant health traumas over the past decade. We talk health, trauma, and health anxiety in the conversation that explores near death experiences, resilience, mental health, and the struggle to live life in the present. Thanks so much Benji! *This episode contains stories of medical trauma...

Meet Doug! Doug is a brother, husband, father, grandfather, outdoorsman, and friend. Doug is always keen to talk about all things pertaining to end of life and follows the evolution of Canada's MAiD laws closely. Listening to Doug talk about his life and the deaths of his mother and brother, both by suicide, as well as his father following a lengthy Alzheimer's battle, it is clear that Doug's inte...

This is Phyllis' final interview with the As I Will It Podcast. She passed away on October 18, 2024 and is sorely missed. She requested her 'last hurrah' be recorded before this date, as she had some final words for all the folks out there. To be remembered always, Phyllis Eileen Brodie Lynch. We have our last opportunity to learn from this amazing woman. ** This episode contains discussions about...

Meet Andy! We were lucky enough to sit down with Andy at the Toronto School of Art to hear about his life as an artist in Toronto from when he moved there in 1975 until now. Andy tells us about living in Toronto, trying to make a living as an artist, before the AIDS crisis began, and the way life changed suddenly as he and loved ones started to become sick. He has experienced the death of 2 partne...

Meet Shannon! We are so lucky to be able to learn from Shannon .. she experienced the sudden loss of her mother, Louise, who is her best friend, 5 years ago. Shannon shares her experiences with traumatic loss, profound grief, and what she has learned about the importance of continued connection to our loved ones after they have died. Shannon also shares strategies and tools she has used during dar...

Meet Matthew! Matthew is a partner, son, brother, cousin, artist, and so many more things and was generous enough to sit down and chat with me about his extraordinary life. He tells the story of his life and family, the immense adventure, connection, and loss .. first of his mother Joy, when he was 19, two of his siblings, Paula and Tim, and finally his father Gordon. Matthew knows that what it is...

Meet Emily! Emily's life changed drastically 3 weeks into the pandemic when her mom was diagnosed with a life limiting illness, while Emily was living in British Columbia. She tells us about her move home to Montreal from BC to care for her mom, her ongoing advocacy work with Canada's MAiD program, and the unexpected role Vanderpump Rules has played in her grief process and livelihood! Suc...

Meet Julie! Julie was born and raised in Port Dover, ON and has started thinking a lot about her end of life, having turned 70 this year. We talk about her childhood in Port Dover and she tells me about how her challenging relationship with her mother, as well as becoming a mother and grandmother herself, has influenced her thoughts around death and dying, as well as her own expectations of how sh...

Introducing Marthe Jocelyn. She is an artist and writer, who lives in Stratford, Ont. She also happens to be Amy's cousin! The improbable story of Marthe's family and their losses is both fascinating and astonishingly heartbreaking. Marthe tells it beautifully in great tribute to her mother Joy, her sister Paula, her brother Tim, and her father Gordon. Marthe's conversation with the po...

This is episode 2 of Marthe Jocelyn! It picks up where we left off so, if you haven't listened to Part 1, circle back and get at 'er!

Phyllis is back ! With an update on her health and state of mind. She talks honestly and the challenges of aging in the sometimes inhospitable society, her unfinished business, and her commitment to continuing to lead by example in talking about death and dying. We also learn a bit more about her history and remarkable talents! Hint: Check out our Instagram page to see Phyllis' incredible art!...

Next up is Peg .. a delightful human who shared about a particularly challenging time in her life, when she experienced multiple, consecutive losses of friends by suicide, and how it has continued to affect her to this day. Peg is as thoughtful as she is articulate and her story is so interesting! We are endlessly grateful to Peg for coming and sharing.. Thanks so much Peg! Trigger warning: This e...

MAiD- what is it? and how did we get here? Due to overwhelming demand, we decided to chat about MAiD and its current and historical contexts in Canada. This one is just Muzz and Amy chatting!

Meet Ryanne! She is a friend of the Pod, dog owner, community builder, exceptional person, life of the party, good time having, excellent person. Ryanne has also experienced illness as a young person and it gives her a unique perspective on the ways we, as a society, both help and hurt loved ones who are sick, despite our best intentions. She shares her experiences and what she has learned and we...

In this episode we talk to Penny. Penny has been in my life since I was a kid but she still manages to surprise me! From her experiences throughout her life in career and family, to her thoughts on aging and end of life, Penny shares both her hopes and fears with remarkable candour. She gives Muzz and I (and you!) a lot to think and talk about as it pertains to offering support to our aging parent...

In this episode we talk to Pete. Pete’s dad, Tom, had a chronic, progressive illness called Friedreich’s Ataxia. Pete speaks to his experiences with his dad and the progression of his illness from his earliest memories to his death. Pete also speaks to how we, as a society, can cause harm with our language and discomfort with disability and illness and how witnessing this has impacted how he moves...

In this episode I talk to Gloria, who is prepared for her death! Gloria talks about early trauma and how her connection with the dead has influenced the way she lives. We explore topics from Gloria’s thoughts on what happens when we die, how she has planned for her own passing, and what she has learned from receiving messages from the dead.

In this inaugural episode I talk to Phyllis, who has been integral in the creation of this podcast and the direction my life has taken. Phyllis is an inspiration in the honest and open way she talks about her experiences with death, as a caregiver for 2 husbands, and her own end of life wishes.

We meet host Amy Roberston and why she thinks talking about death and dying is important to her, and what inspired her to start recording conversations with friends and family about their own experiences and thoughts surrounding death.