Play This At My Funeral

💐 Episode Summary In this show first, you’ll hear from speaker, author, HR executive, and beautifully curious soul Paul Rubenstein as he takes us through a journey of music and sound in honor of his late father, the artist Myron Rubenstein. From jazz to SciFi soundtracks, musical theater and spoken word from artists like Laurie Anderson and Alan Watts, you’ll discover something surprising about m...

💐 Episode Summary On the precipice of turning 80, Connie Garcia-Barrio spends a little time with our host Dinah to delve into a mother’s grief when she outlives her child. In this heartfelt episode, you’ll discover a wider meaning of music than you could’ve ever imagined, and hear some beautiful singing and stories of a life lived full of loving care, curiosity, and courage. The only thing you ne...

💐 Episode Summary Meet funeral director and interfaith minister Amy Firth, who’s here to make talking about death feel a little less scary. And wholly more human, gentle, and truly loving. Amy and Dinah explore how to talk with children about death and loss, what it means to truly plan a meaningful funeral that is representative of the person who has gone, and make room for both grief and joy eve...

💐 Episode Summary Welcome to your friend and mine, the gregarious and joyful Katy Merlo. The book podcast co-host of Genre’d and sister of Episode 5 guest Elyse Merlo, Katy comes in hot with so many choice musical selections and gives us a brand new way to celebrate and grieve with her take on a funeral cocktail soiree (so down!). Along the way you’ll discover songs from Spin Doctors, Selena, The...

💐 Episode Summary When you’re perpetually in love with love, it’s hard not to be a clear-eyed optimist. The best kind. Welcome to the first guest episode of Season 4 with Bobby Hankinson, writer, performer, and full-time homosexual. He’s also a comedian, editor, and brilliant musicophile. In this episode you’ll discover bops from Le Tigre, Orville Peck, CHVRCHES, Stars, Judy Garland, and of cours...

💐 Episode Summary Host Dinah takes stock of Season 3 of the pod and shares some of the upcoming guests and conversation highlights you’ll find inside Season 4 kicking off right, freaking, now! Comedians, writers, podcasters, and friends stop by to share their stories, songs they want to be remembered by, and of course reveal a little bit of the wisdom they’ve learned in their lives. This season f...

💐 Episode Summary Join host Dinah as she reminisces on some of the most powerful moments from season 3 with guests including RomCom author Georgia Clark, paralegal, social activist, and professional listener Erin Snow the creator of The Unmuted Room, dancer and Clive Institute professional alum Alan Watson, author Anndee Hochman, and so much more. Dinah shares some of her favorite musical discove...

💐 Episode Summary Episode 25 guest Kat Kibben returns for a conversation about what transpired once their Play This At My Funeral podcast episode aired, an estrangement from decades ago resurfaced. This surprising opening of an old, deep wound has led to some amazing healing. And potentially closure and resolution? Listen in to discover the story from Kat directly.  💿 Songs Mentioned “Boys in th...

💐 Episode Summary You’re not ready for this episode. We’re shedding light on some traumatic early events that led to a career helping people in a BIG way with Erin Snow. We’re graced by the presence of this woman, powerhouse speaker and professional listener, and the creator of The Unmuted Room founded on a simple belief: Most people do not need advice. They need space. In creating her playlist f...

💐 Episode Summary Let’s jump back into our conversation with Jeremy Lyons as we dig into a brief part 2 to round out some of the choice songs on his funeral playlist. We’re going to talk about Amy Shark, Khaled (aka Cheb Khaled)  💿 Songs Mentioned “I Said Hi” by Amy Shark “Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen” by Janis Siegel “Come Hang Out” by AJR “C’est La Vie” by Khaled “La Vie En Rose” by Louis Armstrong...

💐 Episode Summary Welcome to this week’s episode as guest Jeremy Lyons takes us on a deeply personal exploration of identity, legacy, and the many names (and nicknames) we carry through life. Dinah and Jeremy trace that theme through songs like “Una Palabra” by Carlos Varela, “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Crown, and “La Vie en Rose” by Louis Armstrong, using each one to highlight the power of wor...

💐 Episode Summary When life throws heartbreak and uncertainty your way, aligning your mental, emotional, and physical well-being can be transformative and flip the life you planned for yourself upside down. Elana Fay Kirschner, Pilates instructor and music enthusiast, shares her eclectic playlist that’s more than just a collection of songs, it’s a roadmap for self-discovery and resilience. And if...

💐 Episode Summary Dancer and choreographer (and now tech professional) Alan Watson shares the stories behind the songs on his deeply personal funeral playlist, from Brooklyn nostalgia and Clive student favorites to dance floor anthems and heartbreak ballads like “White Knuckles,” “One Foot,” and “I Will Love Again.” He get into t how music has carried him through love, grief, fatherhood, and the...

💐 Episode Summary Anndee Hochman shares the stories behind the 13 songs on her deeply personal playlist, from “Free to Be You and Me” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” to Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart.” She talks about how music has carried her through love, grief, self-discovery, and moments of belonging. This episode also explores the poetry of creating a life s...

💐 Episode Summary This is a podcast first, a two-part episode with one guest. The love fest continues as music licensing expert Ken Golden go deep on Nina Simone, Jeff Buckley, and Samm Henshaw. Rounding out Ken’s funeral playlist, this episode is all about love in its infinite beautiful forms. Consider this your reminder to love louder than ever before, and let yourself be swept up in the little...

💐 Episode Summary This episode explores how music can be the map we create to contend with grief, healing, and identity. Join us as music licensing expert Ken Golden shares the deeply personal songs he would want played at his own funeral. From Stevie Wonder to Jacob Banks to Nina Simone, he reflects on how each track tells part of his story, honoring love, loss, resilience, and the joy of being...

💐 Episode Summary Just 10 songs make up author Georgia Clark’s playlist, but each one holds a powerful story from an era of her life. This episode brings together so many of the creative arts into one conversation: from writing to indie music, storytelling onstage to the power of Queen’s artistry and greatest masterpiece, Bohemian Rhapsody.  💿 Songs Mentioned “Try A Little Tenderness” by The Com...

💐 Episode Summary In our first guest episode of season 3, Dinah sits down with longtime work collaborator and beautiful human, Kat Kibben, for a conversation on the reality of life’s journey taking us off course. But in the best way possible. Kat’s playlist brings to life a cozy, open mic night feel at your favorite bar which exactly how they want their funeral to feel. We’ll talk about artists l...

💐 Episode Summary Let’s kickoff Season 3 with host Dinah. You’ll hear a preview of guests and songs coming, as we launch this fresh batch of episodes with episode.    🙏🏽 Thank You to Our Supporters Huge thanks to our show supporters: TremFit — Kara Tremel’s boutique online training experience helping every body feel strong, confident, and cared for. Second Home First — The hit podcast rethinkin...

🌹 About Play This At My Funeral Play This At My Funeral is a deeply fun, slightly macabre, always heartwarming podcast about the songs that shape our lives — including the ones we’d play at our funerals. Each episode, Dinah invites a guest to curate their hypothetical send-off playlist and share the stories behind the music. Think Desert Island Discs meets Films To Be Buried With — with more vibe...

🎧 Play This At My Funeral — Nervous System Regulation in a Funeral Playlist: Part 2 of the Ben Kintisch Interview 💐 Episode Summary We’re digging into the peace, love, and pure zen vibes of Benjamin Kintisch’s funeral playlist. The singer, musician, educator, Cantor, and creator of “Life Review: The Hospice Musical” shares tender moments that influenced his musical education and profession. In t...

💐 Episode Summary In this episode, we depart from our usual format for a look into the making of a musical. Life Review: The Hospice Musical. With songs written by singer, musician, educator, and Cantor Benjamin Kintisch, this musical bridges together Fiddler on the Roof and A Chorus Line for an exploration of the meaning of life, at the end of life. This is part one of a two-part episode. Tune b...

💐 Episode Summary A fateful visit to the East Vancouver vinyl shop, Painted Lady Records (IG: @paintedlady_records ), led to a cross-continental friendship with owners Kemp and Erika Edwards. Since that day in January 2026, host Dinah has had a consistent mutual geeking out with Kemp and Erika over music, community, and the essence of life. Love. This episode is pure love. Expect mentions of Bruc...

💐 Episode Summary This week’s episode with singer and songwriter Mel L reveals the harder moments that music can usher us through. With songs from the world of Disney musical cartoons, a gorgeous introduction to Chutney music, and originals from the guest herself from her forthcoming debut album, Love Bomb Therapy, this episode will heal your midweek blues.  💿 Songs Mentioned ​ “Yam & Cassava” b...

💐 Episode Summary God’s favorite comedian, Spencer Bland, joins us in the Play This At My Funeral virtual studio to talk about questioning faith, the continuous healing power of sad music (and crying in the car), and builds worlds through memories and songs. We get into some cathartic conversations, and scrutinize the evolution of music including the subgenre of country, Y’allternative, as well a...