DEAD Talks

A single drunk driving mistake took the life of Dr. Brian Hoeflinger’s teenage son. In this powerful episode, Dr. Hoeflinger and his son Kevin open up about the devastating impact of that tragedy and the ripple effect of grief within their family. We explore how a father mourns, how a brother copes, and how families navigate profound loss together. The conversation sheds light on the realities of...

A single drunk driving mistake took the life of Dr. Brian Hoeflinger’s teenage son. In this powerful episode, Dr. Hoeflinger and his son Kevin open up about the devastating impact of that tragedy and the ripple effect of grief within their family. We explore how a father mourns, how a brother copes, and how families navigate profound loss together. The conversation sheds light on the realities of...

Miles Wood opens up about losing his mother to ovarian cancer and the impact it had on his life. He shares the intimate moments of caring for her until her final breath, the pain of unspoken words, and the deep longing that follows loss. Alongside his grief, Miles reflects on the absence of his father and his search for connection, blending raw honesty with humor as he navigates life after loss. T...

Miles Wood opens up about losing his mother to ovarian cancer and the impact it had on his life. He shares the intimate moments of caring for her until her final breath, the pain of unspoken words, and the deep longing that follows loss. Alongside his grief, Miles reflects on the absence of his father and his search for connection, blending raw honesty with humor as he navigates life after loss. T...

What happens if you die without a will or trust? This episode breaks down the essentials of estate planning, wills, trusts, and the probate process—and why preparing your assets before death matters. We explore how organizing your finances and legal documents can ease the burden on loved ones, prevent disputes, and provide peace of mind. Whether it’s the difference between a will and a trust, how...

What happens if you die without a will or trust? This episode breaks down the essentials of estate planning, wills, trusts, and the probate process—and why preparing your assets before death matters. We explore how organizing your finances and legal documents can ease the burden on loved ones, prevent disputes, and provide peace of mind. Whether it’s the difference between a will and a trust, how...

How do you live after losing a child? In this episode, we explore the heartbreaking story of Shekinah Eliassen, who lost her infant son, Lars, to a severe brain condition. Out of unimaginable grief, she found purpose in helping other families facing similar tragedies. Today, as CEO of George Mark Children’s House, Shekinah carries forward a mission of compassionate pediatric palliative care — supp...

How do you live after losing a child? In this episode, we explore the heartbreaking story of Shekinah Eliassen, who lost her infant son, Lars, to a severe brain condition. Out of unimaginable grief, she found purpose in helping other families facing similar tragedies. Today, as CEO of George Mark Children’s House, Shekinah carries forward a mission of compassionate pediatric palliative care — supp...

What does it mean to truly live — and to die with meaning? This episode shares the extraordinary story of Lyon Herron, who lived with Gardner’s Syndrome and fought cancer for 27 years while embodying a powerful “live life to the fullest” mentality. His mother, Barbie Herron Conkling, reflects on how her son’s courage, humor, and resilience continue to inspire those who knew him. Barbie opens up ab...

What does it mean to truly live — and to die with meaning? This episode shares the extraordinary story of Lyon Herron, who lived with Gardner’s Syndrome and fought cancer for 27 years while embodying a powerful “live life to the fullest” mentality. His mother, Barbie Herron Conkling, reflects on how her son’s courage, humor, and resilience continue to inspire those who knew him. Barbie opens up ab...

What happens when a father loses everything? Colin Campbell faced the unimaginable when a drunk driver killed both his children, Ruby and Hart. In this powerful episode, he shares his story of grief, love, and survival — and how he learned to live again while carrying unbearable loss. Colin’s book, Finding The Words, offers raw honesty and a new way of looking at mourning: facing grief openly, emb...

What happens when a father loses everything? Colin Campbell faced the unimaginable when a drunk driver killed both his children, Ruby and Hart. In this powerful episode, he shares his story of grief, love, and survival — and how he learned to live again while carrying unbearable loss. Colin’s book, Finding The Words, offers raw honesty and a new way of looking at mourning: facing grief openly, emb...

What if grief and humor could live in the same sentence? Nora McInerny has lived through unthinkable loss — a miscarriage, her father’s death, and the death of her husband — all within a short span of time. Instead of hiding from pain, she’s made it her life’s work to talk about it openly, mixing raw honesty with humor that makes grief just a little easier to carry. Nora is the bestselling author...

What if grief and humor could live in the same sentence? Nora McInerny has lived through unthinkable loss — a miscarriage, her father’s death, and the death of her husband — all within a short span of time. Instead of hiding from pain, she’s made it her life’s work to talk about it openly, mixing raw honesty with humor that makes grief just a little easier to carry. Nora is the bestselling author...

David Dastmalchian has been on some of Hollywood’s biggest screens — from Oppenheimer and The Dark Knight to Ant-Man, The Flash, and The Suicide Squad. But behind the roles, he’s faced real struggles with grief, loss, addiction, and mental health. In this conversation, David opens up about the battles he’s fought off-camera: addiction recovery, coping with loss, and learning how to navigate mental...

David Dastmalchian has been on some of Hollywood’s biggest screens — from Oppenheimer and The Dark Knight to Ant-Man, The Flash, and The Suicide Squad. But behind the roles, he’s faced real struggles with grief, loss, addiction, and mental health. In this conversation, David opens up about the battles he’s fought off-camera: addiction recovery, coping with loss, and learning how to navigate mental...

Claire Bidwell Smith, licensed therapist and bestselling author of Conscious Grieving, joins me to share practical ways to navigate grief and loss. With years of experience in hospice, private practice, and her own personal story of loss, Claire offers compassionate, step-by-step guidance for anyone struggling to process death and change. In this episode, we discuss: How to face grief instead of a...

Claire Bidwell Smith, licensed therapist and bestselling author of Conscious Grieving, joins me to share practical ways to navigate grief and loss. With years of experience in hospice, private practice, and her own personal story of loss, Claire offers compassionate, step-by-step guidance for anyone struggling to process death and change. In this episode, we discuss: How to face grief instead of a...

GaTa, rapper and actor from the hit FXX series Dave and longtime hype man for Lil Dicky, shares his deeply personal story of loss and resilience. Both of GaTa’s parents died when he was just 18 months old, leaving him to grow up without ever truly knowing them. In this conversation, GaTa opens up about grief, trauma, and how he has chosen positivity as his guiding force. From navigating the pain o...

GaTa, rapper and actor from the hit FXX series Dave and longtime hype man for Lil Dicky, shares his deeply personal story of loss and resilience. Both of GaTa’s parents died when he was just 18 months old, leaving him to grow up without ever truly knowing them. In this conversation, GaTa opens up about grief, trauma, and how he has chosen positivity as his guiding force. From navigating the pain o...

What’s it really like to speak with a psychic medium? In this episode, I sit down with Malaurie, a grounded and authentic medium who shares her journey growing up in a family of psychics and witches. She explains how she connects with spirit guides, ancestors, and messages from the other side—without gimmicks, pretenses, or crystal balls. Malaurie describes how the answers she receives aren’t alwa...

What’s it really like to speak with a psychic medium? In this episode, I sit down with Malaurie, a grounded and authentic medium who shares her journey growing up in a family of psychics and witches. She explains how she connects with spirit guides, ancestors, and messages from the other side—without gimmicks, pretenses, or crystal balls. Malaurie describes how the answers she receives aren’t alwa...

David Kessler, one of the world’s foremost grief experts, joins DEAD Talks to share powerful lessons on life, loss, and finding meaning after tragedy. Coauthor with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross of the groundbreaking On Grief and Grieving and author of six books including Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief, Kessler brings decades of experience helping people navigate grief at its deepest levels. In...

David Kessler, one of the world’s foremost grief experts, joins DEAD Talks to share powerful lessons on life, loss, and finding meaning after tragedy. Coauthor with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross of the groundbreaking On Grief and Grieving and author of six books including Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief, Kessler brings decades of experience helping people navigate grief at its deepest levels. In...

Comedian Vinny Fasline joins DEAD Talks to share the story of losing his father to lung cancer while navigating his career in stand-up comedy. This raw and relatable conversation dives into what it means for a man to lose his father, the challenges of grief, and how humor becomes a tool for survival. Vinny, host of the My+One Podcast, reflects on his father’s battle with SPS, the reality of living...