DEAD Talks

In 2008, Christine Clawley faced a life-threatening battle with necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating bacteria) in her throat and chest. With only a slim chance of survival, she was placed in a medically induced coma — where she experienced three vivid, lucid dreams that felt like journeys into her past lives. When she awoke, unable to breathe or function on her own, Christine emerged with a powerfu...

Shut the F*ck Up isn’t just a title — it’s a method to transform your life by silencing negativity, reclaiming your energy, and harnessing the power of words. We dive into the power of words, silence, and how shifting your communication can transform your life. Inspired by the book Shut the Fck Up and Silence Your Way to the Life of Your Dreams*, this conversation explores detoxing from negativity...

Johnny Wactor, a beloved Hollywood actor, was tragically killed in Los Angeles — leaving friends, family, and fans in shock. In this emotional episode of DEAD Talks, actress Amy Tsang reflects on grieving the very public loss of her close friend while balancing her own emotions under scrutiny and advocating for justice. She also shares how past losses, including the death of her parents, shaped he...

Comedian and philosopher Rodney Norman returns to DEAD Talks for a raw and deeply personal conversation on grief, resilience, and finding joy in life’s hardest moments. He opens up about the loss of his brother to cancer, his daughter’s ongoing battle with stage four cancer, and the lessons he’s learned about staying optimistic in the face of overwhelming pain. Rodney reflects on the importance of...

This episode of DEAD Talks explores the hidden battles of mental health through the devastating loss of a sibling to suicide. The conversation dives into the emotional turmoil, long-term effects of grief, and the misconceptions around depression and suicide that often go unseen. We discuss the importance of seeking therapy, addressing emotions directly, and the healing power of empathy and connect...

What does it mean to truly face death? In this reflective episode of DEAD Talks, we explore the lessons of mortality, family, and culture through a moving piece of writing titled How To Die. Inspired by living across from a hospice care hospital, the writing captures raw insights about life’s fragility, the meaning of death, and the ways our personal experiences shape how we live. Listeners will h...

Recorded just two weeks before his death, this conversation with Philip Lister and his wife Elena is one of the most powerful episodes of DEAD Talks. Philip speaks openly about facing mortality, the emotional weight of knowing his time was running out, and the strength he drew from love and companionship. Together, Philip and Elena reflect on life, grief, and the courage it takes to let go. This f...

After a massive stroke left her clinically dead, she opened her eyes on the other side. In this gripping episode of DEAD Talks, she shares her near-death experience, what she saw in the afterlife, and the lessons she brought back. She describes encounters with spirit guides, insights into life’s greater purpose, and why she chose to return. This conversation dives into life after death, the purpos...

What was it like to sit across from John Wayne Gacy, one of America’s most infamous serial killers? In this chilling episode of DEAD Talks, attorney Karen Conti shares her firsthand experience representing Gacy on death row. She recounts their hours of conversation, his manipulative mind games, and the shocking details he revealed—including the gruesome “Body Book.” Thirty years after his executio...

Why does talking about death make life more meaningful? Hospice Nurse Julie McFadden—known for her viral insights on end-of-life care—returns to DEAD Talks to share powerful lessons from her new book Nothing to Fear: Demystifying Death to Live More Fully. Julie breaks down deathbed visions, what really happens in the final moments, and how open conversations about dying can ease fear and anxiety....

What really happens behind the scenes of a death investigation in New York City? Barbara Butcher—one of the most prominent medicolegal death investigators in America and featured on Netflix’s Homicide New York—has seen it all. Over her 23-year career, she investigated more than 5,500 death scenes and 680 homicides, from everyday tragedies to some of the nation’s most high-profile disasters. Barbar...

Rosemary Ringer died and came back in her near-death experience. After she lost her husband traumatically her heath started declining. She was diagnosed with cancer and miraculously came back fully healed with no explanation from the doctors. In this episode we discuss the details of her near death experience, what she saw, the meaning of her NDE and what it all means. 10% off Neurogum made with s...

Divorce is its own form of grief. After the end of her 17-year marriage, Luci Lampe faced the raw reality of heartbreak, identity shifts, and rebuilding her life. In this episode, she opens up about the emotional, physical, and mental toll of divorce while sharing how she found strength, healing, and growth on the other side. We explore the parallels between relationship grief and death, the hidde...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...