Obsessed With Death

Comedian Jay Larson joins  Obsessed with Death  to talk about growing up with an older family, random chest pains, why being a dad makes him want to stick around a lot longer, and how dark thoughts can still come from a good place.

We’re revisiting powerful conversations as part of our Archive Spotlight , where we highlight meaningful conversations from the past. In this episode, Rob chats with bestselling author Sam Kean about the dark, bizarre history of grave robbing in the name of science. From drunken med students digging up fresh corpses to the riot-inducing public backlash, they explore how anatomy’s early days were f...

In this episode of  Obsessed with Death , Rob sits down with artist Shampoooty, known for creating nostalgic, adult-themed toys that explore death, addiction, and the messiness of adulthood through humor and physical art. They discuss how a childhood panic about death evolved into a creative mission to spark conversations about mortality using playful objects like toy hearses and funeral sets, eve...

We’re revisiting a powerful conversation as part of our Archive Spotlight , where we highlight meaningful conversations from the past. In this episode of  Obsessed with Death , we talk with Joshua, who used AI to create a chatbot modeled after his late fiancée, Jessica—a striking and deeply personal attempt to process long-buried grief. Originally published July 29, 2021

In this episode of Obsessed with Death, Rob is joined by writer and artist Z.G. Burnett, who unexpectedly won a colonial-era gravestone at an auction and is now on a mission to uncover its origins and return it to its rightful resting place. Together, they explore the ethics of buying and selling grave markers, the cultural disconnect from death in America, and the deep and sometimes unconventiona...

Comedian Anthony DeVito joins Rob and Greg for a hilarious and deeply personal conversation about mortality, family secrets, and their lifelong flirtation with hypochondria. Anthony opens up about learning in adulthood that his father was killed in a mob-related murder, and how a childhood filled with loss shaped his outlook on life and death. They also spiral into absurd territory, debating ethic...

Diagnosed with end-stage heart failure, Sofia walks us through the mysterious early symptoms, her emergency hospitalization, and the rapid decision to receive an LVAD that now keeps her alive.  You can follow Sofia on TikTok here .

In this episode, Rob and Greg discuss the decision to deny parole to Yolanda Saldívar, who killed singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez in 1995, and whether a 64-year-old grandma should still be considered a public threat. They also dive into the bizarre case of Dr. Gerhardt Konig, a Maui anesthesiologist accused of trying to kill his wife during a hike by using a rock and a cliff - plus much more!

On this episode of  Obsessed with Death , singer-songwriter Kevin Devine joins for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about mortality, grief, and how becoming a parent changed his perspective on purpose and risk. He reflects on early encounters with death, the emotional impact of losing his brother, sobriety, artistic interpretation, and how music about death fosters connection more than expla...

In this episode, Rob and Greg discuss an Australian man who lived 100 days with a titanium artificial heart before a successful transplant, signaling a potential shift in heart failure treatment. In South Carolina, Brad Sigmon was executed by firing squad, the first in the U.S. in 15 years—raising questions about whether it's more humane than lethal injection. Finally, we unpack the mysterious...

On this episode of  Obsessed with Death , we dive into the fascinating world of gravestone recipes with Rosie Grant, a TikTok creator and author of an upcoming cookbook that uncovers the stories behind culinary epitaphs. Rosie shares her journey of tracking down families, collecting recipes from headstones, and preserving the legacies of those who left their favorite dishes behind. We explore the...

In this episode, Rob and Greg discuss an Indiana jump-rope champion who used his double-Dutch ropes to rescue a drowning man and his dog, NASA’s concerns over asteroid 2024 YR4 and its small but real chance of hitting Earth—or the moon—and Delta’s unexpected $30,000 payout to passengers after a flight flipped on landing in Toronto.

Ömer Sami, the director of Eternal Father, joins the show to talk about his documentary about how a father’s attempt to defy death with cryonic preservation affects his family’s lives. You can watch the full documentary by clicking here.

In this episode, Rob and Greg dive into the importance of making that yearly check-up with your doctor a non-negotiable part of your routine and explore the idea of having open text communication with your doctor—should it really be that accessible? They also uncover a startling and often overlooked trend: death rates spike on Christmas Day, the day after Christmas, and New Year’s Day, a phenomeno...

Hosts Kendel & Rachel, aren’t professionals just professional grievers who started a podcast to help normalize and build community for those dealing with grief and loss.

In this episode, Rob and Greg discuss Anthony “TJ” Hoover, a man declared brain dead who woke up during organ harvesting surgery, raising questions about medical protocols and organ donation. Next, they talk about Barry Griffiths, who tragically stabbed himself while trying to separate frozen burgers, highlighting the risks of living alone. Finally, they explore a new exercise pill, LaKe, which mi...

Penny Smith, BSN, RN is a (US) nationally certified hospice and palliative care nurse, social media influencer and author of Influencing Death, Reframing Dying for Better Living. 

Comedian and Podcaster Greg Stone joins the final word as guest co-host, and to be honest, we didn't get into one story...but it's a great episode and you'll love it! I promise we'll get back to more stories next episode. Watch Greg's Full Special - Greg Stone Nobody Presents

Grace Wethor is an award-winning actress, director, bestselling author, and leading advocate for brain cancer and pediatric health. Diagnosed with an untreatable brain tumor at 13, she turned her experience into a mission, working with the White House and Capitol Hill to advance legislation securing over $100 million in funding for youth healthcare. Her latest book,  Seven Thompson & the Art o...

We celebrate one year of The Final Word! Thank you for listening!

Don't miss comedian Benny Blue's debut comedy special, Live From My Mother's Funeral , now streaming on YouTube!

In this episode, Rob and Gary kick things off by exploring the idea that having a lot of possessions is linked to mortality and death, with Rob sharing the strange reactions he gets when people realize he doesn’t own much. They then dive into fascinating new research on human aging, revealing that it occurs in two accelerated bursts rather than gradually, impacting cardiovascular health, metabolis...

Charley Burlock and Rob explore the tension between traditional private grief and the public nature of online mourning. Should we appreciate how the internet allows for a communal experience of mourning? Read Charley's full article from The Atlantic. My Brother Died. His Facebook Page Lives On.

The Final Word - A Monthly Series from Obsessed with Death! In this episode Rob and Gary discuss some new funeral ideas that Rob would like to take place when he passes, Disney's legal battle to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Jeffrey Piccolo, citing a prior arbitration agreement linked to his Disney+ subscription. We also cover the charges brought against two doctors, a personal ass...

Sheldon Solomon is a leading figure in psychology, known for his extensive research on the effects of death awareness on human behavior. His influential studies have not only advanced academic understanding but also reached wider audiences through impactful documentaries and publications.