Ask a Death Doula

Why is our modern society so terrified of death, and how can this fear be transformed into a meaningful part of life? Join me, Suzanne O'Brien, as we unpack the deep-seated anxieties surrounding death and explore how these fears can lead to poor decisions and missed opportunities for those at the end of life. Drawing from my experiences as a hospice and oncology nurse, I reflect on how historical...

What if you could ensure a dignified, compassionate end-of-life experience for a loved one? Join us in this transformative episode of Ask a Deaf Doula as Suzanne O'Brien, former hospice and oncology nurse, introduces the groundbreaking Good Death Seminar Series. This six-month, entirely free program is designed to bridge critical gaps in hospice care by equipping families with essential knowledge...

Imagine facing the end of your life with a sense of peace and support. In this episode, Suzanne O'Brien shares her insights on creating an impactful and authentic death doula website that reflects your passion for end-of-life care. We explore user-friendly platforms like Squarespace and Wix, offering practical advice on presenting your services with clarity and genuineness. Discover how to use col...

What if you could transform the end-of-life experience into a holistic, human journey rather than a purely medical one? Join us as we explore the profound and often overlooked aspects of end-of-life care on this episode of "Ask a Death Doula." We’re breaking down the three phases of end-of-life, from initial comfort measures to the body's natural decline, and highlighting the critical role of proa...

What if a life-threatening health crisis could transform not just your body, but your spirit as well? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Peggy Lindsay, heart transplant survivor and author of "My Beat Goes On," as she recounts her extraordinary journey. Peggy opens up about her family's history of heart disease and the unexpected health scare at age 51 that led her to seek a second opinion...

Death Doula Global Summit Speaker Spotlight: Adrian Allotey, Founder of You Are Not Alone Elder Care Ever wondered how we can transform the final stages of life into a sacred and beautiful experience? Join us as we sit down with Adrian Allotey, an empathetic end-of-life doula and elder companion, who shares her heartfelt journey of turning end-of-life care into a deeply human and spiritual endeavo...

Death Doula Global Summit Speaker Spotlight: Felicity Warner, Founder of Soul Midwives UK Can the final days of life be filled with dignity and grace? Join us for an enlightening journey into the heart of end-of-life care as we welcome Felicity Warner, the pioneering founder of Soul Midwives. Felicity shares her deeply personal story of how her grandmother's painful hospital experience ignited her...

Death Doula Global Summit Speaker Spotlight: Brad Wolfe, Founder of Reimagine EOL What if confronting mortality could be the key to living a more meaningful life? Join us as we host Brad Wolf, the visionary founder and executive director of Reimagine End of Life, who shares his deeply personal journey and the pivotal experiences that led him to break down the taboos surrounding death through arts,...

Death Doula Global Summit Speaker Spotlight: Ken Ross President of the Elisabeth Kubler Ross Foundation. Honoring Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross: A Legacy of Compassion and End-of-Life Care In 2020, Doulagivers Institute sponsored The Death Doula Global Summit and had interviews with the most impactful pioneers in the Death Doula and Death Positive Movement. The wisdom and interviews are breathtaking....

Understanding Death: Finding Peace and Healing in Grief Can understanding death truly transform your experience of grief? In this deeply moving episode of Ask a Death Doula, we explore powerful insights shared by hospice nurses and end-of-life care professionals. These stories reveal comforting phenomena such as seeing deceased loved ones and experiencing a surge of energy, offering a profound sen...

The Vital Role of End-of-Life Doulas Join us for a profound exploration of the pioneering work of Barbara Karnes in the American Hospice movement. In this episode, Barbara shares her inspiring journey from initial disillusionment with nursing to finding her true calling in hospice care, influenced by legends like Cicely Saunders and Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. Beginning her career at the onset of the A...

Transform Your Health and Happiness with Forest Bathing: A Journey Through Nature Therapy Have you ever felt the healing power of nature wash over you during a simple walk in the park? Join me, Suzanne O'Brien, on "Ask a Death Doula" as I recount my transformative experiences in Central Park and share the ancient wisdom behind the practice of forest bathing. Discover how immersing yourself in natu...

Two hospice nurses sit down and have a heart to heart discussion about the end of life and dying experience. Sharing the TRUTH about this sacred experience, and what people need to know to have the "Good Death". Get ready to be inspired and to look at life and death through an entirely new lens! Enter Julie McFadden, a hospice nurse whose journey from the fast-paced intensity of the ICU to the sou...

Steps to Safeguard Your Pet's Well-being What would happen to your beloved pet if something were to happen to you? Join us for a heartwarming and crucial conversation with Ingrid Harrison, a passionate advocate for animal welfare, as we delve into the world of pet trusts. Ingrid's touching journey, originating from her childhood on a dairy farm, offers a unique perspective on the profound emotiona...

Learn how to be a "Tele" Death Doula and work with people from the comfort of your own home! Covid-19 changed our lives forever. It also changed many different ways that we provide care. Join me, Suzanne O'Brien, as we explore the fascinating world of death doulas and how they provide essential support to individuals and families now through the use of technology. Drawing from my background as a h...

Chalk Marks and Heart Strings: A Journey of Authenticity Discover the transformative power of love and art with Justin Lucci. Justin is the founder and CEO of the Global Love Project, who joins us to share his heartrending yet inspirational journey. After a personal tragedy reshaped his world, Justin traded his corporate suit for sidewalk chalk, starting a movement that encourages us to connect wi...

Fostering a Network for Impactful Doula Services at Life's End Have you ever considered how the knowledge of death might deepen your appreciation for life? Suzanne shares her expertise on creating a vital network resource list, a toolkit that arms you with connections ranging from estate planning lawyers to eco-friendly burial options, ensuring that your doula practice is not only a beacon of supp...

Guiding Lights in the Passage from Life to Death with Judi Arasi Join us as we shine a spotlight on Judi Arasi, a remarkable graduate from the Dula Giver Practitioner program, whose journey into becoming a death doula is nothing short of inspiring. Judi shares the pivotal moment that propelled her towards this calling—the death of her mother-in-law—which revealed to her the pressing need for a mor...

Conversations at Life's End with Tomorrow's Generation   Could our silence on the subject of death be shaping our children's fear of the inevitable? This time, we peel back the layers of this taboo topic and reveal why it's essential to introduce our youngest minds to the concept of mortality. As a hospice nurse, I've witnessed firsthand the impact of death on families and the profound intuitive u...

Reimagining End of Life Care with Kim Adams and Community-Based Care Imagine the impact of a world where the final stage of life is met with compassion, dignity, and a return to the caring embrace of community. That's the transformative vision Kim Adams, a passionate advocate in the death and dying movement, and I discuss during an enlightening conversation on end-of-life care. As we traverse the...

Mastering Life's Choices: Harmonizing the Ego and the Heart Have you ever felt torn between the whispers of your heart and the logic of your mind? Our latest conversation delves into the profound realization that we navigate life with not one, but two internal compasses: the ego and the heart. Together, we explore the subtle yet powerful cues these guides offer and introduce the 'Ray technique,' a...

Navigating the Tender Journey of Caregiving in Life's Final Chapter Can we truly bear the weight of end-of-life care alone, or do we need a village to carry us through? Join me, Suszanne O'Brien, as I tackle the often-overlooked yet essential questions that underpin the daily life of those offering care in the final chapters of a loved one's life. In the heartfelt journey of caregiving, I shed lig...

Embracing Life's Final Transition: The Role and Impact of Death Doulas My journey as a hospice nurse revealed gaps and limitations in end-of-life care, inspiring me to advocate for a more compassionate approach. Stepping away from the sterile hospital corridors, we enter the realm of Death Doulas—unsung heroes who offer support, comfort, and dignity to those on their final journey. Today's convers...

Volunteer Chronicles: A Night of Compassion and Connection Have you ever been awakened by a profound sense of community and connection? Prepare to journey through an extraordinary night where Maple, my trusty canine companion, and I found ourselves amidst the sanctity of a Fifth Avenue church turned women's shelter. This sacred encounter wasn't just another New York City anecdote; it was a transfo...

Embracing Life's Final Chapter: The Rise of Death Cafes and Starting a Death Doula Business Ever wondered how the contemplation of mortality could enrich your life? Join me, Suzanne O'Brien, as I lead you through the enlightening world of Death Cafes and reveal the secret to starting a Death Doula business. We embark on a journey from the inception of Death Cafes by Bernard Crettaz to their global...