DEAD Talks

What does it mean to choose joy after unimaginable tragedy? Whitney Lyn lost her husband after a rare and severe reaction to a bee sting caused an anoxic brain injury that ultimately took his life. In this episode of DEAD Talks, she shares her powerful journey of grief, widowhood, and motherhood while navigating the battles of hope and heartbreak during her husband’s fight for survival. Whitney op...

Can humor really help us grieve? Jessimae Peluso, stand-up comic and Alzheimer’s advocate, brings laughter and honesty to the heartbreaking journey of losing her father to Alzheimer’s disease. In this episode of DEAD Talks, Jessimae opens up about: The burden and beauty of being a caregiver How Alzheimer’s changed her perspective on life, death, and family Using comedy as a survival tool in the fa...

She died — and came back. Amber Cavanagh suffered a massive stroke, closed her eyes, and opened them on the other side. What she experienced changed everything. In this powerful episode of DEAD Talks, Amber shares her near-death experience (NDE): What it felt like when her soul left her body The peace and clarity she found on “the other side” Why she chose to return to life — and the lessons she b...

Debbie Sath, actress and model, brings a powerful story of loss, grief, and spiritual encounters. After her family migrated from Cambodia to Australia following the Cambodian genocide, Debbie faced the heartbreaking loss of her grandfather—a moment that sparked a life-changing dream and a renewed faith in God. In this episode, Debbie opens up about: Her paranormal experiences after her grandfather...

Kathy McDaniel’s extraordinary near-death experience began when she was placed on a ventilator in 1999 after a sudden, life-threatening flu caused total lung failure. For three weeks, she fought for survival in a drug-induced coma, where she found herself in an inexplicably terrifying realm she describes as hell. What happened next was even more profound — Kathy was guided from darkness into an ov...

When Gary Gold lost his mother as a teenager, grief quickly turned into years of struggling with drug addiction and self-destruction. In this powerful conversation, Gary shares his raw journey of overcoming devastating loss, battling addiction, and eventually rebuilding his life with resilience, humor, and perspective. Known internationally as the real estate agent who sold the Playboy Mansion in...

When celebrity makeup artist Christina Flach lost her husband, professional tennis player Ken Flach, to sepsis in 2018, her world was shattered. In this heartfelt episode, Christina shares how she found purpose through unimaginable grief, choosing to live in a way her late husband would have wanted her to. Her story is one of resilience, love, and using personal tragedy to create meaningful change...

Hospice Nurse Julie returns to DEAD Talks to share deeply personal stories of loss and growth from her own life. She reflects on the death of her best friend as a teenager and how that painful experience shaped her journey with grief. With honesty and vulnerability, Julie opens up about coping with profound loss, finding meaning in tragedy, and how grief can lead to unexpected personal growth. Kno...

Best-selling author and creative voice Humble The Poet joins DEAD Talks to share simple but powerful truths about going easier on yourself in the face of life’s challenges. A former school teacher turned writer and speaker, Humble has authored multiple books including his newest release How To Be Loved, which serves as a foundation for this inspiring conversation. We explore practical strategies f...

Attorney and activist Elica Le Bon joins DEAD Talks for a powerful and unflinching conversation about death, grief, and human rights in Iran. This episode explores how the tragic death of Mahsa Amini sparked a worldwide movement, while also examining the cultural desensitization toward death in Iranian society. Elica, who has spent over a decade as a defense attorney and advocate, shares her own f...

Comedian, former UFC fighter, and popular podcast host Brendan Schaub opens up in a rare and deeply personal conversation about life, death, and grief. Known for his humor and sharp takes, Brendan shares moving stories that shaped who he is today—including a vivid account of helping save children from a devastating car crash with an 18-wheeler, the painful loss of his grandmother, and the pivotal...

'Give A Mile' is a nonprofit that gives the gift of a final goodbye by providing flights for loved ones to be together during times of palliative or critical illness. Founder, Kevin Crowe, experienced the power of a final goodbye during the passing of his good friend, Ryan Westerman. In Ryan’s final days, both he and his close family and friends were at peace knowing nothing had been left unsaid a...

What does grief feel like when it’s fresh? Nicole Adamo had just lost her grandfather — a man who was like a father to her — when she sat down for this conversation. Still in the early days of mourning, Nicole shares the raw emotions of losing one of the most important people in her life and how she is navigating the shock, pain, and waves of grief that follow. Nicole’s honesty gives listeners a p...

Celebrity trainer and motivational speaker Brandon Schram (B.Motiv8ed) opens up about how loss, grief, and adversity have shaped his life and his mission to inspire others. From losing his best friend at 17 to navigating the pain of overdose tragedies, Brandon shares a raw and unfiltered look at how grief has transformed his outlook on life. In this powerful episode of DEAD Talks, Brandon reveals...

What does it mean to truly rethink the end of life? In this episode of DEAD Talks, Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider — practicing internal medicine physician, founder of End Well, host of the TED Health Podcast, and leading healthcare advocate — brings a powerful perspective on how society views death, dying, and legacy. Dr. Shoshana shares her mission to transform the conversation around death in medicine...

Stand-up comedian Mona Shaikh faced unthinkable pain: she was abused by her father and, just before his death, found the strength to forgive him. With an intuitive sense that their final meeting would truly be the last, Mona shares her raw grief journey, the power of forgiveness, and the life lessons that emerged from one of the hardest chapters of her life. Known as the host and producer of Minor...

What happens when you become the caregiver for your own parent at the end of their life? LA real estate professional Roger Perry stepped into that role for his mother, who survived a stroke but lived paralyzed for six years before passing away. Just five months later, he faced another devastating loss — the death of his stepfather. In this conversation, Roger opens up about the heavy responsibilit...

Most of us avoid thinking about money and death in the same sentence — but preparing financially for death is one of the greatest gifts we can leave our loved ones. In this episode, Jeremy Schneider, founder of Personal Finance Club, shares practical advice on how to organize finances, plan ahead, and make sure the people you love aren’t left with chaos when you’re gone. Jeremy explains simple but...

Social media sensation, comedian, and philosopher Rodney Norman joins DEAD Talks to share his powerful perspectives on life, death, and finding meaning in misfortune. Having endured profound loss, including the death of his own child, Rodney brings raw honesty mixed with humor to help others see that even in pain, there can be perspective, growth, and light at the end of the tunnel. In this conver...

What happens when you lose a dear friend suddenly? Comedian, writer, and host of the Just Sayin’ podcast, Justin Martindale, shares his raw and emotional story of grief after the loss of a close friend in 2021. With humor and honesty, Justin reflects on navigating trauma, the isolation of Covid, and the unexpected ways grief affects us long after the moment of loss. Known for his sharp wit and cre...

What does it mean to lose your mother at only 20 years old? Singer and songwriter Airick G faced that reality when his mother died of scleroderma after years of illness. Forced to cope with grief at such a young age, Airick turned to music and art as a way to process the pain and share what he couldn’t always say out loud. In this episode, Airick opens up about the struggle of not feeling “fully g...

In 2012, Dayna Kathan (from Vanderpump Rules) lost her mother to brain cancer — a devastating event that shaped her life in profound ways. In this conversation, Dayna shares her grief journey with honesty, humor, and deep emotional insight. Balancing raw vulnerability with her natural wit, Dayna opens up about navigating loss, processing trauma, and finding meaning in the midst of heartbreak. Her...

The story of almost dying three times. Music artist, Aria, was diagnosed with terminal cancer twice given a limited time to live. She's a two time cancer survivor and a survivor of a near fatal car accident. Aria defied the odds and beat death three times as she shares this space on DEAD Talks to discuss her story and how her life has taken a completely new meaning. Full of wisdom and inspiration...

In 2021, blogger and creator of The Mommy Codes Julie Barzman experienced the devastating stillbirth of her son, Blake — a loss that forever changed her life. Alongside the pain of losing her child and her own mother, Julie found herself navigating grief while also stepping into motherhood again with her daughter, Zoe. Through writing and sharing her story, Julie has built a community for other mo...

On September 11, 2001, I was 12 years old when my father died in the World Trade Center while working for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of Tower 1. That moment changed my life forever — and it became the origin of DEAD Talks. In this raw and unscripted episode, I share my personal story of losing my father, the trauma of that day, and how grief has shaped me into the man I am today. Speakin...