Death Chat

What happens after the funeral —when the grief is heavy and the paperwork starts? Grief educator, coach, author, and former chaplain Megan Malik joins Death Chat to talk about the overlooked reality of grief and aftercare . Megan shares how she became an "Accidental Matriarch" after losing both of her parents. We discuss grief waves and the "grieving brain," managing an estate,...

Tom Berry, a retired Army officer and hospice volunteer, joins Death Chat to share his journey from military service to supporting veterans and families at the end of life through Homeland Hospice. In this conversation, Tom discusses visiting veterans in care facilities, volunteering in hospice, grieving the loss of his wife of 51 years, and how faith and human connection shape the way we face dea...

What does death actually look like—and why are so many people afraid to talk about it? In this episode of Death Chat , we sit down with Beth, a death doula, to explore her journey into end-of-life care, what being a death doula really means, and why open conversations about death can bring clarity, peace, and connection. Beth shares what she witnesses at the end of life, how supporting the dying a...

In this deeply honest episode of Death Chat , host Julia sits down with Susan Miduri to explore a lifetime shaped by loss, love, and resilience. From early exposure to death, to the sudden loss of a mentor, to the unimaginable grief of losing her son, Susie shares what grief has taught her about grace, community, and living fully. Susie also reflects on a peaceful, planned goodbye with her mother-...

In this episode of Death Chat , host Julia sits down with Alexa Livelsberger , Outreach and Education Coordinator at Highmark Caring Place , to talk about how peer support helps grieving children, families, and young adults navigate loss. Lexi shares how her personal experiences with grief led her into the field, why young adults are one of the most underserved grieving populations, and how loss i...

This week on Death Chat I sit down Stephen Polinski , managing funeral director and cremation specialist with the Central Pennsylvania Cremation Society —who also spends his weekends as “Vlad of the Rus,” a Rus (Kievan Rus) Viking reenactor and silversmith . We talk about what cremation families should know, why Stephen chose death care as a vocation, and how Viking-age death rituals— grave goods,...

Bonus clip from Death Chat. In this lighter moment, Heather, an animal psychic medium, gives insight into Julia’s cat, Possum. This clip was cut from the full episode and shared as a bonus for listeners who enjoy the personal side of animal communication. Check out this episode on YouTube to see pictures of Possum and Reba : deathchatpod https://youtu.be/_-E4LoPrXWc

In this episode of Death Chat, Julia chats with Heather, an animal psychic medium and Reiki practitioner, about what our pets want us to know—especially near the end of life. Heather shares how a life-changing experience awakened her mediumship and led her to work with animals and energy healing. They explore animal communication, Rainbow Bridge readings, Reiki for comfort care, and why animals do...

In our first episode of Death Chat , we sit down with Pastor Keith Blank to explore the role of faith, community, and ritual in the way we face death. Keith shares personal experiences from his work in ministry, perspectives on grief, and why funerals remain an essential part of honoring a life. Together, we unpack how religion can bring meaning, comfort, and connection during some of life’s harde...