Disrupting Death

In this episode of Disrupting Death, Kathy and Keri speak with Dr. Jyothi Jayaraman, joining us to share her views on an issue of great interest to both her and us: forced transfers. Dr. Jayaraman reached out to Disrupting Death to highlight her ongoing quest to eradicate forced transfer of MAiD recipients from institutions refusing provision. In addition to conversation about forced transfers in...

Dans cet épisode, et un changement dans le format habituel, Keri-Lyn et Alyssa Laflamme discutent avec Patrick Durivage et ont une riche discussion sur les soins palliatifs et l'AMM au Québec à travers le point de vue d'un travailleur social. Travailleur social au programme de soins à domicile du CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Patrick Durivage s’intéresse aux soins palliatifs dispens...

In this episode of Disrupting Death, Kathy and Keri chat with Marcy Lane, author of A Mercy of Widows, a debut novel that “interweaves the tapestry of real emotion with the threads of a captivating narrative.” We invite you to sit back and listen as the conversation unfolds about MAiD, grief, Canada’s legal system, and why dogs are simply the best! At 60, Marcy has transmuted the trials of her own...

This episode of Disrupting Death has hosts Kathy and Keri involved in a conversation about MAiDHouse with Tekla Hendrickson, Executive Director. MAiDHouse is a non-profit organisation devoted to providing those eligible to receive medical assistance in dying (MAiD) with a supportive, inclusive, and comfortable setting. MAiDHouse provides information, resources, and services for those eligible to r...

In this episode of Disrupting Death hosts Kathy and Keri have the distinct pleasure of speaking with Ruth Steinberg about her exhibition, The Leave-Taking, which tells the story of the photo-based artist’s friend and neighbour Alma as she lives her life in the time before her medically assisted death. The subtitle of the exhibition is: What is Given and What is Left: Ruth Steinberg’s Exploration o...

In this special one year anniversary episode, Kathy and Keri speak with Sarah McInnis, the creator of Disrupting Death's music, and learn more about how Sarah utilizes music to normalize, socialize and honour death dying and grief. In the second half of the episode, the tables are turned as the editor of the podcast, Sadie Mallon, interviews co-hosts Kathy and Keri.   Trigger warning: Themes of de...

In this episode of Disrupting Death, hosts Kathy and Keri sit down with Dr. Jeff Myers for an insightful interview. Join them as they navigate the complexities and challenges surrounding advance requests and learn more about the relationship between palliative care and medical assistance in dying.   Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide   Dr. Jeff Myers is clinically based at Sinai H...

On this episode of Disrupting Death, Kathy and Keri speak with entrepreneur, author, and volunteer witness for MAiD Kathy Kastner. With humour and relatability, Kathy discusses the importance of developing more accessible and thoughtful language in healthcare, and the importance of individuals identifying what truly matters to them at the end of their lives. PS. In this episode, Keri mentions her...

A play about medical assistance in dying? That’s right! In this episode, Kathy and Keri have an enthralling conversation with Catherine Frid and Simon Malbogoat, the playwright and director “Two-Sided Mirror,” an interactive play that follows a family whose member is considering MAiD. Through the viewpoints of each family member, the realities of MAID and its implications are explored. The interac...

“Fear death less and love life more” In this episode of Disrupting Death, Kathy and Keri speak with Tania Stilson about her father, John Warren, who advocated for Canadians’ access to MAiD right up until the evening before he accessed it himself.  Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide Fact Check: Tania mentions that to qualify for Bridge C-14 support services, individuals need to hav...

Shamanism and Medical Assistance in Dying? In this episode of Disrupting Death, Kathy and Keri engage in an insightful conversation with Gaye Hanson, a shamanic practitioner who combines her expertise as a healthcare policy analyst, researcher, and grief expert with her shamanistic knowledge. Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide   Gaye Hanson is a nurse leader of Cree ancestry with...

“Assisted dying has really opened the door, not just to dying, but to living.” In this episode Kathy and Keri speak with Dr. Stefanie Green, author of the book “This is Assisted Dying.” Dr. Green sheds light on how Canadian clinicians are engaging thoughtfully with medical assistance in dying   Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide   Dr. Stefanie Green spent 10 years in general pract...

In this episode Kathy and Keri speak with Helen Long, CEO of Dying with Dignity Canada, an organization whose mission is to ensure access to quality end of life choices and care through advocacy, education and support.    Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide   Helen began her career in the not-for-profit sector, working with organizations including ALS Canada, and Mother’s Against D...

“We are an ecosystem……if our vulnerable citizens are at risk, we are all at risk.”  In this episode Kathy and Keri speak with the “wheelchair wonder woman,” Rose Finlay. As an advocate and member of the disabled community, Rose has been using her story to shed light on the ways in which a lack of proper and timely government support results in Canadians with disabilities being “ushered” towards me...

In this episode, Kathy and Keri chat with Lauren and Chelsea of Bridge C-14. By providing meaningful connections and access to resources, Bridge C-14 is a non-profit organization that works to help improve the lives of individuals and their loved ones throughout all stages of the assisted death process across Canada.   Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide   Chelsea Peddle is a well-...

Pajama party at a funeral home! Painting a coffin in a schoolyard! In this episode, Cynthia Clark talks about how she “included, consulted and considered” her children in the process of her husband’s medically assisted death and her writing project, “The Many Faces of MAiD.”    Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide   If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leavin...

In this episode, the personal IS political, as hosts Kathy and Keri talk about true choice and advanced requests for MAiD with the honourable senator Pamela Wallin.    Please note, this episode was recorded on March 8th, 2023. Since this date, there have been changes to the MAiD legislation that may not be alluded to in this episode by the hosts or Senator Wallin. Trigger warning: Themes of death,...

“It’s a really deep kind of love, to be willing to let someone go, that you’re not ready to see go.”  On this episode of Disrupting Death, Kathy and Keri speak with Jill Bodak, author of “Loved into Being,” about her experiences grieving, loving and supporting her father following his stroke in 2020, up until his medically assisted death in 2022.  Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicid...

In this first episode of Disrupting Death, Kathy and Keri-Lyn have a conversation with Sandra Martin about the history of M.A.i. D in Canada, stories of early M.A.i. D advocates, the importance of leading with an open heart, writing your own obituary, the power of narratives and much more.  Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide As a journalist for The Globe and Mail, Sandra Martin wa...

Disrupting Death: Conversations about Medical Meet our hosts, Kathy Kortes-Miller and Keri-Lyn Durant!  A new episode of Disrupting Death will be released every 3rd Friday of every month. Email us at disruptingdeathmaid@gmail.com to subscribe to receive notifications each time a new episode is released. Visit our website for more information about the project: https://www.disruptingdeath.ca/ Music...