Our Last Meal: Loss, Grief and Food

This week is a special episode of Our Last Meal. I'm sharing an episode of the podcast Good Grief, hosted by friend of the show: Nikki the Death Doula. This episode talks about things you should (and shouldn't) say to those who are grieving. You can visit her website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and listen to her podcast, Good Grief, ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . Visit us at ⁠⁠Our Last Meal⁠⁠ or at ourlastmealpod@gmail.com; you...

I think one of the character traits I admire most in another person is the ability to fully throw themselves into something they’re passionate about. I’m not just talking about the normal levels of fandom or interest either. I mean the people who find an interest and set out to understand it at the most mechanical level. You’ve met these people before - the ones who mention a new interest in cooki...

I’ve talked a lot about using grief to make, do or accomplish - and I really believe in that. I’ve talked with some incredible people who have channeled grief in to ways of helping others. I realized as I was talking to my guest this week though that there was something else that I haven’t really touched on…closure.  I think the idea of closure is complicated - it doesn’t feel as simple as just ge...

Right off the bat, I want to say that today’s episode deals with the topic of suicide. It’s not an easy discussion and may be especially hard for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling and contemplating suicide, please reach out to the suicide & crisis lifeline at 988 or 988lifeline.org. There’s a saying that time heals all wounds but I have a lot of trouble with that. First...

In this conversation, Nikki shares her experience of losing her beloved cat, Yuna. Nikki talks about how she and Yuna grew up together and went through many life events together. She also shares Yuna's unique personality and the special bond they shared. Nikki discusses the anticipatory grief she experienced before Yuna's passing and the process of saying goodbye. The conversation also tou...

It's the start of season 2 of Our Last Meal and I'm joined by all-around great guy and friend of the show, Devin, so that I can hand him the host role. This episode was equal parts difficult and cathartic for me - it was an honor to talk about my grandmother. I hope you enjoy. Learn more about this podcast by visiting  ⁠ Our Last Meal ⁠  (website & socials). You can also email us at  ⁠...

Earlier this year, I connected with a former employee of mine, someone I hadn’t talked to in a few years. She reached out to me unexpectedly so it was especially nice to catch up and hear how she and her family were doing, how work was going - and congratulate her on a recent promotion. Towards the end of our conversation, she reminded me of something that happened several years ago, that I hadn’t...

This is my second annual Thanksgiving minisode where I share the favorite Thanksgiving memories of some of my guests from the last year. However you celebrate, I hope you have a great, happy and safe Thanksgiving. Now more than ever: go share a meal with someone you care about. Learn more about this podcast by visiting  ⁠⁠ Our Last Meal ⁠⁠  (website & socials). You can also email us at  ⁠⁠ our...

For the fourth and final October re-release, I'm sharing one of my all-time favorite episodes with musician Danielle Anderson, who performs as Danielle Ate the Sandwich. Danielle took the time to discuss her music, funeral food and our ability to be silly little animals. Listen to Danielle's music on ⁠Youtube⁠ , ⁠Spotify⁠ and ⁠Apple Music⁠ . You can also find her on ⁠Facebook⁠ , ⁠Instagram...

For my third October Re-Release, I'm sharing my episode with Martina aka King Kogi. To this day, this is my most listened to episode and for good reason: Martina is funny, engaging and just an incredibly kind person. I hope you enjoy. I was first introduced to the content of Martina aka King Kogi through my wife. She had been a fan for many years, watching her videos about life in South Korea...

For my second October Re-Release, I'm sharing my episode with Paula, a Transformational Speaker, Author, and Grief and Relationship Coach. This interview blew me away when we spoke and even more so once I was able to digest it. Paula is an incredible person and speaking with her was a joy for me, I hope you'll enjoy it as well. You can visit her website  here  and purchase her book, Intent...

For the first October Re-Release, I'm sharing my episode with Ty of the Whiskeylodeon podcast. Ty is funny, heartfelt, kind and engaging - he's also got great taste in food & drink. I enjoyed our talk about grieving a sense of self, friendship and adjusting to the change that is parenthood. Go check out the new season of  Whiskeylodeon  that just started back on October 2nd. Learn more...

I think sometimes about the saying “God never gives us more than we can handle.” I’m not religious but I do find some solace in this saying. There’s something reassuring that an all-mighty creator would take time out of her day (yes, I said her - suck an egg if you’ve got a problem with it) - take time out of her day to bully us. But only bully us because it’s not too much.  There’s something comf...

Marie Scott is an author, speaker, functional medicine health coach and the creator & founder of Happy & Healthy After Widowhood. She joins us this week to talk about the loss of her first husband, how she found strength through cooking and how she helps other widows and widowers on the path to grieving, healing and finding love again. Learn more about Marie through her Instagram or Facebo...

A long time ago before I was a husband, a father and a responsible adult, I did standup comedy. When I tell people this now, the first question is always: “were you any good?” The fact that I’m not still doing that should be proof enough that I wasn’t. I found out that I’m capable of being the funny guy in the office but not the funny guy you pay money to see and I’ve come to terms with that. Stan...

There are a lot of ways to grieve someone and it should come as no surprise to anyone who has listened to this podcast for any amount of time that I find food to be one of the most powerful ways. I have regularly had guests tell me that they had never thought of food as part of grief until they came on the show. Honestly, I’ve heard this sentiment more often than not. So imagine how excited I was...

When my wife and I bought our home a few years ago, there were certain things that were really important to us - things that were non-negotiables. Things like good schools and manageable commutes to work were obviously important. There were other things we considered too - some were more serious like being close to emergency services. There were some things we’d say with a chuckle and a wink - kin...

I talked during the last episode about the idea that pain can be turned in to art. I still love this concept but this week I’m going in a different direction with it. Instead of pain being turned in to art, my guest this week - Dr. Christine Malone - talks with us about how she turned pain in to helping others. About how she took unimaginable, immeasurable pain and not only did she heal from it, s...

The French painter, Georges Braque said “art is a wound turned into light”. I love that quote because art - regardless of medium - can be such a great way to heal. Healing takes many forms for many people and my guest this week - author Michelle Malon has released two books of poetry inspired by the passing of her mother. Michelle was kind enough to share so much with me about her story, her pain,...

Like so many people, I use my phone as a means of escape and distraction when I’ve had a long day, I’m tired or I just want to shut my brain off for a few minutes. A growing interest over the last year has been TikTok - I really enjoy the freedom it gives individuals to make content that’s funny, creative, interesting - or delicious. TikTok has removed the barrier of entry for home chefs to share...

Bekah is host of The Yooman Podcast as well as a wife, mother and software developer. She was kind enough to share with me her story of the loss and grief of her mother-in-law and how her entire family has learned to cope together. Be sure to learn more about the Yooman Podcast here or on Instagram . Be sure to listen to it as well on Apple , Spotify or Podbean . Visit us at  Our Last Meal  or at...

Jennifer Landon is a VP of Education & Workforce Development, a VP of the National Association of Women in Construction and a Certified Grief Coach. She joined me to talk about her journey in to grief, the affect grief can have on workplace safety and the concept of pre-grief. You can visit her Facebook page - Your Grief Matters or you can email her. You can also find resources that Jennifer s...

Dave Stone is an LA based comedian from Georgia as well as co-host of The Boogie Monster & The Stonebergs . His new special, "Pack A Lunch" releases on YouTube on May 5th and you can preorder a 2LP vinyl here . You can follow Dave on Twitter , Instagram , Facebook or check out his website here . Visit us at  Our Last Meal  or at ourlastmealpod@gmail.com; you can also find us at ourla...

Coach B is a spiritual life coach, Reiki practitioner and owner of The Full Embrace. She joins Our Last Meal to talk about the loss of her grandmother and her journey through the grieving process. You can visit the The Full Embrace at their website here or on Instagram here . Visit us at  Our Last Meal  or at ourlastmealpod@gmail.com; you can also find us at ourlastmealpod on  Instagram ,  YouTube...

Chris Lafave is curator of the Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library in Indianapolis, Indiana. The KVML seeks to "champion the legacy of Kurt Vonnegut, the principles of free expression and common decency." Chris and I spoke of the impact of Kurt Vonnegut's work and spoke about what a meal with him would be like. You can visit the Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library online here or find t...