Talk Deathy to Me

Sheila and Kelsey Jae venture into the heart of the animal kingdom to uncover the surprising ways animals express grief. Sheila takes us through the moving displays of animal mourning and discovers the profound emotional connections that animals share. Kelsey Jae reads a story from Warren’s sister about the recent loss of her cat and how her other pets have reacted since. This episode reveals the...

Sheila found her way back somehow from her ‘Camino de Santiago’ walk in Spain, so… Bonus Episode AGAIN! Sheila explains what this Pilgrimage is all about, shares stories from her time there, reflects on grief and travel, shares a TSA horror story, & finally, Kelsey Jae reads Sheila an email she got from someone Sheila MET on this walk IN SPAIN!   We hope you enjoy this special episode. Please...

In this "You're Dead So Now What?" Episode, Kelsey takes Sheila on a journey to Japan's sacred Okunoin Cemetery, located on the misty slopes of Mount Koya. As she tells the story of Kobo Daishi, eternal meditation, and the spiritual depth of this vast burial ground, they reflect on the quiet reverence Okunoin holds, from its towering cedar trees to the ancient lanterns that have burned for centuri...

Sheila and Kelsey Jae dive into the often-overlooked practice of maintaining good spiritual hygiene. Just like we wash our bodies to stay healthy, keeping our spiritual selves clean is essential for mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall well-being. This is critical in your waking life and in preparation for your death, so why not aim to keep up with it always? This topic was so insightful...

In this episode, Sheila opens up about the deeply personal moment she was first called a "widow." Through her reflections, she shares how this unexpected label not only reshaped her identity but also taught her profound lessons about life, empathy, and the complexities of long-term grieving. Sheila delves into the emotional journey of navigating loss, the evolution of her interactions wi...

Sheila and Kelsey Jae explore the crucial role that communities play in supporting individuals and families through the grieving process. They discuss how community involvement fosters resilience and healing by offering networks of compassion and understanding, highlighting the influence of cultural and regional differences on mourning practices. This episode emphasizes the importance of personali...

Join the ladies as they dive into the strangest and most unusual historic deaths from around the globe. In this quirky episode, Sheila and Kelsey Jae recount the bizarre demise of famous figures, from the tragic irony of Franz Reichelt's parachute jump off the Eiffel Tower to the peculiar end of Greek philosopher Chrysippus, who reportedly died from laughing at his own joke. Prepare to be amaz...

Sheila and Kelsey Jae explore Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland, OH. In this episode, they uncover fascinating stories of notable figures like John D. Rockefeller and President James A. Garfield. Discover the cemetery's beautiful monuments, rich history, and the art and symbolism that bring its legacy to life. Tune in for a captivating journey through one of Cleveland's most iconic landmarks....

In Episode 24 of 'Talk Deathy To Me', we delve into the concept of "La Petite Mort" — the small deaths that occur throughout life after losing a loved one. Join Sheila and Kelsey Jae as they explore the unexpected moments when grief resurfaces, from a familiar scent to a fleeting memory, and how these experiences shape our ongoing relationship with loss. Through personal stories...

Join us on a haunting journey through the historic Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh, Scotland, where the past whispers through weathered tombstones and crumbling mausoleums. In this episode of 'Talk Deathy To Me', we explore the tales of those laid to rest within this atmospheric cemetery. From notable figures of Edinburgh's past to ordinary lives, discover how their stories illuminate...

Hello dear listeners, this week we’ve decided to share an episode on a topic in which we’ve heard a number of questions about how to talk about grief, death, and loss with children. Kelsey Jae has stepped aside for this episode to let her sister Kaylee, who joined us earlier in this season, come on to speak about this topic with Sheila. Kaylee is the mother of a five year old. Enjoy this generatio...

This episode focuses on the importance of touch when ushering a loved one to the next plane during your hospice journey (or really any point!). Sheila provides personal examples from a widow's perspective and advice from the perspective of a Death Doula for how touch in the end of life is a critical form of communication and connection.  Please consider leaving us a review on iTunes and Spotif...

Sheila and Kelsey Jae cover a variety of funeral and celebration of life customs in today’s episode. They talk about their favorites, discuss spirituality, and theorize the origins of some of these customs and the ways these customs may come to life. They discuss a suggested location from listener Charlotte about Venzone, Italy where people live with their mummified bodies of their ancestors and h...

After the array of traveling Sheila’s been doing, Kelsey Jae thought it was time we talked about travel and grieving on the podcast. In a candid and impromptu episode, the girls talk about how traveling changes when you’re grieving and people’s un fair perceptions of people who lose a loved one and take a trip. They discuss how travel provides a reprieve from grief, no matter how far removed we ar...

Sheila once again explains something Kelsey Jae (and maybe you) knew nothing about… Advance Directives! The girls talk further about a living will, as well as all the different types of wills and documentations you should work out, so your loved ones aren’t wondering once you’re gone! Sheila explains that Advance Directives are ONLY used if you cannot communicate your own wishes, and they’re legal...

Today’s episode aims to focus on ways society talks about death, dying, illnesses, and loss, in a framework of failure vs. successes and how these ways of thinking are harmful… and ways around it. The girls talk about moments of fear or stark realizations they had during their own journeys, and how those feelings became woven into the fabric of their new daily lives then and now. Importantly, this...

In this Hospice realities episode, Sheila and Kelsey Jae tackle a big topic: what do you actually need to do to prepare for hospice, beyond the emotional stuff? After we accept what we’re facing, or even while we wrestle with it… what ARE the practical, baseline things we need to think about? Sheila talks through this, and shares a resource she created that you can use as a starting point .  If yo...

Sheila and Kelsey Jae complete the second part of this Good Grief episode, and talk candidly through ways to care for ourselves when we learn someone we know is dying.  Have stories of your own or maybe even questions for Sheila? Email them to us at ⁠talkdeathytome@gmail.com⁠.  If you are enjoying our show, please consider leaving us a glowing review on iTunes and Spotify and following us on ⁠Inst...

In this Hospice Realities episode, Sheila breaks down a topic that many experience anxiety or discomfort around maintaining during the hospice period: setting boundaries for visitors. Sheila provides a suggestion around appointing a “gatekeeper” during visiting hours and the girls reminisce on how they handled this with their loss.  Have stories of your own or maybe even questions for Sheila? Emai...

Sheila and Kelsey Jae push through the discomfort of one of the most daunting topics: what to do (and how to treat) someone who you love when you find out they’re dying. This is a two-part episode, this part focuses on how we can hold space for the dying and next week’s release focuses on the ways we can care for ourselves when someone we know is dying. Have stories of your own or maybe even quest...

Sheila and Kelsey Jae explore the topic of frustrations that the dying might experience during their end of life journey, including living our dreams and our purpose. Furthermore, they spend some time discussing topics ranging from showing people your appreciation during their life and not just in their dying-days to higher-level topics such as how they view the Universe, God, or Source. Have stor...

Sheila and Kelsey Jae discuss ways they suggest you do (and don’t) express sympathy to loved ones who are going through a loss, including the nuance to phrases such as “I’m sorry.” Kelsey Jae talks about her own experience with friends who expressed sympathy in her own journey of loss, as well as two anonymous listener stories! Have stories of your own or maybe even questions for Sheila? Email the...

Sheila and Kelsey Jae discuss appetite and medications during hospice and end-of-life care, and as always include personal experiences that help illustrate. Sheila gives detail around the reality of these difficult-to-watch events such as medications needed to ease the pain of the disease process or how the body begins to need food less and less as it knows it’s leaving this life. Have stories of...

In this vulnerable episode, Sheila and Kelsey Jae think back on their experience as caregivers with Sheila’s husband and Kelsey Jae’s dad, Shane, during this Hospice journey and connect this in ways listeners may relate to. The girls show how grief shows up authentically over time, and provide moments of truth, humor, pain, and shame.  Have stories of your own or maybe even questions for Sheila? E...

In today’s “Conversations with Death” episode, we have our FIRST EVER GUEST! Welcome to Kaylee Green, Doctor of Physical Therapy, to Talk Deathy To Me. Sheila and Kaylee discuss physical therapy at the end of life, how Kaylee got into PT, Kaylee’s journey with caregiving and how this comes up in her everyday life as a professional caregiver, and more. Kelsey Jae pushes Kaylee to share her more sil...