The Executor Help Podcast

In Part 2 of David's conversation with Dr. Robert V. Hurst, author of Life's Fingerprint, they explore why family dynamics become so complicated when parents begin to age, caregiving decisions need to be made, and estates eventually have to be settled.   Why does one sibling become "the responsible one" while another steps back?   Why do conversations about health care, finances, and inheritance s...

Have you ever wondered why the same family arguments keep happening—even decades later?   In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, David sits down with Dr. Robert V. Hurst, author of Life's Fingerprint, to explore how birth order and childhood family dynamics can quietly shape our personalities, relationships, and decision-making throughout our lives.   Why does one sibling naturally take charge w...

There's a sentence that doesn't often get said out loud, but it sits underneath many of the conversations families avoid: "I don't want this to be hard for you." In this short reflection, David explores the quiet motivation behind getting organized, having important conversations, and making plans for the future. Because for most people, it's not really about documents, lists, or paperwork. It's a...

In this special Father's Day conversation, David speaks with author and editor Margaret McMullan about her book Every Father's Daughter , a collection of essays from 24 women reflecting on the impact their fathers had on their lives.   Together they explore the unique bond between fathers and daughters, the lessons that stay with them the relationships that shape them, and why the influence of a f...

For this Father's Day special, David reflects on his own relationship with his father and the things that continue to stay with him years later.   He shares the story of a difficult Father's Day that changed his family forever, the moment he had to make a decision no son wants to make, and how his understanding of his father evolved over time.   This is not a story about perfection.   It's a refle...

What if you knew exactly how many Mondays you had left?   In this episode, David speaks with Jodi Wellman, author of You Only Die Once and founder of 4000 Mondays.   Together they explore why so many people drift through life on autopilot, why we avoid thinking about our mortality, and how a simple question can completely change the way we think about time.   Jodi shares how losing her mother at a...

When Claudine's father passed away at nearly 90 years old, the family believed at least one thing had already been figured out — he wanted to be buried with his parents.   But after his death, the family discovered something unexpected.   The cemetery records were wrong.   Ownership of the burial plot wasn't clear.   Old paperwork had to be tracked down from decades earlier.   Multiple siblings ne...

There's a moment many families never think about ahead of time.   Not the funeral.   Not the paperwork.   Not the phone calls.   The first time you open the door.   In this quiet and reflective solo episode, David talks about the emotional experience of walking into someone's home after they've passed away—and why that moment often stays with families long after everything else.   From the coffee...

When families fight over an estate, most people assume the only path forward is court. But what does that process actually do to a family? In this episode, David speaks with Bruce Young, founder of Collective Agreement and a Certified Executor Advisor, about what really happens when estate disputes turn into legal battles. Together they explore: why estate conflicts become so emotional how litigat...

Many people know they should talk with their family about important things. They just don't know how to begin. In this short episode, David talks about why these conversations often feel harder than they need to be—and why most families are not avoiding the conversation as much as they are afraid of starting it the wrong way. He shares three simple ways to begin without making it heavy, formal, or...

What does it really feel like to lose a mother?   In this episode, David speaks with Chelsea Ohlemiller, author of Now That She's Gone.   She shares her personal experience of losing her mother and what grief has actually been like for her.   This is not a conversation about fixing grief or moving on quickly. It's about what the experience really feels like—day to day, over time, and in ways peopl...

Why do some things only become clear later?   In this episode, David shares a personal reflection about his mother.   He talks about the small things that stayed with him. The quiet moments. The way she showed up, and what he understands now that he didn't see at the time.   He also reflects on something he sees often in his work—how, after someone is gone, it's not the paperwork people remember....

Why do families fight over things after someone dies?   In this episode, David speaks with Daniel Glazier , a personal property appraiser who has been in thousands of homes helping families deal with what's left behind.   They talk about a part of estate settlement many people don't expect.   It's not the paperwork.   It's the stuff.   Furniture. Keepsakes. Personal items that carry meaning.   Dan...

What happens when everything starts falling on you?   In this episode, David talks about the moment many people quietly step into a role they didn't choose.   The one who handles things.   The one others rely on.   The one who keeps everything moving.   At first, it feels like helping. But over time, more and more responsibility starts to land on one person.   David reflects on what that feels lik...

In this episode, David speaks with Valerie Oldfield, a death doula who helps families through serious illness, planning, and grief.   They talk about why these conversations feel so hard to start—and what happens when we avoid them.   Valerie shares simple ways to begin. Not in a heavy or overwhelming way, but through small, honest conversations.   She also explains how planning ahead can be one o...

Why do strong people feel alone?   In this episode, David talks about something many people don't say out loud. What it feels like to always be the one others rely on.   The one who listens. The one who handles things. The one who doesn't fall apart.   Over time, that strength can create distance. Not because people don't care—but because they assume you're fine.   David shares a calm reflection o...

What really matters at the end of life?   In this episode, David speaks with Robert Christopher Coppes, author of Impressions of Near-Death Experiences .   Robert has spent many years studying the stories of people who came very close to death and returned.   Many say the experience changed how they see life.   They often lose their fear of death. They feel a deep sense of love and connection with...

In this solo episode of the Executor Help Podcast , David reflects on a belief many people quietly carry — that living well is something you earn later, after life becomes more organized, less stressful, and more under control.   Drawing on decades of working with families, David talks about how the pressure to "get everything right" can slowly drain the joy out of ordinary moments.   Many people...

Most adults struggle to talk to children about death.   In this episode, David speaks with death doula Sandra Spicer about how stories and books can gently help children understand loss, ask questions, and feel less alone.   If there's a child in your life facing grief — or if you simply want to be better prepared — this conversation offers a calm place to begin.   Sometimes a story can say what w...

There's a conversation most families know they need to have — about aging, health, responsibility, and what happens when life changes.   But we delay it. We tell ourselves there's still time.   In this episode, David shares what he's seen when families wait too long — not because they don't care, but because no one knew how to begin.   This isn't about fear.   It's about starting gently — before a...

Have you ever wondered if your aging parent's behavior is more than just forgetfulness?   In this episode, David has a conversation with author Nicole Smith .   Listen in as she pulls back the curtain on the realities of dementia, sharing her personal experience with family chaos, screaming matches, and the conversation that could have changed everything.   If you're navigating elder care or worri...

Ever felt weirdly guilty for having a good time when life is heavy or things at home are stressful?   In this episode, David gets honest about why joy isn't something you should feel bad about or push off until things get easier.   He shares real stories and gentle reminders that laughter and happiness are what keep us going—even when we're juggling responsibilities or dealing with big life change...

Grief can leave us frozen, overwhelmed by decisions we never wanted to make alone.   In this episode, David sits down with funeral pre-planner Deborah Pagliuca , who reveals the realities families face and offers compassionate, practical advice on how to ease their burden by planning ahead.   For David's book, other resources and more visit www.davidedey.com

Many people don't choose to become "the responsible one."   It just happens — slowly, quietly — until they're the one everyone depends on.   In this episode, David speaks to the invisible weight so many people carry in their families and their lives.   The organizing. The calming. The holding it all together.   The part no one sees — the tiredness, the quiet strain, the feeling of being strong for...

Who says your best years aren't still ahead of you?   On this episode, David and guest Jeff Singal who is a men's midlife compass (ikigai) coach. Jeff opens up about what finally helped him find joy, meaning again, even after a ton of setbacks.   There's real talk about friendships, tiny steps toward a fresh start, and even a new song to get you motivated.   If you want some inspiration (and a rem...