This Side of the Grass

Isn’t it kind of crazy to think that there are days that completely change the course of your life… and when you wake up on those days, oftentimes you don’t even know it’s about to happen. It’s only when you look back that you realize your entire life changed on that day. On today’s solo episode, I take a little pivot. Instead of sharing a specific preparation step or lesson learned following the...

On today’s episode of This Side of the Grass, I am so happy to have Katie Novak, Registered Nurse, share her expertise on healthcare documentation. She is here to provide clarity on decisions and forms that often are needed at end of life, including Health Care Directives and the POLST. A “Health Care Directive”, prepared by an attorney, is a legally binding document that helps the provider to kno...

On today’s episode, I share with you my vulnerable conversation with long-time friend of the Amsden family, Mike Zinda. Mike is the first guest who reached out to me after listening to several episodes last season, and asked if he could come on to share his story. After talking with him several times about the unexpected loss of his dad, it became clear that Mike’s path to finding peace is a relat...

What a unique and beautiful privilege it is to share with you today’s conversation! My grandmother, Dorothy Waska, turned 98 in May of 2024. We recorded this conversation in her apartment about 6 weeks before her birthday. Her transparency and ease of sharing her thoughts on dying and loss really helped to shape how I approach this podcast, and I am grateful to her for that, as well as for her ope...

Here we go again! As we start Season 2 together, I revisit “My Why” – which is how we started Season 1. If you haven’t listened to that episode, or if it’s been a while, here it is: This Side of the Grass, Episode 1 "My Why" On today’s “My Why” for Season 2, I share with you a bit more about my grandma, and how her views on dying and preparation have helped to shape what the podcast has become. Sh...

We have reached the end of Season 1!  Throughout the last 13 episodes, I have found my voice and the tone of this podcast in real time. Thank you for going on this adventure with me! As I shared my story, I have been humbled and proud to have helped others to share theirs, and look forward to taking some intentional time to reset, regroup and catch up (Note: watch for “This Side of the Grass”...

This week’s episode falls near several important milestone dates related to the loss of my mom: Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and the anniversary of her passing on June 4. As milestones and anniversaries loom year after year, it sometimes feels like no time at all has passed – even years or decades after we have lost a loved one! After participating in a live group Zoom with David Kessler ahead of M...

Long-time friend Eric Froistad joins me on today’s episode. We share a birthday, a best friend (my husband!) and the heart-breaking burden of losing brothers unexpectedly much too soon. Because we, along with our other siblings, gave the eulogies at our brothers’ services, we have an additional connection that I wanted to explore.  Eulogies include stories of the loved ones we have lost, and...

I’ve teed up this topic in several previous episodes: the legal side of things! I am thrilled to have this important and specific conversation with attorney and long-time friend, Steve Messick, founder and lead attorney of Messick Law, PLLC. He is a top-rated attorney serving clients throughout the State of Minnesota. His primary areas of practice include probate, trust and estate litigation, elde...

My guest on today’s episode is Brian Muller: a dad, musician and fellow resident of the Twin Cities. Professionally, he has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years, and recently started his own firm and podcast. He grew up near my husband’s family, so Brian and I have been mutual friends for years!  I watched via social media as he and his late wife, Amie, went through her p...

On today’s episode, we are talking about obituaries! At first, this may not seem exciting – but really, what an incredible opportunity an obituary is to showcase and highlight the life of someone that has passed away. In many cases, this is the last written account of someone’s life! I talk through not only what an obituary is, but also the following action items to make sure you have the knowledg...

What happens to our social media presence when we die? And what can we do about it now? I talk through the options available on three of the biggest platforms: Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). Deciding now what you want done with your online footprint is incredibly helpful to the loved ones that are left behind when you are gone! The action item for this week is to decide the followin...

I met today’s guest, Sheri Erickson, through a mutual friend because we both had stories in our families of tragedy and loss. We struck up a quick friendship, and it amazed me how beautifully she viewed the passing from this life to what is next – and I knew I needed her on the podcast.  Listen in on our conversation as Sheri’s shares stories of loss, we talk about how relationships and frien...

This episode was recorded just a few days after a deadly shooting near my house that made national news. Two officers and a firefighter were killed when responding to a domestic disturbance call a little over a block away. This incident was unsettling on so many levels, and I was confused as to why it so strongly affected not only me, but my family, neighbors and other friends in our city. These f...

Listen in on my very first interview with two subject matter experts, Bethany Winters and Tim Vossen, who work in commercial insurance. Using their hearts – Bethany’s story is powerful – and combined 34 years of professional experience, they take us through the nuts and bolts of life insurance: What is it? Why do you need it? If you already have it through a job, is it enough? Start these conversa...

Why do we think we are invincible to the inevitable: that we will someday die? Whether you are in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or ANY other age – you are giving a gift to your loved ones by thinking through and planning for what happens when you die.  Action items for this episode, that you should do NOW (no matter your age!): Sit down with your closest loved one; a spouse, sibling, parent, child or t...

Comparison is a natural thing, both in life and in loss! On this episode, I share two “a ha!” moments during grief therapy::   1. I was comparing, unintentionally, my grief and loss experience to others – even down to the details of funeral choices.    2. “Jealousy” is a very real feeling that is associated with grief, as shown in an image that was shared in a group therapy session...

Why in American society do we expect those that are grieving to throw the equivalent of a wedding, in just a few days? That’s pretty much what a funeral is: a service and possibly a meal – with music, flowers, programs, and oftentimes a photo slideshow or displays – for several hundred people… all planned in a matter of days! Ridiculous, isn’t it? In this episode, I share my thoughts on funerals....

Who wants to talk about death and dying, anyway? Well, me. In this episode, I share my personal story and the reason behind why I started this podcast. Both my mom and brother died too young, in two very different ways: my mom to cancer after a four-plus year battle when she was 57, and my brother to a heart condition unexpectedly and suddenly when he was 44. These experiences have taught me the i...

The trailer for This Side of the Grass.