While We're Still Here

Ruth is a dear friend and I am honored to have her kick off this year of conversation. Ruth is a gem. I'm sure you will agree after listening to our conversation.  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and...

What?? Who "reads" podcasts and why would I say this? How would you feel if someone you follow in social media or podcasting, YouTube, etc, seemed to drop out of your feed, for no apparent reason at all? How would you know what happened to that person? I am considering making a podcast with a similar title. I also think this is a good reminder to stay in communication with the folks I lo...

I attended my first Death Café in 2012. I enjoyed the experience so much I continued to attend different Death Café meetings throughout San Diego. I became a host of Death Café in 2014.  Take a listen and see for yourself that talking about death and dying does not have to be scary. It may even be fun!    http://deathcafe.com Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reac...

We are at the beginning of a new year. I don't tend to make resolutions from year to year but for 2023 I do have some changes I'd like to make in my conversations. Have you been considering your end of life plan? We will be talking about the many avenues we can take in starting the discussion about our end of life. We will have interviews sprinkled throughout this year in addition to mor...

It's been several months since I began talking with you about end of life conversations. I've been preparing you for your opportunity to speak to those you love about your choices. Are you ready?  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting with Episode 56, the episode music wa...

I saw a decorated Christmas tree recently that shook me. I was moved. I took a photo of a flyer that hung on the wall behind the tree that described the tree and its purpose. To see a photo of the tree, check out https://grimtea.com , and click Blog in the menu or https://whilewerestillhere.com , and click on the Blog menu Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach m...

How can I not be a good listener when I've been told by so many what a good listener I am? This happened in a way I didn't consider until I started talking about how to derail a conversation. Listen in on my mistake. Reach me: kathy@whilewerestillhere.com https://grimtea.com Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Faceb...

What can stop heartful conversation in its tracks? We bring our history, perceptions, attitudes and judgments into conversation. If we are careful we can bring out the speaker's intentions by the way we listen and respond. When we are listening with judgment, attitude, impatience or hurt, the conversations don't often produce the results we had hoped to achieve. We are wrapping up listen...

When you have stuff to talk about but not people to talk about it with, whether because the stuff may be considered too heavy or serious or scary? The PEOPLE, the folks you can talk about anything with, who get you, whom you trust? Reach me: https://Kathy@whilewerestillhere.com https://grimtea.com Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillh...

We learned about listening, now let's discuss how we can validate what our speaker is saying to us. We can narrow down emotions and tease out feelings that may have been expressed as anger or sadness but actually have a different root, such as fear or loneliness. Exploration into better conversation can improve communication.  Take a listen. Reach me:  https://kathy@whilewerestillhere.com htt...

This thanksgiving is not what you expect. Take a listen. Resources: 988 1-800-273-8255 Text HOME to 741741 Reach me: https://kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Ky...

If asked, would you be able to define these two terms? They're quite similar but they have distinct differences without one being necessarily better than the other, but perhaps more appropriate in certain situations. They also cross over one another. In our attempts to be better listeners, I encourage you to take a listen and identify which you are inclined toward. Knowing the differences bet...

Here is another look at what I see as The Good Death. I'll share the opinions of others in this episode, in addition to mine. These people have much more personal experience than I do, and I think you will find their thoughts quite helpful in your exploration of your wishes for your end of life, or perhaps you will learn how you may be a loving participant in the end of life conversation with...

If we are so busy giving our advice or even what we consider encouragement to someone who is bearing their soul to us, are we really hearing? Are we have a heart connection? The end of life conversation is important enough that we should listen, intentionally, so that the speaker feels heard. Tune in for some tips on practicing active listening and do much less talking. https://hbr.org/2017/02/in-...

Our exploration of better listening continues. In this episode, learn how to actively listen and encourage respect and clarity in conversation. Once you master this listening technique, you can carry it into the tougher or more serious conversations around end-of-life matters.  Verywellmind.com.what-is-active-listening-3024343 https://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/ActiveListening.htm www.pattiwood.co...

Are you a good listener? Maybe you are, but could you improve? Probably. Over the next few weeks we will learn about active listening and the impact good and not-so-good listening have on our relationships and interactions with people. Reach me: kathy @whilewerestillhere.com Blog: grimtea.com Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.c...

This was recorded awhile back and I didn't feel ready to release it, until today. Why today? I don't know for sure, but it felt right to send it out to you all, so here you are. This podcast illustrates one of the most important conversations I have had. I thought it would be difficult, and tears were shed prior to it, but I felt so different afterward. Give it a listen and see how it gr...

Good or Not So Good, death of a loved one can leave a hole in our heart. I'd like to think that the Good Death leaves more peace behind, where the Not So Good Death can leave pain, anxiety, and important thoughts unexpressed, which can add to or complicate the grieving process. We will hear some examples of the Not So Good Death and some ways to encourage The Good Death.  https://greatergood....

It's here, the discussion about The Good Death. I broke it up so you can ponder the ideas here and see how the ideas compare to your own ideas about The Good Death.  I referenced and quoted many items and here are the links: https://health.ucsd.edu/news/releases/pages/2016-03-30-successful-dying-elements-of-a-good-death.aspx   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4828197 https://www.o...

Listen to the definition of DNR, or Do Not Resuscitate, and what that means to you and your family. It can be a daunting decision to consider for your end of life, and one you should absolutely consider, evaluate, and assess to see if it is a decision you would choose. You do have options. Listen in to my story.   Listen and read here: grimtea.com whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewere...

Have you celebrated a smile? I know I missed many of these opportunities as I was raising our children. So much to do, so much to consider as a new parent. Now that my kids are adults, I am seeing so many opportunities to smile and celebrate the moments that make me smile.  I considered this recently when a subscriber to my blog, While We're Still Here (I'm Still Here), responded to my s...

We made it to the end of our topical list of the types of Thanatology and how each school of thought studies and examines dying and death. Social thanatology encompasses anthropology, sociology, cultural differences, and ancient to modern traditions not only in the United States but from all over the globe, whether a large city or remote tribe. How do people mourn, grieve, celebrate the life of so...

Spoiler alert: I discuss the final portion of the series This is Us. If you haven't gotten to the end of the series and you don't want me to spoil it, you may have to download this podcast episode and save it for after you finish watching Season 6 of This is Us. It isn't the last episode in Season 6, but it is called The Train. Hence, my inspiration for the message I bring you today...

We touched lightly into thanatology ethics, now we will explore the ethical choices and decisions made by patients and their care providers as well as family members. These are not as simple as it may seem. How do patients and their providers agree when facing end of life? How can we prepare our providers to follow our wishes? Take a listen. Reference materials:  https://f1000research.com/articles...

Documents: We have documents that describe our end-of-life wishes, documents that instruct our healthcare team and family members, indicate our funeral choices, and tell people how my estate will be managed. But when I considered becoming my friend's legal healthcare decision maker, I felt a burden I didn't expect. She had never asked me to do this and yet I found myself on a path of tak...