Before You Go

In our line of work, we come across things that challenge us.  We like to call them opportunities for growth, or sticky situations.  When you work with people, you’re bound to have challenges.  Family dynamics often come into play when someone is dying.  It’s a very tender time, it’s a very emotional time.  So learning to be aware and not overreact when faced with any number of situations has been...

Join co-host Natalie Buster as she takes us through a simple technique to create healthy boundaries while working in death care.  Learn how to “open the shop” to arrive fully present and ready to do your work, and then learn how to “close the shop” so you don’t take your work home with you.  These techniques are particularly effective for people who work in death care, but can be very valuable for...

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “End of Life Yoga”?  In this episode, Mary and Natalie dispel the myth about yoga being only about pretzel positions and tight pants and how it’s actually about being present and connecting to the breath.  ABODE launched their End of Life Yoga Certification this year, and are offering two cohorts in 2025.  Learn how yoga can benefit people at the end of...

Join co-host Natalie Buster as she takes us through a Metta (lovingkindness) meditation.   If you’re in the San Antonio area, please come by for a tour of ABODE! Learn more about ABODE Learn more about Natalie Donate to keep this mission going

Rosalind Carter once said “There are only four kinds of people in this world – those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”  We couldn’t agree more.  Caregiving is a challenging and often unpaid job.  In this episode Mary and Natalie talk about the different shadow archetypes caregivers can fall into, and wha...

“Don’t be a role, be a soul.”  These wise words by Frank Ostaseski guide our work with people at End of Life.  In this episode Mary and Natalie talk about some of the Guests who have left imprints on our hearts and how we partner with hospice organizations in San Antonio to provide a dignified end of life experience for the people we serve.  Hospice is not a place, it’s a service.  So we at ABODE...

I’m sorry.  Please forgive me.  Thank you.  I love you.  These four powerful phrases are part of the Hawaiian prayer called Ho’oponopono.  In this episode, Mary and Natalie talk about the concept of a good death and how we can prepare now for a good death by making sure our wishes are written down and communicated to our loved ones.  You know who can help with this?  End of Life Doulas!  It’s neve...

ABODE ’s vision is “We live in a world where death is not feared, and we live fully until we die.”  During this episode, Mary and Natalie go through the Nine Contemplations on Death.  If you’re new to giving death a lot of thought, or the idea of death still frightens you, these contemplations are a good place to start.  Natalie talks about her breast cancer journey and Mary introduces us to her “...

Facing our Fears About Death Thanatophobia is an intense fear of death or the dying process, or anxiety around death.  In this episode, Mary and Natalie talk about the many reasons people fear death and what they can do about it.  Hint, hint, it may involve hiring an End of Life Doula to help assuage your fears! Learn more about ABODE Learn more about Natalie : Donate to keep this mission going

What’s a Death Doula? During this episode, Mary and Natalie talk about the role death doulas (or End of Life Doulas, as they’re called at ABODE) can play at the end of life.  They’ll walk you through the award-winning End of Life Doula Training and the ABODE at Home Doula Dispatch Service. Read about ABODE’s Award-Winning End of Life Doula Training program Read more about the ABODE at Home Doula D...

Welcome Home to ABODE Welcome to our first episode of Before You Go, the official podcast of ABODE Contemplative Care for the Dying.  In this episode you’ll meet your hosts Mary Thorsby and Natalie Buster, discover what brought them to the world of death care, and learn about ABODE Contemplative Care for the Dying, a beautiful home in San Antonio, Texas offering contemplative care for those in the...