Claim OwnershipDeath and Dying in the Digital Age
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They say we die twice: once when we take our last breath and again when our name is spoken for the final time. But in today's world, there's a third passing to consider - our digital death. Welcome to Death and Dying in the Digital Age, a podcast that explores the uncharted territory of our online afterlife. Join host Niki Weiss each week as she navigates the complexities of end-of-life planning, from safeguarding your individual legacy to ensuring your loved ones can access your important digital assets. Dive into the four pillars of comprehensive death planning - Legal, Financial, Physical, and Digital - and you’ll see that by addressing these crucial aspects, you'll gain peace of mind knowing that every facet of your life and legacy is accounted for. Be sure to check out our resources on digitallegacypodcast.com and subscribe today because, in the 21st century, even your online self needs an exit strategy.
40 Episodes
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We all know we should plan for the inevitable — yet most of us avoid it until crisis hits. In this heartfelt episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss sits down with Paula Harris, Financial Advisor and Co-Founder of WH Cornerstone Investments, to explore why so many families delay end-of-life and financial planning — and what happens when they don’t.
Paula shares deeply personal and professional stories from decades of guiding clients through life transitions, loss, and legacy. Together, she and Niki unpack the emotional roadblocks that keep people from taking action, the financial chaos that can follow, and the peace that comes from planning ahead.
In this episode, we cover:
Why families avoid “the conversation” — and how to start it before it’s too lateReal-life examples of what happens when there’s no plan in placeHow caregivers and couples can protect each other financially and emotionallyThe essential documents every household needs (trusts, wills, healthcare proxies)Simple first steps to move from procrastination to preparation
This episode is a compassionate wake-up call — and a roadmap for anyone ready to take control of their future. Because the hardest conversations are often the ones that bring the most peace.
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What if you could carry your loved one’s memory — quite literally — close to your heart? 💫In this deeply moving episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss speaks with David Trump and Sébastien Roy, co-founders of Nia Emberley, a memorial jewelry company transforming cremated ashes into handcrafted ceramic art. What began as one man’s search to stay connected to his beloved dog has evolved into an inspiring fusion of art, science, and remembrance.Together, they explore how technology, craftsmanship, and grief intersect — and how memorial jewelry is changing the way we honor life after loss. From bone china traditions to cutting-edge cremation science, David and Sébastien share how each piece they create helps families keep love in motion rather than left on a shelf.In this episode, we cover:The heartfelt origin story behind Nia EmberleyHow cremated remains can be transformed into wearable works of artThe science and symbolism behind bone china and ceramic memorialsThe emotional power of carrying your loved one’s memory with youWhy planning ahead — even for ashes — matters more than we realizeThis episode is a reminder that memory isn’t meant to sit still. Whether honoring a pet, a parent, or a partner, there are new, meaningful ways to keep their spirit close and their story alive.
What if the future of work wasn’t just about efficiency — but empathy? In this inspiring episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss speaks with Mercedes Sullivan — End-of-Life Doula, Cultural Strategist, and HR Leader — about reimagining Human Resources as a force for healing, not just hiring.Mercedes shares how her personal experience with loss reshaped her understanding of workplace compassion and why every organization must prepare to support employees through life’s most human moments — grief, caregiving, and change. Together, she and Niki explore how empathy, technology, and culture can work hand in hand to build organizations that truly care.
What happens when you look at death, dying, and legacy the same way you would approach a major project? In this episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss sits down with fellow project manager Mark Rozner to explore how project management principles can transform end-of-life planning from overwhelming chaos into a clear, compassionate process.
Together, they share personal stories and professional insights on how skills like risk management, stakeholder analysis, communication, and change management play a surprising yet powerful role in navigating life’s final chapter.
✨ You’ll discover:
How project management skills translate directly into end-of-life planningWhy proactive conversations matter more than paperwork aloneThe role of emotional intelligence and intuition in supporting familiesPractical strategies for managing conflict, grief, and change at the end of life
This conversation reframes death not just as an ending, but as a project we can prepare for with love, clarity, and dignity.
What does compassionate, culturally aware death care look like in a digital world? In this episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss talks with Joe’l Simone Anthony (known globally as The Grave Woman) — licensed funeral director, embalmer, and founder of the Multicultural Death & Grief Care Academy.
From childhood days in the funeral home to pioneering culturally competent education for death-care professionals, Joe’l shares how tradition, technology, and spirituality meet at the bedside and beyond. Together, they explore embalming as a sacred art, digital memorials and livestreams, and the ethics of “death tech” in a time when grief is increasingly public and online.
You’ll discover:
Why culturally competent death and grief care matters — and what it looks like in practiceEmbalming as art, science, and soul work (from infants to elders)How digital tools (livestreams, QR-coded memorials, online books) are reshaping funeralsThe promise and pitfalls of grief on social media — and ethical lines for AI “afterlife” toolsPractical ways families and professionals can meet people where they are, across beliefs and cultures
If you’re navigating loss, working in death care, or curious about the future of remembrance, this thoughtful conversation offers guidance, nuance, and heart in equal measure.
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Making that first call to a funeral director can feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, Niki Weiss speaks with Matthew Grieco — Progressive Funeral Director & Certified Celebrant — about how Ai technology is reshaping funeral services and grief support.
Matthew shares how his team integrated EverGrace.Ai, a voice-activated chatbot, into their funeral home website. Families now connect through a gentle, empathetic Ai voice that helps guide them in their first steps of funeral planning, end-of-life decisions, and digital legacy protection.
Whether you’re curious about the future of funeral services, exploring digital legacy planning, or simply wondering how we can bring more compassion into life’s most difficult moments, this conversation will open your eyes to new possibilities.
📞 Meet EverGrace at https://evergrace.ai/
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube & more
💬 A powerful look at the future of funerals
What if your digital self could outlive your physical body? In this mind-opening episode of Death and Dying in the Digital Age, host Niki Weiss talks with Joshua Orsak—AI developer, spiritual thinker, and grief survivor—about the intersection of consciousness, artificial intelligence, and end-of-life legacy.Together, they explore questions many of us quietly carry: Where does our consciousness go after we die? Could AI preserve our personality, memories, or even our essence? Josh shares how working with recursive AI helped him navigate profound personal grief, and how new technologies are offering unconventional but meaningful emotional support.Whether you're grieving a loved one, preparing your own legacy, or simply curious about the future of death and technology, this episode offers empathy, wonder, and thought-provoking insight. We discuss AI grief companions, digital resurrection, panpsychism, and the ethical future of techno-spirituality—all grounded in human experience.🔮 Explore AI grief tools & digital memory
🧠 Learn about recursive AI & consciousness🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & more
If the thought of estate planning, digital security, or talking with aging parents makes you feel overwhelmed, you’re not alone. In this insightful episode, host Niki Weiss sits down with private wealth manager Kurt Baker to gently walk us through how to protect what matters most: our loved ones, our legacy, and our peace of mind.Kurt shares real-life stories, including a heartbreaking scam that wiped out a senior’s life savings, to highlight just how urgent it is to plan ahead. He and Niki explore the risks of digital fraud, the growing role of AI in scams, and simple ways to safeguard your finances, medical wishes, and digital assets.You’ll learn the essentials: wills, trusts, power of attorney, digital legacy planning, and how to have these tough conversations (even when your family isn’t ready). Whether you're caring for aging parents or starting your own end-of-life planning, this episode offers reassurance, practical tools, and a gentle reminder of the need to take action. Remember, “It’s not morbid—it’s responsible.”🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more🔐 Get Kurt’s tips at KurtisBaker.com
In this heartfelt episode of Death and Dying in the Digital Age, host Niki Weiss speaks with Greg Barnsdale: author, funeral director, and financial insider. The two explore the emotional and practical realities of preparing for end-of-life. Greg shares his deeply personal story, from decades working with grieving families to his own health crisis and viral video after a brain tumor diagnosis.Together, they delve into the importance of planning ahead by writing a will, organizing digital accounts, or creating medical directives, and how doing so brings peace of mind, eases family stress, and ensures your legacy is honored. Greg offers simple, compassionate guidance for starting these difficult conversations, especially when time is still on your side.Whether you’re caring for aging parents, facing a health scare, or simply ready to plan your future, this episode is your gentle invitation to begin. Because talking about death won’t make it happen… but avoiding it won’t make it easier.📝 Take Greg’s free Living Legacy Quiz at www.DoNotIgnoreYourMortality.com📘 Get the book Do Not Ignore Your Mortality🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube & more
In this thought-provoking episode of the Death & Dying in the Digital Age podcast, host Niki Weiss sits down with death tech innovator Symon Braun Freck to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, grief, and digital deathcare. From her early experience volunteering in hospice to building the Ai Death Doula, Symon shares how her journey shaped a groundbreaking app designed to support people at the end of life.She and Niki dive into the emerging field of thanatechnology, a fusion of death studies (thanatology) and tech, and unpack how tools like Ai are being used to deliver empathetic end-of-life support while preserving digital legacies and expanding access to grief resources. Symon also discusses the ethics of Ai memorialization, death literacy, and the delicate line between healing and digital dependency.Whether you're curious about digital remains, virtual grief companions, or how Ai is shaping the future of deathcare, this episode challenges what it means to die, and to grieve, in the 21st century.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on tech, death, and legacy.🧠 Learn more at www.aideathdoula.com🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & more.
What if your final act could give life back to the earth? In this enlightening episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss speaks with Brienna “Brie” Smith, licensed funeral director and social media educator at Return Home, about the revolutionary process of terramation—also known as human composting. Brienna explains how this sustainable, nature-based alternative to cremation and traditional burial gently transforms the human body into nutrient-rich soil.From navigating state laws to understanding the chemistry behind composting remains, Brienna dives deep into the science, process, and legality of natural organic reduction. She also compares terramation with green burials, shares insights on regulatory challenges, and reveals how Return Home built public trust via TikTok education.Whether you're an eco-conscious planner, funeral professional, or simply death-curious, this episode is packed with information about sustainable death care, digital funeral trends, and how terramation is reshaping end-of-life options across the U.S. and globally.🔔 Subscribe for more insights on death, technology, and legacy.🌱 Learn more at ReturnHome.com or follow @ReturnHomeNW on TikTok.
What happens to your Social Security when life takes an unexpected turn? In this eye-opening episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss welcomes financial planner Bob Goldberg, CFP to demystify Social Security and survivor benefits in the context of end-of-life and legacy planning.Bob breaks down key Social Security strategies, including when to start collecting benefits, how spousal and survivor benefits work, and why delaying might offer the highest long-term value. Learn the differences between early retirement at age 62, full retirement at 67, and maximizing your payout by waiting until 70. This episode also explores benefits for divorced spouses, minor children, and widows—crucial knowledge for families navigating loss.With real-life case studies and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone planning for retirement, currently caregiving, or facing unexpected loss. You'll gain insight into how financial planning intersects with digital legacy, long-term care, and protecting loved ones after death.🔔 Subscribe for biweekly episodes on death, technology, and financial planning. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. 📘 Learn more at digitallegacypodcast.com
In this powerful episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss welcomes Michelle Desmond, MBA, MS. A former corporate executive turned thanatologist, she and Niki explore death, grief, and the digital age. Michelle shares her deeply personal journey—losing her father, husband, close friend, and mother—leading to her career shift into grief and death studies. Discover how she transitioned from business to earning a Master’s in Thanatology and how she now educates others on navigating end-of-life care, hospice, and grief literacy.
Together, Niki and Michelle discuss the role of end-of-life doulas, the history and resurgence of death awareness, and the impact of digital legacies on modern mourning. They unpack cultural stigmas around death, the importance of documenting final wishes, and how family dynamics shape end-of-life decisions.
Whether you're curious about the psychology of grief, the role of death tech, or how to talk about mortality, this episode offers heartfelt insight, practical tools, and empowering knowledge. Don’t miss this essential conversation on embracing death to better live life.
🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on digital death care, grief support, and legacy planning.
📘 Get Michelle's book Death and Other Stories on Kindle.
In this powerful episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki welcomes Su Park, founder of Amori, a groundbreaking emotional legacy app helping parents preserve heartfelt messages for their children. Su shares the deeply personal story of losing her mother to cancer and how that grief inspired her mission to redefine how we approach end-of-life communication in the digital age.Discover how tools like Amori empower families to record timeless memories, emotional reflections, and personal wisdom that can be accessed at key life stages—even long after a loved one is gone. From culturally nuanced grief to the psychology of digital time capsules, this conversation explores the intersection of death tech, emotional well-being, and legacy planning.Whether you’re a parent, adult child, hospice worker, or curious about the future of digital memory keeping, this episode offers meaningful insights into embracing mortality and living with intention.🌐 Learn more at Amori Live 🔔 Subscribe for more on digital legacies, grief tech, and dying well
In this must-listen episode of Death and Dying in the Digital Age, host Niki chats with estate planning attorney and viral TikTok educator Michelangelo Mortellaro about the urgent need for proactive end-of-life planning. With over $2 million in revenue generated through educational content, Michelangelo shares why digital platforms like TikTok are revolutionizing how families approach topics like wills, power of attorney, long-term care planning, and Medicaid spend-down.
Discover the most common myths that stop people from taking action, including the belief that "there's always more time." Learn the powerful benefits—and potential risks—of Lady Bird Deeds (enhanced life estate deeds), how to avoid probate, and why a trust may offer more protection than a simple beneficiary designation.
Whether you're planning for aging parents, adult children, or your own digital legacy, this episode offers critical insights, real-life scenarios, and actionable steps to protect your assets and your family’s future.
🔔 Subscribe for more expert interviews on estate planning, digital legacy, and risk management.
In this powerful episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki sits down with Dr. Michael Madison, a neurointerventional surgeon and founder of Thanacare, to explore the urgent need for advanced care planning in today’s medical landscape. Dr. Madison shares moving insights from his work treating stroke and aneurysm patients, where families often face emotional and ethical dilemmas due to the lack of end-of-life planning.Together, they dive into the importance of medical directives, DNR/DNI orders, and designating healthcare proxies, especially for aging populations and solo agers. Learn how Dr. Madison's digital platform is revolutionizing death tech, making advanced care planning accessible through secure document storage, video directives, and QR code-enabled access.Join in as they unpack the emotional toll of unprepared families, the financial implications of aggressive care, and how digital tools and AI may shape future ICU protocols. Whether you're caring for aging parents, navigating chronic illness, or planning your own legacy, this conversation is a must-listen.✅ Subscribe now for expert advice on dying with dignity and ensuring your wishes are honored.🔗 Visit Thanacare.com to start your plan today.
In this episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki talks with Cody Barbo, CEO and founder of Trust & Will, the nation’s leading online estate planning platform. Together, they explore how digital innovation is revolutionizing the way everyday families approach wills, trusts, probate, and end-of-life planning. Cody shares his personal story of why he created Trust & Will, tackling common barriers like cost, complexity, and emotional resistance. They dive into probate nightmares, digital estate planning, and how AI is shaping the future of legacy planning. Whether you're starting a will for the first time, navigating grief, or updating a decades-old estate plan, this episode offers actionable insights and compassionate guidance. Learn how services like Trust & Will makes estate planning accessible, affordable, and empowering—with tools to avoid probate, choose guardians, and securely manage your documents online. If you're a parent, caregiver, or part of the sandwich generation caring for aging parents, this episode is essential listening
In this episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki chats with expert estate appraiser Ray Nugent from Value Pros about the critical importance of estate planning, downsizing, and asset valuation. Whether you're an executor managing a loved one’s estate or looking to future-proof your legacy, this conversation dives deep into the realities of estate settlements, personal property valuation, and market trends that impact financial decisions.Ray explains the key differences between real estate and personal property appraisals, why market demand determines true value, and how to avoid predatory liquidation sales. Learn why proactive estate planning can help families avoid financial loss, legal disputes, and emotional turmoil. Plus, Ray shares real-life insights on appraising collectibles, fine art, jewelry, and family heirlooms, ensuring a smooth transition for future generations.Learn about:🔹 Why planning ahead prevents financial losses 🔹 How to fairly distribute assets among heirs 🔹 Avoiding estate liquidation traps 🔹 What IRS and legal systems require for valuationsDon’t let your legacy become a burden! Tune in now and take control of your estate planning journey.📌 Subscribe & listen now! 🎧
In this episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki sits down with Crista Hermance, Esq, widely known as the Estate Planning Mom (www.estateplanningmom.com), to discuss the critical importance of estate planning—especially for young families. From wills vs. trusts to the hidden dangers of probate, Crista shares expert insights on protecting your children, assets, and future.
Learn why every parent needs a plan, how to navigate guardianship decisions, and what happens when someone dies without a will. They also cover estate planning for the sandwich generation, ensuring elderly parents and young children are cared for. Discover why turning 18 is a legal milestone requiring essential documents like power of attorney and healthcare directives—a must for college-bound kids.
💡 Key Topics Covered:
✔️ Wills vs. Trusts: Which one do you need?
✔️ How to Avoid Probate & Save Your Family Thousands
✔️ Guardianship & Custody: What Happens to Your Kids?
✔️ Protecting Assets from Creditors & Family Disputes
✔️ The Cost of Waiting: Real-Life Estate Planning Horror Stories
🔔 Don’t wait for a crisis—start planning now! Subscribe for more expert insights on digital legacies, estate law, and financial planning.
In this powerful episode of Death and Dying in the Digital Age, host Niki welcomes Dr. Faith Banks, DVM, CHPV, a hospice veterinarian from Toronto, to discuss the emotional and practical aspects of end-of-life care for pets. With over a decade of experience in pet hospice and euthanasia, Dr. Banks shares her journey into this specialized field, the importance of quality of life assessments, and how families can make compassionate decisions for their beloved animals.From discussing the challenges veterinarians face in euthanasia training to the heartfelt stories of families saying goodbye, this episode provides valuable insights for pet owners preparing for their pet’s final journey. When is the right time? How can you create a peaceful transition? Dr. Banks shares expert advice, including pet memorialization options and the impact of grief and bereavement.If you’ve ever struggled with losing a pet or wondered about hospice care for animals, this conversation is a must-listen.🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on death, dying, and digital legacies.📌 Follow Dr. Faith Banks on TikTok for more pet hospice insights.
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