The Heart of Hospice Podcast

Social Worker Rosie Gaston talks about getting back to the basics of what matters most to start an advance care plan.  Reflecting on values and beliefs is a great starting place.  The next step is having conversations with people who matter most to us (along with healthcare providers) to communicate the kind of care we want when our bodies begin to shut down, and what embodies quality of life.  When should we make an advance care plan?  Rosie recommends anyone over 18 make an ACP and revisit it whenever there’s a life change.  End of life wishes change and ACP should change to stay in alignment with who we are.  Getting a life-altering or serious diagnosis, changing marital status, or having a change in healthcare provider are all milestones where review of an advance care plan should happen.  Have the conversations early, have them often.    Connect with Rosie Gaston, MSW, LICSW, APHSW-C: www.ABetterEnding.org Socials for Rosie Gaston:  IG    Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible.  And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help.  Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95.  If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions.  A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website:  theheartofhospice.com Social media:  Facebook     Twitter    Instagram   LinkedIn Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Hospice Nurse Julie McFadden is using TikTok to teach over 1 million followers what death really looks like.  As a nurse with 15 years of experience in end of life care, she’s seen all the ups and downs of community-based bedside hospice care.  Julie also spent years working in ICU, and learned the intense needs of the dying.  Her book Nothing to Fear: Demystifying Death to Live More Fully prepares readers for death and dying, with stories interwoven throughout.  Her newest book is The Nothing to Fear Journal: Questions and Reflections for Demystifying and Preparing for the End of Life.  The journal has four sections that give prompts to help the user’s writing process.  The sections cover anything and everything related to dying, including beliefs and fears, how to have end of life conversations, ways to ask for help, and practical tips for planning your own end of life experience.  Who should read the books?  Hospice Nurse Julie says they’re for anyone who’s going to die.  Links to Hospice Nurse Julie’s book, journal, socials, and website: Nothing to Fear The Nothing to Fear Journal https://www.hospicenursejulie.com/ https://www.instagram.com/hospicenursejulie https://www.tiktok.com/@hospicenursejulie https://www.youtube.com/@hospicenursejulie https://www.facebook.com/people/Hospice-nurse-julie/100077937666311 Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible.  And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help.  Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95.  If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions.  A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website:  theheartofhospice.com Social media:  Facebook     Twitter    Instagram   LinkedIn Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Dr. Jessica Zitter sees how hard family caregivers work and it inspires her to keep going as a physician and caregiver advocate.  Working as a critical care and palliative care physician, an author, and a documentary film maker has positioned Dr. Zitter uniquely to advocate for caregivers and the heavy burden of family caregivers.  Jessica has had personal experiences working as part of an interdisciplinary team that have made her a better practitioner and doctor, and more aware of her own biases. Here are some highlights of this conversation: • The size of the caregiver workforce in the U.S. has grown to 63 million as of 2025. • Caregiving from a distance carries its own set of stressors, including increased financial burden. • Working in an interdisciplinary team can create accountability among the various disciplines. • Implicit and explicit bias influences the quality of the healthcare people receive. • Teams need to make space for every discipline, and it’s the responsibility of those professionals to step forward and claim their seats.  Connect with Reel Medicine Media at reelmedicinemedia.org Find information about The Chaplain and The Doctor Find information about Caregiver: A Love Story Watch the trailer for Extremis here Find Dr. Zitter’s book Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life here Text the word “caring” to 66866 to recieve the Reel Media newsletter and get a free resource guide to chaplaincy. Social media for Dr. Jessica Zitter:  IG   Facebook   X   LinkedIn   YouTube   Vimeo Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible.  And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help.  Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95.  If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions.  A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website:  theheartofhospice.com Social media:  Facebook     Twitter    Instagram   LinkedIn Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com Find more podcast episodes of  The Heart of Hospice Podcast Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Palliative Care Chaplain Cody Hufstedler shares the end of life experiences of his patients and their families using compassion, healthy boundaries, and a little bit of humor.  After 12 years of working as a chaplain, he’s seen the best and worst of death and dying.  Cody believes his job is to help people work through changes when bad news happens, and help them pivot back to the values they hold most dear.  He’s stepping into the place where panic happens and works to be the calm inside the chaos.   As host of The Dying to Tell You Podcast, Cody features one-on-one conversations with guests who are living with a serious illness—including cancer, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), Alzheimer's disease, brain cancer, multiple myeloma, and other terminal diagnoses. These aren't patients of his; ethical boundaries are carefully maintained. These are intimate dialogues with people from across the country and around the world who are willing to share their experiences with mortality.  Listen to The Dying to Tell You Podcast Check out The Caring Perspective Podcast here and here. Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible.  And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help.  Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95.  If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions.  A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website:  theheartofhospice.com Social media:  Facebook     Twitter    Instagram   LinkedIn Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Jessica Guthrie is more than a millennial caregiver - she’s an advocate using her voice to change how we approach the care of loved ones. When her mom Constance was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease at 66 and Jessica was 26, Jessica began coordinating her care from a distance. The trajectory of the disease soon required a move to be closer to Constance. Jessica describes it as “a shock to the system” as she began trying to figure out how to manage her mom’s care. None of her friends were talking about caregiving or Alzheimer’s disease. In the ten years since the diagnosis, there have been ups and downs in Jessica’s caregiving journey, including admission and discharge (and readmission) to hospice. Jessica Guthrie founded When Career & Caregiving Collide, sharing what she’s learned to empower other caregivers. She’s teaching and speaking, featured in podcasts and webinars. You can find Jessica Guthrie at jessicacguthrie.com      Find Jessica on social media: Instagram  LinkedIn Check out interviews and articles about Jessica here. You can find the Approaching Death Support Kit at bkbooks.com. Find all of Barbara Karnes’ products and resources at bkbooks.com. Read Barbara’s blog at bkbooks.com. Connect with Barbara Karnes on Facebook IG LinkedIn Twitter (X)  YouTube Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible. And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care. If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help. Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95. If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions. A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website: theheartofhospice.com Social media: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram LinkedIn Email: helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

When dementia is the diagnosis, end of life discussions can be intense and heartbreaking.  Hospice social workers Lisa Pahl and Jessica Empeno shed light on how to make things easier.  Whether the dementia diagnosis is the primary (or terminal) diagnosis, or it is happening alongside another serious illness, the topics to be considered are complex.  Everything from incontinence management to feeding tubes to ventilator support needs to be addressed.  Talks about advance care planning should happen early and often, and include healthcare teams, family members, and anyone who might be involved in the caregiving group.   The Dementia Deck is one of the great tools out there to facilitate advance care plan conversations when there’s a dementia diagnosis in the mix.   You can connect with Lisa Pahl (co-creator of The Dementia Deck) at thedeathdeck.com. Purchase your The Dementia Deck here. Check out The Death Deck here. Get a copy of The EOL Deck here. Follow The Death Deck:  Insta     Facebook     TikTok Visit the Compassion and Choices website to access the Dementia Values and Priorities Tool here. Read more about the Dementia Values and Priorities Tool at compassionandchoices.org Follow Compassion and Choices:  Insta     Facebook     YouTube     LinkedIn     Bluesky Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible.  And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help.  Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95.  If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions.  A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website:  theheartofhospice.com Social media:  Facebook     Twitter    Instagram   LinkedIn Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast

The team at Caring House is supporting the dying with compassion and respect, and a willingness to say yes to every end of life wish. Caring House is more than a non-profit organization; it’s a home focused on helping residents and families through the end-of-life experience. It’s the only one of its kind in Los Angeles County. Executive Director David Zartman and Resident Care Manager Joanna Franco lead the Caring House team to empower the dying and their caregivers. Admission to Caring House is open to all regardless of who they are, and support is provided 24/7. The Caring House staff take on the caregiving responsibilities, giving families time to simply be at the bedside of their person. Dying with dignity and comfort is their top priority. Donating to the work Caring House is a great way to honor someone you’ve lost. You can make your donation to support their work here.  If you want more information about the Omega Home Network, visit omegahomenetwork.org Connect with the work of Caring House at yourcaringhouse.org Follow Caring House on social media:  Instagram  Facebook  YouTube Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible. And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care. If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help. Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95. If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions. A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website: theheartofhospice.com Social media: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram LinkedIn Email: helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast

Elizabeth Johnson is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Peaceful Presence Project, a community-based organization in Oregon dedicated to fostering compassionate end-of-life care. Her commitment to supporting end of life planning for the unhoused population is deep, leading her to companion homeless individuals to help them complete their advance directives. The Peaceful Presence Project offers numerous resources, including end of life doula training and a free downloadable resource called End Notes that guides the user in gathering the documents their loved ones will need, and the wishes they want honored, into one place. The End Notes workbook comes in both digital and printable formats.   Find the work of the Peaceful Presence Project: Website: thepeacefulpresence.org Learn more about The Peaceful Presence Project Connect with their End of Life Doula Course Download the End Notes resource here Social media for the Peaceful Presence Project:  Instagram  LinkedIn Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible. And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help. Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95. If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions. A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website: theheartofhospice.com Social media: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram LinkedIn Email: helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast

Suzanne O’Brien has spent the last 20 years serving the dying, and supporting the ones who serve at the bedside.  As a hospice nurse and founder of Doula Givers, she finds purpose and meaning in working with patients at end of life.  After working most of her nursing career in oncology and hospice, Suzanne saw the gaps in care for people with advanced diseases. This led to the creation of the award-winning program  DoulaGivers: End of Life  End of Life Doula Training, Eldercare Doula Training, and Doulagiver Care Consultant Training.   Today, Suzanne has combined her years of training, education, and experience to create The Doulagivers® Institute for Higher Learning featuring the Doulagivers® Life Class and Wellness Membership. This membership was created to support people everywhere with the tools, education and mentorship they need to live their best, fullest, and healthiest life possible. Connect with Suzanne O’Brien Website: doulagivers.com Get free resources from DoulaGivers here. Read Suzanne’s blog here. Purchase your copy of The Good Death by Suzanne B. O’Brian at thegooddeathbook.com Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible.  And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help.  Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95.  If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions.  A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website:  theheartofhospice.com Social media:  Facebook     Twitter    Instagram   LinkedIn Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast

We’re excited to feature a roundtable discussion with a group of amazing hospice nurses discussing what makes a “good death” and the rituals they’ve created for themselves and caregivers.  Jean Ann Menna, Carrie Oram, and Shelley Henry have many years of end of life nursing experience.  Along with Helen, they share the many facets of helping patients create good deaths for themselves.  This conversation is a great inside look into how hospice nurses care for families when death occurs.  Find Jean Anne Menna and her book “Go with Grace: A Simple Guide to Caring for Someone on Hospice” here.  Connect with guest Carrie Oram at Angel Heart Holistics here. Find Shelley Henry and Amity Staffing at amitystaffing.com Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible.  And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help.  Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95.  If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions.  A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website:  theheartofhospice.com Social media:  Facebook     Twitter    Instagram   LinkedIn Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast

Hospice doctor Dr. Alen Voskanian is sharing the lessons he’s learned at the bedside of the dying, including why managing compassion fatigue is so vital. Working with AIDs patients led him to hospice work and to obtaining his board certification in hospice and palliative care medicine. Through his practice, Alen tries to humanize his patients and tries to connect with them. He works to find the best balance of doing his job and seeing the patients as human beings. Debriefing with the hospice team and finding an outlet for his secondary grief has helped Alen create personal wellbeing and sustainability as a hospice physician.  Connect with Alen Voskanian: LinkedIn Purchase a copy of “Reclaiming the Joy of Medicine: Finding Purpose, Fulfillment, and Happiness in Today's Medical Industry” by Dr. Alen Voskanian here. Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible. And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care. If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help. Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95. If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions. A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website: theheartofhospice.com Social media: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram LinkedIn Email: helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast

Elizabeth Uslander is empowering the dying every day to create a better ending.  As co-founder and CEO of Empowered Endings, Elizabeth is passionate about helping people with serious illness to find the death that aligns with their values and wishes.  Her social worker background equips her with problem solving skills she can use to be an advocate for patients and their caregivers.  Elizabeth’s theological training lets her support the religious, faith, and spiritual beliefs of her patients.   Elizabeth is not only an advocate for people who are at the end of life; she’s also a proponent of the interdisciplinary team.  She thrives in the collaborative environment that’s the best structure for caring for the complex needs of serious illness. Elizabeth is a passionate change agent committed to humanity, dignity, and choice throughout life, and especially in its final chapters. Find out more about Elizabeth Uslander and Empowered Endings:  Website: empoweredendings.com and empoweredendings.org  LinkedIn: @elizabeth-uslander or https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-uslander/  Instagram: @elizabethuslander or  https://www.instagram.com/elizabethuslander/  Facebook: @elizabethuslander or https://www.facebook.com/elizabethuslander/  Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible.  And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help.  Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95.  If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions.  A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website:  theheartofhospice.com Social media:  Facebook     Twitter    Instagram   LinkedIn Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast

Hospice nurse and End of Life Doula Erin Collins puts her heart and mind into helping people make peace with the end of life through compassionate, reflective conversations. As co-founder of The Peaceful Presence Project, Erin has seen the comfort and calm that advance care planning brings to not only those who are dying, but also to their family caregivers and the end of life workers who are serving them.   Facilitating end of life conversations is one of Erin’s gifts. The Peaceful Presence Project offers a printed workbook called End Notes that helps people express their end of life wishes, and to capture memories and messages they don’t want lost.  You can find End Notes on The Peaceful Presence Project website.  Through the advance care plan conversation, people feel better about the end of life.  Medical decision makers also find their grief burden is less, as they simply follow directions that have been given by their Person.   Connect with guest Erin Collins: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/erin-collins-rn Instagram:@peacefulpresencedoulas Facebook: facebook.com/peacefulpresencedoulas Find more information about The Peaceful Presence Project at thepeacefulpresenceproject.org Check out their End of Life Doula training program here. Get your copy of End Notes here. Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible.  And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help.  Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95.  If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions.  A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website:  theheartofhospice.com Social media:  Facebook     Twitter    Instagram   LinkedIn Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

The International End of Life Doula Association believes everyone deserves compassionate, respectful care at the end of life.  Executive Director Doug Simpson is working with the INELDA team to make that happen.  Doug’s journey to EOL doula work began with the death of his own father, followed by the birth of his son. Drawn to end of life work, Doug trained as a doula in 2018 and became an INELDA volunteer in 2019.  He moved into the Executive Director position in 2022, and has never lost sight of the personal experiences that have guided his work.  Reflecting back, Doug realizes the similarities between birth and death, and the deeply spiritual experiences of both these life events.  He works with INELDA now to ensure that everyone has access to end of life care, resources to make that death an enriched experience, and education to promote growth and acceptance of the work of end of life doulas. You can find the work of the International End of Life Doula Association at inelda.org Read more about INELDA Executive Director Douglas Simpson here. Looking to find an INELDA doula in your area?  Click here. Find out how EOL doulas serve the seriously ill and dying here.   Facebook Instagram Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible.  And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help.  Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95.  If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions.  A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website:  theheartofhospice.com Social media:  Facebook     Twitter    Instagram   LinkedIn Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Trigger Warning: The content of this episode includes narratives about seriously ill children. If you need to sit this one out, catch up with us on another episode and please take time to care for yourself. In his memoir titled “Because I Knew You: How Some Remarkable Sick Kids Healed a Doctor’s Soul”, Dr. Robert Macauley tells the story of the patients who have impacted his life, and how he’s changed for good. As a pediatric palliative care physician, Bob walks alongside kids and their parents through serious illnesses. Those experiences have shaped who he is, what he believes and how he practices medicine.   Buy your copy of “Because I Knew You: How Some Remarkable Sick Kids Healed a Doctor’s Soul” on Amazon Barnes & Noble   Watch Dr. Macaulay’s TEDx talk here.  You can find the Approaching Death Support Kit at bkbooks.com. Find all of Barbara Karnes’ products and resources at bkbooks.com. Read Barbara’s blog at bkbooks.com. Connect with Barbara Karnes on Facebook IG LinkedIn Twitter (X)  YouTube Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible. And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help. Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95. If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions. A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website: theheartofhospice.com Social media: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram LinkedIn Email: helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

DNP Elena Prendergast is empowering people with serious illness to find their voices, and advocate for their best quality of life.  Working with patients who are dealing with end of life issues showed her how much extra support is needed, even when there’s a healthcare team providing care.  Elena helps clients navigate the confusing maze of the US healthcare system.  She listens to what they think is important, and equips them with the tools to make their needs and wishes known.  Her education as a doctorally prepared nurse practitioner with extensive experience in palliative care, additional training in trauma/resilience, and the sacred work of an end-of-life doula provides a unique perspective of the needs of clients with serious-illness.  If you’re a patient, a caregiver or loved one, or a long-distance caregiver, you can work with Elena at Tree of Life Health Consultant by visiting treeoflifehealthconsultant.com.   Connect with Elena Prendergast, DNP on social media:  Facebook     Instagram     LinkedIn You can find the Approaching Death Support Kit at bkbooks.com. Find all of Barbara Karnes’ products and resources at bkbooks.com. Read Barbara’s blog at bkbooks.com. Connect with Barbara Karnes on Facebook   IG   LinkedIn   Twitter (X)    YouTube Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible.  And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help.  Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95.  If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions.  A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website:  theheartofhospice.com Social media:  Facebook     Twitter    Instagram   LinkedIn Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Palliative physician Emma Jones knows the real effects of burnout, and now she’s coaching others to rise from the ashes. While working in a high-pressure pediatric palliative care job, she found herself suffering the fallout of severe burnout. Emma was told to go home and figure out what was going on, but she realized there was no guide for how to do that. She began dealing with depression, trying to rebuild her self care. The care started with yoga, and grew to include healthy habits including daily movement, therapy, rest, and boundary setting. She calls them “small, radical changes”. Emma wanted to give other people a way out of their own burnout and validate their experiences. Her book The Phoenix Blueprint: Emerging Stronger From The Blaze of Healthcare, shares the skills and practices that have allowed her to emerge stronger from burnout and rediscover her calling to serve patients and colleagues. The Phoenix Blueprint provides a step-by-step guide to help those in healthcare rise like a phoenix from the ashes. Connect with Dr. Emma Jones: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram       Website: emmajonesmd.com Work with Dr. Jones to reclaim your career from burnout. Purchase your copy of The Phoenix Blueprint: Emerging Stronger From The Blaze of Healthcare here. You can find the Approaching Death Support Kit at bkbooks.com. Find all of Barbara Karnes’ products and resources at bkbooks.com. Read Barbara’s blog at bkbooks.com. Connect with Barbara Karnes on Facebook IG LinkedIn Twitter (X)  YouTube Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible. And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help. Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95. If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions. A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website: theheartofhospice.com Social media: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram LinkedIn Email: helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

With honest information and gentle humor, the founders of Before the Casket are teaching us how to plan for more than just funeral arrangements. Hospice nurses Erin Putney and Amy Hensley have designed workshops that educate attendees about hard end of life decisions, empowering them and their decision-makers and making the whole experience easier. Before the Casket also provides education for healthcare professionals, offering content on end of life interventions and compassionate conversations. Nurses can even get CEUs for license renewal.  Amy and Erin provide education that includes demos of medical devices and relaxed interaction. It’s a great way to create realistic expectations for what care at the end of life looks like. You can connect with Before the Casket at beforethecasket.com Check out the courses offered for nurses and other healthcare workers here. You can find the Approaching Death Support Kit at bkbooks.com. Find all of Barbara Karnes’ products and resources at bkbooks.com. Read Barbara’s blog at bkbooks.com. Connect with Barbara Karnes on Facebook IG LinkedIn Twitter (X)  YouTube Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible. And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care. If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help. Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95. If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions. A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website: theheartofhospice.com Social media: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram LinkedIn Email: helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

In this open and vulnerable interview, Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider talks about her caregiving experiences during her dad’s illness and death. Shoshana discovered early on that she wasn’t prepared for the complicated decision making that comes with serious illness caregiving, despite her medical training. Reflecting back at the experience, she talks openly about what she would have done differently. Difficult conversations about treatment, challenges with appetite and weight loss, and the genetic implications for Shoshana and her sister were all issues surrounding her father’s illness.   You can connect with End Well at endwellproject.org Listen to the Before We Go podcast here  Find more information about End Well 2025 here Find Shoshana on Instagram You can find the Approaching Death Support Kit at bkbooks.com. Find all of Barbara Karnes’ products and resources at bkbooks.com. Read Barbara’s blog at bkbooks.com. Connect with Barbara Karnes on Facebook IG LinkedIn Twitter (X)  YouTube Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help. Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95. If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions. A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. We believe you deserve to have good hospice care. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website: theheartofhospice.com Social media: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram LinkedIn Email: helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

End of life option advocate Dan Diaz is sharing the story of his wife Brittany Maynard and her pursuit  of a gentle death. Diagnosed at age 29 with a terminal brain tumor, Brittany chose to move 600 miles to a state that allowed for death with dignity, utilizing Medical Aid in Dying.  In this powerful interview, Dan describes the impact of her life and death on compassionate death choices and legislation.   Since Brittany’s death in 2014, Medical Aid in Dying laws have expanded to eleven states in the U.S.  Dan continues to tell their story, advocating for expansion of death with dignity laws to every state.  We continue to learn from her experience and fierce determination to ensure the kind of death she wanted.  Connect with Dan Diaz on Facebook Read more about Brittany Maynard at thebrittanyfund.org Find more information about Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) at compassionandchoices.org You can find the Approaching Death Support Kit at bkbooks.com. Find all of Barbara Karnes’ products and resources at bkbooks.com. Read Barbara’s blog at bkbooks.com. Connect with Barbara Karnes on Facebook   IG   LinkedIn   Twitter (X)    YouTube Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help.  Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95.  If you need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, we’re here to answer your questions.  A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. We believe you deserve to have good hospice care.  Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website:  theheartofhospice.com Social media:  Facebook     Twitter    Instagram   LinkedIn Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.