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You can watch the video version on YouTube here. We encourage you to do so, like and share, and it really helps if you watch till the end (and we always include a nice surprise bonus at the very end!)

In this enlightening conversation, we meet with Jess Wakefield, a funeral director and end-of-life doula, to explore the evolving landscape of death care. Jess shares her personal journey with death, emphasizing the importance of celebrating lives rather than merely mourning them. The discussion highlights the shifting perspectives in the funeral industry, particularly the increasing role of women and the need for personalized, meaningful farewells. Jess advocates for open conversations about death and the necessity of community support during the grieving process, ultimately viewing death as a natural part of life that should be embraced rather than feared.

Substack: https://withyouuntil.substack.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesswakefieldcfsp

Better Place Forests: https://www.betterplaceforests.org

Everis: https://www.everisforever.com

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You can find us on SubStack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

Send us a text

In this special episode, Rev. Wakil and Rev. Annalouiza offer a Season 4 recap, highlighting their favorite moments and guests. They reminisce about insightful conversations, wonderful guests, and inspiring moments. Hear about the best moments and the overall journey of the season.

Support the show

You can find us on SubStack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

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You can view this episode on YouTube. Please check it out, subscribe, and spread the word! If you watch the YouTube version, it really helps our numbers if you watch till the end. Thanks!

Tim Ringgold, a board-certified music therapist, shares his profound journey through grief and the healing power of music. He discusses his personal experiences with loss, including the deaths of loved ones, and how these experiences shaped his approach to music therapy. Tim emphasizes the importance of music in facilitating healing and connection during difficult times, particularly in grief retreats. He also addresses the challenges individuals face in seeking help for grief and the cultural stigmas surrounding it. The conversation highlights the transformative role of music in both personal and collective healing processes.

Tim’s Website

Retreats

Book - Sonic Recovery: Harness the Power of Music to Stay Sober

Support the show

You can find us on SubStack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

Send us a text

You can view this as a video on YouTube! We encourage you to do so and to like and subscribe to our channel. And it really helps our statistics if you listen all the way to the end.

In this conversation, Christine Jurisich shares her journey as a retreat facilitator and her experiences with grief and spirituality. She discusses the profound impact of death on her life, the importance of vulnerability and community in healing, and the role of rituals in processing grief. Christine emphasizes the non-linear nature of grief and the significance of listening and being present for others. She also highlights her ministry, Retreat Reflect Renew, which aims to foster deep spirituality and genuine community. The conversation concludes with a contemplative prayer that invites listeners to connect with their emotions and the divine.

Taking care of your well-being is essential, especially as you live through grief and loss. This video gives insight into improving your mental health through practicing self-care. You'll also learn about mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and anxiety

To find out more about upcoming retreats, go to www.RetreatReflectRenew.org

Support the show

You can find us on SubStack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

Send us a text

You can view this as a video on YouTube! We encourage you to do so and to like and subscribe to our channel. And it really helps our statistics if you listen all the way to the end.

On this episode, we are joined by Jamie Dravecky. Her journey in funeral service began when she was 19 years old. She is a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science and holds a bachelor’s degree in business management. She is the Senior Account Executive for Homesteaders. Homesteaders is an organization providing products and services to promote and support the funding of advanced funeral planning and end-of-life expenses, which began in 1906 in Des Moines, Iowa. Before joining Homesteaders, Jamie held almost every role in funeral service.

When Jamie decided to step away from direct funeral services, she joined Homesteaders. She understands what it’s like to wake up to early morning calls and support families during their most difficult times with compassion. She enjoys working with funeral homes that are seeking to try something new. She enjoys helping funeral home owners find innovative ways to connect with their communities, whether through events or unconventional ideas.

https://www.homesteaderslife.com/jamie-dravecky

Support the show

You can find us on SubStack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

Send us a text

You can view the video version on YouTube here. We encourage you to do so, subscribe to our YouTube Channel, and 'Like' the video. It also helps us a lot if you watch it till the end.

Monica Kumar, an end-of-life educator and author, shares her profound insights on death, grief, and the importance of legacy planning and asking/answering all of these essential questions as soon as you can. Drawing from her personal experiences of loss, she emphasizes the need for open conversations about death and the values that guide our decisions at the end of life. Monica discusses the challenges of caregiving planning, the limitations of traditional wills, and the significance of understanding quality of life. She advocates for a playful approach to discussing mortality, highlighting the importance of self-care in the field of death work.

Website: beyondeolplanning.com
Book: Beyond Loss: The Power of Purposeful Grief https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F899PY61 (Kindle) https://payhip.com/b/1nKkl (PDF)
Recent Article: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2025/07/we-dont-have-to-inherit-the-silence-choosing-a-new-lens-on-death-grief-monica-kumar/

Support the show

You can find us on SubStack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

Send us a text

You can view the video version on YouTube here. We encourage you to do so, subscribe to our YouTube Channel, and 'Like' the video. It also helps us a lot if you watch it till the end.

In this conversation, Annalouiza, Sarah Sawyer, and Gus Reid explore the profound themes of grief, death, and the healing power of poetry. They discuss Andi's posthumously published poetry collection, which candidly addresses end-of-life issues and the complexities of grief. The dialogue explores personal experiences with death, the impact of Andy's work on readers, and the significance of open conversations about mortality. Through readings of Andi's poems, the group reflects on the nuances of grief, the role of humor, and the societal challenges of coping with loss. The conversation highlights the importance of emotional expression and connection in the face of death, ultimately celebrating Andi's writing as a source of comfort and understanding for those navigating their own grief journeys.

Links:

ToSeeYourselfAsYouVanish.com
Book- Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/ag24mhn
Wesleyan Link: https://www.weslpress.org/9780819502070/to-see-yourself-as-you-vanish/
Instagram

Article on the cancerletter site about Andi, written by Gus:

The discount code (QWR35) is for 35% off (Hardback, Ebook, or both!) versions of To See Yourself As You Vanish. (click the Wesleyan link above). Preorders help with the algorithms, so if people order before Sept 9th, that's great for us, but honestly, all orders are great for us! We just want Andi's work in the hands of the readers.

Support the show

You can find us on SubStack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

Send us a text

You can see the video version on YouTube here. https://youtu.be/Xv8Hts6y-ow

In this conversation, Chef Dave Dekker shares his profound experiences with death, caregiving, and the importance of compassion in senior living. He reflects on his personal encounters with loss, the impact of his mother's decline, and how these experiences shaped his approach to culinary caregiving. Dave emphasizes the need for dignity in elder care, the significance of nutrition, and the role of care staff in creating a supportive community. He concludes with reflections on finding purpose in service and the importance of caring for others.

Support the show

You can find us on SubStack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.