Where Do We Go?

**Apologies for my worn-out, tired-sounding voice! It’s still recovering from recent bouts of Covid and RSV and isn’t quite back to normal. Hope you love the episode! - Charisse**

This episode wraps up the mini series of BIG, scary existential questions with the final and arguably most daunting of the 3: Where Do We Go? In other words: where do we go when we die (if anywhere)? Sounds dreary, we know, but the goal of this episode is to explore various cultural, religious, and scientific theories surrounding death & an afterlife, as well as examine the ways in which our beliefs about death change the way we live.

What happens to our soul and body when we die?
What is a “soul,” really and where does it live in the body?
Do our personalities and memories transcend death?
Can they be transferred to our posterity or people who receive organ donations from us?
Does the way we treat the body after death affect the soul’s ability to navigate the afterlife? Is a belief in a god necessary for a belief in life after death?

Charisse explores possible answers to these questions and more, leaning on scientific research, personal accounts, cultural funerary & burial practices, and theological doctrines. Charisse shares how her belief in the Mormon (aka The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Plan of Happiness affected her faith during her divorce, including petitioning for a sealing cancellation (also called a Temple Divorce). The episode concludes with Charisse’s current, personal beliefs on death and the possibility of an afterlife.

**Listener discretion is advised due to adult language, mention of suicide, and overall discussion of death, including brief, medical descriptions of decomposition.

View sources and research for this and other episodes of the podcast here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jhaTPhoNlSOaLm0hqxM2ALqiHW4gzV1J56rlibIJ8fw/edit?usp=sharing

This episode is brought to you in part by The ExMo Candle Co. https://exmocandles.com/candles/the-existential-ginger/

View all of Charisse's links here: https://linktr.ee/theexistentialginger

The Existential Ginger podcast is executive produced by White Horse Media Group, LLC.