Best Hospice Chaplaincy Podcasts (2025)

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What Is a Death Doula? Morgan Everitt on End-of-Life Care and Building a Business 46:35

2d ago46:35

46:35

Send us a text In this episode, Jill talks with her real-life friend Morgan Everitt, a death doula based in Bucks County, PA. Morgan shares how her journey began after her mom got sick in 2015. She came home to care for her, and after her mom passed in 2016, she had a powerful moment in 2017 when she overheard someone mention the word "death doula.…

1
Love, Loss, and Living Again with Tony Stewart, author of Carrying the Tiger 45:21

9d ago45:21

45:21

Send us a text Tony Stewart joined the podcast to share his powerful story about love, loss, and healing after the death of his wife, Lynn. In his new book, Carrying the Tiger: Living with Cancer, Dying with Grace, Finding Joy While Grieving, Tony tells the story of Lynn’s sudden cancer diagnosis, their emotional journey through treatment, and the …

1
Personal and Professional Lessons in Dementia Care with Jen Riggs 49:39

16d ago49:39

49:39

Send us a text Jen Riggs shared her powerful journey of finding her true calling, supporting seniors and especially those living with dementia. After spending years as a stay-at-home mom, she pursued a career in commercial baking, only to have a major back injury end that chapter. What felt like a loss at the time became a turning point. Her cousin…

1
Peaceful End-of-Life Choices with Lowrey Brown and Brian Ruder from Final Exit Network 45:23

23d ago45:23

45:23

Send us a text In this episode, I talk with Lowrey Brown and Brian Ruder from the Final Exit Network, a nonprofit organization that supports people who want more control over their end-of-life choices. Lowrey, the Exit Guide Program Director, grew up in a family where open conversations about death and the importance of quality of life were normal.…

1
Finding Light in the Shadows with Rosalia Quintana 43:36

30d ago43:36

43:36

Send us a text Rosalia Quintana, a nurse practitioner, has built a career in healthcare while also running a private practice focused on breathwork, psychedelic integration, and trauma transformation. In this conversation, she opens up about her struggles, including reaching the peak of her career in 2018, only to feel an overwhelming sense of empt…

1
Chris Mamone on Acceptance and Resilience 44:02

1M ago44:02

44:02

Send us a text Chris Mamone is an acceptance coach who helps people heal from grief, loss, and trauma so they can find self-acceptance and step into their power. His journey began with profound personal losses that reshaped his life and perspective. In 2020, he experienced the death of his grandfather, and just two years later, after struggling wit…

1
Jessica Fein’s Story of Grief, Family, and Healing 35:44

2M ago35:44

35:44

Send us a text Jessica Fein shares her deeply personal journey of loss, grief, and resilience. Having lost two sisters, three parents, and most recently, her teenage daughter Dahlia—who passed away one week after her 17th birthday—Jessica's life has been profoundly shaped by death. Her memoir, which explores Dahlia’s life and the journey of moving …

1
Katina Jones on Embracing Grief, Spirituality, and End-of-Life Care 40:03

2M ago40:03

40:03

Send us a text Katina Jones, known as the Purple Priestess, is a reverend with a deep love for the color purple, which she sees as a symbol of spirituality and healing. Everything changed after her mother passed away from ovarian cancer in 1988. At just 22, she had no guidebook on how to navigate such a loss. This left her searching for meaning and…

1
End-of-Life Nutrition & Hydration with Hospice Chaplain Hank Dunn 40:05

2M ago40:05

40:05

Send us a text In this episode, I welcome back Hospice Chaplain Hank Dunn. We dive into a crucial yet often misunderstood topic—artificial hydration, nutrition, and voluntary stopping of eating and drinking (VSED) at the end of life. We explore how feeding tubes work, when they are beneficial, and when they may prolong suffering. Hank shares storie…

1
My Life at the Cemetery with Sandy Doyle 38:35

2M ago38:35

38:35

Send us a text Sandra Doyle, author of My Life at the Cemetery: It's Not as Dead as You Think, shares fascinating and unexpected stories from her years working in a cemetery. Her book features 88 captivating tales, ranging from heartwarming to shocking, each offering a glimpse into the lives and emotions of those left behind. Whether readers laugh,…

1
Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner with Annie Sklaver Orenstein 41:03

3M ago41:03

41:03

Send us a text In this episode, Annie Sklaver Orenstein shares her personal journey of grief after losing her brother, Ben, in Afghanistan 15 years ago. After his death, Annie found little support for siblings, so she wrote Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to Grief, a book addressing the unique pain of losing a sibling. She discusses…

1
Embracing Death and Transformation with Tash Ritz 43:47

3M ago43:47

43:47

Send us a text Tash Ritz joins the conversation from Sydney, where she reflects on her global journey, growing up in New Zealand after being born in South Africa. With over 14 years of experience working in social enterprises, she has helped founders build businesses focused on social impact and environmental sustainability. Most recently, she auth…

1
Music, Mortality, and Meaning: The Story of 'Nightside Songs' 36:09

3M ago36:09

36:09

Send us a text In this episode, we are joined by Daniel and Patrick Lazour, the creators of Nightside Songs, and Taibi Magar, the director of its Philadelphia production. Nightside Songs is more than a musical—it’s an immersive and communal experience that explores caregiving, illness, death, and the end-of-life journey. Audiences actively particip…

1
Exploring Memorial Forests with Gillian Nye 41:29

3M ago41:29

41:29

Send us a text In this episode, we explore memorial forests with Gillian Nye. Gillian shares her six years of experience helping families create meaningful, conservation-focused memorials through Better Place Forests. Better Place Forests offers a natural alternative to traditional cemeteries, allowing families to choose a memorial tree where ashes…

1
Reviving Philadelphia’s Forgotten Mount Vernon Cemetery with Brandon Zimmerman 43:44

4M ago43:44

43:44

Send us a text Brandon Zimmerman shares the fascinating history and challenges of Mount Vernon Cemetery, a hidden gem in North Philadelphia. Established in 1856, this 28-acre cemetery became a predominantly German burial ground, home to over 33,000 graves. Despite its historical significance, Mount Vernon has faced decades of neglect, transforming …

1
Insights from Medical Medium Marie Miller 39:05

4M ago39:05

39:05

Send us a text Marie Miller, a medical medium and theta healing instructor based near Columbus, Ohio, shares her fascinating journey into the spiritual and healing realms. Her experiences began after a near-death experience as a child, which opened her perception to the spirit world. Growing up in a small town of 250 people, she often sensed when s…

1
Influencing Death: Reframing Dying for Better Living with Penny Hawkins Smith 44:23

4M ago44:23

44:23

Send us a text Penny Smith, widely known as Hospice Nurse Penny on TikTok, brings over 20 years of experience as a nationally certified hospice nurse and a unique perspective shaped by her late start in nursing at age 40. Now 62, Penny embraces the wisdom of aging, especially in her work with end-of-life care. During the pandemic, she found her voi…

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End of 2024 Reflections and Our Personal Journey with my husband Stephen Wilson 40:19

5M ago40:19

40:19

Send us a text This episode celebrates a significant milestone: two years of our podcast! Stephen and I reflect on the journey, exploring our growth, challenges, and the remarkable connections we’ve made along the way. A highlight of our conversation is our annual tradition of reviewing the past year, made even more special this time by recording i…

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Living a Life That Matters: From Nazi Nightmare to American Dream 1:32:37

5M ago1:32:37

1:32:37

Send us a text In this episode of Seeing Death Clearly, Holocaust survivor Ben Lesser shares his incredible journey of survival, resilience, and hope. At 96 years old, Ben recounts his story with remarkable detail, leaving no need for questions during this one-and-a-half-hour conversation. His experiences, detailed further in his memoir Living a Li…

1
Liz Fiedler on Grief, Joy, and Entrepreneurship 45:35

5M ago45:35

45:35

Send us a text In this episode, Liz Fiedler shares her remarkable journey of resilience, transformation, and finding joy after profound loss. Raised on a cattle farm in Southwest Minnesota, Liz cultivated a love for agriculture, leadership, and flowers. Life took a pivotal turn when she married Josh, a man deeply connected to farming, and together …

1
Digital Assets, Family Disputes, and Estate Planning Done Right with David Edey 42:52

6M ago42:52

42:52

Send us a text David Edey, a certified executive advisor with over 35 years of experience, joins the podcast to share insights from his book Executor Help: How to Settle an Estate, Pick an Executor, and Avoid Family Fights. Inspired by his seven-year struggle to settle his parents' estate—despite them having a will—David provides practical guidance…

1
Rebuilding Intimacy After Babyloss with Kate Carson 45:52

6M ago45:52

45:52

Send us a text In this episode, Kate Carson, a love, sex, and relationship coach, shares her transformative journey from scientist to a supportive guide for couples navigating grief and intimacy. After losing her baby at eight months pregnant, she faced the impact of profound loss on her relationships and sexuality, and she soon recognized a gap in…

1
Estate Planning Reimagined with Adam Zuckerman 45:31

6M ago45:31

45:31

Send us a text Adam Zuckerman has a unique and varied background, holding both a law degree and an MBA. His path took a different turn that led him to his current work, which revolves around estate planning and end-of-life organization. Despite his accomplishments in law and business, Adam uses his expertise in a less conventional but deeply impact…

1
Turning Toward Grief with Grief Coach and Death Midwife Naila Francis 47:11

6M ago47:11

47:11

Send us a text In this episode my guest is Naila Francis, a grief coach, poet, interfaith minister, and community grief tender dedicated to providing compassionate, holistic support for those navigating grief, loss, and dying. Born in Barbados and raised across several Caribbean islands, she moved to the Philadelphia area as a child. Her early care…

1
Whitney Chew’s Insights on Death, Burnout, and Healthcare's Gaps 36:30

7M ago36:30

36:30

Send us a text Whitney Chew, born and raised in California, recently moved to New York. As a physician, she completed her residency during the pandemic. However, less than a year after finishing, Whitney realized that being a physician wasn’t her long-term calling. During this time, she witnessed immense death and dying, not only in her role as a p…

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How to Create Empowered Endings with Dr. Bob Uslander 46:23

7M ago46:23

46:23

Send us a text Dr. Bob Uslander, based in San Diego, runs a medical practice called Empowered Endings with his wife and partner, Elizabeth. Their work focuses on supporting people through difficult end-of-life journeys and providing personalized in-home care, including palliative care, dementia care, geriatric care, and more. With a holistic, high-…

1
Community-Led Death Care with Kelly Butler 38:32

7M ago38:32

38:32

Send us a text Kelly Butler, based in Ottawa, Ontario, has lived in various parts of Canada and the U.S. She’s a mother of five and has worked in the realm of death and dying for 30 years, starting with hospice work in Atlanta, Georgia. For Kelly, the cycle of birth and death reflects life itself—beginnings and endings intertwined in a continuous f…

1
Jill Bodak on Caregiving and Medically Assisted Death 40:22

7M ago40:22

40:22

Send us a text Jill Bodak, an osteopath in Toronto, Ontario, shares the deeply personal story of her father’s stroke in 2020, which flipped her world upside down. His stroke happened unexpectedly while skiing on the other side of the country, and what followed was an intense two-year journey of caregiving. Initially told that he wouldn’t survive, h…

1
David Downie's Journey From HIV Nurse to End of Life Patient Part 2 31:52

8M ago31:52

31:52

Send us a text In this episode, David Downie shares his profound journey, reflecting on his life and health as he nears the end of his time. Now in his 70s, he opens up about his long battle with heart issues, including multiple valve surgeries, and the challenges he's faced in managing his condition. David candidly discusses the reality of doctors…

1
David Downie's Journey From HIV Nurse to End of Life Patient Part 1 30:53

8M ago30:53

30:53

Send us a text This episode is the first part of a two part episode where I had a deeply personal conversation with my friend David Downie, a former nurse who worked during the early days of the HIV pandemic. As someone who grew up in the 80s, I was aware of the epidemic but didn’t understand the full scope of what it was like for those on the fron…

1
Dr. Viola Pierce's Vision for a New Healthcare Future 42:04

8M ago42:04

42:04

Send us a text Dr. Viola Pierce, or Dr. V, has had a truly remarkable journey in the nursing profession, from starting as an LPN to becoming a doctorally prepared nurse with extensive experience in the emergency department. Her passion for nursing and education is evident in her commitment to helping other nurses not only survive but thrive in thei…

1
Rose Luardo’s Exploration of Life and Death Part 2 37:06

8M ago37:06

37:06

Send us a text Rose Luardo is a vibrant, multifaceted artist living in South Philadelphia, where she engages in various odd jobs, art projects, and gigs. She's a person who's always been intrigued—and admittedly a bit obsessed—with the concept of death. In this episode of Seeing Death Clearly, Rose reflects on the human condition and our relationsh…

1
Rose Luardo’s Exploration of Life and Death Part 1 33:14

8M ago33:14

33:14

Send us a text Rose Luardo is a vibrant, multifaceted artist living in South Philadelphia, where she engages in various odd jobs, art projects, and gigs. She's a person who's always been intrigued—and admittedly a bit obsessed—with the concept of death, a curiosity that began in her childhood, possibly sparked by watching The Exorcist too young. Th…

1
Life, Death, and Spiritual Growth with Indra Rinzler 41:12

9M ago41:12

41:12

Send us a text Indra Rinzler is an astrologer who has been on a spiritual journey for over 50 years, specializing in Vedic astrology and the Enneagram of Personality. His work focuses on helping people discover their true selves, beyond who they think they are. With a unique perspective shaped by his extensive time in India and a deep commitment to…

1
Beyond the Veil and Living Fully with Stephanie Chevrier 44:01

9M ago44:01

44:01

Send us a text Stephanie Chevrier, an artist based in Vancouver, Canada, has found herself deeply immersed in the exploration of death, reality, and what it means to be human. As an artist, she primarily works as a tattoo artist and illustrator, with a strong affinity for black ink. However, her curiosity extends far beyond her artistic pursuits, a…

1
Rev. Christine Davies on Chaplaincy and Spiritual Support in the Hospital 43:43

9M ago43:43

43:43

Send us a text Rev. Christine Davies, the director of pastoral care at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, shares her journey into hospital chaplaincy. As an ACPE supervisor and seminary professor, she teaches the art of hospital chaplaincy and educates clergy. Christine’s path began with a deep connection to her l…

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A Daughter's Intimate Journey with Her Father with Yvonne Caputo on the Power of Advanced Directives 49:42

9M ago49:42

49:42

Send us a text Yvonne Caputo, from Southeastern Pennsylvania, is deliciously semi-retired after a varied career. She began in education, moved to the area, and leveraged her second master's degree in clinical psychology to work in employee assistance. Eventually, she became the vice president of human resources for a retirement community, which was…

1
Together For Sharon: George Ackerman’s Story of Love and Advocacy 37:29

10M ago37:29

37:29

Send us a text In this episode, George Ackerman, also known as “Sharon's son George”, shares his deeply personal journey of caring for his mother, who battled Parkinson's disease. He lost his mother, Sharon Riff Ackerman, on 1/1/2020 due to Parkinson's Disease. To honor his mother and continue helping in the Parkinson's awareness cause, George star…

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Helping Spirits Move On: Understanding the Journey of Souls with Dr. Marie Gasper-Hulvat 35:28

10M ago35:28

35:28

Send us a text Dr. Marie Gasper Hulvat, hailing from Canton, Ohio, originally grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. She is a human design specialist, an intuitive EFT practitioner, and a trained Reiki master teacher in the Tibetan Usui tradition. Her journey began with Reiki, where during her Reiki One training, she encountered disembodied souls for the firs…

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Halo Nest: Poetry and Grief with Sean Lynch 39:55

10M ago39:55

39:55

Send us a text Sean Lynch has been writing his whole life. His first poetry book was published over a decade ago in 2013; since then, he's released four more. His latest book, “Halo Nest: poems on grief” is a deeply personal collection about grief, began nearly seven years ago after his mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2016. Sean's mothe…

1
Shelby Forsythia on Navigating Grief 46:29

11M ago46:29

46:29

Send us a text Shelby Forsythia helps grieving people move through the pain and overwhelm of loss to experience peace, purpose, and joy again. She believes everyone deserves a good life, even if it’s not the one they thought they’d be living. Shelby Forsythia (she/her) is a grief coach, author, and podcast host. In 2020, she founded Life After Loss…

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Life and Death in the ER with Dr. Jeffrey Sankoff 44:21

11M ago44:21

44:21

Send us a text Dr. Jeffrey Sankoff, originally from Montreal, Quebec, Canada moved to Denver over two decades ago, where he has been practicing as an emergency physician while raising their children. Outside of medicine, Dr. Sankoff is an avid triathlete and triathlon coach, hosting a podcast on the sport. He shares how early-career doctors often g…

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Insights from Lisa Pahl the Creator of The Death Deck 39:05

11M ago39:05

39:05

Send us a text Lisa Pahl is a licensed clinical social worker in LA, she has extensive experience in community mental health, domestic violence, and supporting survivors of torture. Early in her career, she worked at the Florida Center for Survivors of Torture, and after moving to LA, she worked in community mental health for several years. She the…

1
Fertility and Grief with Ashley Holmes 44:40

11M ago44:40

44:40

Send us a text In this episode of Seeing Death Clearly, I spoke with my friend Ashley Holmes, a Holistic Fertility Coach dedicated to supporting women struggling with infertility by bringing mind, body, and spirit into balance. Her journey began from personal experience, facing her own fertility challenges, which inspired her to help others. Ashley…

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From Anger to Empathy: Rediscovering My Mother's Story with Stephanie Jones 41:00

11M ago41:00

41:00

Send us a text My guest in this episode is Stephanie Jones. One significant childhood memory involves the first time she remembers discussing death. This incident led to a brief conversation about death, spurred by her grandmother's passing soon after. Growing up as a Jehovah's Witness, death was framed within the context of resurrection and an aft…

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Boys, Emotions, and Cultural Expressions of Grief with Brendan Kwiatkowski 43:47

12M ago43:47

43:47

Send us a text In this episode, my guest is Dr. Brendan Kwiatkowski, an educator, researcher, and speaker focused on the social-emotional development and well-being of boys and men. Brendan, who earned his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Edinburgh in 2023, conducted an in-depth study on the emotions, masculinities, and schooling experienc…

1
Living Fully, Dying Gracefully: Insights from Ashley Oppon 45:23

12M ago45:23

45:23

Send us a text In this episode, my guest is Ashley Oppon, host of "Dine with the Divine." Ashley, a registered nurse from New Jersey, describes her nursing job as her "muggle job," revealing her love for theology and religion. Growing up Catholic, Ashley's curiosity led her to explore various faiths, finding something meaningful in each. This explo…

1
Stories from End-of-Life Care with Helen Bauer Part 2 32:34

1y ago32:34

32:34

Send us a text In this week's episode, I talk with Helen Bauer, host of the Heart of Hospice podcast. This is part 2 of a two-part interview. Over the years, she's observed a profound inward shift in patients as they approach death, noticing changes in their communication and socialization long before their bodies begin to shut down. In describing …

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Stories from End-of-Life Care with Helen Bauer Part 1 35:59

1y ago35:59

35:59

Send us a text In this week's episode, I talk with Helen Bower, host of the Heart of Hospice podcast. This is part 1 of a two-part interview. The following is a link to my guest episode of The Heart of Hospice Podcast. https://www.theheartofhospice.com/podcast/episode/23f1c2af/death-doulas-are-expert-guides-at-end-of-life As a nurse with 34 years o…

1
Preserving Family History with Sue Burns 45:56

1y ago45:56

45:56

Send us a text My guest today is Sue Burns, author of the book A Common Life, A Voice from the Progressive Era where she published her great-great grandmother Mary's diary from the late 19th century Iowa farm life. We talk about the demographics of Iowa in the late 19th century., Her great great grandmother, Mary, managed to raise six children with…

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Hospice Chaplaincy Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen