100 episodes

Ask a Death Doula with experienced hospice and oncology nurse, Suzanne B. O’Brien RN is a platform to empower, heal and inspire people through brining back the sacred awareness of death and all that it teaches us about life.This podcast is to help people accept death as a natural part of life and provide a safe space to learn about the subject openly. This education is for family caregivers wanting to learn how to care for those at the end of life and is packed with invaluable information for professional Death Doulas.

Death is a natural part of life, and understanding it can help us to live our lives more fully. By facing the reality of death, we can gain a better understanding of our own existence and find meaning in life. When we come to terms with death, we can turn our fear into a source of strength and courage.

Ultimately, learning about death can help us to live more meaningful lives by giving us perspective on what really matters in life. By coming to terms with mortality, we gain insight into how precious each moment is and how important it is to make the most out of every day.

Suzanne B. O’Brien RN is a former hospice and oncology nurse and the founder of International Doulagivers Institute. She is a founding member of The National Hospice and Palliative Care organization NHPCO’s End of Life Doula Council and a founding member and former Vice President of NEDA National End of Life Doula Alliance. Suzanne was awarded “Worldwide Leader in Healthcare” by the International Nurses Association in 2015 for creating Doulagivers Institute. Suzanne was named Humanitarian Ambassador for Oprah Magazine in 2019 for her work to bring peace and comfort to those facing the end of life around the world.

Ask a Death Doula Suzanne B. O’Brien RN

    • Education
    • 5.0 • 10 Ratings

Ask a Death Doula with experienced hospice and oncology nurse, Suzanne B. O’Brien RN is a platform to empower, heal and inspire people through brining back the sacred awareness of death and all that it teaches us about life.This podcast is to help people accept death as a natural part of life and provide a safe space to learn about the subject openly. This education is for family caregivers wanting to learn how to care for those at the end of life and is packed with invaluable information for professional Death Doulas.

Death is a natural part of life, and understanding it can help us to live our lives more fully. By facing the reality of death, we can gain a better understanding of our own existence and find meaning in life. When we come to terms with death, we can turn our fear into a source of strength and courage.

Ultimately, learning about death can help us to live more meaningful lives by giving us perspective on what really matters in life. By coming to terms with mortality, we gain insight into how precious each moment is and how important it is to make the most out of every day.

Suzanne B. O’Brien RN is a former hospice and oncology nurse and the founder of International Doulagivers Institute. She is a founding member of The National Hospice and Palliative Care organization NHPCO’s End of Life Doula Council and a founding member and former Vice President of NEDA National End of Life Doula Alliance. Suzanne was awarded “Worldwide Leader in Healthcare” by the International Nurses Association in 2015 for creating Doulagivers Institute. Suzanne was named Humanitarian Ambassador for Oprah Magazine in 2019 for her work to bring peace and comfort to those facing the end of life around the world.

    How to Talk to Children About Death

    How to Talk to Children About Death

    This podcast episode explores the often-taboo topic of death and how engaging in open conversations with children about mortality can foster a healthy understanding and reduce fear. The host reflects on hospice experiences and the wisdom of the dying, emphasizing the importance of living with authenticity and passion. Personal narratives and the emerging Death Doula movement are discussed, highlighting the need to prioritize what truly matters in life. The episode concludes with practical advice on age-appropriate discussions with children about death and an invitation for listeners to incorporate these insights into their lives.

    • 32 min
    Talking "Doula Houses" with Kim Adams from The Omega Home Network

    Talking "Doula Houses" with Kim Adams from The Omega Home Network

    In this podcast episode, Suzanne and Kim Adams, an advocate for compassionate end-of-life care and member of the Omega Home Network, discuss the importance of community homes for those dying without family support. They delve into the challenges and practicalities of setting up such homes, including the need for local community support and philanthropy, given the absence of government funding. The Omega Home Network’s work providing non-medical, social model homes for end-of-life care is discussed. The episode also includes a call to action for community involvement in end-of-life care and an invitation to an upcoming conference in Indianapolis on the same topic.

    • 28 min
    The Difference Between Ego and Heart Guidance

    The Difference Between Ego and Heart Guidance

    In this podcast episode, the host, Suzanne O’Brien, explores the dichotomy between the ego and the heart, two internal guidance systems that shape our life decisions. She introduces listeners to her ’RAI technique,’ a method to discern and align with one’s true purpose by listening to the heart’s guidance over the ego’s fear-based analysis. Suzanne emphasizes the importance of trust, faith, and love in navigating life and shares her personal journey from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina, as an example of overcoming ego-driven fears. The episode also discusses different states of consciousness and the spiritual lessons from end-of-life patients. Additionally, listeners are invited to join a free Level One End of Life Doula training to embrace spiritual growth and rediscover life’s true calling.

    • 36 min
    How to Make a Support System Scheduler for Care of the Dying

    How to Make a Support System Scheduler for Care of the Dying

    In this podcast episode, Suzanne O’Brien shares her personal experience with caregiving during her father’s final days and offers insights into the challenges and essential considerations of end-of-life care. She emphasizes the importance of a support system scheduler to coordinate the efforts of family, friends, and death doulas to provide comfort and assistance. Susanna highlights the physical and emotional toll on caregivers and the significance of community involvement. Additionally, she extends an invitation to a free training for individuals interested in becoming death doulas, with the aim of building a compassionate community equipped to handle end-of-life care.

    • 22 min
    What Makes a Great Death Doula

    What Makes a Great Death Doula

    This podcast episode explores the role and impact of Death Doulas, professionals who provide comfort and support to individuals nearing the end of their life. The host, Suzanne O’Brien, shares her experience as a hospice nurse and discusses the gaps in the hospice system, emphasizing the need for compassionate, individualized end-of-life care. She explains the training required to become a Death Doula, the importance of early planning for end-of-life wishes, and the potential for a rewarding career in this field. The episode covers the similarities between birth and death doulas, the shortcomings of traditional healthcare systems during crises like COVID-19, and the value of personalized care plans. Transcript samples offer insights into the necessary skills, training, and dedication required to excel as a Death Doula, including practical advice for those interested in the profession.

    • 41 min
    The Night I Slept in a Church

    The Night I Slept in a Church

    In the podcast episode titled ”The Night I Slept in a Church,” Suzanne recounts her transformative experience volunteering overnight at a women’s shelter within a Fifth Avenue church. Initially discovering the church while walking her dog Maple, she meets an elderly woman who organizes the shelter and, feeling compelled to help, takes on an overnight shift. The episode delves into the emotional impact of this act of service and explores the three stages of human consciousness: unconscious, conscious, and superconscious. Through personal anecdotes, Suzanne emphasizes the power of empathy and selfless service, suggesting that such actions connect us to a higher frequency of oneness and enrich both individual lives and humanity as a whole. The episode concludes with an invitation to the upcoming Universal Life Mastery Masterclass, a webinar focused on finding life’s purpose and achieving a state of superconsciousness.

    • 21 min

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