Everyone Dies (Every1Dies)

Dr. Marianne Matzo, FAAN and Charlie Navarrette

A thoughtful exploration of everything about life-limiting illness, dying, and death. Everyone Dies is a nonprofit organization with the goal to educate the public about the processes associated with dying and death, empower regarding options and evidence-based information to help them guide their care, normalize dying, and reinforce that even though everyone dies, first we live, and that every day we are alive is a gift.

  1. Why Spirituality May Be a Missing Link In Your Grieving Process

    2D AGO

    Why Spirituality May Be a Missing Link In Your Grieving Process

    Healing from grief isn’t just emotional—it’s spiritual. Learn how to nurture your soul while navigating the psychological journey of recovery. https://bit.ly/4md1ENF Why  Spirituality is Important Grief affects every part of our lives — our emotions, our relationships, our bodies, and our sense of meaning. Yet one area is often overlooked in grief care: the spiritual self. Whether or not you identify as religious, spirituality (where we connect with the earth, ourselves, and others) is the place where we ask life’s biggest questions. Why did this happen? What does this loss mean? Who am I now? In this episode, we explore how grief often forces us to confront our beliefs about meaning, purpose, faith, doubt, and connection.  We Discuss: Why spirituality is often the "missing link" ignored in grief treatment.The concept of spiritual bypassing—using faith to avoid the pain of mourning.How grief can shake—or reshape—your worldview and faith.Finding a holistic balance: How to hold both psychological healing and spiritual exploration at the same time.Why grief requires embracing “both/and” instead of either/or For many people, healing from loss involves more than emotional processing. It involves rebuilding a worldview that has been shaken by death. Grief is messy. Faith questions can be messy too. But exploring them may be one of the most important parts of healing. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro-Learn About the Link Between Sprituality and Healing from Grief01:22 - Happy 6th Anniversary! We're Venturing into Season 702:04 - To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes04:12 - Whanitta Sheetz’s Fried Ripe Tomato05:35 - Spirituality: The Missing Link That Can Prevent Grievers from Moving Forward*11:05 - Connecting to Spirituality through Nature: Sunlight and Tomatoes20:24 - Gathas for the Practice of Mindful Living - Thich Nhat Hanh28:48 - Outro-Every Day is a Gift *Content in this episode is shared with permission from WhatsYourGrief.com  #GriefSupport #SpiritualGrief #GriefHealing #FaithAndGrief #LossAndMeaning #GriefEducation #BereavementSupport #GriefJourney #EveryoneDiesPodcast #TalkingAboutDeath   Support the show Connect with Us: Email our Host: mail@every1dies.org  Website: https://every1dies.org: Find show notes, links and expanded resources Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

    25 min
  2. S6E52: The Pitt and the Principle of Double Effect; Does Morphine Really Hasten Death?

    MAR 28

    S6E52: The Pitt and the Principle of Double Effect; Does Morphine Really Hasten Death?

    Why Treating Suffering is Always the Moral Choice Does morphine hasten death at the end of life? This is one of the most common—and most distressing—questions families ask in hospice and palliative care. “If you hold their hand and they die, did holding their hand cause the death? No, the cancer or whatever disease process is going on is the cause of death and everything we do to make their end-of-life pain free, comfortable, or offers human connection and love is the right thing to do in the situation”In this S6E52 episode, we dive into a gripping storyline from the HBO drama The Pitt, where a patient named Lisa chooses to stay in the ER to manage her terminal cancer pain rather than return home. When the medical team expresses concern that her escalating morphine doses might kill her, the department chief cites the “Principle of Double Effect.” But what does that actually mean for those of us in the real world caring for a dying loved one? Join us as we break down this centuries-old ethical framework and apply it to modern hospice and palliative care. We explore: The Four Conditions: The specific moral “rules” that distinguish between providing relief and causing harm.Intent vs. Consequence: Why your goal to relieve suffering is the most important factor.The Science of Safety: Why 20+ years of medical studies prove that appropriately managed opioids do not hasten death.Overcoming Guilt: Remembering that the illness is the cause of death—not the compassion you provide in the final hours.Suffering at the end of life is not necessary. Whether you are a healthcare professional or a family caregiver, this episode offers the ethical and scientific clarity you need to provide comfort without fear.  Episode Web page:  https://bit.ly/endoflife-myths  Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: The Pitt, Paper Charting, and the Loss of Cursive Handwriting08:11 - Aristotle: What is an Ideal Life?11:46 - From "The Pitt": What is the Principle of Double Effect and How it is Applied in Healthcare?19:04 - The Fact: Opioids Do Not Hasten Death in Terminally Ill People; the Value of Comfort at the End of Life21:39 - A Nurse's Letter on How to Help People Facing the End of Their Life23:00 - Outro: Every Day is a Gift Support the show Connect with Us: Email our Host: mail@every1dies.org  Website: https://every1dies.org: Find show notes, links and expanded resources Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

    25 min
  3. When Love Doesn't End: Richard E. Grant and Radical Honesty Grieving the Death of a Spouse

    MAR 20

    When Love Doesn't End: Richard E. Grant and Radical Honesty Grieving the Death of a Spouse

    How do you navigate a world that feels empty after a 38-year conversation ends? In this episode of Everyone Dies, we dive into the "radical honesty" of actor Richard E. Grant as he navigates the profound grief of losing his wife, Joan Washington. We explore why he rejects the idea that "time heals" and instead advocates for an unfiltered, open approach to bereavement. We also tackle the complex realities of spousal loss through a listener's story of grieving a partner lost twice—first to addiction and finally to illness. From the unexpected relief that can follow years of chronic caregiving stress, to the heartwarming story of NFL players are joining the ranks of the most trusted profession, this episode is a safe space for the raw, honest, and often unspoken truths about death and dying.   https://bit.ly/4sWAJrl What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The Most Trusted Profession: Why nurses have topped Gallup’s honesty and ethics poll for 24 consecutive years and how former NFL stars are now joining the ranks.Richard E. Grant on Love & Death: A look at the actor’s journey through spousal grief and why he continues his 38-year "conversation" with his late wife through nightly letters.Challenging Grief Platitudes: Why "time heals" might be the wrong way to look at loss and how to navigate around the "hole" left behind instead of trying to fill it.The Power of Radical Honesty: How laying bare your life and secrets can become a therapeutic act of protection during bereavement.Grieving a Complex Partner: A raw account of losing a spouse to addiction and the "messy" administrative and emotional reality of cleaning up a life left behind.The Taboo of Relief: Understanding the sense of peace that can occur when the chronic stress of a partner’s terminal illness or struggle finally ends.Safe Spaces for Death Talk: Why having a community to discuss the "unfiltered" side of death is essential for healing.Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro; Saks 5th Avenue Closure and the Rising Thrift Store Trend03:48 - The Most Trusted Profession: Nurses and NFL Players that Transitioned to Nursing07:32 - British Actor Richard E. Grant on Love, Grieving his Wife, and Learning Openness from His Traumatic Upbringing17:03 - The Importance of Safe Places for Talking About Death and Grief19:38 - The Raw Reality of Death: Widowed Twice, the Complex Loss to Alcoholism, and Cleaning a Messy Life22:46 - Outro; Every Day is a Gift#EveryoneDies #GriefSupport #EndofLife #DeathEducation #Podcast #S6E51  #Grief #Widow #Nursing #DeathAndDying #MentalHealth  #RichardEGrant #SpousalLoss #GriefRecovery #HonestConversations #Widowed Support the show Connect with Us: Email our Host: mail@every1dies.org  Website: https://every1dies.org: Find show notes, links and expanded resources Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

    24 min
  4. Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Symptoms, Safety, and Recovery

    MAR 13

    Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Symptoms, Safety, and Recovery

    Have burning, electric shocks, tingling or numbness after chemo? Learn why and how to manage it.  https://bit.ly/3Nra074 We dive into a common but often overlooked side effect of chemotherapy: chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Up to 40% of cancer survivors who receive certain chemotherapy drugs experience tingling, numbness, pain, or weakness in their hands and feet.  We’ll unpack which drugs are most likely to cause CIPN, why it happens, what symptoms to watch for, and how to manage or even improve function over time. From medications to physical and occupational therapy, balance training, and lifestyle strategies, this episode offers evidence-based insights to help cancer survivors and caregivers better understand and cope with CIPN. In this Episode: 00:00 - Intro: Understanding Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)02:07 - Marge Simpson and Santa's Little Helper's Visit to "The Pitt" ED05:33 - What is Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)06:29 -  Why Chemo Causes Pins and Needles (The Science of Nerve Damage) 09:11 - Is there Hope of Recovering from CIPN? Treatment Options and Lifestyle Considerations13:40 - The Lived Experience of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy20:54 - OutroResources:  Download our CIPN Symptoms & Safety Infographic Here S5E34: How to Avoid Falls, the Leading Cause of Death for Older Adults (Discusses many of the fall mitigation steps that can help someone with peripheral neuropathy)S6E5: Understanding Cancer Treatment Options: ChemotherapyS1E03: What is Palliative Care? (Learn how palliative care envelops symptom management along a treatment path, such as chemotherapy side effects.)S4E37: A Family’s Perspective on Palliative Care – with Connie BakerS5E25: The Important Role of the Microbiome to Your Health and Immune Function (Good nutrition is important to neuron regeneration)S5E4: Inflammation: What it is, How It Causes Disease, and How You Can Decrease ItAll Cancer Topics (Everything You Wanted to Know About Cancer, But Didn’t Have Anyone to Ask)Support the show Connect with Us: Email our Host: mail@every1dies.org  Website: https://every1dies.org: Find show notes, links and expanded resources Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

    23 min
  5. Pancreatic Cancer: From Diagnosis and the Whipple Procedure to Hospice Care

    MAR 6

    Pancreatic Cancer: From Diagnosis and the Whipple Procedure to Hospice Care

    Pancreatic cancer is often called a 'silent' disease because its early signs are so easy to miss. This episode provides a comprehensive look at the diagnosis—from the complex Whipple procedure to hospice care—to help families move from fear toward understanding. https://bit.ly/4birjzs In this episode, you will learn:  What the pancreas actually does (enzymes, insulin, and glucagon).The difference between modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. What a "pancreaticoduodenectomy" (Whipple procedure) involves and a brief history of the procedure.  How hospice provides wraparound support to manage metastasis, ascites, and pain, ensuring comfort and dignity in the final stages Timestamps:  00:00 - Intro: Roasted Jalapeño Dip, and Mel Brooks Documentary03:14 - Jim Henson’s Legacy - It's Not Easy Bein' Green06:33 - Pancreatic Cancer Statistics & The Pancreas Defined06:33 - Cancer Risk Factors: Genetics vs. Lifestyle 09:42 - The Whipple Procedure Explained 16:42 - Late-Stage Realities & Hospice Support29:19 - A Poem Honoring Alex Pretti by National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman 30:56 - OutroRelated Episodes Mentioned: S5E45: Why Does Cancer Exist?S4E26: How Pain Medications for Cancer Improve Quality of LifeS2E29: How to Decide When It is Time for HospiceS4E43: The Carters – Living Their Best Life to the End #PancreaticCancer #CancerAwareness #HospiceCare #WhippleProcedure #EndOfLife #EveryoneDiesPodcast #JimHenson Support the show Connect with Us: Email our Host: mail@every1dies.org  Website: https://every1dies.org: Find show notes, links and expanded resources Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

    33 min
  6. When Adult Children Go No Contact: From Brooklyn Beckham to Yours

    FEB 28

    When Adult Children Go No Contact: From Brooklyn Beckham to Yours

    In this episode of Everyone Dies, we explore the rising "epidemic" of family estrangement. We begin with a high-profile case study: Brooklyn Beckham’s recent public declaration of "no contact" with his parents, David and Victoria Beckham. Using this as a jumping-off point, we examine the modern language of therapeutic boundaries and why more adult children are choosing to walk away. https://bit.ly/3P6DlUQ In this episode, we discuss: (02:09) The Reality of Rupture: A first-person account of a parent "shrinking" themselves and walking on eggshells for years before the final break.(10:08) Defining Ambiguous Loss: Understanding the psychological trauma of an ongoing loss that has no funeral and no clear closure.(17:37) Supporting the Estranged: Practical guidance for friends and family on what to say—and what not to say—to a parent living through this silence.(26:18) The Path Forward: Learn the importance of space, respecting boundaries, and the mindset required for potential long-term reconciliation.Whether you are a parent navigating the pain of a "no contact" request or a friend looking for the right way to offer support, this episode provides a compassionate, editorial look at one of the most difficult relational challenges of our time. Featured Resources: S6E45: When Closure Isn’t Possible: How to Find a Way Forward Through Grief - Learn More about Ambiguous LossIf You Know an Estranged Parent, Please Read This by Rachel Haack (Thank you Rachel for letting us feature your work in this podcast)#AmbiguousLoss #FamilyEstrangement #GriefWithoutDeath #NoContact #EstrangedParents #EveryoneDiesPodcast #UnspokenGrief #ComplexGrief #MentalHealthAwareness Support the show Connect with Us: Email our Host: mail@every1dies.org  Website: https://every1dies.org: Find show notes, links and expanded resources Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

    31 min
  7. The New Face of Colorectal Cancer: Celebrity Legacies, the Screening Gap and How to Advocate for Yourself

    FEB 20

    The New Face of Colorectal Cancer: Celebrity Legacies, the Screening Gap and How to Advocate for Yourself

    Colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon and rectum) is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in adults younger than 50. Rates have increased steadily over the past three decades, with the most dramatic rise seen in people in their 20s and 30s.  In this episode we break down what that means for you and the people you love.  https://bit.ly/3OpPlk8 Early colorectal cancer often has no symptoms at all, which is why screening guidelines were recently lowered to begin at age 45. When caught early, the five-year survival rate is 91%. When detected after it has spread, survival drops dramatically. We discuss: Why colorectal cancer is increasing in younger adultsThe subtle symptoms many people ignoreHow blood clots can complicate cancerLifestyle factors linked to riskWhy early-onset colorectal cancer tends to be more aggressiveHow to advocate for yourself if something feels “off”If you notice blood in your stool, persistent abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, or fatigue from anemia — do not dismiss it. Speak up. Get evaluated. Early detection can save your life. In this Episode: 0:00 – Intro: Colorectal Cancer Cancer in Young Adults02:35 – Recipe: Yummy Ham & Pickle Rollups02:50 – “André Is An Idiot”: André Ricciardi’s Terminal Creative Legacy 05:38 – Celebrity Case Studies: James Van Der Beek & Catherine O’Hara14:32 – Super Bowl Ad Alert: Multi-Cancer Tests & False Negatives16:54 – The Reality Check: Lifestyle Risks & Charlie’s Personal Disclosure30:44 – Tracey Emin: Reclaiming Life After Radical Pelvic Surgery34:00 – Outro#ColorectalCancer #AndréRicciardi #TraceyEmin #JamesVanDerBeek #CatherineOHara #ColonCancer #CancerScreening #EarlyDetection #YoungAdultsHealth #CancerAwareness #PreventCancer #EveryoneDiesPodcast #KnowTheSigns #AdvocateForYourHealth  Support the show Connect with Us: Email our Host: mail@every1dies.org  Website: https://every1dies.org: Find show notes, links and expanded resources Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

    36 min
  8. Supporting Someone with Chronic Illness: How to Show Up Without Fixing

    FEB 13

    Supporting Someone with Chronic Illness: How to Show Up Without Fixing

    When someone we care about is living with chronic illness, we often want to help, but we are often unsure of how. We may worry about saying the wrong thing, doing too much, or not doing enough. And in that uncertainty, support can sometimes turn into advice, reassurance, or attempts to fix. Learn what it means to show up without fixing. We will explore what meaningful support can look like for people living with chronic illnesses, support rooted in listening, respect, and consistency rather than solutions. This conversation is for anyone who wants to show up and care, even when there are no easy answers. Show Notes and Resources: https://bit.ly/3Mxexo5 #ChronicIllnessSupport #ShowingUp #ChronicIllness #Caregiving #EveryoneDiesPodcast #SupportSystem #detroitstyle #SupportWithoutFixing #SeriousIllness #SpoonTheory In this Episode: 00:00 - Intro, Showing Up Without "Fixing"02:14 - What's Your Favorite Chocolate? From classic name brands to boutique NYC confectionaries06:46 - An Eastside Legend: The $5,000 helicopter "money drop" in Detroit08:18 - Recipe of the Week: Detroit-Style Pizza Dip09:27 - How to Help a Friend with Chronic Illness: Support, Listening & Oreos18:34 - Discussion: What Experiences Have You Had Supporting Someone with Chronic Illness?23:51 - Excerpt from "Grief is Like Glitter" by Erin Hanson26:25 - OutroRelated Podcasts: S5E3: Grief Groceries – Practical advice on how to provide tangible help without placing the burden of “choosing” on the person you are supporting.S5E1: How to Help Someone Feel Seen, Heard and Understood – A deeper dive into the psychology of communication and how to move past the diagnosis to connect with the person.S1E15: What People with Serious Illness Want (Part 2) – Firsthand insights from those living with serious illness about which gestures of support were truly meaningful.S6E24: Grounding Techniques “Life Hack” – Tools to help both the caregiver and the patient stay present and calm during the “uncomfortable moments” of chronic illness.S3E10: Understanding and Managing Fatigue – Essential listening for supporters to understand why “just getting more sleep” doesn’t fix chronic fatigue and how to respect a loved one’s limited energy.Support the show Connect with Us: Email our Host: mail@every1dies.org  Website: https://every1dies.org: Find show notes, links and expanded resources Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

    28 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

A thoughtful exploration of everything about life-limiting illness, dying, and death. Everyone Dies is a nonprofit organization with the goal to educate the public about the processes associated with dying and death, empower regarding options and evidence-based information to help them guide their care, normalize dying, and reinforce that even though everyone dies, first we live, and that every day we are alive is a gift.

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