Seeing Death Clearly

Jill McClennen

Seeing Death Clearly is a show that challenges you to think about your beliefs about death, dying, grief, and living life. I am your host, Jill McClennen, a death doula and end-of-life coach. As a death doula, I found through first-hand experience that the more I came to terms with my thoughts and feelings about death and dying, the more present I became in my everyday life and I hope to share that with you too, how you can live a better life by having a healthier relationship with death and dying. Each episode features a guest who shares their beliefs and stories about death and dying. These are honest conversations about a topic most of us avoided talking about our entire lives. I am on a mission to change that, one conversation at a time.

  1. Preserving Life Stories Before We Die with Cristian Cibilis Bernardes

    16H AGO

    Preserving Life Stories Before We Die with Cristian Cibilis Bernardes

    Send a text In this episode my guest Cristian Cibilis Bernardes, founder and CEO of Autograph and I explore how preserving memories can become a powerful part of legacy and end-of-life planning. The conversation highlights why hearing a loved one’s voice and stories can bring comfort, healing, and deeper understanding during grief. Autograph is a platform designed to preserve people’s life stories before they are lost. Autograph records weekly phone interviews with an AI historian named Walter, capturing real conversations about a person’s memories, relationships, and life lessons. The recordings are transcribed and organized into private, connected pages that map the people, places, and experiences that shape a life, creating what Cristian describes as a living library of family wisdom. The platform also sets clear boundaries around technology. Instead of creating AI avatars or simulations of the dead, every story is grounded in real recordings to protect authenticity and avoid the ethical concerns that can arise when technology recreates a person who has died. The conversation explores how documenting memories can support healing, strengthen family connections, and encourage more conscious living.  01:36 Autograph Explained 03:22 Time Vault for Families 04:56 Grief and Boundaries 06:35 Stories Shape Identity 08:40 AI and Authentic Memory 13:06 How the Platform Works 16:02 Pricing and Access Model 17:28 Don’t Wait to Record 20:12 Christian’s Origin Story 21:56 AI Translation and Connection 24:02 Love Notes for Later 25:51 Kids Change Everything 26:58 Life Is Hard for Everyone 28:01 Authoring Your Own Story 28:51 Screens and Fading Memories 31:33 Why Walter Is Audio 34:34 Gratitude and Mortality 37:20 Measured Optimism as Founder 38:35 Escaping Algorithm Negativity 41:40 Doing AI Companions Right 44:36 Where to Find Autograph https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccibils https://autograph.ai Support the show Support the show financially by doing a paid monthly subscription. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2092749/support Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast. Don’t forget to check out my free workbook Living a Better Life. jill@endoflifeclarity.com https://www.endoflifeclarity.com/end-of-life-planning to learn more about End of Life Care planning and schedule a free 30-minute call. www.endoflifeclarity.com Instagram Facebook Facebook group End of Life Clarity Circle LinkedIn TikTok

    46 min
  2. MAR 1

    Death Doula Talk on Medical Aid in Dying and End-of-Life Planning with Joy Rodriquez

    Send a text End-of-life doula Joy Rodriguez talks with me about death doula work and supporting people who choose medical aid in dying. Medical aid in dying is often misunderstood and can be hard to access even where it is legal, especially when it is difficult to find participating providers. Joy shares her path from hospice volunteering in Washington to serving as a volunteer client advisor with End of Life Washington, helping families locate eligible doctors, understand the process, and prepare for the day of death.  She notes that hospice would not allow her to volunteer if she did that work. After moving to Hawaii, Joy saw how limited education and navigation support left many unaware of the law, so she now offers paid doula support with a sliding scale. They discuss emotional labor, the value of planning early, how a person’s “line in the sand” can change as illness progresses, and keeping clients as the “captains” of their own end-of-life choices. 00:00 Clients Captain Their Ship 00:20 Show Intro And Episode Setup 02:12 Joy Journey Hospice To Washington 05:34 Volunteering And Finding Providers 07:29 Pay Emotional Labor And Access 09:02 Paid Doula Work In Hawaii 15:24 Education Gaps And Public Awareness 17:16 Autonomy Misconceptions And Doctors 21:58 Planning Listening And Lines Shift 28:08 Doulas Versus Social Workers 33:52 Scope Of Practice And Captain Metaphor 41:18 Wrap Up And Where To Find Joy 42:24 Final Call To Action honoluludeathdoula.com Free bereavement group for aid in dying families:  Medical Aid in Dying Group Registration    Community Care Events Medical Aid In Dying Bereavement Support Group Support the show Support the show financially by doing a paid monthly subscription. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2092749/support Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast. Don’t forget to check out my free workbook Living a Better Life. jill@endoflifeclarity.com https://www.endoflifeclarity.com/end-of-life-planning to learn more about End of Life Care planning and schedule a free 30-minute call. www.endoflifeclarity.com Instagram Facebook Facebook group End of Life Clarity Circle LinkedIn TikTok

    42 min
  3. A Palliative Doctor on Dying, End-of-Life Planning, and Living Well with David Casarett

    FEB 22

    A Palliative Doctor on Dying, End-of-Life Planning, and Living Well with David Casarett

    Send a text In this episode, a palliative care physician explains how early support and thoughtful end-of-life planning can reduce fear, ease suffering, and improve quality of life for patients and families. Dr. David Casarett, chief of Palliative Care at Duke Health, describes palliative care as whole-person support that relieves symptoms and helps people make difficult medical decisions, even while receiving aggressive treatment. He contrasts this with hospice, which focuses on comfort for those expected to have six months or less to live.  00:17 Welcome to Seeing Death + Meet Dr. David Casarett 01:49 What Palliative Care Really Is (and What It Isn’t) 03:50 Palliative Care vs. Hospice: The Key Differences 04:39 How to Access Palliative Care Outside the Hospital 08:42 Misconceptions & Resistance: Why Palliative Care Gets Misread 10:38 Making Hard Choices: Ventilators, Odds, and Patient Goals 14:08 Age Isn’t the Whole Story: Function, Resilience, and Will to Live 16:15 Inside the Interdisciplinary Team: Social Work, Chaplaincy, Nursing & More 19:23 The Undiscovered Country: A Doctor’s Travel Guide to the End of Life 20:21 What People Fear About Dying (and What It Often Looks Like) 21:34 How Death Happens: The Body’s Timing, Physiology, and a Peaceful End 25:04 The Moment of Death: Quieter Than the Movies 25:57 What Comes After? Making Peace With the Unknown 26:34 Can People Sense Their Death? Monks, Intuition, and Timing 27:59 A Patient Who ‘Needed to Go Home’: The Botswana Story 31:43 Patterns Across Cultures: Visions and ‘People in the Room’ 32:57 Terminal Delirium vs. End-of-Life Visions (and When to Treat) 35:47 Why Education Matters: Preparing Families for What’s Normal 36:36 Media Myths, Hospice Misconceptions, and Getting Support Sooner 41:45 Changing Care Earlier: Goals-of-Care Conversations + AI ‘Goal Coach’ 45:23 Where to Find the Book + Final Thanks and Listener Support Website: www.casarett.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/david-casarett David’s TED Talk: A Doctor's Case for Medical Marijuana David’s TEDxTalk: Gods, Munchkins & The Science Of Reviving The Dead Support the show Support the show financially by doing a paid monthly subscription. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2092749/support Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast. Don’t forget to check out my free workbook Living a Better Life. jill@endoflifeclarity.com https://www.endoflifeclarity.com/end-of-life-planning to learn more about End of Life Care planning and schedule a free 30-minute call. www.endoflifeclarity.com Instagram Facebook Facebook group End of Life Clarity Circle LinkedIn TikTok

    47 min
  4. From Prison to Peace: Rah Rah’s Story of Survival, Loss, and Healing

    FEB 15

    From Prison to Peace: Rah Rah’s Story of Survival, Loss, and Healing

    Send a text In this episode, for Black History Month, Jill interviews her longtime friend Rashine Curry (Rah Rah), a mother of six from Atlantic City. Rah Rah describes how poverty, racism, and systemic bias shaped her life, including incarceration, untreated mental illness, and medical neglect in prison. She shares major losses: her daughter’s father was murdered when the baby was six months old, her longtime partner and father of her other children was murdered, and she was not allowed to attend his funeral while incarcerated. She also recounts her brother’s murder, being raped in prison, and witnessing incarcerated people die after requests for medical help were ignored.  Rah Rah talks about how she welcomed a woman, who once sheltered Rah Rah and her children during homelessness, into her home for hospice. Rah Rah provided hands-on care, kept family visitors close, used music meant for hospice patients, and says Ms. Denise died peacefully on December 20. Rah Rah also speaks about her father’s ongoing incarceration: he received a 65-years-to-life sentence for snatching a bag of money from UPS, has been imprisoned about 35 years, is now 75, blind, and showing signs of dementia and being denied clemency despite petitions.  00:00 From Prison to Peace: Rah’s New Life 00:15 Meet the Host + Black History Month Episode Setup 01:21 How Cathedral Kitchen Opened Jill’s Eyes to Systemic Bias 03:03 Rah Introduces Herself: Atlantic City, Motherhood, and Reentry 06:16 Grief Piled on Grief: Murders, Separation, and Mental Health 11:38 Survival, Crime, and the Inhumanity of Prison 14:29 Paying It Forward: Bringing Her Benefactor Home for Hospice 19:43 The Final Days: Love, Exhaustion, and Letting Her Rest 23:04 After Death: Signs, Spirits, and What Still Lingers at Home 24:01 Spirits at Home: Feeling Ms. Denise Still Around 25:12 Signs & Comfort: When the Spirit Tries to Calm You 26:10 Remembering Ms. Denise: The Life of a Beloved Friend 27:54 Show Up Before It’s Too Late: Visiting Loved Ones at End of Life 31:31 Her Father’s Prison Story: A Final Visit in Handcuffs 34:34 Aging, Dementia & Prison Reform: Why Keep Him Locked Up? 35:52 Clemency Denied & Life Inside Blind: The System’s Failures 39:51 Coping With Grief: Music, Grandkids, and Staying Busy 41:36 Cathedral Kitchen Changed My Life: Certificates, Community, and Purpose 43:50 Protecting Your Peace: Choosing Solitude Over Toxic Relationships Support the show Support the show financially by doing a paid monthly subscription. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2092749/support Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast. Don’t forget to check out my free workbook Living a Better Life. jill@endoflifeclarity.com https://www.endoflifeclarity.com/end-of-life-planning to learn more about End of Life Care planning and schedule a free 30-minute call. www.endoflifeclarity.com Instagram Facebook Facebook group End of Life Clarity Circle LinkedIn TikTok

    46 min
  5. True Love and Healing After Loss: Marcy Shrewsbury Lopez's Journey

    FEB 8

    True Love and Healing After Loss: Marcy Shrewsbury Lopez's Journey

    Send a text In this episode of Seeing Death Clearly, host Jill McClennen, a death doula and funeral celebrant, speaks with Marcy Shrewsbury Lopez about her extraordinary love story and journey through grief.  Marcy shares her experience being married to her husband, who was 46 years older than her, and the deep connection they shared until his death at 98 years old.  She reflects on the challenges of caregiving and her path to healing through art, teaching, and nature. Marcy also discusses her memoir, 'A Place of Promise,' which portrays their love story and her personal growth.  This conversation highlights the themes of love, aging, and the perseverance required to move forward after losing a loved one. 00:00 Finding a Place of Promise 00:21 Introduction to the Podcast 01:24 Marcy's Early Life and Background 03:40 Life in The Bahamas and Return to New Jersey 07:15 Pursuing Art and Medical Illustration 10:56 Meeting and Marrying Adrian 12:50 Caring for Adrian and Coping with Loss 16:19 Moving Forward and Embracing New Experiences 19:38 The Healing Power of Horses 21:24 A Healing Connection with Horses 22:30 Art as a Grieving Outlet 24:45 The Power of Nature in Healing 26:33 Teaching and Giving Back 29:21 Writing a Memoir: A Journey of Love and Loss 33:54 The Challenges of Publishing 41:07 Final Thoughts and Reflections https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578733719839 https://www.marcieshrewsburylopez.com Support the show Support the show financially by doing a paid monthly subscription. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2092749/support Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast. Don’t forget to check out my free workbook Living a Better Life. jill@endoflifeclarity.com https://www.endoflifeclarity.com/end-of-life-planning to learn more about End of Life Care planning and schedule a free 30-minute call. www.endoflifeclarity.com Instagram Facebook Facebook group End of Life Clarity Circle LinkedIn TikTok

    44 min
  6. Innovations in End-of-Life Care with Funeral Director Ken Biery

    FEB 1

    Innovations in End-of-Life Care with Funeral Director Ken Biery

    Send a text In this episode of Seeing Death Clearly, host Jill McClennen, a death doula and funeral celebrant, is joined by Ken Biery, a seasoned funeral director and founder of the Funeral Service Collective. Ken shares his journey from military service into the funeral profession and the experiences that shaped his commitment to innovation and family-centered care. Together, they explore how the funeral industry is evolving, including emerging ideas such as sustainable memorials, underwater cemeteries, and the growing role of live-streamed services. The conversation also highlights how younger generations’ desire for meaningful, personalized experiences is reshaping traditional funeral practices. A central focus of the episode is the potential for collaboration between funeral directors and death doulas. Ken and Jill discuss how these roles can complement one another by offering emotional, spiritual, and educational support to families, and they outline practical ways death doulas can begin building relationships with funeral homes. This episode offers thoughtful insight into how collaboration can strengthen end-of-life care and better serve communities. 00:00 Introduction to Compassionate End-of-Life Care 00:39 Meet Ken Beery: A Journey from Military to Funeral Service 00:55 Innovations in the Funeral Industry 03:08 The Role of Death Doulas in Funeral Services 08:47 Challenges and Opportunities for Collaboration 17:59 The Importance of Personalized Memorials 24:02 Collaborating with Funeral Homes 25:02 Building Referral Partnerships 26:48 Addressing Certification Concerns 32:18 The Importance of Teamwork 35:25 Generational Differences in the Industry 38:14 The Role of Technology 43:24 Concluding Thoughts and Contact Information https://thefunsc.com/ https://www.instagram.com/funeralservicecollective https://www.facebook.com/funeralservicecollective Support the show Support the show financially by doing a paid monthly subscription. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2092749/support Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast. Don’t forget to check out my free workbook Living a Better Life. jill@endoflifeclarity.com https://www.endoflifeclarity.com/end-of-life-planning to learn more about End of Life Care planning and schedule a free 30-minute call. www.endoflifeclarity.com Instagram Facebook Facebook group End of Life Clarity Circle LinkedIn TikTok

    45 min
  7. Living with Memory Disability, Overcoming Challenges, and Finding Purpose with Thomas Dixon

    JAN 25

    Living with Memory Disability, Overcoming Challenges, and Finding Purpose with Thomas Dixon

    Send a text In this episode, I’m joined by Thomas Dixon, a Philadelphia native with a powerful and deeply personal story. Thomas shares his journey from working in psychiatry research to teaching middle school in South Korea, and the life-altering shift that followed a near-fatal accident in 2010. After being hit by a car, Thomas developed epilepsy and a permanent episodic memory disability that reshaped his daily life—and his sense of purpose. Living with memory loss led Thomas to write his memoir, I'm Sorry, That's Awesome, and to develop ME.mory, a digital memory system designed to help people record, organize, and recall their life experiences. In our conversation, we talk about what it’s like to live with an invisible disability, how memory loss impacts identity and independence, and why memory is something all of us, regardless of diagnosis, are slowly losing over time. Thomas is currently raising funds to support the continued development and public relaunch of ME.mory. You’ll find links in the show notes if you’d like to learn more or support his work. This is a thoughtful, eye-opening conversation about memory, meaning, and what it means to adapt when life changes everything. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Acceptance 00:25 Welcome to Seeing Death Podcast 00:47 Guest Introduction: Thomas Dixon's Journey 02:32 Life After the Accident 04:11 Understanding Memory Loss 07:15 Career Transition and Acceptance 09:09 Building a New Life and Relationships 11:32 Creating Memory: The Digital System 14:01 Writing the Memoir: 'I'm Sorry, That's Awesome' 18:36 Discussing Death and Cultural Perspectives 20:18 Reflecting on Family Losses 21:48 Impact of Injury on Life Perspective 22:43 Living with Memory Disability 25:03 Navigating Social Interactions 32:25 Traveling with Memory Challenges 37:36 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts https://biausa.org/brain-injury/community/speakers-bureau/thomas-dixon I'm Sorry... That's Awesome!: Inventing a Solution for Memory Loss on Amazon https://a.co/d/1GXfKOZ GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-combat-memory-loss-together Support the show Support the show financially by doing a paid monthly subscription. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2092749/support Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast. Don’t forget to check out my free workbook Living a Better Life. jill@endoflifeclarity.com https://www.endoflifeclarity.com/end-of-life-planning to learn more about End of Life Care planning and schedule a free 30-minute call. www.endoflifeclarity.com Instagram Facebook Facebook group End of Life Clarity Circle LinkedIn TikTok

    41 min
  8. Grieving and Healing: Spirit Communication with Christian Millward

    JAN 18

    Grieving and Healing: Spirit Communication with Christian Millward

    Send a text In this episode of 'Seeing Death Clearly,' host Jill McClennen talks with Christian Millward, a mother of six from Idaho, about her journey with grief and spirit communication. Christian shares how the deaths of her mother and seven-week-old daughter, Indi, led her to discover her spiritual connection and create the Indie Star Cards, a tool to help people communicate with loved ones who have passed away.  They discuss emotional awareness, generational trauma, and the importance of having an exit strategy for antidepressant use during pregnancy. Kristen also emphasizes the importance of normalizing discussions about death and spirit communication to facilitate the healing process. 00:00 Introduction to Spirit Communication 00:40 Meet Our Guest: Christian Millward 02:10 Kristen's Journey Through Grief 04:26 The Loss of Baby Indi 07:33 Generational Trauma and Healing 07:55 The Role of Antidepressants 11:26 Creating the Indi Star Cards 12:24 Normalizing Spirit Communication 15:05 Using the Indi Star Cards 19:43 Finding Peace Through Awareness 20:46 Sacred Tools and Their Significance 21:12 The Journey of Creating Handmade Decks 22:04 Communicating with Loved Ones Beyond 23:49 Personal Experiences with Spirit Communication 31:25 Teaching and Building a Community 34:33 Navigating Emotional Health and Medication 37:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts https://www.indistarcards.com/ hello@indistarcards.com https://www.instagram.com/indi.star.cards/ Support the show Support the show financially by doing a paid monthly subscription. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2092749/support Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast. Don’t forget to check out my free workbook Living a Better Life. jill@endoflifeclarity.com https://www.endoflifeclarity.com/end-of-life-planning to learn more about End of Life Care planning and schedule a free 30-minute call. www.endoflifeclarity.com Instagram Facebook Facebook group End of Life Clarity Circle LinkedIn TikTok

    39 min
5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Seeing Death Clearly is a show that challenges you to think about your beliefs about death, dying, grief, and living life. I am your host, Jill McClennen, a death doula and end-of-life coach. As a death doula, I found through first-hand experience that the more I came to terms with my thoughts and feelings about death and dying, the more present I became in my everyday life and I hope to share that with you too, how you can live a better life by having a healthier relationship with death and dying. Each episode features a guest who shares their beliefs and stories about death and dying. These are honest conversations about a topic most of us avoided talking about our entire lives. I am on a mission to change that, one conversation at a time.