The Final Say

In closing, you asked for thoughts (hoping to feel better) about mistakes in episode with your friend Trudy James. No quibble calling them mistakes. Lesson here, as well as in Trudy’s earlier interview, was opportunity for growth by taking risks. The brilliance were insights on fear. Being at root of polarizing and paralyzing, as well as anger, pain and even violence. And freedom found on the other side of taking risks. Belated thanks for progress from risks Trudy took during her life. Appreciate value in your being vulnerable with this episode. Healing prayers to all who who had “no one else like” Trudy. From a year ago: Thank you for entire season. At first, wasn’t sure if they’d be all the same. Now understand what should have been obvious - that we are each different. In living and in approaching death. You are talented in delving depths, opening insights - and always with respect and humility.

The Final Say is a fascinating and enlightening exploration of the idea that one way to learn to live better is by learning from thoughtful people who are nearing the ends of their lives. Guided by Debra, the conversations are honest, interesting, and heartfelt. At the end of each episode, I feel as if I have spent time with someone who has generously shared their deepest insights and thoughts. Thank you, Debra.

Debra asks thoughtful, probing questions about the very personal and possibly difficult subject of dying. She doesn’t settle for easy answers, but her questions and comments always come from a place of caring. Perhaps we get a particular kind of perspective from her interviews simply because these people have agreed to talk about their experience. I don’t know whether it takes any convincing for them to be interviewed. But I think the main point, which Debra achieves, is to encourage us to talk openly about death as something we’re all going to face and that, while it may be sad, it doesn’t have to be something we fear.

I am a hospice physician and could not recommend this podcast more highly! Debra expertly addresses many of the fears and questions that emerge in the process of dying and does it with courage, charm, respect, humor and love. In the process of listening to these episodes, the listener is given gifts of learning more about how people experience hospice, and in that process, discovering how individuals experience gratitude for life and death.