We Are All Dying

Jenna Goodhand
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Through conversations of death we learn how to show up more fully for the rest of our lives.

  1. Dead Mom Walking, When Love and Disagreement Coexist at the End of Life with Author Rachel Archie Matlow

    4D AGO

    Dead Mom Walking, When Love and Disagreement Coexist at the End of Life with Author Rachel Archie Matlow

    What does it mean to love someone when you fundamentally disagree with the choices they make, especially at the end of their life? In this episode, Toronto author Rachel Archie Matlow joins the podcast to talk about their memoir and the experience of navigating their mother’s death. With striking honesty and unexpected humour, Archie explores grief, mortality, and the emotional whiplash of caring deeply for someone whose decisions you can’t support. Archie describes the book as a “bait and switch,” opening with funny, disarming stories before revealing the raw reality of their mother’s final months. A central tension in the conversation is their mother’s decision to refuse surgery for early stage rectal cancer, despite a high chance of survival, in favour of alternative treatments. The episode digs into how fear, denial, and wellness culture can shape life-and-death choices, and how to stay loving without endorsing those decisions. The conversation also unpacks complicated grief, including the pain of losing a parent who rejects medical care, and the subtle ways society places blame on individuals for their own illness. Archie reflects on their journey with gender identity and the unexpected freedom that came when their father’s Alzheimer’s allowed him to see them outside rigid gender expectations. In a powerful parallel, Archie and their father both “transitioned” on the same day, he into memory care, and Archie through top surgery. Finally, the episode contrasts two approaches to dying: Archie's mother’s creative curation of her final days and their father’s practical, administrative preparation. Together, they offer a compelling case for having honest conversations about death, wishes, and love;before it’s too late. This episode challenges the tidy, comforting stories we often tell about loss and replaces them with something far more real: grief that is messy, loving, unresolved, and deeply human.

    51 min
  2. The Spectrum of Death Anxiety: Insights from Clinical Psychologist Rachel Menzies

    JAN 27

    The Spectrum of Death Anxiety: Insights from Clinical Psychologist Rachel Menzies

    If you have anxiety around death, either your own death or the death of others, I think this is a conversation you're going to want to listen to. In this episode, I speak with clinical psychologist Rachel Menzies, founder of the Menzies Anxiety Center, about death anxiety. We talk about what death anxiety really is, how it develops, and how it affects well-being in many areas of our lives. We explore how fears around death and loss show up across childhood and adulthood, the role of family and culture, and when these fears become problematic. Rachel shares insights from her personal and professional journey, discusses how death anxiety can take many forms, and offers practical ways to approach the topic with openness and support. This conversation is an invitation to face death more honestly so we can live more fully. "I think if we really, truly kept in mind at almost every moment that this could be my last moment on Earth, I think we would all act very differently." The Menzies Anxiety Centre The Death Anxiety Beliefs and Behaviours Scale (DABBS) Publications by Rachel Menzies

    40 min
  3. The Gifts Grief Leaves Behind With Anto Chan

    12/04/2025

    The Gifts Grief Leaves Behind With Anto Chan

    In this heartfelt conversation, I speak with spoken word artist, writer and mentor Anto Chan to explore the tender space where grief, identity, and creativity meet. Anto shares the story of losing his grandfather, the person who taught him emotional openness, and how that loss shaped his artistry, his purpose, and his relationship with vulnerability. Together, they talk about the unspoken weight many families carry around death, the fear of losing the people we love most, and the healing that becomes possible when we create room for honest conversations. Anto reflects on cultural expectations, the complexities of family dynamics, the importance of discussing family matters before it’s too late, and the surprising ways we stay connected to those who have passed. If you’re navigating loss, longing for deeper conversations about mortality, or curious about how grief can open us rather than close us, this episode offers comfort, perspective, and a gentle reminder that talking about death is ultimately talking about life. You can connect and learn more from Anto at: Anto's Website IG: ANTOPUNFU

    1h 5m
  4. When the Unthinkable Happens: Healing After Suicide Loss with Reshma Kearney

    11/01/2025

    When the Unthinkable Happens: Healing After Suicide Loss with Reshma Kearney

    This podcast episode features Jenna Goodhand and Reshma Kearney discussing healing after losing a loved one to suicide, emphasizing the importance of conversation and support. 🎙️ Importance of open conversations about suicide.💔 Reshma shares her first experience with death and its impact.🧠 Language around suicide can influence perceptions and feelings.🌱 Mindfulness practices aid in navigating grief and healing.🤝 Community support is essential for survivors of suicide loss.📅 Reshma’s journey from silence to sharing her story publicly.💬 Emphasizing compassion and understanding in discussions about mental health.🗣️ The Need for Conversations: Discussing suicide openly can help destigmatize the topic and provide support for those affected. Encouraging dialogue can foster understanding and healing.💡 Cultural Sensitivity: Different backgrounds influence how people perceive and respond to mental health issues. Recognizing these differences can aid in providing better support to individuals facing loss.🔄 Language Matters: The choice of words, like using “died by suicide” instead of “committed suicide,” can significantly impact the feelings of survivors and how society views mental health.🌍 Mindfulness as a Tool: Mindfulness practices can help individuals process grief and emotions effectively, allowing for deeper self-awareness and healing.👥 Building Community: Connecting with others who share similar experiences can provide validation and comfort, highlighting the importance of community in the healing process.🔄 Ongoing Healing Journey: Healing from loss is not linear; it involves ongoing reflection, support, and adaptation as one navigates their emotions and memories.HighlightsKey Insights🌈 Embracing Hope: While the journey through grief can be difficult, maintaining a sense of hope and continuing to move forward is essential for healing and growth. https://www.reshmakearney.com/ IG: @reshmakearney

    51 min
  5. We Are All Dying with Tanya Wilkinson of Death on the Daily

    09/18/2025

    We Are All Dying with Tanya Wilkinson of Death on the Daily

    On this episode Jenna dives deep with Tanya Wilkinson, host of the podcast Death on the Daily, cultural consultant, death and grief guide and bereaved Mama. Tanya's Website: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/ IG: @tanyawilkinson_ Podcast link: Death on the Daily

    1h 7m
  6. We Are All Dying: Dr. Qwynn Galloway-Salazar on End of Life for Veterans

    05/31/2025

    We Are All Dying: Dr. Qwynn Galloway-Salazar on End of Life for Veterans

    Dr. Qwynn Galloway-Salazar (Doc Q) is the Founder and CEO of In Their Honor, where storytelling, service, and soul intersect to uplift the lives of military-connected communities. As an Army Veteran, the spouse of a Combat Veteran, an End-of-Life Doula Educator, and a passionate community builder, she has spent more than two decades championing dignity, equity, and belonging for those who serve and those who stand beside them. With a deep belief that no one should face the end of life alone or unseen, Doc Q founded In Their Honor to bridge systems with compassion while collaborating across communities, state agencies, academic institutions, and care organizations to ensure that aging and terminally ill Veterans receive the care, reverence, and remembrance they deserve. As the Senior Vice President of Engagement and Transformation at PsychArmor, she leads national efforts to strengthen military cultural competency across systems. She served as the lead advisor and creative force behind the "Caring for Veterans Through the End-of-Life"; collection, comprising three practical training tracks designed for Compassionate Communities, caregivers, and healthcare providers. As a storyteller, she co-produced Grief Dialogues: Memorial Day, a theatrical tribute to military grief, loss, and legacy. At End Well 2024, she took the stage to perform her original monologue, "Support for Veterans at End of Life",moving audiences to a call for collective care. In 2024, Doc Q was appointed to the End-of-Life Doula Council of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, now known as the National Alliance for Care at Home, and became a founding member of the U.S. Compassionate Communities Think Tank. Through these national platforms, she continues to champion a cultural shift in how we care for one another, particularly at the end of life. Her commitment to legacy-building also extends to mentoring doctoral students, nurturing the next generation of change makers dedicated to the well-being of military-connected communities. She was named one of USA TODAY's 2024 Women of the Year, recognized for her leadership in transforming how our nation supports Veterans through aging, illness, and end-of-life care. The Georgia Department of Veterans Services also honored her trailblazing work, naming her the inaugural Woman Veteran of the Year for 2022–2023. More than anything, Qwynn is movement-maker, reminding us that care is not just a service but a sacred act of community. LinkedIn In Their Honor Website Psycharmor IG: @qgsalazar Email: qgsalazar@intheirhonor.info

    41 min
  7. We Are All Dying: Erica Buist

    01/31/2025

    We Are All Dying: Erica Buist

    In this episode I talk with Erica Buist, author of "This Party's Dead" about her experience travelling the world attending Death Festivals. Erica is a features writer for the Guardian, a creative writing teacher, and currently working on her second book (an escape thriller called Venus Flytrap) and researching her third (a novel about fraudulent mediumship). She lives in London, UK with her screenwriter partner, a deaf dog, a mighty cat, and a rich abundance of ADHD.  Bluesky:@ericabuist.bsky.social Instagram / Threads: @ericabuist

    44 min
  8. We Are All Dying: Jenny Duffy

    01/16/2025

    We Are All Dying: Jenny Duffy

    In this episode I talk with Jenny Duffy about how death and grief affect our unhoused neighbours, through her experience working with the Toronto Homeless Memorial. The Toronto Homeless Memorial remembers those who have died as a result of homelessness in Toronto. It was begun by Bonnie Briggs and is currently maintained by Holy Trinity and other concerned citizens. The memorial service is held on the second Tuesday of each month at 12:00 PM outside the south door of Holy Trinity. http://homelessmemorials.com/memorial/

    29 min
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About

Through conversations of death we learn how to show up more fully for the rest of our lives.

Information

  • Creator
    Jenna Goodhand
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jenna Goodhand
  • Show Website
    We Are All Dying

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