Inspiring End-of-Life Conversations

From the moment she nearly drowned in a tank of cold water at the age of three, Ingrid was aware of other dimensions of life than those most of us normally experience. She was also gifted with the wise input of mysterious “Beings of Light” who gave her invaluable insights and assistance as she faced the challenges of growing up, falling in love, and finding her professional destiny as a research scientist and oceanographer. In a compelling life adventure that journeys from her native Colombia to Europe and her eventual home in the United States — and from a deadly war zone to underwater explorations and a NASA research center — In this episode Ingrid reveals how any human experience can be illumined from within. If we are willing to pay attention to subtle signals, take our intuition seriously, and forgive our most challenging difficulties, anyone can experience a brightly guided life. Join us for this Inspiring Conversation with Ingrid Honkala!

As an emergency physician, Dr. O'Driscoll received messages that helped him care for patients. Occasionally they led him to a diagnosis he hadn’t considered. Some people, however, were simply too ill or too injured to survive. And, when a patient died, sometimes he saw their spirit—their eternal essence—leave their body. They always thanked him for his efforts. They were always grateful. Knowing how they felt about their transition helped Dr. O'Driscoll when friends and family members left this realm. After a quarter century of silence, he finally came to feel he should share. Many of his experiences are in his award-winning book, Not Yet. Others, he shares in person. In the ER, he cared for more than 60,000 patients. As he boarded a plane to his first formal speaking engagement, a kind voice he’d come to trust, wrapped around his heart and whispered, “You will help more people with this book than you helped as a physician in the emergency department.” He was so grateful he wept.

Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford journeyed into a magical world when Disney asked her to write a related children's adventure book for Disney-Pixar's animated film Coco. Miguel and the Amazing Alebrijes is a softcover book with a unique, colorful and cultural story about Miguel Rivera and his familia. At home, the Riveras are making preparations for their Day of the Dead, El Día de los Muertos altar. At school, Miguel's teacher, Señora Sena, is introducing a papier mâché project related to this special celebration which has been around for centuries. Miguel and the Amazing Alebrijes is a beautiful children's book about the importance of our ancestors and family traditions. Miguel a long with his ancestors set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history. This episode is about the importance of knowing our ancestors don't die, they are with us and need to be remembered.

Over the past 22 years, Nathan G. Castle, OP, says he has helped at least 250 people who died suddenly adjust to the afterlife. These victims of fires, automobile accidents, shootings, stabbings and drownings came to him in his dreams seeking help for resolving their Interrupted Death Experiences™. And although such contact with the Other Side was not something he sought out, Father Nathan has come to believe that providing such help is something the Holy Spirit has given him to do. He is a regular guest on Inspiring End of Life Conversations, and you can catch him every 3rd Wednesday of the month!

When tragedy strikes someone you love, you will have to decide what kind of friend you will be: one who is there every step of the way or one who looks the other way. The tips and suggestions offered in this episode are some of the most helpful you’ll find anywhere. That’s because Sherrie's book, How Can I Help? came from people who have actually gone through very difficult experiences. They have suffered the loss of children, spouses, parents, and siblings. They have been diagnosed with chronic and terminal illnesses. They have lost jobs, gotten divorced, or survived sudden changes in their lives due to accidents, crime, or natural disasters. If you really feel a calling to help someone in need but are at a loss for what to do, or you’re afraid that what you do or say might somehow be wrong—causing them to feel worse than what they’re already feeling—this episode is for you!

The after effects of David's NDE were undeniable. He suddenly developed the ability to produce high quality paintings, a new found skill that went far beyond the artistic ability he had before. It was a feeling inside of him when he awoke in the hospital that could not be denied. Then he also suddenly acquired the ability to compose classical symphonies! His symphonies were then premiered to a sell out orchestral concert. This is proof even a hard core cynic could not deny. In this episode we will go into depth with David about these experiences. We will hear him speak of the light, the profound feeling and knowing the beings who smiled at him when he recognized that they were familiar to him. Davids book Shine On is a must read. There is no denying what happened to him is truth that we live on, that our new life when we leave here is full of love more than we can ever comprehend.

When he was 79, Katy Butler’s seemingly vigorous father suffered a devastating stroke. A year later he was outfitted with a pacemaker in a moment of hope. Hope: everyone deserves hope, no matter what hope may be. For Katy's family, hope meant getting dad back to where he used to be —a hope that could not be fulfilled. What you will find out in this episode with award-winning journalist Katy Butler is that a pacemaker can keep a heart going while the elderly patient slides into dementia, incontinence, and misery. As Katy wrote in her bestselling memoir, Knocking on Heaven’s Door, After the mid 1950's the attitudes of many doctors and patients shifted from faith in God and acceptance of death to faith in medicine and resistance of death. Please join us as we explore a taboo subject: love, caregiving, and quality of life versus length of life.

The first time Margaret was really exposed to death and the concept of what it means to die, she was 10 years old. A girl from the summer camp that she had been attending for a few years had died and they had a memorial at camp that summer. She died from complications related to Spina Bifida, a birth defect they both shared. A device, called a shunt, that drains excess fluid from her head, had stopped working and they couldn’t fix it. When she heard what happened, Margaret became terrified at the thought that at any moment that could happen to her, too. She spent countless hours and days living in fear that she would die. Adding to her preoccupation with thoughts of her own mortality, both of her parents were diagnosed with cancer 6 months apart that year. Margaret soon learned that death would be a constant theme in her life. This is just the tip of the iceberg for Margaret.

Over the past 22 years, Nathan G. Castle, OP, says he has helped at least 250 people who died suddenly adjust to the afterlife. These victims of fires, automobile accidents, shootings, stabbings and drownings came to him in his dreams seeking help for resolving their Interrupted Death Experiences™. And although such contact with the Other Side was not something he sought out, Father Nathan has come to believe that providing such help is something the Holy Spirit has given him to do. He is a regular guest on Inspiring End of Life Conversations, and you can catch him every 3rd Wednesday of the month!

Whether you believe it or not-there is an angel by your side: it is your guardian angel, and it never leaves you. Each on of us has been given a gift, a shield made from the energy of light. It is part of the guardian angel's task to put this shield around us. To God and the Angels we are all equal: we all deserve to be protected, to be cared for and to be loved regardless of what others might think of us-good or bad. When Lorna looks at someone she can physically see this shield around them; it's is as if it's is alive. Your guardian angel is the gatekeeper of your body and soul. He was assigned to you before your were even conceived; as you grew in your mothers womb he was there with you at every moment, protecting you. Your guardian angel never leaves your side for an instant, all the time - you are never alone. Excerpt taken from Angels in my Hair. Join us to listen to more of this uplifting story of Lorna's life and the angels who have been front and center since she was born.

Barbara Karnes is truly the American Hospice Pioneer. As a nurse, she noticed after her experiences at the bedside of hundreds of people before they died, that each death she witnessed was following an almost identical script. Each person was going through the same process. And most families had the same questions. It was after these realizations that Barbara sat down and wrote the Little Blue Book that changed an industry. Now, I finally get to meet the woman who wrote the little book that helped so many of my families on their grief journeys. Having that little book with me brought me great comfort just to know I had something that might help their sadness. In this interview not only will we be speaking of her books, but her own journey, 40 years and counting. Barbara is a true gift to hospice, my hero and mentor. When one is at the bedside with a family that is not ready to let their loved one be gone from their site her books are a Godsend. Join us!

Today, we will discuss our lives. When asked to recall a joyous moment, was it when you were 5 or 85 years of age? This is what is so beautiful about the show today, the questions that remind us of the life we have lived. Reading over the questions in the cards that Jolenes company provides will walk you through the earliest days of remembering your life's journey! Think about it, our life's journey encompasses so many experiences. It is a tapestry of milestones and memories that come to mind when we reflect on our lives. However, our life story is much more than just the big moments. There are the important events that shape our lives – childhood, first job, meeting a partner, having children and travel. And then there are the influences along the way that add to the texture and color of who we are, and what we value. Even if you know most of the narrative of your loved one’s life, there are always things that you don’t know.

Over the past 22 years, Nathan G. Castle, OP, says he has helped at least 250 people who died suddenly adjust to the afterlife. These victims of fires, automobile accidents, shootings, stabbings and drownings came to him in his dreams seeking help for resolving their Interrupted Death Experiences™. And although such contact with the Other Side was not something he sought out, Father Nathan has come to believe that providing such help is something the Holy Spirit has given him to do. He is a regular guest on Inspiring End of Life Conversations, and you can catch him every 3rd Wednesday of the month!

David says, Life is an adventure, unpredictable. Life means always going from the known to the unknown. Always climbing peaks that have not been climbed, always moving into uncharted seas with no chart, with only your inner guidance to lead you. The only way to become a master of oneself is to go into the unknown unafraid despite all the fear. With David, we will explore topics that bring peace to this unpredictable adventure we are all on. David will discuss Contemplative Living and developing a practice of Contemplation. We will discuss acceptance, tolerance (something we are all struggling with in life and death) finding your truth, breaking free of separateness and becoming aware. These timely subjects are based on his latest book, “A Voice as Old as Time”. David is a fascinating individual who has lived through many life transforming experiences. Being a Near Death Experiencer, David brings with him a level of wisdom and love that will bring peace to a troubled heart.

Leda Meredith the brave and beautiful daughter of Kelly Johnson she got the call that her dad was dying and on hospice. Her father Kelly Johnson chose to end his own life through a hospice that supported his decision. Leda made the choice to pause her life to take care of him for the next 3 weeks. Leda expresses it takes a village to help someone die. Leda describes the trials of being his caregiver and the joy in being the daughter of such a gifted talented man who lived his life to the fullest and chose to leave the same way. Through his daughter and all Kelly’s beautiful friends he was able to die in a way that was incredibly supported, celebrated, peaceful and legal.

Grief Anonymous came to be through the cancer diagnosis that led her on roller coaster ride until he passed in 2014. This woman had an experience that feels like and NDE when she was on a massage table. This experience changed her life, a knowing began to take place that something bigger was happening THROUGH her husbands death. Holly is an extremely spiritual soul who believes on every level that her life is guided by God and knows her purpose in this lifetime. She has a beautiful story to share and I am honored to have it here. Listen in, open your heart and know that through death magic can happen if a heart is open, and a knowing that God has direction for you in your life. Death can be our greatest teacher, and thats what Inspiring End of Life Conversations is all about.

Believe it or not when Dr. Raymond Moody started his career back in 1968 he was an atheist and a skeptic. That changed! For over 50 decades he has done extensive research, coined the term NDE and is very well known in the NDE communities. At 76 years young, he is a bit of an icon and still going strong. To date he has an online group for his new ebook called God is Bigger than the Bible. He reflects upon the thousands of accounts he has heard from Near Death Experiencers and their encounters with a Supreme Being. Raymond will be sharing with us some of these experiences and how they have deeply influenced his life.

Over the past 22 years, Nathan G. Castle, OP, says he has helped at least 250 people who died suddenly adjust to the afterlife. These victims of fires, automobile accidents, shootings, stabbings and drownings came to him in his dreams seeking help for resolving their Interrupted Death Experiences™. And although such contact with the Other Side was not something he sought out, Father Nathan has come to believe that providing such help is something the Holy Spirit has given him to do. He is a regular guest on Inspiring End of Life Conversations, and you can catch him every 3rd Wednesday of the month!

Tricia Barker was a depressed, agnostic, college student at the University of Texas in Austin...until a profound near death experience during surgery revolutionized her entire world. As with many NDE's their life is turned completely upside down. Tricia's life did just that. After only one year of teaching she went through a very traumatic experience and she knew she must use the wisdom gained on the Other side to heal her life and later guide her to help many, many students who were struggling with deep traumas of their own. Tricia devotes her life to bringing the light she experienced during her NDE to individuals who are seeking solace, inspiration and overall well being.

Integrated MD Care in Del Mar, California, provides concierge medicine services through dedicated palliative, geriatric, and end-of-life care. Led by Bob Uslander, MD, and Rev. Elizabeth Semenova, MSW, MTS, the team integrates all aspects of a person’s care — physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual —so they can live a rich and fulfilling a life as possible. Integrated MD Care specializes in caring for people with complex and terminal illnesses, helping them experience greater peace of mind and empowerment during their final stage of life. The team emphasizes the spiritual nature of the human experience, not just the physical, so patients and their families can enjoy their life to the fullest.