Episodes

  • Death Demystified Epsiode12: Sacred, Seen & Sovereign in Social Justice in End-of-Life Care

    Death Demystified Epsiode12: Sacred, Seen & Sovereign in Social Justice in End-of-Life Care
    Aug 25 2025
    In this powerful conversation, Dr. Deerheart sits down with Joél Simone Maldonado, affectionately known as The Grave Woman, to explore how race, culture, and ritual shape the way we experience death and dying. Together, they unmask the hidden biases and barriers in deathcare, while highlighting the sacred traditions that bring healing, belonging, and dignity to every community. This episode challenges us to see death through a more compassionate and culturally competent lens—one that honors diversity, affirms identity, and transforms how we walk beside the dying and their loved ones.
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    55 mins
  • Death Demystified Episode 11: Whispers from the Threshold: A Death Doula’s Guide to Living & Dying Well

    Death Demystified Episode 11: Whispers from the Threshold: A Death Doula’s Guide to Living & Dying Well
    Aug 6 2025
    Today, I’m flying solo to share deeply from my own heart and experience as an end-of-life doula, educator, yogi, and companion at the threshold. Together, let’s soften the fear, lift the veil, and allow grace to guide us toward a more sacred, peaceful death. In my work, I’ve sat beside hundreds of people as they’ve taken their final breaths. I’ve held hands, wiped tears, laughed, prayed, and simply been present. These sacred experiences have gifted me lessons that I carry every day—lessons not only about dying, but about truly living. Today, I want to share those with you."
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    55 mins
  • Episode 010|Love, Legacy & Letting Go: Maree’s Journey Through Grief and Grace at the End of Life

    Episode 010|Love, Legacy & Letting Go: Maree’s Journey Through Grief and Grace at the End of Life
    Jun 30 2025
    In this deeply moving episode of Death Demystified, Dr. Deerheart sits down with acclaimed singer-songwriter Maree McRae as she faces her own end-of-life journey with vulnerability, courage, and grace. Diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and considering Medical Aid in Dying (MAID), Maree shares the profound loss of her daughter Stella, who died by MAID in Colorado, and how grief, legacy, and love have shaped her final chapter.Together, they explore the sacred work of end-of-life practitioners, the healing power of presence, and what it means to say goodbye with tenderness and truth.This conversation is a powerful tribute to the human spirit—and a reminder that love never dies.
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    57 mins
  • Episode 009|Your Burning End-of-Life Questions Answered

    Episode 009|Your Burning End-of-Life Questions Answered
    Jun 30 2025
    Are you curious about what really happens at the end of life? Wondering how to support a loved one or find peace in your own final chapter? In this eye-opening episode of Death Demystified, Dr. Deerheart pulls back the curtain on the top five questions she’s asked as a death doula—questions that have transformed fear into understanding and grief into connection. With powerful stories, candid insights, and a touch of humor, Dr. Deerheart will help you navigate the most profound journey we all face. Whether you're confronting mortality, caring for someone who is, or simply seeking to live more fully—this is the conversation you didn't know you needed.
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    58 mins
  • Episode 008|Medical Aid in Dying – Compassion, Choice, and the Ethics of the Final Chapter

    Episode 008|Medical Aid in Dying – Compassion, Choice, and the Ethics of the Final Chapter
    Apr 26 2025
    In this powerful episode of Death Demystified, Dr. Andrea Deerheart is joined by special guest Dr. Sanjivan Kohli to explore Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD)—a deeply compassionate, controversial, and often misunderstood end-of-life option. Together, they discuss who MAiD serves, how the process works in California, the ethical complexities, and what it means for patients, families, and care providers. This is a must-listen conversation for anyone seeking to understand autonomy, dignity, and choice at the end of life.
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    57 mins
  • Episode 007|From Life to Soil: The Future of Terramation

    Episode 007|From Life to Soil: The Future of Terramation
    Mar 28 2025
    In this episode of Death Demystified, we explore Terramation, a groundbreaking, eco-friendly alternative to burial and cremation. Host Dr Deerheart welcomes Brie Smith from Return Home to discuss how Natural Organic Reduction (NOR) transforms the human body into nutrient-rich soil, offering a sustainable, meaningful way to return to the earth. Discover the science, process, and emotional impact of this revolutionary afterlife care option—and how it’s changing the way we honor our dead and protect our planet.
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    55 mins
  • Episode 006|Guiding the Journey: End-of-Life Doulas & the Future of Compassionate Care

    Episode 006|Guiding the Journey: End-of-Life Doulas & the Future of Compassionate Care
    Mar 12 2025
    In this episode of Death Demystified, we explore the vital role of End-of-Life Practitioners in supporting individuals and families through life’s final transition. Host Dr Deerheart, ELP is joined by Rickie Redman, ELP Aging in Place Director at Laguna Beach Senior Services, to discuss how EOL doulas provide emotional, spiritual, and practical guidance, bridging the gaps in traditional death care. Learn how these compassionate companions honor the dying process, empower families, and integrate with the medical model to create a more holistic, dignified end-of-life experience.
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    56 mins
  • Episode 005|Psychedelics and Plant Medicine at the End of Life: Addressing Fear, Pain, and Anxiety

    Episode 005|Psychedelics and Plant Medicine at the End of Life: Addressing Fear, Pain, and Anxiety
    Jan 30 2025
    Can psychedelics help ease the fear of dying? In this thought-provoking episode of Death Demystified, Dr. Andrea Deerheart explores the growing use of plant medicine and psychedelics—like psilocybin—in end-of-life care. Joined by experts Justine Amadeo and Suzanne DeCarion, we dive into the science behind these therapies, their ability to reduce suffering, and the deeply personal transformations they can bring. From ancient wisdom to cutting-edge research, this conversation sheds light on how these substances are helping people find peace, meaning, and even joy in life’s final chapter. Tune in for an enlightening discussion that just might change the way you think about death—and life.
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    1 hr