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In this conversation, Rabbi Rami Shapiro shares his insights on death, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of life. He reflects on his early awareness of death, the impact of losing loved ones, and the profound lessons learned from witnessing the dying process. Rabbi Rami emphasizes the importance of letting go of the egoic self and living by the golden rule, drawing from his experiences and teachings in both Judaism and other spiritual traditions. We explore the profound experiences of contemplative practices, the power of chanting, and the interconnectedness of all beings. We discuss the nature of sacredness, grounding practices amidst chaos, and the understanding that everything is a manifestation of the divine. The dialogue culminates in a reading meant for those transitioning from life, emphasizing love, compassion, and the eternal presence of the divine.

Links

One River Foundation (oneriverfoundation.org)

Rabbi Rami serves as a contributing editor for Spirituality and Health magazine (spiritualityhealth.com)

He writes the bi-weekly Substack Ask Rabbi Rami (rabbirami.substack.com).

Matthew Ricard Book - Altruism: The Power of Compassion to Change Yourself and the World - https://g.co/kgs/j8UW2ru

Thomas Keating - https://g.co/kgs/qw5cyhw

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You can find us on SubStack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

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In this conversation, Liz Dunnebacke shares her journey from the entertainment industry to founding Wake, a nonprofit focused on affordable and environmentally sustainable death care. She discusses her personal experiences with death, the challenges of navigating the death care system, and the emotional impact of choices surrounding death. Liz highlights the crisis of unclaimed bodies, the legal complexities of death care decisions, and the need for greater access and affordability in this essential service. We delve into the complexities of death care, exploring personal values, financial barriers, and the emotional toll of losing loved ones. We emphasize the relational nature of life and death, advocating for community support and awareness in navigating these difficult topics.

Liz Dunnebacke (she/they) is the founder and executive director of Wake, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information and resources that support meaningful, affordable, and environmentally friendly end-of-life care. Liz comes to end-of-life work following a career in the entertainment industry.

Since moving to New Orleans in 2004, Liz has served on the boards and staff of several New Orleans-based nonprofit organizations in the arts and education sectors. Since 2013, they have worked to develop national resources for sustainable and affordable end-of-life care, serving on the board of the Green Burial Council and forming the Equitable Disposition Alliance. Liz holds a BA from Brown University.

Wake Website
Equitable Disposition Alliance

Support the show

You can find us on SubStack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

Send us a text

In this conversation, Christine Gautreaux shares her journey of understanding death and caregiving, beginning with her early experiences of loss in her family. She discusses how these experiences shaped her career in social work and her role as a death doula. Christine emphasizes the importance of self-care for caregivers and the need for open conversations about death and dying. She also shares personal stories about her family and the impact of caregiving on health and well-being. She shares her experiences with art, death, and the importance of having open discussions about difficult topics. She reflects on her relationship with her Aunt Joan, who faced terminal illness with grace and clarity about her wishes. Christine emphasizes the importance of amplifying marginalized voices through her work, which includes storytelling and community engagement. The discussion also touches on the challenges of maintaining personal grounding amidst the emotional weight of her work and the necessity of finding joy and laughter even in the face of loss. She reflects on her father's final days, the role of a death doula, and the importance of being present in the moment. The discussion highlights the importance of communication regarding end-of-life wishes and the therapeutic benefits of nature.

Christine is the co-author of Stillpoint: A Caregiver's Playbook to find ease and to take a deep breath and reclaim joy, and Women Connected in Wisdom stories and resources rooted in the eight dimensions of wellness, volumes I & II. She believes in the power of body wisdom and somatic play to help heal trauma and live the best life possible. Christine coaches professional caregivers, activists, and artists to maintain balance and self-care. Christine is the Co-Host of the Women Connected in Wisdom Podcast and the Co-Founder of the Women Connected in Wisdom Community. She currently serves as the Integrity and Innovation Coordinator of InterPlay.

Interplay.org

Gather the Wild & Colorado Interplay

Women Connected in Wisdom

Self-Care. Care While Giving Care YouTube

Support the show

You can find us on SubStack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.