136. Kimberly Jaeger-Arjes: Grief Gather Us

In today’s episode Kate and Betsy talk to old friend and colleague Kimberly Jaeger-Arjes about her new area of study and work as a death doula.  Death is often a topic we avoid because of the fear associated with it, but today we dive into talking about how interacting with it can allows us to live life more fully. In today’s episode we discuss:  Kimberly’s early curiosity about death including her hamsters untimely end in a sump pump, the loss of a grandparent, and the death of a friend in high school. How death doulas have become more common but how our ancestors have long been supporting each other in the final days. Death phobia and why so many people carry this. Kimberly’s recent journey in losing her Grandmother and how she navigated this as a death doula and a granddaughter. The fears each of us carry about death. What is a death cafe? How the capacity to live a bigger, fuller life has come out of Kimberly’s exploration of thinking about and sitting with death. What is a death doula and how to find one near you. Bio: Kimberly Jaeger-Arjes has long been fascinated by the mysteries of life and death, a curiosity that began in childhood. This passion drives her exploration of how our bodies move, change, and age, and she believes that understanding death can profoundly shape how we live and love. With a background in yoga, creative expression, and energy work, Kimberly offers holistic support for both the living and the dying. Currently volunteering in hospice care, she provides companionship and guidance during life’s final moments, aiming to create safe spaces for grief, healing, and connection. A lifelong learner, Kimberly studies with a variety of teachers and is committed to fostering equity and accessibility in her practices. She emphasizes the importance of relationships—with ourselves, others, and the natural world—as essential to enriching our shared experiences. Kimberly believes that no one should die alone unless they choose to, and she invites others to join her on this journey of connection and support. matron & mother gardner, micro farmer, goat witch end of life companion, death doula, caregiver in grief yoga, meditation & intuitive comrade practitioner of rest and restorative healing Connect: Instagram @kimiinthewoods Facebook Kimberly Jaeger-Arjes Facebook Death Doula Collective of Eastern Iowa Public classes or one on one Yoga for grief @ Heartland Yoga  Upcoming Events Mentioned in this Episode Iowa City Death Cafe -Greenhouse last Tuesday of the month @ 7-9 pm, October 29th, November 26th Cedar Rapids Death Cafe – The Breathing Room Yoga Sunday, November 10th, December 15th @ 1:30 pm Universalist Unitarian Society in Coralville is hosting a “Living Well Dying Well” Conference  May 30th & 31st 2025 Grief Gathers Us: a circle for story-telling via zoom through Heartland Yoga. Group meets once a week to share stories and meditate on death, dying, and grief. Past Episodes You Might Like  Episode 30:  Grief: It’s Complicated Today’s Episode sponsored by: Kate Moreland Coaching Dr Yoga Momma Heartland Yoga Want to Meet Betsy & Kate in Person on Retreat? Join us on a feminine reclamation journey to Paros, Greece in the Fall of 2025.  There are just a few spots left. All the details here! Source