36: Mortality + True Aliveness with Ned Buskirk

In this episode of This Is Not What I Ordered, I had the opportunity to sit down with Ned Buskirk. Ned embodies the definition of renaissance man -- he's an artist, writer, educator, and founder of the "You're Going To Die" movement. He's integrated a distinctive way of confronting loss with compassion to organize events where he invites others to share their experiences with mortality creatively and in whatever way they can. His experiences with chronic illness, grieving, and loss have shaped him into a mouthpiece for acceptance and trusting the unknown. Ned's dedication to speaking so candidly about death and giving a voice to the fear and anxiety that we have in our bodies and in our lives is empowering. During our chat, he discusses the different meanings behind the saying "It's okay," the catharsis of letting go and the relief it brings into your life, and how showing up for his mother's passing helped him to understand the humility in death. I cannot thank Ned enough for opening up about the impact of his mother's death, as well as his profound readiness to discuss his own anxiety and struggles with chronic pain and inexplicable illness. This episode is filled with inspiration and a genuine understanding of what it means to show up for life.   You can read the full show notes at www.thisisnotwhatiordered.com