Anonymous #15 — What Happens When the Person You Lost Didn't Actually Die?

This week’s caller is a psychotherapist whose first brush with mortality came early—at just six years old, when her father was struck in the head by a baseball. He survived, but not as the same man. That experience became the quiet force behind a lifelong curiosity about loss, consciousness, and the fragile line between who we are and who we were.What begins as a conversation about death unfolds into an exploration of Buddhism, the bardos, psychedelics, and the ways grief lives in the body long after words run out. Together, we look at how facing death can soften the grip of perfectionism, reshape purpose, and turn the so-called “midlife crisis” into something closer to a midlife awakening.It’s an open, grounded look at how spiritual practice, somatic work, and self-inquiry can help loosen our attachment to certainty—and how doing so might just make life feel more vivid.If you’ve ever wondered how to live before it’s too late, this one’s worth the listen. Share it with a friend who needs a nudge, follow for more conversations like this, and leave a review to help others find the show.Book Recommendation: How We Live Is How We Die by Pema ChödrönIf you’d like to watch this conversation instead of just listening, you can find the video version on YouTube.The Death Deck: Talk About the FutureA Lively Party Game to Share Stories and BeliefsDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.About When We Die Talks: When We Die Talks is a podcast built around anonymous conversations about death, loss, and how contemplating mortality shapes the way we live. If you’re new here, start with the Episode Guide. It’s designed to help you find conversations that match where you’re at—curiosity, grief, hesitation, or openness.Stay Connected🌐 Website: whenwedietalks.com📰 Substack: When We Die Talks📸 Instagram: @whenwedietalks▶️ YouTube: When We Die Talks✉️ Email: [email protected] to share your thoughts? Leave a voicemail at 971-328-0864 and share what you believe happens when we die. Messages may be featured in a future episode. If you’d like to have a full conversation, you can apply to be an anonymous caller at whenwedietalks.com.