Finding Purpose: From Death Doula Training to Community Educator for Ancora Hospice

from Ask a Death Doula · host Suzanne B. O’Brien RN

THE GOOD DEATH VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR: Suzanne B. O'Brien RN in Conversation with Karen Midlo When Karen unexpectedly lost her husband, she embarked on a journey that reshaped her understanding of life and death, moving from her demanding role as an executive director in senior living during the COVID-19 pandemic to finding her true calling as a certified death doula and grief educator. In this episode, Karen shares her transformative experiences, showing how moments of deep challenge fueled her passion to support seniors and their families. Together, we navigate the complex landscape of end-of-life choices, including Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) and Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED), clarifying misconceptions and highlighting their significance. With an emphasis on clear communication and family support, we examine the impact of dementia on planning, drawing attention to valuable resources like the dementia toolkit from Compassion and Choices that help ensure informed, personalized decisions. Karen also reflects on the sacredness of end-of-life experiences, illustrating how, with the right education and support, these moments can shift from fearful to profoundly meaningful. Through her personal stories and dedication to community education, the episode underscores the importance of embracing conversations about death, concluding with gratitude for Karen’s invaluable contributions and anticipation for future discussions that will continue to illuminate the profound journey of life and its inevitable end. (00:02) Finding Purpose in End of Life (10:08) Exploring End-of-Life Choices and Planning (18:18) Embracing Life and End-of-Life Education (28:42) Empowering End-of-Life Education and Support (38:16) End-of-Life Education and Support Join the waitlist for our Fall Live Semester Register to join us for FREE: THE GOOD DEATH BOOK CLUB EXPERIENCE: 12 MONTH FREE DEATH AND DYING COURSE Or visit our website here! GET THE GOOD DEATH BOOK Here Meet our guest: Karen Midlo End-of-Life Doula & Certified Grief Educator Email: [email protected] Cell Phone: 281-910-3313 Website: endoflifedoulasid.doulagiverslegacyleaders.com Please Share! Know someone who is a caregiver, healthcare worker, or spiritual seeker? Share this episode and invite them to join this sacred and supportive experience. Listen & Subscribe: Available on Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Google Podcasts • YouTube JOIN MY FREE TRAINING AND MEMBERSHIP SITE This is a community-supported group hosted by Suzanne B. O'Brien RN, founder of the International Doulagivers Institute for training those who want to be professional End of Life Doulas, Doulagiver Practitioners and for anyone wanting more EOL education Join Here: 4491664174178077 ⚑ SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL ⚑ If you want to do great things you need to have a great environment. Create the life you want by surrounding yourself with positivity and watching daily. Click here to subscribe! ツ CONNECT WITH ME ツ Leave a comment on this video and it'll get a response. Or you can connect with me on different social platforms too: Instagram Facebook TikTok Website Podcast ELEpisode List #deathdoula #deathdoultraining #dyingwell #death #life #deatheducation #doulagivers #hospice #hospicecare #hospicenurse #deathdoula #soulmidwife #deathmidwife #endoflifeplanning #healthcareproxy #funerals #fearofdeath #endoflifedoula #thegooddeath #hospice #grief #deathawareness #birth #endoflife #deathpositivity #consciousdying #dying #advanceplanning #deathpositive #gooddeath #consciousliving #endoflifedirective #palliativecare #advancedirective #livefully #suzannebobrien. #lifecafe #consciousness #awarenes

What this episode covers

THE GOOD DEATH VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR: Suzanne B. O'Brien RN in Conversation with Karen Midlo When Karen unexpectedly lost her husband, she embarked on a journey that reshaped her understanding of life and death, moving from her demanding role as an executive director in senior living during the COVID-19 pandemic to finding her true calling as a certified death doula and grief educator. In this episode, Karen shares her transformative experiences, showing how moments of deep challenge fueled her passion to support seniors and their families. Together, we navigate the complex landscape of end-of-life choices, including Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) and Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED), clarifying misconceptions and highlighting their significance. With an emphasis on clear communication and family support, we examine the impact of dementia on planning, drawing attention to valuable resources like the dementia toolkit from Compassion and Choices that help ensure informed, personalized decisions. Karen also reflects on the sacredness of end-of-life experiences, illustrating how, with the right education and support, these moments can shift from fearful to profoundly meaningful. Through her personal stories and dedication to community education, the episode underscores the importance of embracing conversations about death, concluding with gratitude for Karen’s invaluable contributions and anticipation for future discussions that will continue to illuminate the profound journey of life and its inevitable end. (00:02) Finding Purpose in End of Life(10:08) Exploring End-of-Life Choices and Planning(18:18) Embracing Life and End-of-Life Education(28:42) Empowering End-of-Life Education and Support(38:16) End-of-Life Education and Support Join the waitlist for our Fall Live Semester Register to join us for FREE: THE GOOD DEATH BOOK CLUB EXPERIENCE: 12 MONTH FREE DEATH AND DYING COURSE Or visit our website here! GET THE GOOD DEATH BOOK Here Meet our guest: Karen Midlo End-of-Life Doula & Certified Grief Educator Email: [email protected] Cell Phone: 281-910-3313 Website: endoflifedoulasid.doulagiverslegacyleaders.com Please Share! Know someone who is a caregiver, healthcare worker, or spiritual seeker?Share this episode and invite them to join this sacred and supportive experience. Listen & Subscribe:Available on Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Google Podcasts • YouTube JOIN MY FREE TRAINING AND MEMBERSHIP SITE This is a community-supported group hosted by Suzanne B. O'Brien RN, founder of the International Doulagivers Institute for training those who want to be professional End of Life Doulas, Doulagiver Practitioners and for anyone wanting more EOL educationJoin Here: 4491664174178077 ⚑ SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL ⚑If you want to do great things you need to have a great environment. Create the life you want by surrounding yourself with positivity and watching daily. Click here to subscribe! ツ CONNECT WITH ME ツLeave a comment on this video and it'll get a response. Or you can connect with me on different social platforms too: Instagram Facebook TikTok Website Podcast ELEpisode List #deathdoula #deathdoultraining #dyingwell #death #life #deatheducation #doulagivers #hospice #hospicecare #hospicenurse #deathdoula #soulmidwife #deathmidwife #endoflifeplanning #healthcareproxy #funerals #fearofdeath #endoflifedoula #thegooddeath #hospice #grief #deathawareness #birth #endoflife #deathpositivity #consciousdying #dying #advanceplanning #deathpositive #gooddeath #consciousliving #endoflifedirective #palliativecare #advancedirective #livefully #suzannebobrien. #lifecafe #consciousness #awarenes

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Finding Purpose: From Death Doula Training to Community Educator for Ancora Hospice

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This episode was published on September 9, 2025.

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