How Death Doulas Help Us Live Lighter with Karen Callahan & Jen Tadjedin

Quick heads up: we are talking about grief, death, and all that we can learn from this deep topic today. I know, I know, stay with me. Because we spend so much energy avoiding the one thing that's guaranteed to happen to all of us: death. But I am learning death doesn’t have to be so heavy. It can actually bring so much more light into our lives: perspective, gratitude, appreciation. Those of you who know me or have listened to this show know that I lost both of my parents when I was in my 40s, and I’ve lost friends along the way too. Now, with my own kids heading off to college, I’ve been feeling so many emotions, grief being one of them. So when Karen and Jen reached out to come on the podcast, it was a resounding yes.Karen Callahan and Jen Tadjedin are death doulas who left careers in tech and advertising to help people navigate dying, grief, and end-of-life planning work they both came to after losing people close to them. On this episode, we talk about what a death doula actually does, why we’re so afraid of this conversation, the paperwork nobody wants to fill out but everyone’s grateful for later, and the woo-woo stuff too: mediums, dreams, and the ways our people keep showing up after they’re gone.In this episodeWhat a death doula actually does: part medical advocate, part care manager, part emotional support, far bigger than just being there at the very endTheir origin stories: Karen after losing both parents within two years; Jen after a hospice training changed everythingThe Peace of Mind workshop: five components, and why the conversations matter more than the paperworkWhy we’re so afraid of death and the couple whose workshop became the tipping point to move to San Diego finallyGrief has no timeline: Karen on the “foggy” first year, and why compassion beats any scheduleThe medium, the dream, and what comes after personal stories that reshaped what they believe happens nextHealing relationships after death ritual, unfinished business, and why some healing only comes after someone’s goneEven though death still scares me, I love finding the time and space to actually talk about it. Every time I do, I walk away feeling more peaceful, more light, and more grateful for the life I get to live right now. I hope this conversation gives you a little bit of that too.Resources & linksKaren Callahan & Jen Tadjedin’s website Peace of Mind WorkshopPeace of Mind WorkbookBook mentioned: Advice for Future Corpses by Sallie TisdaleWork with Molly: https://calendly.com/mollycarroll/coachingIf you’re ready to do the meaningful work of truly knowing and accepting yourself, I’m currently accepting new therapy clients. I specialize in helping people:Break stuck patterns in relationships or life decisionsDevelop coping strategies for anxiety and depressionNavigate life transitions with clarity and purposeCreate more joy, balance, and healthy habitsA note from Molly: For three years, I’ve poured my heart into this podcast, creating over 100 episodes. I’ve funded everything myself to focus on meaningful conversations, but to keep bringing you the quality content you deserve, I need your help.Even $5 a month, less than a coffee, helps cover hosting, editing, and prep time. If this podcast has supported you, would you consider joining? Support hereStay Connected with Molly: Follow on Instagram Follow on FacebookIf this episode brought something up for you, I’d love to hear about it — leave a comment or send me a message. And if you know someone who needs this conversation, share it with them.