The New Language of Loss: Tech, Choice, and Redesigning the Way We Die

What this episode covers

What if the way we talk about death is the reason so many people feel lost when it finally happens?  In this episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, Jennifer sits down with Symon, a thanatologist working at the intersection of end of life care and technology, to unpack why death education is outdated, why the funeral industry feels confusing to so many families, and how better knowledge can restore choice and peace during some of life's hardest moments. Simon shares their deeply personal journey into hospice work and research, explains what thanatology and death technology really mean, and explores how tools like AI could help people understand their options before grief and urgency take over. Together, Jennifer and Simon challenge common myths about funerals, pricing, and planning, and talk honestly about why pre-planning, cultural awareness, and open conversations can change everything. Tune in for a real, eye opening conversation that will leave you thinking differently about choice, legacy, and how we prepare for the end of life. Key Topics: -Choosing to talk about death before crisis -Finding meaning and comfort in end of life planning -Honoring personal values over fear and pressure -Expanding choice through education and awareness -Building a more humane future for death care Quotes from the episode: "My goal is to make death education accessible, modern, and available before people are in crisis." -Symon Braun Freck "Not everyone wants the same ending, and that's something we need to respect.." -Jennifer Muldowney Timestamp: [00:00] Podcast Intro [00:18] Simon discussed their work at the intersection of thanatology and technology, and how research and AI can expand access to end of life care information so people can make informed choices with clarity and confidence. [09:28] Simon reflected on how early, personal experiences with death shaped their path into hospice work and research, and why those experiences now guide their commitment to ethical, culturally aware end of life tools. [17:07] Simon explored why the funeral industry often feels exploitative, pointing to a lack of preparation and education, and emphasized how early conversations can shift decisions away from fear and toward personal values. [22:40] Simon addressed how urgency, limited options, and missing knowledge during grief restrict meaningful choice, reinforcing the need for better education, advocacy, and more flexible end of life pathways. [26:45] Outro Connect with Symon Braun Freck: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/in/symon-braun-freck-833b94197/ Website - symonbraunfreck.com Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper on socials at: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jennifermuldowney/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@therealglamreaper YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheGlamReaperMuldowney LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermuldowney/ Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/MuldowneyMemorials/ Email us - [email protected] Shop Merch - https://the-glam-reaper.printify.me/products Listen to The Glam Reaper Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-glam-reaper-podcast/id1572382989?i=1000525524145 The Glam Reaper® AMAZON Storefront - https://amzn.to/4hObpOh