Death Chat

What happens after the funeral—when the grief is heavy and the paperwork starts? Grief educator, coach, author, and former chaplain Megan Malik joins Death Chat to talk about the overlooked reality of grief and aftercare. Megan shares how she became an "Accidental Matriarch" after losing both of her parents. We discuss grief waves and the "grieving brain," managing an estate, decision fatigue, and why ritual matters. This conversation offers a healthy perspective of death and how funerals can reflect someone’s life. Megan’s workbook + planner designed to help families navigate the first year after a death—one step at a time. If you’re navigating loss, supporting a grieving family, or thinking about planning ahead, this episode offers a grounded look at what comes next after death—and how community and ritual can help us carry it.Meet Megan- visit her website at https://a-new-path.com/ Order her book: A New Path available on Amazon Connect with us: [email protected]

Tom Berry, a retired Army officer and hospice volunteer, joins Death Chat to share his journey from military service to supporting veterans and families at the end of life through Homeland Hospice.In this conversation, Tom discusses visiting veterans in care facilities, volunteering in hospice, grieving the loss of his wife of 51 years, and how faith and human connection shape the way we face death. A powerful reflection on service beyond the uniform, hospice care, and preparing for life’s final chapter.

What does death actually look like—and why are so many people afraid to talk about it?In this episode of Death Chat, we sit down with Beth, a death doula, to explore her journey into end-of-life care, what being a death doula really means, and why open conversations about death can bring clarity, peace, and connection. Beth shares what she witnesses at the end of life, how supporting the dying and their families became her calling, and how personal loss—including the death of her beloved pet—shaped her work.This conversation is thoughtful, grounded, and deeply human—offering insight for anyone curious about death, end-of-life planning, grief, or how to approach these conversations with less fear and more intention. If this episode resonated with you, you are not alone.Connect with Beth : deathdoulabeth.com or contact her directly at [email protected] feedback or join the conversation by emailing [email protected] Follow us @DeathChatPod

In this deeply honest episode of Death Chat, host Julia sits down with Susan Miduri to explore a lifetime shaped by loss, love, and resilience. From early exposure to death, to the sudden loss of a mentor, to the unimaginable grief of losing her son, Susie shares what grief has taught her about grace, community, and living fully.Susie also reflects on a peaceful, planned goodbye with her mother-in-law — a powerful contrast to losses without ceremony — reinforcing why end-of-life planning isn’t about death, but about love.This episode is a reminder that grief looks different for everyone, there are no perfect words, and planning ahead can be one of the greatest acts of care we leave behind.If this conversation resonates with you, you are not alone.Follow Death Chat on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @DeathChatPod

In this episode of Death Chat, host Julia sits down with Alexa Livelsberger, Outreach and Education Coordinator at Highmark Caring Place, to talk about how peer support helps grieving children, families, and young adults navigate loss.Lexi shares how her personal experiences with grief led her into the field, why young adults are one of the most underserved grieving populations, and how loss impacts far more than emotions — including identity, safety, relationships, and financial stability through what’s known as secondary loss.This conversation offers compassionate insight for anyone navigating loss — personally or professionally — and highlights why no one should have to grieve alone.Interested in connecting with us? Email [email protected] in touch on Instagram and YouTube : Death Chat pod Contact the Caring Place directly at (866) 613-4673 or email Lexi at [email protected]

This week on Death Chat I sit down Stephen Polinski, managing funeral director and cremation specialist with the Central Pennsylvania Cremation Society—who also spends his weekends as “Vlad of the Rus,” a Rus (Kievan Rus) Viking reenactor and silversmith.We talk about what cremation families should know, why Stephen chose death care as a vocation, and how Viking-age death rituals—grave goods, burial vs cremation, Valhalla, Hel, and the transition from paganism to Christianity—still shape how people think about death today. We also break down common Viking myths (including the Hollywood “fire-arrow boat funeral”), what Viking festivals are actually like, and Stephen’s personal belief on what happens when we die.We are sharing this epsiode today to celebrate Stephens birthday! In Viking culture, being born near the Winter Solstice symbolized endurance through darkness — a fitting parallel to death care work.If anything in this episode resonated with you, you are not alone. Vlad’s Tovary (Viking replicas, jewelry, shields): https://www.vladstovary.com/ Contact us: [email protected] Watch this episode on YouTube at Death Chat PodcastHappy Holidays! We will see you next week.

Bonus clip from Death Chat.In this lighter moment, Heather, an animal psychic medium, gives insight into Julia’s cat, Possum. This clip was cut from the full episode and shared as a bonus for listeners who enjoy the personal side of animal communication.Check out this episode on YouTube to see pictures of Possum and Reba : deathchatpod https://youtu.be/_-E4LoPrXWc

In this episode of Death Chat, Julia chats with Heather, an animal psychic medium and Reiki practitioner, about what our pets want us to know—especially near the end of life. Heather shares how a life-changing experience awakened her mediumship and led her to work with animals and energy healing. They explore animal communication, Rainbow Bridge readings, Reiki for comfort care, and why animals don’t fear death, along with Heather’s work in wildlife conservation and what wild animals think of humans.If this episode resonated with you, you are not alone. Share your thoughts with us at [email protected] can reach out to Heather directly and support her business. Her website is: Fairhaven Healing https://www.fairhaven-healing.com/Contact her directly at : [email protected] note: Death, euthanasia, suicide, and murder-suicide are discussed.

In our first episode of Death Chat, we sit down with Pastor Keith Blank to explore the role of faith, community, and ritual in the way we face death. Keith shares personal experiences from his work in ministry, perspectives on grief, and why funerals remain an essential part of honoring a life. Together, we unpack how religion can bring meaning, comfort, and connection during some of life’s hardest moments.If anything in this episode resonated with you, you are not alone. Do you want to chat? Reach out to us at [email protected] Blank is available at [email protected]'ll see you on our next episode.