It All Goes Back To Death

What do dogs, Dolly Parton, weddings, babies and death have in common? Apparently, enough for an entire episode.This week, we’re talking about the emotional lives we build around our pets - why their presence can calm us down, bring us back to ourselves and make a hard day feel a little more manageable. Of course, we also had to pay tribute to Dolly Parton, discussing her death, and the kind of legacy that makes someone feel almost impossible to lose. What does it mean to live on through your work, your generosity, your stories and the way you made people feel?…and because no conversation with us stays on track for long, we eventually find ourselves talking about weddings, babies and the big life milestones that make us think about what we want, what we don’t want and what makes a life feel like our own.A little grief, a little existentialism, a lot of opinions and, somehow, it all goes back to death.

We’re back after a two-week hiatus, and naturally, we had a lot to catch up on. This week’s episode feels less like a podcast and more like a FaceTime with your favorite duo…if your FaceTimes regularly included conversations about life, death, and what we’re all doing here.Devyn and Meg catch up on milestone birthdays, the legacies we leave behind, the complicated conversation around legalizing medically assisted death, and so much more. As always, the conversation moves between the deeply existential and the completely everyday.Consider this your invitation to pull up a chair, pour something good, and catch up with us. We missed you!

Sometimes the most healing thing you can do is leave everything familiar behind for a little while. In this episode, Meg shares the healing trips that gave her space to grieve, reconnect with herself, and process the losses that changed her life. Devyn explores why stepping outside of your everyday environment can create the mental and emotional distance needed to uncover the root of unprocessed pain, and how asking yourself better questions can lead to deeper healing than simply distracting yourself from it. Together, they discuss grief, catharsis, solitude, and why a change of scenery can become an invitation to come home to yourself. Whether you’re navigating loss, feeling stuck, or simply craving clarity, this conversation is a reminder that healing sometimes begins the moment you give yourself permission to step away.

What happens when the people you love are here one moment and gone the next?In this episode, Meg shares the deeply personal story of losing the people closest to her in an instant and the lasting impact that kind of grief leaves behind. She asks Devyn the question so many people carry: How do you stop a traumatic loss from becoming the lens through which you experience the rest of your life?Together, they explore the difference between honoring your loved one and living in fear, how sudden death can change the way you move through the world, and practical ways to acknowledge trauma without letting it define your future.Whether you’ve experienced an unexpected loss yourself or love someone who has, this conversation offers compassionate, tangible tools for carrying grief while still allowing yourself to fully live.

We spend a lifetime collecting things…but what happens to all of it when we’re gone?In this episode, Devyn and Meg dive into the surprisingly freeing concept of Swedish death cleaning and why getting your affairs in order isn’t about preparing to die - it’s about making life a little lighter for yourself and the people you love.As Devyn revisits her past as a professional organizer and Meg brings her perspective as a death doula, they explore the emotional weight our belongings can carry, why decluttering is about so much more than getting rid of “stuff,” and how creating a clear space can help create a clearer conscience.Whether you’re overwhelmed by your own clutter, navigating a loved one’s estate, or simply looking for a fresh perspective on what we choose to hold onto, this conversation is full of practical advice, thoughtful reflection, and a reminder that the things we leave behind tell a story, but they don’t have to become someone else’s burden.

Hospice is one of those words that we have all heard, but that very few people actually understand.In this episode of It All Goes Back to Death, we’re answering the questions people wish they had asked sooner. We talk about what hospice actually is (and what it isn’t), how hospice care can happen in your own home, what respite care means and why it matters, the questions you should ask when choosing a hospice provider, and how to start the conversation if you want your loved one to receive hospice care.Whether you’re navigating hospice right now, supporting someone who is, or simply want to feel more prepared for the future, this episode is full of practical information, honest conversation, and reassurance that you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

It All Goes Back to Death is what happens when a Life Coach and a Death Doula walk into a bar…Hosted by Devyn Penney and Meg Callahan, this podcast explores life, death, and everything in between.Together, they dive into the conversations most people avoid: death, grief, purpose, joy, relationships, and what it really means to be human. Nothing is off limits, and every conversation is approached with honesty, curiosity, and, of course, humor.In this first episode, Devyn and Meg share how they met, what inspired them to start the podcast, and what listeners can expect in future episodes. Through personal stories, candid conversations, plenty of laughter, expert interviews, and thoughtful questions, It All Goes Back to Death creates a space where talking about death helps us better understand how to live.