More than a handshake

  In this conversation, Sheena and Daniel sit down to reflect on identity. Daniel explains why he now specializes in grief counseling—personal losses and years supporting caregivers. He emphasizes using direct language about death, the emotional weight and rewards of connection, and the use of rituals to honor loss. They discuss grief beyond death, stigma, trauma, and meaning-making. The conversation turns to his love story: meeting his South African partner online, sustaining years of communication before meeting in person, and shifting from scarcity mindset to investing in happiness. Daniel shares his plans to move to SA, and navigating fears about politics and adjustment. He closes with his best advice. 00:00 Meet the Guest 00:39 Identity Beyond Work 03:18 Rethinking Work Ethic 06:21 Why Grief Counseling 12:47 Talking About Death 16:13 Grief Beyond Death 19:55 Stages and Meaning 24:56 Trauma and Stigma 30:01 Regrets and Relationships 35:54 Heavy Days and Burnout 37:32 Human Connection in Care 38:26 Grief and Joy Together 39:06 Rituals to Honor Loss 42:29 Meeting Love During COVID 45:41 Long Distance to First Visit 48:08 Chemistry and Travel Lessons 52:15 Attachment Identity and Partnership 57:42 Moving Plans and Marriage Talk 01:04:58 Fears Excitement and Gratitude 01:10:47 Closing Advice

Sarah, an RN and death guide, shares her background as a longtime bartender who became a nurse out of necessity, and how she sits with discomfort. She explains how she supports end-of-life autonomy, and how her nursing experience and spirituality inform her work. She outlines her business, End With Ease, including guidance on medical aid in dying (not legal in Connecticut) and voluntary stopping eating and drinking (VSED). Sarah recounts early experiences with death, loneliness in the work, self-care amid stress, and how her own cervical cancer led her to slow down and deepen her connection to spirit. Sarah can be found @good_death_nurse and [email protected] 00:00 Meet Sarah 00:55 From Bars to Nursing 04:20 What Is a Death Guide 13:13 Hospice Misconceptions 14:54 Spiritual Side of Dying 17:14 First Death Experience 24:00 Embracing Death Guide Role 28:24 Loneliness and Self Care 33:19 Palliative to Hospice Process 39:55 Private Client Planning 42:05 Dying at Home Explained 50:30 VSED Basics Legality 52:42 Hard Reality Timeline 53:23 Body Natural Dying Process 54:49 Letting Go Not Forcing 55:58 Learning Sharing Evidence 59:24 Hardest Part Family Resistance 01:00:13 Young Fighter Breakthrough 01:06:51 Death Is Beautiful Now 01:12:35 How To Get Curious 01:15:30 Hospice Morphine Myths 01:17:02 Spirit And Body Explained 01:21:22 Cancer Changed Everything 01:26:32 Body As Gift On Loan 01:34:54 Closing Contact Info

Sheena Knight introduces her unfiltered podcast on identity and purpose, explaining why she’s stepping into vulnerability after years of being more comfortable asking others hard questions. She shares her own identity as a sensitive, risk-taking artist and idea-lover who has long navigated masking and dysfunction. She reflects on choosing a bold, unconventional life. After a recent cancer experience and a period of grief, she commits to rejecting small talk in favor of raw conversations about what’s underneath people’s stories. This show is for those seeking realness, connection, and courage. Sheena can be found at @thesheenaknight or @morethanahandshake 00:00 Why I Went First 00:29 Who I Am 02:38 Masks and Code Switching 03:25 Family Roots and Survival 04:16 Choosing a Bold Life 05:42 Cancer and the Cave 06:18 No More Small Talk 07:17 Who This Show Is For 07:49 In Motion and Next Episode