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Birth, Death and Doulas

Birth, Death and Doulas

By: Global Doula Project
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About this listen

A podcast for anyone who believes that more compassion at the beginning and end of life just might be the key that changes the world. Join us as we delve into heartfelt conversations with doulas, anthropologists, researchers and parents about the science and social impact of loving support during life's greatest transitions.Global Doula Project Social Sciences
Episodes
  • "Compassion pieces": How death doulas fill in the gaps when a loved one is dying - interview with Sheila Burke
    May 22 2025

    How can death doulas pick up the “compassion pieces” often dropped by the conventional medical system when a loved one is dying, or has died?


    In the first episode of Birth, Death, and Doulas, host Anne Kathryn Rice interviews Sheila Burke about how the death of her husband, Shane, from an aggressive form of lung cancer began her journey to becoming a death doula. Sheila came to understand how sacred the process of dying is, and how much dying people and their loved ones can benefit from someone who can compassionately hold space for the emotional and spiritual dimensions of death, where conventional medicine typically only addresses the physical aspects.


    In this episode, Sheila and Anne Kathryn talk about the need for compassionate honesty, hopeful last hurrahs, the real value of palliative care, and the importance of honoring the supernatural experiences that are common when someone dies.


    In this episode:


    02:57 – Sheila and Shane’s love story

    07:01 – Children’s closeness to the dead

    09:17 - Shane’s diagnosis

    13:25 - Navigating treatment options

    23:05 - Maintaining hope when death is imminent

    29:20 - The importance of honest communication in healthcare

    33:08 - The role of death doulas for end-of-life support

    36:56 - Creating meaningful goodbyes


    To learn more about the Global Doula Project and how they support

    birth and death doulas, visit:

    www.globaldoulaproject.org


    To learn more about Sheila Burke’s work and books:

    https://endoflifedoulacle.com/


    Find Sheila’s podcast, Talk Deathy to Me, at:

    https://talkdeathytome.com/welcome/


    Follow Global Doula Project on Instagram @globaldoulaproject

    Follow Sheila on Instagram @deathdoulacle

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    48 mins
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