What if your final act could give life back to the earth? In this enlightening episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss speaks with Brienna “Brie” Smith, licensed funeral director and social media educator at Return Home, about the revolutionary process of terramation—also known as human composting. Brienna explains how this sustainable, nature-based alternative to cremation and traditional burial gently transforms the human body into nutrient-rich soil.

From navigating state laws to understanding the chemistry behind composting remains, Brienna dives deep into the science, process, and legality of natural organic reduction. She also compares terramation with green burials, shares insights on regulatory challenges, and reveals how Return Home built public trust via TikTok education.

Whether you're an eco-conscious planner, funeral professional, or simply death-curious, this episode is packed with information about sustainable death care, digital funeral trends, and how terramation is reshaping end-of-life options across the U.S. and globally.

What happens to your Social Security when life takes an unexpected turn? In this eye-opening episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss welcomes financial planner Bob Goldberg, CFP to demystify Social Security and survivor benefits in the context of end-of-life and legacy planning.

Bob breaks down key Social Security strategies, including when to start collecting benefits, how spousal and survivor benefits work, and why delaying might offer the highest long-term value. Learn the differences between early retirement at age 62, full retirement at 67, and maximizing your payout by waiting until 70. This episode also explores benefits for divorced spouses, minor children, and widows—crucial knowledge for families navigating loss.

With real-life case studies and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone planning for retirement, currently caregiving, or facing unexpected loss. You'll gain insight into how financial planning intersects with digital legacy, long-term care, and protecting loved ones after death.

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In this powerful episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss welcomes Michelle Desmond, a former corporate executive turned thanatologist, to explore death, grief, and the digital age. Michelle shares her deeply personal journey—losing her father, husband, close friend, and mother—leading to her career shift into grief and death studies. Discover how she transitioned from business to earning a Master’s in Thanatology and how she now educates others on navigating end-of-life care, hospice, and grief literacy.

Together, Niki and Michelle discuss the role of end-of-life doulas, the history and resurgence of death awareness, and the impact of digital legacies on modern mourning. They unpack cultural stigmas around death, the importance of documenting final wishes, and how family dynamics shape end-of-life decisions.

Whether you're curious about the psychology of grief, the role of death tech, or how to talk about mortality, this episode offers heartfelt insight, practical tools, and empowering knowledge. Don’t miss this essential conversation on embracing death to better live life.