End of Life Conversations

By: Rev Annalouiza Armendariz & Rev Wakil David Matthews
  • Summary

  • Annalouiza and Wakil offer classes on end-of-life planning, grief counseling, and interfaith (or no faith!) spiritual direction. If you are interested in any of those, don't hesitate to get in touch with us via email at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

    In this podcast, we'll share people’s experiences with the end of life. We have reached out to experts in the field, front-line workers, as well as friends, neighbors, and the community, to have conversations about their experiences with death and dying. We have invited wonderful people to sit with us and listen to each other’s stories.

    Our goal is to provide you with information and resources that can help all of us navigate and better understand this important subject.

    You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. Also, we would love your financial support and you can subscribe by clicking on the Subscribe button. Subscribers will be sent a dynamically updated end-of-life planning checklist and resources document. They will have access to premium video podcasts on many end-of-life planning and support subjects. Subscribers at $8/month or higher will be invited to a special live, online conversation with Annalouiza and Wakil and are eligible for a free initial session of grief counseling, or interfaith spiritual direction.

    And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

    We want to acknowledge that the music we are using was composed and produced by Charles Hiestand. We also acknowledge that we live and work on unceded indigenous people's lands. We thank them for their generations of stewardship which continues to this day, and honor them by doing all we can to create a sustainable planet and support the thriving of all life, both human and more than human.

    © 2025 End of Life Conversations
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Episodes
  • Helping Navigate Grief in the Wild Heart Space with Mirabai Starr
    Apr 2 2025

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    In this conversation, Mirabai Starr shares her profound experiences with death and loss, detailing how these events have shaped her spiritual journey and her work. She discusses the impact of her brother's and first love's deaths on her life, leading her to explore the sacred dimensions of grief.

    Mirabai also introduces her current projects, including the Wild Heart Space community, which supports individuals navigating grief as a spiritual path. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing all forms of loss and the transformative power of grief in connecting with the divine.

    In this conversation, we delve into the complexities of grief and loss and the healing power of writing. We explore how writing is a spiritual practice and a means to navigate emotional challenges.

    The discussion emphasizes the importance of embracing suffering and the mundane aspects of life as pathways to spiritual growth.

    We also reflect on the challenges of balancing creative work with the demands of life and the necessity of allowing oneself to feel and express emotions authentically.

    Ultimately, we invite listeners to recognize the sacredness in everyday experiences and walk the ordinary mystic's path.

    Mirabai Starr is an award-winning author of creative non-fiction and contemporary translations of sacred literature.

    She taught Philosophy and World Religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos for 20 years and now teaches and speaks internationally on contemplative practice and inter-spiritual dialog. She is a certified bereavement counselor who helps mourners harness the transformational power of loss. Her book, WILD MERCY: Living the Fierce & Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics, was named one of the “Best Books of 2019”. She lives with her extended family in the mountains of northern New Mexico.

    Wild Heart Space Website - references the writing workshops and Holy Lament community.
    Mirabai’s Books
    Levine Talks Website - Steven and his wife Ondrea
    Love Serve Remember Foundation - Ram Dass
    Murshid Samuel Lewis Archive - writings and stories of Samuel Lewis, the founder of the Ruhaniat Sufi Order and Dances of Universal Peace
    The Lama Foundation
    Poet Rosemary Watola Trommer



    Support the show

    You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

    And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.



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    40 mins
  • Natural Body Disposition and Mindfulness at End of Life with Mike Reagan
    Mar 26 2025

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    In this conversation, Mike Reagan, CEO of The Natural Funeral, shares his profound journey in end-of-life care, from his teenage years working in a cemetery to his current role in revolutionizing the funeral industry. He discusses the importance of presence and compassion during the dying process, the innovative approach of terramation, and the challenges of raising awareness about eco-friendly death care options. Mike reflects on his personal experiences with death and dying, emphasizing a sense of peace and acceptance regarding the end of life. This conversation explores the profound experiences of end-of-life care, emphasizing the importance of unconditional love, joy in service, and the spiritual connections that arise during this sacred time. The speakers share personal stories highlighting the beauty and peace found in supporting individuals as they transition while also addressing the need for self-care among caregivers. The discussion culminates in reflecting on the Prayer of St. Francis, reinforcing the themes of love, compassion, and connection.

    The Natural Funeral


    Support the show

    You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

    And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.



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    42 mins
  • Unique Death Education with the Death Doyenne, Gail Rubin
    Mar 19 2025

    Send us a text

    In this conversation, Gail Rubin, a pioneering death educator, shares her journey into the field of death education, emphasizing the importance of planning for end-of-life issues. She discusses her creative approaches, including the use of humor and film clips, to engage people in conversations about death. Gail also reflects on her personal experiences with loss and the challenges she faces in her work, advocating for pre-need funeral planning and the need for open discussions about mortality. In this conversation, Gail Rubin shares her experiences with medical aid in dying, the role of death doulas, and the importance of planning for end-of-life decisions. She discusses her personal journey through grief and loss, the significance of mourning, and her fears surrounding her own end of life. She also introduces the Before I Die Festival, an initiative to encourage conversations about death and dying.

    A Good Goodbye - Gail's website
    Gail's Videos
    Doyenne of Death Podcasts
    Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant
    Elizabeth Town movie
    Before I Die Festivals
    Information on Death Cafes and Jon Underwood



    Support the show

    You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

    And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.



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    33 mins

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