The Final Say

Mattering

Facing her own death, Jan says that the most important thing to her is that she mattered. In spite of "dancing" with cancer for 36 years, Jan spent years of service to th

Speaking In Tongues

What does an excellent preacher do when he loses his ability to speak clearly? Find a translator who not only understands your words, but also understands your heart. For

The Expert Says

Trudy James was a death and dying expert, a dynamic and articulate speaker and--a close friend of Debra's. She said some surprising things about facing her own death and

Bullet Train

All of us are on a train ride to death. Some of us are on the milk run which makes the trip pretty long.  Some of us are on an express run which shortens things a bit. An

Straight To Jail!

When he was kid, everyone thought Frank Marchand would go straight to jail as an adult. But things didn't turn out the way everyone expected--or the way Frank expected. 

Music In His Heart

Flamenco guitarist Ben Phipps explains how he finds meaning, purpose and joy in his life; the support of his family and friends and why he chose not to continue chemo for

"And yet . . . " Mini-Episode/ Mark Goulston

Debra was rattled at the unexpected death of her last guest. In this episode, she talks about why. 

Can We Talk About It?

Even people who work in the field of dying and death have a hard time talking about their own deaths. But Dr. Mark Goulston has found talking about it and being emotional

Just Show Up!

What to say and how to keep meaning and purpose in your life? Here's what matters: Just show up.  Bill Gardner has some wise thoughts on those challenges. 

There's Love On the Other Side

Juliana Fodera has died twenty-one times. She tells us how she navigated those trips and we might experience. Her biggest piece of advice? "Stay curious!"

I Get to Choose

Cheryl Hauser watched her brother struggle with Alzheimer's. When she was diagnosed herself, she made the decision to voluntarily stop eating and drinking (VSED) when she

I'm Lucky!

Even though he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at age 76, Don Mallet felt that he was lucky and grateful to have made it to old age. Glass half empty or half full? F

New Joy

Harlan was shocked to discover that his life-threatening illness brought him more joy than he could have imagined. Here's how he found it. 

Death With Dignity and Humor!

Diane struggled with MSA for four years until she used the Death with Dignity law. She was excited about her "Lift Off" and was well-prepared for soaring out of her body.

Won't You Come Home?

Bill Bailey tells a story of misunderstood last words; being scared to death and being scared by death. Also, how we can almost guarantee that will people speak kindly ab

Inhabit Your Life

Genko Blackman, a Zen Buddhist priest, talks about inhabiting your life and what we can offer people facing death. Also, the Buddhist perspective on dying and death. 

What If I Told You I Was Gay?

What we experience today might be a memory we recall over and over in days to come. Bob talks about one that is precious to him.

Live Like You're Dying

Susan Tower decided to "live like she's dying" since she was. Here's how she did it.

The Final Say on the Final Visit

Who gets to decide on a final visit? The dying person or the visitor? Hal Pelton made it very clear. 

TheFinalSayTrailer

An introduction to The Final Say: Conversations with People Facing Death. Different views from  different people.  Talking about facing death can help us understand how t