Seeing Death Clearly
Episodes
160 episodes
Life Forest Tree Burial Cemetery with Mel Bennett
Death doula and funeral celebrant Jill McClennen interviews Mel Bennett, founder of Life Forest in New Hampshire, a nonprofit cemetery and public arboretum where human and pet cremated remains are buried with newly planted trees. After caring f...
Grief, Impermanence, and End-of-Life Planning with Jermaine Ee
Death doula and funeral celebrant Jill McClennen hosts Jermaine on Seeing Death Clearly to explore how talking about death can lead to more conscious living. Jermaine shares how a conversation revealed his mother did not understand ...
Breast Cancer, Medical Choice, Informed Consent with Joy Jolie
Death doula and funeral celebrant Jill McClennan hosts a conversation with Joy Jolie about how repeated loss, grief, and serious illness shaped Joy’s views on dying, healing, and end-of-life planning. Joy describes multiple breast c...
Pet Loss Grief with a Pet Death Doula Jessica LeBeau-Richman
Host Jill McClennen, a death doula and funeral celebrant, talks with Jessica LeBeau-Richman, a South Jersey pet death doula, about the often overlooked grief of losing an animal and how people can stay connected through ritual, keepsakes, an...
Suicide, Grief and Depression with Rae Dumont
Host Jill McClennen, a death doula and funeral celebrant, speaks with Rae Dumont, a Belgian-born pediatrician turned family therapist, about caring for chronically ill children and why connection and honest, age-appropriate truth matter as much...
Abandoned Cemeteries and Lost Burial Grounds with Edward Snyder
In this episode, Jill McClennen speaks with Philadelphia-area researcher and photographer Edward Snyder about abandoned and forgotten cemeteries and what they reveal about dying, grief, legacy, and conscious living. Ed explains how his interest...
Preserving Life Stories Before We Die with Cristian Cibilis Bernardes
In this episode my guest Cristian Cibilis Bernardes, founder and CEO of Autograph and I explore how preserving memories can become a powerful part of legacy and end-of-life planning. The conversation highlights why hearing a loved one’s voic...
Death Doula Talk on Medical Aid in Dying and End-of-Life Planning with Joy Rodriquez
End-of-life doula Joy Rodriguez talks with me about death doula work and supporting people who choose medical aid in dying. Medical aid in dying is often misunderstood and can be hard to access even where it is legal, especially when it is diff...
A Palliative Doctor on Dying, End-of-Life Planning, and Living Well with David Casarett
In this episode, a palliative care physician explains how early support and thoughtful end-of-life planning can reduce fear, ease suffering, and improve quality of life for patients and families.Dr. David Casarett, chief of Palliative Ca...
From Prison to Peace: Rah Rah’s Story of Survival, Loss, and Healing
In this episode, for Black History Month, Jill interviews her longtime friend Rashine Curry (Rah Rah), a mother of six from Atlantic City. Rah Rah describes how poverty, racism, and systemic bias shaped her life, including incarceration, unt...
True Love and Healing After Loss: Marcy Shrewsbury Lopez's Journey
In this episode of Seeing Death Clearly, host Jill McClennen, a death doula and funeral celebrant, speaks with Marcy Shrewsbury Lopez about her extraordinary love story and journey through grief. Marcy shares he...
Innovations in End-of-Life Care with Funeral Director Ken Biery
In this episode of Seeing Death Clearly, host Jill McClennen, a death doula and funeral celebrant, is joined by Ken Biery, a seasoned funeral director and founder of the Funeral Service Collective. Ken shares his journ...
Living with Memory Disability, Overcoming Challenges, and Finding Purpose with Thomas Dixon
In this episode, I’m joined by Thomas Dixon, a Philadelphia native with a powerful and deeply personal story. Thomas shares his journey from working in psychiatry research to teaching middle school in South Korea, and the life-altering shift th...
Grieving and Healing: Spirit Communication with Christian Millward
In this episode of 'Seeing Death Clearly,' host Jill McClennen talks with Christian Millward, a mother of six from Idaho, about her journey with grief and spirit communication. Christian shares how the deaths of her mother and seven-week-old da...
Memoir Writing and Legacy with Michael Williams
In this episode, Michael Williams, the founder of Memoir Studio, discusses his transition from end-of-life planning to helping people write their memoirs. They explore the therapeutic power of storytelling, especially for older adults, and h...
Reflecting on Life, Death, and the Journey Ahead with Stephen Wilson
In this end-of-year episode of Seeing Death Clearly, host Jill McClennen sits down with her husband Steven to reflect on three years of podcasting. As the year 2025 closes, they discuss personal and professional highlights, stoicism, aging, ...
End-of-Life Conversation with Barbara Karnes, RN
In this episode, I welcome back Barbara Karnes to discuss the journey of transitioning from 'we' to 'me' after her husband Jack's death. Barbara shares heartfelt stories about her early days in hospice care, highlig...
Death Doula Insights About The Importance of End-of-Life Planning
In this episode of 'Seeing Death Clearly,' host Jill McClennen, a death doula and funeral celebrant, welcomes Marni Blank, a former attorney turned entrepreneur and end-of-life doula. They discuss the emotional and logistical challenges fami...
Navigating Grief and Embracing Spirituality with Dave Roberts
In this episode of Seeing Death Clearly, Dave Roberts talks about his journey navigating grief after the death of his daughter, Janine. Roberts, an addictions counselor and psychology professor, shares his perspectives on spirituality, the a...
Navigating Grief and Gratitude During the Holidays
In this special Thanksgiving episode, Jill McClennen discusses the complex emotions of gratitude and grief that many people experience during the holidays. Early in the morning, Jill felt a mix of thankfulness and sadness and realized that she ...
Understanding Death Doula Work: Compassion, Grief, and End-of-Life Support with Tolley Casper's
In this episode of Seeing Death Clearly, Jill McClennen sits down with Tolley Casparis, a death doula from Southern California, to explore the realities of supporting people at the end of life. They discuss the emotional challenges of ...
Jonathan Foster on Grief, Love, and Reimagining Faith After Loss
Jonathan Foster joins the conversation to share the story behind Indigo, his book about the life and death of his daughter, Quincy. This episode explores how a parent’s grief can reshape faith, deepen compassion, and reveal new ways to...
Navigating End-of-Life Care with Princella Seymour
In this episode, our guest is Princella Seymour, a social worker with decades of experience in geriatrics and dementia care. Princella shares how she was called into elder care work, why early planning is essential, and what families often s...
Exploring Grief and Death Conversations with the Creator of Morbid Curiosity Kimberley Mead
In this episodeI talk with Kimberley Mead, a grief therapist who transitioned from a career in the arts at age 40. Kimberley shares her journey into grief therapy and the development of her game, Morbid Curiosity, which has sparked tra...
Overcoming Loss and Finding Joy with JoBeth Polley
In this episode of the podcast 'Seeing Death Clearly,' host Jill McClennen talks to Jo Beth Polly about her experiences with infertility and the death of her husband from brain cancer. Jo Beth shares how these profound losses shaped her life...
