Journey With Deanna

Last night sitting outside beside the powerful Maui ocean, Sharon and I talked about her own life and death journey. She has been serving others at the end of life since 1986 in a variety of ways, as she weaves in her own path of healing her own mind, body and spirit. There is a place for every single one of us who has this calling to be of help at the end of life in our communities. Regardless of how unconventional we feel we are, listen in as Sharon describes how her sacred journey unfolded into a powerful ministry.  End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

The Dying Well Collective in Canada is doing beautiful work for the community. This interview with Glenda Myles, Founder of the Collective illustrates how she the death doula role is bridging death care in Canada. The website: http://www.dyingwellcollective.com  End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

The Social Model Hospice House is a beautiful model for care for those at the end of life. Today listen in as I interview Kevin Miller, Executive Director of the Toni and Trish House in Auburn Michigan. He discusses the concept of the social model of a hospice house and what it takes to run it, very different than a hospice house run by a hospice agency. The caregivers get tremendous support for up to 90 days. Visit the Toni and Trish House website here: https://toniandtrishhouse.org/  End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

The beautiful ministry of the chaplain during the end of life time period is one of the best offerings of hospice and hospitals. A great chaplain can do more to facilitate healing than most other roles or therapies or strategies combined.  Jo Jensen is one of these people who has this kind of skill and presence and has served children and adults alike. I have the great pleasure to know her and I wanted to introduce you to her.  End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

Join Janis Underwood and I in tackling a touchy subject...that of a person who wants to do their calling every day, not just after "work." The person who has no trust fund, organization to pay for them or a financially supportive partner. I am talking about most people who feel inspired to serve in a soulful way and they must deal with the issue of money. Janis is the Founder of Soul Biz Startup and learned first-hand the difficulties in building a soul-based business. After a long search for the right solution to help build her healing practice, she found herself looking to her small business experience, technical career and spiritual practices for answers. She now helps other soul-based business owners step into empowered entrepreneurship. website: http://www.soulbizstartup.com/  End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

Support for self-care among workers who serve the dying is not as popular as you may think. It seems obvious that for hospice workers, hospital workers, firefiighters, paramedics and others in the healthcare world that taking very good care of ourselves would be a given, understood by all and supported by our employers.Craig Williams, L.A.c., Clinical Herbalist AHG, Ayurvedic Practitioner, Author, Health Coach, and so much more shares the hour with me discussing this deep topic. I've been working with him since September; he's kind, wise, brilliant and has helped me to turn my life around to put it mildly! Visit his website at: http://www.ayurvedaaustin.com/index.html  End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

For the majority of people, the space between birth and death hold their attention, and is the focus of their journey. But for Patty Burgess, the ending point of death, with its surrounding fear, stigmas and mystery, is a rich area to indulge her ever expanding curiosity and passion for heartfelt life experiences. Join Patty and I as we discuss her work in the field and qualities that make for a wonderful EOL Doula. Please visit her website for great information: http://www.DoingDeathDifferently.com   End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

This week's podcast gives some background on why there is death doula training. There is a huge movement of "light bearers," people who are called to serve the dying, coming forward looking for mentoring and training and to learn from those who know how to accompany others through death. Hospice is one way to serve and there are others being called who want to be helpful to families and hospice as well, people who don't fit the traditional roles of hospice. The real beauty is not that there are more options from which to learn the wisdom of others but that there are so many people coming forward who WANT it. It's a beautiful thing that is happening.   End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

Ellen Rand, author of the book, "Last Comforts: Notes From the Forefront of Late Life Care,"has been a journalist for more than 40 years, including five years as a housing columnist for The New York Times. She is a hospice volunteer with Holy Name Medical Center in Bergen County, New Jersey, a member of the Hospice Volunteer Association and the Association of Health Care Journalists. Her essays have appeared in several medical humanities publications, including Pulse—Voices from the Heart of Medicine; KevinMD; and Life Matters Media. She blogs at http://lastcomforts.com.  End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

Most people love hospice and the mission of hospice. And of course, there is always room for improvement. "In Dr. Margaret Overton's new memoir, HOPE FOR A COOL PILLOW (Outpost 19, March 2016), she explores about two polar opposite experiences with hospice during the decline and death of her mother and father.  End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

This week's show I am discussing the shadow side of this wonderful ability of ours as humans to feel and live in compassion. We all may find ourselves in one or more of these spaces as we give to others. As you listen to the talk, please just see how you feel in your body as you listen. Did you get tight when I described one or more of these? If so, explore it and write about what it brought up.  End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

One of the wonderful topics I share with other doulas is what is in our EOL Doula bag? What do we take with us when we go to families? Also in this discussion we include some ways we support people as well. Each doula is different in how they support people so our "bags" will be different. Please add to the discussion, what is in your bag?  End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

Blane Brazier has worked full time in hospice since 2008. He has a unique ministry of using his guitar or sometimes the ukulele to engage the spiritual life of his patient's. He currently works at Amity Hospice as their Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator where he also facilitates grief groups for bereaved family members. He recently wrote a booklet called CELEBRATING LIFE a Compassionate Guide Through Funeral Planning. The booklet serves as the last chapters or Afterward of Barbara Karnes GONE FROM MY SIGHT. A short read that deals with the "what's next" of preparing for final arrangements. You can find it in the Amazon book store and on Kindle  End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

Today I am speaking with Kelly Roman about her story of living in forgiveness for her father who died this year; and, how she is getting through the holidays. She is the Director of Recreation at a long term care facility in New Jersey; she has completed her studies this year as a Death Doula and as a Spiritual Counselor. Thank you for sharing your story with us Kelly. This is just one story of many in my 2015 Series: "Life and Grief Through the Holidays." http://love-empower-release.me/  End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

Today's podcast is a discussion I had with Martha Koock Ward of Austin. She is a delightful woman, 5th generation Austinite, and I loved what her family is doing to honor one of their deceased siblings. I asked her to share with us for the series I am doing called "Life and Grief Through the Holidays.   End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

Present day healthcare services are squeezed for time, doulas and practitioners need experiences and the person who is ill and dying and their family needs attention. If we can work together on creating a system that uses the skills of the doulas in serving people as they gain practical mastery of the art of it all, we will best serve everyone who is concerned that these doulas are well trained. If you are a person who sees the brilliance in this and works in hospice, home health or the hospital and wants to be part of making history, email me and lets talk. deanna@qualityoflifecare.com.   End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

Amanda Carr is an ER nurse who has worked ERs around the country. She is on a mission. Her blog, Changing the Face of Dying, www.changingthefaceofdying.com, is where you can find her sharing her observations and making a difference. She recently accompanied me on my 2nd Doula Journey to New Zealand and Australia and we not only shared a wonderful experience meeting world leaders in end of life and seeing beautiful countryside, but we met our own souls and dug deep in our own spiritual nature.  End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

Meeting Dr. Barbato and his wife Ann was one of the highlights of my trip to Australia. He has been a physician for over 50 years and Hospice Medical Director for over 20. He is not only an accomplished physician, author and educator but a very kind soul and lovely human being. Listen in as he shares about the 'deep sleep' state, about the hardest part of dying, about demedicalizing dying. We spent Saturday afternoon at his home in Kiama.  End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

I am in New Zealand as this podcast is created overlooking the majestic Cathedral Cove. My heart was soaring as I conquered big fears in coming here. The fear of flying stopped me from traveling the last 20 years. What is stopping you from doing what you love? Is anything? Are you doing, being living as you love to do and be now? Let's live our dreams together. We are only here for a short time.  End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005  

Listen in as Zenith tells me about the film made about her and her thoughts of empowering families. I am so grateful to be spending the Day of the Dead with her November 8, 2015 during my trip to Australia and New Zealand. For more information on this: www.doulajourney.com. From Zenith's website: "I am not fixed in any belief, religion or dogma, I embrace them all and work towards a more universal and accepting approach, open to discovery, and in love with the mystery. What happens after death will become clear to us when we die, It is our journey to get there that is my interest and passion.  Ultimately, I am inspired by the words of the Dalai Lama, “my religion is simple, my religion is kindness”. The Documentary website: Zen and The Art of Dying  End of Life Care Certificate Program Learn.Create.Serve. training and mentoring doulas, companions, guides and midwives since 2005