In this Encore Series episode, recorded in 2020 during the height of COVID, Claire O’Berry and Terry Mepham speak with Dr. Peter Fenwick and his wife, Elizabeth Fenwick, from Scotland.

Peter Fenwick, a renowned neuropsychiatrist and researcher, is widely known for his work exploring near-death experiences and what they may reveal about consciousness, dying, and the human experience at the end of life. Elizabeth Fenwick, a writer and long-time collaborator, brings clarity, warmth, and grounded insight to the conversation. Together, they authored The Art of Dying, the book at the heart of this episode.

This conversation is also a living legacy. Peter died in November 2024, and we offer love and condolences to Elizabeth and to all who are missing him.

In this episode, we explore:

• What first drew Peter into near-death experience research, and what changed his scepticism

• Deathbed visitors, end-of-life visions, and why they may matter deeply to the dying

• The role of curiosity as a powerful antidote to fear

• What preparation could look like, including repairing relationships and releasing old regrets

• Why death literacy may deserve a stronger place in medical education and community care

Key moments include Peter’s simple invitation: “If you’re going to die, be curious,” and the reminder that we often talk about death as someone else’s story, not our own.

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