It seems most people feel obligated to cringe or shut down when the thought of the inevitable surfaces. But the simple fact exists that we will all leave this life at some point. Ali talks with Valoria Walker and Lauren Lyster-Mensh who are trained as end-of-life doulas, people who shepherd the dying and their loved ones through the often difficult, emotional, complicated process. They serve as non-medical advocates and holistic supporters of the person passing. Valoria and Laura talk about their experiences, the death positivity movement, death cafes and how we can all start planning for and normalizing conversations about death.

If you have questions or guest suggestions, Ali would love to hear from you. Call or text her at (323) 364-6356. Or email go-ask-ali-podcast-at-gmail.com. (No dashes)

**Go Ask Ali has been nominated for a Webby Award for Best Interview/Talk Show Episode! Please vote for her and the whole team at https://bit.ly/415e8uN by April 20, 2023!

Links of Interest:

Washington Post Article with Laura and Valoria

Death Doula Days at Historic Congressional Cemetery

Doula by Destiny (Valoria Walker)

Valoria in Oprah Daily

INELDA: International End-of-Life Doula Association

Death Doulas Used to Be Rare. The COVID-19 Pandemic Changed That (Time Magazine)

How the Death Positive Movement Is Coming to Life

Death Cafes Spread Rapidly Around the World (Healthnews)

Death Cafe on Facebook

10 Best Books on Death and Dying (according to UpJourney)

Credits:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight