Meditating on Mortality, Psychedelics, and Loving Being Alive with Ana Verzone

Episode 15 - Laura Swartzbaugh

Laura shares the story of losing her mother to ovarian cancer when she was a young mother and discusses how that loss affected her life, including subsequent struggles with depression and suicidal ideation. The conversation also touches on Laura's close bond with her late dog, Scout, and how grief has shaped her personal growth and career changes. The episode highlights various coping mechanisms, the importance of self-compassion, and the different ways people process their grief over time. BIO Laura Swartzbaugh, CEO of Laura Scout Coaching, helps women entrepreneurs shut up their inner critic and build a business & life they actually want. Her superpowers include her intuitive, lightning-quick coaching and her belief that self trust can save the world. She’s on a mission to help 10,000 women say goodbye to the lives they think they should have and create the ones they authentically desire. Because human brains are like puppies (they need clear, firm, & loving guidance), she teaches simple tools based on neuroplasticity to change habitual thinking. Change is much easier when your inner chatter is quiet & you’ve created new ways of thinking & feeling. After just a single session, clients feel empowered, motivated, and find themselves taking concrete action even if they’ve felt stalled for months. She’s not for everyone though: wildly irreverent, unconditionally compassionate, and a fast talker, coaching with her is intense & engaging and not at all like a bubble bath (though she loves a good bath). https://www.instagram.com/laurascoutcoaching/ [https://www.instagram.com/laurascoutcoaching/] https://www.facebook.com/laurascoutcoaching/ [https://www.facebook.com/laurascoutcoaching/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-swartzbaugh-ph-d-2335a037/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-swartzbaugh-ph-d-2335a037/] https://www.laurascoutcoaching.com [https://www.laurascoutcoaching.com/] TIMESTAMPS & TOPICS 00:00 Introduction to the About Death Podcast 02:03 Meet Laura Swartzbaugh 03:04 Laura's Personal Losses 05:49 Coping with Grief and Suicidal Ideation 07:50 The Loss of Scout, the Beloved Dog 11:23 The Impact of Losing a Mother 16:01 Navigating Life After Loss 24:18 Struggles with Functioning Post-Loss 29:42 Memories of Mom and Weight Gain 31:01 Grieving and Meditation 32:01 Experiencing Grief Physically 34:45 Encounters with Lost Loved Ones 35:54 Dad's Life After Loss 38:54 Career Changes and Coaching 53:21 Reflections on Grief and Self-Compassion 57:16 Book Recommendations and Conclusion

Episode 14 - Doreen Korba

Doreen Korba, a life and business coach who shares her journey of navigating grief and trauma following the sudden loss of her newborn daughter. They discuss the differences between grief and trauma, the impact of losing a child on mental health and personal growth, and the importance of finding joy and resilience amidst profound sorrow. Doreen also talks about her nonprofit, Still Mama, which supports grieving mothers and provides resources to hospitals.  BIO Doreen integrates advanced mindset and nervous system techniques to help entrepreneurs and business leaders reach their full potential. Within her coaching program, she has helped hundreds of clients heal ancestral trauma that equips them to do the inner work needed to succeed in their personal and professional lives. Doreen has the unique ability to weave her Master’s in Counseling, 15 years in Corporate as VP of Marketing, and her own emotional grief journey into one package to help others build million-dollar businesses. www.doreenkorba.com [http://www.doreenkorba.com/] www.instagram.com/doreenkorba [http://www.instagram.com/doreenkorba] Timestamps & Topics 00:00 Introduction to the About Death Podcast 00:16 Differentiating Trauma and Grief 01:35 Meet Doreen Korba 02:04 Doreen's Personal Story of Loss 03:28 Navigating Life After Loss 05:14 The Healing Journey 09:54 Understanding Grief and Trauma 19:34 Finding Joy Amidst Grief 26:02 The Myth of Time Healing All Wounds 28:48 The Connection Between Mind and Body 30:49 Managing Emotions and Building Resilience 35:01 The Role of Time in Healing 38:03 Introduction to Still Mama Nonprofit 41:30 Supporting Grieving Mothers Professionally 47:20 The Importance of Hope in Healing

Episode 13 - Denita Bremer

In 2000, Denita lost her mother, best friend, and her grandfather within a few months. She and Sarah discuss the long-lasting impact of these losses and how grief changes over time. She also touches on her complicated relationship with her mother, her turbulent childhood with parents involved in substance abuse, and her journey of self-care post-tragedy.  BIO Before becoming a fulfilled Life & Trauma Coach, Denita Bremer led a miserable life with a hot husband and three very healthy kids as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado. She has learned a holistic approach to healing and success, which she shares on her podcast, If I’m So Blessed, Why Can’t I Feel Good? She meditates and does yoga next to her bed because her office is too messy. https://denitabremer.com [https://denitabremer.com/] TIMESTAMPS & TOPICS 00:00 Introduction to the About Death Podcast 01:30 Danita Brimmer's Early Encounters with Loss 02:57 The Impact of Grief on Daily Life 05:55 Reflecting on the Relationship with Her Mother 07:23 Family Dynamics and Childhood Challenges 09:40 The Aftermath of Her Mother's Death 18:09 Coping Mechanisms and Emotional Support 21:28 Navigating Life After Loss 24:49 Finding Purpose Through Grief 26:50 Discovering My Human Design 27:27 Embracing a Slower Tempo 29:21 Reflecting on My Mother's Passing 32:18 The Paradox of Emotions 42:45 Confronting Family Dynamics 44:44 Navigating Life Without a Mother 51:25 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Life, Death, And Secrets: Jessica Waite's path to healing

In this episode of the About Death podcast, host Sarah Yost welcomes Jessica Waite, author of the memoir 'Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards.' They discuss Jessica's profound and tumultuous journey following her husband's sudden death and the shocking secrets she uncovered. The conversation delves into themes of grief, healing, and spiritual experiences, providing listeners with a deeply personal and captivating narrative about love, betrayal, and reconciliation. ABOUT JESSICA When life handed Jessica Waite a riveting, horrifying and surprisingly beautiful story, she transformed herself into a writer. Now she harnesses the healing potential of storytelling to help others find their way back to joy and connection. Jessica is the creator of www.endlesstories.love, a website for bereaved people to share memories. Her bestselling memoir, “The Widow’s Guide to Dead Bastards'' was listed as a notable book by The Washington Post, Goodreads, Chatelaine magazine and many other outlets. Jessica lives with her son and their enormous rescue dog on Treaty 7 territory in the city of Calgary, Alberta. https://www.jessicawaite.work [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jessicawaite.work] https://www.instagram.com/endless_stories_jess/ [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fendless_stories_jess%2F] 00:00 Introduction to the About Death Podcast 00:17 Introducing Jessica Waite and Her Memoir 00:41 Unraveling the Double Life 01:56 The Healing Journey and Mystical Experiences 02:28 Jessica's Background and Initial Discoveries 03:37 Coping with Shocking Secrets 04:34 Strange Occurrences and Mystical Connections 05:09 The Mystery of Sean's True Identity 05:27 Common Grief Experiences and Resources 06:33 Jessica's Healing Process and Support Systems 09:31 Spiritual Experiences and Shifts in Belief 13:16 The Role of Grief in Human Development 15:31 Reorganizing Relationships After Loss 17:01 Perceiving and Interpreting Spiritual Signs 18:04 The Pact and Electrical Signs 19:21 Support from Beyond and Writing the Book 21:59 Induced After Death Communication 23:37 Current Perceptions and Technological Connections 26:18 Reflecting on the Healing Journey 29:04 Exploring the Persistence of Internal Experiences 29:39 Alice in Wonderland and the Concept of Right-Sizing 30:19 Friction Points in Relationships: Money and Sex 33:09 The Role of Anger in Reconciliation 35:32 The Power of Personal Stories and Anger 37:39 Revenge and Its Consequences 43:54 The Evolution of Relationships After Loss 46:41 Privacy and the Dead: A Complex Question 49:55 Reflections on Legacy and Memory 53:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Meditating on Mortality, Psychedelics, and Loving Being Alive with Ana Verzone

Ana Verzone, a former nurse midwife and psychiatric nurse practitioner, discusses her journey from nurse midwifery to psychiatric nursing, coaching, and working with entheogens. Ana discusses her journey to understanding death, including her Buddhist practice of contemplating mortality, her experiences with cancer, and her work as a death doula. We discuss the roles of elders in society, cultural approaches to death, and the use of psychoactive substances for spiritual growth and managing end-of-life anxiety. The conversation also touches on personal reflections about death and how acknowledging mortality can lead to a fuller, more present life. ABOUT ANA Dr. Ana Verzone is a Soul Midwife, helping people explore their consciousness and impermanence so that they may live a life - and die - with no regrets. She is also the host of the top-rated Rebel Buddhist podcast. She soul midwifes as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certified in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, life coach, and death doula. She specializes in combining entheogens with nature-based wilderness retreats. Her calling is to help people experience what it’s like to truly be alive, discovering + embodying their soul-based life purpose to make the most of this one precious life. She guides people to explore their connection to their wild roots, and soften the edges around embracing the impermanence/death of all things, and the longing contained in grief.  Ana believes in the fundamental human right to explore our consciousness and increasing access and connection with wildness + nature for healing. She delights in helping people move their focus from the attraction of false quick fixes to the allurement of the sustained path and joy of a committed practice. She received her post-doctorate degree from Johns Hopkins University and utilizes many different approaches in her practice, including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Brainspotting, Forest Therapy, Compassionate Inquiry, and more. https://www.anaverzone.com/ [https://www.anaverzone.com/]  https://www.RebelBuddhist.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anaverzone/ [https://www.instagram.com/anaverzone/] 00:00 Introduction and Personal Update 01:01 Reflecting on Death and Meditation 02:03 Meet Ana Verzone: Soul Midwife 03:14 Understanding Entheogens 04:18 Legal and Ethical Considerations 10:04 The Role of Elders and Wisdom 12:41 Personal Experiences with Death 26:54 Comparing Birth and Death 31:29 Integrating Death Doula Work into Programs 33:07 Facing End-of-Life Anxiety 33:45 Personal Reflections on Death and Family 37:29 Spiritual Beliefs and the Afterlife 39:47 Managing Pain and Medical Interventions 43:24 The Role of Spiritual Practice in Accepting Death 48:19 Unexpected Health Discoveries 55:31 Embracing Conversations About Death