End of Life Conversations: Normalizing Talk About Death, Dying, and Grief Podcast By Rev Annalouiza Armendariz & Rev Wakil David Matthews cover art

End of Life Conversations: Normalizing Talk About Death, Dying, and Grief

End of Life Conversations: Normalizing Talk About Death, Dying, and Grief

By: Rev Annalouiza Armendariz & Rev Wakil David Matthews
Listen for free

What if we could normalize and destigmatize conversations about death and dying, grief, and the many types of loss in our lives?


In this podcast, we'll share people’s experiences with end-of-life. We have reached out to experts in the field, front-line workers, as well as friends, neighbors, and the community, to have conversations about their experiences with death, dying, grief, and loss.


Our goal is to provide you with information and resources that can help us all navigate and better understand this important subject.


Reverent Mother Annalouiza Armendariz and Reverend Wakil David Matthews have both worked for many years in hospice as chaplains and volunteers, and in funeral services and end-of-life planning and companionship. We offer classes on end-of-life planning, grief counseling, and interfaith (or no faith!) spiritual direction.

We would love to hear your feedback and stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.


Please subscribe to our Substack here: https://endoflifeconvos.substack.com

We want to thank our excellent editor, Sam Zemkee. We also acknowledge that we live and work on unceded indigenous peoples' lands. We thank them for their generations of stewardship, which continues to this day, and honor them by doing all we can to create a sustainable planet and support the flourishing of all life, both human and more-than-human.

© 2026 End of Life Conversations: Normalizing Talk About Death, Dying, and Grief Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • How to Be Present in Your Life (Even Through Death, Grief, and Loss)

    How to Be Present in Your Life (Even Through Death, Grief, and Loss)
    Mar 31 2026

    Send us Fan Mail

    What does it really mean to be present—especially when you’re carrying grief, loss, or the weight of change?

    In this episode, we explore how to be present in your life even when it feels like part of you is somewhere else. Whether you’re navigating loss, burnout, or just a quiet sense of disconnection, this conversation offers a more honest and compassionate approach to mindfulness.

    We talk about:

    • How to be present when grieving
    • Why feeling disconnected is a natural response to loss
    • How to feel alive again after loss without forcing happiness
    • Finding meaning in everyday moments
    • A deeper, more realistic understanding of presence

    This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they’re watching their life instead of living it—and wants a way back that actually feels possible.

    Support the show

    This podcast helps anyone dealing with loss. It can guide you with end-of-life planning and death-positive resources.

    Check out our introductory episode to learn more about Annalouiza, Wakil, and our vision/mission to normalize and destigmatize conversations about death, dying, grief, and loss.

    You can find us on SubStack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one-on-one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

    And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.
    Show more Show less
    25 mins
  • Advanced Care Directives Explained Part 2: More Important Final Wishes For Your End of Life Planning

    Advanced Care Directives Explained Part 2: More Important Final Wishes For Your End of Life Planning
    Mar 28 2026

    Send us Fan Mail

    Welcome to part two of our series on advance care directives! We'll cover the remaining wishes in the "Five Wishes" document and discuss how to ensure it's legally binding. While these tools won't solve every emotional challenge, they will remove uncertainty for your health care and end-of-life planning. This episode helps you age with dignity and reminds us to keep these documents up to date.

    End of Life Washington Advanced Care Directive


    Five Wishes

    Support the show

    This podcast helps anyone dealing with loss. It can guide you with end-of-life planning and death-positive resources.

    Check out our introductory episode to learn more about Annalouiza, Wakil, and our vision/mission to normalize and destigmatize conversations about death, dying, grief, and loss.

    You can find us on SubStack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one-on-one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

    And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.
    Show more Show less
    20 mins
  • For Whom The Bell Tolls: Disconnection from Death, Dying, and Grief in our Communities

    For Whom The Bell Tolls: Disconnection from Death, Dying, and Grief in our Communities
    Mar 24 2026

    Send us Fan Mail

    Why do so many of us feel disconnected from death, dying, and grief—until we’re suddenly forced to face it?

    In this episode, we explore how modern culture has shaped our relationship with death and why grief often feels isolating, confusing, or unsupported. From the ways death has been removed from everyday life to the loss of shared mourning practices, we take a closer look at what’s changed—and what it means for individuals and communities.

    This conversation is for anyone who has experienced loss, struggled to support someone grieving, or wondered why death feels so difficult to talk about.

    We discuss:

    • Why we are disconnected from death and dying
    • How grief became isolated in modern society
    • The emotional and cultural impact of avoiding death conversations
    • How to reconnect with grief, death, and community support
    • Practical ways to create more meaningful conversations and shared experiences around loss

    Whether you’re part of the death-positive movement or simply navigating your own grief, this episode offers a grounded, thoughtful perspective on rebuilding connection where it’s been lost.

    Support the show

    This podcast helps anyone dealing with loss. It can guide you with end-of-life planning and death-positive resources.

    Check out our introductory episode to learn more about Annalouiza, Wakil, and our vision/mission to normalize and destigmatize conversations about death, dying, grief, and loss.

    You can find us on SubStack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one-on-one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

    And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.
    Show more Show less
    30 mins
No reviews yet