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This episode shares the powerful story of Diane Cordell, a woman whose entire life has been shaped by the presence of death, and her commitment to helping others understand and cope with it. From growing up in a family where death was never a taboo topic to serving in the Air Force and later becoming a trailblazing detective sergeant in the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Diane’s journey is deeply connected to grief, trauma, and healing.

Diane was introduced to death early in life, her grandfather and father were both morticians, so conversations about loss were natural in her home. After serving in the Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force, she entered law enforcement, where she worked for 27 years. Her time in homicide shaped her deeply, as she handled some of the most painful aspects of death, including sudden loss, suicides, and the task of notifying families. She was one of the first women in her office and helped build systems of support and crisis management, all while staying grounded in compassion and fairness.

Her stories reflect the reality of how death affects families, how closure brings healing, and how important it is to talk about death honestly. Diane’s reflections are not only a tribute to her career but also a reminder of the emotional labor behind this kind of work. Diane’s wisdom is a gift. Her story encourages listeners to embrace the truth that death is a part of life and that healing often begins with a conversation.

To learn more about death doula work, grief, or end-of-life planning, visit Jill McClennen’s website or listen to more episodes of Seeing Death Clearly.

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Matt Jacobson shares the story of how losing his father changed the course of his life and inspired a deeper connection to legacy, grief, and purpose. This episode is a heartfelt reflection on fatherhood, the impact of grief, and how honoring a loved one can lead to unexpected healing and direction.

Matt grew up in Temecula, California, and was studying finance at San Diego State when he received the devastating call that his father had died. He left his plans behind and returned home to take over the family’s mattress store, an unexpected path that placed him squarely in his father’s shoes. As he ran the business, memories of his dad flooded back, especially their early morning conversations and the life lessons tucked into everyday moments. His dad had been a single father raising three boys, encouraging learning through reading and sparking Matt’s entrepreneurial spirit in creative ways, like hiding pizza money in exchange for reading assignments.

Grief gave Matt a new lens on life. He began thinking more about legacy and how quickly someone’s story can fade unless it’s captured. His father's quiet wisdom, deep respect for education, and stoic leadership had shaped Matt's values. Though his father rarely raised his voice, his words held lasting power. Matt recalls their last hike together before studying abroad, unaware that it would be one of their final moments together. His father had hidden the return of his cancer—a selfless act so Matt wouldn’t worry. Just weeks later, Matt got the call: his father was gone.

This conversation touches on grief, healing, the transition of roles after death, and how we honor those we’ve lost. It’s significant for anyone interested in death doula work, end-of-life planning, or creating legacy projects for loved ones.

Learn more about Life Books at https://lifebooks.io/

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In this episode, Jill talks with her real-life friend Morgan Everitt, a death doula based in Bucks County, PA. Morgan shares how her journey began after her mom got sick in 2015. She came home to care for her, and after her mom passed in 2016, she had a powerful moment in 2017 when she overheard someone mention the word "death doula." It felt like a lightning bolt—she knew that was her calling. She started training in 2018 and has been slowly building her private practice, Heron’s Flight, over the past few years.

We talk about the important role death doulas play in end-of-life care. Morgan deeply respects hospice and palliative care and believes doulas help fill in the gaps, not compete with them. There can be tension between providers, especially in a field where most workers are women, but she emphasizes the power of collaboration. Everyone has the same goal: helping people and families have a better end-of-life experience.

Morgan shares how rewarding it is to work with clients over time, building relationships and planning ahead. That long-term support makes a big difference when the time comes. She also explains that being a death doula isn’t always easy. It can take time to make a living doing this work, and it involves much more than just sitting with people—there’s also paperwork, networking, and ongoing education.

We talk about the business side of this work—figuring out how to charge for our time. Both of us offer hourly rates or packages with payment plans to keep services accessible. We also discuss the struggle of getting people to value this kind of care. Many expect it to be free, especially when some offer it as volunteer work, which can make things harder for doulas trying to earn a living. Morgan reminds us that this work is valuable, and just like anyone else, we have bills to pay and families to support.

https://www.heronsflightdoula.com/

https://www.instagram.com/heronsflightdeathdoula/

https://www.tiktok.com/@morningtown

https://www.tiktok.com/@lamortcollective

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Tony Stewart joined the podcast to share his powerful story about love, loss, and healing after the death of his wife, Lynn. In his new book, Carrying the Tiger: Living with Cancer, Dying with Grace, Finding Joy While Grieving, Tony tells the story of Lynn’s sudden cancer diagnosis, their emotional journey through treatment, and the deep lessons they learned about life, love, and letting go. After Lynn’s death, Tony faced overwhelming grief, but over time, he found a way to live again and even to welcome new love into his life.

He shared how their world changed overnight when Lynn was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Through clinical trials, hospital stays, and hard choices, they carved out several more meaningful years together. One of the most touching parts of Tony’s story is the two final weeks they spent together in home hospice, which he describes as some of the most sacred and beautiful days of his life.

Throughout the journey, Tony kept an online journal on CaringBridge.org, writing updates for friends and family. Over time, these posts grew into deep reflections about love, grief, and resilience. After Lynn’s death, friends encouraged him to turn his writing into a book. Carrying the Tiger brings together those raw and honest stories, offering a heartfelt look at grief and the surprising truth that sorrow and joy can live side by side.

Tony also spoke about his life before and after Lynn, his creative work, and how building a new relationship while grieving taught him that healing doesn’t mean forgetting.

https://www.tonystewartauthor.com/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DX8M6L1C

https://bookshop.org/p/books/carrying-the-tiger-living-with-cancer-dying-with-grace-finding-joy-while-grieving/99f820e6ae24fc58

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Jen Riggs shared her powerful journey of finding her true calling, supporting seniors and especially those living with dementia. After spending years as a stay-at-home mom, she pursued a career in commercial baking, only to have a major back injury end that chapter. What felt like a loss at the time became a turning point. Her cousin, a nurse at an assisted living facility, encouraged her to apply for a front desk position—and that’s where everything changed.

Jen immediately fell in love with the residents, their families, and the entire community. She found herself especially drawn to those living with dementia. These moments inspired Jen to learn more. She became a Certified Dementia Practitioner, facilitated support groups, and embraced the teachings of dementia care expert Teepa Snow.

Jen also opened up about her personal experience with her father, a brilliant man whose biggest fear, losing his cognitive abilities, came true. After years of estrangement, they reconnected just as he began showing signs of dementia. She described the heartbreak and challenges of navigating his care, but also the beauty and connection they found together. This experience solidified her purpose: to help families through these overwhelming experiences.

Now working with Dementia Family Support, Jen offers education, family counseling, and helps facilities build supportive dementia care cultures. Her message is clear: no one should go through this alone. Dementia doesn’t just affect one person; it impacts the whole family.

Jen encourages caregivers to ask for help, build a village of support, and know that it’s okay to struggle. Through her work, she helps others find strength, connection, and dignity in one of life’s hardest journeys.

www.dementiafamilysupport.org

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Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast.

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In this episode, I talk with Lowrey Brown and Brian Ruder from the Final Exit Network, a nonprofit organization that supports people who want more control over their end-of-life choices. Lowrey, the Exit Guide Program Director, grew up in a family where open conversations about death and the importance of quality of life were normal. She signed her first advance directive at 16 and has spent her life exploring how people can shape their own dying process, especially after seeing loved ones experience long, painful declines due to dementia.

Brian, president of the Board and a former exit guide, shares his personal story as someone who values independence and doesn’t want to suffer unnecessarily. Inspired by his mother’s end-of-life choices, Brian became involved in Final Exit to help others have more options outside the traditional medical system.

The conversation explores how Final Exit Network helps people who don’t qualify for medical aid in dying, including those with early-stage dementia or serious neurological conditions. Unlike medical systems that require a six-month terminal diagnosis, Final Exit provides education and guidance for those who want peaceful options on their own terms, legally, safely, and outside of state restrictions.

They also talk about the challenges of preparing families for this path, how social norms often don’t align with self-directed dying, and the emotional weight placed on caregivers. Final Exit exit guides support clients through every step—planning, preparation, timing, and after-death logistics—similar to what a death doula provides.

The episode ends with an honest look at legal issues, including how laws often treat all self-chosen deaths the same, regardless of context, and how Final Exit protects its work through the First Amendment by offering information, not physical help.

www.finalexitnetwork.org

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Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast.

I appreciate the support and it helps get the word out to more people that could benefit from hearing the podcast.

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Rosalia Quintana, a nurse practitioner, has built a career in healthcare while also running a private practice focused on breathwork, psychedelic integration, and trauma transformation. In this conversation, she opens up about her struggles, including reaching the peak of her career in 2018, only to feel an overwhelming sense of emptiness and depression. Despite having everything she thought she wanted, she found herself questioning the purpose of life. She candidly discusses experiencing suicidal thoughts and the difficulty of seeing any light at the end of the tunnel. Knowing she had to find a way forward, she began searching for deeper meaning through various healing modalities, including breathwork, somatic practices, energy work, and even exploring different spiritual traditions.

The turning point came in 2022 when she had a near-death experience that completely shifted her perspective. She describes the terrifying moment of being outside her body, unable to connect with it, and the fear that overtook her. In this altered state, she was confronted with deep-seated fears, guilt, and shame, which manifested as dark, monstrous visions. She fought through these overwhelming experiences, ultimately realizing that the harshest judgment came from within herself. In her most desperate moment, she turned to prayer, calling out to God for help. What happened next changed everything.

Now, she approaches life with deep gratitude, even in the face of continued challenges. She shares the tools that help her navigate difficulties, from journaling and meditation to creative expression and movement. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that healing is an ongoing journey, and the tools we gather can help us face whatever comes next.

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Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast.

I appreciate the support and it helps get the word out to more people that could benefit from hearing the podcast.

Don’t forget to check out my free workbook Living a Better Life.

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Chris Mamone is an acceptance coach who helps people heal from grief, loss, and trauma so they can find self-acceptance and step into their power. His journey began with profound personal losses that reshaped his life and perspective.

In 2020, he experienced the death of his grandfather, and just two years later, after struggling with infertility for 12 years, he and his wife were thrilled to be expecting their first child. Tragically, their son was stillborn just one day before his due date. The weight of these losses was immense, and he had to make a choice—let grief consume him or find meaning and purpose in the pain.

Through his journey, he discovered that grief, loss, and trauma are rarely discussed openly in society. Many people told him to “move on” or “let it go,” but he realized that grief doesn’t work that way. Instead, he learned that moving forward is the key, not forgetting or suppressing emotions, but carrying them in a way that allows growth and healing. Grief becomes a lifelong companion, and when we find the lessons and blessings within it, we evolve into better versions of ourselves.

He has worked with people grieving lost children, family members, and even those struggling with traumatic, unexpected deaths. Grief often feels like slamming on the brakes while speeding down the highway—it forces a full stop, demanding us to process emotions we might otherwise ignore.

Acceptance is not about liking or agreeing with a loss, but acknowledging it as reality. Once we accept what has happened, we regain personal power and can make choices about how to move forward.

Through grief, he realized that much of what people stress about daily is insignificant. Major losses shift priorities, showing what truly matters. Losing his son, while incredibly painful, gave him this gift of perspective. He calls it the “gift of shitty wrapping paper”—something he would never wish for but ultimately changed his life. Every day, he continues to learn and practice acceptance, especially during difficult moments like his son’s birthday or the holidays.

https://www.facebook.com/thechrismamone

https://www.instagram.com/empoweredgriefjourney/

www.acceptancecoach.com

www.empoweredgriefjourney.com

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Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast.

I appreciate the support and it helps get the word out to more people that could benefit from hearing the podcast.

Don’t forget to check out my free workbook Living a Better Life.

You can connect with me on my website, as well as all major social media platforms.

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