Beyond Goodbye: Exploring Life After Death with an Open Mind

We explore what happens after death with humility, because nobody has concrete proof and grief makes the question deeply personal. We balance spirituality, science, near-death experiences, and real-life loss to find a grounded way to live with mystery while still letting comfort in.  
• why death triggers fear of losing control and fear of separation  
• how COVID and loss force a reckoning with mortality  
• afterlife views across religions and cultures as meaning-making tools  
• near-death experiences and the lasting changes people report afterward  
• why science evolves and why rigid certainty can increase suffering  
• signs from loved ones through dreams, songs, symbols, and synchronicities  
• finding support that respects spirituality without calling you unstable  
• grief as love that continues beyond physical presence  
• living intentionally now, with authenticity over perfection  
• holding a grounded spiritual perspective with openness and humility  

Transcript

Welcome And The Big Question

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of my podcast, Soul Talk and Psychic Advice. Today we're discussing one of the oldest and most deeply human questions that exist. What happens after death? And I want to caution this. I'm gonna do a general overview of what I've learned about life after death. We all have different opinions. Everybody's opinion is valid. Nobody has concrete proof of what happens. You know, we have our religious beliefs, our spiritual beliefs. Some people have been clinically dead and came back. Um I even had a health episode years ago where I ended up needing a blood transfusion. My hemoglobin was a four, and they were saying that I was dying, but no, I don't remember anything happening. I felt like I was still in the room. But some people actually say they've died and they've come back. So we all have different views, but I am doing this talk just to kind of expand the thinking, right? Because I know a lot of people fear death, and that became obvious during COVID. How many people realize that hey, a mortal? Because a lot of times we think death is so far off, we don't want to think about it, worry about it. I used to do life insurance exams, and a lot of people thought if they got life insurance, that meant that they were gonna die. And I told them, no, we're all gonna die no matter what, but at least if you die, your loved ones are protected. We have a lot of discomfort around death and what does it mean and where do we go, and you know, we're leaving this world, and you know, it means it's over, and some of us are afraid to die until we've done something. Like, I don't want to die until I feel like I've given more to society, but other than that, I don't care when I die. But it's like I want to give, give, give. I want to not to leave my mark in a big way, but even if it's in a comfortable way, and that's why a lot of people fear death because they're like, What am I leaving behind for the world? Will I be remembered in some way? Would I have a given good in some way? So a lot of people have you know different views about death. So let's discuss what happens after death. Nearly

Why Death Feels So Personal

SPEAKER_00 2:24

every culture throughout history has explored this question in some way: religion, spiritual traditions, philosophy, science, mysticism, and personal experiences, right? People have always searched for the meaning around death because death touches every human life. That's the one thing. Well, the second thing that we all have in common, right? We have in common that we're all born, and we have in common that we all are gonna die. And nothing can prevent our death. It will happen at some point, right? At some point we lose someone we love, a parent, a child, a partner, a friend, and grief naturally asks the questions, where did they go? I remember that in grief when I was doing grief counseling, and even in group sessions and private sessions, it's like where do they really go? Is it really how I think it is after someone dies? And so, where did they go? Are they still with me somehow? Does consciousness continue? Will I see them again? These questions are deeply emotional, and I think that's why grief is so hard because it's like I'm never gonna see this person again. We're separated permanently. Will they be there for me when I die? And I've seen some beautiful stories on Instagram and other platforms where they're showing as a person's dying, they see people in the room like a week ahead who's coming to get them. And I remember when my dog died, my first dog that I had, Bubba Joe, I had a dream of my son saying, Come here, Bubba Joe. And when I woke up, Bubba Joe was gone. And so I do believe in life after death. I do believe that our loved ones will come get us when it's our time and make it comfortable for us to transition. So, you know, these questions are deeply emotional, deeply spiritual, and deeply human. And today I want to approach this topic from a place of absolute certainty, because I think humility matters when discussing mysteries larger than ourselves. So when I say absolute certainty, not like oh, this is how death happens, this is what's gonna happen afterwards, it's uncertainty that we're all gonna have different beliefs and everything can be right, you know. Instead, I want to explore the many ways that people, you know, think about life after death while also acknowledging the uncertainty that naturally exists around the subject, and perhaps most importantly, I want to discuss why these questions matter emotionally, especially for people moving through grief.

Afterlife Beliefs Across History

SPEAKER_00 5:15

Humanity has always wondered about death. Belief in some form of existence after death appears throughout human history. Ancient Egyptians believe the soul continued its journey after death. Many indigenous traditions view death as transition rather than ending. Hinduism and Buddhism explore reincarnation and cycles of consciousness. Christianity discusses heaven, resurrection, and eternal life. Islam teaches continued existence beyond physical death. Spiritual traditions across the world describe the soul as something larger than the body itself. Even outside formal religion, many people intuitively feel that consciousness may continue in some form. This longing to understand death isn't weakness, it's part of being human because awareness of mortality shapes how we live, how we love, and how we grieve, and how we search for meaning. The fear of death and the fear of loss. A lot of people fear death because they can't control it. You know, we all live under the illusion of having some form of control about something, but we really don't have control over many things. So interestingly enough, many people are not only afraid of death itself, they're afraid of separation. The idea that love could simply disappear. Yeah, will I still be able to continue the love that I have for the person that I lost? That connection could vanish completely, right? Grief often intensifies these fears. I think that's why it's so hard. You know? We know we all die, but it's hard because of all the emotions surrounding it. Especially after profound loss. When someone we deeply love dies, the nervous system struggles to comprehend the absence. The phone no longer rings, the voice is gone, the routines disappear, and yet emotionally the bond often still is present. It still feels present. Many grieving people report sensing their loved ones' presence in some way. Dreams, memories, synchronicities, a sudden feeling of connection, moments that feel difficult to explain logically. Some people interpret their experiences spiritually. Others interpret them psychologically. And honestly, different people will arrive at different conclusions. But regardless of interpretation, these experiences often provide comfort. And comfort matters, especially during grief. It does. Often

Near-Death Experiences And Mediumship

SPEAKER_00 8:25

called NDEs. Many individuals describe experiences such as feeling detached from the body, moving through light, experiencing overwhelming peace, encountering deceased loved ones, life reviews, yeah, reviewing their life, a sense of interconnectedness, feeling reluctant to return. That's something that I notice as a medium. We may miss them, they may miss us and love us, but they don't want to come back to Earth. I like wherever they are, life is really good on the other side. I believe it's eternal bliss. And I I never through mediumship heard someone from the other side say they want to come back to Earth. Even they're like, I just see you when you get here because things are really good over here. There's no pain, no misery, no nothing, right? It's just perfect bliss. That's what I believe it is on the other side of the veil. Perfect bliss. So, you know, many individuals describe this as being feeling detached, right? From the body, and encountering those deceased loved ones, it makes a difference and a sense of that interconnectedness and feeling definitely don't want to come back. Researchers, doctors, psychologists, and spiritual thinkers continue debating how to interpret these experiences. You know, we live in this world with so much like doubt and wanting to discredit everything and oh science is the only answer, and and anything outside of science isn't true. But what do we know about science? Science evolves, right? Uh some of the things that we believe now was not believable back then. Even in the early 1900s, they doctors didn't believe that they should operate on the heart. You know, like you just stay away from the heart. Look at how far we've come, you know, with different heart surgeries and stints and you know, bypasses and whatever, transplants and so everything evolves. And I always tell people, have evolved thinking, allow your thinking to change and grow as you have new experiences. Because of my work, you guys have taught me so much. How can I not evolve my thinking? Because you guys have been great teachers. Some believe they suggest consciousness may exist beyond the brain. Others believe they are neurological phenomena occurring during extreme stress. I don't think that. What's fascinating is that many people who have near-death experiences report profound changes afterward, reduced fear of death, greater compassion, less attachment to materialism, and definitely a deeper appreciation for life. Whether interpret spiritually or scientifically, these experiences clearly affect people deeply. They continue to raise meaningful questions about consciousness itself.

Science, Doubt, And Evolving Thinking

SPEAKER_00 11:29

The desire for certainty. One of the hardest things about discussing life after death is uncertainty. Human beings naturally want answers, we obsess with it and we want clear proof.

unknown 11:42

Right?

SPEAKER_00 11:43

Definitive answers, proof, certainty. But death remains one of the great mysteries of human existence. And uncertainty can feel uncomfortable for the nervous system, especially during grief. Many people desperately search for signs because uncertainty feels so painful, and it does feel very painful. But sometimes the need for certainty can create suffering too. It can. It can make grieving harder. Because no matter what beliefs we hold, we are still living within a mystery. Some people find peace in religion, others in spirituality, others in science, others in simply accepting uncertainty as self. There is no single belief system that eliminates grief entirely. And perhaps that's because grief is ultimately about love. Grief is about love. Spiritual signs and experiences. Many

Signs, Dreams, And Synchronicities

SPEAKER_00 12:50

grieving individuals report experiences they interpret as signs from loved ones. Dreams that feel vivid and emotionally real. Songs appearing at meaningful moments, yeah. Specific symbols repeatedly appearing, feeling a loved one's presence. Electrical disturbances, yes, unexpected synchronicities. Now people experience these experiences differently. They interpret these experiences differently. Some view them as communication from beyond. Others see it as brain as the brain searching for connection and meaning during grief. And sadly, if you go to the wrong therapist, they may declare you as crazy or unstable. I remember when my son died, I looked for a therapist, but I knew I had to go to a spiritual coach because I do psychic work and everything else. I needed to go to someone who understood me and who I was and wouldn't declare me oh grieving and crazy and needing medication, all that stuff. Because I was in the woo-woo world, I had to think about who I went to. Now I think it's easier to find a therapist who will understand being an empath and spirituality and stuff. A lot are starting to understand it more because they're experiencing it themselves, but back then it was just gonna be too risky. And so I had to have some logic about me amongst the grief to prevent myself from being locked up. Um personally I think what's most important is approaching these experiences for grounded openness, not blind belief, not harsh dismissal, but curiosity, because grief changes perception, love changes perception, and human consciousness is still something we do not fully understand. What matters most is whether these experiences bring comfort, healing, peace, or emotional support, not whether we can scientifically prove every point. Look, I started out with a biology degree. I was gonna be a researcher, was gonna be a scientist, I thought that was so cool. And then I ended up in a woo road. I believe in science, but I don't think we have the answers to everything yet. We just don't. And so that's why I tell people have an open mind. I remember when I was in school 20 what almost 30 years ago, somewhere around there, probably well 55, so whenever I was 20, 35 years ago. You didn't think people didn't think that the heart had emotions, they just thought it was a muscle. Now we know, now we know because of the opioid receptor receptor, right? That there's emotions throughout the body. So you know, we evolve in our thinking. I always tell people evolve in your thinking. We don't have to be right or wrong or or I know what I'm talking about. Be flexible. Life is so much easier when you're flexible. So, what grief teaches us about love.

Grief Reveals Love That Lasts

SPEAKER_00 15:57

One thing grief often reveals is that relationships do not end emotionally when someone dies. The physical relationship changes, but the emotional bond often continues. Many grieving people continue talking to loved ones internally. Yeah, continue they continue the traditions, remembering lessons, feeling connected through memory, love, and meaning. I hear my mom's wisdom all the time when I'm coaching and doing readings. This doesn't necessarily require certainty about the afterlife. It simply reflects the reality that love leaves lasting imprints. A person may no longer be physically present. Yet their influence continues, their words continue, their impact continues, their love continues through the lives they've touched. In many ways, grief teaches us that human connection extends beyond physical presence alone, living meaningfully in the face of death. And you know, I'm also a death doula, and that's such a beautiful work to be there with someone. It's such a gift to not, you know, have to die suddenly, and you have a chance to really wrap things up the way that you want. Sometimes

Living Fully While We Are Here

SPEAKER_00 17:27

conversations about life after death distract from another important question. How do we live while we are here? Awareness of death can deepen life. It reminds us that time matters, relationships matter, presence matters, kindness matters. Many people who confront mortality begin re-evaluating priorities. They care less about perfection, less about comparison, less about superficial things. When you are battling for your life, all of a sudden the stuff that you thought was important really isn't anymore. All the petty superficial stuff, you're not gonna worry about because it's like you realize what's the meaning of life. Always try to figure out why do we get sick, why do we go through horrible things? So sometimes it just breaks your heart. See people suffering. It's very hard for me to see people suffer, and just the things I've gone through, and I think it's to remind us of what matters. You know, it it's a tough way to be reminded, but it keeps us in check at all this stuff what people think, and being afraid to take risks, and worrying about how much you weigh, and all this stuff. You you kind of just let go of shit that don't matter. That's kind of what the big message is, and it is for people around us. I think that's what covet was. It was like let go of what doesn't matter because everything fell away, right? We had to be in the house, you know, we had to look at ourselves and face our lives and face our mortality, and always tell people, yes, I love going for big goals and big things and wanting more and stuff, but at the end of the day, it's the simple things in life that matters most. And if you don't get all the big things, you still live the big life if you're happy, thankful, and grateful. So, you know, you care less about comparison, less about superficial things, and more about connection, purpose, love, healing, authenticity, and presence. Being authentic is hard for a lot of people. They want to be perfect, and you can't be perfect and authentic at the same time. Just can't, you know. But that's a trauma response, wanting to be perfect. They want to be like, they want to do everything right. Whether consciousness continues after death or not, life becomes more meaningful when we live intentionally. So let's

Grounded Spirituality Without Proof

SPEAKER_00 19:52

talk about a grounded spiritual perspective. Let's do this, let's talk about it. I think what one of the healthiest ways to approach this topic is with both openness and humility. You do not need absolute certainty to hold spiritual beliefs. I think that's what I like about spirituality is that it's an open book, it keeps on growing, it keeps on evolving. I've even watched spirituality really evolve. We're getting rid of toxic positivity and perfection and enlightenment and just learning to be human and embrace a human experience. You don't you do not need to reject science to explore spirituality. No, you do not need to deny mystery in order to remain grounded. Healthy spirituality leaves room for curiosity, for compassion, for uncertainty, and for differing perspectives, because ultimately none of us fully know. Right? None of us know, and perhaps part of wisdom is learning how to live meaningfully even while some questions remain unanswered. Think about it. So I I wanted to say, look, I didn't tell you anything in here that this is how it goes when you die. I have my beliefs. I believe there's life on the other side of the veil. I believe that the veil is very thin. I think that we can feel our loved ones' presence, mail, sense, get messages, they come in our dreams, they tell us things. I believe in all that. I believe that they're still alive, just in a different form. You you know, so that's how I see it. But maybe somebody sees it as when you die, that's it, you're done. I think that's comfortable for some people to see it that way. But I didn't tell anybody how to believe that life after death is, but I'm saying explore openness. I think if any message I want to teach and everything that I talk about is keep an open mind, allow your thoughts and beliefs to grow and change. It doesn't mean that we're wrong when we change our beliefs. It means that we're expanding or getting a new perspective. There's no way that I could have the beliefs that I used to have and do the work that I do. It would be crazy work for me to not learn from working with people. And a lot of things I believe back then I don't believe now because I have grown because of what I've learned from clients, and I really love that. I love expanded knowledge. I just tell everybody approach life with open mind. Because people who don't, they get blocked in a lot of ways, they hold themselves back in so many ways, trying to have control, and this is how it is, and there's no other way. You really hurt yourself when you think that way. It's not safe. It doesn't people think if they don't have certain beliefs that they're stupid or unsure of themselves. And that's not true. Life is supposed to be a flexible book. Okay, so let me close this out. As

A Closing Message For Grievers

SPEAKER_00 23:05

we close today, I want to speak directly to anyone who is grieving. If you lost someone you deeply love, I know these questions are not theoretical, they're personal, very personal. And while none of us can fully answer the mystery of death, I do believe this. Love matters, connection matters, the impact that people leave behind matters. It definitely does. And grief itself reflects the depth of human attachment and care. Whether you find comfort through faith, spirituality, personal experience, or simply through the memories you carry, your way of making meaning is valid. You do not need to force certainty, you do not need to have every answer. Sometimes healing comes not from eliminating the mystery, but from learning how to coexist with it gently. So I want to thank you for listening today. And remember, the mystery of death often teaches us something profound about life itself. To love deeply, to live fully, to go after your dreams. Life is short. We we know the story of you know the the five regrets of the dying, that they didn't go after their dreams, they didn't use their voice, they tried to be perfect, all those things, right? They I forgot the title of the book, but we know it. And so don't waste time on stuff that doesn't matter. And you know, to recognize that even in loss, connection can continue in meaningful ways. So I want to thank you for listening. Have a great day, and I will see you in the next episode.