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Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula
Join host Traci Arieli for "Comforting Closure," a podcast where the often silent topics of aging, death, and grieving are explored with compassion and clarity. Each episode features guests who share practical advice, emotional insights, and spiritual perspectives to illuminate these natural yet seldom discussed aspects of life. Dive into tender conversations designed to demystify and destigmatize these experiences, offering solace and understanding to those navigating life's final chapters. Grab a warm drink and find a moment of peace amidst profound transitions with "Comforting Closure."
Episodes
93 episodes
After the Denial: What to Do When Insurance Says No
In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli explores the emotional and financial toll of denied medical claims. Joined by founder and patient advocate Holden Karau, creator of Fight Health...
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57:57
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A Good Death Begins with a Good Life – With Chris Palmer
In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli explores the true meaning of a good death, and why it begins with how we choose to live. Joined by teacher, speaker, and author Chris Palmer, they u...
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58:54
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Senior Living Done Right: What Families Should Know
In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli explores the complexities of senior living decisions with Angie Graham, Division President of Our House Senior Living. Together, they break dow...
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59:54
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What to Document Before You Die: The Loving Act of Planning
In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli speaks with Farah Baxter, co-founder of Soalma, about the essential documents, conversations, and emotional legacies we should prepare before we die...
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45:15
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All Around Is Me: Talking to Kids About Grief
In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli speaks with grief advocates and co-authors Leanne Whallett and Jess Slater about their children’s book All Around Is Me. They share persona...
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48:24
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Lost, Misidentified, Discarded: Fixing Mishandling in Death Care
What happens when the system that’s supposed to care for our loved ones after death fails?In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli speaks with Nick Nell, founder of
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41:24
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From Grief to Guidance: Family Support for Medical Assistance in Dying
In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli speaks with Robin Farr, Program Manager at the MAID Family Support Society in Canada. Together, they discuss Robin’s personal journey of supporting ...
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42:50
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Ancient Egyptian Afterlife: A Soul’s Journey Beyond the Stars
In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli is joined by Julie Scott, Executive Director of the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, for a captivating discussion on the spiritual wisdom of ancient Egy...
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40:59
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Breaking the Silence: End-of-Life Care in the Chinese American Community
In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli sits down with Sandy Chen Stokes, founder of the Chinese American Coalition for Compassionate Care (CACCC), to discuss end-of-life care in the ...
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46:30
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Stitching Stories: Quilting as Life Review with Louise Silk
In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli sits down with Louise Silk, a celebrated quiltmaker and fiber artist, to explore how quilting serves as a tool for life review, m...
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38:37
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Stephy’s Place: Where Grief Finds Comfort and Connection
In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli sits down with Sheila Martello, founder of Stephy’s Place, a nonprofit grief support center dedicated to providing free,...
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50:48
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Death with Dignity in Switzerland: A Husband’s Final Choice
In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli sits down with Erica Baccus to share a deeply personal and powerful story about Death with Dignity. When Erica’s husband w...
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57:28
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Mormon Views on Death: Grief, Eternal Life, and Changing Perspectives
What happens after we die? How does faith shape the way we grieve? In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli sits down with Jeff Pedersen, a former practicing Mormon turne...
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59:39
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Love From Lydia: A Mother’s Journey Through Child Loss and Healing
In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli speaks with Danielle Cristofano Schwartz, founder of Love From Lydia. After the devastating loss of her daughter Lydia, ...
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48:26
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Medicare 101: Understanding Your Options & Making Informed Choices
Navigating Medicare can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli sits down with Medicare expert Sharon Knox to break...
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1:01:29
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Keeping Your Loved One’s Story Alive: The Healing Power of Sharing Their Story
In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli sits down with Matt Jacobson, founder of LifeBooks, to explore the profound impact of storytelling and legacy documentatio...
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57:23
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Dear Loved One: The Gift of Forever Letters, Part 2
In this episode of Comforting Closure: Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli sits down with Lindsay Hurty, founder of Everwell and Self School, to explore the impact of Forever Letters. These letters are more than words on a p...
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32:09
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Dear Loved One: The Gift of Forever Letters, Part 1
In this episode of Comforting Closure: Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli is joined by Lindsay Hurty, Ed.M., a Harvard-educated self-development specialist and founder of Everwell and Self School. Lindsay shares her inspiri...
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33:00
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The Gift of Life: Understanding Stem Cell Donation
In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli sits down with Jennifer Leal to talk about stem cell donation. Jennifer shares her personal journey with acute myeloid leukemia, the challenges...
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53:31
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From Awareness to Action: Fighting Elder Abuse Together
In this powerful episode of Comforting Closure: Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli sits down with Lori Mars, director at the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA). Together, they explore the silent epidemic of elder ab...
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47:11
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Exploring the Final Frontier: Memorial Spaceflights with Celestis
In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli sits down with Charles M. Chafer, CEO of Celestis Memorial Spaceflights, to explore a unique and inspiring way to honor loved ones—sending their cre...
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34:08
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Grieving and Weaving: Healing Through Fiber Arts at The Green-Wood Cemetery
In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli sits down with Gabrielle Gatto and Mary Pat Klein from The Green-Wood Cemetery to explore the healing magic of "Grieving and Weaving." This unique p...
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48:05
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Kindness and Clarity: Preparing for the Future with Elliott Appel
In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, I sit down with Elliott Appel, the founder of Kindness Financial Planning, to talk about how financial preparation can provide comfort and peace of mind, especia...
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40:38
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Guiding Children Through Grief: The Power of Play Therapy
In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli sits down with Liana Lowenstein, a registered social worker and child psychotherapist specializing in helping children navigate grief through play t...
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45:44
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Preparing with Purpose: Writing My Advance Directive, Part 2
In this second part of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli completes creating her own advance directive with the help of end-of-life specialist Maureen Kures. Joined by her husband, Oren, Traci defines h...
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49:34
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