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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
84 episodes
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Preparing with Purpose: Writing My Advance Directive, Part 1
In this very personal episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, join me as I work with Maureen Kures, founder of A Radiant Mourning and my husband, Oren, to create my own advance directive. Mau...
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42:48
Tuning into Compassion: The Gift of Music in Aging and Memory Care
Episode Description: In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli welcomes Angela Hey from SpiritCare Ministry to discuss the impact of music in aging care. We discuss A...
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30:50
The Gift of Preplanning: Funeral Planning with Ryan Kolstad
In this episode of 'Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula,' Traci Arieli is joined by Ryan Kolstad, founder of Preplanning.me. Together, they discuss the importance of funeral preplanning and why making arrangements ahead of tim...
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38:37
Breath Taking: Jessica Fein on Presence, Advocacy, and Navigating MERRF Syndrome
In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli sits down with Jessica Fein, author of Breath Taking, to discuss her family's profound journey caring for her daughter Dalia, who was ...
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36:30
Coping After Suicide: A Conversation with Joanne Harpel
**This episode discusses suicide and its impact on those left behind. If you find this topic distressing, please take care of yourself and feel free to pause or step away at any time. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out t...
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51:11
Hospice Care 101: Hospice Foundation of America on What Families Need to Know
In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli is joined by Angela Novas, a nurse and Palliative and Hospice Care Consultant for the Hospice Foundation of America. Together, they discuss hos...
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52:57
The Power of Clay: Ritual, Healing, and Connection in Grief with Dr. Lula Buzz
In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli talks with Dr. Lula Buzz, an artist who uses clay to explore grief, memory, and healing themes. Dr. Buzz shares her journey, how clay became a sacre...
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44:45
Beyond Burial: Deathcare and Community at Greenwood Cemetery
In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, I’m joined by Gabrielle Gatto, manager of public programs from Green-Wood Cemetery, to discuss the transformation of cemeteries in today’s world. Gabrielle share...
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55:01
Navigating Senior Living: Finding the Best Fit for Your Loved One
In this episode of 'Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula,' Traci Arieli sits down with Mike Scoggin, senior living advisor and owner of Oasis Senior Advisors of Silicon Valley. Together, they discuss the complexities of senior ...
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1:00:19