Death By Design

November 13- 15, 2020Everyone has a calling. Michele Little’s happened to come her late 50's. Michele’s experiences in life, both personally and professionally, have given her the tools and skills to be of service to those facing end of life. As a Death Midwife, event planner and end of life leader,she believes the time is now to celebrate our lives combining our dying and death as a continuum of life. Michele created the Beautiful Dying Expo which launched in San Deigo in 2019.Now in the most challenging times we’ve seen, the 2020 Beautiful Dying Expo goes virtual. Give yourself permission to take this dying and death conversation to the next level; that of having a plan of action with the assistance from experts and professionals in the field of Palliative Care, Hospice, Family-Assisted Memorials, Funerals, Vigils, Rites of Passage and more.www.beautifuldyingexpo.com

Introducing, One Last ThingOne Last Thing is a video experience accompanied by a digital lifebook; a place for everything you need to share the story about your life and plan for death. One Last Thing takes the guesswork out of how to get started. We guide you and provide thought-starters, so it feels natural to share memories, tell your story, and express what matters most.One Last Thing makes a tough thing easier. We cover the tactical aspects such as your:medical and healthcare directivesestate and financesdigital lifememorialpersonal belongings...and then we get to the good stuff,the lessons you've learned, your secrets to a good life, and so much more. We even guide and support you as you write letters that will be sent after you're gone, a treasure that will stay with your loved ones.One Last Thing is your story of living and dying well. The end result is a cover to cover, comprehensive lifebook that’s uniquely about you.Early backers will get access to our private online community for live Q&A's, interviews, webinars, and additional content.Fawn:As a hospice volunteer, an end-of-life Doula, and now an educator, I understand the complexities of dying and the difficulties loved ones face when managing their affairs after their loved one has passed on. There’s so much that’s missing currently in the way that we die.Michael: As a storyteller and visual arts creator, the thing I keep returning to is that I want my life to mean something. Something I can pass on that will be of use to those that come after me. When we share our stories, truths, perspectives with others, that's how we pass down our values and traditions.Join the Kickstarter...https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/onelastthing/one-last-thing?ref=project_emailThere is no greater gift to those we love and ourselves, then to have a chance to share that.

Cindy Massey was born in San Francisco, California. Her spiritual quest began when shehad her first Near-Death Experienceatthree-years-old.At that time she alsoexperiencedspiritual audio messages and visiting parallel universes.Duringherlifetime shehas crossed into other dimensions to understand her purpose in life, as well asto assist othersin overcomingtheir daily challenges and releasing theirfear. Since her initial encounter,the light being she sawhasprovided comfort,but also insights into what is really importantfor herandthe entire planet. Her book, Evolve, was written as the result of a ‘call’ to share her information with others so individual human consciousnesscouldelevate and the earthcouldheal.

Dr. D. Antonio Cantù and his wife Sandy have three children, Derek, Dylan, and Deanna.Dr. D. Antonio Cantù is Associate Dean and Director of the Department of Education, Counseling, and Leadership at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Dr. Cantù received his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Southern Illinois University, Ed.S. in Community College Education, M.A. in History, and B.S. in Social Science Education from Arkansas State University.He has also attended educational leadership institutes at the College of William & Mary and Yale University.Prior to his appointment as Chair of the Department of Teacher Education at Bradley University, he served as Professor and Dean of Education at Indiana University Kokomo, Professor of History and Director of Social Studies Education, as well as editor of the International Journal of Social Education, at Ball State University, and Social Studies Department Chair and Teacher at Ste. Genevieve (MO) High School.Prior to beginning his teaching career, Professor Cantù also served as a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army.With nearly 30 years of experience in professional education,from high school through the graduate level, Professor Cantù’s articles have appeared in such publications as the Organization of American Historians’Magazine of History, American Historical AssociationPerspectives,National Council for History EducationHistory Matters, and theJournal of the Association for History and Computing.He is also the author of a number of books and curriculum monographs:Presidential Elections: 1789-1996, Early Education in Arkansas Delta, An Investigation of the Relationship Between Social Studies Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices, The Vietnam War: A National Dilemma, andTake Five Minutes: Reflective and Critical Thinking American History Class Openers.In addition, Dr. Cantù’s most recent book publications include the following:The Art and Science of Elementary Social Studies Education, 2nd Edition (2015),ILTS: Test for Academic Proficiency(2013),History/Social Studies Education in the Digital and Standards-Based Classroom(2012), Technology Applications for the Digital Classroom(2011), The Art and Science of Elementary Social Studies Education(2010),History Education 101: The Past, Present, and Future of Teacher Preparation(2008),andTeaching History in the Digital Classroom(2003). He has also served as a curriculum writer for various national organizations including The History Channel,The Wall Street Journal Classroom Editionand PBS Frontline, and as editor ofThe International Journal of Social Education.Dr. Cantù has also served in a variety of leadership positions in professional organizations, including service as President of the American Association for History and Computing, President of the Indiana Council for the Social Studies and Missouri Council for the Social Studies, and Chair of three National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Committees.In addition, he currently serves on a number of national governing boards and editorial boards; including as a member of the Governing Board of the National Social Science Association (NSSA), and House of Delegates for the National Council for the Social Studies.At the state level, Professor Cantu currently serves as a member of the Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board for the Illinois State Board of Education; Past-President of the Illinois Association for Teacher Education in Private Colleges (IATEPC); Communications Director for the Illinois Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (IACTE); and Executive Director of the Illinois Council for the Social Studies (ICSS).Ted Talk: Memento Mori: the personification of Deathhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvnnqRy6ctI&feature=emb_logo

Master Craftsman Jeremy Burrill has been creating functional art for two decades, ranging from custom dining tables to electric guitars.Spurred by the need for an environmentally friendly, economical and dignified option for families to honour their loved ones, Burrill is now creating simple yet refined pine-box caskets.Hand-crafted from local New Brunswick pine, his creations are elegantly laying down those to rest who prefer the simple things in life.With ever growing costs and complications in the funeral process, Fiddlehead Casket Company seeks to reduce stress, both financially and emotionally, offering an environmentally friendly pine casket.Even the cherry dowels used for joinery are handmade, and a refined casket is born at the hands of Burrill.You can reach Jeremy any time atjeremy@fiddleheadcaskets.comhttp://www.fiddleheadcaskets.com

Paul King:The day that my dad died is indelibly etched in my mindspace.I can’t unsee the staples and indenton his head left behind from a piece of removed skull to make way for the tumor that would take his life.I can’t unhear the sounds of my mom’s desperate voice when she discovered he had diedwhile she was sitting in the room.I can’t unpack how a man can be playing nine holes of golf and splitting wood one day to speaking gibberish on the next.I can’t understand how a 59yo man isn’t alive to see my or my sister’s wedding, future children, and kickass career.I can’t undo the agonizing pain of withholding the truth of my experience.My dad had died. And when he did... it blew the lid off my happy family.My life was permanently, andirreversibly changed.I have been intimate with death.<LONG PAUSE>Everyone and everything on this planet will face the same fate. Stories make it easier. These are those.This is The Death Diaries. I am your host, Paul King.On this podcast, I’m welcoming conversations about death.Together, we’ll seek the deeper meaning of Life (and her wicked-but-misunderstood stepmother, Death.)Through self exploration, soul searching, and honest talk, I hope to normalize death.This way, it won’t be sobig and so scary when it happens to you.TRANSITIONThis is “D-Squared.” The episode where we square up with death, and don’t back down.If you love this episode as much as I do, head over to iTunes, stitcher or wherever you listen and subscribe.MAINDear Diary, Why are we here? If we’re born to die….. what’s the point?From the moment of birth you are on a slow and steady march towards dying.It seems to me like we’re in denial about what it’s going to be like to get intimate with death. Big time. No one wants to talk about it. We pretend it’s not even a thing, Not yet, anyway. Not for a good long while. At least I hope, rIght?That seems like a pretty upside down way of thinking about something not a single living thing on this planet can escape.It’s almost like we think that just talking about it will bring down the hammer.Add in the feelings of isolation, shame, guilt, and denial, the stigma….. It’s really bringing us down. You know, as a people.To be ready for anything, it behooves humanity to be a lot more open to understanding death.I mean, what really does happen when you expire as a person….. or as a dog? What is the natural process, Diary? I just can’t wrap my head around it.How do we talk to the kids, what’s considered “normal” in grieving, and what the hell do I do next?I’m tired of feeling uncomfortable, that butterflies in the tummy feeling that means HIGH ANXIETY. (Yeah, yeah, THAT feeling. You know what I'm talking about.)I’m sick of the topic being so taboo. It's one humongous elephant in the room.Diary, today I am taking my life back.I’m making a commitment to stop avoiding the topic.We’re having the tough talk. AndWe’re putting it all on the table.Just listen.TRANSITIONAll I wanna know is, are you in? I double dog dare you stop ignoring the big, scary topic of death and be ready to face it like the resourceful, brave, and authentic human you are.Let’s get it out there.Are you afraid to die? Fear that someone that you love is going to die?We're going to talk about planning for death and really taking control of how you personally will die. What happens physically during the death? And what happens afterwards?The Death Diaries Podcast is going to explore different philosophies and talk to people from all walks of life, different backgrounds. What is their story?Reincarnation, heaven versus hell, and multiple philosophies around this and that. We’re going to talk about after death rituals and ceremonies, the celebrations of life, and burials.Let’s go deep on how to talk about death, with adults and kids.While we’re at it, let’s dissect the whole grieving process. There are a ton of feelings that come with it, the isolation, feeling ashamed, the lack of knowledge…..and a lot of that leads to denial.And just what does it mean to live a fruitful, fulfilled life? we're born to die so what are we doing every day to live this fulfilled life that truly makes all of us happy?We'll talk about dying in the digital age and social media. We're going to talk about all that stuff.So if you (or someone you know) has an experience or a story you'd like to share, head on over to thedeathdiariespodcast.com and let us know. We'd love to have you on the show.Again, it's thedeathdiariespodcast.com.OUTROThis has been the first episode of The Death Diaries Podcast with your host Paul King.Subscribe on iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts to be notified of future episodes. Let’s talk about death, are you in?https://www.thedeathdiariespodcast.com