The guest, Zhou Yan, discusses her work as a hospice and 'Death Café' volunteer in China, dispelling superstition and stigma around death. Topics include the impact of technology, challenges of hospice care, importance of open communication about death, cultural differences, and finding inspiration in listening to dying people.
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Quick takeaways
Zhou Yan's work in hospices and 'Death Cafés' helps dispel superstitions and stigma around death in China.
Her volunteer experiences have taught her to live life more intentionally and prioritize relationships with loved ones.
Deep dives
The Importance of Hospice Volunteer Work and Death Cafe
Joy-en discusses her work as a hospice volunteer and her involvement with the organization Hand in Hand. She explains that they train volunteers and send them to hospices to provide companionship and support for patients in their final months. She also talks about the concept of Death Cafe, where people gather to discuss and explore the topic of death in a relaxed and open environment.
The Impact of Smartphones on Joy-en's Life in China
Joy-en reflects on the dramatic impact smartphones have had on her life since returning to China. She highlights the changes in communication, the increase in social connections, and the potential negative effects on eyesight. She expresses a desire to find a job that allows her to disconnect from her phone and reminisces about a time when phone and email were the primary means of communication.
Joy-en's Favorite Chinese Destination: Jingshan in Nanjing
Joy-en shares her favorite place to visit in China, Jingshan in Nanjing. She describes the beauty of the plane trees and the peaceful atmosphere at the bottom of the mountain. She appreciates the proximity of nature in Nanjing compared to Shanghai and the opportunity to escape from the city hustle and bustle.
The Impact of Volunteer Work and Personal Growth
Joy-en discusses how her volunteer work in hospice has had a profound impact on her personal life. She emphasizes the importance of spending more time with family and strengthening relationships. She shares how her volunteer experiences have taught her to live life more intentionally, appreciate loved ones, and strive to have better communication and understanding in her relationships.
In three seasons of the Mosaic of China podcast, we've already covered a large chunk of the A-Z of life in China. In today's episode, we're fast-forwarding to the end, not just because Zhou Yan's name starts with a 'Z', but because we're talking about the subject of death.
In her work as a volunteer in hospices and 'Death Cafés' in Shanghai, Zhou Yan is doing more than just dispelling the superstition and stigma that surrounds the subject of death in China. She also demonstrates how to live life with more intention, and with more reverence to those around us.