Death With Dignity Podcast

Send us a Text - Leave an email in your message if you want to hear back from us!Jess Pezley, senior staff attorney at Compassion and Choices, explores the current legal landscape surrounding medical aid in dying legislation in California and across the United States, addressing challenges, misconceptions, and its connection to broader healthcare rights.• Medical aid in dying laws face ongoing legal challenges from religious organizations • A key challenge through United Spinal vs California claims the law discriminates against those with disabilities• California's MAID model represents the ideal balance with robust safeguards against the more expansive Canadian approach• The Supreme Court's Dobbs decision creates potential threats to healthcare autonomy broadly• Approximately 37% of Californians who receive MAID prescriptions never use them, demonstrating the value of the option itself• Most people accessing MAID are simultaneously receiving hospice care (94%)• Legal challenges to abortion access and gender-affirming care create precedents that could impact end-of-life options• Having end-of-life conversations and creating advance directives remains critically important for everyone• The tight-knit community formed around Andrew's advocacy continues his legacy of compassion and determination

Send us a Text - Leave an email in your message if you want to hear back from us!We are back with an unreleased gem from the podcast archives. Join us as Serene Meshel-Dillman, director of the upcoming docu-series "Take Me Out Feet First" about Medical Aid in Dying, discusses the project. Andrew is featured in one of the episodes in the docu-series! "Take Me Out Feet First" will soon be available on Amazon SVOD.This episode is enriched with Andrew’s unique insights. Enjoy a lively conversation between Serene and Andrew as they discuss the inspirations behind the documentary, the process of securing the rights to the song “Blackbird” from Paul McCartney, the impact of social media on people with cancer, the podcast’s theme music, and much more.The episode concludes with a beautiful rendition of the Beatles' "Blackbird" performed by Sam Wood.Recording Date: May 6, 2022Learn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter)

Send us a Text - Leave an email in your message if you want to hear back from us!Andrew's parents join the Death with Dignity Podcast. Steve and Suzy Flack open a window into what it was like the day Andrew ingested the medical aid in dying medication, what the last 8 months have been like, the California/Chicago memorials, and speak openly and honestly about what it is like to be in their position today.Recorded on July 16, 2023Learn more about the podcast & follow Andrew's story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter)

Send us a Text - Leave an email in your message if you want to hear back from us!Andrew’s final transmission. It consists of three separate recordings he recorded on three different days. Andrew is joined by Suzy and Hasban to talk about his condition, how he's thinking about end-of-life options, psychedelics, life lessons, and friends/family. He also answers some questions from the listeners.The outro (the Desiderata) was recorded around 20 minutes before he ingested the medicine. If you want a copy of the outro only, please contact us through the website.The thumbnail for this image was taken around the time Andrew passed. This was Andrew's final view of the world out of his bedroom window. He was surrounded by family and friends that loved him dearly.Order of recordings:October 6th - The EpisodeNovember 14th - Intro to the episodeNovember 16th - DesiderataLearn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter)Contact Us:https://www.deathwithdignitypodcast.com/contact-us/

Send us a Text - Leave an email in your message if you want to hear back from us!Show notes:Recorded on Aug, 17 2022.This is one of the two episodes that were released after Andrew’s passing. We originally planned on releasing this episode before his passing and the final transmission (episode 21) after his passing. But, things didn’t work out that way. It didn’t feel right to release them one by one so we decided to release them simultaneously. About the guest:Ginger Fairchild is a registered veterinary nurse and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She is the widow of Sargeant Matt Fairchild who chose MAID after enduring nearly a decade of chemotherapy, radiation, hospitalizations, and surgeries in connection to his skin cancer diagnosis, which subsequently spread to his brain, bones, and lymph nodes.Andrew and Ginger have a really insightful conversation about her and Matt’s journey, MAID, how to talk to people who are sick, and much more.Learn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter)Contact Us:https://www.deathwithdignitypodcast.com/contact-us/

Joanne Tubbs Kelly, author of "Walking Him Home: Helping My Husband Die with Dignity," shares her heartfelt journey of caring for her terminally ill husband, Alan. She reflects on the emotional challenges of writing and the importance of 'death with dignity' versus 'medical aid in dying.' With poignant stories, she emphasizes the need for open discussions about end-of-life wishes and the significance of planning ahead. Joanne's narrative is filled with compassion, humor, and insights into navigating love, loss, and self-care during difficult times.

Send us a Text - Leave an email in your message if you want to hear back from us!Nurse Penny has been comforting and supporting people during their end-of-life experiences for many years.  She also has a substantial social media following on TikTok and Instagram.  Nurse Penny uses social media to educate people about Hospice Services, Advanced Directives and wills, and death anxiety and how it impacts our lives.  We encourage you to follow Penny on social media. We thank her for her advocacy and enlightenment on the subject of death and dying.Nurse Penny InstagramNurse Penny TikTokLearn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter),  dwd_podcast (Instagram)

Allison Kestenbaum and Rev. Kathleen Hatlevig, both chaplains at UC San Diego Health, share their insights on providing spiritual care, particularly for palliative patients. They discuss the delicate balance of faith and ethics in end-of-life decisions, including medical aid in dying. Topics like the emotional complexities surrounding death and the importance of open family communication are explored. They also delve into how spirituality can comfort or challenge patients, emphasizing the role of chaplains in navigating these profound experiences.

Send us a Text - Leave an email in your message if you want to hear back from us!TW // Eating DisordersDr. Jennifer Gaudiani is an internist, who specializes in eating disorders. She is from Northern California, but moved to Boston for School. Once she finished her schooling, she moved to Colorado. Dr. Gaudiani now runs the nations top medical stabilization program for adults with eating disorders. She recently made news when she authored a study in which she prescribed medical aid in dying medication to three of her patients.  In this episode, we dive into the difficult world of eating disorders. Link to the paper —> https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35168671/Learn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter).

Send us a Text - Leave an email in your message if you want to hear back from us!Meagan Williams resides in Oregon and has a deep history of supporting others and empowering her community.  A retired transition teacher, Meagan now works with Compassion and Choices, an advocacy organization working towards the goal of giving people the option of Medical Aid in Dying.  Meagan also serves her community as a Death Doula, helping those transition from life to death.  In this episode, we are thrilled to learn from Meagan as she explains the role and responsibilities of a Death Doula. Thank you Meagan for your constant commitment to making the world a better place. Learn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter).