Death With Dignity Podcast

Dr. Tom Cummings is the medical director of Interim Hospice of San Diego.  A graduate of Stanford followed by University of California, San Diego, Medical School, Dr. Cummings has been an advocate for providing quality care for patients grappling with a terminal disease in the Hospice setting.  Being involved with over 200 patients and friends concerning the End of Life Option Act, he joins the Death with Dignity Podcast to help define Hospice care and share his experiences related to the topicLearn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter)

Monika Lingle helps us understand the end-of-life process through her experience as a licensed clinical social worker.  Monika's specialties include: Oncology, California End of Life Option Act, Grief Counseling, Pediatrics, Maternal-Child health, Bioethics, Palliative Care, Post Graduate Clinical Supervision, and Advanced Health Care Directive planning.Learn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter)

California State Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman joins the podcast to discuss her role as a legislator advocating for the End of Life Option Act, passed into California law on June 9th, 2016.  Senator Eggman was instrumental in the passage of the bill and continues to advocate for Death with Dignity today.Learn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter)Timestamps:0:00 - 0:19: Intro music0:19 - 1:09: Guest Introduction- Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman1:09 - 10:00: Senator Eggman’s background / journey into politics10:00 - 14:55: Senator Eggman’s background with the End of Life Act 14:55 - 19:40: Opposition of the End of Life Act19:40 - 21:22: Aversion to End of Life Act / aversion to death21:22 - 24:20: How Senator Eggman’s identity has shaped her political career24:20 - 25:00: Universal experience of death 25:00 - 28:40: Difference of opinion / feelings to others with different opinions28:40 - 30:53: How will the End of Life Act evolve (will more states adopt it?)30:53 - 32:45: Senator Eggman’s thoughts on the medication / barriers for the individual32:45 - 35:05: Senator Eggman’s most proud accomplishments35:05 - 38:50: Proposed amendment for End of Life Act38:50 - 41:05: Senator Eggman’s future plans41:05 - 45:49: Conclusion / last thoughts45:49 - 46:11: Close out music

In this episode, Andrew’s mother, Suzy Flack, joins the Pod to have an in depth conversation of her role as a parent of an adult child with a terminal cancer diagnosis.  Suzy reflects on the differences between her experiences as a mother, helping Andrew as a child with cancer, versus the support she provides now, as he works his way through the current prognosis.Learn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter)

In the first episode of the DWD Podcast, we outline the purpose of the podcast; investigating the Death with Dignity experience, specifically the physical, social-emotional, and spiritual elements related to the process.  Meet DWD Podcast host Andrew Flack, a 33 year old special education teacher with terminal cancer.Learn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter)Timestamps:0:00 - 0:19: Introduction music0:09 - 1:50: Introduction to the podcast/ purpose of podcast1:50 - 9:30: Flack’s background / other aspects of identity9:30 - 12:25: 2nd diagnosis12:25 - 16:40: Answering questions about cancer16:40 - 18:05: Physical Health18:05 - 21:40: Learning to deal with physical effects / advice for others21:40 - 26:25: Relationship with family/loved ones26:25 - 33:10: Social / Emotional (mental process)30:10 - 46:00: Spiritual37:04 - 46:00: Experience with psychedelic mushrooms46:00 - 1:07:56: Death with Dignity background48:55 - 52:20 : Finding out about death with dignity option52:20 - 54:15: Brittany Maynard54:15 - 59:54: Death with dignity history59:54 - 1:01:25: Speaking with doctors1:01:25 - 1:05:10: Suicide vs. end of life act1:05:10 - 1:07:05: Hospice1:07:56 - 1:09:35: People opposed to death with dignity1:09:35 - 1:12:10: Inevitability of death 1:12:15 - 1:15:48: Conclusion / purpose of podcast1:15:48 - 1:16:10: Closeout musicContact us about this episode