DEAD Talks

Mental health struggles, suicide loss, and addiction recovery are some of the hardest battles anyone can face — and Eric B Zink has faced them all. In this episode of DEAD Talks, Eric shares his journey after losing his wife to suicide in 2015 and his father to suicide in 2017. Just one year later, he nearly lost his own life in a suicide attempt before beginning a long path of recovery.Today, Eric is a mental health and addiction advocate with nearly 2 million social media followers, openly sharing his story to inspire and support others. He speaks about living with ADHD and PTSD, overcoming cocaine and alcohol addiction, and turning his pain into purpose. His mission is to break the stigma around suicide, trauma, and mental health, while helping others know they’re not alone.Instagram: @ericbzinkTikTok: @ericbzinkLinkTr.eeSupport the Show Join the DEAD Talks Patreon for just $5 to support the mission—and get episodes early & ad-free!Hats, Shirts, Hoodies + More: Shop Here “Dead Dad Club” & “Dead Mom Club” – Wear your story, honor your people.Exclusive Discounts  10% off Neurogum – powered by natural caffeine, L-theanine, and vitamins B6 & B12 to boost focus and energy.About DEAD Talks  DEAD Talks with David Ferrugio approaches death differently. Each guest shares raw stories of grief, loss, or unique perspectives that challenge the “don’t talk about death” taboo. Grief doesn’t end—it evolves. After losing his father on September 11th at just 12 years old, David discovered the power of conversation. Through laughter, tears, and honest dialogue, DEAD Talks helps make it a little easier to talk about death, mourning, trauma, and the life that continues beyond it.Connect with DEAD Talks YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | www.deadtalks.net

What happens when religion, funerals, and grief collide? In this episode of DEAD Talks, we explore how faith and tradition shape the way we face death — and how one man is breaking away from the old ways. After 40 years as a United Methodist Minister, Hubert Cunningham became a Certified Funeral Celebrant and founded the Healing Works Institute to offer a new perspective on grieving and death.We discuss the gap he saw between religion and grief support, how he approaches funerals differently from traditional methods, and what it means to truly honor the dead while helping the living heal. This conversation shines a light on faith, loss, grief rituals, and how rethinking death practices can bring deeper meaning to those left behind.Support the Show Join the DEAD Talks Patreon for just $5 to support the mission—and get episodes early & ad-free!Hats, Shirts, Hoodies + More: Shop Here “Dead Dad Club” & “Dead Mom Club” – Wear your story, honor your people.Exclusive Discounts  10% off Neurogum – powered by natural caffeine, L-theanine, and vitamins B6 & B12 to boost focus and energy.About DEAD Talks  DEAD Talks with David Ferrugio approaches death differently. Each guest shares raw stories of grief, loss, or unique perspectives that challenge the “don’t talk about death” taboo. Grief doesn’t end—it evolves. After losing his father on September 11th at just 12 years old, David discovered the power of conversation. Through laughter, tears, and honest dialogue, DEAD Talks helps make it a little easier to talk about death, mourning, trauma, and the life that continues beyond it.Connect with DEAD Talks YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | www.deadtalks.net

Acclaimed funeral director Elizabeth Meyer Karansky and a founder of Farewelling has transformed the funeral process and the end-of-life experience into "farewelling," a new way to think about, talk about and plan for one of life's most personal journeys. Elizabeth shares her own experience with losing her father that lead her on the path she's on now truly helping others and approaching the subject of death with genuine care, humanity and humor. Farewelling provides users with everything they need to personalize the end-of-life experience in a more modern and streamlined way. www.myfarewelling.comIG: @myfarewellingDEAD Talks with David Ferrugio engages death a little bit differently. Each new guest shares their experience with grieving or perspective on death in a way that shatters the “don’t talk about death” taboo. Grief doesn't end, it evolves. Having lost his father on September 11th when he was 12 he learned the importance of discussion and sharing other people's stories. Grief, loss, death, mourning, trauma or whatever it may be, DEAD Talks Podcast hopes to make it a little easier to talk about. You may cry; but, you also may laugh. ⁠Follow DEAD Talks Podcast on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok + more⁠⁠www.deadtalks.net⁠

When his pregnant wife was struck and killed by a drunk driver just six weeks before her due date, James Alvarez’s world changed forever. Doctors were able to save his daughter, Adalyn Rose, through an emergency C-section, but James was left to navigate the unimaginable — losing his wife while becoming a single father overnight.This story went viral around the world, and in this deeply emotional episode James shares the raw truth of that night, how grief shaped him, and how he’s found strength as a widowed father. We talk about drunk driving awareness, surviving loss, single fatherhood, parenting through grief, and how one man’s tragedy turned into advocacy and inspiration.Follow our guest, @__JamesAlvarez, on Instagram.Article: Pregnant woman killed by alleged DUI driver gives birth to 'miracle' babySupport the Show Join the DEAD Talks Patreon for just $5 to support the mission—and get episodes early & ad-free!Hats, Shirts, Hoodies + More: Shop Here “Dead Dad Club” & “Dead Mom Club” – Wear your story, honor your people.Exclusive Discounts  10% off Neurogum – powered by natural caffeine, L-theanine, and vitamins B6 & B12 to boost focus and energy.About DEAD Talks  DEAD Talks with David Ferrugio approaches death differently. Each guest shares raw stories of grief, loss, or unique perspectives that challenge the “don’t talk about death” taboo. Grief doesn’t end—it evolves. After losing his father on September 11th at just 12 years old, David discovered the power of conversation. Through laughter, tears, and honest dialogue, DEAD Talks helps make it a little easier to talk about death, mourning, trauma, and the life that continues beyond it.Connect with DEAD Talks YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | www.deadtalks.net

What do eating disorders and grief have in common? More than you think. In this episode of DEAD Talks, we explore how death, trauma, and eating disorder recovery intersect — and how finding meaning in loss can be the key to healing both mind and body.Licensed Professional Counselor Jacquelyn LaRusso shares her insights from years of helping patients navigate eating disorders while processing death and trauma. She explains how unresolved grief can manifest in destructive ways, the importance of finding purpose after loss, and how her own experiences have shaped the way she helps others grow.Support the Show Join the DEAD Talks Patreon for just $5 to support the mission—and get episodes early & ad-free!Hats, Shirts, Hoodies + More: Shop Here “Dead Dad Club” & “Dead Mom Club” – Wear your story, honor your people.Exclusive Discounts  10% off Neurogum – powered by natural caffeine, L-theanine, and vitamins B6 & B12 to boost focus and energy.About DEAD Talks  DEAD Talks with David Ferrugio approaches death differently. Each guest shares raw stories of grief, loss, or unique perspectives that challenge the “don’t talk about death” taboo. Grief doesn’t end—it evolves. After losing his father on September 11th at just 12 years old, David discovered the power of conversation. Through laughter, tears, and honest dialogue, DEAD Talks helps make it a little easier to talk about death, mourning, trauma, and the life that continues beyond it.Connect with DEAD Talks YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | www.deadtalks.net

How do we embrace grief and death instead of avoiding it? In this episode of DEAD Talks, we dive into the world of end-of-life care, grief support, and what it means to truly sit with death.Marifel is a guide for life and death, offering compassionate support to those at the end of life and their families. Though she doesn’t label herself a “death doula,” her work comes close — helping people process grief, find peace, and transform the way they think about dying. With years of experience as a respiratory nurse, she’s been surrounded by death and has dedicated her life to making these conversations more open, healing, and human.www.peacingout.com via MarifelSupport the Show Join the DEAD Talks Patreon for just $5 to support the mission—and get episodes early & ad-free!Hats, Shirts, Hoodies + More: Shop Here “Dead Dad Club” & “Dead Mom Club” – Wear your story, honor your people.Exclusive Discounts  10% off Neurogum – powered by natural caffeine, L-theanine, and vitamins B6 & B12 to boost focus and energy.About DEAD Talks  DEAD Talks with David Ferrugio approaches death differently. Each guest shares raw stories of grief, loss, or unique perspectives that challenge the “don’t talk about death” taboo. Grief doesn’t end—it evolves. After losing his father on September 11th at just 12 years old, David discovered the power of conversation. Through laughter, tears, and honest dialogue, DEAD Talks helps make it a little easier to talk about death, mourning, trauma, and the life that continues beyond it.Connect with DEAD Talks YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | www.deadtalks.net

What happens when the person you love takes their own life just as things were starting to heal? In this episode of DEAD Talks, we dive into the devastating reality of losing a parent to suicide and how grief can transform into resilience.Vance’s father died by suicide only seven days after their relationship finally started to feel positive. Instead of letting it break him, Vance turned his grief into fuel — rebuilding his life, taking control, and finding a way to grow from tragedy. His story is a raw look at loss, survival, and the power of transformation in the face of unbearable pain.Support the Show Join the DEAD Talks Patreon for just $5 to support the mission—and get episodes early & ad-free!Hats, Shirts, Hoodies + More: Shop Here “Dead Dad Club” & “Dead Mom Club” – Wear your story, honor your people.Exclusive Discounts  10% off Neurogum – powered by natural caffeine, L-theanine, and vitamins B6 & B12 to boost focus and energy.About DEAD Talks  DEAD Talks with David Ferrugio approaches death differently. Each guest shares raw stories of grief, loss, or unique perspectives that challenge the “don’t talk about death” taboo. Grief doesn’t end—it evolves. After losing his father on September 11th at just 12 years old, David discovered the power of conversation. Through laughter, tears, and honest dialogue, DEAD Talks helps make it a little easier to talk about death, mourning, trauma, and the life that continues beyond it.Connect with DEAD Talks YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | www.deadtalks.net

What happens when you sit down with a medium who claims to connect with the other side? In this episode, we explore the mystical world of tarot readings, palm readings, Reiki energy work, astrology, and mediumship—unpacking what it really means to communicate with the dead.Tara Brandel shares her journey of discovering and refining her gifts, including how she channels messages through her readings and the deeply personal experiences that shaped her path. Beyond the theory, I also share my own personal session with Tara, where my late father came through, and the powerful emotions and meaning behind that connection.This episode dives into:How mediums describe their process of connecting with loved onesThe intersection of grief, healing, and spiritualityStories that may shift even the most skeptical mindsWhy exploring the mystical side of life and death can bring unexpected comfortWhether you’re a believer, skeptic, or just curious, this conversation opens the door to understanding life, loss, and the possibility of what lies beyond.For all inquiries to Mystical Advisor, Tara Brandel: tbrandelrrt@gmail.com Support the Show Join the DEAD Talks Patreon for just $5 to support the mission—and get episodes early & ad-free!Hats, Shirts, Hoodies + More: Shop Here “Dead Dad Club” & “Dead Mom Club” – Wear your story, honor your people.Exclusive Discounts  10% off Neurogum – powered by natural caffeine, L-theanine, and vitamins B6 & B12 to boost focus and energy.About DEAD Talks  DEAD Talks with David Ferrugio approaches death differently. Each guest shares raw stories of grief, loss, or unique perspectives that challenge the “don’t talk about death” taboo. Grief doesn’t end—it evolves. After losing his father on September 11th at just 12 years old, David discovered the power of conversation. Through laughter, tears, and honest dialogue, DEAD Talks helps make it a little easier to talk about death, mourning, trauma, and the life that continues beyond it.Connect with DEAD Talks YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | www.deadtalks.net

What can we learn about living from those who are dying? In this powerful episode, hospice nurse Hadley shares raw stories and wisdom from her patients at the end of life—reminding us how fragile and beautiful life really is.As a registered nurse specializing in hospice and palliative care near New Orleans, Hadley brings inspiring insights on:The lessons patients teach when facing deathHow to stay positive while working so close to loss every dayThe importance of connecting those who have lived full lives with those still learning how to liveWhy embracing mortality helps us live more fullyThrough her work, Hadley shows that hospice is not just about dying—it’s about helping us all understand how to live better.Follow Hadley on social media to check out her amazing & popular content:IG: @Nurse.HadleyTikTok: @NurseHadleySupport the Show Join the DEAD Talks Patreon for just $5 to support the mission—and get episodes early & ad-free!Hats, Shirts, Hoodies + More: Shop Here “Dead Dad Club” & “Dead Mom Club” – Wear your story, honor your people.Exclusive Discounts  10% off Neurogum – powered by natural caffeine, L-theanine, and vitamins B6 & B12 to boost focus and energy.About DEAD Talks  DEAD Talks with David Ferrugio approaches death differently. Each guest shares raw stories of grief, loss, or unique perspectives that challenge the “don’t talk about death” taboo. Grief doesn’t end—it evolves. After losing his father on September 11th at just 12 years old, David discovered the power of conversation. Through laughter, tears, and honest dialogue, DEAD Talks helps make it a little easier to talk about death, mourning, trauma, and the life that continues beyond it.Connect with DEAD Talks YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | www.deadtalks.net

Grief is unavoidable—but what happens if we try to skip it? Renowned grief expert and bestselling author Claire Bidwell Smith shares her personal journey through loss and the powerful lessons she’s learned along the way.Claire has written three acclaimed books—The Rules of Inheritance, After This: When Life is Over Where Do We Go?, and Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief—that have guided thousands through mourning, healing, and the search for meaning. In this conversation, we explore:Why grief must be faced, not avoidedThe hidden connection between grief and anxietyPractical ways to navigate loss in daily lifeHow humor, honesty, and vulnerability make space for healingClaire’s wisdom is compassionate, insightful, and refreshingly real. Whether you’re actively grieving or simply curious about how to better face life’s hardest moments, this episode will leave you with tools, perspective, and hope.For more on Claire Bidwell Smith:IG: @clairebidwellsmithwww.clairebidwellsmith.com Support the Show Join the DEAD Talks Patreon for just $5 to support the mission—and get episodes early & ad-free!Hats, Shirts, Hoodies + More: Shop Here “Dead Dad Club” & “Dead Mom Club” – Wear your story, honor your people.Exclusive Discounts  10% off Neurogum – powered by natural caffeine, L-theanine, and vitamins B6 & B12 to boost focus and energy.About DEAD Talks  DEAD Talks with David Ferrugio approaches death differently. Each guest shares raw stories of grief, loss, or unique perspectives that challenge the “don’t talk about death” taboo. Grief doesn’t end—it evolves. After losing his father on September 11th at just 12 years old, David discovered the power of conversation. Through laughter, tears, and honest dialogue, DEAD Talks helps make it a little easier to talk about death, mourning, trauma, and the life that continues beyond it.Connect with DEAD Talks YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | www.deadtalks.net