https://simplecast.com Farewelling: The Podcast Death, Dying and Occasional Cocktails. Farewelling founder Karen Bussen hosts celebs, experts, and regular folks on a groundbreaking interview show to get us all talking more openly about death...and life. 2020 - Farewelling en Tue, 17 Mar 2020 04:30:06 +0000 Thu, 7 Mar 2024 23:23:57 +0000 https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com Farewelling: The Podcast https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/f0fdf349-149b-42f9-95d0-8ddf72185776/b5018561-7be4-41e9-af81-4c1a87c85387/3000x3000/podcast-cover-a.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com episodic Death, Dying and Occasional Cocktails. Farewelling founder Karen Bussen hosts celebs, experts, and regular folks on a groundbreaking interview show to get us all talking more openly about death...and life. Farewelling no https://feeds.simplecast.com/VrePTdEL funerals, culture, life, death, dying, living editaudio steph@editaud.io dc6f42c3-f957-4284-b5aa-dc7e6aadace2 Minisode: Bucket List Basics for Busy People Farewelling founder Karen Bussen asks licensed therapist Grace Lin why a bucket list is important, what it means, and how we should create one that combines big goals and daily dreams with our true values as people and members of a community. Should a couple have their own individual bucket lists? How often should we review our list? And how can we use bucket list thinking to be more connected to the people in our lives?

Karen shares details from her own bucket list (hint: Benicio del Toro!), heads out to the streets of New York City to ask strangers about their lists, and takes Grace Lin through a delightful lightning round of “Abso-bucket-lutely or No-bucket-way”... 

Do you have a bucket list? Is it purely made up of places you want to see, or does it have other elements--such as running a marathon or learning a new skill? Please tell us all about it on social media and use the hashtag #livingmybucket and tag us @myfarewelling. You may just inspire others!

To read more, visit us at MyFarewelling.com.

]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2020 04:30:06 +0000 steph@editaud.io (editaudio, grace lin, farewelling, karen bussen, edit audio, maria passingham, steph colbourn) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/minisode-bucket-list-basics-JeyOkkkj Farewelling founder Karen Bussen asks licensed therapist Grace Lin why a bucket list is important, what it means, and how we should create one that combines big goals and daily dreams with our true values as people and members of a community. Should a couple have their own individual bucket lists? How often should we review our list? And how can we use bucket list thinking to be more connected to the people in our lives?

Karen shares details from her own bucket list (hint: Benicio del Toro!), heads out to the streets of New York City to ask strangers about their lists, and takes Grace Lin through a delightful lightning round of “Abso-bucket-lutely or No-bucket-way”... 

Do you have a bucket list? Is it purely made up of places you want to see, or does it have other elements--such as running a marathon or learning a new skill? Please tell us all about it on social media and use the hashtag #livingmybucket and tag us @myfarewelling. You may just inspire others!

To read more, visit us at MyFarewelling.com.

]]> Minisode: Bucket List Basics for Busy People editaudio, grace lin, farewelling, karen bussen, edit audio, maria passingham, steph colbourn 00:22:48 In an extra intro to this mini-sode, Karen gets personal about a shocking, awful event that happened since the original recording date last summer. The mini-sode itself is light hearted and features an upbeat conversation between Karen and therapist Grace Lin, geared toward helping us all live life more fully in the pursuit of our dreams and values, both big and small. But we do want to note that in the first few minutes, there is mention of a death that occurred suddenly, so you may want to consider that in deciding whether to listen. In an extra intro to this mini-sode, Karen gets personal about a shocking, awful event that happened since the original recording date last summer. The mini-sode itself is light hearted and features an upbeat conversation between Karen and therapist Grace Lin, geared toward helping us all live life more fully in the pursuit of our dreams and values, both big and small. But we do want to note that in the first few minutes, there is mention of a death that occurred suddenly, so you may want to consider that in deciding whether to listen. mortality, grace lin, edit audio, editaudio, death, dying, karen bussen, farwelling, bucket list, #livingmybucket no bonus 1 32e12a64-99d4-4517-a326-35287e80770e Minisode: When a Child Dies - Coping and Community Farewelling co-founders Karen Bussen and Elizabeth Karansky sit down with Adam Rabinovitch, Executive Director of COPE Foundation, a non-profit grief and healing organization dedicated to helping parents and families living with the loss of a child.

Adam offers advice on navigating loss, finding community, and why he thinks of grief not in stages, but in waves. He shares a personal story, and tells us how we can be supportive if we know someone who has lost a child or sibling. Liz opens up about her experiences as a funeral director working with families to plan for a child who has died.

The COPE Foundation offers a variety of services and resources to families who’ve lost a child, including Camp Erin, a summer camp and regular schedule of events that bring families together to share, heal, and even celebrate.

To read more, visit us at MyFarewelling.com. If you’d like to speak to someone from the COPE Foundation, you can email info@copefoundation.org or call 516-832-2673.

]]> Tue, 10 Mar 2020 04:30:10 +0000 steph@editaud.io (maria passingham, editaudio, edit audio, farewelling, karen bussen, steph colbourn, adam rabinovitch, elizabeth karansky) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/minisode-when-a-child-dies-awWBbf8S Farewelling co-founders Karen Bussen and Elizabeth Karansky sit down with Adam Rabinovitch, Executive Director of COPE Foundation, a non-profit grief and healing organization dedicated to helping parents and families living with the loss of a child.

Adam offers advice on navigating loss, finding community, and why he thinks of grief not in stages, but in waves. He shares a personal story, and tells us how we can be supportive if we know someone who has lost a child or sibling. Liz opens up about her experiences as a funeral director working with families to plan for a child who has died.

The COPE Foundation offers a variety of services and resources to families who’ve lost a child, including Camp Erin, a summer camp and regular schedule of events that bring families together to share, heal, and even celebrate.

To read more, visit us at MyFarewelling.com. If you’d like to speak to someone from the COPE Foundation, you can email info@copefoundation.org or call 516-832-2673.

]]> Minisode: When a Child Dies - Coping and Community maria passingham, editaudio, edit audio, farewelling, karen bussen, steph colbourn, adam rabinovitch, elizabeth karansky 00:17:51 How can we confront the loss of a child? As parents, it’s hard to contemplate how we’d ever move forward. As siblings, this type of loss can shake us to our core. In this mini-sode, Karen and Liz speak with Adam Rabinovitch, Executive Director of COPE Foundation, about getting help and connecting with others who can really understand because they’ve been there too. A content warning: this mini-sode includes a frank discussion around the topic of families losing a child. The conversation may be difficult or inappropriate for some listeners. We hope it will be helpful to those who really need it. How can we confront the loss of a child? As parents, it’s hard to contemplate how we’d ever move forward. As siblings, this type of loss can shake us to our core. In this mini-sode, Karen and Liz speak with Adam Rabinovitch, Executive Director of COPE Foundation, about getting help and connecting with others who can really understand because they’ve been there too. A content warning: this mini-sode includes a frank discussion around the topic of families losing a child. The conversation may be difficult or inappropriate for some listeners. We hope it will be helpful to those who really need it. mortality, grief, edit audio, elizabeth karansky, editaudio, e, mourning, death, coping, cope foundation, dying, karen bussen, adam rabinovitch, camp erin, farewelling no bonus 1 93c41019-0ed5-4e09-b9a0-4905b88353d1 The Two Trishes: Best Friends on Loss and Living to the Fullest What is like to lose a spouse? How have attitudes around death changed over the past decades? In this upbeat but heartfelt episode, Karen and Liz host Liz’s mom and her best friend (both of whom are named Trish!) for a conversation filled with laughter, wisdom, and real talk about end of life attitudes. Liz’s mom explains why she doesn’t fear death and how she feels about her daughter being a funeral director. The other Trish talks about moving on after a loss and wonders what she’ll look like in the next world. Both women tell us what they want for their own farewellings, and what three items they’d pack for the afterlife (hint: shoes and handbags!). A lighting round reveals their feelings about everything from open caskets to telling jokes at funerals and whether it’s cool to play rock and roll music at a farewelling. They share the lesson that life has taught them--to treat yourself well and enjoy the ride!

During the conversation, Liz’s mom touches on how she felt when she first learned her daughter wanted to become a funeral director. If you’d like to listen to Liz’s whole story, check out this episode that features her journey toward finding her passion in life...helping others through death.

The two Trishes really aren’t into making jewelry out of your loved one’s ashes, but if you’d like to know more about that, visit us at MyFarewelling.com. If you’re inspired to make your own plan, download our free Farewelling Worksheets here.

We’d really love it if you’d join our community. Farewelling is a movement to celebrate a beautiful life, beautifully, and it’s all happening! Click the icons above to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

]]> Tue, 3 Mar 2020 05:30:01 +0000 steph@editaud.io (karen bussen, farewelling, maria passingham, edit audio, editaudio, steph colbourn, elizabeth karansky) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/the-two-trishes-j1qbuSnJ What is like to lose a spouse? How have attitudes around death changed over the past decades? In this upbeat but heartfelt episode, Karen and Liz host Liz’s mom and her best friend (both of whom are named Trish!) for a conversation filled with laughter, wisdom, and real talk about end of life attitudes. Liz’s mom explains why she doesn’t fear death and how she feels about her daughter being a funeral director. The other Trish talks about moving on after a loss and wonders what she’ll look like in the next world. Both women tell us what they want for their own farewellings, and what three items they’d pack for the afterlife (hint: shoes and handbags!). A lighting round reveals their feelings about everything from open caskets to telling jokes at funerals and whether it’s cool to play rock and roll music at a farewelling. They share the lesson that life has taught them--to treat yourself well and enjoy the ride!

During the conversation, Liz’s mom touches on how she felt when she first learned her daughter wanted to become a funeral director. If you’d like to listen to Liz’s whole story, check out this episode that features her journey toward finding her passion in life...helping others through death.

The two Trishes really aren’t into making jewelry out of your loved one’s ashes, but if you’d like to know more about that, visit us at MyFarewelling.com. If you’re inspired to make your own plan, download our free Farewelling Worksheets here.

We’d really love it if you’d join our community. Farewelling is a movement to celebrate a beautiful life, beautifully, and it’s all happening! Click the icons above to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

]]> The Two Trishes: Best Friends on Loss and Living to the Fullest karen bussen, farewelling, maria passingham, edit audio, editaudio, steph colbourn, elizabeth karansky 00:26:59 Today’s episode is all about women! Karen welcomes Farewelling Funeral Guru Elizabeth Karansky, along with Liz’s mom Trish, and her best friend, whose name delightfully also happens to be Trish. While enjoying fresh fruit and moisturizing spa hand masks, the four talk about friendship, and the two Trishes share what it was like losing both their husbands (neither of whom wanted to discuss their illnesses). Both women speak honestly about how they now feel about death, dying and living a great life. Then Karen puts them through a lightning round of “Tacky or To Die For?” Today’s episode is all about women! Karen welcomes Farewelling Funeral Guru Elizabeth Karansky, along with Liz’s mom Trish, and her best friend, whose name delightfully also happens to be Trish. While enjoying fresh fruit and moisturizing spa hand masks, the four talk about friendship, and the two Trishes share what it was like losing both their husbands (neither of whom wanted to discuss their illnesses). Both women speak honestly about how they now feel about death, dying and living a great life. Then Karen puts them through a lightning round of “Tacky or To Die For?” mortality, edit audio, elizabeth karansky, editaudio, death, liz karansky, funeral director, dying, grieving, funerals, karen bussen, farewelling no full 10 1 b27b9673-f8ed-41ed-afe4-5f30879f68a9 Minisode: Final Fashion - You're Dead. What Are You Wearing? If you had a choice, would you want to specify what you’d wear for all eternity? Have you ever had to choose funeral clothing for a loved one? Tradition often dictates how a person who has died is dressed or shrouded for their funeral. But more and more, we may want to take charge of what reflects our style, and even our values. Liz and Karen talk eco-friendly options, interesting accessories, how funeral professionals often double as fashion stylists, and why it’s important to leave clear instructions for your loved ones.

Like what you hear? We’d be mighty grateful if you’d review us on Apple podcasts and maybe send a link to someone you think might find the show helpful or interesting. If you’d like to know more about final fashion and choosing funeral clothing (including eco-friendly options), visit us at MyFarewelling.com. And hey, f you’re inspired to make your own plan, download our free Farewelling Worksheets here.

]]> Tue, 25 Feb 2020 05:30:02 +0000 steph@editaud.io (steph colbourn, edit audio, maria passingham, editaudio, elizabeth karansky, farewelling, karen bussen) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/minisode-final-fashion-_zL6vGZi If you had a choice, would you want to specify what you’d wear for all eternity? Have you ever had to choose funeral clothing for a loved one? Tradition often dictates how a person who has died is dressed or shrouded for their funeral. But more and more, we may want to take charge of what reflects our style, and even our values. Liz and Karen talk eco-friendly options, interesting accessories, how funeral professionals often double as fashion stylists, and why it’s important to leave clear instructions for your loved ones.

Like what you hear? We’d be mighty grateful if you’d review us on Apple podcasts and maybe send a link to someone you think might find the show helpful or interesting. If you’d like to know more about final fashion and choosing funeral clothing (including eco-friendly options), visit us at MyFarewelling.com. And hey, f you’re inspired to make your own plan, download our free Farewelling Worksheets here.

]]> Minisode: Final Fashion - You're Dead. What Are You Wearing? steph colbourn, edit audio, maria passingham, editaudio, elizabeth karansky, farewelling, karen bussen 00:16:49 Karen and Farewelling Funeral Guru Elizabeth Karansky tackle a topic they both think should get more attention: What to Wear...for Forever. At first glance it may seem a frivolous subject, but choosing clothing for loved one’s funeral (or planning for yourself) can sometimes be more complex than you might expect. Karen and Liz start with a discussion of an old Gilmore Girls episode that involves funeral planning and clothing choices. They explore changing styles (including eco-friendly burial clothing), styling, and the unique personal wishes for accessories that have surprised Liz along her journey as a funeral director. Karen and Farewelling Funeral Guru Elizabeth Karansky tackle a topic they both think should get more attention: What to Wear...for Forever. At first glance it may seem a frivolous subject, but choosing clothing for loved one’s funeral (or planning for yourself) can sometimes be more complex than you might expect. Karen and Liz start with a discussion of an old Gilmore Girls episode that involves funeral planning and clothing choices. They explore changing styles (including eco-friendly burial clothing), styling, and the unique personal wishes for accessories that have surprised Liz along her journey as a funeral director. funeral, mortality, edit audio, elizabeth karansky, editaudio, death, fashion, final fashion, dying, grieving, karen bussen, farewelling no bonus 1 ea720f90-9010-46bb-9582-c6897d699ac1 Legacy and Life After Life: Writer and Educator Erica Cantley Farewelling founder Karen Bussen and Erica Cantley, educator, writer, and New York food industry insider, talk about celebrating the life of each individual in a personal and beautiful way, and why a potluck farewelling just isn’t right for either of them (hint: it’s a control thing). Erica tells us how she came to write her upcoming book, Teaching Hamlet as My Father Died, and explains what she’d do if she only had three weeks left to live. They touch on themes of legacy and remembrance, and what it means to be immortal.

To find out more and see some extra content, visit us at MyFarewelling.com. If you’re inspired to make your own plan, download our free Farewelling Worksheets here. Erica, who works as a maitre d’ in a fancy New York restaurant, would love to answer any questions you may have for her, so feel free to write us at info@myfarewelling.com and we’ll get them to her!

]]> Tue, 18 Feb 2020 05:30:21 +0000 steph@editaud.io (maria passingham, steph colbourn, erica cantley, farewelling, edit audio, editaudio, karen bussen) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/erica-cantley-UG4rclxU Farewelling founder Karen Bussen and Erica Cantley, educator, writer, and New York food industry insider, talk about celebrating the life of each individual in a personal and beautiful way, and why a potluck farewelling just isn’t right for either of them (hint: it’s a control thing). Erica tells us how she came to write her upcoming book, Teaching Hamlet as My Father Died, and explains what she’d do if she only had three weeks left to live. They touch on themes of legacy and remembrance, and what it means to be immortal.

To find out more and see some extra content, visit us at MyFarewelling.com. If you’re inspired to make your own plan, download our free Farewelling Worksheets here. Erica, who works as a maitre d’ in a fancy New York restaurant, would love to answer any questions you may have for her, so feel free to write us at info@myfarewelling.com and we’ll get them to her!

]]> Legacy and Life After Life: Writer and Educator Erica Cantley maria passingham, steph colbourn, erica cantley, farewelling, edit audio, editaudio, karen bussen 00:22:28 Karen meets up with her friend, writer, educator and fellow NYC foodie, Erica Cantley. Over rosé from the south of France and potato chips, they chat about Erica’s unique perspective on celebrating life, which stems from her beliefs as a follower of the Swedenborgian religion, where death is considered a release to a heaven of our own making. Erica shares her thoughts on organizing your own Best. Last. Party, and how her father’s death shaped her own experience--and her writing. Later, Karen hits the streets of NYC to ask folks how they feel about material possessions and death. Karen meets up with her friend, writer, educator and fellow NYC foodie, Erica Cantley. Over rosé from the south of France and potato chips, they chat about Erica’s unique perspective on celebrating life, which stems from her beliefs as a follower of the Swedenborgian religion, where death is considered a release to a heaven of our own making. Erica shares her thoughts on organizing your own Best. Last. Party, and how her father’s death shaped her own experience--and her writing. Later, Karen hits the streets of NYC to ask folks how they feel about material possessions and death. mortality, grief, death, dying, karen bussen, erica cantley, teaching hamlet as my father died no full 9 1 06ab4740-d863-42da-b854-1c376422b6bf Minisode: Real Talk and Taking Control with Author Sallie Tisdale Farewelling founder Karen Bussen and Sallie Tisdale, palliative care nurse, Buddhist, and author of the revolutionary guidebook, “Advice for Future Corpses and Those Who Love Them” speak frankly about how planning for end of life and funeral details is a gift. Sallie gets real about the idea of dying at home, why she doesn’t like the term “death with dignity” and why she thinks it’s crazy that at one of the most singular moments of our human experience, we are so reluctant to give instructions that would help us and our loved ones. Note: this conversation includes suicide, assisted death, and other topics that may be sensitive, so please use discretion if you or someone you’re listening with might find them difficult.

If you’d like to hear more from Sallie Tisdale, check out Part 1 of her conversation with Karen here.

Sallie Tisdale is an award-winning author of nine books, including “Advice for Future Corpses and Those Who Love Them,”.

To read more, visit us at MyFarewelling.com. If you’re inspired to make your own plan, download our free Farewelling Worksheets here.

]]> Tue, 11 Feb 2020 05:30:14 +0000 steph@editaud.io (editaudio, edit audio, karen bussen, maria passingham, steph colbourn, sallie tisdale, farewelling) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/sallie-tisdale-part-two-LYb2UM1m Farewelling founder Karen Bussen and Sallie Tisdale, palliative care nurse, Buddhist, and author of the revolutionary guidebook, “Advice for Future Corpses and Those Who Love Them” speak frankly about how planning for end of life and funeral details is a gift. Sallie gets real about the idea of dying at home, why she doesn’t like the term “death with dignity” and why she thinks it’s crazy that at one of the most singular moments of our human experience, we are so reluctant to give instructions that would help us and our loved ones. Note: this conversation includes suicide, assisted death, and other topics that may be sensitive, so please use discretion if you or someone you’re listening with might find them difficult.

If you’d like to hear more from Sallie Tisdale, check out Part 1 of her conversation with Karen here.

Sallie Tisdale is an award-winning author of nine books, including “Advice for Future Corpses and Those Who Love Them,”.

To read more, visit us at MyFarewelling.com. If you’re inspired to make your own plan, download our free Farewelling Worksheets here.

]]> Minisode: Real Talk and Taking Control with Author Sallie Tisdale editaudio, edit audio, karen bussen, maria passingham, steph colbourn, sallie tisdale, farewelling 00:12:15 In Part 2 of this fascinating conversation, Karen Bussen welcomes award-winning author Sallie Tisdale to talk about a topic that is coming to the forefront: taking control of end of life planning. A content warning: the discussion includes assisted death, suicide, and other topics that may be difficult or inappropriate for some listeners. In Part 2 of this fascinating conversation, Karen Bussen welcomes award-winning author Sallie Tisdale to talk about a topic that is coming to the forefront: taking control of end of life planning. A content warning: the discussion includes assisted death, suicide, and other topics that may be difficult or inappropriate for some listeners. suicide, mortality, grief, edit audio, editaudio, death, assisted suicide, advice for future corpses and those who love them, dying, assisted death, farewelling no bonus 1 d5063db6-2759-4f0b-9f52-e3491bfff18a Redesigning Death: Dr. BJ Miller and Shoshana Berger Everything we do in life down to the smallest detail is affected by design. But our end of life experience has been largely overlooked, leaving most of us confused, disappointed, and even upset by what we don’t know and what we can’t control. Farewelling founder Karen Bussen sits down with two innovators in the space--Shoshana Berger and Dr. BJ Miller--co-authors of A Beginner’s Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death, to talk about how we might think about, and share, our wishes for a more personal approach. Along the way, they look at how to honor our senses and how some of the simplest things are what make life worth living. They each share the one thing they’d change about our attitudes toward death. As a bonus, Karen asks them some personal questions about what they imagine for their own farewellings.

For more behind the scenes photos and info, visit our show page at MyFarewelling.com. Check out their book here.

Please talk to us! We’d love to see you @myfarewelling on Instagram and Facebook. Share part of your Farewelling Worksheet or ask us a question using #myfarewelling. Come on over and join the movement and the community!

]]> Tue, 4 Feb 2020 05:30:01 +0000 steph@editaud.io (Shoshana Berger, edit audio, steph colbourn, editaudio, maria passingham, farewelling, karen bussen, dr. bj miller) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/dr-bj-miller-and-shoshana-berger-btCQy7Tb Everything we do in life down to the smallest detail is affected by design. But our end of life experience has been largely overlooked, leaving most of us confused, disappointed, and even upset by what we don’t know and what we can’t control. Farewelling founder Karen Bussen sits down with two innovators in the space--Shoshana Berger and Dr. BJ Miller--co-authors of A Beginner’s Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death, to talk about how we might think about, and share, our wishes for a more personal approach. Along the way, they look at how to honor our senses and how some of the simplest things are what make life worth living. They each share the one thing they’d change about our attitudes toward death. As a bonus, Karen asks them some personal questions about what they imagine for their own farewellings.

For more behind the scenes photos and info, visit our show page at MyFarewelling.com. Check out their book here.

Please talk to us! We’d love to see you @myfarewelling on Instagram and Facebook. Share part of your Farewelling Worksheet or ask us a question using #myfarewelling. Come on over and join the movement and the community!

]]> Redesigning Death: Dr. BJ Miller and Shoshana Berger Shoshana Berger, edit audio, steph colbourn, editaudio, maria passingham, farewelling, karen bussen, dr. bj miller 00:31:02 What if we stopped looking at death as a “failure” and embraced it as a holistic part of our human journey? What would we ask for? How would we change our conversations with family and loved ones? Karen talks to famed palliative care doctor BJ Miller (whose TED talk has been seen more than 10 million times!) and his partner in writing and design, IDEO Editorial Director Shoshana Berger, about their revolutionary book, A Beginner’s Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death. What if we stopped looking at death as a “failure” and embraced it as a holistic part of our human journey? What would we ask for? How would we change our conversations with family and loved ones? Karen talks to famed palliative care doctor BJ Miller (whose TED talk has been seen more than 10 million times!) and his partner in writing and design, IDEO Editorial Director Shoshana Berger, about their revolutionary book, A Beginner’s Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death. mortality, edit audio, editaudio, shoshana berger, e, death, dr. bj miller, dying, grieving, karen bussen, farewelling no full 8 1 3b2574bc-f0d4-479f-b5e6-a77810b01a38 Minisode: Farewelling Fête - Brunch Edition! What do you get when you invite an ensemble of fabulous women to toast and talk about a topic that touches us all: death and dying? Well, that’s exactly what we did. You’ll find the delightful results in your ears: Lively conversation and fascinating insights--from moms, wives, daughters, and working women--about all things end-of-life (and living well in this moment!). 

At this first-ever Farewelling Fête, our own Funeral Guru Elizabeth Karansky gifted each woman with a personalizable Farewelling Worksheet, and Karen invited them into a portable podcast room to chat about broaching end-of-life planning discussions with aging parents (“What? You think I’m dying? Is that why we’re having this conversation?”); why even responsible grown-ups (some of whom are actually lawyers) don’t have wills; and the challenges of navigating age-old and changing cultural practices around funerals and grief.  How can you personalize when your tradition doesn’t encourage that?

If you’d like to read more about talking to parents about death and dying, we’ve got a helpful article here. And if you’d like to start a Farewelling Worksheet for them or for yourself, right here’s where to get them (they’re free!). 

Please talk to us! We’d love to see you @myfarewelling on Instagram and Facebook. Share part of your Farewelling Worksheet or ask us a question using #myfarewelling. Com on over and join the movement and the community!

]]> Tue, 28 Jan 2020 05:30:15 +0000 steph@editaud.io (edit audio, karen bussen, farewelling, elizabeth karansky, steph colbourn, editaudio, maria passingham) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/farewelling-fete-NPZRXJ8_ What do you get when you invite an ensemble of fabulous women to toast and talk about a topic that touches us all: death and dying? Well, that’s exactly what we did. You’ll find the delightful results in your ears: Lively conversation and fascinating insights--from moms, wives, daughters, and working women--about all things end-of-life (and living well in this moment!). 

At this first-ever Farewelling Fête, our own Funeral Guru Elizabeth Karansky gifted each woman with a personalizable Farewelling Worksheet, and Karen invited them into a portable podcast room to chat about broaching end-of-life planning discussions with aging parents (“What? You think I’m dying? Is that why we’re having this conversation?”); why even responsible grown-ups (some of whom are actually lawyers) don’t have wills; and the challenges of navigating age-old and changing cultural practices around funerals and grief.  How can you personalize when your tradition doesn’t encourage that?

If you’d like to read more about talking to parents about death and dying, we’ve got a helpful article here. And if you’d like to start a Farewelling Worksheet for them or for yourself, right here’s where to get them (they’re free!). 

Please talk to us! We’d love to see you @myfarewelling on Instagram and Facebook. Share part of your Farewelling Worksheet or ask us a question using #myfarewelling. Com on over and join the movement and the community!

]]> Minisode: Farewelling Fête - Brunch Edition! edit audio, karen bussen, farewelling, elizabeth karansky, steph colbourn, editaudio, maria passingham 00:16:59 In this sunny Sunday-morning minisode, Farewelling co-founders Karen Bussen and Elizabeth Karansky take part in the inaugural “Farewelling Fête” where a dozen brilliant women gather to celebrate living life beautifully...with mini-quiches, mimosas, and a morsel of mortality! In this sunny Sunday-morning minisode, Farewelling co-founders Karen Bussen and Elizabeth Karansky take part in the inaugural “Farewelling Fête” where a dozen brilliant women gather to celebrate living life beautifully...with mini-quiches, mimosas, and a morsel of mortality! funeral, mortality, edit audio, elizabeth karansky, editaudio, death, dying, funeral guru, karen bussen, farewelling yes bonus 1 de33f256-5d20-4df1-a78c-3c3046ca6251 Joe Fusaro Is Loving Every Moment! We welcome Hysteria Radio’s Joseph Fusaro for a funny--and frank--conversation about his experience with mental illness, drugs and a post-breakup suicide attempt, and how coming through it all has shifted his perspective on living (ummm, he’s obsessed with it!). They chat “mushroom suit” burials, the FBI body farm, and the difficulty of saying farewell to a pet. Joe encourages us all to remember good times with loved ones while they are still here and to do what you love, not necessarily what others would love for you to do.

Joe is a musician and a poet, too. To read more about Joe and his work, and to check out his rockin’ Farewelling Playlist come on over to the Farewelling site.

]]> Tue, 21 Jan 2020 05:30:11 +0000 steph@editaud.io (farewelling, editaudio, maria passingham, steph colbourn, karen bussen, joseph fusaro, joe fusaro, edit audio) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/joe-fusaro-76irTa2w We welcome Hysteria Radio’s Joseph Fusaro for a funny--and frank--conversation about his experience with mental illness, drugs and a post-breakup suicide attempt, and how coming through it all has shifted his perspective on living (ummm, he’s obsessed with it!). They chat “mushroom suit” burials, the FBI body farm, and the difficulty of saying farewell to a pet. Joe encourages us all to remember good times with loved ones while they are still here and to do what you love, not necessarily what others would love for you to do.

Joe is a musician and a poet, too. To read more about Joe and his work, and to check out his rockin’ Farewelling Playlist come on over to the Farewelling site.

]]> Joe Fusaro Is Loving Every Moment! farewelling, editaudio, maria passingham, steph colbourn, karen bussen, joseph fusaro, joe fusaro, edit audio 00:32:57 Just a quick note on today’s show, as the conversation does involve a discussion about a suicide attempt. You may want to take that into account when deciding whether to listen. Most of the episode is actually quite upbeat and occasionally silly. Hysteria Radio Podcast host, musician, poet and mental health advocate Joseph Fusaro joins Karen for sugar-free milkshakes and an honest conversation about flirting with death, clinging to life, and all the emotional adventures in between. Joe takes us through his own mental health journey, and Karen asks him about his farewelling celebration (hint: there’s a cool road trip involved!). Just a quick note on today’s show, as the conversation does involve a discussion about a suicide attempt. You may want to take that into account when deciding whether to listen. Most of the episode is actually quite upbeat and occasionally silly. Hysteria Radio Podcast host, musician, poet and mental health advocate Joseph Fusaro joins Karen for sugar-free milkshakes and an honest conversation about flirting with death, clinging to life, and all the emotional adventures in between. Joe takes us through his own mental health journey, and Karen asks him about his farewelling celebration (hint: there’s a cool road trip involved!). suicide, mortality, edit audio, editaudio, death, dying, joseph fusaro, karen bussen, mental health, farewelling, hysteria radio no full 7 1 e6e12bc6-6c64-455f-9835-a0e9727b3cc0 Minisode: Pet Farewelling 101 - When A Beloved Pet Dies If you think it’s uncomfortable dealing with death among humans, it’s even more awkward sharing the grief we feel when we lose a dog, cat, bunny, or other cherished pet. Karen and funeral director Elizabeth Karansky talk to an expert on the topic--therapist and animal activist Jamie Gleicher, who herself is the mother to “five fur babies,” four of whom are rescue animals and three of whom are “tri-pawed.” 

Gleicher teaches us about the liberating power of radical acceptance, and tells the harrowing story of losing her first pet, Sam, and who she called first when it happened. We talk how to create loving memories of our pets (pawprint tattoos are one option!), and learn about one amazing pet cemetery. Liz gives us some solid advice for how to help a friend who is grieving a pet. Karen goes on the street to talk to some young people about losing a pet, and they talk about a beautiful, helpful poem that is meant to comfort those who are hurting from the loss of a dear animal companion.

To learn more about Pet Farewelling and what to do when a pet dies, check out this article. To see photos of Karen, Liz, and Jamie in studio, visit us here If you have a question or a comment for Jamie Gleicher about Pet Farewelling or grieving a pet, write us an email at info@myfarewelling, or catch up with us on social media @myfarewelling. If you’d like, include a photo of your sweet pet with their name and how you remember them. We might share it with the world and keep their story flourishing!

]]> Tue, 14 Jan 2020 05:00:00 +0000 steph@editaud.io (edit audio, maria passingham, editaudio, steph colbourn, Jamie Gleicher, Elizabeth Karansky, karen bussen) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/pet-farewelling-101-Ff1nhBQu If you think it’s uncomfortable dealing with death among humans, it’s even more awkward sharing the grief we feel when we lose a dog, cat, bunny, or other cherished pet. Karen and funeral director Elizabeth Karansky talk to an expert on the topic--therapist and animal activist Jamie Gleicher, who herself is the mother to “five fur babies,” four of whom are rescue animals and three of whom are “tri-pawed.” 

Gleicher teaches us about the liberating power of radical acceptance, and tells the harrowing story of losing her first pet, Sam, and who she called first when it happened. We talk how to create loving memories of our pets (pawprint tattoos are one option!), and learn about one amazing pet cemetery. Liz gives us some solid advice for how to help a friend who is grieving a pet. Karen goes on the street to talk to some young people about losing a pet, and they talk about a beautiful, helpful poem that is meant to comfort those who are hurting from the loss of a dear animal companion.

To learn more about Pet Farewelling and what to do when a pet dies, check out this article. To see photos of Karen, Liz, and Jamie in studio, visit us here If you have a question or a comment for Jamie Gleicher about Pet Farewelling or grieving a pet, write us an email at info@myfarewelling, or catch up with us on social media @myfarewelling. If you’d like, include a photo of your sweet pet with their name and how you remember them. We might share it with the world and keep their story flourishing!

]]> Minisode: Pet Farewelling 101 - When A Beloved Pet Dies edit audio, maria passingham, editaudio, steph colbourn, Jamie Gleicher, Elizabeth Karansky, karen bussen 00:16:27 For all those pet lovers out there (including us), this is a difficult topic. How can we ever live without our best friends? We talk to Farewelling Funeral Guru Elizabeth Karansky and Liz’s good friend, therapist and animal activist Jamie Gleicher, to talk about what to do when a pet dies. How can we deal with the reality that a pet is coming to the end of their life? What is radical acceptance? And how can we be a good friend to someone who has just lost a pet? For all those pet lovers out there (including us), this is a difficult topic. How can we ever live without our best friends? We talk to Farewelling Funeral Guru Elizabeth Karansky and Liz’s good friend, therapist and animal activist Jamie Gleicher, to talk about what to do when a pet dies. How can we deal with the reality that a pet is coming to the end of their life? What is radical acceptance? And how can we be a good friend to someone who has just lost a pet? mortality, edit audio, elizabeth karansky, editaudio, jamie gleicher, death, pet, pet cemetary, pet deaths, pets, dying, grieving, karen bussen, farewelling no bonus 1 317d73a4-6bc4-4bc9-b05c-a276e3fe25c6 Minisode: The Farewelling Launch Party (Part 2) Guests at the Farewelling Launch Party in Manhattan become guests on Farewelling: The Podcast! The team at editaud.io opens a special recording session right in the middle of the celebration, and the conversation is fascinating.  Regular folks from all walks of life grab the mic and talk about how they view death and dying, whether their families were open (or not!) about the topic, and how they’ve dealt with grief in their own lives. Is it okay to have a dress code (or a costume party!) at a funeral? What’s the right thing to say to someone who is grieving? What do you do if a child asks you about death? And what makes a good life, anyway?

This Bonus Mini is Part 2 from The Farewelling Launch Party. Check out Part 1 if you haven’t already! If you’d like to give a listen to the booty-shaking Farewelling Launch Party Playlist, it’s right here! Join us on the website to learn more about the party or to start your own Farewelling Worksheet. If you like the podcast, please leave a review to help others find us!

]]> Thu, 9 Jan 2020 05:30:11 +0000 steph@editaud.io (maria passingham, editaudio, karen bussen, farewelling, edit audio, steph colbourn) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/minisode-the-farewelling-launch-party-part-2-RekIfKZm Guests at the Farewelling Launch Party in Manhattan become guests on Farewelling: The Podcast! The team at editaud.io opens a special recording session right in the middle of the celebration, and the conversation is fascinating.  Regular folks from all walks of life grab the mic and talk about how they view death and dying, whether their families were open (or not!) about the topic, and how they’ve dealt with grief in their own lives. Is it okay to have a dress code (or a costume party!) at a funeral? What’s the right thing to say to someone who is grieving? What do you do if a child asks you about death? And what makes a good life, anyway?

This Bonus Mini is Part 2 from The Farewelling Launch Party. Check out Part 1 if you haven’t already! If you’d like to give a listen to the booty-shaking Farewelling Launch Party Playlist, it’s right here! Join us on the website to learn more about the party or to start your own Farewelling Worksheet. If you like the podcast, please leave a review to help others find us!

]]> Minisode: The Farewelling Launch Party (Part 2) maria passingham, editaudio, karen bussen, farewelling, edit audio, steph colbourn 00:15:52 In Part 2 of this Bonus Minisode, we go inside a special podcast booth at the Farewelling Launch Party in New York City! Party guests sip Champagne and step into the world of farewelling, where they freely share their opinions and feelings about death, dying, and how they want to be remembered. From stories of one woman’s grandfather etching his own tombstone (!) to children fighting over their parents’ estates, folks of all ages and backgrounds open up about how death touches us and whether we should even think about it. In Part 2 of this Bonus Minisode, we go inside a special podcast booth at the Farewelling Launch Party in New York City! Party guests sip Champagne and step into the world of farewelling, where they freely share their opinions and feelings about death, dying, and how they want to be remembered. From stories of one woman’s grandfather etching his own tombstone (!) to children fighting over their parents’ estates, folks of all ages and backgrounds open up about how death touches us and whether we should even think about it. mortality, edit audio, editaudio, launch party, death, dying, grieving, karen bussen, farewelling yes bonus 1 8de66708-2e9f-4c7f-9262-6650ba901f71 The Sharp End Of Life: Extreme Climber Dierdre Wolownick Dierdre Wolownick is just one of those remarkable people who decided to do something seemingly impossible (you know, learn to speak eight languages, create an actual orchestra, start running marathons at age 55, climb Yosemite’s El Capitan at age 66), and then they just do it, no matter what it takes. Why she’s not in a Nike ad, we’re not sure. We talk to Dierdre about the adventure that has been her life, how she raised two fearless children (one of whom, Alex Honnold, happens to climb the world’s most imposing rock faces without safety gear!), and why she thinks making a will is something every parent should do right now. She shares her adventures and her philosophy for living a life without limits, and inspires us to take the next step toward our dreams, no matter where we are on our own journey. As we begin the new year, and the new decade, we can all use her brand of resilience, moxy and downright awesomeness.

 

To see photos of Karen and Dierdre (and the strawberry cake) in California, and to learn more about Dierdre’s paintings and her book, “The Sharp End of Life: A Mother’s Story,” visit us at myfarewelling.com. If you have a question or a comment for Dierdre, write us an email at info@myfarewelling, or catch up with us on social media @myfarewelling. We’d love to hear from you, especially if you’re living your own bucket list! #livingmybucket

]]> Tue, 7 Jan 2020 05:30:04 +0000 steph@editaud.io (steph colbourn, dierdre wolownick, farewelling, maria passingham, karen bussen, editaudio, edit audio) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/dierdre-wolownick-mTJn9XcX Dierdre Wolownick is just one of those remarkable people who decided to do something seemingly impossible (you know, learn to speak eight languages, create an actual orchestra, start running marathons at age 55, climb Yosemite’s El Capitan at age 66), and then they just do it, no matter what it takes. Why she’s not in a Nike ad, we’re not sure. We talk to Dierdre about the adventure that has been her life, how she raised two fearless children (one of whom, Alex Honnold, happens to climb the world’s most imposing rock faces without safety gear!), and why she thinks making a will is something every parent should do right now. She shares her adventures and her philosophy for living a life without limits, and inspires us to take the next step toward our dreams, no matter where we are on our own journey. As we begin the new year, and the new decade, we can all use her brand of resilience, moxy and downright awesomeness.

 

To see photos of Karen and Dierdre (and the strawberry cake) in California, and to learn more about Dierdre’s paintings and her book, “The Sharp End of Life: A Mother’s Story,” visit us at myfarewelling.com. If you have a question or a comment for Dierdre, write us an email at info@myfarewelling, or catch up with us on social media @myfarewelling. We’d love to hear from you, especially if you’re living your own bucket list! #livingmybucket

]]> The Sharp End Of Life: Extreme Climber Dierdre Wolownick steph colbourn, dierdre wolownick, farewelling, maria passingham, karen bussen, editaudio, edit audio 00:23:30 New Year, New Bucket List! Farewelling Founder Karen Bussentravels to California to the home of Dierdre Wolownick, extreme climber and author of “The Sharp End of Life: A Mother’s Story.” Over strawberry cake and coffee, Dierdre tells Karen the fascinating story of how she became, at age 66, the oldest woman to climb Yosemite’s monstrous “El Capitan,”which she did at the side of her son, the world’s most famous free-solo climber (and subject of the movie “Free Solo”) Alex Honnold. She talks marriage, living without fear, and pursuing your dreams, no matter your age or stage in life. New Year, New Bucket List! Farewelling Founder Karen Bussentravels to California to the home of Dierdre Wolownick, extreme climber and author of “The Sharp End of Life: A Mother’s Story.” Over strawberry cake and coffee, Dierdre tells Karen the fascinating story of how she became, at age 66, the oldest woman to climb Yosemite’s monstrous “El Capitan,”which she did at the side of her son, the world’s most famous free-solo climber (and subject of the movie “Free Solo”) Alex Honnold. She talks marriage, living without fear, and pursuing your dreams, no matter your age or stage in life. mortality, edit audio, editaudio, death, the sharp end of life, alex honnold, dying, free solo, grieving, karen bussen, extreme climbing, dierdre wolownick, farewelling, bucket list no full 6 1 45d81fe2-8ada-4d41-b61d-abd99d587be4 Bonus Featured Clip: Kara Swisher Wants a Viking Funeral! When Farewelling host Karen Bussen finds herself face-to-face in New York City with one of her heroes, tech business journalist and all-around dynamo Kara Swisher, Karen is delighted to find out that she shares something very specific in common with the legendary media maven--their Farewelling vision is strikingly similar (although Kara’s involves a bit more Marie Kondo)! After you listen to Kara’s description of the spectacular sendoff she imagines (and has budgeted for), including flaming arrows and a huge disco party, you can go back and listen to Episode 5 of Farewelling: The Podcast (at about 12:20 into the show) where Karen asks Farewelling’s funeral guru about whether her own Viking farewelling plan is legal or not. 

 

To learn more about Kara Swisher’s work as one of America’s pre-eminent tech journalists, check out the Recode site on Vox.com.  If you liked this featured clip, please rate and subscribe, and check out our other episodes wherever you get your podcasts. While we’re making wishes, we wish you’d follow us on social media @myfarewelling! We’re trying to build a community of cool people who know that thinking just a bit about planning for end of life is part of living now with intention and joy. Tell us whether you’d want a Viking funeral--or if not, what you do want for yourself! Once you figure it out, share your wishes with your loved ones in your Farewelling Worksheet--it’s easy and free to download!

]]> Thu, 2 Jan 2020 05:30:17 +0000 steph@editaud.io (edit audio, maria passingham, farewelling, karen bussen, kara swisher, editaudio, steph colbourn) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/bonus-featured-clip-kara-swisher-K6Goq8KO When Farewelling host Karen Bussen finds herself face-to-face in New York City with one of her heroes, tech business journalist and all-around dynamo Kara Swisher, Karen is delighted to find out that she shares something very specific in common with the legendary media maven--their Farewelling vision is strikingly similar (although Kara’s involves a bit more Marie Kondo)! After you listen to Kara’s description of the spectacular sendoff she imagines (and has budgeted for), including flaming arrows and a huge disco party, you can go back and listen to Episode 5 of Farewelling: The Podcast (at about 12:20 into the show) where Karen asks Farewelling’s funeral guru about whether her own Viking farewelling plan is legal or not. 

 

To learn more about Kara Swisher’s work as one of America’s pre-eminent tech journalists, check out the Recode site on Vox.com.  If you liked this featured clip, please rate and subscribe, and check out our other episodes wherever you get your podcasts. While we’re making wishes, we wish you’d follow us on social media @myfarewelling! We’re trying to build a community of cool people who know that thinking just a bit about planning for end of life is part of living now with intention and joy. Tell us whether you’d want a Viking funeral--or if not, what you do want for yourself! Once you figure it out, share your wishes with your loved ones in your Farewelling Worksheet--it’s easy and free to download!

]]> Bonus Featured Clip: Kara Swisher Wants a Viking Funeral! edit audio, maria passingham, farewelling, karen bussen, kara swisher, editaudio, steph colbourn 00:04:35 Hard-hitting journalist, tech celebrity, and podcast superstar Kara Swisher of Recode Decode is known for her tough questions and provocative interview style. But when we ask her one of the most personal questions ever--What do you want for your own farewelling?--she is remarkably candid, funny, and creative. Hard-hitting journalist, tech celebrity, and podcast superstar Kara Swisher of Recode Decode is known for her tough questions and provocative interview style. But when we ask her one of the most personal questions ever--What do you want for your own farewelling?--she is remarkably candid, funny, and creative. mortality, recode, edit audio, editaudio, death, vox, viking funeral, dying, kara swisher, grieving, funerals, karen bussen, farewelling no bonus 1 383f858d-ebf7-4a20-aab6-40a744ec4552 Minisode: Living to the Last - Author Sallie Tisdale Gets Curious About Death. Farewelling founder Karen Bussen has a lively conversation with the brilliant Sallie Tisdale, palliative care nurse, Buddhist, and author of the revolutionary guidebook, “Advice for Future Corpses and Those Who Love Them.” Sallie offers her special brand of uplifting straight talk—how to practice accepting help when you need it, how to choose a healthcare proxy badass, leaving emotional baggage behind when a loved one is dying, and what’s on her own surprisingly delightful death-bed playlist (hint: there’s comedy).

 

Sallie Tisdale is an award-winning author of nine books, including Advice for Future Corpses and Those Who Love Them.

To read more, visit the Farewelling site.

]]> Tue, 31 Dec 2019 05:33:25 +0000 steph@editaud.io (steph colbourn, maria passingham, farewelling, edit aud.io, sallie tisdale, editaudio, karen bussen) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/minisode-sallie-tisdale-gTMZToXg Farewelling founder Karen Bussen has a lively conversation with the brilliant Sallie Tisdale, palliative care nurse, Buddhist, and author of the revolutionary guidebook, “Advice for Future Corpses and Those Who Love Them.” Sallie offers her special brand of uplifting straight talk—how to practice accepting help when you need it, how to choose a healthcare proxy badass, leaving emotional baggage behind when a loved one is dying, and what’s on her own surprisingly delightful death-bed playlist (hint: there’s comedy).

 

Sallie Tisdale is an award-winning author of nine books, including Advice for Future Corpses and Those Who Love Them.

To read more, visit the Farewelling site.

]]> Minisode: Living to the Last - Author Sallie Tisdale Gets Curious About Death. steph colbourn, maria passingham, farewelling, edit aud.io, sallie tisdale, editaudio, karen bussen 00:15:05 Karen Bussen welcomes author Sallie Tisdale for a chat about accepting help when you need it, why being morbid isn’t what you think, and why you should choose a healthcare proxy who’s also a badass. Karen Bussen welcomes author Sallie Tisdale for a chat about accepting help when you need it, why being morbid isn’t what you think, and why you should choose a healthcare proxy who’s also a badass. mortality, edit audio, editaudio, palliative care, death, palliative nursing, dying, grieving, karen bussen, farewelling yes bonus 1 d31f8d51-4212-46dc-a7a8-c2c349b30b4e Yep, She's A Funeral Director: Elizabeth Karansky Farewelling founder Karen Bussen talks to Farewelling’s own Funeral Guru, Elizabeth Meyer Karansky. Liz, the author of a heartfelt memoir about her journey titled “Good Mourning,” shares how her Upper East Side family reacted when she told them she wanted to be a funeral director, and tells the story of her father’s unique funeral/farewelling (hint: there was dancing and she might have met her husband there).  Liz tackles questions like “Is a Viking Funeral legal?” She tells us what it’s like to hang out with embalmers, and she answers Karen’s queries about what type of farewelling Liz wants for herself.

 

To read more about Liz’s inspiring story, check out her memoir, ''Good Mourning''.

Yes, Liz is a funeral director and an author. But she’s also a Thanatology Fellow, which means she’s an expert in grief studies as well. If you’d like to read some of her tips for dealing with grief, come on over to MyFarewelling.com.

]]> Tue, 24 Dec 2019 05:30:22 +0000 steph@editaud.io (farewelling: the podcast, karen bussen, edit audio, Elizabeth Meyer Karansky, steph colbourn, editaudio, maria passingham) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/yep-shes-a-funeral-director-elizabeth-karansky-R6l2PoaD Farewelling founder Karen Bussen talks to Farewelling’s own Funeral Guru, Elizabeth Meyer Karansky. Liz, the author of a heartfelt memoir about her journey titled “Good Mourning,” shares how her Upper East Side family reacted when she told them she wanted to be a funeral director, and tells the story of her father’s unique funeral/farewelling (hint: there was dancing and she might have met her husband there).  Liz tackles questions like “Is a Viking Funeral legal?” She tells us what it’s like to hang out with embalmers, and she answers Karen’s queries about what type of farewelling Liz wants for herself.

 

To read more about Liz’s inspiring story, check out her memoir, ''Good Mourning''.

Yes, Liz is a funeral director and an author. But she’s also a Thanatology Fellow, which means she’s an expert in grief studies as well. If you’d like to read some of her tips for dealing with grief, come on over to MyFarewelling.com.

]]> Yep, She's A Funeral Director: Elizabeth Karansky farewelling: the podcast, karen bussen, edit audio, Elizabeth Meyer Karansky, steph colbourn, editaudio, maria passingham 00:34:27 Farewelling friends and co-founders Karen Bussen and Elizabeth Karansky get personal this week, with an episode that dives into the transformation Elizabeth (or Liz, as we call her) experienced after the death of her father when Liz was twenty-one. Liz tells us how she questioned what death was, where her father had gone, and how she discovered that helping other families helped her, too. Farewelling friends and co-founders Karen Bussen and Elizabeth Karansky get personal this week, with an episode that dives into the transformation Elizabeth (or Liz, as we call her) experienced after the death of her father when Liz was twenty-one. Liz tells us how she questioned what death was, where her father had gone, and how she discovered that helping other families helped her, too. grief, edit audio, editaudio, mourning, death, good mourning, elizabeth meyer karansky, viking funeral, dying, funeral directors, thanatology, funerals, karen bussen, farewelling, embalmers no full 5 1 29f95fbd-a33c-4afe-80fb-c8146361ba9d Minisode: Partying with Funeral Directors - Inside the NFDA Conference On the first night of the 2019 NFDA conference in Chicago, the organizers throw a huge Blues Brothers-themed bash with Chicago-style hot dogs and pizza, a cash bar, and a 14-piece dance band, plus a replica of the police car from the movie. Farewelling CEO Karen Busen and Funeral Guru Elizabeth Karansky greet funeral directors, industry pros, and mortuary science students as they come to party, network and let loose on the dance floor! Karen learns what a “cemetarian” is and Liz asks an embalmer what she wants for her own farewelling. They talk personalization, how long grief lasts, and why rituals to celebrate a life are important. 

Come on over here if you want to see more from the festivities, including Liz and Karen wearing sunglasses in a dark ballroom! If you like the podcast, please share with a friend or leave a review to help others find us!

]]> Tue, 17 Dec 2019 05:30:02 +0000 steph@editaud.io (maria passingham, editaudio, karen bussen, steph colbourn, farewelling, NFDA, Nationals Funeral Directors Association, Elizabeth Karansky, edit audio) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/nfda-conference-MAqvdrv4 On the first night of the 2019 NFDA conference in Chicago, the organizers throw a huge Blues Brothers-themed bash with Chicago-style hot dogs and pizza, a cash bar, and a 14-piece dance band, plus a replica of the police car from the movie. Farewelling CEO Karen Busen and Funeral Guru Elizabeth Karansky greet funeral directors, industry pros, and mortuary science students as they come to party, network and let loose on the dance floor! Karen learns what a “cemetarian” is and Liz asks an embalmer what she wants for her own farewelling. They talk personalization, how long grief lasts, and why rituals to celebrate a life are important. 

Come on over here if you want to see more from the festivities, including Liz and Karen wearing sunglasses in a dark ballroom! If you like the podcast, please share with a friend or leave a review to help others find us!

]]> Minisode: Partying with Funeral Directors - Inside the NFDA Conference maria passingham, editaudio, karen bussen, steph colbourn, farewelling, NFDA, Nationals Funeral Directors Association, Elizabeth Karansky, edit audio 00:13:46 Farewelling co-founders Karen Bussen and Elizabeth Karansky get an invite to the rockin’ opening night reception at the 2019 National Funeral Directors Association Conference in Chicago (hint: it’s a Blues Brothers-theme party!). They talk to industry veterans and newcomers about what’s surprising in the business, what they do on their rare days off, and what they want for their own funerals. Farewelling co-founders Karen Bussen and Elizabeth Karansky get an invite to the rockin’ opening night reception at the 2019 National Funeral Directors Association Conference in Chicago (hint: it’s a Blues Brothers-theme party!). They talk to industry veterans and newcomers about what’s surprising in the business, what they do on their rare days off, and what they want for their own funerals. mortality, edit audio, elizabeth karansky, national funeral directors association conference, nfda, editaudio, chicago, death, dying, funeral directors, grieving, funerals, karen bussen, farewelling no bonus 1 6c729e72-fff8-4023-896b-a7329e290141 Minisode: The Farewelling Launch Party (Part 1) On a chilly night in November, Farewelling: The Podcast sets up shop in the middle of the launch party in Manhattan’s Financial District.  In Part 1 of this minisode, guests line up for a chance to head into the recording booth, put on headphones, and dive into podcasting...about death and dying! They answer questions about everything related to farewelling, and how they imagine it for themselves. The surprising answers involve dog statues and mashed potato bars, eco-friendly funerals, plus tips on how to leave clues for folks to find later, and what’s scary about dying.

 

This Bonus Mini is Part 1 from The Farewelling Launch Party. Keep an eye out for Part 2 soon! Join us at the Farewelling site to learn more or to fill out your own Farewelling Worksheet.

]]> Thu, 12 Dec 2019 05:30:01 +0000 steph@editaud.io (edit audio, steph colbourn, editaudio, karen bussen, maria passingham, farewelling) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/minisode-launch-party-part-1-mkiQfgLG On a chilly night in November, Farewelling: The Podcast sets up shop in the middle of the launch party in Manhattan’s Financial District.  In Part 1 of this minisode, guests line up for a chance to head into the recording booth, put on headphones, and dive into podcasting...about death and dying! They answer questions about everything related to farewelling, and how they imagine it for themselves. The surprising answers involve dog statues and mashed potato bars, eco-friendly funerals, plus tips on how to leave clues for folks to find later, and what’s scary about dying.

 

This Bonus Mini is Part 1 from The Farewelling Launch Party. Keep an eye out for Part 2 soon! Join us at the Farewelling site to learn more or to fill out your own Farewelling Worksheet.

]]> Minisode: The Farewelling Launch Party (Part 1) edit audio, steph colbourn, editaudio, karen bussen, maria passingham, farewelling 00:14:33 Guests at the glittering Farewelling Launch Party enjoyed Champagne, sangria, charcuterie, Impossible Burger sliders...and a LIVE podcast booth where the editaud.io team welcomed everyone to share thoughts, feelings and ideas about death and dying--or as we call it, farewelling. Should we plan for our own death or leave it to our families? Is it okay to laugh at funerals? And how do we want to be remembered? Guests at the glittering Farewelling Launch Party enjoyed Champagne, sangria, charcuterie, Impossible Burger sliders...and a LIVE podcast booth where the editaud.io team welcomed everyone to share thoughts, feelings and ideas about death and dying--or as we call it, farewelling. Should we plan for our own death or leave it to our families? Is it okay to laugh at funerals? And how do we want to be remembered? mortality, manhattan, edit audio, new york city, editaudio, launch party, death, live event, dying, grieving, funerals, karen bussen, farewelling yes bonus 1 2daf4263-b653-4ea0-8fd5-0eea17457c79 Death And Stories: New York Times Obituary Writer Neil Genzlinger Farewelling founder Karen Bussen asks New York Times Obituary Writer (and three-time Moth Storytelling Champion) Neil Genzlinger about how writing stories recapping other people’s lives has changed his own perspective on mortality, how he feels about “irreverent” personal tributes, and what the similarities between a great obit and a successful Moth story are (hint: there are quite a few!). Neil encourages us all to do a mind-blowing thought exercise in self-reflection...using just the facts.

]]> Tue, 10 Dec 2019 05:30:11 +0000 steph@editaud.io (farewelling, edit audio, steph colbourn, neil genzlinger, karen bussen, editaudio, farewelling: the podcast, maria passingham) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/neil-genzlinger-_HYLqdXT Farewelling founder Karen Bussen asks New York Times Obituary Writer (and three-time Moth Storytelling Champion) Neil Genzlinger about how writing stories recapping other people’s lives has changed his own perspective on mortality, how he feels about “irreverent” personal tributes, and what the similarities between a great obit and a successful Moth story are (hint: there are quite a few!). Neil encourages us all to do a mind-blowing thought exercise in self-reflection...using just the facts.

]]> Death And Stories: New York Times Obituary Writer Neil Genzlinger farewelling, edit audio, steph colbourn, neil genzlinger, karen bussen, editaudio, farewelling: the podcast, maria passingham 00:27:38 Former art and culture critic--and current obituary writer--Neil Genzlinger joins Karen from his office at The New York Times. They discuss the elements that make an obituary great, who he’d want to write his obit when the time comes, and how he won three (3!) Moth Open-Slam Storytelling competitions. Former art and culture critic--and current obituary writer--Neil Genzlinger joins Karen from his office at The New York Times. They discuss the elements that make an obituary great, who he’d want to write his obit when the time comes, and how he won three (3!) Moth Open-Slam Storytelling competitions. mortality, grief, edit audio, neil genzlinger, editaudio, new york times, death, dying, tributes, obituary, obit, karen bussen, farewelling no full 4 1 9dbd07b0-e57d-46b9-8e1b-4fa11e1bb7a3 Minisode: Therapist Grace Lin Says Thinking About Your Own Death is Awesome! Farewelling founder Karen Bussen invites therapist Grace Y. Lin to tell us why we should make a little room in our lives for a conversation about death and dying. Turns out, it’s a gift to your family and it helps you live more mindfully right now. Grace gives us strategies for taking control of our own narrative (at least the parts we can control!). She helps us make a mantra to remind us of what’s most important in life, and how we’d live if we knew for certain our time was limited.

Grace Y. Lin is a Licensed Behavorial Therapist practicing in New York. To read more of her inspiring work or to start your own Farewelling Worksheet, visit us at the Farewelling site.

 

 

]]> Tue, 3 Dec 2019 05:30:05 +0000 steph@editaud.io (Karen Bussen, Grace Lin, edit audio, editaudio, Maria Passingham, Steph Colbourn) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/grace-lin-minisode-ZEwR45F6 Farewelling founder Karen Bussen invites therapist Grace Y. Lin to tell us why we should make a little room in our lives for a conversation about death and dying. Turns out, it’s a gift to your family and it helps you live more mindfully right now. Grace gives us strategies for taking control of our own narrative (at least the parts we can control!). She helps us make a mantra to remind us of what’s most important in life, and how we’d live if we knew for certain our time was limited.

Grace Y. Lin is a Licensed Behavorial Therapist practicing in New York. To read more of her inspiring work or to start your own Farewelling Worksheet, visit us at the Farewelling site.

 

 

]]> Minisode: Therapist Grace Lin Says Thinking About Your Own Death is Awesome! Karen Bussen, Grace Lin, edit audio, editaudio, Maria Passingham, Steph Colbourn 00:16:10 Karen has a surprisingly upbeat conversation about end of life planning with Licensed Behavioral Therapist Grace Y. Lin. They talk “Swedish Death Cleaning” (yep, that’s a thing!), our American obsession with happiness, and how a healthy dose of self-awareness about our mortality brings greater fulfillment in our everyday lives. Karen has a surprisingly upbeat conversation about end of life planning with Licensed Behavioral Therapist Grace Y. Lin. They talk “Swedish Death Cleaning” (yep, that’s a thing!), our American obsession with happiness, and how a healthy dose of self-awareness about our mortality brings greater fulfillment in our everyday lives. mortality, grace lin, grief, cognitive behavioral therapy, editaudio, death, dying, farewelling the podcast, behavioral therapist, swedish death cleaning, karen bussen, farewelling no bonus 1 003696e3-c6ef-4145-8d33-b7aaee6401ad Why is Mo Rocca So Obsessed With Obituaries? Multi-talented CBS Sunday Morning correspondent, humorist, author and podcast host Mo Rocca joins Farewelling Founder Karen Bussen in the studio for a delightful chat about his latest book, “Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving,” and the new season of the podcast that inspired the book, also titled “Mobituaries.” They talk about facing death beautifully, why Marlene Dietrich was such a patriot, and what’s on Mo’s own bucket list (hint: it involves gymnastics).

Mo Rocca is an award-winning writer, humorist, correspondent, podcast host, public radio superstar, and author of “Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving. To find out more, visit the Farewelling site.

 

]]> Tue, 26 Nov 2019 12:52:13 +0000 steph@editaud.io (steph colbourn, farewelling, edit audio, farewellin, mo rocca, karen bussen) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/mo-rocca-jDqFjZ3X Multi-talented CBS Sunday Morning correspondent, humorist, author and podcast host Mo Rocca joins Farewelling Founder Karen Bussen in the studio for a delightful chat about his latest book, “Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving,” and the new season of the podcast that inspired the book, also titled “Mobituaries.” They talk about facing death beautifully, why Marlene Dietrich was such a patriot, and what’s on Mo’s own bucket list (hint: it involves gymnastics).

Mo Rocca is an award-winning writer, humorist, correspondent, podcast host, public radio superstar, and author of “Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving. To find out more, visit the Farewelling site.

 

]]> Why is Mo Rocca So Obsessed With Obituaries? steph colbourn, farewelling, edit audio, farewellin, mo rocca, karen bussen 00:30:48 Since he was a child, humorist Mo Rocca has been fascinated by obituaries. Host Karen Bussen asks him why on this episode of Farewelling: The Podcast. Mo answers that question, plus gives us his thoughts on why we don’t talk about death, why he created a podcast called “Mobituaries,” and what three items he’d pack for the afterlife. Since he was a child, humorist Mo Rocca has been fascinated by obituaries. Host Karen Bussen asks him why on this episode of Farewelling: The Podcast. Mo answers that question, plus gives us his thoughts on why we don’t talk about death, why he created a podcast called “Mobituaries,” and what three items he’d pack for the afterlife. living, death, mo rocca, dying, farewelling no full 3 1 f50c5cfe-ddb1-423c-be69-b83a9bd9b4a5 Minisode: Reimagine End of Life Festival Farewelling founder Karen Bussen chats with attendees at the Reimagine End of LIfe Festival, a multi-day event filled with panel discussions, workshops, art installations, readings, and other explorations around understanding and relating to death...and celebrating life. Just before the curtain goes up on an evening featuring poetry, literary conversation, and personal stories, Karen asks audience members why they’ve chosen to spend an evening thinking about dying, what they want for themselves, and whether they’ve shared their wishes with anyone else.

If you enjoy the episode, please subscribe and share with someone you think might find it interesting. To learn more about the Reimagine End of Life festival, click here or visit Farewelling.

]]> Fri, 15 Nov 2019 13:52:13 +0000 steph@editaud.io (editaudio, edit audio, karen bussen, reimagine festival, karenbussen, farewelling, reimagine end of life festival) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/reimagine-E8s1QY17 Farewelling founder Karen Bussen chats with attendees at the Reimagine End of LIfe Festival, a multi-day event filled with panel discussions, workshops, art installations, readings, and other explorations around understanding and relating to death...and celebrating life. Just before the curtain goes up on an evening featuring poetry, literary conversation, and personal stories, Karen asks audience members why they’ve chosen to spend an evening thinking about dying, what they want for themselves, and whether they’ve shared their wishes with anyone else.

If you enjoy the episode, please subscribe and share with someone you think might find it interesting. To learn more about the Reimagine End of Life festival, click here or visit Farewelling.

]]> Minisode: Reimagine End of Life Festival editaudio, edit audio, karen bussen, reimagine festival, karenbussen, farewelling, reimagine end of life festival 00:09:54 Farewelling goes to opening night of the 2019 Reimagine End of Life Festival in San Francisco, and talks with folks arriving at the Sydney Goldstein Theater on why they want to be there, and why we should have more open conversations about death and dying. Farewelling goes to opening night of the 2019 Reimagine End of Life Festival in San Francisco, and talks with folks arriving at the Sydney Goldstein Theater on why they want to be there, and why we should have more open conversations about death and dying. grief, edit audio, living, editaudio, death, coping, bereavement, dying, reimagine end of life, funerals, karen bussen, end of life, farewelling, life no bonus 1 7f62e373-2edc-4509-8269-6ea958434218 My Sister and Me: A Diagnosis in the Family Farewelling founder Karen Bussen's life changed when in 2015 her sister Sara got the results of a genetic test that proved she had the BRCA 1 gene (the same mutation Angelina Jolie was found to have) predicting a very high probability of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. In this episode, the two sisters talk openly--for the first time--about Sara's decision to have preventative major surgery that sadly in her case didn't prevent cancer; the year of intense chemotherapy that brought them closer; and why they never spoke about what might've happened if the treatment hadn't been effective. Along the way they discuss other people's discomfort interacting with someone who has survived a serious illness, plus awesome Farewelling playlists, and how the two sisters plan to end up in a cool hotel bar together. Listen to Sara's Farewelling playlist on Spotify.

]]> Fri, 15 Nov 2019 13:44:30 +0000 steph@editaud.io (farewelling, sara bussen, karen bussen, SARA KUPPIN CHOKSHI, karenbussen, editaudio, sarabussen) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/my-sister-XYm7lPKF Farewelling founder Karen Bussen's life changed when in 2015 her sister Sara got the results of a genetic test that proved she had the BRCA 1 gene (the same mutation Angelina Jolie was found to have) predicting a very high probability of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. In this episode, the two sisters talk openly--for the first time--about Sara's decision to have preventative major surgery that sadly in her case didn't prevent cancer; the year of intense chemotherapy that brought them closer; and why they never spoke about what might've happened if the treatment hadn't been effective. Along the way they discuss other people's discomfort interacting with someone who has survived a serious illness, plus awesome Farewelling playlists, and how the two sisters plan to end up in a cool hotel bar together. Listen to Sara's Farewelling playlist on Spotify.

]]> My Sister and Me: A Diagnosis in the Family farewelling, sara bussen, karen bussen, SARA KUPPIN CHOKSHI, karenbussen, editaudio, sarabussen 00:33:49 Karen calls her younger sister to speak openly for the first time about the cancer diagnosis that changed their relationship and their lives forever, and why we should talk about death with those we love most. Karen calls her younger sister to speak openly for the first time about the cancer diagnosis that changed their relationship and their lives forever, and why we should talk about death with those we love most. grief, living, editaudio, death, cancer, planning, living with cancer, dying, ovarian cancer, loss, funerals, karen bussen, end of life, farewelling, sara kuppin chokshi, life no full 2 1 38ff2d5f-c81e-4f7a-a305-5b52f7fc4bbb Death and Pink Champagne: Comedian Sarah Cooper Makes us Laugh...and Cry! Farewelling founder Karen Bussen welcomes former Google UX Designer-turned comedian and best-selling author Sarah Cooper to the show. She shares her views on living a meaningful life and tears up remembering how her grandmother's funeral inspired her. In this episode, Karen serves up deep queries about death, dying, and funerals along with a sparkling side of Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne and chewy granola bars. Sarah answers questions like, "How do I want to be remembered in 100 years?" and "What are three things I'd pack for the afterlife?". They also share a few laughs looking back on some centuries-old wifely gravestone etchings (hint: they're pretty sexist!).

Sarah Cooper is the author of "How to Appear Smart in Meetings" and "How to Be Successful without Hurting Men's Feelings". To read more, visit the Farewelling site.

Listen to Sarah's Farewelling playlist on Spotify

]]> Fri, 15 Nov 2019 03:37:43 +0000 steph@editaud.io (karenbussen, edit audio, farewelling, sarah cooper, karen bussen, sarahcooper, editaudio) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/sarah-cooper-hAfCFxOx Farewelling founder Karen Bussen welcomes former Google UX Designer-turned comedian and best-selling author Sarah Cooper to the show. She shares her views on living a meaningful life and tears up remembering how her grandmother's funeral inspired her. In this episode, Karen serves up deep queries about death, dying, and funerals along with a sparkling side of Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne and chewy granola bars. Sarah answers questions like, "How do I want to be remembered in 100 years?" and "What are three things I'd pack for the afterlife?". They also share a few laughs looking back on some centuries-old wifely gravestone etchings (hint: they're pretty sexist!).

Sarah Cooper is the author of "How to Appear Smart in Meetings" and "How to Be Successful without Hurting Men's Feelings". To read more, visit the Farewelling site.

Listen to Sarah's Farewelling playlist on Spotify

]]> Death and Pink Champagne: Comedian Sarah Cooper Makes us Laugh...and Cry! karenbussen, edit audio, farewelling, sarah cooper, karen bussen, sarahcooper, editaudio 00:30:23 Karen Bussen welcomes former Google UX Designer-turned comedian and best-selling author Sarah Cooper to talk about losing loved ones, living a meaningful life and how to cry on command. Karen Bussen welcomes former Google UX Designer-turned comedian and best-selling author Sarah Cooper to talk about losing loved ones, living a meaningful life and how to cry on command. grief, sarah cooper, living, editaudio, death, dying, funerals, karen bussen, farewelling no full 1 1 59e427c7-df51-4389-a916-2e788a0dcb6e Welcome to Farewelling In this ground-breaking interview show, host Karen Bussen opens an unexpected conversation about death and dying...to learn more about living. Guests include celebrities, writers, doctors, funeral directors, and Karen's own friends and family, all talking about this most human experience (that we never talk about). 

The result: a heaping portion of refreshing self-exploration, often served with a side of snacks because, well, if you're going to talk about death, you deserve a treat.

]]> Wed, 23 Oct 2019 16:27:07 +0000 steph@editaud.io (editaudio, maria passingham, stephcolbourn, steph colbourn, edit audio inc, karenbussen, karen bussen, farewelling, editaud.io, mariapassingham) https://farewelling-the-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/trailer-CZllKH0y In this ground-breaking interview show, host Karen Bussen opens an unexpected conversation about death and dying...to learn more about living. Guests include celebrities, writers, doctors, funeral directors, and Karen's own friends and family, all talking about this most human experience (that we never talk about). 

The result: a heaping portion of refreshing self-exploration, often served with a side of snacks because, well, if you're going to talk about death, you deserve a treat.

]]> Welcome to Farewelling editaudio, maria passingham, stephcolbourn, steph colbourn, edit audio inc, karenbussen, karen bussen, farewelling, editaud.io, mariapassingham 00:02:15 Death, Dying and Occasional Cocktails. Death, Dying and Occasional Cocktails. living, death, coping, comedy, karenbussen, rip, dying, ghosts, burials, funerals, karen bussen, spirituality, farewelling no trailer 1