Ep87: End-of-life conversations we all should be having (even if you’re young) with Amy Hensley & Erin Putney

Talking about death isn't really everyone's favorite. 

One of the big problems with actively avoiding or maybe just never considering how things are going to go at the end is we miss out on some really important conversations that have a big impact. 

Amy and Erin are the owners of Before the Casket, a company that educates and empowers people to take control of their end-of-life decisions, before the casket (clever, right?). 

This conversation not only explores some of the practical medical implications of certain types of life saving interventions, it also boldly investigates some of the common misconceptions about death, the healthcare system, and what a good death means. 

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Amy Hensley Master of Science in Nursing, Registered Nurse
How I define myself: mama bear, supportive friend, oldest daughter and sister, compassionate hospice nurse, movie lover, former graphic designer, passionate human, social introvert Bio: I was a graphic designer for nearly twenty years before I went to nursing school. While I worked at a critical access hospital doing everything from birth to death, I got my MSN and then started teaching. During my teaching career, I found my voice and encouraged students to find their voice. Realizing that my passions include end-of-life guided me to become a hospice nurse and end-of-life educator. We all bring to the table our experiences, viewpoints, concerns, biases, and expectations. Giving grace to myself and those around me has helped me have uncomfortable conversations with humor, awareness and understanding. I'm becoming more comfortable with asking for what I want.

Erin Putney Master of Science in Nursing, Registered Nurse
How I define myself: energetic creative, passionate educator, honest conversationalist, proud mom, chill paddleboarder, artistic thinker, former ICU nurse, loving daughter Bio: I love the science behind nursing and even wanted to be a science teacher at one point. I’ve worked in different areas as a nurse, but realize the common thread is having the curiosity to solve problems with data and creativity. While I was an oncology nurse and worked in Trauma ICU, I saw patients and families experience unnecessary guilt because they hadn’t had end-of-life conversations. My master’s research focused on effective end-of-life education for nursing students, which has been adapted into a workshop for various audiences. My passion is giving everyone the tools needed to cope and be successful. Check out my website: www.teachingcourage.com

You can find their work at:

https://beforethecasket.com/en-us/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085625110676

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You can find Morgan on her website https://www.morganmotsinger.com/

Get on her email list here: https://morganmotsinger.myflodesk.com/subscribe

 

Chapters

00:00 Creating Comfort in Conversations About Death
02:11 Barriers to Discussing Mortality
05:50 Navigating Difficult Conversations
11:11 The Benefits of Open Dialogue
16:39 Understanding Medical Terminology
24:00 Flexibility in End-of-Life Decisions
36:31 Planning for the Unexpected
38:22 Navigating Difficult Conversations with Kids
40:47 Understanding Death and Dying
44:32 The Importance of Acknowledging Grief
49:39 Grief vs. Mourning: A Deep Dive
58:52 Practical Steps for End-of-Life Conversations
01:19:26 The Importance of Conversations About Mortality
01:20:15 Choosing a Power of Attorney and Documenting Wishes
01:21:41 Family Dynamics and Communication
01:23:20 Humor in Difficult Conversations
01:24:54 The Gift of Pre-Planning
01:28:41 Navigating Humor and Seriousness
01:36:45 Recommended Resources and Books
01:43:55 Final Thoughts on Having Conversations About Death