Category: On Death Podcast

Matt Michaud! Matt is a 35yo firefighter, paramedic, CrossFit affiliate owner, father, and husband. I met Matt when I lived in NH and I had the great privilege of coaching at his CrossFit gym, EverProven CrossFit. In this conversation, we discuss how he processed the recent news of his wife’s breast cancer diagnosis, the unexpected dangers associated with firefighting, and how his children help him leave those dangers at work. 

Alexander Minot! Alexander is a 30yo son, partner, and dog father. I met Alexander in the years after college, through previous guest Adam Arazi. During this conversation, we discuss his Jewish upbringing, the death of his father two years ago, and the challenges of bringing his family together in the wake of that death. I hope you enjoy! 🙂

Alana Karma! Alana is a 24yo survivor, growing human, and not a phoenix. This marks the third time Alana has joined us on the podcast, effectively ending the trilogy which began in 2017. Between that first interview and the second, she suffered a severe car accident which left her with brain damage and difficulty adjusting to her new life, as evidenced in that 2018 interview.

Now, almost three years after the initial interview and two years after the accident, we discuss life on the other side of forgiveness for someone that hurt you, how the coronavirus pandemic felt like everyone joining Alana in the “weird”, and how these days she identifies with a caterpillar more than a phoenix.

I hope you enjoy! 🙂

Morgan Allen! Morgan is a 30yo weightlifter, dog mom, and daughter. I met Morgan through her fiance, John Foley, my good friend and previous interviewee for the podcast.

During this conversation, we discuss her father’s death by suicide, the evolution of her family dynamics, and the hurdles to starting her own family. 

Colin Kirts! Colin is a 33yo teacher, father, and co-creator of Koru Real Wellness in Doylestown, PA.

During this conversation, we discuss Colin’s Catholic upbringing and how a trip to Scandinavia opened his eyes to the wider world, how he spent the years during his hippie commune phase, and how a rabbi became his elder mentor.

For this 2019 Retrospective, I reflect upon the season as a whole: the key themes being parenthood and old friends. Then, I review the highlights of each interview which comprised this season. Finally, I look ahead to the return of the podcast in March 2020!

Caitlin Gray! Caitlin is a 31yo mother, teacher, and historian. I went to high school with her and she popped up on my radar this past Mother’s Day due to a heartfelt post on social media. During this conversation, we discuss the loss of her daughter in utero this past April, her evolving spirituality from Catholicism to mediumship and shamanic meditative practices, and the surprise of discovering a new half-brother.

I hope you enjoy!

Michael Vasconez! Michael is a 31yo lifestyle coach, USMC combat veteran, and philosopher. I enjoy flotation therapy regularly at Michael’s home, and find a kindred spirit in him. During this conversation, we discuss why he pressed people’s buttons as an adolescent, how his brother’s suicide drove him into the Marine Corps, and how the plant medicine ayahausca forced him to confront his years of infidelity and begin a new chapter with his spouse.

Camille Culbreath! Camille is a 27yo unexpected mama and comedian. Camille jumped on my radar this past Mother’s Day with a post about her son, Arthur, and the story of his birth via cryptic pregnancy.

During this conversation, we discuss how she thought she was dying when she was actually very pregnant, how her brother’s unexpected death separated her family, and how this unanticipated bundle of joy reunified her family.

Scott H! Scott is a 30yo follower of Christ, family medicine resident, and realist. In the two years since our first conversation, he has experienced a truly wild ride to earn the title of physician.

During this interview, we discuss the lows associated with failing two board exams, how identifying with his faith kept him above water, and why he never considered himself a suicide risk when he wasn’t sure he would graduate medical school.

Pamela Wible! Pamela is a 51yo family medicine physician, emotional bungee jumper, and expert on physician suicide. I met Pamela as a keynote speaker on the topic of why doctors are killing themselves. We caught up and decided to record an interview for the podcast! 

During this conversation, we discuss her fondest childhood memories in a morgue with her father, how a pediatrician’s funeral service woke her up to the epidemic of physician suicide, and why she released her book on Juneteenth with endless optimism for a day that can change everything.

Nate Baker! Nate is a 33yo emergency medicine resident physician, father of three, and Purple Heart recipient for wounds received in combat. I have known Nate since the very first days of medical school: he is a passionate and logical fellow who loves to challenge the status quo.

During this conversation, we discuss the value of song to change our mental state, his experience as a wounded infantryman, and what heaven means for a problem-solver.

Dayana Pereira! Dayana is a 43yo Feldenkrais practitioner, co-parent, and transplant from Uruguay. I met Dayana, without actually introducing myself, while we alternated between the sauna and ice bath at her healing and wellness center, Koru Real Wellness.

During this conversation, we discuss the tension between her strict religious school upbringing and the Uruguayan wilderness, the difference between reverence and spirituality, and how working as a living statue in Australia taught her the importance of breath.

Nicho Watts! Nicho is a 30yo father, Christian, and trader. I grew up with Nicho as a childhood friend and we have been loosely following each other since high school graduation.

During this conversation, we discuss his return to Christianity, the importance of stories and archetypes for a developing mind, and why he wants his death to feel like taking off a watch.

Suzie Marschhausen! Suzie is a 28yo mother, writer, and coach. I attended high school with Suzie and have been watching her personal and spiritual journey from afar. During this conversation, we discuss her recent Ayahuasca ceremony, the difficulty of releasing attachment as a new parent, and how the pain of abandonment takes on a new meaning for her.

Adam Arazi! Adam is a 30yo traveler, dog-father, and son. I have known Adam for almost a decade and we have both changed dramatically over this time. Shockingly, his father died unexpectedly 10days after recording this interview. During this conversation, we discuss his existential confusion, why he may expatriate to the Philippines, and why he intentionally does not think about sudden death.

I hope you enjoy!

Chloe Costigan! Chloe is a 31yo physical therapist, teacher, and half-orphan. I met Chloe while interviewing her husband, John Giacalone, and quickly realized she’d be a wonderful guest. During this conversation, we discuss what makes a good clinician, why she considered herself a flight risk, and how she has been shaped by the death of her father at an early age.

Eugene Kim Once Again! Eugene is a 29yo student, recorder, and gamer. In the nearly three years since his original interview, Eugene has been physically much closer to life and death.

During this conversation, we talk about everything from: being indoor humans and how one day we might be more apelike to the game of Go/Baduk. The importance of connectedness and community shine throughout our conversation with an optimistic look forwards toward his future as a psychiatrist, father, and human.

Mackenzi Kim Returns! Mackenzi is a 27yo mother, 4th year medical student, and future family medicine physician. In the intervening three years since her initial interview (the first ever On Death episode!), she dove headfirst into a relationship, married her partner, and birthed a wonderful son.

During this emotionally vulnerable conversation, we discuss her lessons from the deaths of family members, what she has learned from a few months of motherhood, and how she imagines a wonderful reunion with loved ones after death.

This week, I tease a bit of the upcoming 2019 Season of the On Death Podcast!

Camy I! Camy is a 26yo OB/GYN resident physician and suicide survivor. Between the August 2017 initial interview and this conversation, Camy has finished medical school, attempted suicide, and begun her intern year of residency. We discuss the challenge of asking for help when you know how the system works, why the two interviews feel like two separate people, and how she has grown so much in only a year.

I hope you enjoy! 🙂

Randall Sheffield! Randall is a 29yo doctor of physical therapy, yogi, and friend. Since our previous conversation about 18mo ago, Randall has graduated from PT school, developed himself spiritually, and stepped into his role as a speaker and teacher. During this conversation, we discuss how Gainesville, FL kicked off his spiritual journey, why he hasn’t touched a barbell in weeks, and Randall relates a recent brush with mortality off the beach of Costa Rica.

I hope you enjoy! 🙂

John Foley! John is a 29yo athlete, brother, and lover. I met John the first weeks of freshman year at Tufts University, over a decade ago, and we have been close friends ever since. During this conversation, we discuss his combative relationship with religion, the roast of his grandmother at her funeral, and why he is learning statistics on his commute to work.

I hope you enjoy! 🙂

Alex Szymanski! Alex is a 19yo leader, athlete, and Catholic. I met Alex four years ago while coaching for the high school rowing club in New Hampshire. Because of me, he performed many burpees. During this conversation, the importance of sharing experiences, we discuss why he does not fear death, and why respect is the cornerstone of leadership.

Tasia Percevecz! Tasia is a 28yo athlete, coach, and believer. Tasia recently competed in the 2018 CrossFit Games and placed first with the CrossFit Mayhem Freedom team. In this conversation, we discuss the High, Low, Buffalo of the CrossFit Games, how an abusive relationship now allows her to connect with fellow humans, and her single mother’s strength as she mourned the death of her siblings.

I hope you enjoy! 🙂

Chris! Chris is a 38yo future family man, survivor, and question mark. When I moved to Coopersburg, the first person I met would later shoot Chris five times. He survived the wounds to his leg, arm, and head and six months out, he is well on his way to a full physical recovery.

During this conversation, we discuss the mental and emotional recovery from such a traumatic experience. We talk about his feelings towards his uncle, the shooter. And most of all, we ruminate on this opportunity to change, the shift in perspective after a brush with death, and how he plans to move forward with his life.

I hope you enjoy! 🙂

Yehia Mishriki! Yehia is a 63yo physician, Christian, and father. I met Dr. Mishriki during my Internal Medicine rotations and I have been quietly dogging him ever since to sit down for a conversation. And it has been worth the wait.

We discussed how his life changed over four hours: becoming a widower 28yrs ago during the birth of his second daughter. We explore his Christian faith and how his belief in perfect love helped him through the challenges of his life. And we even cover Star Trek, Near Death Experiences, and a quantum physics explanation for the existence of God.

I hope you enjoy! 🙂

Christina G! Christina is a 26yo future surgeon, former Christian, and current leader. She spoke at the Student Clinician’s Ceremony that kicked off my third year of medical school, and ever since then I’ve been itching to sit down with her. In this conversation, we discuss her complicated relationship with a Christian faith, the separation of a cash register, and the importance of integrity.

I hope you enjoy! 🙂

Cat Thomas! Cat is a 32yo expressive arts facilitator, a multi-modal artist, as well as a feline and canine caretaker. I met Cat through a network of lovely humans and she happened to work at Moffitt Cancer Center, next to my University of South Florida medical education. There, she facilitates a therapeutic expressive arts experience for caregivers and patients. During this conversation, we cover her journey to this work, her adventures in grandma’s forest, and why she wants to die at 103.

I hope you enjoy! 🙂

Sudhir M! Sudhir is a 25yo third-year medical student, Indian who grew up in America, and part farmer. I met Sudhir during the first days of medical school and I am glad that he is rotating with me throughout this year of clerkships. During this conversation, we discuss his Hindu upbringing, his interest in Interventional Radiology, the case of “Jim”, and the rapid change we’ve already seen and anticipate in the world going forward.

I hope you enjoy! 🙂

Scott H! Scott is a 28yo third year medical student, 2nd LT in the United States Army, and follower of Jesus Christ. Additionally, Scott serves as the man behind the curtain for this podcast, editing and adjusting the recordings in post-production. During this heady conversation, we discuss a rational belief in faith, his service-based approach to selecting his church communities, and why you shouldn’t bury gold.

I hope you enjoy!

Nic Werbeckes! Nic is a 26yo fourth year medical student, recovering Catholic, and thinker. I met Nic when he presented on mindfulness during my first year orientation and I’ve been quietly waiting to interview him since the inception of this podcast. He does not disappoint! During this heady conversation, we discuss the dance between chaos and order, the importance of harmony, and the impact of his grandfather’s death.

I hope you enjoy! 🙂

Lucy Horton! Lucy is a 72yo hippy, an activist, and an entrepreneur. I met Lucy through an attending physician, Dr. Dehoff, and I am glad to bring her perspective to the podcast. During this conversation, we discuss her cross country ramblings as a young hippy, her 15yrs on a commune in Vermont with 18 other people, joining an Episcopal Church because she wanted to attend school on Sundays, and serving as a volunteer escort for women’s health clinics.

I hope you enjoy! 🙂

Samson Lu! Samson is an incredibly talented and passionate musician, as well as a MD/MPH student and my doppelganger, when I had long hair. In this conversation, we discuss race, music, the art of teaching, and how to leave a legacy.

I hope you enjoy!

Michael Watson! Michael is currently a third year medical student, a hunter, and coach. This interview’s pulled from the Dirty Dozen, the gestational episodes for this podcast, almost six months ago! In this conversation, we talk about skin in the game, fear, and Michael’s developed perspective on coaching.

I hope you enjoy!