Philotimo Life

What does it take to navigate the evolving bereavement sector and make informed decisions about death care services? In this episode, Maria sits down with David Brazeau, communications manager at the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO), to explore the changing landscape of funeral homes, crematoriums, and consumer protection in the death care industry.

David shares his journey from journalism to his current role at the BAO, where he focuses on education, communication, and public awareness. They discuss topics like alternative death care practices, including alkaline hydrolysis, and the importance of the preservation of historical cemeteries. David also emphasizes the importance of consumer rights, accessibility through social media, and how the BAO’s digital magazine, Beyond, aims to demystify the bereavement sector for the public.

What you'll learn:

• What the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) does to protect consumer rights in the death care industry
• An introduction to alternative death care options like alkaline hydrolysis (aquamation) and green burials
• The importance of preserving historical cemeteries and what that process looks like
• Insights into the regulation and oversight of funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemeteries
• How storytelling and education through platforms like Beyond magazine help inform the public

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Have you ever wondered how to make estate planning easier or how often you should update your will? In this episode, Maria sits down with Apeksha Jain, a wills and estates lawyer at Sorbara Law, to answer some of these questions.

Apeksha offers practical advice on handling probate, finding trustworthy legal counsel, and making estate planning less overwhelming. She also shares her thoughts on the emotional and ethical sides of estate litigation and explains how the Legacy Expo helps open up vital conversations about death and planning for the unexpected.

Join us for this insightful episode that breaks down estate planning into clear, actionable steps!

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SHOW NOTES

In this episode, Maria sits down with Marny Williams Boladis, the founder of the Hummingbird Center for Hope, a support group dedicated to widowed parents. Marny shares her personal journey of grief and the unique challenges faced by widowed parents and children. Together, they discuss the importance of peer support, recognizing grief moments, and providing practical advice for sole caregivers. Marny also shares her hopes and goals for Hummingbird Center.

 

What You’ll Learn:

• The unique challenges faced by widowed parents and how to support them.
• The importance of peer support and recognizing moments of grief.
• How the Hummingbird Center for Hope is expanding its services across Canada.
• Insights into the upcoming Legacy Expo and the role the Hummingbird Center will play.

Resource Links:

• Legacy Expo – https://thelegacyexpo.com/
• Hummingbird Center for Hope – https://hummingbirdcentreforhope.com/
• Donate today to Hummingbird Center for Hope – https://hummingbirdcentreforhope.com/donate/
• Important Programming – https://hummingbirdcentreforhope.com/programming/
• Grief and Children – https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Grief-008.aspx
• Grieving while parenting – https://www.care.com/c/grieving-while-parenting-tips-for-coping/
• Grieving while parenting II – https://mentalhealthmatch.com/articles/grief/grieving-while-parenting
• Helping children deal with grief – https://childmind.org/article/helping-children-deal-grief
• What to Say and What Not to Say to a Grieving Parent – https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/700childrens/2023/07/grieving-a-child
• When a loved one dies – https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/death.html
• People Say I'm A Grief Expert, But When My Friend's Husband Died, I Did Something I Deeply Regret – https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-help-grieving-friend-death_n_63c073b8e4b0fe267cb83d4d

Philotimo Life episodes are now recorded in Miraki Life Workspace, a creative co-working space that fosters community and collaboration. Be sure to follow Philotimo Life on Instagram at @philotimolife and sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe.

In this episode, Maria chats with Laura Lavallee, CEO of Evergreen Hospice, about the importance of inclusivity, representation, and individualized care in end-of-life support. They explore the challenges of running a non-profit, managing community support, and adapting to the changing needs of an aging demographic. Laura shares her personal journey into hospice care, her plans for Evergreen’s expansion, and the need for legislative changes to better support palliative care in marginalized communities.

What You’ll Learn:

• The importance of inclusivity and culturally competent care in end-of-life support.
• How Evergreen Hospice is adapting to the needs of marginalized communities.
• The challenges of running a non-profit organization reliant on community support and donations.
• Laura's insights into changing the narrative around grief and death, and her plans for expanding Evergreen’s services.

Resource Links:

• Evergreen Hospice – https://www.evgcares.org/
• Evergreen Hospice Gala – https://www.evgcares.org/post/throwback-thursday-a-blast-from-the-past-gala
• Donate to Evergreen Hospice Today – https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/18791?v2=true
• Evergreen Hospice Programs – https://www.evgcares.org/services-and-programs
• Disenfranchised Grief: When no one seems to understand your loss – https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/disenfranchised-grief
• Disadvantaged and disenfranchised in bereavement: A scoping review of social and structural inequity following expected death – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953619305945
• LGBTQ+ Grief: Challenges and Barriers – https://elunanetwork.org/resources/lgbtq-grief-challenges-and-barriers
• Disenfranchised grief in queer companionship and chosen family – https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2647&context=etd
• Legacy Expo Information – https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-legacy-expo-ii-tickets-909330641427
• The Relentlessness of Black Grief – https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/09/relentlessness-black-grief/616511/
• Community Conversation: Grief Through the Lens of Black Communities – https://elunanetwork.org/resources/community-conversation-grief-through-the-lens-of-black-communities
• Radical Death Studies – https://www.radicaldeathstudies.com/
• What to Know About Disenfranchised Grief – https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-to-know-about-disenfranchised-grief
• Grief and loss: An inclusive approach – https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/blog/grief-and-loss-an-inclusive-approach/

Philotimo Life episodes are now recorded in Miraki Life Workspace, a creative co-working space that fosters community and collaboration. Be sure to follow Philotimo Life on Instagram at @philotimolife and sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe.

 

In this episode, Maria chats with Stacey Brown, Director of Soaring Spirits Canada, about her journey through widowhood and the incredible work her organization is doing to support those experiencing grief. They dive into the challenges faced by widowed individuals, the need for improved bereavement policies, and the importance of peer support in finding strength after loss. Stacey also shares some exciting updates, including plans for Soaring Spirits’ expansion across Canada.

 

What You’ll Learn:

• Stacey’s personal journey through widowhood and the struggles she faced as a young widow.
• How Soaring Spirits is providing essential support and community for widowed individuals.
• The importance of peer support in navigating grief and loss.
• Updates on bereavement leave policies and the need for greater support in the workplace.
• Exciting future plans for Soaring Spirits Canada.

Resource Links:

• The Legacy Expo – https://thelegacyexpo.com/
• Soaring Spirits International – https://soaringspirits.org/
• Camp Widow – https://campwidow.org/
• Camp Erin – https://camperintoronto.com/
• The Widowhood Effect – https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/relationships/the-widowhood-effect/article33344335/
• Widowhood: Decades of change – https://www.bgsu.edu/ncfmr/resources/data/family-profiles/carlson-schweizer-widowhood-decades-change-1940-2018-fp-20-23
• Widows are younger than you think – https://rethinking65.com/2022/09/07/widows-are-younger-than-you-think/
• Widowed Village – https://widowedvillage.org/
• Grief: The Overlooked Brain Injury Symptom – https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-resilient-brain/202203/grief-the-overlooked-brain-injury-symptom
• Healing Your Brain After Loss: How Grief Rewires the Brain – https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/how-tragedy-affects-the-brain/

Philotimo Life episodes are now recorded in Miraki Life Workspace, a creative co-working space that fosters community and collaboration. Be sure to follow Philotimo Life on Instagram at @philotimolife and sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe.

How can we better prepare for (un)expected health crises and ensure that our end-of-life wishes are respected? In this episode, Maria sits down with Carly, a critical care nurse and founder of Ace Planning Company, to explore these important questions.

Carly shares her journey from the front lines of critical care to founding a company dedicated to helping families navigate healthcare planning. They discuss the importance of advanced care planning, the gaps in the Canadian healthcare system, and the emotional toll on healthcare providers. Carly emphasizes the need for proactive conversations about aging, illness, and end-of-life planning, and the benefits of preparing for these discussions early.

Throughout the conversation, Carly highlights the significance of financial planning, the importance of educating the second generation, and her efforts to destigmatize these crucial conversations. She also introduces her upcoming product launch, which is designed to support families during challenging times.

Join us for an enlightening discussion on how we can better prepare for the (un)expected, support our loved ones, and ensure our healthcare wishes are honoured.

Relevant links:

• Ace Planning Company – http://aceplanningcompany.com
• Carly's Services – https://www.aceplanningco.com/services
• A lack of financial planning predicts increased mortality risk: Evidence from cohort studies in the United Kingdom and United States – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10529586/
• Emotional Responses and Support Needs of Healthcare Professionals after Adverse or Traumatic Experiences in Healthcare—Evidence from Seminars on Peer Support – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10178493/
• Dying with Dignity Canada – https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/

Philotimo Life episodes are now recorded in Miraki Life Workspace, a creative co-working space that fosters community and collaboration. Be sure to follow Philotimo Life on Instagram at @philotimolife and sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe.

 

In this heartfelt discussion with Lori, a nurse deeply involved in bereavement care and part of the Bereavement Ontario Network, we explore how the pandemic has reshaped our approach to grief and legacy planning. In typical Maria fashion, they cover topics that include children's grief to the evolving practices in healthcare settings and the broader implications for societal views on aging and end-of-life planning. 

Discover the emotional and practical aspects of creating legacies that transcend traditional wills, and learn about the invaluable resources offered by the Bereavement Ontario Network.

What You’ll Learn:

• Insights into how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected bereavement processes
• Strategies for discussing grief with children and the importance of legacy beyond financial assets
• The role of healthcare organizations in acknowledging and supporting grief among staff and patients
• Understanding Takotsubo syndrome and how emotional stress can impact physical health

Important Links Mentioned in the Discussion:

• Join the next Legacy Expo – https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-legacy-expo-ii-tickets-909330641427
• Bereavement Ontario Network – https://bereavementontarionetwork.ca/
• What is Takotsubo syndrome? – https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/takotsubo-cardiomyopathy-broken-heart-syndrome
• Understanding the physical symptoms of grief – https://www.healthline.com/health/grief-physical-symptoms
• How grief shows up in your body – https://www.webmd.com/balance/grief-stages-special-report/20190711/how-grief-affects-your-body-and-mind
• Bereavement During Childhood and Adolescence – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK217849/
• Bereavement experience after the death of a child – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK220798/
• Long-Term Effects of the Death of a Child on Parents’ Adjustment in Midlife – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2841012/

Philotimo Life episodes are now recorded in Miraki Life Workspace, a creative co-working space that fosters community and collaboration. Be sure to follow Philotimo Life on Instagram at @philotimolife and sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe.

How can AI help preserve personal narratives and foster intergenerational understanding? In this episode, Maria sits down with Rafi, the entrepreneurial mind behind StoriedLife AI, to explore this and other questions.

They discuss how artificial intelligence is innovating senior care by enabling seniors to share and preserve their life stories. They discuss the challenges and potential of AI in healthcare and personal narrative preservation, as well as the importance of maintaining privacy and security in digital interactions.

Join them for an engaging discussion about the power of storytelling, the innovative use of AI in preserving personal histories, and the importance of integrity and customer-centricity in business.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Rafi's entrepreneurial spirit led him to create Storied Life.
• The benefits and challenges of using AI to support seniors in sharing their personal narratives.
• The potential of AI to monitor health, enhance social engagement, and serve as a tool for intergenerational learning.
• Important considerations in data privacy and security when dealing with sensitive personal information.

Important Links Mentioned in the Discussion:

• StoriedLife – http://storiedlife.ai
• AI in Senior Care – https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2024/01/30/ai-to-benefit-humanity-innovations-in-senior-care/
• The Power of Personal Narratives – https://medium.com/@thehistorychip/the-power-of-personal-narratives-e4e46b6fd84c#:~:text=Preserving%20Personal%20and%20Collective%20History&text=Whether%20it's%20an%20individual's%20account,to%20learn%20from%20and%20cherish.
• Data Security and Privacy in AI – https://www.eset.com/za/about/newsroom/press-releases-za/blog/understanding-the-role-of-ai-in-online-privacy-data-protection

Philotimo Life episodes are now recorded in Miraki Life Workspace, a creative co-working space that fosters community and collaboration. Be sure to follow Philotimo Life on Instagram at @philotimolife and sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe.

In this episode, Maria sits down with Aubrey Stork, the founder of Ritesy, to discuss his innovative approach to the death care industry. Aubrey shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of creating a marketplace for death care services, and his vision for using technology to enhance support for those experiencing loss. They delve into the future of death and after-death care and Aubrey's plans to broaden the impact of his work.

What You’ll Learn:

• Aubrey's personal motivations for entering the death care industry and founding Ritesy
• The development process and unique challenges of establishing a two-sided marketplace in a traditionally sensitive industry
• How technology can play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality and accessibility of death care services
• The concept of "Giving in Grief," designed to provide flexible, practical support to those in mourning
• Strategies for future growth in the death care sector and how Aubrey plans to continue his impactful work.

Resource links:

• Learn more about http://ritesy.com
• https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-legacy-expo-ii-tickets-909330641427
• History of funeral flowers via rosaholics – https://rosaholics.com/blogs/rosaholics-bloggers/history-of-funeral-flowers
• What is a two-sided marketplace? Via Zapier – https://zapier.com/blog/two-sided-marketplace/
• Investing in bereavement care as a public health priority via The Lancet - Public Health – https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(24)00030-6/fulltext
• What are normal gifts for someone who is grieving? Via Reddit – https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/qel3hg/what_are_normal_gifts_for_someone_who_is_grieving/

Philotimo Life episodes are now recorded in Miraki Life Workspace, a creative co-working space that fosters community and collaboration. Be sure to follow Philotimo Life on Instagram at @philotimolife and sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe.

 

Join Maria as she talks with Andrea Levine, a dedicated provider of senior companion services, her approach to dementia care, and her personal journey in the space.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-legacy-expo-ii-tickets-909330641427

SHOW NOTES

• Residents’ Bill of Rights: Your rights if you live in a long‑term care home – https://www.cleo.on.ca/en/publications/everyres/all
• Make a donation to Alzheimer Society of Canada – https://alzheimer.ca/en/take-action/make-your-donation-today 
• Finding a long-term care facility – https://www.brightfocus.org/alzheimers/article/questions-ask-when-looking-long-term-care-facility
• Longterm Care Checklist – https://www.ontario.ca/files/2021-12/mltc-visiting-a-long-term-care-home-checklist-en--2021-12-15.pdf
• Harnessing the potential of technology to strengthen the long-term care sector – https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/blog/2021/08/11/harnessing-the-potential-of-technology-to-strengthen-the-long-term-care-sector-(part-1)
• Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority – https://www.rhra.ca/en/
• Ontario Retirement Community Association – https://www.orcaretirement.com/ 
• Emerging Health Technologies in Long-Term Care and Suppliers’ Views on Their Potential to Assist and Support the Workforce – https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10775587231190127
• Caregiving Matters – https://caregivingmatters.ca/board-of-directors/andrea-levine/

What You’ll Learn:

• Andrea’s evolution into providing senior companion services
• Important resources and partnerships that support Andrea’s work, including the Alzheimer's Society
• Andrea’s unique approach to dementia care and support
• Future plans for expanding her services and advice for families considering companion care

Philotimo Life episodes are now recorded in Miraki Life Workspace, a creative co-working space that fosters community and collaboration. Be sure to follow Philotimo Life on Instagram at @philotimolife and sign up for our newsletter at philotimolife.com/subscribe.