End of Life Conversations: Normalizing Talk About Death, Dying, and Grief

What if we could normalize and destigmatize conversations about death and dying, grief, and the many types of loss in our lives?

In this podcast, we'll share people’s experiences with end-of-life. We have reached out to experts in the field, front-line workers, as well as friends, neighbors, and the community, to have conversations about their experiences with death, dying, grief, and loss.

Our goal is to provide you with information and resources that can help us all navigate and better understand this important subject.

Reverent Mother Annalouiza Armendariz and Reverend Wakil David Matthews have both worked for many years in hospice as chaplains and volunteers, and in funeral services and end-of-life planning and companionship. We offer classes on end-of-life planning, grief counseling, and interfaith (or no faith!) spiritual direction.

We would love to hear your feedback and stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.

Please subscribe to our Substack here: https://endoflifeconvos.substack.com

We want to thank Wakil and his wife's children for the wonderful song that begins our programs. And we want to thank our excellent editor, Sam Zemkee. We also acknowledge that we live and work on unceded indigenous peoples' lands. We thank them for their generations of stewardship, which continues to this day, and honor them by doing all we can to create a sustainable planet and support the flourishing of all life, both human and more-than-human.

All Episodes

End of Life Conversations: Normalizing Talk About Death, Dying, and Grief

How to Record Your Life Story Before It’s Too Late | Legacy, Memory & Meaning

February 07, 2026 • Rev Annalouiza Armendariz & Rev Wakil David Matthews & Curt Meinhold • Season 6 • Episode 2

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Many people feel a quiet pressure to “record their story someday,” but they don’t know where to start. There’s a common belief that capturing your life story means writing a memoir, having lots of time, or waiting until the end.

For people living with grief or loss, there’s often regret—I wish I had asked more questions—and fear of doing it wrong while there’s still time.

The problem isn’t that you haven’t recorded your life story—it’s that we’ve been taught to think of legacy as something formal, finished, or perfect. Your story doesn’t need to be complete to be meaningful.

Recording a life story is less about documenting everything and more about creating moments of connection, reflection, and presence—right now.

By the end of this conversation, you’ll have practical, gentle ways to begin—whether you’re recording your own story or helping someone you love share theirs.

These aren’t overwhelming projects or tech-heavy solutions, but small, meaningful steps that can change how stories are remembered and carried forward.

In this conversation, Curt Meinhold, founder of LilyList, shares his journey of creating a platform dedicated to preserving memories and legacies. He reflects on how personal experiences with death have shaped his understanding of life and motivated him to help others capture their stories. The discussion delves into the importance of collaborative storytelling, the challenges of navigating grief, and the societal stigma surrounding death. Curt emphasizes the need for acceptance and self-care while exploring the complexities of life and legacy.

https://lilylist.com

https://siftmusic.com

https://theflux.com

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8382102/

Support the show

You can find us on SubStack, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. You are also invited to subscribe to support us financially. Anyone who supports us at any level will have access to Premium content, special online meet-ups, and one on one time with Annalouiza or Wakil.

And we would love your feedback and want to hear your stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com.