Death, Dying, and Grief - Hereditary Hemochromatosis Nearly Killed Him | A Multi-Organ Failure Survival Story Artwork

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 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.

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

Death, Dying, and Grief - Hereditary Hemochromatosis Nearly Killed Him | A Multi-Organ Failure Survival Story

March 07, 2026 • Rev Annalouiza Armendariz & Rev Wakil David Matthews & Michael Tallon • Season 6 • Episode 8

0:00 | 50:47

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In 2015, an undiagnosed genetic condition called hereditary hemochromatosis pushed Mike Tallon into rapid multi-organ failure. He was not expected to survive.

Hereditary Hemochromatosis, also known as iron overload disease, is one of the most common genetic disorders, yet many people don’t know they have it until serious damage occurs.

In this episode, we explore:
• What hereditary hemochromatosis is and how iron overload causes organ failure
• What happens during multi-organ failure in the ICU
• How someone survives critical illness against the odds
• What life feels like after being told you might die

Mike’s story, retold in his memoir Incompatible With Life, is not just about medical survival. It’s about resilience, love, and how a near-death experience reshapes the way we live.

If you are interested in rare disease survival stories, recovering from organ failure, or understanding the early symptoms of hemochromatosis, this episode offers both insight and perspective.

https://www.facebook.com/MTallon245

https://www.michaeljtallon.com/

https://substack.com/@michaeltallon.

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This podcast helps anyone dealing with loss. It can guide you with end-of-life planning and death-positive resources.

Check out our introductory episode to learn more about Annalouiza, Wakil, and our vision/mission to normalize and destigmatize conversations about death, dying, grief, and loss.

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.