logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
35m 51s

Why you should start thinking about deat...

TED
About this episode

There’s a saying about two things that are inevitable in this world, and Alua Arthur wants to help you think about one of them with less fear. No, she’s not a tax professional – she’s a death doula, a person who supports dying people and their loved ones. On this episode of How to Be a Better Human, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective, Alua shares what we can all learn when we purposefully think about the end of life, whether that is our own or someone else’s. From finding joy in our everyday lives to navigating the emotional, legal, and spiritual decisions that arise around, Alua’s wisdom will inspire you pursue to live, and “go”, with grace. If you enjoyed this episode, find more How to Be a Better Human wherever you are listening to this.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
Sunday Pick: How to love your hometown (w/ Hanif Abdurraqib & Sarah Kay) | How to Be a Better Human
<p>Loving where you live means caring for the people who make that place home, says cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib. He invites poet Sarah Kay and Chris Duffy, host of the podcast “How to Be a Better Human,” to his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, to show off what makes it so special ... Show More
15m 29s
Yesterday
4 hard truths about capitalism and climate | Steve Howard
<p>For decades, investor and business leader Steve Howard watched companies pour money and effort into sustainability initiatives ... and still fall short. The problem isn’t a lack of will, he says; it’s that capitalism and climate have been wired to work against each other. He s ... Show More
16m 37s
Nov 21
The army of autonomous robots restoring nature | Tom Chi
<p>Impact investor Tom Chi challenges a dangerous assumption: that economic growth and ecological health are opposing forces. He reveals how advances in AI and robotics are enabling a radical shift towards innovation as a force for restoration. Imagine mines that extract less, fa ... Show More
19m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2024
Live Each Day Like It’s Your First: with Alua Arthur
What would a meaningful life look like for you? According to Death Doula Alua Arthur, conversations about death can be the most enriching conversations we have. It’s not about accepting death, or avoiding grief - it’s about building a relationship with yourself and others that do ... Show More
38m 21s
Sep 2024
Death and How to Live It: Death Doula, Alua Arthur
Alua Arthur joins Rainn Wilson on Soul Boom to explore the transformative power of embracing mortality. They delve into how contemplating death can bring clarity and meaning to life, the cultural taboos around discussing death, and the importance of preparing for the end of life. ... Show More
58m 56s
Dec 2024
518. Grief, fear, and the courage to live fully | David Kessler
What if the greatest lessons about life came from those who are facing the end of it? In this episode, grief expert David Kessler shares what he’s learned from over 20 years of guiding people through their final transition. We explore how fear holds us back from truly living, why ... Show More
42m 57s
Jul 2023
How Death Influences Life with John Christian Phifer of Larkspur Conservation
In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about something that has never been talked about before on this podcast, and that’s the topic of death. Now, this episode is not for the faint of heart, and if the idea of death makes you squeamish or uncomfortable (and rightfully so!), my ... Show More
43m 34s
Oct 2024
Wisdom for Living While Navigating the Journey Towards Death with Kathryn Mannix
In this episode, Kathryn Mannix shares the wisdom she has gained as a palliative care expert for living while navigating the journey towards death. She explains how we can approach death with greater understanding and less fear and offers insights that challenge our common percep ... Show More
1h 1m
Jul 2024
A Matter of Life and Death
Dr Laurie HATES thinking about her own death. It's scary, creepy and morbid, right? Wrong. Thinking about our finite lives can makes us better, happier people.  The shadow of death makes us behave more kindly towards others, and can motivate us both to enjoy the little joys of li ... Show More
32m 37s
May 2025
What happens as we die? | Kathryn Mannix (re-release)
<p>Have we lost the practical wisdom of what happens as people die? With lessons from a career witnessing thousands of people's final breaths, palliative care expert Kathryn Mannix urges us to demystify the experience of death, sharing how a better understanding of what actually ... Show More
23m 19s
Sep 2024
Why Remembering Death Will Improve Your Life
<p>In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into a topic that touches all of us—death and grief. I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about how to handle the loss of loved ones, so I felt it was time to talk about it openly.</p><p>I’ll share my personal experiences with losin ... Show More
17m 35s
Jan 2025
Death and the Choice to Live Wisely (Meditations 3.3)
In this episode, I reflect on Meditation 3.3 from Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, exploring its central themes: the inevitability of death, the futility of fearing it, and the Stoic imperative to live well while we can. Marcus reminds us that even the most accomplished and revered ... Show More
16 m
Feb 2025
A Sweet Conversation About Dying with Death Doula Alua Arthur
<p>Death is a word we like to avoid. We dance around the subject or use vague euphemisms to not hurt anybody. But what if being open about our deaths meant we could live happier lives?</p><p>That’s where Alua Arthur comes in. Alua is one of the most prominent death doulas in the ... Show More
45m 22s