logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
19m 58s

Why thinking about death helps you live ...

TED
About this episode

As a death doula, or someone who supports dying people and their loved ones, Alua Arthur spends a lot of time thinking about the end of life. In a profound talk that examines our brief, perfectly human time on this planet, she asks us to look at our lives through the lens of our deaths in seeking to answer the question: "What must I do to be at peace with myself so that I may live presently and die gracefully?"



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

Up next
Yesterday
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
Nov 22
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
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
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
Does Death Have to Be a Death Sentence? (Update)
<p>Palliative physician B.J. Miller asks: Is there a better way to think about dying? And can death be beautiful?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.mettlehealth.com/who-we-are">B.J. Miller</a>, palliative-care physician and President at Mett ... Show More
42m 22s
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
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
Oct 2023
REPENSER SA VIE
<p>A quoi sert la philosophie ? Quelle différence avec le développement personnel ? S'applique-t-elle à nous ? En quoi peut-elle nous aider à vivre, concrètement ? Est-elle efficace pour guérir nos souffrances et nos peines ? Pourquoi se pose-t-on en général la question du sens ... Show More
41m 30s
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
Jun 2025
#354 – What the dying can teach us about living well: lessons on life and reflections on mortality | BJ Miller, M.D. and Bridget Sumser, L.C.S.W.
<p><a href= "https://peterattiamd.com/bjmillerandbridgetsumser/?utm_source=podcast-feed&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=250623-pod-bjmillerandbridgetsumser&utm_content=250623-pod-bjmillerandbridgetsumser-podfeed"> View the Show Notes Page for This Episode</a></p> <p><a href= "ht ... Show More
2h 16m
Nov 2024
Accepting Mortality: Marcus Aurelius on the Purpose of Death (Meditations 2.12)
In this episode, I discuss Meditation 12 from Book 2 of Meditations, where Marcus Aurelius reflects on the transient nature of life, death, and the things we often fear or desire. Marcus emphasizes that everything in the Universe is impermanent, including our bodies, desires, and ... Show More
15m 43s
Oct 2023
Struggling with the fear of death
Some people have an existential dread surrounding death and dying. For some, death remains a profound mystery, while others hold steadfast beliefs about what lies beyond. Regardless of where you stand, if the fear of death consumes your thoughts, we need to talk about it. My hope ... Show More
55m 9s