Death Demystified with Dr. Deerheart
by KX FM
Ep25: Reclaiming the Last Act of Love with Penny Waugh
About this podcast
I'm Dr. Deerheart, your eccentric heart centered guide on "Death Demystified." As an End-of-Life Practitioner, depth psychologist and mythologist, I’m here to help unravel the mysteries of death, a topic that once had me hiding under the covers as a kid. Yes, I was the child who thought the boogeyman lived in my closet and that every creak of the floorboards was a ghost coming to get me. My childhood fear of death led me on a peculiar journey. Determined to understand the very thing that scared the pants off me, I immersed myself in studies, becoming a flawed yet passionate human being who’s trying to love more and fear less. Over the years, through the grace of my clients’ and the many gifts from founding TheHeartWay, I’ve discovered that death, much like life, is full of surprises, challenges, and healing. Curiosity and an open heart are maybe the best way to face it. Living in Laguna Beach, I’m constantly inspired by its ever-changing landscapes and the ageless spirit of those who fight for our lands, seas, and all beings. The sunsets here are like life’s little reminders that endings can be beautiful too. So, grab your curiosity (and maybe a sense of humor) and join me as we demystify death, one light-hearted episode at a time.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 24 episodes
- Ep25: Reclaiming the Last Act of Love with Penny Waugh · 54 minWho Owns Death? Reclaiming the Last Act of Love What if we’ve been taught that death belongs to someone else? The hospital. The hospice. The funeral home. The professionals. But…
- Ep24: What if Death Isn't the End...But a Return? · 58 minRewilding Death, Grie, & Our place in the Living World What if our fear of death is actually a symptom of something much larger? What if we've forgotten how to belong—to one…
- Ep23: The Death Underground: Why a Community Is Rising to Reclaim Dying, Grief & Human Connection · 58 minWhat if death wasn't something we feared alone? What if dying, caregiving, grief, and end-of-life planning were supported by an entire community of compassionate professionals…
- Episode 22: Ask a Death Doula Series-The Questions We’re Afraid to Ask About Dying, Choice & Liv · 1 h 0 minWhat if talking about death could help you live more honestly, love more deeply, and fear less? In this intimate solo episode of Death Demystified, Dr. Deerheart opens her heart…
- Ep 21: They Said She’d Never Walk Again: She Rewrote the Ending · 56 minIn this profoundly moving episode of Death Demystified, Dr. Andrea Deerheart is joined by Nikki Brake, Executive Director of The HeartWay, whose life story is a testament to…
- Ep 20: NeuroDiversity with Sari Solden · 1 h 0 minIn this deeply moving episode of Death Demystified with Dr. Deerheart, psychotherapist and neurodiversity advocate Sari Solden, MS, joins Andrea to explore an often-overlooked…
- Ep19: Holding the Unheld: Jizo, Ritual, and Healing After Infant Loss · 57 minIn this deeply tender episode of Death Demystified, Dr. Deerheart is joined by Patricia Danaher, founder of The Jizo Foundation, to explore how ritual, community, and ancient…
- Ep 17: Finding Peace at Life's End: Essential Questions Every Family Should Know · 53 minDeath touches every life, yet many of us navigate end-of-life decisions feeling unprepared and overwhelmed. On a recent episode of Death Demystified, Dr. Dearhart shared crucial…
- Ep16: “Walking Him Home: Love, Ritual, and Life After Goodbye with Mary Franz · 58 minIn this deeply intimate episode of Death Demystified, Dr. Deerheart is joined by Mary Franz—retired marriage and family therapist, longtime educator, widow, and HeartWay…
- Ep15: When the Season Sparkles and Your Heart Hurts: Holding Grief with Grace with Crystal Potter · 55 minThe holidays can be tender, complicated, and unexpectedly raw when grief is present. In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Deerheart sits down with grief companion and spiritual mentor…
- Ep 14: Beyond the Funeral: Healing, Choice & Compassion in Modern Deathcare with Becky Lomaka · 56 min · Episode 14In this deeply human episode of Death Demystified, Dr. Andrea Deerheart welcomes Becky Lomaka, grief educator and Director of Community and Grief Resources at O’Connor Mortuary…
- Ep13: Walking Between Worlds: Spirit, Past Lives, & healing with Fiona · 1 h 0 minIn this episode, Dr. Deerheart sits down with the luminous Fiona “Fi” Hancock—multi-sensory medium, healer, and founder of Earthmonk. Together, they explore how Spirit walks with…
- Ep12: Sacred, Seen & Sovereign in Social Justice in End-of-Life Care · 55 minIn this powerful conversation, Dr. Deerheart sits down with Joél Simone Maldonado, affectionately known as The Grave Woman, to explore how race, culture, and ritual shape the way…
- Ep11: Whispers from the Threshold: A Death Doula’s Guide to Living & Dying Well · 55 min · Episode 11Today, I’m flying solo to share deeply from my own heart and experience as an end-of-life doula, educator, yogi, and companion at the threshold. Together, let’s soften the fear…
- Ep 10: Love, Legacy & Letting Go: Maree’s Journey Through Grief and Grace at the End of Life · 57 minIn this deeply moving episode of Death Demystified, Dr. Deerheart sits down with acclaimed singer-songwriter Maree McRae as she faces her own end-of-life journey with…
- Ep 9: Your Burning End-of-Life Questions Answered · 58 minAre you curious about what really happens at the end of life? Wondering how to support a loved one or find peace in your own final chapter? In this eye-opening episode of Death…
- Ep 8: Medical Aid in Dying – Compassion, Choice, and the Ethics of the Final Chapter · 57 minIn this powerful episode of Death Demystified, Dr. Andrea Deerheart is joined by special guest Dr. Sanjivan Kohli to explore Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD)—a deeply compassionate…
- Ep 7: From Life to Soil: The Future of Terramation · 55 minIn this episode of Death Demystified, we explore Terramation, a groundbreaking, eco-friendly alternative to burial and cremation. Host Dr Deerheart welcomes Brie Smith from…
- Ep 6: Guiding the Journey: End-of-Life Doulas & the Future of Compassionate Care · 56 minIn this episode of Death Demystified, we explore the vital role of End-of-Life Practitioners in supporting individuals and families through life’s final transition. Host Dr…
- Ep 5: Psychedelics and Plant Medicine at the End of Life: Addressing Fear, Pain, and Anxiety · 60 minCan psychedelics help ease the fear of dying? In this thought-provoking episode of Death Demystified, Dr. Andrea Deerheart explores the growing use of plant medicine and…







