Disrupting Death

In this special one year anniversary episode, Kathy and Keri speak with Sarah McInnis, the creator of Disrupting Death's music, and learn more about how Sarah utilizes music to normalize, socialize and honour death dying and grief. In the second half of the episode, the tables are turned as the editor of the podcast, Sadie Mallon, interviews co-hosts Kathy and Keri.

Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide

Sarah McIn...

In this episode of Disrupting Death, hosts Kathy and Keri sit down with Dr. Jeff Myers for an insightful interview. Join them as they navigate the complexities and challenges surrounding advance requests and learn more about the relationship between palliative care and medical assistance in dying.

Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide

Dr. Jeff Myers is clinically based at Sinai Health’s Palliative Care Unit within...

On this episode of Disrupting Death, Kathy and Keri speak with entrepreneur, author, and volunteer witness for MAiD Kathy Kastner. With humour and relatability, Kathy discusses the importance of developing more accessible and thoughtful language in healthcare, and the importance of individuals identifying what truly matters to them at the end of their lives.

PS. In this episode, Keri mentions her puppet “Phoebe the Sloth." Phoebe t...

A play about medical assistance in dying? That’s right! In this episode, Kathy and Keri have an enthralling conversation with Catherine Frid and Simon Malbogoat, the playwright and director “Two-Sided Mirror,” an interactive play that follows a family whose member is considering MAiD. Through the viewpoints of each family member, the realities of MAID and its implications are explored. The interactive element of the play allows for...

“Fear death less and love life more” In this episode of Disrupting Death, Kathy and Keri speak with Tania Stilson about her father, John Warren, who advocated for Canadians’ access to MAiD right up until the evening before he accessed it himself. 

Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide

Fact Check: Tania mentions that to qualify for Bridge C-14 support services, individuals need to have completed at least one MAiD asses...

Shamanism and Medical Assistance in Dying? In this episode of Disrupting Death, Kathy and Keri engage in an insightful conversation with Gaye Hanson, a shamanic practitioner who combines her expertise as a healthcare policy analyst, researcher, and grief expert with her shamanistic knowledge.

Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide

Gaye Hanson is a nurse leader of Cree ancestry with a life-long commitment to community...

“Assisted dying has really opened the door, not just to dying, but to living.”

In this episode Kathy and Keri speak with Dr. Stefanie Green, author of the book “This is Assisted Dying.” Dr. Green sheds light on how Canadian clinicians are engaging thoughtfully with medical assistance in dying

Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide

Dr. Stefanie Green spent 10 years in general practice and another 12 years working ex...

In this episode Kathy and Keri speak with Helen Long, CEO of Dying with Dignity Canada, an organization whose mission is to ensure access to quality end of life choices and care through advocacy, education and support. 

Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide

Helen began her career in the not-for-profit sector, working with organizations including ALS Canada, and Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, and Child and Family ...

“We are an ecosystem……if our vulnerable citizens are at risk, we are all at risk.” 

In this episode Kathy and Keri speak with the “wheelchair wonder woman,” Rose Finlay. As an advocate and member of the disabled community, Rose has been using her story to shed light on the ways in which a lack of proper and timely government support results in Canadians with disabilities being “ushered” towards medical assistance in dying. 

Trigg...

In this episode, Kathy and Keri chat with Lauren and Chelsea of Bridge C-14. By providing meaningful connections and access to resources, Bridge C-14 is a non-profit organization that works to help improve the lives of individuals and their loved ones throughout all stages of the assisted death process across Canada.

Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide

Chelsea Peddle is a well-known and respected death doula and...

Pajama party at a funeral home! Painting a coffin in a schoolyard! In this episode, Cynthia Clark talks about how she “included, consulted and considered” her children in the process of her husband’s medically assisted death and her writing project, “The Many Faces of MAiD.” 

Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving us a review on Apple Podcast! 

...

In this episode, the personal IS political, as hosts Kathy and Keri talk about true choice and advanced requests for MAiD with the honourable senator Pamela Wallin. 

Please note, this episode was recorded on March 8th, 2023. Since this date, there have been changes to the MAiD legislation that may not be alluded to in this episode by the hosts or Senator Wallin.

Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide

If you enjoyed...

“It’s a really deep kind of love, to be willing to let someone go, that you’re not ready to see go.” 

On this episode of Disrupting Death, Kathy and Keri speak with Jill Bodak, author of “Loved into Being,” about her experiences grieving, loving and supporting her father following his stroke in 2020, up until his medically assisted death in 2022. 

Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide

Jill Bodak is a Manual Osteopat...

In this first episode of Disrupting Death, Kathy and Keri-Lyn have a conversation with Sandra Martin about the history of M.A.i.D in Canada, stories of early M.A.i.D advocates, the importance of leading with an open heart, writing your own obituary, the power of narratives and much more. 

Trigger warning: Themes of death, dying and suicide

As a journalist for The Globe and Mail, Sandra Martin was known for her books and arts covera...

Disrupting Death: Conversations about Medical

Meet our hosts, Kathy Kortes-Miller and Keri-Lyn Durant! 

A new episode of Disrupting Death will be released every 3rd Friday of every month. Email us at disruptingdeathmaid@gmail.com to subscribe to receive notifications each time a new episode is released. Visit our website for more information about the project: https://www.disruptingdeath.ca/

Music for Disrupting Death was created b...