The Death & Resurrection Doula Podcast

Today on the The Death & Resurrection Doula Podcast,host Laurel Nicholson is joined by Sarah Baldwin, co-founder of Restfully and creator of the Grief Persona framework, to discuss how people experience and process grief.

Sarah shares her personal journey into this work following the loss of her mother, and how her background in data analytics led her to identify patterns in the way individuals navigate loss. Together, Laurel and Sarah explore the four grief personas—the Open Heart, the Steady Hand, the Quiet Anchor, and the Seeker—offering a helpful lens for understanding the different ways people respond to grief.

The conversation highlights how these differences can create tension, especially during end-of-life care or funeral planning, but also how they can become a pathway to better communication and even healing. Laurel reflects on how this framework intersects with Christian theology, reminding listeners that while grief is an inevitable part of life, it is not without meaning, nor without hope in Christ.

(00:00) Introduction & Sarah Baldwin’s Story
(01:00) The Loss That Inspired Restfully
(05:00) The Four Grief Personas Explained
(07:00) Moving Between Grief Personas
(09:00) Anthropology, Faith & Human Nature in Grief
(11:00) Why Different Grief Styles Create Conflict
(13:00) Finding Healing Through Understanding Others
(15:00) Communicating Your Grief Needs Clearly
(17:00) Practical Tools for Navigating Grief
(21:30) How to Get Started with Restfully

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In this episode, Laurel Nicholson explores the Christian perspective on death, resurrection, and end-of-life care, emphasizing the importance of hope and spiritual preparation alongside practical planning for a good death.

For believers, resurrection is our greatest hope and shapes how we approach death. Join us as we explore the practical steps involved in preparing for a good death—one rooted in spiritual peace and the comfort of community support. As Christians, we proclaim Christ’s victory over death, transforming our view of dying and the afterlife from a terrifying prospect into the promise of God’s eternal love.

(00:00) Welcome and vision for the doula community
(02:12) A Christian understanding of a “good death”
(04:40) Death as an enemy and God’s mercy
(09:49) Resurrection, immortality, and the body
(13:31) Why Christian doulas are different
(17:57) Witnessing resurrection hope in end-of-life care
(22:38) Early Christians and the hope of resurrection
(29:48) Immortality revealed in Christ alone
(33:24) The interim state and comfort for believers
(36:42) Closing encouragement and invitation

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In this episode of The Death & Resurrection Doula Podcast, Laurel Nicholson shares the profoundly personal story behind the creation of her Christ-centered end-of-life doula training program.

Raised in a Christian home, Laurel quietly battled body image struggles, disordered eating, over-exercising, and an unrelenting drive for control that spanned decades and led to deep physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion. She found that no amount of affirmations, discipline, lifestyle change—or even marriage and motherhood—could bring lasting freedom. After reaching a breaking point in her early forties, Laurel experienced a profound turning toward the gospel. At the same time, witnessing her grandmother’s end-of-life struggles clarified a sobering truth: self-effort cannot heal the human heart, true transformation must come from outside ourselves through Christ alone.

Laurel describes her healing as a story of death and resurrection—death to control, self-reliance, and shame, and resurrection into freedom, surrender, and service. That personal redemption now shapes her vocational calling. In a culture where the “death positive” movement is largely secular, she believes Christians are called to accompany the dying with resurrection hope rooted firmly in Christ and in the promise of peace that surpasses all understanding.

(01:02) The Struggle with Control and Body Image
(05:40) The Gospel as True Freedom
(07:20) Death and Resurrection in My Own Story
(10:50) Resurrection Hope and End-of-Life Care
(14:00) Building a Faith-Based Training Community
(17:40) Serving the Dying with Confidence in Christ

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In this deeply personal episode, Laurel Nicholson is joined by her husband, Ed Nicholson, to share the story of Ed’s mother’s end-of-life journey—a path marked by complexity, faith, and ultimately, peace. Laurel reflects on her unique role as both a Christian end-of-life doula supporting Ed’s family and later, as his wife, offering a rare and honest look at how professional care intersects with family responsibility.

Together, Laurel and Ed recount the realities many families face: caring for a loved one with advancing dementia while navigating their unsafe living conditions and coordinating care across long distances. They discuss how early doula involvement helped bring clarity, both with practical matters as well as through the emotional turmoil of caring for a loved one.

As the conversation unfolds, Laurel and Ed speak candidly about the ethical concerns and resulting emotional exhaustion and fear that families often carry when approaching end-of-life care. This episode stands as both a testimony and an invitation—encouraging listeners to seek support early and find comfort that in Christ, death does not have the final word.

(00:00) Introducing a Sacred Family Story and God’s Faithfulness
(05:39) What an End-of-Life Doula Provides Before Crisis Hits
(11:37) The Hidden Burdens of Caregiving and Daily Realities
(17:57) Moving Across States and the Complexities of Memory Care
(33:28) Finding Unexpected Compassion in a State-Focused Facility
(37:16) Hospice, Ethical Questions, and Letting Go with Trust
(44:48) A Peaceful Passing, Music, and Final Goodbyes

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In today's episode, Laurel Nicholson is joined by her friend and colleague Matthew Currin, CEO and founder of Convene Communities, for a conversation about resilience and the communities that people truly need when life hits a rough patch.

Matt shares his remarkable background as a pilot across a variety of exciting fields—but explains why his deepest calling has always been convening people around shared stories. He reflects on the defining loss that shaped Convene’s vision, the tragic death of his close friend in a helicopter crash, and how this devastating event eventually grew into his broader mission of helping people find connection and support through life’s hardest seasons.

Throughout their discussion, Laurel and Matt explore the difference between offering information and building genuine community—especially in contexts surrounding caregiving, family dynamics and end-of-life preparation. This episode offers encouragement for anyone navigating hardship, reminding listeners that their story matters and that no one has to carry the weight of hardship alone.

(00:00) Welcome and Introducing Matthew Currin and Convene Communities
(02:52) Loss, Grief, and the Birth of Convene
(07:05) From Aviation to Everyday Life
(11:27) How Laurel and Matt Met and Why the Mission Aligned
(12:54) Building a Christian Doula Community That Lasts
(28:58) Matt’s Cancer Diagnosis and Facing the Unknown
(38:33) Choosing Hope, Purpose, and Perseverance
(39:25) Don’t Give Up on Your Story

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In this special episode, Laurel gathers trainees, faculty, and community members to celebrate a historic milestone: the first certification cohort of the Death and Resurrection Doula Training Program. What unfolds is a warm, communal conversation reflecting the heart of the program—rooted in a shared calling and Christian hope.

Laurel revisits the vision behind the training, responding to a growing crisis in end-of-life care by equipping believers to offer compassionate, non-medical, spiritually grounded support to the dying and their families. Certified doulas and trainees offer personal reflections, many describing how their calling emerged through seasons of loss and caregiving.

Listen in as a variety of guest speakers share how the curriculum was shaped by insights from hospice nursing, chaplaincy, grief care, and bioethics—distinguishing this program from secular models through its Christ-centered theology, prayerful presence, and commitment to resurrection hope.

(02:45) Celebrating the first certification cohort
(09:10) Medical aid in dying: ethical concerns
(12:40) Building a Christian end-of-life model
(18:50) Compassion across faith traditions
(32:00) Grief, purpose, and vocational clarity
(41:20) What’s next for training and growth
(57:10) Closing prayer and commissioning

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In this deeply moving gathering at the Café, Laurel hosts a safe space for the sharing of testimonies as three special guests join the conversation to share their lived experiences of loss, caregiving, and clinging to faith in the darkest of times.

Through listening to their stories, we're invited into an honest exploration of grief—not as something to be rushed or resolved, but as a place where God’s steafast presence is revealed over time. These moving stories testify to a hope that holds firm even in doubt and a faith anchored in the loving power of Jesus Christ.

(02:10) Purpose of sharing African American women’s faith stories
(08:21) Anger, faith, and God’s provision
(21:32) Peace, grief, and faith over time
(35:12) Long-term suffering and God’s mercy
(48:27) Support, grief, and unmet needs
(54:43) Cultural perspectives on mourning
(1:16:51) Healing, hope, and closing reflections

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In today's conversation, Laurel is joined by Brittany McCardle, founder of the Biblical Birth School, to explore the shared calling of Christian birth doulas and end-of-life doulas. Together, they reflect on doula care as an act of faithful servanthood—rooted in a biblical vision of life, dignity, and presence from beginning to natural end.

Drawing from the opening chapters of Genesis, Laurel and Brittany discuss how Christian theology shapes our understanding of birth, death, pain, embodiment, and human worth. They also address the growing tension many believers face as doula training programs become increasingly secularized—and in some cases openly hostile to a Christian worldview—creating a need for faith-centered education and clarity of language within the profession.

(01:29) Why birth and death doulas need shared understanding
(06:07) Genesis, theology, and pain in birth
(11:16) Why language and titles matter
(17:47) The value of birth doulas
(26:25) Parallels between birth and death
(31:23) Community discussion and closing prayer

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In this extended International Fellowship Café conversation, Laurel Nicholson facilitates a global, faith-centered discussion on Medical Aid in Dying (MAID), joined by Megan, a British journalist researching proposed MAID legislation in New York. Participants from the United States, Canada, and Australia bring pastoral, ethical, and deeply personal perspectives shaped by their real-world experiences in end-of-life care. 

Together, the group explores how MAID intersects with Christian beliefs about suffering, dignity, free will, and hope. Several end-of-life doulas and caregivers share firsthand accounts of situations where MAID was offered—or subtly pressured—even when pain was manageable or other supports were available. These stories raise important questions about safeguards and cultural narratives of burden, as well as the growing gaps in caregiving and community support.

Rather than offering a simple conclusion to this complex topic, this discussion aims to emphasize the role of compassionate presence and theological reflection, while affirming the inherent value of every human life.

(00:55) Introducing the topic: Medical Aid in Dying (MAID)
(05:30) Christian perspectives on pain, sovereignty, and care
(13:23) Family conflict and advocacy at end of life
(26:20) The role of death doulas in ethical discernment
(48:48) MAID beyond terminal illness
(53:59) Redefining dignity, worth, and Christian hope

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Today on The International Fellowship Café Podcast, Laurel is joined by Carole Klinger, CEO and founder of LIFE, a dementia-friendly nonprofit offering free weekly Memory Cafés for people living with dementia and their care partners. Carole shares how the global Dementia Friends movement empowers everyday people to take simple, meaningful action, and how LIFE’s Memory Cafés create welcoming spaces through music, meals, art, routine, and caregiver support.

The conversation also touches on dementia directives and end-of-life wishes, beforfe diving into the real-life tensions families face when navigating care decisions. A Q&A session follows their conversation, offering practical resources for caregivers and community leaders, along with encouragement for those sensing a call to build similar initiatives. 

In this powerful conversation, Laurel sits down with Miles Gloetzner, RN and founder of Inhora Home, a Christian social-model hospice home in downtown Albuquerque. Miles shares his remarkable journey through VA nursing—spanning med-surg, street outreach with homeless veterans, and a season of spiritual restlessness that ultimately led him to answer God’s call to create a home for the dying.

In today's episode, Laurel is joined by Becky Joosten, one of the first of Laurel's students to train as a Death & Resurrection Doulas, she is also a licensed massage therapist and co-founder of Refiners Gold Ministry with her husband, Larry. Drawing on decades of nursing, inner healing ministry, and hospice work, Becky shares the deeply personal story of her mother’s unexpected injury and resulting ventilator dependence and difficult decisions that followed.

Throughout their conversation, Becky reflects on how God met her family in the midst of their shock and anticipatory grief—bringing reconciliation, courage, and peace as her mother prepared to meet the Lord. She also speaks about grieving with the Holy Spirit, and how hope in Christ’s resurrection transforms the way we face both death and ongoing loss.

(00:00) Introducing Becky and Her Call to End-of-Life Ministry
(04:47) Refiners Gold Ministry and Death & Resurrection Doulas
(19:09) Advanced Directives, Difficult Choices, and God’s Mercy
(23:06) Grieving with the Holy Spirit and Hope Beyond Death
(34:23) Hearing, Music, and Salvific Moments Near Death
(40:11) When Healing Looks Like Death: Young Mothers, Children, and Eternal Perspective

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In today's episode, Laurel Nicholson is joined by Jill Yuen, a certified Death & Resurrection Doula whose calling centers on helping others create meaningful legacy projects rooted in faith and hope. Jill shares how God led her to a Christian training program and how her own experiences shaped her desire to support individuals and families as they preserve treasured values and memories for future generations.

Laurel and Jill go on to explore the spiritual significance of legacy work—from written blessings and family Bibles to creative keepsakes inspired by biblical memorials such as the stones at Gilgal. Their conversation highlights how intentional remembrance can strengthen relationships, express faith, and offer comfort in times of grief.

(00:00) Legacy Projects and Christian Doula Training
(11:41) Creating Personalized Legacy Projects
(23:22) Legacy Projects and Remembrance Crafting
(38:02) Embracing Legacy and Cultural Differences
(44:36) Embracing Legacy and Spiritual Preparation
(59:44) Understanding Death as a Natural Process

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In this episode, host Laurel Nicholson is joined by Stephanie Moore, an Orthodox Christian and certified Death & Resurrection Doula, for a thoughtful exploration of ancient Christian burial traditions. Stephanie shares her spiritual journey into Orthodoxy and the profound meaning she discovered in practices that emphasize simplicity, humility, and returning the body to the earth in a prayerful way.

Join Laurel and Stephanie as they look at the historical roots of Christian body preparation and burial, the role of communal rituals, and the growing interest in natural or “green” burials. They also discuss how illness and isolation can create distance within faith communities, and how early, open conversations about end-of-life wishes can bring clarity and peace.

(00:00) Orthodox Burial Practices and Conversion
(11:51) Reviving Christian Burial Traditions
(20:10) Planning and Reclaiming Funeral Traditions
(28:05) Preparing for Natural Christian Burials
(34:05) Christian End-of-Life Doula Perspectives
(44:15) Christian Views on Cremation and Burial
(01:01:52) Christian Beliefs and Burial Choices

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In this deeply moving episode, Laurel Nicholson is joined by India Rice and Tara Marrow, two certified Death & Resurrection Doulas whose personal experiences with profound loss have shaped their ministry of compassion. Together, they share how faith sustained them through the heartbreak of child loss and how God transformed their grief into a calling to walk alongside others in their most vulnerable moments.

India reflects on her journey through depression and renewed purpose as a hospice nurse and doula, while Tara recounts the loss of her son and the long, courageous process of healing that followed. Their stories reveal the emotional realities of grief—from denial and anger to acceptance and hope—and the sustaining power of community and Christ’s presence throughout.

Grounded in tenderness and faith, this conversation offers comfort, understanding, and a reminder that even in the deepest sorrow, God brings renewal. It is a powerful testimony to the resilience of the human spirit and the hope of resurrection that anchors every believer.

(00:00) End-of-Life Doula Testimonies and Faith
(16:01) Finding Hope Through Grief and Faith
(23:54) Journey Through Grief and Healing
(31:19) Journey of Grief and Faith
(47:31) Healing Through Grief and Resilience
(52:38) Weekly Cafe Gratitude and Community

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In this episode, Laurel Nicholson is joined by Josh Slocum, former executive director of the Funeral Consumers Alliance, for an eye-opening conversation about the funeral industry and the realities families face when planning final arrangements. Drawing from years of advocacy work, Josh offers insight into consumer rights, the surprising freedom families have in conducting home funerals, and the importance of transparency when navigating funeral costs and services.

Together, Laurel and Josh reflect on how cultural practices surrounding death have evolved and the emotional impact of modern funeral rituals, as well as the need for compassionate guidance during a family’s most vulnerable moments. This thoughtful discussion highlights the valuable role end-of-life doulas can play in supporting informed decision-making and preserving dignity at the end of life.

(00:02) Funeral Consumers Alliance and Industry Ethics
(14:29) Exploring Death and Funeral Practices
(27:39) Navigating Funeral Industry Political Upheavals
(40:00) End-of-Life Doula Role Reflection
(45:32) Challenges and Reflections on End-of-Life Care
(59:12) Educating on Funeral Rights and Options

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Join Laurel Nicholson as she sits down with Kate Daniels, a hospice professional whose experience offers a valuable window into the shared work of hospice teams and end-of-life doulas. Together, they walk through a real case study involving a sixty-year-old man in Virginia facing a terminal diagnosis—an example that reveals both the challenges and the profound opportunities present in end-of-life care.

Their discussion highlights the profound impact that timely hospice involvement can have on quality of life, emotional support, and meaningful connection during a patient’s final season.

Laurel and Kate also explore the practical challenges families often face, including Medicare limitations and care gaps, and how end-of-life doulas help bridge communication between hospice teams and loved ones. With attention to legal considerations such as HIPAA disclosures and the needs of individuals without close family support, this conversation offers a compassionate and informative look at how coordinated care can provide dignity and peace at the end of life.

(00:00) End-of-Life Care
(13:49) Navigating Hospice Care Challenges
(20:06) Navigating the Role of End-of-Life Doulas
(31:37) Advance Care Planning

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In this episode, host Laurel Nicholson is joined by Lisa Bennion, a hospice nurse and end-of-life doula whose professional experience and renewed Christian faith have shaped a deeply compassionate approach to caring for the dying. Lisa shares her journey from pediatric cardiac intensive care to hospice work, reflecting on how God guided her back to the Church and into a ministry that honors both the body and the soul at life’s end.

Together, Laurel and Lisa discuss the development of the Death & Resurrection Doula Practitioner Curriculum, a program that blends theological formation with the practical wisdom needed to support individuals and families through their final season of life.

(00:00) Introduction to Death and Resurrection Doulas
(07:39) Death Doula Training Collaboration

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Conversations about death are often avoided, yet they hold some of the deepest opportunities for healing, faith, and spiritual clarity. In this episode, host Laurel Nicholson is joined by Chad Bird—former pastor, author, and Scholar-in-Residence at 1517.org—for a thoughtful exploration of why end-of-life ministry is essential for the Church today.

Together, Laurel and Chad reflect on the sacred work of walking with the dying, as well as the freedom that comes from embracing our mortality because of the hope that anchors every Christian in the promise of resurrection.

(00:04) End-of-Life Ministry in Churches
(12:42) Hopeful Servanthood in End-of-Life Ministry

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