Dying to Know More

Let's start at the end. No one talks about death, and yet it's something we're all going to do at some point. I'm dying to know more about all facets of death , so that's why I launched the podcast. From death doulas to casket companies to grief experts to industry disruptors and so much more, we're talking about it all!And tune in for the new DTKM Minis, bite-sized episodes that dive into various related topics and give a high-level yet meaningful view in five minutes or less.

Dying to Know More is a society podcast hosted by Ashley Haugen, with 28 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Ashley Haugen hosts Dying to Know More, a society show with 28 episodes published.

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  Episode #16

  What Funeral Directors Wish You Knew About Death, Grief, and Their Work

  Sep 21, 202630 minS2

  Most people will work with a funeral director at some point in their lives, but few of us know what the job is really like.In this episode, we chat with Allyse Worland, a first-generation funeral director, embalmer, National Funeral Directors Association spokesperson, and leader at Gather, to talk about what happens behind the scenes in funeral service and why she chose this work nearly 20 years ago.Allyse shares the childhood experience that led her into death care, what it was like serving families during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and why burnout and self-care have become some of the profession's biggest challenges. We also discuss how funeral service is evolving, from personalized celebrations of life to green burial, water cremation, and other emerging end-of-life options.Allyse also offers a rare look at the emotional realities of caring for grieving families, the misconceptions people have about funeral professionals, and the moments that continue to make this work meaningful after nearly two decades.TECHNICAL NOTE: Due to recording issues, Allyse's video drops at 25:30, but the audio remains intact, so keep listening.Learn more:Have License, Will Travel: https://www.havelicensewilltravel.com/ LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/allyse-worland-cfsp-818109326 Remembering A Life: https://rememberingalife.com/ National Funeral Directors Association: https://www.nfda.org Gather: gather.app

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  Episode #15

  Author Mindy Merrell Dishes on the The Dark Side of Biscuit and Cornbread Culture

  Sep 9, 202630 minS2

  In this episode of Dying to Know More, I welcome cookbook author, "Chopped" winner and culinary historian Mindy Merrell to explore the surprising, forgotten links between Southern staples, public health, and mortality.Mindy breaks down the historical dark side of self-rising flour and cornmeal, from the tragic, erased history behind the real-life face of Martha White, to the deadly pellagra epidemic caused by 20th-century milling practices. Plus, learn how radio stations, life insurance burial policies, and country music all converged to shape Southern food culture.Grab a copy of Mindy Merrell’s book: Self-Rising: The Magic Rise Behind Biscuit and Cornbread Culture here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1985903342?... And follow her on Instagram at @hey.its.min

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  Episode #14

  Dan the Funeral Man on Going Viral, Funeral Myths, and Putting the Fun in Funeral

  Jul 18, 202623 minS2

  If you've spent any time on TikTok or Instagram lately, there's a good chance you've come across Dan the Funeral Man strutting down a short red carpet with an urn in hand. What started as a creative way to talk about death care has turned into a viral phenomenon, complete with runway walks, millions of views, and a growing mission to make conversations about death a less intimidating and more relatable.In this episode of Dying to Know More, I sit down with funeral director, celebrant, and entrepreneur Dan Madden, owner of Stark Funeral Home and founder of Fash Urns, to talk about his unexpected rise on social media and what it's like balancing viral fame with the realities of serving grieving families every day.Dan shares how a part-time job at a funeral home after his grandmother's death led to a career in funeral service, why he took a risk by bringing humor and fashion into a traditionally serious profession, and how messages from strangers remind him that talking openly about death can genuinely help people move through grief and start to heal.We also dive into the mental health challenges funeral directors face, the criticism he's received from within the profession, and why he believes death care needs more transparency.And of course, we couldn't let him leave without a lightning round of funeral myths and questions. Are graves really six feet deep? Is embalming required? Can you bury someone in your backyard? Do bodies really sit up during cremation? Dan answers these questions and more and separates fact from fiction.Whether you're curious about the funeral industry, fascinated by viral creators, or simply interested in having a healthier relationship with mortality, this conversation is insightful, funny, and surprisingly uplifting.Where to find Dan: URL: Danthefuneralman.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/danthefuneralman/ TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@danthefuneralman FB: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dan-the-Funeral-Man/61562932233221/

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  Episode #13

  HK Lee Makes the Case for Conservation Burial

  Jun 28, 202634 minS2

  What if the most environmentally friendly thing you ever do happens after you die?In this episode of Dying to Know More, we talk with HK Lee, founder of Aeon Woods Conservation Cemetery, about her mission to create the first conservation natural burial cemetery in New York's Hudson Valley. She explains how natural burial differs from traditional burial and cremation, why abandoned cemeteries may hold unexpected opportunities, and what it takes to protect hundreds of acres of land while creating meaningful spaces for remembrance.From a family history stretching back 30 generations in South Korea to a bold vision for the future of death care here in the United States, HK shares why she believes conservation burial isn't just about how we die, but how we care for the world we leave behind.If you've ever wondered whether our final resting place can benefit both people and the planet, this conversation is for you.Learn more about Aeon Woods:Website: https://www.aeonwoods.org/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/aeonwoods FB: https://www.facebook.com/people/Aeon-Woods/61576785975492/ YT: https://www.youtube.com/@aeonwoods

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  Episode #12

  70% of Americans Have No Estate Plan. Jill Mastroianni Works to Change That.

  Jun 14, 202630 minS2

  Seventy percent of Americans have no estate plan at all, but according to estate planning attorney Jill Mastroianni, the biggest mistake isn't having the wrong documents. It's assuming everyone needs the same plan.In this episode of "Dying to Know More," Jill breaks down the estate planning basics most people never learn, including wills, trusts, probate, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. She explains why estate planning isn't just for wealthy families, how a lack of preparation can create major challenges for loved ones, and why organizing information may be just as important as creating legal documents.We also dive into special needs planning, common misconceptions about probate, and the inspiration behind Jill's Death Readiness Playbook, a practical guide designed to help families avoid confusion, conflict, and scavenger hunts during life's hardest moments.SHOW NOTES: URL: https://www.deathreadiness.com/IG: thedeathreadinesspodcastFB: Death Readiness Advance Directive Forms: https://www.caringinfo.org/planning/advance-directives/by-state/

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