Death & Dying, Loss & Grief Brought to You by THE DEATH CHICKS

The Death Chicks? Are you kidding me? How outrageous and fun, melding the disparate concepts, “Death” and “Chicks” into a weekly show on Google Hangouts On Air (HOA).

Thanks to the internet, two professionals working in the death industry, Patty Burgess/Philadelphia connected with Myste Lyn/ Canada. Getting acquainted through Skype, they discovered they were “on the same wave length,” and shared a similar sense of humor. Their conversations were always punctuated with laughter, a key element to releasing endorphins in the brains. As they explored the spectrum of end of life issues to discuss in a weekly show, they knew laughter was a key component, because it puts people at ease, and lessens their fears. Patty said: “Our individual hospice training and personal coaching perspectives created our basic philosophy: you can’t enjoy life to the fullest unless you stop being afraid of dying.”

Death and dying is a hard sell. What’s making them successful? Patty always dreamed about having a radio show with an ‘edgy’ kind of name, like The Death Chicks, to help people lighten up about death, chill out, and even laugh a little. Myste’s online colleagues had convinced her that Google Hangout’s On AIR (HOA), was a virtually free video show. Add the wonderful graphics—wacky chicks with tilted halos and crazy wings, and you’ll understand why The Death Chicks have produced over forty Guest Expert interviews.

Here’s their show: https://plus.google.com/+TheDeathChicksShow, broadcast Thursday, 3pm EST              www.youtube.com/thedeathchicksshow to be amazed at the diverse, fun, and creative concepts they are launching into mainstream conversations on death and dying.

I think you’ll agree with me that their combined sense of humor, subject matter expertise, and simplicity of discussing Death and Dying (D & D), Loss and Grief (L & G), elevates the conversation. As their banner states: “We’re Not Making Light of Death…But We’re Making Death Lighter!” I’m encouraged to see women in their forties and fifties, on the younger end of the age spectrum, committed to changing the international taboos about death. Death isn’t just for the elderly. The Death Chicks are visionaries, and can help you see end of life issues through new lenses.

                How do they feel about their own death?

Patty: I just turned 59 years young and having the best time. I don’t feel that death is lurking around the corner for me anytime soon, but if it were to happen suddenly, well, it’s been great! Throw a party and remember me well! If my death is a long, slow, steady decline, then I will relish the fact that I get to savor, long, slow, steady good-byes and I love you’s… www.teachingtransitions.com and www.doingdeathdifferently.com

Myste: I’m 45 years young and believe age is all in the head. It’s kind of an Einsteinian thing – it’s all relative; and to kick in a bit of what we’re learning from modern science (and one of my favourite expressions) “What we think becomes things”. I had an epiphany in my 20s that told me if I can say “Today is a good day to die” then all is right in my world. This belief walks with me now and has had incredibly freeing potential. It’s a core part of the reason I’m now working to encourage others not to fear death. www.BittersweetBlessing.com