This Side of the Grass

10 Episodes
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By: Val Amsden

Welcome to This Side of the Grass! On this podcast, host Val Amsden seeks to normalize conversations about death and dying, so that we can be prepared for the inevitable: at some point, we will all die. Val will share personal stories and experiences about loss in her life, and will also interview subject matter experts on the complicated, and oftentimes expensive and morbid parts of preparation. “The loss of my mom when I was a young mother, and then the unexpected and tragic death of my brother, opened my eyes to how little most people want to talk about th...

Reflections on Season 2
#14
10/24/2024

Wow – we’ve reached the end of another season! I’m so proud of this show, and love hearing from you about how these topics and episodes are helping to drive discussions, make decisions, and think about end of life to more purposefully live each and every day!

You may recall that Season 1 had the threads of “Finding Meaning” (be sure to check out David Kessler’s book if you haven’t yet!  Finding Meaning, the Sixth Stage of Grief) and having conversations before it’s too late. This season has really been about “Connections.” On today’s show, I reflect on ho...


Organ & Tissue Donation: An Interview with Micah Webb of LifeSource
#13
10/17/2024

Today’s important episode is about the option to be an organ and tissue donor at the end of life. Micah Webb joins me today. She is the Donation Liaison from LifeSource, one of 56 Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) in the country, serving the second largest geographic region. https://www.life-source.org/

I learned of LifeSource following the death of my brother, Dan. Micah educates me further on how impactful this organization is from start to finish in the donation process, some myths and common misconceptions, and how powerful one donor’s gifts can be! Micah has her own...


The Blessing and Curse of the Checklist
#12
10/10/2024

It’s been a while, but today’s episode is just me, talking to you. Synchronicity hit hard again, as the universe aligned to allow me a week to record in the studio without a guest. If you feel like the action steps have been overwhelming in all of our This Side of the Grass episodes, today’s episode is for you.

As I recap the checklist that we’ve had throughout all 25 episodes so far (wow!), I break it down to be more manageable, and hopefully actionable. You are definitely not alone if you haven’t gotten too...


When Love Meets Grief: A Conversation with Kelly Grosklags
#11
10/03/2024

It was my absolute honor to spend time with Kelly Grosklags on today’s episode. Kelly shares her thoughts, experiences and learnings from nearly 30 years in and around the fields of grief and end-of-life care. 

Our conversation makes its way to the importance of signs from those who have died, the magnitude of speaking the names of our loved ones who are gone, and how their relationships to us and our love for them did not die with them. Love and grief are connected, and it is so important to be gentle with ourselves in the grief spa...


Two Stories of Suicide: A Conversation with Melissa MacPhail & Lis Klein
#10
09/26/2024

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and today’s episode – both recorded and released in September of 2024 – is about suicide. My friends Melissa MacPhail and Lis Klein bravely join me to share their experiences losing loved ones to suicide: Melissa’s dad, Jerry; and Lis’s brother, Steve. Through our conversation, we touch on forgiveness, healing, the stigma of dying by suicide, and memories they have of their loved ones.

This topic is so important, yet it is very hard to discuss. I encourage you to listen with an open mind, grace and love in your heart for family...


How Dying Changed His Life: A Conversation with Dan Neitz
#9
09/19/2024

Wow. If today’s episode with guest Dan Neitz doesn’t help you to see endings differently, I don’t know what will! Endings are not just deaths, but a near-death experience is what brought Dan to clarity and purpose in his life and in his work. 

On today’s episode, we hear Dan’s story of dying from sepsis, and being brought back to life. His perspective and intentionality of making his life matter had been gnawing at him since he was a child, but nearly dying brought him to a crystal clear realization of his path – a ve...


A Deeper Dive into Trusts: A second interview with attorney Steve Messick
#8
09/12/2024

Attorney Steve Messick is back! As promised on his first high-level show about all things legal when it comes to dying, Steve and I take a deeper dive on legacy planning through Trusts. One of the big take-aways: you don’t have to have millions of dollars for a Trust to be a valuable planning tool!

If you haven’t yet listened to Steve’s first show, released May 30, 2024, here it is:

This Side of the Grass, Episode 11: The Legal Side of Dying

Disclaimer: The information discussed today is not, nor is it intend...


Behind the Scenes of a Funeral Home: An Interview with Mike White
#7
09/05/2024

On today’s episode, I am joined by 4th generation owner of White Funeral Homes, Mike White. Mike’s family has been serving the Twin Cities community in Minnesota for more than 125 years, and currently own and operate 5 funeral homes in the South Metro area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. 

Mike has an amazing vantage point of life, loss and what it is like working daily with families who have experienced loss. He and his sister, Meg, have followed in the footsteps of their father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and are working with the next generation of the White...


Legacy Matters: A Conversation with Sam Devine
#6
08/29/2024

I called an audible today! No notes or outline, but today’s show is a rich and entertaining conversation with Sam Devine. Sam is the “Devine” part of DevineFox Productions, the company that produces “This Side of the Grass”. He also has his own podcast called “Legacy Matters”, and today’s episode is a blend of his show and mine, as we just talk. 

Our conversation still centers around end-of-life, and the situation that Sam is experiencing in his life and family right now. 

I was recently a guest on Sam’s show, and you can listen here: Leg...


Look Back to Move Forward
#5
08/22/2024

Isn’t it kind of crazy to think that there are days that completely change the course of your life… and when you wake up on those days, oftentimes you don’t even know it’s about to happen. It’s only when you look back that you realize your entire life changed on that day.

On today’s solo episode, I take a little pivot. Instead of sharing a specific preparation step or lesson learned following the death of a loved one, I share a personal story that helped to change my trajectory and one that has helped m...