20160811 - Abigail R On Death

Abigail R! Abigail is a 22yo second year medical student, an aunt, and proud Jamaican. Mackenzi, my partner and fellow MS2, conducted research alongside Abigail over the summer and have developed a sassy and delightful friendship. In this interview, they discuss the importance of advocacy, the quiet anticipation of motherhood, and the perspective shifts from Jamaica to the States in both race and education.

Abigail is...

a woman,
an advocate,
Jamaican,
Black,
a daughter,
a sister,
and an aunt.

Before Abigail dies, she wants...
to see her parents happy, healthy, and wealthy,
to travel to other countries,
to be independent,
and to have a child.

When Abigail dies, she wants...
her body to give back to the environment,
and her soul to go from heaven back to the earth.

After Abigail dies, she wants...
to actively be a part of her loved one's lives,
to be at peace,
and her accomplishments to be remembered.

In conclusion, Abigail says...

"Just be open. Don't be too quick to judge... Just persevere. Just continue to believe in yourself. Don't let outside factors affect that."

20160804 - Ashleigh Stembridge On Death

Ashleigh Stembridge! Ashleigh is a 27-year-old artist, soon-to-be certified yoga instructor, and hopeful middle-school art teacher. I met Ashleigh through Tavia, a previous On Death interviewee, and I'm so glad I could sit down and hear her thoughtful and experienced responses to the four prompts. In this conversation, we talk about the value of getting punched in the face, the importance of strong teachers for young people, and how to overcome fear of the unknown.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Ashleigh is...
human,
loving,
knowledgeable,
caring,
and creative.

Before Ashleigh dies, she wants...
to put a stamp on her friends and family,
to be remembered,
to do something on a small scale,
to help out,
and the world and humanity to be more accepting.

When Ashleigh dies, she wants...
to have family around,
a viking funeral,
people to not be upset,
it to be a celebration,
and old.

After Ashleigh dies, she wants...
to leave small little legacies,
people to be comfortable,
and the world to be a better place.

In conclusion, Ashleigh says...

"Don't be afraid of yourself. Be open and accept and push forward into the uncomfortable situations that you're gonna learn from.

It's okay. Everything is fine. You're gonna grow from this, from all of these things you wanna do.

And don't stifle yourself, and don't let anyone stifle you and what you wanna do."

20160728 - Haley Goetz On Death

Haley Goetz! Haley is a rising sophomore in college, almost 19 years old, and an aspiring filmmaker with dreams of changing and exploring the world. I met Haley while coaching for Great Bay Rowing Club: she stood out as a mischievous and thoughtful individual. In this conversation, we talk about the difference between paganism and animism, the beauty of questioning through science-fiction, and what she learned from the passing of her canine companion Buster.

I hope you enjoy!

Haley is...
alive,
a living body inhabiting this earth,
in possession of a mind,
and a very energetic person.

Before Haley dies, she wants...
to promote understanding between people.

When Haley dies, she wants...
to be ready for the next adventure.

After Haley dies, she wants...
to have a film or two or sixteen,
and to not focus on earth for a little bit.

In conclusion, Haley says...

"Listen, you were dead for billions of years. You have this album [Skin by Flume] to guide you along this summer, and you will be dead again, but it will be like returning home because before you were born, you were also dead."

20160721 - Ian Covell On Death

Ian Covell! Ian is an 18-year-old athlete, soon-to-be college student, and thoughtful human. In this conversation, we talk about the power of risk and jumps, the fine difference between atheism and agnosticism, and the importance of embracing your true emotions.

I know you will enjoy this lovely conversation with a profoundly interesting and unique young person!

Ian is...
Ian,
complicated,
emotional,
independent,
strong,
and weak.

Before Ian dies, he wants...
happiness,
true love,
people to remember his name,
to make a difference on the planet,
and to be himself while doing it.

When Ian dies, he wants...
people to remember him.

After Ian dies, he wants...
to remember his name,
to be buried in a cemetery next to his loved ones,
and to have children that carry on his name.

In conclusion, Ian says...

"Be genuine, be truthful to yourself and to others because that is what is going to be your most prominent trait and what is going to attract others to you."

20160714 - Stephen Grow On Death

Stephen Grow! Stephen is a father of two, a follower of Christ, and a loving husband. In this conversation, we discuss the difficulties and benefits of homeschooling, the difference between being a Christian and having a relationship with Jesus, and how a hug can change a life.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Stephen is...
a follower of Christ,
a homeschool parent,
and a crossfitter.

Before Stephen dies, he wants...
to see his daughters grow up, get married, and have kids of their own,
to figure out what God wants him to do on earth,
to see his children get to know and love Jesus,
and to be the best husband father and friend he can be.

When Stephen dies, he wants...
to see Jesus, his uncles, and his other mama.

After Stephen dies, he wants...
people to not be sad, but happy for him,
his family to be taken care of,
and people to love more, to help each other more.

In conclusion, Stephen says...

Just love. Don't judge others. Always help someone. And find in life what makes you happy. Always be positive. Be quick to listen, don't talk so much.

20160707 - Karen Holland On Death

Karen Holland! Karen is a mother of two, a teacher, and a yogi. I met her during a yoga for teens training, which she led with grace and intelligence. She currently teaches elementary and middle school aged children, and her thoughtful responses to the four prompts will leave you thinking for quite some time! We chat about her Catholic upbringing, how to raise sensitive and old-soul daughters, and what spirituality means to her.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Karen is...
loving,
impatient,
generous,
and independent

Before Karen dies, she wants...
to see her children be happy, independent, and strong.

When Karen dies, she wants...
to be free of pain and suffering,
and to be celebrated, not mourned.

After Karen dies, she wants...
people to remember her with a smile,
to poke fun at her expense,
and the examples she's lived by to be remembered and used as lessons for her kids.

In conclusion, Karen says...

"Lighten up on yourself. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Love yourself like you would love others. Treat yourself like you would treat others."

20160630 - Kenny Henderson On Death

Kenny Henderson! Kenny is a 41yo artist living in Tampa; his canvases include the human body, murals, and clothing. He specializes in sacred geometry, but identifies first as a father. In this conversation, we discuss how to raise your child as a questioner of authority, what is the muse, and practicing death. 

I hope you enjoy! 

Kenny is...
a dad,
an "artist",
and a process. 

Before Kenny dies, he wants...
to create a legacy for his daughter, 
to maintain some type of memory after death, 
to leave the world a better place, 
and to not live with regrets. 

When Kenny dies, he wants...
it to be not painful.

After Kenny dies, he wants...
to leave things better than he found them. 

In conclusion, Kenny says...

"There's two parts to life: the life you can imagine and the life you live. So, live the life that you imagine."

20160623 - Nick Plimpton On Death

Host: Eugene Kim

Nick Plimpton! Nick is a 31yo second year medical student, a polite Minnesotan, and a thoughtful future pediatrician. In this interview, we talk about the turbulence of a medical education, Minnesota and Disney princesses, and how to operate in this diverse world with folks of various gender identities, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Nick is...
a bohemian,
Minnesotan,
Nick,
and curious.

Before Nick dies, he wants...
to be content.

When Nick dies, he wants...
to be content,
to feel safe,
and to feel ready.

After Nick dies, he wants...
people to be content.

In conclusion, Nick says...

"There's always at least one person who can identify with you.
Know that everything you feel is legitimate and normal and it's okay to have."

20160616 - Par S. On Death

Host: Eugene Kim

Par S! Par is a Punjab Sikh, a skilled medical professional, and a loving husband. As you’ll discover in this interview, he’s a skilled talker filled with opinions on grit, immigrant families, and the importance of knowing your own value.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Par is…
Punjab,
a medical professional,
a computer nerd,
an audiophile,
a videophile,
and a wanderer.

Before Par dies, he wants…
to build a good foundation for his family,
to share his experiences with his family,
and to truly allow his family to expand into their own individuals.

When Par dies, he wants…
to leave a legacy.

After Par dies, he wants…
no regrets,
and peace.

In conclusion, Par says…

“Don’t let anything hold you back. Everybody has obligations. Everybody has baggage. Everybody has things that they want to accomplish. If you set your mind to something, you can do it. 

Only thing stopping you, is you.”

20160609 - Eugene Kim On Death

Host: Mackenzi Frost

Eugene Kim! Eugene is a rising second year medical student at USF, a coach of crossfit and crew, and the initiator of this podcast! This week, Mackenzi Frost (previous On Death interviewee) turns the four prompts on your usual host for a delightful and sometimes rambling conversation on teaching versus coaching, love and fear, and the value of a practice.

I hope you enjoy!

Eugene is...
a student,
a writer,
and a coach.

Before Eugene dies, he wants...
to be a grandfather,
to see change in the world,
and for love to outweigh fear.

When Eugene dies, he wants...
to return to the collective consciousness.

After Eugene dies, he wants...
the experiments of technology, civilization, mammals, and life to flourish sustainably.

In conclusion, Eugene says...
"Practice.

Practice regularly and don't take any days off. It doesn't matter what you're practicing, just that you are practicing for the sake of practice, not the outcome, not for what it'll look like, but for the simple act of your practice.

Practice.

Whether you are practicing the didgeridoo, or slacklining, or love, or basketweaving, the simple act of practicing will make you more mindful. It will give you a reason to be. 

Finding your practice, the way that your practice can affect the world, is easy once you have practiced and you have a practice. But, if you don't practice anything, if you don't have any jewel, if you can't bring that jewel of yourself, of your consciousness, out into the world, then you can't change the world.

So, just practice."

20160602 - Grant Italiano On Death

Host: Eugene Kim

Grant Italiano! Grant is a twenty something, spiritual but not religious, who provides thoughtful responses to the four prompts in this short interview from the dirty dozen! We talk about family, reincarnation, and love. 

I hope you enjoy! :)

Grant Italiano is…
a human being,
a spiritual being inhabiting a physical body,
a spirit learn its way,
an artist,
a family guy,
and a procrastinator.

Before Grant dies, he wants…
happiness,
a nice family,
a little house in the woods, 
and his dad and mom to find out what they want to do.

When Grant dies, he wants…
to be an old man in a bed sleeping,
a bunch of colors and geometrics flying by at infinite light speed,
and to see all the people he really does love.

After Grant dies, he wants…
to see what’s in front of him,
and to talk about reincarnation.

In conclusion, Grant says…

“Just be yourself. Just go with the inside, the instinct. In any situation, ask that instinct inside of you: Is this right? Is this wrong? Is it yes? Is it no? Just really sit there just for a second and interpret the situation or interpret the question and go with the instinct. And I believe that if you go with the instinct, nothing can go wrong… Well, something could, but go with the instinct, that’s what I try to do all the time.”

20160526 - Bansi Savla On Death

Host: Eugene Kim

Bansi Savla! Bansi is a medical student, a Jain, and an incredibly thoughtful 22-year-old. During this lovely conversation, we talk about time, death, her faith, all in a way that is relatable and digs at essential truths.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Bansi is…
a part of everything,
time,
and a friend.

Before Bansi dies, she wants…
not to want.

When Bansi dies, she wants…
to be at peace with herself.

After Bansi dies, she wants…
to break the cycle of birth and death,
another adventure,
and ultimate truth.

In conclusion, Bansi says…

“Enjoy the ride. Do you. That’s what matters.”
 

20160519 - Doug M On Death

Host: Eugene Kim

Doug M! Doug is currently a camp host with the National Forest Service, a 66yo retired carpenter, and grandfather. He's a born and bred woodsy mountain type from the Tennessee mountains, near the North Carolina border. His down-to-earth wisdom and speaking style will enchant you, as we weave our way through the four prompts in this lovely conversation.

I hope you enjoy!

Doug is...
just Doug,
nothing special, 
a carpenter, 
a host, 
and not the greatest Christian. 

Before Doug dies, he wants...
to go to Yellowstone, Glacier in Canada, and Alaska,
and to see us return to people having more common sense. 

When Doug dies, he wants...
people to say, "He took pride in what he did." 

After Doug dies, he wants...
a legacy.

In conclusion, Doug says...

Be yourself.

I used to not be myself, I used to try to make everybody else happy. Can't do that. Just be yourself, be who you are.

Be proud of it.

20160505 - Jasmine Kashkoush On Death

Host: Eugene Kim

Jasmine Kashkoush! Jasmine is a first year medical student, a Muslim, and incredibly insightful despite her age of 22. She is family-oriented, wants her own children, and her perspective on death has been formed through the passing of her grandparents.

I know you'll enjoy this lovely conversation, please enjoy!

Jasmine is...
young, 
optimistic,
a sister,
and a Muslim.

Before Jasmine dies, she wants...
to help others,
to apologize to anyone she's wronged,
her family to know she loves them,
and to travel the world.

When Jasmine dies, she wants...
to not be in pain,
to be surrounded by friends and family,
and to be at peace.

After Jasmine dies, she wants...
those around her to remember her life,
her family and friends to not be upset,
to plant a tree,
the best for her friends and family,
and the world to continue.

In conclusion, Jasmine says...

"Someone out there believes in you: no matter who it is, whether it's your parents, your friends... I dunno, some random person you met on the street! Someone believes in you and that can really push you to do whatever you want, and even if you don't believe it yourself, someone does believe in you."

20160428 - Carly Waldman On Death

Host: Eugene Kim

Carly Waldman! Carly is a first year medical student at USF, the daughter of a physician, and was raised in the Jewish faith. Currently, she aspires to be a surgeon, and her responses to the four prompts highlight her independence, depth of thought, and determination to heal others in order to help them.

I hope you enjoy!

SHOWNOTES

Carly is...
me,
a medical student,
a lot of things,
Jewish,
and a daughter and sister.

Before Carly dies, she wants...
to be happy,
to be in love and feel loved,
and to feel that she's found meaning.

When Carly dies, she wants...
to be around people that she loves,
and to not be in pain.

After Carly dies, she wants...
to see what's happening,
happiness and love in the people she loves,
and to be content.

In conclusion, Carly says...
"Be comfortable with being uncomfortable... There's a phrase in Hebrew, Gam Zeh Yaavor, this too shall pass, and a lot uncomfortable scenarios will pass."

20160421 - Preethi Rajan On Death

Host: Eugene Kim

This week, we listen to Preethi Rajan's responses to the four prompts!

She's a first year medical student without a science degree (big deal!), the daughter of immigrants, as well as a thoughtful lady with a depth of life experience. She currently aspires to be a pediatrician, and also actively performs with Say Ahh! Capella, a USF Health student acapella group.

Preethi's responses will leave you thinking, and I hope you enjoy!

SHOWNOTES

Preethi is...
a student,
a daughter,
an artist

Before Preethi dies, she wants...
love,
to help some kids

When Preethi dies, she wants...
to be happy,

After Preethi die, she wants...
to leave behind a kid, a grandkid.

In conclusion, Preethi says...

The most important lesson that I've learned is to always stay true to myself. That's what I would want to tell the younger version of myself.

My mom has said this to me, "Be yourself, nobody can tell you you're doing it wrong."

20160421 - Randall Sheffield On Death

Host: Eugene Kim

Randall Sheffield! A CrossFit coach and athlete, student of physical therapy (DPT) at USF, as well as a profound friend. His thoughtful responses to the four prompts will give you pause. He's a part of the Dirty Dozen, the gestational interviews that have helped this podcast develop into its current form, I hope you enjoy!

SHOWNOTES

Randall is…
who he is,
Randall Sheffield,
a culmination of his past trials and tribulations,
sometimes a man of few words,
and a continuous, growing spiritual being.

Before Randall dies, he wants…
to change someone’s life for the better,
to be an inspiration to help people,
to get out and explore,
to see and experience different cultures,
and to find a true love and passion.

When Randall dies, he wants…
to be cremated and have his ashes spread around a few different places,
and his family to have a big-ass party.

After Randall dies, he wants…
people to celebrate the life he had,
and his story to reach somebody after he’s gone.

In conclusion, Randall says…

“Relax a little more. And just enjoy every moment you have and every situation whether it be good or bad. Because it’s going to lead you down the path you’re destined to take. Enjoy the ride and hang on.”

WARNING - EXPLICIT CONTENT. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

20160421 - Tavia Rahki Smith On Death

Host: Eugene Kim

Tavia Rahki Smith! An aspiring yoga instructor, child of divorce, and an incredibly lovely human. She's a part of the dirty dozen, the gestational interviews that have helped On Death develop into the podcast it is now! Additionally, the first live audience! Hope you enjoy :)

SHOWNOTES  

Tavia is…
a blip,
a manifestation of the universe in a body,
female,
a light,
and sensitive.

Before Tavia dies, she wants…
to break a lot of physical and mental barriers,
to share everything she’s learned,
a family,
a biological child,
to get rid of all her earthly possessions,
and to do ayahuasca.

When Tavia dies, she wants…
to cremate her body or donate her body to science,
to be healthy,
it to be a choice.

After Tavia dies, she wants…
to not want anything,
her essence to be free,
her loved ones to learn something from her life,
the world to not get sick and croak.

In conclusion, Tavia says…

Love is a verb. I think that there’s a world inside you that you have to explore and it’s amazing and once you decide that and believe it, it’s like you’re reborn into this other place and it’s so exciting and I want everyone to feel that and live that.

WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

20160421 - Jerel Mair On Death

Host: Eugene Kim

SHOWNOTES

Jerel is…
a follower of Christ,
a student,
a black male.

Before Jerel dies, he wants…
reconciliation,
his family to be taken care of.

When Jerel dies, he wants…
to leave a legacy behind.

After Jerel dies, he wants…
to be with Jesus.

In conclusion, Jerel says…

“Continue to have faith in God, because his plan is ultimately going to be better than your own plan… I’ve tried to do it myself, and it never works out. I’ve tried to really key in on my own self and really make things happen, but it never works out. And I know for sure that His plans are ultimately better than mine. So, continue to keep the faith.”

WARNING - EXPLICIT CONTENT. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

20160421 - Ali-Musa Jaffer on Death

Host: Eugene Kim

Ali-Musa Jaffer! A first year medical student, a thoughtful and sincere Muslim with a profound depth of faith. His responses to the four prompts are incredible, with applications to everyday life, no matter your faith or belief. This episode is a member of the Dirty Dozen, the gestational interviews that have shaped this podcast into the current iteration of On Death. I hope you enjoy!

SHOWNOTES

Ali is…
a human being searching for the truth,
struggling,
and a medical student trying to learn medicine.

Before Ali dies, he wants…
to find the truth,
to leave behind a legacy,
to leave behind a lineage,
and to make sure that his parents have security.

When Ali dies, he wants…
to be doing something good,
not to be doing something bad,
to make sure he’s paid off all his debts,
and to leave behind an inheritance.

After Ali dies, he wants…
paradise,
God to judge him by His mercy not His justice,
and good for all of humanity.

In conclusion, Ali says…

Follow your heart. Follow what you believe is right. And if you do that… you can say to whatever God there is, “Oh God I followed my heart. I tried to eliminate my ego. I tried to follow what I believed was the truth”… How could God punish you for that?
 

WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.