What if the healing you’ve been chasing for years… could happen in a single moment?

In this episode, Jennifer Muldowney sits down with Dr. Irene to explore something deeply human, the need for closure, connection, and peace after loss. Irene shares her work around the psychomanteum, a quiet, sensory-deprived space designed to help people feel close to loved ones who have passed. But what unfolds in that space isn’t always what you’d expect.

What makes this conversation powerful isn’t just the idea of connecting with the afterlife. It’s the reminder that so much of what we carry, grief, anger, longing, is waiting to be released. And sometimes, all we really need is the space to face it honestly..

Key Topics:

-Processing grief and emotional pain through immersive experiences

-Letting go of the need for validation from loved ones who have passed

-Creating space to express unspoken words and unresolved feelings

-Understanding how inner healing can happen without external confirmation

-Exploring alternative ways people seek connection, closure, and peace

Quotes from the episode:

“There is no white knight on a white horse coming to rescue you, you have to rescue yourself.”

— Jennifer Muldowney

I spent my whole life trying to be good enough… and in that moment, I realized I already was.

— Irene Blinston

Timestamps:

[01:05] The Research Behind Contacting the Dead: Irene explains how her work in transpersonal psychology led her to study the psychomanteum, a sensory-deprivation chamber designed to help grieving people connect with loved ones who have passed.

[02:20] 92% of Participants Felt Their Grief Reduce: The astonishing research result behind the book, showing that most participants experienced meaningful relief, and that the change lasted over time.

[03:12] What Actually Happens Inside the Chamber: Some people felt a presence. Others saw colors, symbols, images, or even apparitions. This is where the episode moves from theory into the truly fascinating.

[09:08] The Father Wound That Healed in One Session: Irene shares the deeply personal moment that changed her life, releasing a lifelong need for her father’s approval and replacing it with something far more powerful.

[13:11] No One Is Coming to Rescue You: A moving reflection on self-worth, healing, and the hard truth that real peace begins when you stop waiting for validation from other people.

[14:10] Who This Experience Is Not For: An important and grounded discussion on safety, mental health screening, and why this kind of work must be handled with great care.

[19:06] Becoming Your Own Medium: Irene explains what makes this work so different, and why having the experience yourself can be more powerful than hearing messages through someone else.

[21:05] Can This Become a Real Healing Practice?: Irene shares her vision for rebuilding, training facilitators, and turning this rare work into something more available for people who are grieving.

Connect with Irene Blinston at:

Websites -support@portaltohealinggrief.com

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper on socials at:

Instagram - / jennifermuldowney

TikTok - / therealglamreaper

YouTube - / @theglamreapermuldowney

LinkedIn - / jennifermuldowney

Facebook Page - / muldowneymemorials

Email us - glamreaperpodcast@gmail.com

Shop Merch - https://the-glam-reaper.printify.me/p...

Listen to The Glam Reaper Podcast on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

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What happens when the people who stand beside grief every day are expected to carry it quietly?

In this episode, Jennifer Muldowney sits down with Dwight, a former funeral director turned therapist, for a deeply honest conversation about the emotional toll of working in death care. Having lived both roles, Dwight speaks with real understanding about what funeral professionals hold day after day, the sorrow they witness, the stories they carry, and the parts of themselves they often have to set aside just to keep going.

Together, they talk about how little support exists for the mental health of people in funeral service, and how often their pain goes unseen. They explore the silence, the stigma, and the weight of doing work that asks so much from the heart while giving so little room to process it. This episode also shines a light on the importance of community, shared understanding, and spaces like Funeral Professional Peer Support where people can finally feel less alone.

Tune in for a moving conversation about grief, compassion, and what it means to care for others when no one has taught you how to care for yourself.

Key Topics:

-The hidden mental health toll of funeral work
-Why funeral professionals often suffer in silence
-The lack of real support for people in death care
-How stigma keeps funeral directors in the shadows
-The need for research, resources, and peer support in funeral service

Quotes from the episode:

“If we would just face the fact that we are dying, we live better and we love more.”
— Jennifer Muldowney

“No one in these mental health spaces are talking about funeral directors. And that to me is alarming."
— Dwight Thompson

Timestamps:

[01:43] Funeral Professionals Are Human Too
[03:18] Dwight’s Journey from Funeral Work to Therapy
[06:49] Seeking Help and Not Being Understood
[08:37] The Gap in Mental Health Training
[09:36] Why Funeral Directors Are Not First Responders
[14:31] The Overlooked Reality of Funeral Service
[17:58] Stigma Around Death Care Work
[21:20] The Power of Peer Support
[33:02] Why the System Needs Outside Help
[36:26] What Comes Next for the Industry

Connect with Dwight Thompson at:
Websites - https://www.funeralpeersupport.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwight-thompson-msw-rsw-rmft-s-31160621a/
Email: dwight@ottawapsychotherapyservices.ca

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper on socials at:
Instagram - / jennifermuldowney
TikTok - / therealglamreaper
YouTube - / @theglamreapermuldowney
LinkedIn - / jennifermuldowney
Facebook Page - / muldowneymemorials
Email us - glamreaperpodcast@gmail.com
Shop Merch - https://the-glam-reaper.printify.me/p...
Listen to The Glam Reaper Podcast on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
The Glam Reaper® AMAZON Storefront - https://amzn.to/4hObpOh

In this season six premiere, Jennifer Muldowney welcomes viral sensation and dear friend Vivienne Sayers for a St. Patrick’s Day conversation that goes beyond surface-level celebration. Together, they explore the bittersweet soul of Ireland, from red carpets like the Oscars to the sacred traditions of the Irish wake. They unpack why Irish culture has long been a masterclass in holding both joy and deep, generational grief at the same time.

They dive into the power of visceral storytelling through films like Hamnet, share the hilarious realities of being Irish in New York, including a mortifying run-in with Ed Sheeran, and reflect on how Irish identity is evolving. The conversation highlights how the traditional Irish funeral is entering a “chrysalis stage,” shifting alongside changing beliefs and modern perspectives. They also challenge the drinking stereotypes tied to St. Patrick’s Day, encouraging a return to deeper roots like language, community, and the ancient practice of keening.

Tune in for a celebration of the “Yin and Yang” of the Emerald Isle: the heart that smiles, the soul that cries, and the community that holds it all together.

Key Topics:

The Dual Soul: Navigating the “tear and the smile” in Irish culture

Keening and The Craic: The role of professional mourners and the social nature of Irish wakes

The Modern Irish Identity: Moving beyond stereotypes and reclaiming language and heritage

Generational Trauma vs Wealth: How history shapes emotional expression and resilience

Wake 2.0: Why funerals and life itself require community, connection, and presence

Quotes from the episode:

"There’s room for everyone at the table, no matter what industry... even if you're bloody identical twins, they still create their own corners of the world for themselves."

— Jennifer Muldowney

"America has generational wealth; Ireland has generational trauma. And we totally laugh about it, but... we are looking to broaden the Irish narrative of who we are as people."

— Vivienne Sayers

Timestamps:

[02:16] Irish Excellence: Discussing the Oscars, the Rugby Triple Crown, and Jessie Buckley’s visceral performance in Hamnet.

[05:57] The "So Irish" Airport Encounter: A red carpet for celebrities, but no one to help with the heavy lifting.

[07:54] The Ed Sheeran Incident: A hilarious story of mortification and mocking a global superstar to his face in Williamsburg.

[10:33] The Irish in NYC: Why Irish people message you after they see you in a bar rather than approaching directly.

[14:09] The Social Event of the Season: Why the rural Irish funeral is a communal milestone worth preserving.

[16:13] The Chrysalis Stage: How declining church influence is changing funeral experiences for younger generations.

[19:06] Beyond the Green Beer: A call to support Irish culture, language, and businesses.

[25:32] Corned Beef vs Boiled Ham: The contrast between Irish-American traditions and growing up in Ireland.

[29:26] The Art of Keening: Exploring the history of the Bean Chaointe and the lasting impact of ritual mourning.

Connect with Vivienne Sayers at:

Websites - https://viviennesayers.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivienne_in_nyc/

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper on socials at:

Instagram - / jennifermuldowney

TikTok - / therealglamreaper

YouTube - / @theglamreapermuldowney

LinkedIn - / jennifermuldowney

Facebook Page - / muldowneymemorials

Email us - glamreaperpodcast@gmail.com

Shop Merch - https://the-glam-reaper.printify.me/p

Listen to The Glam Reaper Podcast on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast

The Glam Reaper® AMAZON Storefront - https://amzn.to/4hObpOh

What if talking about death openly is what actually helps people feel less afraid?

In this episode, Jennifer Muldowney sits down with Eileen Hollis to explore how conversations, community, and education are reshaping death care. Eileen shares her journey from working quietly behind the scenes to becoming a trusted voice online, helping people understand what happens after death and how families can feel more prepared when loss arrives.

They talk about the rise of death education on social media, the responsibility that comes with visibility, and how Eileen navigates misinformation by only sharing what she would say to a family sitting across from her. The conversation also looks at why funeral traditions are changing, how personalization matters more than formality, and what it really means to meet families where they are.

Tune in to hear why opening up about death may be one of the most meaningful ways to support the living.

Key Topics:

-Learning to face death with openness and less fear

-Offering families clarity, honesty, and reassurance

-Bringing humanity back into funeral care

-Honoring personal wishes and lived stories

-Finding connection and comfort through community

Quotes from the episode:

“Talking about death doesn’t make it happen, but avoiding it doesn’t stop it either.”

-Eileen Hollis

“There are bad people in every industry, and that doesn’t define everyone.”

-Jennifer Muldowney

Timestamp:

[00:00] Podcast Intro

[00:25] Eileen Hollis reflected on attending her first national funeral conference, describing how industry connections and emerging innovations inspired her, while also recognizing the time, cost, and staffing challenges for small funeral homes.

[08:49] Eileen shared how she uses social media to foster community in death care, navigate a crowded digital space, address misinformation thoughtfully, and communicate with care and integrity.

[17:09] Eileen explained her approach to social media as an optional educational resource that normalizes conversations around death, planning, and grief while meeting families with openness and respect.

[22:38] Eileen discussed the importance of personalization in funerals, emphasizing comfort, authenticity, trust, and meaningful human connection over rigid traditions or sales-driven practices.

[39:01] Outro

Connect with Eileen Hollis:

Email: HollisFunHome@gmail.com

Website: HollisFunsralHome.com

TikTok: @hollisfuneralhome

Instagram: @hollisfuneralhome

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper on socials at:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jennifermuldowney/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@therealglamreaper

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheGlamReaperMuldowney

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermuldowney/

Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/MuldowneyMemorials/

Email us - glamreaperpodcast@gmail.com

Shop Merch - https://the-glam-reaper.printify.me/products

Listen to The Glam Reaper Podcast on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-glam-reaper-podcast/id1572382989?i=1000525524145

The Glam Reaper® AMAZON Storefront - https://amzn.to/4hObpOh

What if the way we fear death is actually what makes it harder?

In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Hospice Nurse Penny to talk about what really happens at the end of life, the moments most people never see, and the truths that change how we think about dying. Penny shares her journey into hospice later in life, how her own fear of death led her to this work, and why caring for dying people became some of the most meaningful work she’s ever done.

They explore deathbed experiences, the signs people show when they know they’re dying, and why many loved ones pass when family step out of the room. Penny explains how open conversations around death can ease anxiety, bring peace, and help people live more fully long before the end arrives. These are stories that are honest, emotional, and deeply human.

The conversation also dives into how Penny took hospice education online, why one story went viral, and how social media has become a powerful way to normalize death for millions of people. Together, Jennifer and Penny talk about authenticity, trust, misinformation, and why talking about death openly may be one of the most important conversations we’re avoiding.

Tune in to hear the stories we rarely say out loud, and why understanding death might actually help us live better.

Key Topics:

-Finding purpose through caring for the dying

-Losing fear by facing death honestly

-What people reveal at the end of life

-Trust, truth, and authenticity in sharing death stories

-Why talking about death helps us live more fully

Quotes from the episode:

“Talking about death doesn’t make it happen, but avoiding it doesn’t stop it either.”

-Hospice Nurse Penny

“The more we talk about death, the more normal it becomes.”

-Jennifer Muldowney

Timestamp:

[00:00] Podcast Intro

[00:22] Hospice Nurse Penny opens up about finding hospice work later in life, the personal turning points that led her there, and how caring for the dying gave her work lasting meaning beyond a traditional career.

[07:59] Through shared stories of loss and bedside moments, Penny and Jennifer reflect on how direct exposure to dying reshaped their understanding of what comes after and reduced fear around death.

[19:09] Penny explains how the pandemic pushed her to share hospice experiences online, how one story changed her reach overnight, and why each platform serves a different kind of connection.

[28:18] The conversation closes on why authenticity matters more than saturation, how trust is built through honesty, and the responsibility of speaking clearly when discussing death in public spaces.

[39:01] Outro

Connect with Hospice Nurse Penny:

Instagram: @hospicenursepenny

Website: hospicenursepenny.com

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper on socials at:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jennifermuldowney/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@therealglamreaper

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheGlamReaperMuldowney

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermuldowney/

Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/MuldowneyMemorials/

Email us - glamreaperpodcast@gmail.com

Shop Merch - https://the-glam-reaper.printify.me/products

Listen to The Glam Reaper Podcast on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-glam-reaper-podcast/id1572382989?i=1000525524145

The Glam Reaper® AMAZON Storefront - https://amzn.to/4hObpOh

What if the way we talk about death is the reason so many people feel lost when it finally happens?

In this episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, Jennifer sits down with Symon, a thanatologist working at the intersection of end of life care and technology, to unpack why death education is outdated, why the funeral industry feels confusing to so many families, and how better knowledge can restore choice and peace during some of life’s hardest moments.

Simon shares their deeply personal journey into hospice work and research, explains what thanatology and death technology really mean, and explores how tools like AI could help people understand their options before grief and urgency take over. Together, Jennifer and Simon challenge common myths about funerals, pricing, and planning, and talk honestly about why pre-planning, cultural awareness, and open conversations can change everything.

Tune in for a real, eye opening conversation that will leave you thinking differently about choice, legacy, and how we prepare for the end of life.

Key Topics:

-Choosing to talk about death before crisis

-Finding meaning and comfort in end of life planning

-Honoring personal values over fear and pressure

-Expanding choice through education and awareness

-Building a more humane future for death care

Quotes from the episode:

“My goal is to make death education accessible, modern, and available before people are in crisis.”

-Symon Braun Freck

“Not everyone wants the same ending, and that’s something we need to respect..”

-Jennifer Muldowney

Timestamp:

[00:00] Podcast Intro

[00:18] Simon discussed their work at the intersection of thanatology and technology, and how research and AI can expand access to end of life care information so people can make informed choices with clarity and confidence.

[09:28] Simon reflected on how early, personal experiences with death shaped their path into hospice work and research, and why those experiences now guide their commitment to ethical, culturally aware end of life tools.

[17:07] Simon explored why the funeral industry often feels exploitative, pointing to a lack of preparation and education, and emphasized how early conversations can shift decisions away from fear and toward personal values.

[22:40] Simon addressed how urgency, limited options, and missing knowledge during grief restrict meaningful choice, reinforcing the need for better education, advocacy, and more flexible end of life pathways.

[26:45] Outro

Connect with Symon Braun Freck:

Email: symonbraunfreck@gmail.com

LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/in/symon-braun-freck-833b94197/

Website - symonbraunfreck.com

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper on socials at:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jennifermuldowney/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@therealglamreaper

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheGlamReaperMuldowney

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermuldowney/

Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/MuldowneyMemorials/

Email us - glamreaperpodcast@gmail.com

Shop Merch - https://the-glam-reaper.printify.me/products

Listen to The Glam Reaper Podcast on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-glam-reaper-podcast/id1572382989?i=1000525524145

The Glam Reaper® AMAZON Storefront - https://amzn.to/4hObpOh

Have you ever wished there was a place where you could speak about loss without feeling judged or rushed?

In this episode, Melanie Wilson shares how the sudden death of her father led her to create Death of the Party, a gathering where people can show up exactly as they are and feel understood in their grief. What began as a small idea in New York has grown into meaningful events that help strangers feel less alone.

Melanie also talks about Life and Soul, her new service that supports grievers through ceremonies, after loss tasks, estate needs, and end of life planning. She explains how real care often comes from community, honest conversation, and simple guidance during a time when everything feels overwhelming.

This episode is a gentle look at grief, connection, and the courage it takes to build something that helps others heal. It will make you rethink how we show up for the people we love and how we accept support when we need it most.

Tune in and discover a fresh way of understanding grief and the power of community that holds space for both pain and growth.

Key Topics:

-The comfort found in sharing grief with people who understand

-Building community through Death of the Party events

-The evolution of loss into purpose and service

-Creating Life and Soul to guide grievers with care

-The power of honest connection during moments of deep change

Quotes from the episode:

“Death of the Party came from wanting a space where no one has to hide their loss.”

-Melanie Wilson

“Community matters, especially in grief, because not everyone can afford or access professional spaces.”

-Jennifer Muldowney

Timestamp:

[00:00] Podcast Intro

[00:33] Melanie shared how losing her father pushed her to create Death of the Party, a grief focused gathering that gives people a safe place to meet others, express themselves in creative ways, and feel supported through shared loss.

[10:31] Melanie talked about how each event brings returning and new faces, why she keeps Death of the Party as an in person one time experience rather than a long term group, and how it offers community connection but not formal therapy, even though therapists sometimes recommend it.

[17:20] Melanie explained how Death of the Party led her to build Life and Soul, a service that blends ceremony work, after loss guidance, and practical support so grievers can move through funerals, paperwork, and planning with clarity and care.

[24:45] Melanie shared that her services are priced based on each person’s needs, that Life and Soul is a queer owned but welcoming space for all, and she encouraged listeners to connect, join future events, and follow the growth of her work.

[39:25] Outro

Connect with Melanie Wilson:

Email: melanie@thelifeandsoul.co

LinkedIn- linkedin.com/in/melanie-mw

Website - thelifeandsoul.co

Instagram: @thelifeandsoul.co

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper on socials at:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jennifermuldowney/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@therealglamreaper

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheGlamReaperMuldowney

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermuldowney/

Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/MuldowneyMemorials/

Email us - glamreaperpodcast@gmail.com

Shop Merch - https://the-glam-reaper.printify.me/products

Listen to The Glam Reaper Podcast on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-glam-reaper-podcast/id1572382989?i=1000525524145

The Glam Reaper® AMAZON Storefront - https://amzn.to/4hObpOh

This episode takes you behind the scenes of the NFDA 2025 International Convention & Expo and the Future of Deathcare Summit, held in Chicago this October.
Despite a few uninvited audio gremlins (yes, apologies in advance for the glitches!), this conversation captures the energy, innovation, and sense of community that defined the week.

Host Jennifer Muldowney – The Glam Reaper – shares personal reflections from the Summit panel on generational shifts in funeral service, insights from NFDA’s biggest educational event of the year, and key takeaways for funeral professionals in Ireland and beyond. Even though all our audio died from the NFDA we still tried! Check out our blog piece for more info. https://www.muldowneymemorials.com/blogs/chicago-connection-change-highlights-from-nfda-2025-and-the-future-of-deathcare-summit

• What made the Future of Deathcare Summit a breath of fresh air for our profession
• Highlights from Jennifer’s panel: “Generational Expectations: How Gen X & Millennials Are Redefining Funeral Service”
• The NFDA 2025 Convention at McCormick Place — record attendance, new innovations, and a renewed focus on human connection
• The rise of AI tools, digital legacy, and sustainability in modern funeral care
• Why “personalisation is no longer optional” for today’s families
• Work in funeral service, celebrancy, or end-of-life care
• Are curious about how the profession is evolving globally
• Missed this year’s NFDA Convention and want to catch the vibe
• Love hearing how community, creativity, and compassion collide in our work

Fair warning — the audio gods were not on our side this time!
A few sections sound like they were recorded in a wind tunnel (they weren’t, promise). But the insights and spirit of the conversation are well worth the ride.