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.

Why do we wait until someone dies to learn how to deal with death?

In this episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, Jennifer Muldowney sits down with Jennifer Lares, a licensed funeral director, educator, and former U.S. Army mortuary officer who managed repatriations across Europe and Africa. Together, they open a side of the funeral world that most people never see — where compassion, ethics, and resilience meet REALITY.

Jennifer Lares reveals what it’s really like behind military and civilian funerals, how empathy and education can change the way we face loss. From exposing industry silence and scandals to rethinking Direct Cremation and modern airbrush cosmetics, this conversation challenges everything you thought you knew about death care.

It’s real. And it might just change how you see life, grief, and the people who serve behind the curtain of death.

🎧 Tune in to discover how curiosity, courage, and compassion can transform the way we say goodbye.

Key Topics:

-Honoring the fallen and the unseen work behind repatriation

-Redefining empathy and teamwork in funeral service education

-The courage to speak up in an industry built on silence

-Reimagining beauty, dignity, and goodbyes through modern death care

-Learning to face death with curiosity, not fear

Quotes from the episode:

“We know that we’re all going to die, and yet we don’t learn anything about it until you have to. So why would you not involve this in education when you’re growing up?”

-Jennifer Lares

“But if you don’t evolve, you dissolve.”

-Jennifer Muldowney

Timestamp:

[00:00] Podcast Intro

[00:29] Jennifer Lares shares her experience as a U.S. Army mortuary officer in Germany, reflecting on the challenges of repatriating fallen service members, cultural differences around death, and her mission to elevate funeral education through advanced embalming and training.

[10:23] She talks about teaching empathy-led teamwork, sensitive communication with grieving families, and modernizing end-of-life care through airbrush cosmetics and progressive education.

[21:52] The conversation moves to licensing and specialization in funeral service, the staffing challenges across states, and Jennifer’s honest take on the California mortician scandal—why abuses happen and why the industry needs stronger ethics and protection.

[32:30] Jennifer discusses gender bias, inequality, and society’s fascination with scandal and death. She calls for rethinking cremation, respecting diverse beliefs, and re-educating the public on the sacred value of ritual and the body.

[43:19] To close, she highlights the need for transparency, curiosity, and higher standards—urging the profession to embrace accountability, continuous learning, and stronger oversight to restore trust in death care.

[53:57] Outro

Connect with Jennifer Lares:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jennifer-lares-a09163302

Websites - mullingmortician.com

Instagram: @mullingmortician

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

How do you heal when the one who gave you unconditional love is gone?

In this episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, Jennifer Muldowney goes beyond grief to uncover the new ways people are reshaping how we say goodbye to our pets — from compassion, creativity, to community.

Adam Greenbaum, founder of Love Baxter, shares the raw story of losing his dog Baxter and realizing how unprepared the world is for pet loss. His experience led him to build a first-of-its-kind digital resource that helps pet parents make informed, heartfelt decisions during one of life’s hardest moments.

Dr. Paula Rivadeneira, the heart behind Old Souls Animal Rescue, brings light to the overlooked — senior and special-needs pets who often lose their homes when their owners pass away. Through humor, honesty, and deep empathy, she shows what true devotion looks like, one rescue at a time.

John, founder of Ever After Art, introduces a striking form of remembrance — transforming ashes into luminous crystal artworks that carry the chemistry and soul of every beloved companion. It’s grief turned into art, loss turned into legacy.

This episode isn’t just about saying goodbye. It’s about discovering the many ways love continues to live on.

Key Topics:

-Healing the heartbreak of pet loss

-Redefining compassion in end-of-life care

-Honoring pets through art and remembrance

-Giving forgotten animals love and dignity

-Finding connection and meaning through grief

Quotes from the episode:

"My dog didn’t die — my son died. He was the love of my life."

-Adam Greenbaum

“When someone loses a pet, it’s not just loss — it’s losing a heartbeat that follows you everywhere.”

-Paula Rivadeneira

“We take just a teaspoon of ash and turn it into crystal — a unique, one-of-a-kind artwork that carries the essence of your pet’s soul.”

-John

Timestamp:

[00:00] Podcast Intro

[00:21] Jennifer sits down with Adam Greenbaum, who shares the moving story behind Love Baxter, an online resource created to help grieving pet owners find guidance, compassion, and community during one of life’s hardest goodbyes.

[13:55] Jennifer meets Dr. Paula Rivadeneira, founder of Old Souls Animal Rescue, to talk about caring for senior and special-needs animals, the emotional reality of pet loss, and how her TikTok community inspires support for forgotten pets.

[18:33] Jennifer chats with John from Ever After Art, exploring how he transforms pet ashes into mesmerizing crystal artworks, a unique and healing way to preserve the spirit and memory of beloved companions.

[29:52] Outro

Connect with Adam Greenbaum:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adamgreenbaum

Instagram: @greenbaumly

Website: beacons.ai/greenbaum

Connect with Paula Rivadeneira:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paula-rivadeneira

Website: oldsouls.org (Other)

chollaafterlife.com (Company)

Connect with John:

Website: https://everafterart.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

In this special episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, Jennifer Muldowney takes us inside the CANA Convention to uncover bold ideas, inspiring stories, and the future of funeral service.

Jennifer sits down with powerhouse women and industry innovators making waves in the profession. Lisa Bowie shares how Funeral Women Lead is breaking barriers with the first-ever Wellness Summit and Women’s Leadership Academy. Melissa talks about her work with Security National and why advocacy, mentorship, and support for women entering funeral service is more urgent than ever.

You’ll also hear from Darren at Passages, whose eco-friendly urns and biodegradable memorial products are reshaping how families honor loved ones—from Himalayan salt urns to GPS-tracked scattering memorials. And Will and Hannah Laura from Cold Spring reveal the artistry behind their 127-year legacy in quarrying and bronze memorialization, including national monuments, private mausoleums, and even hand-sculpted angels and granite castles.

Tune in to discover how innovation, mentorship, and community are redefining the funeral profession and why now is the time to support the leaders driving it forward.

Key Topics:

-Empowering women in the funeral profession

-Mentorship and community supportz

-Innovation in eco-friendly memorial products

-Honoring legacy through artistry and tradition

-Building confidence and leadership for future generations

Timestamp:

[00:00] Podcast Intro

[00:20] Jennifer Muldowney sits down with Lisa Bowie at the CANA Convention to discuss empowering women in the funeral profession through Funeral Women Lead, leadership and wellness programs, and her new book Wake Up Calls.

[04:41] Jennifer chats with Melissa about her role at Security National, her advocacy with Funeral Women Lead, and why supporting women entering the funeral and cremation profession matters.

[08:50] Jennifer speaks with Darren from Passages about eco-friendly urns and burial products and innovative memorial tools that blend sustainability with remembrance.

[19:34] Jennifer connects with Will and Hannah Laura from Cold Spring to explore the company’s 127-year legacy in quarrying and bronze memorialization.

[28:09] Outro

Connect with Darren Crouch:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/darren-crouch-9a450236

Websites: passagesinternational.com (Company)

Connect with Lisa Baue:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisa-baue

Websites: yourfuneralcoach.com (Company)

Connect with Melissa Posey Loose:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melissaploose

Connect with Hannalora and Will:

Website: https://coldspringusa.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