What Will They Say About You When You're Gone ft. Rev. DiAnna Ritola

 

What makes a meaningful funeral or memorial service, and why are more families choosing celebrants to help tell their loved one's story?

In this episode, Jennifer Muldowney sits down with funeral celebrant, retreat facilitator, and spiritual counselor Rev. DiAnna Ritola to explore the deeply personal work of guiding people through grief, remembrance, and healing. DiAnna shares how growing up around funeral homes shaped her relationship with death, how she found her calling as a celebrant, and why honoring every part of a person's story matters more than creating a "perfect" service.

The conversation also explores the importance of pre-planning, creating personalized memorials, and giving families the freedom to celebrate life in a way that truly reflects the person they've lost. Jennifer and DiAnna discuss why vulnerability is essential during grief, the unique challenges celebrants face, and how collaboration helps families navigate one of life's most difficult moments with compassion and authenticity.

Beyond funeral work, DiAnna also shares her passion for women's circles, spiritual healing, retreats, and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Together, they discuss how these practices help people process loss, embrace life's transitions, and create deeper connections with themselves and the people they love. 

Key Topics:

-Why personalized funerals create more meaningful goodbyes

-The importance of pre-planning your final wishes

-How funeral celebrants help families heal through storytelling

-Psychedelic therapy and its role in end-of-life care

-The legacy we leave through the stories people tell about us

Quotes from the episode:

"If you know your time is limited, you get the chance to prepare to meet the unknown."

— DiAnna Ritola

"Why then do you leave your final chapter to be written by somebody else?"

— Jennifer Muldowney

Timestamps:

[01:43] From Celebrant to Healing Guide: DiAnna introduces her work as a funeral celebrant, retreat host, spiritual counselor, and psychedelic therapist, sharing how each role supports people through life's biggest transitions.

[03:02] Why Small Retreats Create Deeper Healing: DiAnna explains why she intentionally keeps her retreats intimate to create a space where everyone feels seen, supported, and nurtured.

[03:58] Why Psychedelics Keep Showing Up This Season: Jennifer reflects on the podcast's unexpected focus on psychedelics while DiAnna shares how the field is becoming increasingly connected to healing and end-of-life care.

[04:58] The Growing Role of Psychedelics in End of Life Care: DiAnna discusses her training as an end-of-life doula and why psychedelic-assisted therapy is emerging as a powerful tool for people facing terminal illness.

[06:27] Retreats That Sell Out and Transform Lives: Jennifer shares the excitement around her upcoming Ireland retreat while discussing the growing interest in healing-focused retreat experiences.

[07:40] Growing Up Around Death Made It Feel Normal: DiAnna reflects on her childhood surrounded by funeral homes and how those early experiences shaped her lifelong comfort with death and grief.

[09:17] Discovering Her Calling as a Funeral Celebrant: DiAnna shares how becoming an interfaith minister unexpectedly led her into officiating weddings, funerals, and celebrations of life.

[10:09] Why Every Life Deserves to Be Remembered Honestly: DiAnna explains why the best memorials celebrate both the strengths and imperfections that made someone uniquely human.

[11:39] Why Funeral Celebrants Matter More Than Most People Realize: Jennifer and DiAnna discuss the unique challenges of creating meaningful funeral services within just a few days of meeting a family.

[14:16] Why Grief Needs Space Instead of Perfection: DiAnna explains how allowing families to be vulnerable during funeral services creates opportunities for healing and genuine support.

[15:23] The Freedom of Creating Personalized Funerals: The conversation explores how celebrant-led services give families the flexibility to include traditions, prayers, stories, and personal touches that truly reflect their loved one.

[17:18] Why End of Life Planning Matters for the LGBTQ+ Community: Jennifer discusses the importance of pre-planning to ensure people are remembered according to their identity, wishes, and authentic life.

[18:17] Pre-Planning Is About More Than Paying for a Funeral: DiAnna explains why pre-planning should also include personal stories, music, messages, and the legacy you want to leave behind.

[20:27] The Heartbreak That Happens Without a Plan: Jennifer shares real examples of why documenting your wishes can prevent unnecessary conflict and ensure your voice is honored after death.

[21:02] Inside DiAnna's Women's Healing Circles: DiAnna explains how seasonal gatherings, rituals, and community create space for women to reconnect, heal, and support one another.

[23:25] Creating Personalized Healing Rituals: DiAnna shares how she works alongside individuals to design meaningful ceremonies tailored to their unique life challenges and healing journeys.

[24:14] Why Collaboration Creates Better Healing Experiences: Jennifer and DiAnna discuss how working together with families allows funeral services and ceremonies to become deeply personal and meaningful.

[25:00] Sometimes 'No' Is Just as Valuable as 'Yes': DiAnna explains why honest feedback from families helps create memorial services that truly honor the person being remembered.

[26:12] The Lasting Reward of Celebrant Work: Jennifer and DiAnna reflect on why supporting families through life's most emotional moments remains one of the most meaningful careers they could imagine

Connect with Rev. DiAnna Ritola at:

Websites - Diannaritola.com
Email: Revdianna@diannaritola.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/

Listen to The Glam Reaper Podcast on Apple Podcasts:

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

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

Why More Families are Turning to Death Doulas for End of Life Support ft. Nicole Hoover

What does a death doula actually do, and why are more families turning to them during some of life’s most difficult moments?

In this episode, Jennifer Muldowney sits down with death doula Nicole to explore the growing role of death doulas in end-of-life care. Nicole shares her journey from a career in human resources to supporting individuals and families through the dying process after experiencing the loss of her mother and aunt. She explains what a death doula does, how the role differs from medical professionals, and why emotional support can be just as important as physical care.

The conversation dives into legacy work, difficult family conversations, caregiving, hospice support, and the challenges families often face when navigating death. Nicole also opens up about her earliest experiences around death, how those moments shaped her calling, and why helping people find comfort, connection, and peace at the end of life has become her life's work.

Jennifer and Nicole also discuss the evolving place of death doulas within the funeral industry, the growing need for end-of-life support as populations age, and the importance of creating space for every professional involved in helping families through loss. 

Key Topics:

-What a death doula actually does and how they support families

-Why Nicole left corporate HR to follow a calling in end-of-life care

-The importance of legacy work and preserving family stories

-Why end-of-life caregiving takes a village of support

-How unresolved relationships can affect the dying process

-The growing role of death doulas in modern funeral care

Quotes from the episode:

“If you’ve never been with a dying or deceased person, how can you call yourself a death doula?”

— Jennifer Muldowney

“It takes a village to raise a child. The same could be said for taking care of a dying loved one.”

— Nicole Hoover

Timestamps:

[01:08] From HR to Death Doula

Nicole shares how losing her mother and aunt pushed her to leave corporate life and follow a calling she never expected.

[06:44] The Words People Need Before Death

Nicole explains how simple words like “you’re loved and supported” can bring comfort at the end of life.

[08:44] What Do You Leave Behind When You Die?

Nicole talks about legacy work and why families should preserve stories before it’s too late.

[13:09] Can You Be a Death Doula Without Seeing Death?

Jennifer asks a bold question about experience, training, and what should really qualify someone for this work.

[14:39] Why Dying Takes a Village

Nicole explains why families need more than medical care when someone they love is near the end.

[18:43] Her First Time Around Death

Nicole shares her early experience in a nursing home and how it shaped the way she sees death today.

[23:15] How Do You Charge for Heart Work?

Jennifer and Nicole discuss the hard truth about getting paid for work that is deeply emotional and personal.

[25:01] Two Deaths That Changed Her Forever

Nicole opens up about the very different deaths of her mother and aunt, and what those experiences taught her.

Connect with Nicole Hoover at:

Websites - www.deathdoulanicole.com
Email: Nicole@deathdoulanicole.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/

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 Psilocybin Can Teach Us About Death, Connection, and Letting Go ft. Lauren Carroll

 What if one experience could completely change the way you see life, death, grief, and even yourself?

In this episode, Jennifer Muldowney sits down with Lauren Carroll to explore the growing world of psilocybin and its role in healing, grief work, and end-of-life care. Lauren shares how an unexpected health diagnosis led her to try psilocybin for the first time and how that experience became a turning point in both her personal life and professional path.

Lauren opens up about the emotional journey she experienced, the fears she carried about her children and mortality, and how psilocybin helped her process grief in a completely new way. She also explains what happens during a guided retreat, why intention and integration are such important parts of the process, and what she has witnessed while supporting others through their own healing journeys.

This conversation goes beyond mushrooms and psychedelics. It explores trauma, personal transformation, spirituality, ancestral connection, and the ways people search for meaning when faced with loss, fear, and uncertainty. 

Key Topics:

-Psilocybin and its role in grief and healing

-How a health diagnosis changed Lauren’s life

-What happens during a guided psilocybin retreat

-The connection between trauma, fear, and emotional release

-Why mushrooms are gaining attention in end-of-life care

Quotes from the episode:

“Crying is a form of relief.”

— Jennifer Muldowney

“When you’re a healed person, it’s a lot harder to have somebody control you.”

— Lauren Carroll

Timestamps:

[02:18] The Diagnosis That Changed Everything: Lauren shares how an unexpected health diagnosis led her to explore psilocybin as a way to process fear, grief, and uncertainty about the future.

[03:01] The Psilocybin Experience That Transformed Her Life: After attending her first retreat, Lauren describes how six hours of emotional release completely changed her perspective on life, death, and healing.

[04:14] Bringing Psilocybin Into End of Life Care: Lauren explains why she is pursuing legal training to help people facing death, grief, and major life transitions through guided psilocybin experiences.

[07:55] What Actually Happens During a Psilocybin Retreat: Lauren walks through the retreat experience, from preparation and intention setting to emotional support and post-journey integration.

[10:47] Can Someone Leave Unchanged?: Lauren reflects on the people she has worked with and why even the most difficult journeys often lead to profound healing and personal growth.

[13:49] Why Every Psilocybin Journey Is Different: Lauren shares how the medicine seems to give each person exactly what they need, whether that means emotional release, clarity, healing, or insight.

[15:21] Facing the Fear of Leaving Her Children Behind: Lauren opens up about confronting her deepest fears and how psilocybin helped her find peace with uncertainty and mortality.

[18:49] Why Lauren Dedicated Her Life to This Work: After experiencing the impact firsthand, Lauren explains why psilocybin became a major part of her mission to support healing and grief work.

[20:29] The Unexpected Lesson From Her Ancestors: One of Lauren’s most memorable journeys delivered a surprising message about life, healing, and learning not to take everything so seriously.

[21:59] Where Psilocybin Is Legal Today: Lauren discusses the current legal landscape, ongoing research, and why many advocates believe access will continue to expand.

[22:55] Exploring Consciousness, Grief, and Healing: Jennifer and Lauren discuss why experiences like psilocybin, meditation, and sensory deprivation continue to fascinate people searching for deeper understanding.

[25:21] Why Mushrooms and Death Work Feel Connected: Lauren explains her unique perspective on mushrooms as decomposers, healers, and symbols of transformation.

[28:25] Can Microdosing Improve Daily Life?: Lauren discusses the growing interest in microdosing and why some people use small amounts of psilocybin to support emotional well-being.

[29:47] Did Psychedelics Influence Ancient Spiritual Traditions?: The conversation explores the possibility that mushrooms played a role in shaping spiritual practices and human connection throughout history.

Connect with Lauren Carroll at:

Websites - lamort.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/la-mort/

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/

Listen to The Glam Reaper Podcast on Apple Podcasts:

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

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

25 Years Apart: Family, Regret, and One Final Reunion ft. André Archibaud

 What happens when grief comes with love, regret, and the words left unsaid?

In this episode, Jennifer Muldowney sits down with André Archimbaud to talk about losing both of his parents just hours apart during the early days of the pandemic. Andre shares the story of moving to Austin with the hope of caring for his mother and father, only to realize within days that their time was much shorter than anyone expected.

What followed was a painful and deeply human goodbye. André opens up about being by their side in their final hours, reconnecting with family over the phone, sorting through their home, and carrying the weight of two losses at once. He also reflects on the years of family distance, the late-night text that helped him reconnect with his father, and the love letters that helped him understand his parents in a new way.

What makes this conversation powerful is not just the story of loss. It’s the reminder that grief often comes with questions, regrets, and moments we wish we could redo. André’s story invites us to think about reconciliation, forgiveness, and whether the distance we hold onto is really worth the time we might lose.

Key Topics:

- Reconnecting with family after years of distance and unresolved conflict

- Losing both parents within hours of each other during the pandemic

- The emotional weight of regret, forgiveness, and second chances

- What grief teaches us about love, family, and reconciliation

- Finding meaning and healing through memories left behind

Quotes from the episode:

“Grief does not end. It’s a lifelong journey.”

— Jennifer Muldowney

“Grief is a moving target, and there are times when it is really on top of you.”

— André Archimbaud

Timestamps:

[02:00] Reconnecting at the End: Andre shares how he reunited with his parents after years of family distance and moved to Austin to help care for them during the pandemic.

[05:10] Realizing Time Was Running Out: Within days of arriving, Andre discovers his father's health was far worse than expected and that both parents were nearing the end of life.

[06:57] Their Wish to Leave Together: Andre recalls the conversation where his parents expressed their desire to spend their final days side by side after nearly 55 years of marriage.

[08:05] A Final Moment of Clarity: Andre reflects on his mother's remarkable lucidity during her last days despite years of serious illness.

[08:56] Being Present for Their Final Hours: Andre describes staying at his parents' bedside as hospice care began and family members gathered virtually from across the country.

[10:26] A Beautiful Goodbye Amid Tragedy: Family members share memories, stories, and support during an emotional 15-hour vigil as both parents approached death.

[11:51] Managing Two Losses at Once: Andre opens up about the reality of handling two deaths, two funeral arrangements, and the overwhelming responsibilities that followed.

[12:04] Sorting Through a Lifetime of Memories: After their passing, Andre spends months in his parents' home searching through their belongings and reflecting on the years they lost together.

[17:18] Searching for the Rosetta Stone: Andre explains how he hoped to uncover the secret behind his parents' decades-long marriage despite its many challenges.

[18:28] When Love Survives the Hard Years: Andre shares how discovering old love letters revealed a deeper and more sincere bond between his parents than he had ever realized.

[19:25] The Text Message That Changed Everything: Andre recounts sending a late-night text to his father after 11 years of silence and beginning the process of reconciliation.

[23:50] Rebuilding a Relationship Before It Was Too Late: Andre reflects on the final months he spent reconnecting with his father and understanding his parents in a new way.

[26:42] Planning a Joint Farewell: Jennifer and Andre discuss the unique challenges and emotions involved in arranging a funeral that honored both parents equally.

[29:35] Bringing Them Home Together: Andre shares how his family organized a joint funeral in New Jersey and fulfilled his parents' wish to be laid to rest together.

[32:01] Living with Regret After Loss: Andre speaks candidly about the lingering questions and regrets that often follow the death of loved ones.

[34:15] Grief Is a Moving Target: Andre reflects on how grief changes over time, appearing in unexpected moments years after a loss.

[35:18] Is This the Hill You Want to Die On?: Jennifer encourages listeners to reconsider estranged relationships before time runs out.

[36:05] Reconciliation Starts Within: Andre closes by sharing how healing requires not only reconnecting with others but also confronting your own choices and regrets.

Connect with André Archimbaud at:

Websites - https://clearlynowmedia.com/
Email: aaa@clearlynowmedia.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/

Listen to The Glam Reaper Podcast on Apple Podcasts:

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

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

When Losing a Pet Feels Like Losing Family ft. Adam Greenbaum

 

What happens when losing a pet feels like losing part of yourself?

In this episode, Jennifer Muldowney sits down with Adam Greenbaum, founder of Love Baxter, to talk about the kind of grief people often struggle to explain out loud. Adam shares the story of Baxter, the dog who stayed beside him through the hardest years of his life, from building a company to the quiet moments most people never see. When Baxter suddenly became sick, Adam and his wife spent months fighting to save him, only to lose him days after being told he had “beaten” his illness.

What followed was something Adam never expected. He searched everywhere for support, answers, and guidance around pet loss, only to realize how invisible this kind of grief still is. No roadmap. No real support system. No place for people carrying heartbreak that feels just as real as losing a family member.

What makes this conversation powerful is not just the story of Baxter. It’s the reminder that pets become part of our routines, our identity, and our emotional safety. They are there through loneliness, stress, heartbreak, and joy without judgment or conditions. And when they’re gone, the silence they leave behind can change everything.

Key Topics:

- Why losing a pet can feel as painful as losing a family member

- Building emotional support systems for people grieving the loss of a pet

- The hidden reality of pet grief that most people do not talk about

- Creating better guidance and resources for families facing pet loss

- Understanding the deep emotional bond between humans and their pets

Quotes from the episode:

“There’s no funeral, there’s no blueprint, there’s no community rallying around you when your pet dies.”

— Jennifer Muldowney

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

— Adam Greenbaum

Timestamps:

[02:24] Baxter’s Rescue Story: Adam shares how he found Baxter in a neglected home and brought him into his life.

[04:28] The Dog Who Stayed Beside Him: Adam reflects on how Baxter was there through long workdays, stress, and quiet moments.

[05:13] Fighting to Save Baxter: Adam opens up about Baxter’s final months, the costly treatments, and the heartbreak of losing him days after being told he was okay.

[07:08] Finding No Support After Loss: After Baxter died, Adam searched for pet grief resources and found almost nothing.

[08:04] Why Love Baxter Exists: Adam explains how he built Love Baxter to connect grieving pet owners with support, guidance, and trusted resources.

[08:48] Searching for Comfort After Death: Adam shares how grief led him to look for anything that could help him feel closer to Baxter.

[10:23] When Pet Owners Are Left Alone: Adam talks about the gap between saying pets are family and actually supporting families after loss.

[12:03] Why Pet Grief Feels So Invisible: Jennifer and Adam discuss how pet loss often comes without leave, rituals, or community support.

[16:08] Love Without Baggage: Adam explains why pets leave such a deep mark, they love fully and become part of everyday life.

[19:20] Turning Pain Into Purpose: Jennifer and Adam talk about helping grieving families because the work truly matters.

[22:21] Valuing Grief Work: Adam explains why people who support families through loss deserve to be paid fairly.

[29:13] Listening Before Selling: Adam shares why death care should start with understanding the family, not pushing services.

[34:46] Helping Children Through Pet Loss: Adam reveals that many families search for guidance on how to help kids grieve a pet.

[36:56] Honoring a Pet the Right Way: Adam ends with a reminder that saying goodbye to a beloved pet should be handled with care.

Connect with Adam Greenbaum at:

Websites - lovebaxter.com
beacons.ai

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/

Listen to The Glam Reaper Podcast on Apple Podcasts:

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

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