Keith Crawford: Reimagining Traditional Funeral Experiences

After years of working with Nike in Portland as Creative Directors, Keith Crawford and David Odusanya co-founded Solace Cremation in 2019. The idea came about after their own personal experiences with the death of a loved one and this inspired them to integrate their design expertise and innovative consumer-driven approach to the funeral industry.

The core concept of the service Solace Cremation provides to families is the acceptance that they cannot make the loss any easier and take away grief, but that Solace Cremation can make this part of the loss a lot easier and less confusing. 

Tune in for yet another great interview by Jennifer the Glam Reaper, where she aims to help people to make informed decisions on the methods of disposition available these days.

LITTLE NUGGETS OF GOLD:

• Keith Crawford talks about his story
• How was Solace Cremation founded and what is the concept behind the startup company?
• How is it possible to ‘take out’ funeral homes and bring them online?
• The growth of Solace Cremation
• Keith’s thoughts on the funeral industry shift to new ideas and methods of disposition
• How does Solace Cremation choose their cremation partners and how does Keith feel about big corporations scooping up the business from local businesses?
• The before, during, and after service processes of Solace Cremation.
• Some creative ways families have devised after the passing of their loved ones to honor their legacy
• Keith’s fear that so many startups in the funeral industry will be gone after some years

Connect with Keith Crawford:

Website - https://www.tulipcremation.com/ (Previously: Solace Cremation)

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tulipcremation

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper:

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

Facebook Page - Rainbow Bridge Memorials: https://www.facebook.com/rainbowbridgememorialsdotcom

Instagram - @muldowneymemorials & @jennifermuldowney

Twitter - @TheGlamReaper

Email us here: glamreaperpodcast@gmail.com

The Cycle Of Lives: a Journey Through Emotional Chaos with David Richman

The impact of cancer in peoples’ lives is getting a lot more attention now than it has ever been before. The emotional toll that this takes for patients, survivors and those still battling it can be extremely draining for everyone around them, especially for their families.

This conversation Jennifer had with David Richman on this new episode of the Glam Reaper Podcast was very insightful as he shared his firsthand experience of having someone in the family deal with the disease.

In this episode, David shares his story about cancer, how he managed to turn his life around and the two bestseller books he has written. His most recent one is "Cycle Of Lives: 15 People’s Stories, 5,000 Miles, and a Journey Through the Emotional Chaos of Cancer”. It’s a book featuring fifteen life stories, including those of cancer survivors, doctors, nurses, etc., giving people a 360 degree view on cancer.

At the heart of the conversation is about the choices we make in life and our perspectives. Listen to this episode to find out what matters most in life in under an hour. Enjoy!

LITTLE NUGGETS OF GOLD:

• David Richman talks about himself, his life’s journey and the point in his life when he decided to start doing things for himself
• The compelling “Terry Story”, one of the 15 stories from his book Cycle of Lives, who in spite of her situation welcomes every morning to see if she had a 50% chance of happiness
• Interesting ideas on “Perspective” from Jennifer and David.
• How was David able to endure the marathons, the triathlons, the 87-mile rollerblade ride and the 47 hundred miles bike ride in 45 days?

Check out the books mentioned by Jennifer Muldowney:

• Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing by Bronnie Ware (https://www.amazon.com/Top-Five-Regrets-Dying-Transformed/dp/140194065X)
• Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers by Timothy Ferriss (https://www.amazon.com/Tools-Titans-Billionaires-World-Class-Performers/dp/1328683788)
• Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Marcus-Aurelius/dp/1503280462)
• Rememberings by Sinéad O'Connor (https://www.amazon.com/Rememberings-Sin%C3%A9ad-OConnor/dp/0358423880)

Books written by David Richman:

• Winning in the Middle of the Pack: Realizing True Success in Business and in Life (https://david-richman.com/winning-in-the-middle-of-the-pack/)
• Cycle of Lives (https://david-richman.com/cycle-of-lives/)

Connect with David Richman:

Website - https://david-richman.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cycleoflives/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/cycleoflives 

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

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

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper:

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

Facebook Page - Rainbow Bridge Memorials: https://www.facebook.com/rainbowbridgememorialsdotcom

Instagram - @muldowneymemorials & @jennifermuldowney

Twitter - @TheGlamReaper

Email us here: glamreaperpodcast@gmail.com

Gila Kurtz: How Dogs Can Help You Deal with Grief, Therapy, and Bereavement

There is a reason why dogs are called man’s best friend. For professional dog trainer Gila

Kurtz, a dog can change the way you see the world. Technology is making people seem more connected, but we as humans are more disconnected than ever before. But when you are with your dog, there is that connection that has no interference, a genuine relationship because dogs connect with us in a very heart-centered way.

In this episode of the Glam Reaper Podcast, Jennifer interviews John and Gila Kurtz, who found the positive influence of dogs in their lives and decided to set up the business Dog is Good (DIG)—a lifestyle brand for dog lovers. In this podcast episode, Gila lets us in her world of dogs to bring awareness about how wonderful it is to have dogs in our homes. 

Learn how to cultivate a strong emotional relationship with your dogs based on what they can teach us when domesticated, and how they can help you through your journey of grief. Very interesting interview here so keep yourself glued until the end, where you can get a new perspective on being responsible dog owners. Well worth your listening time!

LITTLE NUGGETS OF GOLD:

• How did Gila develop her passion for dogs and see the good in them?
• What are the reasons why she thinks dogs are wonderful to have at home?
• Dogs are able to fulfill humans' basic need - the desire to be loved.
• Why does Gila refer to dogs as DOG?
• Are dogs superior to other animals? 
• Why did Gila create the “Dog is Good” brand?
• A look at therapy dogs and grieving dogs, and why their roles in both cannot be underestimated
• Gila's message to people about what they should consider before allowing dogs into their homes

Resources:

• Be a Dog is Good Pop-up Shop owner - https://www.dogisgood.com/pop-up-shop-opportunity
• Fur Covered Wisdom Email - https://www.dogisgood.com/FUR-COVERED-WISDOM-EMAIL

Connect with Gila Kurtz:

Website - https://www.dogisgood.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dogisgood/

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

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@dog.is.good

Pinterest - https://pinterest.com/digdogisgood/

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper:

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

Facebook Page - Rainbow Bridge Memorials: https://www.facebook.com/rainbowbridgememorialsdotcom

Instagram - @muldowneymemorials & @jennifermuldowney

Twitter - @TheGlamReaper

Email us here: glamreaperpodcast@gmail.com

Did You Know... Cremation Started in Someones Backhouse?? We Talk to the Expert in All Things Cremation History (Part 2)

 

Cremation has gone a long way since the first known cremation in 1876. Who better can give us the history of cremation than the Historian of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), Jason Ryan Engler. He holds this position as well as that of Cremation Historian for the National Museum of Funeral History (NMFH). The museum was completed in 2018 with 80% of the exhibit being his personal collection.

You will learn of his baptism of fire in the world of funerals which started as early at the age of 12. A lot has changed in the process of cremation, and with its growing acceptance in the United States, this method of disposition is becoming more popular. It's yet another informative episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, so just sit back, relax, and enjoy the learning! 

LITTLE NUGGETS OF GOLD:

• Jason’s introduction to self, his qualification as a cremation thought leader in the deathcare space.

• What made Jacob so fascinated in the history of cremation?  

• The history of cremation from the historian of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA).

• How has the process of cremation evolved from the first known cremation in 1876 to now?

• What impact has Covid 19 had on cremation?

• The statistics of cremation in the U.S., what is the rate of change?

• What is the difference in people's acceptance of cremation as a method of disposition? 

• Jason’s thoughts around the controversy of cremation on its effect on the environment.

• Is there anything the funeral industry can do to improve the world into a better place?

Connect with Jason Ryan Engler:

Website 

Facebook

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper:

Facebook Page Rainbow Bridge Memorials

Facebook Page Muldowney Memorials

Instagram: @MuldowneyMemorials @JenniferMuldowney

Twitter: @TheGlamReaper

Email us here: glamreaperpodcast@gmail.com

Did You Know... Cremation Started in Someones Backhouse?? We Talk to the Expert in All Things Cremation History (Part 1)

Cremation has gone a long way since the first known cremation in 1876. Who better can give us the history of cremation than the Historian of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), Jason Ryan Engler. He holds this position as well as that of Cremation Historian for the National Museum of Funeral History (NMFH). The museum was completed in 2018 with 80% of the exhibit being his personal collection.

You will learn of his baptism of fire in the world of funerals which started as early at the age of 12. A lot has changed in the process of cremation, and with its growing acceptance in the United States, this method of disposition is becoming more popular. It's yet another informative episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, so just sit back, relax, and enjoy the learning! 

LITTLE NUGGETS OF GOLD:

• Jason’s introduction to self, his qualification as a cremation thought leader in the deathcare space.

• What made Jacob so fascinated in the history of cremation?  

• The history of cremation from the historian of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA).

• How has the process of cremation evolved from the first known cremation in 1876 to now?

• What impact has Covid 19 had on cremation?

• The statistics of cremation in the U.S., what is the rate of change?

• What is the difference in people's acceptance of cremation as a method of disposition? 

• Jason’s thoughts around the controversy of cremation on its effect on the environment.

• Is there anything the funeral industry can do to improve the world into a better place?

Connect with Jason Ryan Engler:

Website 

Facebook

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper:

Facebook Page Rainbow Bridge Memorials

Facebook Page Muldowney Memorials

Instagram: @MuldowneyMemorials @JenniferMuldowney

Twitter: @TheGlamReaper

Email us here: glamreaperpodcast@gmail.com

How Accepting Our Death Can Bring Life to Life

 In today’s episode, I have a very interesting conversation with a gentleman who wrote a book about the meaning of life and how accepting death can lead us to a better life. A famous author of a fascinating book on the role of death and life, Sheldon Solomon.

Our conversation started with a bit of introduction about Sheldon’s life and a story on how he became enlightened about life and death. He also shared how the author and cultural anthropologist, Ernest Becker made him feel blown away by the simplicity of the author’s ideas. He also added how he found this author psychologically discombobulating with all his fascinating ideas about life, existence, and death. And with this, it became his inspiration in writing his book.

Stay tuned for more scientific but interesting facts that revolve around life and death. Send us your comments and interesting ideas after listening to this episode. Enjoy!

LITTLE NUGGETS OF GOLD:

• A quick introduction about Sheldon Solomon.
• Sheldon’s enlightenment about life and death.
• How does culture influences the way we see life and death.
• Death, as a part of our lives.
• How people should embrace their lives.

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper here: glamreaperpodcast@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/MuldowneyMemorials/ (Facebook Page - Memorials) https://www.facebook.com/rainbowbridgememorialsdotcom (Facebook Page - Pets) 

Instagram - @muldowneymemorials 

https://twitter.com/TheGlamReaper (Twitter Account)

Listen to The Glam Reaper Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-glam-reaper-podcast/id1572382989?i=1000525524145

How Your Loved One Can Become a Real Life Rock

 

In today’s episode, we have a very interesting guy that I met a long time ago at a Funeral Directors Convention - the founder and CEO of Parting Stones, Justin Crowe. His incredible company developed a technology to offer families an alternative to cremated remains. Instead of receiving a bag of ashes, you may have the choice to receive a collection of solids that look very much like stones. They are the only company in the world that offers alternatives to cremated remains. This idea started when his grandfather died and he started to talk to people about their experiences. As he kept hearing the same story over and over again, about keeping the remains in a closet, basement, or garage as ashes. He thought there would be a great solution and he thought of an alternative. That is how Parting Stones began and solidified remains started. This wonderful process is also offered not just for human remains but also with our loving pets.

Check out more information - https://partingstone.com/

Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper here:

Email us - glamreaperpodcast@gmail.com