In this episode, Jennifer Muldowney sits down with Tamara Kneese, Author, and Leader of the Data & Society Research Institute’s Algorithmic Impact Methods Lab. They explore the intersection of death, and technology. Tamara, an academic and writer, shares her unique insights into how technology is rapidly changing the landscape of digital legacy and…

In this third and final part with Caleb Wilde on The Glam Reaper Podcast, Jennifer Muldowney will discuss the evolving landscape of the funeral industry and nurturing diversity and adapting to different cultures. They delve into the necessity of adapting funeral homes to cater to individual preferences, moving away from rigid scripts and traditions…

In part 2 of this episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, Jennifer Muldowney continues her conversation with Caleb Wilde and delves into how the funeral industry is evolving due to generational shifts and technological advancements. Caleb talks about the challenges funeral directors face with rapid changes and resistance to new ideas. He highlights the…

In this part 1 episode of the Glam Reaper podcast, Jennifer Muldowney welcomes Caleb Wilde, a prominent funeral director, author and early adopter on social media and as a 'death-influencer’. Caleb is a sixth-generation funeral director and the conversation delves into cultural sensitivity in America, funeral planning and he discusses his upbringin…

In this episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, Jennifer sits down with Mandy Benoualid, co-founder of TalkDeath and Keeper. Mandy shares her journey of recognizing a need for educational content in the death care industry, which led to the creation of TalkDeath and their online memorial provider company Keeper. Jennifer and Mandy conversed about the i…

In this episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, Jennifer sits down with Rebecca Soffer, Co-founder and CEO of Modern Loss. Rebecca opens up about her personal journey as a grief coach and author, sharing how Modern Loss has become a beacon of solace for countless individuals navigating the tumultuous seas of bereavement. Rebecca also emphasizes the sig…

In this episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, Jennifer welcomes Lauren Leroy, a Licensed Funeral Director and the creative mind behind the blog and YouTube channel "Little Miss Funeral." Lauren opens up about the inspiration behind her online platform and how it became a safe space for sharing her journey in the funeral industry. Lauren talked about …

In this episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, our host Jennifer sits down with Megan Sheldon, the CEO and founder of Be Ceremonial to talk about Megan’s journey with recurrent pregnancy loss and grief, which ultimately inspired her to create the Be Ceremonial app. As the conversation unfolds, Megan highlights the significance of marking life's signif…

In this episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, your host Jennifer engages in conversation with Lisa, co-creator of the “Death Deck.” Lisa unveils the inspiration behind her creation, the Death Deck, a tool designed to foster open conversations about the often-taboo topic of death. Jennifer and Lisa openly discuss the challenges associated with enterin…

In this episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, our host Jennifer sits down with Heather Taylor, a mortician with a wealth of experience in the funeral business. Heather shares her journey from Pittsburgh to Seattle and eventually settling in Michigan, recounting the pivotal moment that led her to make these life-changing moves. She also spills the tea…

In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Kim Zavrotny of Funeral Peer Support to explore the world of global (peer) support for funeral professionals. The conversation kicks off with Jennifer expressing her admiration for their podcast "Stronger Together" and delving into her personal journey of discovering and connecting with the tight-knit funera…

In this episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, our host Jennifer sits down with Emily Nelson, Founder & CEO at Be a Tree Cremation, to delve into a unique and eco-friendly approach to end-of-life disposition – also known as water cremation, resomation or alkaline hydrolysis. Take a listen as Jennifer and Emily explore the emotional and sometimes perpl…

In this first episode for Season 4 of The Glam Reaper podcast, Jennifer sits down with Dr. Sara Murphy—a death educator, certified thanatologist, bereavement consultant, and expert in suicide and disenfranchised grief with an unconventional journey into the field. During the discussion, Jennifer and Dr. Murphy touch on their convention sessions, in…

Have you ever wondered how someone becomes a "Death Doula"? Stream this week's episode and discover the incredible journey of Kelly Fabiano, aka "The Death Doula,” and get ready to dive into her unique life story that led her to this remarkable path. Join your host, Jennifer, as she chats with Kelly about her mission to empower women to embrace lif…

In this episode of The Glam Reaper podcast, your host Jennifer sits down with Brienna Smith, the Chief Operating Officer of Return Home—a full-service green funeral home offering Terramation (human composting services). They dive into important topics that might sound unfamiliar but are essential for understanding the cycle of life. Return Home was…

Welcome to another episode of the Glam Reaper Podcast! This time, Jennifer sits down with Amber Carvaly, who you probably know as the 'Mortician in the Kitchen'. Curious how she got that name? Tune in as Amber shares her life story and everything that led her to this special title. But there is more to this conversation than just Amber’s story, as …

Welcome to another episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast! This week, your host, Jennifer, welcomes an exceptional guest who shares not only her name but also a deep interest in understanding the complexities of loss, grief, and death. Meet Jennifer Moran Stritch, a leading light in the field of grief research at the Technological University of the Sha…

In this heartwarming episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, your host Jennifer Muldowney sits down with the amazing Dr. Kathryn Mannix, author of the insightful and thought-provoking book 'With The End In Mind.' Together, they delve into the profound wisdom of dying and death that the book captures. Dr. Mannix's contributions to the realm of palliativ…

Welcome to another soul-stirring episode of The Glam Reaper podcast! This time, our host, Jennifer, invites us into a heart-to-heart conversation with Louise Griffey, the founder of Light After Loss. Louise isn't just your typical guest - she's an Advanced Grief Recovery Method Specialist specializing in helping individuals grieving the loss of a p…

What if the final stage of your human journey could support the circle of life in the most natural and earth-friendly way? Welcome to an inspiring discussion that pushes the boundaries of tradition and catalyzes a much-needed conversation about eco-consciousness, even after life. In today's episode, Jennifer dives into that which is not just shakin…

In this eye-opening episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, Jennifer delves into the unique journey and insightful experiences of Scott Ginsberg and Joshua Siegel—the brains behind the breakthrough brand, Titan Casket. We kick off with a captivating exploration of how Titan Casket began. Uncover how two people transformed an unorthodox idea into a thri…

Welcome to another episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, where we explore the fascinating world of funerals, death, and all things morbidly captivating. In this episode, we're thrilled to have Rosie Grant join our host Jennifer for an intriguing and delicious conversation. Rosie interestingly gained her internet fame all because of a homework assignm…

Welcome to The Glam Reaper Podcast! In this informative episode, Jennifer is joined by the lovely Kari the Mortician. Prepare to be captivated as she shares her incredible journey to becoming a household name in the funeral industry. Get a glimpse into the surprising world of funeral directors as Kari reveals the unique ways they cope with their ow…

Welcome to this week’s episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, where we sit down with the Owner/CEO of DISRUPT Media, Ryan Thogmartin, to discuss the tremendous impact of social media on the funeral industry. Prepare to discover how social media has reshaped the way we perceive and engage with this traditionally solemn business, and learn how you can h…

They say everything is better the second time around, which is why Jennifer is back on the Glam Reaper podcast for another episode with the Modern Mortician, Melissa Meadow. This time, we’re in for another treat as Melissa lets us in on her current project: the very first not-for-profit funeral home and conservation burial park in the United States…

Losing someone and mourning that loss can take a toll on the mental health of the people who are left behind. This is especially true during the pandemic, when cremation disposal is on the rise. Relatives gathering for the celebration of life gathering was very limited. Even now when the effects of the pandemic have waned, cremation is still on the…

In this episode of The Glam Reaper Podcast, Jennifer has an interesting conversation with the new President-elect of the NFDA (National Funeral Directors Association), Jack Mitchell. Jack is a sixth-generation funeral director with Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home in Baltimore, Maryland. Even at a young age and after being exposed to the family busi…

It might seem surprising, but racism remains an issue within the funeral industry despite all the talks on gender equality in this modern society. Today’s episode on the Glam Reaper Podcast with the “Grave Woman”, Joél Simone Maldonado unveils the struggles that take place behind the scenes, and how the issue of racism has been a pushback for women…

The current national curriculum teaches children how life begins. Sadly, however, they are not taught how to comprehend and cope with the reality of how life ends. In this conversation with John Adams, president of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) in the UK, he talks about a petition he has spearheaded, pushing for bereavement a…

Have you thought of planning your funeral? Funeral preplanning is important because it guarantees that when your time comes, your family can have a fitting and personal farewell. This means giving yourself and your loved ones the best chance of moving forward in a healthy way from the loss of a loved one. In this episode of the Glam Reaper Podcast,…

Part 1 of this podcast had these three fabulous hosts discussing the idea of a celebrant. If you missed the episode, catch it first before you tune into the more light-hearted part 2. It does get serious a little in this episode where we discuss how funeral directors get alot of backlash from every side. Is it a business, is it an industry? Should …

Welcome to Part I of Jennifer’s chat with the hosts of Undertaking the Podcast! Brian Waters and Ryan Ballard join The Glam Reaper, Jennifer Muldowney in this epic two-part (and maybe more!) episode talking all things funeral. Being podcast hosts themselves, there’s been plenty of role reversals all throughout. Join in for some fun as Jennifer asks…

Sometimes your grief is aggravated by people who, in spite of coming from a sincere place of wanting to support, are not really helping. They say things that are not supposed to be told to a grieving person, when really they are just trying to help in their wrong, awkward way. When we are supporting someone who is grieving, we just need to understa…

Notice how many people are into renewable energy, protecting the environment, eco-friendly options, and so on? It is therefore not surprising that people can also embrace the green lifestyle even when handling the end-of-life phase through the so-called ‘green burial’ options. This is the episode where the Glam Reaper, Jennifer, meets the Green Rea…

Have you ever struggled on what to say to people who are grieving the death of a loved one? Worried that what you plan to say can trigger more emotional stress instead of alleviating the hurt and unintentionally cause a loved one pain? Grieving is hard, but a strong support system in the form of family and friends can dramatically alter everything …

They say that you can't always get what we want in life. But sometimes, what’s even worse than that is we can’t always get what we want afterlife, as well. How many funerals have you been at where you have questioned the lack of ‘personality of the deceased’ in the service? It is a serious thing. And a serious problem in the funeral business. So sh…

During the final disposition of the deceased, there are a variety of legal considerations that arise from some interesting, outrageous or even very intimate stories that you won’t believe actually happens for families and relations. For this reason, to avoid any disputes among the family members, it is critical to have some instructions written cle…

Talking about death, memorials and urns shouldn’t be that somber. A touch of color and beautiful design can bring a sense of comfort and a feeling of light and warmth at a time when you are grieving and hurting. In this episode of the Glam Reaper Podcast, Jennifer had the opportunity to converse with Max and Miles of Oaktree Memorials. Through thei…

There is so much controversy over the options that are available for the end of life processes due to differences in legislation, corporate greed and inaccurate information being put out there to people. While there are a variety of end-of-life options that people can choose from, it ultimately all comes down to what choice you and the family make …

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 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 th…

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 relations…

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 i…

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 i…

Welcome to another episode of The Glam Reaper podcast, where host Jennifer imparts all her knowledge and experiences about the different aspects of life, love, loss, and funerals, together with her special guests! Today’s episode shines the spotlight on Mallory Greene, the amazing Girl Boss and Co-Founder of Eirene. As the daughter of a nurse and a…

What if you could turn your loved one’s ashes into stones? Well, today’s episode on the Glam Reaper Podcast features that interesting idea turned into reality. Meet Justin Crowe, founder and CEO of Parting Stone. In this episode, Justin chats with host Jennifer about an incredibly unique technology they’ve developed at Parting Stone to offer famili…

Ever heard of flameless cremation? If you haven’t yet, it’s about time you did! Welcome to another episode of the Glam Reaper Podcast, where host Jennifer talks about life, love, loss, and funerals. Today’s special guest is Ed Gazvoda, president of Fireless Cremation and co-inventor of aquamation 2.0 for humans, pets and labs. In this intriguing ep…

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a funeral director? In this brand-new episode of The Glam Reaper podcast, host Jennifer walks us through a day in the life of a funeral director along with her special guest, Tom Anderson. Tom has been in the industry as a funeral director since the year 1980. Since then, he has worked at and owned a funeral home …

Welcome to yet another episode of the Glam Reaper Podcast! Today’s chat is the second part of host Jennifer’s insightful conversation with the Deathwives, Erin and Lauren, where they chat about all the things you (probably) never knew about the funeral world and other fun facts you don’t wanna miss! So if you missed the first one, don’t forget to t…

Who says the funeral industry is run only by men? In this powerful episode with the DeathWives, host Jennifer speaks with the DeathWives—Lauren, a funeral director, and Erin, a death doula, to uncover the stark reality of the funeral world. Part of the Deathwives’ mission is to bring healing to people who seek it. Through various workshops and educ…