End-of-Life Care at a Crossroads: A Conversation with Deanna Cochran

In this moving and wide-ranging conversation, host Claire O’Berry sits down with mentor and trailblazer Deanna Cochran, RN, hospice nurse and bestselling author, to explore the current challenges — and extraordinary possibilities — in end-of-life care.

Together, they discuss the growing gaps in U.S. healthcare, the power of early planning, and how end-of-life doulas can help families long before hospice. Deanna shares the deeply personal story of her father’s end-of-life journey and why community-based models like compassionate communities and doula-led neighborhood networks may be the most effective solution for the future.

Topics covered:

• End-of-life care systems: Australia vs. U.S.
• The role and training of end-of-life doulas
• Building community and compassionate care networks
• What families really need in the pre-hospice stage
• Why mentorship and collaboration are critical for doulas

Deanna’s book: Accompanying the Dying: Practical, Heart-Centered Wisdom for End-of-Life Doulas and Healthcare Advocates

Learn more: CareDoula® Education https://caredoulaeducation.com/

Earlier Podcast with Deanna Cochran: https://dyingyourway.com/podcast-item/rn-reclaiming-community-centered-death-care-with-deanna-cochran/

Explore Dying Your Way End of Life Training: https://www.dyingyourway.com/eol-training