Who's Dr. Kim Rich, and why should you trust her with griefy things? In this episode of The Only Guarantee podcast, co-hosts Holly Hutchings and Dr. Kimberly Rich dive deep into Dr. Rich's story. As a death doula and grief expert, Dr. Rich shares her personal and professional journey, including the loss of her mother and how it propelled her into the field of death and bereavement. They discuss the unique aspects of her work, the importance of engaging with and educating about death from a young age, and how she uses humor to navigate difficult conversations. This episode offers insight into the practicalities of death preparation, her doctoral research, and the emotional chaos of grieving.
Meet Dr. Kimberly Rich: A Journey into Death and Grief Work
In this episode of The Only Guarantee podcast, co-hosts Holly Hutchings and Dr. Kimberly Rich dive deep into Dr. Rich's story. As a death doula and grief expert, Dr. Rich shares her personal and professional journey, including the loss of her mother and how it propelled her into the field of death and bereavement. They discuss the unique aspects of her work, the importance of engaging with and educating about death from a young age, and how she uses humor to navigate difficult conversations. This episode offers insight into the practicalities of death preparation, her doctoral research, and the emotional chaos of grieving.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:28 Meet Dr. Kimberly Rich
02:17 The Importance of Trust in Grief Conversations
04:18 Kimberly's Journey to Becoming a Death Doula
05:37 The Impact of Personal Loss on Career Path
08:41 Challenges and Frustrations with Bereavement Policies
14:52 Defending the Dissertation
21:58 Realizing a Lifelong Connection to Grief
28:05 Discovering the Role of a Death Doula
31:06 The Journey to Becoming a Death Doula
31:38 End of Life Care: Creating Comfort
35:29 Planning Your Own Funeral
38:21 Grief Work and Community Support
49:33 Building a Community Around Grief
53:45 The Importance of Talking About Death
59:17 Personal Reflections and Final Thoughts