On this week’s podcast, my producer Grayson Orphe joins me. When we met, Grayson immediately understood the intention behind Funeral Disruptors — from a consumers point of view. His family had recently experienced back to back loss, and he knew from the experience, and his role as a Minister, that something didn’t feel quite right in the funeral home.
Grayson is from Louisiana as well, and gave me a full blown explanation about their funeral processions, 2nd lines, and the music. They grieve and celebrate a life WITH INTENTION.
Along with his wife, he owns and operates Orphe Media Group, a business branding, graphic design, and production company serving all the needs of small businesses in the DMV area. He is also a Minister, stand up Comedian and if that's not enough… he is the father of 2 sets of twins!
My guest Patti DiMicelli exemplifies grace and courage, and she is the epitome of someone who has turned grief into gratitude. Listen as Patti shares how living through deep darkness ⏤ losing her 4-year old daughter Amber to cancer ⏤ taught her to live again by moving forward, step by baby step, toward the Light.
Patti is a life coach, an end-of-life doula, a certified grief educator and coach, as well as an entrepreneur. She created Tobias & Co. LLC, a company which creates products from the photos she's taken around the world. "Embrace the Angel" is the philanthropic division. They donate silk scarves, ties, and pillow covers filled with Angels and inspirational quotes to those who are dying and the loved ones they leave behind, so that they can FEEL comforted and loved.
Patti spreads Amber’s message of “hope, heaven, and the miracle of life and death.”
To contact Patti:
[email protected]
http://www.embracetheangel.com
I am so honored to welcome Josh Slocum, Executive Director of the National Funeral Consumers Alliance this week. If you don’t know of this organization, you simply must!
FCA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting a consumer's right to choose a meaningful, dignified, affordable funeral. Emphasizing affordable (!) and Mr. Slocum explains exactly how consumers are in the drivers seat, not funeral homes.
The FCA website is full of information. Did you know only 9 US states require a funeral home/director be used? Listen in and read more on their website: https://funerals.org
This week I welcome Kaija Barlow Dallessandro, a former Funeral Director and Crematory Operator…and my sister. She brings with her a wealth of inside knowledge about the industry. You can bet she has a lot of myths to dispel and information that may not readily be shared. With family, it feels like no topics are off limits.
Kaija began working as an apprentice in funeral homes more than 20 years ago, while completing her degree in Mortuary Science at the University of the District of Columbia. She was a licensed Funeral Director/Mortician in the states of Maryland and Virginia. She was also a Registered Crematory Operator in Maryland, managing a crematory for 7 years.
FUNERAL DISRUPTORS!™ My first guest is Patricia LaVallee. Tricia and I connected over our belief that humans have the capability of holding grief and joy at the same time, and how smiling and humor can bring comfort and begin the healing process.
Tricia shares a few of the more interesting (and...funny) stories from her near life-long work as a caretaker, hospice nurse, mentor, and guide. Her passion is to help us on how to change our thinking -- something so needed in America when speaking about death and mortality.
Tricia is also a Willow End of Life Facilitator, speaker and coach. To contact/book Tricia: [email protected], (207) 578-0426
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