163 A Pawsitive Journey: Helping Children Understand Hospice
Release Date: 11/23/2025
163 A Pawsitive Journey: Helping Children Understand Hospice
Hospice Explained
A Pawsitive Journey: Helping Children Understand Hospice In episode 163 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN, a former hospice nurse, welcomes back Jean Anne Menna, a certified hospice and palliative nurse. Jean Anne discusses her new children's book, 'A PAWsitive Journey: Duke and Houdini Learn about Hospice Care,' which aims to help children understand hospice care with empathy and hope. The episode also touches on Jean Anne's first book, 'Go With Grace,' and her work as a board member for End of Life Choices, New York. The discussion highlights the importance of making end-of-life...
info_outline
162 A Return to Hospice: Embracing the Spiritual Side of End-of-Life Care
Hospice Explained
162 A Return to Hospice: Embracing the Spiritual Side of End-of-Life Care In episode 162 of 'Hospice Explained,' host Marie Betcher RN, a former hospice nurse, returns from a brief hiatus to continue her mission of educating and alleviating fears around end-of-life care. Marie introduces her second podcast, 'Hospice Encounters, Piercing the Veil,' and discusses her intention to explore the spiritual aspects of hospice care alongside the physical and mental aspects. She shares personal stories, including an experience where she felt protected by an unseen presence and an emotional...
info_outline
161 Taking a Pause: Reflecting on Five Years of Hospice Education
Hospice Explained
161 Taking a Pause: Reflecting on Five Years of Hospice Education In this episode of 'Hospice Explained,' host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse with a background in hospice care, discusses the purpose of the podcast and its aim to educate and alleviate fears about hospice and end-of-life care. Marie shares a heartfelt message from a listener named Dorian, expressing gratitude for the podcast's impactful guidance. Marie announces a temporary break from weekly recordings and updates on guest submissions. She encourages listeners to leave reviews and share the podcast, ending with a blessing for...
info_outline
160 Transforming End-of-Life Care: The International Doula Life Movement with Anna Adams
Hospice Explained
160 Transforming End-of-Life Care: The International Doula Life Movement with Anna Adams In episode 160 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN, interviews Anna Adams, a seasoned professional with over 25 years in hospice and elder care. Anna, a certified end-of-life doula and founder of the International Doula Life Movement (IDLM), shares her journey of establishing IDLM, a global initiative aimed at training and supporting end-of-life doulas. The episode delves into the comprehensive educational programs IDLM offers, emphasizing the importance of community, support, and continuous...
info_outline
159 Innovative Tools for Dementia Care - An Interview with Angela Fairhurst of Geri-Gadgets
Hospice Explained
159 Innovative Tools for Dementia Care - An Interview with Angela Fairhurst of Geri-Gadgets In this episode of Hospice Explained, Marie Betcher interviews Angela Fairhurst, founder and CEO of Geri-Gadgets. Angela shares her journey of creating Geri-Gadgets, a company dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with dementia through safe and sensory tools. Highlighting the importance of meaningful connections, Angela discusses the products she developed inspired by her mother's battle with Lewy body dementia. She also elaborates on the profound impact these tools have on patients and...
info_outline
158 Exploring Hospice Care and the Legacy of Poet Andrea Werblin Reid
Hospice Explained
158 Exploring Hospice Care and the Legacy of Poet Andrea Werblin Reid In episode 158 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, RN, interviews Sarah Sawyer, a writer, artist, musician, and chaplain. Sarah shares her journey of friendship with Andrea 'Andi' Werblin Reid, her experiences with hospice care, and the unique role of psychedelics in managing end-of-life anxiety. Andi, a poet who passed away from ovarian cancer, left manuscripts of over 150 poems that Sarah and a group of friends have worked to publish posthumously. The episode discusses the process and significance of publishing...
info_outline
157 Understanding Hospice Care with Hospital Chaplain Janice Willett Part 2
Hospice Explained
157 Understanding Hospice Care with Hospital Chaplain Janice Willett Part 2 In this episode of 'Hospice Explained,' host Marie Betcher RN, a former hospice nurse, interviews Janice Willett, a hospital spiritual care chaplain and author of several inspirational books. Janice shares her experiences and insights into end-of-life care, discussing her books 'Affairs of the Heart,' 'Dying Without Crying,' and 'Bye-Bye Butterfly.' These books offer guidance and support for patients, caregivers, and children dealing with grief and loss. The episode also touches on the importance of comfort,...
info_outline
156 Understanding Hospice Care with Hospital Chaplain Janice Willett
Hospice Explained
156 Understanding Hospice Care with Hospital Chaplain Janice Willett In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, RN, interviews Janice Willett, a hospital spiritual care chaplain and author of several books on grief and end-of-life preparation. They discuss the role of chaplains in providing emotional and spiritual support to patients and families, the importance of creating a sacred space for sharing emotions, and common challenges faced by caregivers. Janice shares personal stories of her experiences in hospital chaplaincy, including the significance of spiritual guidance...
info_outline
155 Navigating Life and Death: An Interview with Author Sandy Doyle part 2
Hospice Explained
155 Navigating Life and Death: An Interview with Author Sandy Doyle part 2 In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN discusses the complexities of end-of-life care and grief with author Sandy Doyle. They explore Sandy's experiences in the death care industry, highlighting the psychological impacts on families, the importance of planning for end-of-life arrangements, and some unusual but poignant anecdotes from Sandy's career. The episode also emphasizes the importance of seeking professional medical advice and planning ahead to alleviate the burden on loved ones....
info_outline
154 Life and Stories from the Cemetery: An Interview with Author Sandy Doyle
Hospice Explained
154 Life and Stories from the Cemetery: An Interview with Author Sandy Doyle In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN, a former hospice nurse, interviews Sandy Doyle, author of 'My Life at the Cemetery: It's Not As Dead As You Think'. Sandy shares her remarkable experiences from her 12-year career in the death care industry. She recounts intriguing stories about managing funerals, dealing with grief, and the surprising aspects of working in a cemetery. The discussion also delves into the spiritual encounters and coincidences she's witnessed, adding a unique perspective to...
info_outlineA Pawsitive Journey: Helping Children Understand Hospice
In episode 163 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN, a former hospice nurse, welcomes back Jean Anne Menna, a certified hospice and palliative nurse. Jean Anne discusses her new children's book, 'A PAWsitive Journey: Duke and Houdini Learn about Hospice Care,' which aims to help children understand hospice care with empathy and hope. The episode also touches on Jean Anne's first book, 'Go With Grace,' and her work as a board member for End of Life Choices, New York. The discussion highlights the importance of making end-of-life care less intimidating for children and ensuring pets of hospice patients find new homes. The episode concludes with plans for future collaboration and resources for educating the community about hospice care.
00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer
00:29 Welcome and Episode Introduction
00:46 Guest Introduction: Jean Anne Menna
02:15 Jean Anne's Books and Motivation
04:29 Discussing Hospice Care for Children
04:56 End of Life Choices and Community Education
05:56 Personal Stories and Experiences
09:07 Creating and Publishing the Books
14:54 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
17:53 Conclusion and Call to Action
The Books are Both On Amazon
Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information
Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.
Maire introduces a partnership with Suzanne Mayer RN inventor of the cloud9caresystem.com,
When patients remain in the same position for extended periods, they are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores. One of the biggest challenges caregivers face is the tendency for pillows and repositioning inserts to easily dislodge during care.(Suzanne is a former guest on Episode #119)
When you order with Cloud 9 care system, please tell them you heard about them from Hospice Explained.(Thank You)
If you would, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice
Marie's Contact
Marie@HospiceExplained.com
www.HospiceExplained.com
Finding a Hospice Agency
1. You can use Medicare.gov to help find a hospice agency,
2. choose Find provider
3. Choose Hospice
4. then add your zip code
This should be a list of Hospice Agencies local to you or your loved one.