loader from loading.io

#354 – What the dying can teach us about living well: lessons on life and reflections on mortality | BJ Miller, M.D. and Bridget Sumser, L.C.S.W.

The Peter Attia Drive

Release Date: 06/23/2025

#358 ‒ Peter’s takeaways on navigating HRT, rejuvenating the face, understanding the biology of aging, optimizing fertility, and learning to live well from the dying | Quarterly Podcast Summary #6 show art #358 ‒ Peter’s takeaways on navigating HRT, rejuvenating the face, understanding the biology of aging, optimizing fertility, and learning to live well from the dying | Quarterly Podcast Summary #6

The Peter Attia Drive

In this quarterly podcast summary (QPS) episode, Peter summarizes his biggest takeaways from the last three months of guest interviews on the podcast. Peter shares key insights from his discussions with Paul Turek and Paula Amato on male and female fertility; Rachel Rubin on menopause and hormone replacement therapy; Brian Kennedy on the biology of aging; Tanuj Nakra and Suzan Obagi on facial aging and skin rejuvenation; and BJ Miller and Bridget Sumser on lessons we can learn from the dying about how to live. Peter highlights the most important insights from each episode and any behavioral...

info_outline
#357 ‒ A new era of longevity science: models of aging, human trials of rapamycin, biological clocks, promising compounds, and lifestyle interventions | Brian Kennedy, Ph.D. show art #357 ‒ A new era of longevity science: models of aging, human trials of rapamycin, biological clocks, promising compounds, and lifestyle interventions | Brian Kennedy, Ph.D.

The Peter Attia Drive

Brian Kennedy is a renowned biologist, leader in aging research, and director of the Center for Healthy Longevity at the National University of Singapore. In this episode, Brian shares insights from ongoing human aging studies, including clinical trials of rapamycin and how dosing strategies, timing, and exercise may influence outcomes. He presents two key models of aging—one as a linear accumulation of biological decline and the other as an exponential rise in mortality risk—and explains why traditional models of aging fall short. He also explains why most current aging biomarkers lack...

info_outline
#356 - AMA #73: Preserving brain health, optimizing exercise programming, improving body composition, and more show art #356 - AMA #73: Preserving brain health, optimizing exercise programming, improving body composition, and more

The Peter Attia Drive

In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter addresses frequently requested topics, including brain health, exercise programming, and body composition. He explores the factors that influence dementia risk—including metabolic health, fitness, sleep, hearing, cholesterol levels, and more. He explains how to implement zone 2 training and VO₂ max intervals for cardiovascular fitness and also covers how to combine cardio modalities, how to stay in zone 2, and special considerations for women. Peter highlights the benefits of light movement after meals and offers strength training tips...

info_outline
Navigating bone health: early life influences and advanced strategies for improvement and injury prevention (#214 rebroadcast) show art Navigating bone health: early life influences and advanced strategies for improvement and injury prevention (#214 rebroadcast)

The Peter Attia Drive

In this episode from July 2022, Peter dives deep into the topic of bone health and explains why this is an important topic for everyone, from children to the elderly. He begins with an overview of bone mineral density, how it’s measured, how it changes over the course of life, and the variability between sexes largely due to changes in estrogen levels. From there he provides insights into ways that one can improve bone health, from exercise to nutrition supplements to drugs. Additionally, Peter discusses what happens when one may be forced to be sedentary (e.g., bedrest) and how you can...

info_outline
#355 – Skincare strategies, the science of facial aging, and cosmetic-intervention guidance | Tanuj Nakra, M.D. & Suzan Obagi, M.D. show art #355 – Skincare strategies, the science of facial aging, and cosmetic-intervention guidance | Tanuj Nakra, M.D. & Suzan Obagi, M.D.

The Peter Attia Drive

Tanuj Nakra and Suzan Obagi, two leading experts in aesthetic medicine, join Peter to explore the science of facial aging and skin health as well as the responsibilities physicians face in the world of cosmetic procedures. In this episode, they examine the biological and hormonal drivers of facial aging, the evolutionary and psychological foundations of attractiveness, and the impact of modern media on beauty standards. They discuss the rise in cosmetic procedures among adolescents and the ethical responsibilities of physicians in these cases. The conversation then shifts to a practical,...

info_outline
#354 – What the dying can teach us about living well: lessons on life and reflections on mortality | BJ Miller, M.D. and Bridget Sumser, L.C.S.W. show art #354 – What the dying can teach us about living well: lessons on life and reflections on mortality | BJ Miller, M.D. and Bridget Sumser, L.C.S.W.

The Peter Attia Drive

BJ Miller, a hospice and palliative care physician, and Bridget Sumser, a licensed social worker specializing in serious illness and end-of-life care, join Peter to share insights from their decades of work supporting people at the end of life. In this episode, they explore the emotional and physiological processes of dying, the cultural barriers that prevent meaningful conversations about death, and how early engagement with mortality can lead to greater clarity and connection. The conversation highlights the distinctions between hospice and palliative care, the nature of suffering beyond...

info_outline
#353 - AMA #72: Fasting: benefits for body composition and disease prevention, potential risks, and Peter’s updated practical framework show art #353 - AMA #72: Fasting: benefits for body composition and disease prevention, potential risks, and Peter’s updated practical framework

The Peter Attia Drive

In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter revisits the topic of fasting, sharing how his thinking has evolved over time. The episode explores fasting-related terminology and common types of fasting, as well as the various reasons individuals might choose to fast. Peter explores potential benefits including improvements in body composition, metabolic health, lifespan extension, cardiovascular disease, cancer prevention and treatment, neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and autoimmune symptoms like arthritis. He also examines the risks and potential...

info_outline
#352 ‒ Female fertility: optimizing reproductive health, diagnosing and treating infertility and PCOS, and understanding the IVF process | Paula Amato, M.D. show art #352 ‒ Female fertility: optimizing reproductive health, diagnosing and treating infertility and PCOS, and understanding the IVF process | Paula Amato, M.D.

The Peter Attia Drive

This is part two of a two-part mini-series on fertility and reproductive health. Paula Amato is a leading expert in female reproductive health and infertility, widely recognized for her contributions to advancing fertility treatment and research. In this episode, which follows last week's conversation on male fertility, Paula explores the biology of female fertility, including how hormonal changes regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation, what those patterns reveal about fertility potential, and why both partners should be evaluated early in infertility workups. She discusses the role of...

info_outline
#351 ‒ Male fertility: optimizing reproductive health, diagnosing and treating infertility, and navigating testosterone replacement therapy | Paul Turek, M.D. show art #351 ‒ Male fertility: optimizing reproductive health, diagnosing and treating infertility, and navigating testosterone replacement therapy | Paul Turek, M.D.

The Peter Attia Drive

This is part one of a two-part mini-series on fertility and reproductive health, with next week's guest, Dr. Paula Amato, focusing on the female side of the equation. Paul Turek is a world-renowned expert in male fertility and reproductive health, the founder and medical director of the Turek Clinic, and host of the Talk with Turek podcast. In this episode, Paul explores the topic of male fertility, offering a detailed look at the complex and highly coordinated process of conception and the many challenges sperm face on their journey to fertilizing an egg. He shares fascinating insights...

info_outline
#350 ‒ Injury prevention, recovery, and performance optimization for every decade | Kyler Brown, D.C. show art #350 ‒ Injury prevention, recovery, and performance optimization for every decade | Kyler Brown, D.C.

The Peter Attia Drive

Kyler Brown is a sports rehab chiropractor who specializes in injury recovery, pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, and guiding clients from rehab back to peak performance. As co-founder of the private training program 10 Squared alongside Peter, Kyler shares his approach to injury prevention and performance optimization—highlighting how overlooked movement patterns can quietly lead to chronic issues over time. He outlines a practical framework for assessing and treating individuals, highlights the importance of understanding movement dynamics and asymmetries, and discusses personalized...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode

Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content

Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter

BJ Miller, a hospice and palliative care physician, and Bridget Sumser, a licensed social worker specializing in serious illness and end-of-life care, join Peter to share insights from their decades of work supporting people at the end of life. In this episode, they explore the emotional and physiological processes of dying, the cultural barriers that prevent meaningful conversations about death, and how early engagement with mortality can lead to greater clarity and connection. The conversation highlights the distinctions between hospice and palliative care, the nature of suffering beyond physical pain, and the transformative role of honesty, forgiveness, and relational awareness in the dying process. Through stories and reflections, BJ and Bridget reveal what truly matters in the end—and how the dying can teach the living not only how to face death but how to live more fully.

We discuss:

  • The personal journeys of BJ and Bridget into end-of-life care, and the connection between living and dying [3:30];
  • What dying looks like: the physical, cognitive, and emotional realities at the end of life [13:15];
  • How historical perspectives on death contrast with modern experiences of dying [25:30];
  • The difference between palliative care and hospice care [30:45];
  • The systemic challenges surrounding hospice care: why patients often enter it too late to receive its full benefits [35:30];
  • How delayed hospice referrals and unspoken preferences often prevent patients from dying where and how they truly want [39:30];
  • The realities of home hospice: challenges, costs, and burdens placed of families [43:45];
  • How proactively engaging with the reality of death can avoid unnecessary suffering and promote a more peaceful ending [53:30];
  • How palliative care is misunderstood and underutilized—especially in cancer care [1:02:45];
  • Palliative care in the case of Alzheimer’s disease: emotional support, future planning, and family involvement [1:12:15];
  • The importance of having an advance directive: defining what matters most before it’s too late [1:23:00];
  • The differences between how young and old individuals experience dying from cancer [1:30:15];
  • The difference between pain and suffering, role of medicine in pain relief, and why emotional healing is essential at the end of life [1:35:45];
  • Dying well: the power of self-honesty and human connection at the end of life [1:47:00];
  • How psychedelics like psilocybin can unlock emotional breakthroughs and deepen connection for patients near the end of life [1:55:15];
  • Lessons from the dying on how to live well [1:57:30];
  • The physical process of active dying, and the emotional and practical considerations for loved ones [2:09:30]; and
  • More.

Connect With Peter on TwitterInstagramFacebook and YouTube