What if the grief of losing someone didn’t have to be compounded by chaos, unanswered questions, and a digital life that won’t shut off? In this deeply human episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss sits down with somatic therapist Mirta Peña to talk about what happens when someone you love struggles in silence… and leaves no plan behind. Mirta reveals that the aftermath became its own form of ongoing trauma: no will, no passwords, scattered accounts, social media still active, and even strangers attempting to exploit his death through fraudulent fundraising. Together, Niki and Mirta explore the intersection of somatic healing, cultural taboo, mental health, and digital legacy, showing how unspoken pain and undocumented lives can leave families reliving loss again and again.

Do you know what happens to your crypto, life insurance, and long-term care plan if no one you love can access the right documents when you die? In this episode, Digital Thanatologist Niki Weiss sits down with Marimer Cruz to break down how easily assets become “lost” when there’s no clear plan, especially in Web3, DeFi, and crypto, where one missing seed phrase can mean everything disappears forever.

Facing death doesn’t just raise medical questions—it opens up deep emotional, spiritual, and existential ones, too. In this episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss, Digital Thanatologist, sits down with Christine Caldwell, an end-of-life psychedelic care educator and the Founder of End of Life Psychedelic Care, to explore how psychedelic-assisted experiences can support people living with terminal or life-threatening illnesses. Together, they discuss how medicines like psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA can ease fear, reduce existential distress, deepen connection, and help people make meaning—often when time feels short.

When loss reshapes your life, what do you choose to build from it? In this episode, host Niki Weiss, creator of The Digital Legacy Podcast and My Final Playbook, sits down with Estrella Quiroz, life enthusiast and co-founder of Last Farewells, an emotional end-of-life planning platform designed for the messages we don’t want to leave unsaid.

What happens when your “final gift” to your family is actually a legal and emotional mess? This episode explores the hidden weight of being an executor and how you can make that role kinder, clearer, and less chaotic for the people you leave behind.

We all know we should plan for the inevitable — yet most of us avoid it until crisis hits. In this heartfelt episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss sits down with Paula Harris, Financial Advisor and Co-Founder of WH Cornerstone Investments, to explore why so many families delay end-of-life and financial planning — and what happens when they don’t.

What if you could carry your loved one’s memory — quite literally — close to your heart? 💫 In this deeply moving episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss speaks with David Trump and Sébastien Roy, co-founders of Nia Emberley, a memorial jewelry company transforming cremated ashes into handcrafted ceramic art. What began as one man’s search to stay connected to his beloved dog has evolved into an inspiring fusion of art, science, and remembrance. Together, they explore how technology, craftsmanship, and grief intersect — and how memorial jewelry is changing the way we honor life after loss. From bone china traditions to cutting-edge cremation science, David and Sébastien share how each piece they create helps families keep love in motion rather than left on a shelf. In this episode, we cover: -The heartfelt origin story behind Nia Emberley -How cremated remains can be transformed into wearable works of art -The science and symbolism behind bone china and ceramic memorials -The emotional power of carrying your loved one’s memory with you -Why planning ahead — even for ashes — matters more than we realize This episode is a reminder that memory isn’t meant to sit still. Whether honoring a pet, a parent, or a partner, there are new, meaningful ways to keep their spirit close and their story alive.

What if the future of work wasn’t just about efficiency — but empathy? In this inspiring episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss speaks with Mercedes Sullivan — End-of-Life Doula, Cultural Strategist, and HR Leader — about reimagining Human Resources as a force for healing, not just hiring.

What happens when you look at death, dying, and legacy the same way you would approach a major project? In this episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss sits down with fellow project manager Mark Rozner to explore how project management principles can transform end-of-life planning from overwhelming chaos into a clear, compassionate process.

What does compassionate, culturally aware death care look like in a digital world? In this episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss talks with Joe’l Simone Anthony (known globally as The Grave Woman) — licensed funeral director, embalmer, and founder of the Multicultural Death & Grief Care Academy.

Making that first call to a funeral director can feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, Niki Weiss speaks with Matthew Grieco — Progressive Funeral Director & Certified Celebrant — about how Ai technology is reshaping funeral services and grief support.

What if your digital self could outlive your physical body? In this mind-opening episode of Death and Dying in the Digital Age, host Niki Weiss talks with Joshua Orsak—AI developer, spiritual thinker, and grief survivor—about the intersection of consciousness, artificial intelligence, and end-of-life legacy.

If the thought of estate planning, digital security, or talking with aging parents makes you feel overwhelmed, you’re not alone. In this insightful episode, host Niki Weiss sits down with private wealth manager Kurt Baker to gently walk us through how to protect what matters most: our loved ones, our legacy, and our peace of mind.

In this heartfelt episode of Death and Dying in the Digital Age, host Niki Weiss speaks with Greg Barnsdale: author, funeral director, and financial insider. The two explore the emotional and practical realities of preparing for end-of-life. Greg shares his deeply personal story, from decades working with grieving families to his own health crisis and viral video after a brain tumor diagnosis.

In this thought-provoking episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss sits down with death tech innovator Symon Braun Freck to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, grief, and digital deathcare. From her early experience volunteering in hospice to building the Ai Death Doula, Symon shares how her journey shaped a groundbreaking app designed to support people at the end of life.

What if your final act could give life back to the earth? In this enlightening episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss speaks with Brienna “Brie” Smith, licensed funeral director and social media educator at Return Home, about the revolutionary process of terramation—also known as human composting. Brienna explains how this sustainable, nature-based alternative to cremation and traditional burial gently transforms the human body into nutrient-rich soil. From navigating state laws to understanding the chemistry behind composting remains, Brienna dives deep into the science, process, and legality of natural organic reduction. She also compares terramation with green burials, shares insights on regulatory challenges, and reveals how Return Home built public trust via TikTok education. Whether you're an eco-conscious planner, funeral professional, or simply death-curious, this episode is packed with information about sustainable death care, digital funeral trends, and how terramation is reshaping end-of-life options across the U.S. and globally. 🔔 Subscribe for more insights on death, technology, and legacy. 🌱 Learn more at ReturnHome.com or follow @ReturnHomeNW on TikTok.

What happens to your Social Security when life takes an unexpected turn? In this eye-opening episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss welcomes financial planner Bob Goldberg, CFP to demystify Social Security and survivor benefits in the context of end-of-life and legacy planning. Bob breaks down key Social Security strategies, including when to start collecting benefits, how spousal and survivor benefits work, and why delaying might offer the highest long-term value. Learn the differences between early retirement at age 62, full retirement at 67, and maximizing your payout by waiting until 70. This episode also explores benefits for divorced spouses, minor children, and widows—crucial knowledge for families navigating loss. With real-life case studies and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone planning for retirement, currently caregiving, or facing unexpected loss. You'll gain insight into how financial planning intersects with digital legacy, long-term care, and protecting loved ones after death. 🔔 Subscribe for biweekly episodes on death, technology, and financial planning. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. 📘 Learn more at digitallegacypodcast.com

In this powerful episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki Weiss welcomes Michelle Desmond, MBA, MS. A former corporate executive turned thanatologist, she and Niki explore death, grief, and the digital age. Michelle shares her deeply personal journey—losing her father, husband, close friend, and mother—leading to her career shift into grief and death studies. Discover how she transitioned from business to earning a Master’s in Thanatology and how she now educates others on navigating end-of-life care, hospice, and grief literacy. Together, Niki and Michelle discuss the role of end-of-life doulas, the history and resurgence of death awareness, and the impact of digital legacies on modern mourning. They unpack cultural stigmas around death, the importance of documenting final wishes, and how family dynamics shape end-of-life decisions. Whether you're curious about the psychology of grief, the role of death tech, or how to talk about mortality, this episode offers heartfelt insight, practical tools, and empowering knowledge. Don’t miss this essential conversation on embracing death to better live life. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on digital death care, grief support, and legacy planning. 📘 Get Michelle's book Death and Other Stories on Kindle.

In this powerful episode of the Digital Legacy Podcast, host Niki welcomes Su Park, founder of Amori, a groundbreaking emotional legacy app helping parents preserve heartfelt messages for their children. Su shares the deeply personal story of losing her mother to cancer and how that grief inspired her mission to redefine how we approach end-of-life communication in the digital age. Discover how tools like Amori empower families to record timeless memories, emotional reflections, and personal wisdom that can be accessed at key life stages—even long after a loved one is gone. From culturally nuanced grief to the psychology of digital time capsules, this conversation explores the intersection of death tech, emotional well-being, and legacy planning. Whether you’re a parent, adult child, hospice worker, or curious about the future of digital memory keeping, this episode offers meaningful insights into embracing mortality and living with intention. 🌐 Learn more at Amori Live 🔔 Subscribe for more on digital legacies, grief tech, and dying well

In this must-listen episode of Death and Dying in the Digital Age, host Niki chats with estate planning attorney and viral TikTok educator Michelangelo Mortellaro about the urgent need for proactive end-of-life planning. With over $2 million in revenue generated through educational content, Michelangelo shares why digital platforms like TikTok are revolutionizing how families approach topics like wills, power of attorney, long-term care planning, and Medicaid spend-down. Discover the most common myths that stop people from taking action, including the belief that "there's always more time." Learn the powerful benefits—and potential risks—of Lady Bird Deeds (enhanced life estate deeds), how to avoid probate, and why a trust may offer more protection than a simple beneficiary designation. Whether you're planning for aging parents, adult children, or your own digital legacy, this episode offers critical insights, real-life scenarios, and actionable steps to protect your assets and your family’s future. 🔔 Subscribe for more expert interviews on estate planning, digital legacy, and risk management.