My guest today is Dr. Natalie King. She’s a palliative care physician. Many of us are in a season where we are caregivers - maybe to a grandparent, a parent, another family member. But others of us are in a season where we can see that role of caregiver on the horizon Maybe you're noticing your parents health starting to decline, or you're seeing them make medical decisions and invite you into that process.
But regardless of the season you find yourself today, for all of us, we either are caregivers, will be, or will receive care at some point in our life. This conversation on suffering, having hard conversations about hard decisions with those we love, and living out the feminine genius as a Catholic woman praying for a good death is for each and every one of us.
So, if you want to think through caregiving issues and align those big decisions for yourself and loved ones with the Catholic faith in a way that safeguards the sacred dignity of human life, sister, this letter is for you.
Dr. King’s story as a Catholic woman
The origin story of Dr. King’s new book, Intensive Caring: A Practical Handbook for Catholics about Serious Illness and End-of-Life Care
What suffering looks like as Catholics and why a Catholic understanding of suffering stands at odds against a secular culture
What palliative care is and how it differs from hospice care
Dr. King’s advice for successful conversations about death and dying with parents who are navigating serious illness and end-of-life care decisions
How Catholics can advocate for themselves and their loved ones to ensure that they’re getting care that is respectful of their dignity
What a good death is and how we can prepare for it
How Dr. King lives out the feminine genius in her daily life as a daughter of God