On The Doyenne of Death Podcast: Facing the Inevitable, a Conversation with Greg Barnsdale
If there’s one thing in life we can all count on, it’s death. And yet—despite a 100% guaranteed outcome—most of us prefer to treat it like that awkward relative at Thanksgiving: ignore it and hope it goes away. Spoiler alert: it won’t.
That’s why I’m thrilled to share my latest episode of The Doyenne of Death Podcast, where I sit down with Greg Barnsdale, funeral professional, financial insider, and author of the eye-opening book Do Not Ignore Your Mortality: Practical Advice from a Funeral & Financial Insider.
Greg has lived what he preaches. His perspective isn’t only shaped by his professional life in funeral service and financial planning, but also by his own brushes with mortality. He survived both a serious car wreck and a benign brain tumor—two life-altering events that would make anyone stop and think about what really matters. And for Greg, what matters most is helping people prepare for the future, no matter how long (or short) their journey may be.
Preparing Beyond Tomorrow
In our conversation, Greg stresses the importance of estate planning—wills, trusts, advance medical directives—the whole toolkit of practical steps that ensure your wishes are honored and your loved ones aren’t left with chaos. He makes the case that planning is not just about paperwork; it’s a final act of love and clarity.
Too many people, he says, avoid this essential work. And while women may be more open to talking about end-of-life issues, many men clam up at the very idea of death. As Greg points out, denial doesn’t prevent the inevitable—it just leaves families unprepared when the time comes.
Lessons from a Life Lived Closely with Death
Greg shares candid stories about what happens when people fail to plan, from costly delays in probate to painful family rifts. But he also offers encouraging advice: you don’t need to have it all figured out at once. Start small. Have the conversation. Put one important document in place. Each step makes a difference.
And if you’re unsure how well prepared you are, Greg has a quiz on his website that will tell you exactly where you stand on the “readiness scale.” (Warning: you might not score as high as you think!) You can take it at DoNotIgnoreYourMortality.com.
Why This Conversation Matters
Death isn’t the end of your story—it’s part of it. By confronting it head-on, you gain peace of mind in life, and you gift your family clarity when the time comes. This episode is packed with both sobering insights and practical wisdom, delivered with warmth and humor.
So tune in, take notes, and maybe pour yourself a glass of wine while you listen. After all, mortality isn’t just a topic for funerals—it’s for living, too.
Listen now to my conversation with Greg Barnsdale on The Doyenne of Death Podcast—and remember, preparation is the best way to cheat chaos, even if you can’t cheat death.
Learn more about Gail Rubin, Certified Thanatologist and The Doyenne of Death.