In this episode, Linda sits down with Andrea Branson, a nurse practitioner specializing in palliative and hospice care, to talk about what it really means to live well at the end of life. Andrea shares her path to becoming a CNA started at 16 in emergency, through internal medicine and cardiology/electrophysiology, to finding her calling in palliative and hospice care. The conversation covers goals-of-care conversations, deprescribing, advance directives, holding vigil, traveling while on hospice, and why the language we use around dying — "fighting" vs. "giving up" — matters so much.

• Linda hosts a Death Cafe — July 10, 6–8 PM at The Root Note (no RSVP needed)

Death is Weird is hosted by Linda Vale. Follow along for upcoming events and future episodes as the show continues to grow.

Disclosure Statement

Andrea Branson's comments and opinions shared in this episode are her own personal views and do not represent the views, positions, or policies of any organization she currently works for or has worked for in the past. This conversation reflects a personal discussion between Andrea and the host, and should not be taken as official guidance from any employer or institution.

What does it look like to sit with someone at the end of their life — and why don't we talk about it more? In this episode, Linda sits down with Nathan Deming, the Wisconsin-born filmmaker behind Winter Hymns, a stunning new drama set entirely inside a single hospital room over the course of one winter day.

Nathan's father was a palliative care physician in Eau Claire. That's where this film was born. The two of them talk about what it means to tell stories about death honestly, what filmmaking and end-of-life work have in common, and why Nathan believes the Midwest has something unique to say about all of it.

Plus — you can see Winter Hymns live. Nathan joined Linda ahead of a screening at the Rivoli Theater in La Crosse, and this episode is the perfect reason to go.

About the film:

Winter Hymns (2026) — written and directed by Nathan Deming. A 158-minute feature following a palliative care physician through ten conversations with terminal patients and their families. Shot in Wisconsin. Premieres locally at the Rivoli Theater, La Crosse — Saturday, June 6th at 3pm.

Showtimes and info:

winterhymnsfilm.com

rivoli.net

In this episode, I step back and simply listen.

Beth, a local business owner, shares the story of her father's death at home — a story told with bravery, tenderness, and love. There's no interview format here, no back-and-forth. Just Beth, her experience, and the kind of honest storytelling that reminds us death doesn't have to be something we fear or hide from.

This is exactly the kind of conversation Death is Weird exists for.

Beth's book recommendation:

The Art of Dying Well: A Practical Guide to a Good End of Life by Katy Butler A compassionate, practical guide for anyone who wants to think ahead — for themselves or someone they love.