Most of us avoid talking about death but avoiding it doesn’t make it go away. In fact, learning how to approach death may be one of the clearest ways to understand life.
In this episode, Emily Paulsen speaks with Kacie Gikonyo, a former nurse turned death doula educator and founder of Death Doula School. With over a decade of experience guiding people and families through the end of life, Kacie brings compassion, clarity, and a deep belief that end-of-life planning isn’t about morbidity, it’s about literacy, legacy, and presence.
Their conversation explores what it really means to “labor out of life,” how to plan for end of life long before it’s urgent, and why normalizing death can reduce fear, conflict, and chaos for everyone involved. From the practical to the spiritual, Kacie offers perspective on how facing death honestly can change the way we live each day.
This episode is for anyone curious about planning for the inevitable, reducing uncertainty for loved ones, and finding more meaning in the life they’re living right now.
Key Takeaways
Plan early, live fully: End-of-life planning isn’t just for later, it’s a gift that prevents confusion, conflict, and unnecessary crisis.
Make a death plan: Just like a birth plan, choosing who you want present, the environment, and the details of your final days creates dignity and comfort.
Normalize the process: Education about what the body goes through at the end of life can ease fear and help loved ones support without panic.
Financial preparation matters: Dying in America is expensive, planning and saving now protects both independence and quality of care later.
Sit with your dying self daily: Reflecting on how you’d feel about today’s choices at the end of your life encourages radical presence and fewer regrets.
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Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.
Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.comConnect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman
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The guest on this episode, Kacie Gikonyo, is a former RN, death doula educator, and founder of Death Doula School. She has supported hundreds of individuals and families through end of life, bringing education, advocacy, and presence to a process often avoided or feared. Through her work, she empowers people to create meaningful death plans, normalize conversations around mortality, and live more intentionally today.
Connect with Kacie: Website: www.deathdoulakacie.com Instagram: @deathdoulakacie TikTok: @deathdoulakacie LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kaciegikonyo