About this episode

Suzanne B. O’Brien explores how awareness of death can lead to a happier and more meaningful life.

What if the secret to a happier life isn’t positive thinking — but remembering that life is finite? After caring for more than 1,000 people at the end of life, Suzanne B. O’Brien, RN discovered a profound truth: awareness of death doesn’t create fear — it creates gratitude. Recently quoted by The New York Times on happiness, Suzanne shares how working with dying patients transformed her life. What once felt like obligation — “I have to” — became privilege — “I get to.” Even ordinary moments began to feel extraordinary. In this episode, she explores how consciously acknowledging mortality awakens presence, clarity, gratitude, and deeper life meaning. She also reflects on research highlighted by The Washington Post showing that healthy mortality awareness can actually increase happiness and life satisfaction. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: • Why death awareness increases gratitude instead of anxiety• The most common regret of the dying• How shifting from “have to” → “get to” changes everything• The science behind mortality awareness and meaning• A simple daily reframing practice to start today After sitting bedside with thousands in their final days, Suzanne noticed a powerful…

People in this episode

Host: Suzanne B. O’Brien RN

Topics covered

• mortality awareness
• gratitude
• happiness
• life meaning
• death
• personal growth

Keywords

• death awareness
• happiness
• gratitude
• life satisfaction
• regrets of the dying
• presence
• clarity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The New York Times, The Washington Post

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