The Waiting Room Revolution

A longtime palliative care navigator, Bill Harder returns not as a professional, but as a husband alongside his wife Anna, who is living with stage 4 breast cancer. Together, they share how they’ve navigated a delayed diagnosis, chose quality of life over aggressive treatment, and use dark humour, honesty, and deep love to “walk two roads”. They talk about death binders, funeral pre-planning, and the village that holds them, showing what it looks like to grieve as you go and still embrace joy. The episode closes with a powerful AI-generated love song Bill created for Anna, “Live Till She Dies,” a musical legacy of their life on the land and their commitment to living fully to the end. Visit our website to learn more about our work, check out the book and workbook, view our resources and to join our newsletter: https://www.waitingroomrevolution.com/ Our theme song is Maypole by Ketsa and is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

This episode features our conversation with Dr. Emma Clare, end-of-life doula and CEO of End of Life Doula UK. Emma shares her journey, the evolving role of doulas, and the importance of compassion, communication, and community in end-of-life care. We explore how empowering patients and families, breaking down taboos around death, and building a more supportive culture can change life’s final chapter. Learn more about Emma's work and End of Life Doulas UK: https://eol-doula.uk Our theme song is Maypole by Ketsa and is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Visit our website to learn more about our work, check out the book and workbook, view our resources and to join our newsletter: https://www.waitingroomrevolution.com/

In this heartfelt episode, Heike and Richard share their family’s journey through the end-of-life care of their two sons. Through stories of loss, advocacy, and resilience, they reveal hard-won lessons about love, hope, and what truly matters in life and healthcare. Our theme song is Maypole by Ketsa and is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Visit our website to learn more about our work, check out the book and workbook, view our resources and to join our newsletter: https://www.waitingroomrevolution.com/

This episode features our conversation with Funeral Director and End-of-Life Doula Bec Lyons, from Tasmania, Australia. We chat about her unique approach to death care, emphasizing home funeral service and natural burial methods. We also chat death literacy and reimagining funerals to be more personal and community focused. Learn more about Becs work HERE. Our theme song is Maypole by Ketsa and is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Visit our website to learn more about our work, check out the book and workbook, view our resources and to join our newsletter: https://www.waitingroomrevolution.com/

This episode features our conversation with influencer and author Hospice Nurse Penny aka Penny Smith. We chat about how she uses her platforms to advocate for normalizing death and addressing death anxiety. Learn more about her work here: https://www.hospicenursepenny.com/ Our theme song is Maypole by Ketsa and is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Visit our website to learn more about our work, check out the book and workbook, view our resources and to join our newsletter: https://www.waitingroomrevolution.com/

In this episode we explore the final key, “Invite Yourself,” which encourages patients and families to become respectfully assertive in their healthcare journey. Rather than waiting to be asked, individuals are empowered to speak up, ask questions, and take an active role in their care. We discuss how this mindset shift can lead to better communication, improved understanding, and more meaningful experiences, especially for those who feel marginalized or overwhelmed. Through real stories and practical tips, we emphasize that inviting yourself isn’t about being demanding; it’s about recognizing your right to be heard and informed. Our Workbook: Applying the 7 Keys for Navigating a Life-Changing Diagnosis is available at select retailers now! Visit our website for more information: https://www.waitingroomrevolution.com/ Our theme song is Maypole by Ketsa and is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

In this episode we discuss the fourth key: Customize Your Order. We chat about how you can transform your illness experience from a one-size-fits-all approach to a personalized journey that truly reflects your values, preferences and unique self. We also talk about communicating what matters most to you, and why being treated as an individual-not just a diagnosis- is crucial to maintaining you sense of identity and dignity. Our Workbook: Applying the 7 Keys for Navigating a Life-Changing Diagnosis is available at select retailers now! Visit our website for more information: https://www.waitingroomrevolution.com/ Our theme song is Maypole by Ketsa and is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0