Live at C-TAC with BJ Miller and Amber Slichta

The guests featured on these three shows all share CTAC’s vision to help Americans with advanced illness, especially the most vulnerable among us, to get comprehensive, high-quality, family-centered care where and when they need it, and in a way that honors their dignity. That makes all the people working toward that vision heroes in my mind, and I am fortunate to have had a view join me on the show.   One of the guests you’ll hear from today is well known among those of us who work to reclaim death as a natural human experience instead of primarily a clinical medical one. His name is BJ Miller. I knew of BJ from his inspiring work as a palliative care doctor with the Zen Hospice Center and from his TED Talk, so when I had a chance to meet him in person at CTAC, well, it was an incredible honor. When you hear him speak, I think you’ll see why.   But first, let’s drop in on a fun conversation I was having with another amazing guest from the CTAC conference, Amber Slichta from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation. Now if you don’t know of Ralph Wilson, he is best known as the founder and 54-year owner of the Buffalo Bills football team, and upon his passing he left a small fortune, check that, a huge fortune, $1.2 Billion and counting to be exact, that by his direction is to be granted out to the last penny by the year 2035. It’s part of Amber’s job to ensure those investments are done wisely and in accordance with Mr. Wilson’s wishes, which are clearly stated on the foundation’s website. But Let me give you a hint — if you are working in the field of caregiving or livable communities in Western New York or Southeast Michigan, then you’re gonna wanna pay attention.   One last thing before we start. If you are with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, I want you to know I was just kidding about barbecuing a Pug. I meant to say barbecued PIG.    All kidding aside, please join me for a short conversation with Amber Slichta from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation.