Write Your Last Chapter
124 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 months ago - ★★★★★ - 74 ratingsIf every life is a book, then the last chapter matters. As a palliative care doctor, I want you to live your best life, every single day, whether or not you are faced with a serious illness. I want us to live an intentional life, one that allows us to live our bucket list and enjoy every minute as tomorrow is never guaranteed.
In this podcast I want to share my skills and stories to help us focus on what matters the most and learn to be empowered to live a life on purpose. Join me to be inspired by simple joys of daily living as well as learn how to ask the right questions when faced with difficult decisions in life.
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Episodes
"The Weight of the World"
October 13, 2023 15:44 - 12 minutes - 17 MBWhat is happening in this world? It seems like every where we turn, there are news of violence and human atrocities that don't seem to end. In our short episode today, I offer you what you CAN do to bring a breath of solice into your life. I hope you enjoy this episode and share it with others. Mahalo.
"When The Grief Doesn't Move"
October 06, 2023 02:58 - 30 minutes - 41.3 MBWait, it's been FOUR months since my LAST podcast? So much has happened, yet, I still want to keep going. This week's message is a big one. You have deal with your pent up emotions, because you can't move on. This episode should help you a little. Here is why accepting grief is valuable. In thie episode I will share THREE steps to accepting what we resist. Acceptance is a crucial aspect of dealing with grief because it plays a fundamental role in the healing process. Grief is a natura...
"Why Me?"
June 09, 2023 20:36 - 22 minutes - 30.5 MBWhen you find yourself thinking "why me?" and experiencing negative thoughts or emotions, it's important to manage your mind and shift your perspective. Here are some strategies that can help: Recognize and accept your emotions: It's normal to feel frustrated, upset, or overwhelmed when faced with challenging situations. Allow yourself to acknowledge and accept these emotions without judgment. It's okay to feel what you're feeling. Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and...
"Did Not See This Coming"
June 02, 2023 18:03 - 26 minutes - 37 MBDealing with the impending death of a loved one or facing our own mortality can be an extremely challenging and emotional experience. Denial is a common coping mechanism that helps us protect ourselves from the overwhelming pain and grief associated with death. However, it is important to acknowledge and accept the reality of the situation in order to begin the process of healing and finding closure. Here are some suggestions to help you navigate the emotions and avoid denial during this dif...
"Mom Rage"
May 12, 2023 20:21 - 21 minutes - 30.2 MBIt's a real thing, although I am not sure I have heard it call this. Mom Rage is when you lose your s$@! as you are trying to be a good parent and set a good example. Well, as you can imagine, it leaves a terrible after taste. How is you? What were you thinking? Shame in all aspects of our lives can be overwhelming, but our shame around how we parent and how every interaction with our kids can leave a lasting impression on them, can lead to regret and endless spiral into self jud...
"How To Tame Shame"
May 10, 2023 02:02 - 25 minutes - 34.4 MBI was mortified: The last podcast was a DISASTER. I was so ashamed that I could not record another episode. You have to listen to this episode to know what I am talking about. Shame is a complex and intense emotion that can be difficult to overcome, but it is possible with patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to work through the underlying issues. Here are some strategies that can help: Recognize and name the shame: The first step to overcoming shame is to identify and acknowled...
"Back to the Basics"
May 10, 2023 01:24 - 54 minutes - 75.4 MBI am so excited to share my episode with you. Corinne Crabtree is an amazing human success story. A young mom with very humble beginnings, struggling to lose weight and find her way to happiness, she had one AHA moment and never looked back. After successfully losing more than 100 pounds and keeping it off, she decided it was time she helped others do the same. This doing the same turned into an 8 figure business and now she is out there teaching us how to get out of our own way s...
"Invest in Yourself"
March 03, 2023 14:42 - 58 minutes - 80.8 MBCan you practice medicine on your own terms? We hear this all the time, but what does that even mean? This week I am at the White Coat Investor Conference 2023, one way I like to invest in my own financial literacy for myself and my family. I thought it would be the perfect time to showcase a physician who is an inspiration to me. Dr. Una is the creater of so much goodness in the world of medicine: EntreMD is not only one of my favorite podcasts, it is also a place you can learn ...
"Undercover Money Bosses"
February 24, 2023 17:40 - 1 hour - 87.5 MBAs women, we can do hard things. We know this intuitively, but still, some how, some where in our brain, we are told that we are not good at math; that we are not good with money. This is even true with women physicians. Why is that? This episode with my special guest Dr. Latifat Akintade will change the way you think about money. It was such a pleasure to listen to her story and her mission. Do not miss this episode. See how you, too, can do hard things. You can learn more...
"Freedom from Food"
February 17, 2023 03:42 - 41 minutes - 57.3 MBHow much of your brain power goes into deciding what you should be eating everyday? Do you struggle with your relationship with food? Do you feel like most of the time, you are pre-occupied with what you should or should not eat? We spend most of our adult lives as women, trying to either lose weight or eat better than before. Some struggle more than others. Our love-hate relationship with food does not get much better when faced with serious illness. My guest today will tell you ...
I Quit My Job: A Year in Review
February 10, 2023 00:05 - 31 minutes - 43.5 MBShould you leave your employed physician role and do something entirely differnt with your life? Well, I did. It's been exactly a year. Tune in as I will share with you my personal story of leaving a well established position to follow my passion and purpose. I will share with you what you can and cannot do. Should you stay or should you leave? What does it take to leave your comfort zone today? One of our closest friend had a brush with something entirely unpleasant: thankfull...
"Driving as a Mindfulness Practice"
January 13, 2023 20:13 - 21 minutes - 29.3 MBI almost ran over a dog last week. It was horrible and I was shocked for a good hour afterwards. This got me thinking, if we are distracted by what is in the here and now, what are the chances that we may get into a car accident? Getting ourselves, our loved ones or even other people's pets in danger. My clients struggle with mindfulness. They think it is about meditation in a quiet room on pillows with incense burning. While that is one type of meditation, the truth is the goal ...
"Before I Die"
December 30, 2022 20:06 - 32 minutes - 44.4 MBWhy do we reflect at the end of the year? I think, it's similar to reflecting at the end of life. Except, we're not exactly dying. Some how, this reflection offers us a clean slate. A world of possiblities. Things can go right, why can't they? Think about a patient who is faced with terminal cancer: The physician says there is a 5% survival rate. What do you think the patient believes? "I am shooting for the 5%". No matter how much we are plagued with negativity, end of the year br...
"Empty Chair"
December 21, 2022 19:59 - 38 minutes - 53.2 MBHolidays feel like magic. Except when they don't. Most importantly during an experience of loss. Any loss, but mostly when we lose a loved one. Or, when we are hosting loved ones who have lost a loved one. When I held a virtual meeting as a support and coaching opportunity for women physicians, I was asked to make some of that information public. I am shareing the beginning of that session here with you. Feel free to share this with those you think may benefit from this wisdom to do...
"Well Being: A Being observing a Well"
December 02, 2022 23:38 - 30 minutes - 42.3 MBAre you panicked about your kids getting older and leaving the nest? English is not my first language: This was obvious from the first episode you listened to in this space. I don't look at it as a handicap but an opporunity to think deeper. I have been thinking about the idea of our 'well-being'. Like looking at what it means and then wondering if there is a way to look at in a way that brings more peace and awareness to the state of our life. In this episode I am going to teach...
"Cranberry Sauce"
November 25, 2022 18:54 - 30 minutes - 41.6 MBWhat is Gratitude? Should you be enjoying your life because others have so much worse than you? Should you finish your meal because there are people starving on the other side of the globe? One of my favorite teachings of Eckhart Tolle is around the concept of Gratitude. It is not appreciate the abundance of anything. It is simply acknowledging the good that is our life this very momement. Gratitude is appreciating the life that is around you. The trees. The sky. The smell of food bei...
"Eckhart Retreat Pearls"
November 18, 2022 05:17 - 20 minutes - 27.5 MBThree years in the making... I have been planning on attending this retreat that kept getting reschuled. So finally, here we are in Maui. Spending 6 glorious days with Eckhart Tolle and his deep tranformative teachings. I wanted to share with you some quick pearls that I think can help you feel grounded and more connected to the here and now. Also, if you want to join my coaching this December, go to my website to learn more. https://www.drfaryal.com
"Holding Life with Two Hands"
November 10, 2022 19:22 - 30 minutes - 41.3 MB"You are going to beat this. Be positive." One of the sayings that I hear family members tell their loved ones as they have only days to live. Power of positivity is undeniable. Today's podcast is going to offer you another way of being. To allow yourself to feel all the emotions means that you understand that life is inherently 'Bittersweet'. Keeping hope in your back pocket as a breath of fresh air is always powerful. But it is equally powerful to sit in your sadness and grief. It's val...
"No-vember"
November 04, 2022 00:49 - 22 minutes - 30.8 MBI missed my wedding anniversary. I was trying to be the voice of so many people that I lost my voice. Literally and figuratively. Has this happened to you? Have you said yes to so many things in your life that un-intentionally you start saying no to the things that matter to you? Like dropping your kids off at school with a full Halloween costume? This episode is for anyone who needs a reset. Come back here. We are going to do so much this month. All that is good and will make a dif...
"Woman. Life. Freedom"
October 07, 2022 15:21 - 37 minutes - 51.5 MBWe are in the third week of Iran's uprising. After last week's episode, I had so many requests from my audience asking "What can we do?". So I reached out to a brilliant Iranian American Scientist who has been an inspiration to many people around the world. My guest today is Dr. Firouz Naderi. He held many executive positions during his 36 years at NASA's robotic space missions leading to becoiong NASA's program manager for Mars exploration in 2000. He received NASA's Distinguished Se...
"For Mahsa and Shervin"
September 30, 2022 06:18 - 34 minutes - 47.6 MBOn September 13th, a 22 year old Kurdish girl named Mahsa Amini, who had come to Tehran for a mini vacation with her family was detained by the "Morality Police" for having improper hijab or head covering. 3 days later, she was declared brain dead in an ICU and her body was returned to her grieving family. One week later, a young artist by the name of Shervin Hajipour, had performed a song by tying together people's tweets about why they are demonstrating in protest. It's bigger than M...
"The Joy of Living"
September 16, 2022 10:00 - 23 minutes - 32.8 MBHas colonoscopy given you a reason to be more mindful? The funny thing is we often associate mindfulness with a retreat or a relaxing meditation session in a beautiful location. Learn how a day of undergoing colonoscopy with medication coctail that was less than ideal taught me some deep lessons about life and being in the moment. How are you going to carve out time for your life to be in the here and now? You don't need to schedule yourself to have a colonoscopy to do it, but liste...
"A Constant Roller Coaster"
September 10, 2022 00:27 - 55 minutes - 76.2 MBWhen a very physically well person gets cancer, we always wonder: How did this happen? As if cancer only happens to unwell people. This week's special guest, on my 100th episode of the podcast, is a friend, physician colleague and Persian friend who was diagnosed with cancer while doing all the right things. Or, so she thought. In reflection and hindsight always being 20/20, Dr. Parastoo Jangouk shares with us how a diagnosis of cancer made her make a full 180 on how she was li...
"I know, right?"
September 02, 2022 15:58 - 16 minutes - 22.1 MBDo you feel guilty spending money on yourself? When people complement you on the life you have created, do you try to act small and deflect the attention? You deserve all that you have created in your life and need to own up to all your success. In this episode I will share with you how my daughter's little expression has changed how I live my life. Join us as we celebrate being who we are in Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu in October for a very special retreat. To learn more, go to w...
"It's going to be ok"
August 23, 2022 00:14 - 1 hour - 94.7 MBIf you are faced with a life changing diagnosis, Troy Strawhecker has a message for you: "It's going to be ok." But he'll tell you: 30 years ago he almost didn't make it. As a young adult, he was diagnosed and had to go through the treatment of, not one, but two type of cancers. I really wanted to have him share his story. He is such a genuine and good hearted friend. When he looks back at his life, he can be vulnerable to break the stereotype of what surviving cancer does and does no...
"Hala's choice"
August 14, 2022 02:16 - 58 minutes - 80.9 MBYou may know her as the mother of all support groups for women physicians in the world. Dr. Hala Sabry-Elnaggar may need no introduction, but she is the person who has single-handedly created the most meaningful community for physicians all over the world. Today's episode will be a great introduction to how her mind works: One decision at a time. She has faced personal tragedies and adversities with that simple rule. When her mother was dying of cancer, she made Hala promise her to this one ...
"Rest Day"
July 29, 2022 22:01 - 25 minutes - 34.9 MBWhen faced with a serious illness, we are forced to stop and pivot. We change how we eat, we change how we move through life and how we manage our relationships. What if you made that stop before you got sick? If you are a runner, there are 'rest days' that are intentionally planted in running programs so you avoid injury. How about in your life? Do you have rest days, weeks or hours in your life to allow for yourself to recover and avoid injury? I hope this week's episode allows you to give...
"Where are you from?"
July 11, 2022 18:42 - 21 minutes - 30 MBIn life, we are going to meet a lot of people. As physicians, we will meet many patients along the way. There are many good questions that we can ask which will foster understanding and connection. One question that does neither is "Where are you from?". Today is the 33rd year anniversary of when I permanently moved to the United States of America. While I have lived all over the US, no matter where I go, I always get asked this question. In the interest of saying what we mean and meaning wh...
"Who cares for the care givers?"
June 11, 2022 03:34 - 57 minutes - 79 MBI remember when I first heard about hospice, I thought it was only for patients dying of cancer. But then, what about millions of others who are dying a very slow and unseen death of brain failure? What do we do with and for dementia patients? So much of the actual care is carried and delivered by the unsung heros of the stories: Families and care givers. My guest today, Amy Shaw, is a brilliant and compassionate Physician Assistant that will guide us through what we know and what we should ...
"Summer Reset"
June 03, 2022 05:32 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MBWe were all getting excited for the summer. That's when my daughter came down with COVID. I remember in residency my chief used to say: If it's not one thing it's another. And sometimes it's one another after another. We are confused about our plans when the unexpected happens. What if we used all those bumps and unexpected events as intentions to navigate life with more ease and contentment? I want that for all of us. That's why I am inviting you to sign up for my Summer Reset: 5 days of con...
"Thoughts and Prayers"
May 27, 2022 19:52 - 26 minutes - 36.9 MBIn light of this week's tragedy of the mass shooting that took place in Texas, I wanted to offer you peaceful advice you can use. A starbucks Barista in Uvalde, the city the shooting took place, asked the customer if they were caring for themselves in this time of unimaginable loss. The customer asked the same questions in return. That's when the Barista shared that she works in San Antonio, but decided to come help so the Starbucks workers in Uvalde could have the day off to grieve. ...
"Tennis Balls in the Park"
May 20, 2022 22:47 - 27 minutes - 37.4 MBHow do you manage grief? Does your pain go away if you avoid it? Should you try to 'have a different way of looking at your life'? Does being in denial of the loss that has happened to your life help you move forward? How can you be sad and be grateful at the same time? In this episode, we will talk about all type of losses: Loss of a dog, a life that could have been and the loss of a future that you will never have. I hope you enjoy this episode. Interested in joining me in October? Learn...
"It's not raining on YOU"
May 13, 2022 23:08 - 21 minutes - 30 MBMy dad had a saying that I have been telling my kids for years. "It's raining: it's not raining on YOU". This week's podcast I want to teach you about a mindset shift that will change your entire weather, without the help of anyone. There are things we have no control over in life: Like how the weather in Hawaii will be on our anniversary trip. Then, there are things we have absolute control over: Like how the internal weather is going to be like when the weather is terrible in Hawaii. Let m...
"Loving What Is"
May 06, 2022 16:47 - 28 minutes - 39.1 MBSome people wonder: 'Now that I am cancer free, how should I live my life?'. I get asked this question by my clients. They want to know how they can stop sweating the small stuff and appreciate life more fully now that they are out of the woods. The truth is, there is no out of the woods. There is also no 'in the woods'. If you are able to live your life from a place of 'There is no there, there', you are so much more likely to live every minute fully exactly as your life was meant to be liv...
"I stand corrected"
April 30, 2022 06:24 - 21 minutes - 29.7 MBI often say, "Aging is a privilege denied to many." When I say this, I am trying to make my patients, and clients have some perspective that it's ok to get older and there is celebration in the very fact that we lived long enough to be here this moment. But, this week, I want to share the story of my client, who misses her beautiful singing voice. With her permission, I am sharing the beautiful song of Lucy Simon who's a reminder to all of us that we can celebrate our current life as well as...
"Not All Heroes Wear Cape"
April 22, 2022 07:28 - 33 minutes - 46.1 MBBoston Marathon is probably one of my most favorite athletic events in the US. It's an opportunity for those of us who live an ordinary life, partcipate in an extra ordinary event. Running in the same path of the world's elite athletes with the best spectators yelling out your name is the most magical experience ever. Except when someone does more than an extraordinary act of running: my guest today not only ran the Boston Marathon that day, he got to save a life. Listen to his inspiring story.
"A Lucid Conversation"
April 15, 2022 17:11 - 55 minutes - 75.6 MBWhen patients get ready to go into the operating room, they often want 'everything' done. Unfortunately, sometimes, this conversations leads to a very prolonged and painful experience in the hospital. Sometimes they make it out alive, and sometimes they don't. My guest today will focus on what it means to have these conversations well. Dr. Kim Fischer is a physician anesthesiologist and the founder of Lucid. To learn more about her amazing program please check her out at www.lucidadvocate.com
"We Are Not Ok"
April 01, 2022 06:00 - 28 minutes - 38.5 MBThis is not an April's Fools Day Joke. This week, as I congratulate all my physician colleagues on National Doctor's Day, I'd like to talk to you about an unspoken truth: More and more, physicians are struggling with burnout and mental health issues, and more and more, they are either ignoring it, or getting 'underground' help. Not wanting to receive mental health help from their own medical group, from the fear of being reported to their medical boards, they are walking a slippery slope. Mo...
"Life & Death Coach"
March 25, 2022 14:20 - 42 minutes - 58 MBYou may not know my back story. When I was interviewed for Dex Randall's podcast "Burnout to Leadership", it occured to me that I shared some valuable advice for everyone to hear. I think these pearls are helpful for my own audience as well. What is it that peoplel don't know about end of life? Do I have any words of advice? Also, what is on MY bucket list? I hope you'll enjoy this candid conversation. Also, there's still time to sign up for the "Out with the Old" workshop. Go to www.drfaryal...
"Working to Death"
March 18, 2022 03:54 - 58 minutes - 80.8 MBThere are no trophies for working ourselves to death. Yet, we keep showing up, working harder than the day before as opposed to pausing and pivoting to focus on our own well being and mental health. My guest today is a poster child of someone who turned his life around after not one by 2 near death experiences. Host of the podcast "Burnout to Leadership", Dex Randall is a brilliant and compassionate human that will tell you his life story to be inspired. Reach out to him at www.dexrandall.com
"Parenting with No Expectations"
March 11, 2022 20:44 - 56 minutes - 77.1 MBWelcome to a Masterclass in parenting. More importantly, welcome to an episode to answer all of your questions around adoption: what to say, what not to say, who should adopt, who shoudn't, and if you are considering adoption what are some advanced planning you should consider before getting started. Join my truly dear friend and an execptional psychotherapist Kristine Altwies, who is a mother of 5 children and the CEO of A Family Tree, for a one of a kind discussion. Learn more at www.afami...
"Ukraine: What you CAN do"
March 04, 2022 20:08 - 10 minutes - 14.6 MBIn a special episode, I share my message of hope about what you CAN do in times of war and disaster. I reach out to my regular listeners in Ukraine, Russia and Poland to extend my love. I also reach out to the audience about what you can do at this moment to take some actions so that you are able to take away some level of human suffering, the best way you know how. Please email the support person at St. Jude's hospital if you are able to help [email protected]
"Sex and Your Best Life"
February 25, 2022 00:22 - 49 minutes - 67.4 MBSexual health is a very important part of our overall health. What happens when we are struck by an illness? Does sex have to take the back seat or do we get a chance to enjoy a meaningful pleasure filled sexual existence no matter how old or how ill? You may already know the answer to this, but listen to this week's episode to learn more about this topic based on my discussion with a dear colleague and sex educator Dr. Kelly Casperson the creator of the wildly popular podcast "You are not b...
"Why I Left My Job"
February 18, 2022 19:06 - 29 minutes - 40 MBYou don't have to do anything you don't want to be doing. Financial independence that comes from a place of intentional relationship with how we save and spend money allows us a freedom unlike any other. If you have this one life, how would you spend it? What is a purpose driven life look like? Would you stay in a job if it was not aligned with your values and goals? What would you do instead? How would you pick your next job?
"A World Without Cancer"
February 04, 2022 20:52 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MBOne of my favorite artists is a Rwandan/Belgian singer named Stromae. He has a song called "Quand c'est?" In French it means when is it, but it pronounced as: Cancer. I have clients who are cancer survivors who keep thinking that they are about to have cancer again. I have patients who have cancer who are in denial that they are dying from it. In this episode, on the World Cancer Day, I am taking my voice to empower you to ask for Palliative Care as being part of your cancer treatment. To wo...
"The Miracle of Miles- Part 2"
January 28, 2022 21:13 - 32 minutes - 44.4 MBNot only did Deborah decide to honor her son's life by donating his organs while he was alive. But she was able to have the clarity of mind to write a letter to his organ donor recepients letting them know they should not feel guilty. This type of love and generosity is almost unheard of. Listen to her story as she shares more details about what she went through. To learn more about her check her podcast here To donate to Mile's Memorial for his school's robotic program, go here.
"The Miracle of Miles" Part 1
January 28, 2022 16:44 - 22 minutes - 30.9 MBIn this very special episode, I invite back my dear friend and previous guest on this show, Dr. Deborah Butzbach, a radiation oncologist and a grieving mother who lost her 13 year old son due to an accident. Her decision to donate Miles's organs as he was in the ICU touched me deeply and I believe it is a story worth telling. I hope you enjoy this two part series.
"False Alarm"
January 15, 2022 00:50 - 19 minutes - 26.7 MBHave you had any close calls? Car crash, massive heart attack, near drowning, the list can go on an on? What about an urgent text that you were going to get hit by a missile? What would you do? What goes through your mind? Then, right after that... Do you shift gears and decide to live your life with a bit more purpose? I wonder if this makes you hold onto or let go of life easier. I hope this week's podcast can create some good food for thoughts for you. Learn more on www.drfaryal.com
"Growth through Resistance"
January 10, 2022 02:56 - 48 minutes - 66.2 MBThe truth is we don't want anything to change. We don't want to be getting older. We don't want to lose the ones we love. We certainly don't want to be grieving the loss of those we love. Unfortunately, life has other plans in store for us. In the beginning of a year that follows a very difficult year for us all, it's my pleasure to share with a resource and a vision about growth through loss and grief. AmarAtma Khalsa is a board certified Chaplain and a Grief Coach. You will love listening ...
"Circle Around The Sun"
December 31, 2021 23:06 - 23 minutes - 31.6 MBIt's the New Year's Eve in the US. Some people are anxious. They had set some goals and aspirations for themselves and here's one more year that nothing panned out, truly. So where do we go from here? If you think about it, end of the year is actually an arbitrary assignment. In my part of the world, the year ends the day before the spring solstice. So, if it helps you, you have until March 20th of next year to get anything done. Jokes aside, I will share with you my reflection that it's bet...