Let's start at the end. No one talks about death, and yet it's something we're all going to do at some point. I'm dying to know more about all facets of death , so that's why I launched the podcast.
From death doulas to casket companies to grief experts to industry disruptors and so much more, we're talking about it all!
And tune in for the new DTKM Minis, bite-sized episodes that dive into various related topics and give a high-level yet meaningful view in five minutes or less.
What Funeral Directors Wish You Knew About Death, Grief, and Their Work
Most people will work with a funeral director at some point in their lives, but few of us know what the job is really like.In this episode, we chat with Allyse Worland, a first-generation funeral director, embalmer, National Funeral Directors Association spokesperson, and leader at Gather, to talk about what happens behind the scenes in funeral service and why she chose this work nearly 20 years ago.Allyse shares the childhood experience that led her into death care, what it was like serving families during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and why burnout and self-care have become some of the profession's biggest challenges. We also discuss how funeral service is evolving, from personalized celebrations of life to green burial, water cremation, and other emerging end-of-life options.Allyse also offers a rare look at the emotional realities of caring for grieving families, the misconceptions people have about funeral professionals, and the moments that continue to make this work meaningful after nearly two decades.TECHNICAL NOTE: Due to recording issues, Allyse's video drops at 25:30, but the audio remains intact, so keep listening.Learn more:Have License, Will Travel: https://www.havelicensewilltravel.com/
LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/allyse-worland-cfsp-818109326
Remembering A Life: https://rememberingalife.com/
National Funeral Directors Association: https://www.nfda.org
Gather: gather.app
9 Sept 2026
Author Mindy Merrell Dishes on the The Dark Side of Biscuit and Cornbread Culture
In this episode of Dying to Know More, I welcome cookbook author, "Chopped" winner and culinary historian Mindy Merrell to explore the surprising, forgotten links between Southern staples, public health, and mortality.Mindy breaks down the historical dark side of self-rising flour and cornmeal, from the tragic, erased history behind the real-life face of Martha White, to the deadly pellagra epidemic caused by 20th-century milling practices. Plus, learn how radio stations, life insurance burial policies, and country music all converged to shape Southern food culture.Grab a copy of Mindy Merrell’s book: Self-Rising: The Magic Rise Behind Biscuit and Cornbread Culture here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1985903342?... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUM4Zm9rUzFMWFFBTERfQjhER1JPVTdIcDFOZ3xBTl9pYzRldWZnUS1FLWIwTzR4cnE5eW4xOU9YSUs1VTRUVW1Gc2pSaUVYeWstOXRpNmpETHZQZFpGdk52Z05xVE50UHlNcHloR040VDdLRWJOUUpEUkR3RVpFYzVzNHFWMGs0&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2F1985903342%3Flv%3Dshuf%26channelId%3D500%26plpRedirect%3DmhFallback&v=E1a_KVMyrps)And follow her on Instagram at @hey.its.min
18 Jul 2026
Dan the Funeral Man on Going Viral, Funeral Myths, and Putting the Fun in Funeral
If you've spent any time on TikTok or Instagram lately, there's a good chance you've come across Dan the Funeral Man strutting down a short red carpet with an urn in hand. What started as a creative way to talk about death care has turned into a viral phenomenon, complete with runway walks, millions of views, and a growing mission to make conversations about death a less intimidating and more relatable.In this episode of Dying to Know More, I sit down with funeral director, celebrant, and entrepreneur Dan Madden, owner of Stark Funeral Home and founder of Fash Urns, to talk about his unexpected rise on social media and what it's like balancing viral fame with the realities of serving grieving families every day.Dan shares how a part-time job at a funeral home after his grandmother's death led to a career in funeral service, why he took a risk by bringing humor and fashion into a traditionally serious profession, and how messages from strangers remind him that talking openly about death can genuinely help people move through grief and start to heal.We also dive into the mental health challenges funeral directors face, the criticism he's received from within the profession, and why he believes death care needs more transparency.And of course, we couldn't let him leave without a lightning round of funeral myths and questions. Are graves really six feet deep? Is embalming required? Can you bury someone in your backyard? Do bodies really sit up during cremation? Dan answers these questions and more and separates fact from fiction.Whether you're curious about the funeral industry, fascinated by viral creators, or simply interested in having a healthier relationship with mortality, this conversation is insightful, funny, and surprisingly uplifting.Where to find Dan:
URL: Danthefuneralman.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/danthefuneralman/
TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@danthefuneralman
FB: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dan-the-Funeral-Man/61562932233221/
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