Why is it so hard to talk about our own mortality, especially with doctors and people we love? The more death is medicalized, the more a conspiracy of silence seems to reign over these vital discussions. As a culture, we have become far more at ease at talking about how to ward off death than how to prepare for a peaceful one. As a result, many families have distressing end-of-life experiences. They wind up wishing that key conversations had been more realistic—or that they had happened at all. 

Whether you’re a patient or doctor, spouse or adult child, each of us has different reasons for avoiding this difficult issue. This program will explore how to break the conspiracy of silence and begin to have honest, meaningful and even reassuring conversations about what matters most near life’s end.

Dawn will be moderating the conversation with authors Katy Butler and Dr. Haider Warraich.