Palliative Talks: The Palliative Care Podcast

In this profound episode of Palliative Talks, grief specialist Eugene Dufour joins host Kath Murray to explore the emotional weight caregivers carry in palliative and long-term care. Through powerful stories and practical wisdom, Eugene shares how rituals, reflective practice, and mentorship can help care providers process grief and stay grounded. From memory gardens to mindfulness bells, he offers personal strategies for transforming pain into purpose. Together, they discuss how acknowledging death and grief can deepen care, foster resilience, and bring humanity to the forefront—even in the most challenging settings.

In this episode, Kath Murray welcomes back Nadine Valk, a longtime expert in palliative care education and implementation science. Nadine shares her insights on how to effectively embed a palliative approach into everyday long-term care practice. Drawing on her extensive experience, she explains how breaking down goals into manageable steps, focusing on strengths, and addressing barriers with practical strategies can help sustain meaningful change. They also emphasize the importance of teamwork, ongoing conversations, and personal reflection to make care more compassionate and person-centered.

In this insightful episode of Palliative Talks, Kath Murray and Françoise Mathieu explore the complex layers of stress and trauma faced by frontline caregivers, highlighting how secondary traumatic stress, system failures, and working conditions contribute to moral distress. They discuss the importance of psychological safety, the power of small “micro-movements” for self-care, and the value of setting healthy boundaries—even when it means disappointing others. Emphasizing a bifocal approach, they underline the shared responsibility between individuals and organizations to support well-being, while also acknowledging the unique challenges leaders face. Practical strategies and resources are shared to help caregivers cultivate resilience and advocate for positive change within their teams and workplaces.

In this episode, Kath Murray speaks with Dr. Kathy Kortes-Miller—social worker, educator, and author of Talking About Death Won’t Kill You—about rethinking how we support people living with life-limiting illnesses. Together, they explore how communication, compassion, and collaboration can shape more person-centered care in long-term and community settings. Drawing on research, lived experience, and humour, Kathy shares practical insights for healthcare workers navigating conversations about dying, death, and what matters most—including stories from hosting Die-alogues, a model similar to death Death Cafés, where people gather to talk openly (and often with laughter) about end-of-life.

In this episode of Palliative Talks, Kath Murray and Nadine Persaud explore what it means to truly integrate a palliative approach in long-term care. They discuss the importance of small, meaningful gestures, the power of silence, and reframing questions to restore dignity and purpose for residents. Nadine emphasizes that palliative care is a collective, team-based effort—one that values every role, from PSWs to housekeeping. Through powerful stories, including pandemic-era innovations in grief support, she illustrates how psychosocial care and interdisciplinary collaboration can transform end-of-life experiences into moments of connection, meaning, and humanity.