Welcome to Episode 4 of the Rhodes Podcast! In this special episode, we dive into the heart of our End-of-Life Doula Certificate Program. You’ll hear directly from the instructors who lead it, each bringing a unique voice and perspective to this essential work.
Hosted by Rhodes graduate and Admissions Specialist Jameson Dean, this episode features an honest and emotional conversation with:
- Stephen Garrett – Death Doula, Grief Educator, and Board Member of the End-of-Life Doula Association of Canada
- Jill Cherewyk (PCC, RTC) – ICF-Certified Life Coach, Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, and Manager of Coaching Education at Rhodes
- Rebekka Walker – Death Doula, Somatic Practitioner, Wellness Educator, and Program Director at Vancouver School of Healing Arts
Together, they explore how the Rhodes program prepares students to offer compassionate, confident, and client-centred care at the end of life.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode of the Rhodes Podcast
- Why doing your own grief work is critical before supporting others
- How coaching helps clients gain clarity, communicate wishes, and process emotions
- The logistics of dying, including care options, MAiD, and essential legal documents
- How Rhodes grads are creating meaningful practices, like space design and digital legacy services
- Ways the program builds both professional skills and deep personal growth
Stephen Garrett emphasizes the importance of personal healing. “If I have unexpressed grief living in my body, it’s going to get triggered. I won’t be of service to anyone,” he explains. His course invites students to reflect, release, and transform their experiences of loss, enabling them to better support others.
Jill Cherewyk introduces the role of coaching in end-of-life care. Coaching, she notes, is not about advice. It’s about asking powerful questions and helping people define what a meaningful end-of-life experience looks like. “Clients know what they need; they just need space to find it,” she says.
Rebekka Walker grounds the program in real-world applications. Her course teaches students how to navigate systems, support home deaths, and manage legal documents. More importantly, she encourages students to hold space with calm presence. “This isn’t just paperwork; it’s about preserving dignity and empowering families,” she says.
Why This Work Matters
With more than 9 million Canadians entering their senior years, end-of-life care is more important than ever. The Rhodes End-of-Life Doula Certificate Program, recognized as one of the most comprehensive in Canada, gives students the tools they need to step into this emerging profession with purpose and readiness.
Whether you’re called to this work from personal experience, professional curiosity, or a deep desire to serve, this episode will expand your understanding of what’s possible.
Listen to Episode 4 and discover what it truly means to walk with someone at the end with presence, compassion, and care.
