In this episode of The Dying Gasp, Patrick tackles one of the most controversial and profound topics regarding endings: the decision to end things on our own terms. Moving away from the abstract, he explores what it means to "leave the party" early and the deeply personal motivations behind that choice.

Patrick breaks down the complexities of this decision, distinguishing between those who have found peace with their timeline and those who feel it is their only escape from current suffering. With raw honesty, he shares his own experiences with these thoughts and offers a perspective rooted in empathy rather than judgment.

"If you're going to make up a story, why not make up a good one?"

In this second episode of The Dying Gasp, Patrick explores the "absolute ending" not as a weight, but as a release. Moving away from the social habit of viewing death as "heavy," he reflects on the liberating process of getting his affairs in order and the newfound freedom that comes when a party is nearing its end.

From the "plank length" of subatomic physics to the vast mysteries of dark matter and reincarnation, we look at life as a mosaic—a self-portrait we paint one snapshot at a time. Whether you find comfort in the idea of rest or the hope of a "grand new adventure," this episode invites you to reconsider the story you tell yourself about what lies at the next station.

Everything ends. The question is: what comes after?

Join your host Patrick for The Dying Gasp, an unscripted, raw exploration of endings in all their forms—from the personal shifts in health and identity to the cultural and technological sunsets we face together. Born from Patrick’s own health journey and a desire to find meaning in the "raw and open truth," this podcast is part meditation, part therapy, and part hopeful dialogue.

Whether we are discussing the end of a life stage, the death of a system, or the mystery of what lies beyond, this is a space to think deeply, embrace the "scary things," and realize that you aren't alone in the quiet.