This week, we sit with death midwife and Reiki practitioner Barbie Conkling, whose extraordinary journey with her son Lyon reshaped her entire understanding of suffering, consciousness, and the afterlife. Barbie shares the deeply moving story of Lyon's life—from childhood illness to over 40 surgeries, from living boldly despite a terminal diagnosis to consciously preparing for his transition at age 31.

She walks us through:
✨ The role of a death midwife and how modern culture lost its death rituals
✨ Conscious vs. unconscious suffering
✨ How to support a loved one at the end of life
✨ The 5 essential phrases every soul needs to hear before they go
✨ How soul contracts work and why Lyon chose his path
✨ The signs she receives from Lyon today
✨ Past-life connections, karmic agreements, and how their bond continues
✨ Using grief as a spiritual awakening and a call to service

This episode will change the way you understand death, loss, purpose, and the beauty of what lies beyond the veil.

(all references updated to Lyon)

00:00 — The gift of suffering
00:14 — Welcome + introductions
00:54 — What is a death midwife?
02:17 — Ceremonies and honoring the vessel after death
03:11 — Ritual, bathing, anointing, and family involvement
04:36 — Why Western culture lost its death rituals
05:55 — MJ's personal story about loss
07:26 — Fear, resistance & acceptance at end of life
08:22 — Cutting cords, Reiki, and supporting transition
10:20 — The 5 essential things to say to a dying loved one
12:04 — Moon rituals, release vs. manifesting
14:00 — Soul contracts and why we choose our lives
15:09 — How Lyon got his name
17:11 — Lyon's early life and diagnosis
18:40 — Cancer journey, surgeries, and medical struggles
21:55 — Understanding karmic mutations
23:10 — Conscious suffering vs. becoming the suffering
26:06 — When Lyon began accepting his mission
27:15 — Living big despite illness — surfing, motocross, adventure
28:05 — Inspiring others through his journey
29:31 — Lyon's soul mission
31:17 — Facing the end — septic episodes and hospitalizations
32:06 — The moment Lyon chose hospice
33:32 — His siblings and how they processed it
34:20 — The living memorial with 200+ friends
35:49 — Why living memorials matter
37:05 — Guidance for families struggling with acceptance
39:20 — Meeting loved ones where they are
40:50 — Lyon's viral goodbye video
41:57 — How Lyon continues to communicate with her (signs & messages)
43:42 — Past-life connections between mother and son
48:20 — Recurring past-life themes of separation
50:22 — Compassion in the hospital
51:15 — Soul lessons across lifetimes
52:11 — Soulmates, karmic partners & family ties
53:20 — Becoming a mother at 16 & her awakening
54:29 — Lyon's transition and final moments
55:56 — Ceremony with his body & sacred rituals
57:29 — Advice for those supporting a dying loved one
58:24 — Impermanence & the soul's infinite story
59:08 — Identity stripping away—what remains
1:00:14 — After-death work, remembrance & healing
1:01:01 — Where to find Barbie
1:01:36 — Closing statements + the healing prayer

Barbie Herron Conkling
Website: dancingwiththeveil.com
Services: Death Midwifery, Grief Support, Reiki, Spiritual Guidance
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbiedahl74/