What is dying really like—and could understanding it help us live more fully?
In this episode of The Art of Badassery, I’m joined by Julie McFadden—better known as Hospice Nurse Julie. A former ICU nurse turned hospice educator, Julie has helped millions rethink what the end of life actually looks like. Her honest and compassionate approach to talking about death has made her a trusted voice online and led to her New York Times bestselling book, Nothing to Fear.
Julie shares how her TikTok unexpectedly exploded, leading to major media coverage and a book deal. More importantly, she explains what she’s learned from thousands of patients about the natural dying process—and why it’s often far more peaceful than people imagine.
Listen to the episode here
Watch the episode here
Embracing Life’s End: A Deep Dive into Death, Hospice, and Living Fully
In a world where we often shy away from discussing death and dying, it is crucial to have conversations that shed light on this inevitable journey. Recently, on The Art of Badassery podcast, Jennifer Cassetta had an enlightening conversation with Julie McFadden, a seasoned nurse known for her work in hospice and her efforts to normalize discussions about death. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the key insights and stories shared during the episode, offering a fresh perspective on life’s final chapter.
Setting the Intention
Before delving into the conversation with Julie McFadden, host Jenn Cassetta shares her approach to each podcast episode—setting an intention. The purpose of The Art of Badassery is to uplift, inspire, and provide hope in a challenging world. As listeners, we can reflect on this intention and consider how these stories and insights might elevate our energy and inspire those around us.
Julie McFadden: A Journey through Nursing and Social Media
Julie McFadden brings years of experience as both an ICU and hospice nurse. She shares her journey from feeling burned out in the ICU to finding passion and fulfillment in hospice care, eventually using social media to educate others about death and dying. With over 4 million followers and a New York Times bestselling book, “Nothing to Fear,” Julie has become a powerful voice in demystifying the end-of-life experience.
Lessons from Hospice Care
One of the most profound insights Julie shares is how the body prepares itself for death, highlighting the biological mechanisms that ease the process. She explains that contrary to popular belief, the body naturally knows how to die, often without the acute pain we associate with the end of life. This understanding can bring comfort to those facing death and their loved ones.
The Healing Power of Connection
Julie emphasizes the importance of connection, sharing personal stories of patients, like Randy, who found peace in their final days through the meaningful relationships they formed. As she recounts one of her favorite patient experiences, Julie highlights how, even at the end of life, letting go of fear allows individuals to embrace the journey with openness and acceptance.
Takeaways from the Episode
- Appreciate the Small Things: The conversation encourages us to appreciate the everyday moments we often take for granted, from our morning coffee to the ability to walk and shower independently. These experiences enrich our lives, and acknowledging them can lead to greater fulfillment.
- Conversations about End-of-Life Choices: Julie underscores the importance of planning and discussing end-of-life wishes with loved ones. Filling out an advanced directive and communicating your desires ensures you and your family are prepared, reducing stress during difficult times.
- Redefining Death as a Part of Life: By normalizing discussions about death, Julie hopes to alleviate fear and empower individuals to live their lives more fully. Understanding death as a natural part of life’s journey allows us to approach it with acceptance and peace.
Conclusion
The episode with Julie McFadden on The Art of Badassery podcast provides a compassionate and informative look at death through the lens of a hospice nurse. By sharing candid stories and practical advice, Jenn and Julie remind us of the importance of living intentionally and embracing every moment, even those leading up to our final days.
Important Links
- Website – https://www.hospicenursejulie.com/
- Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/hospicenursejulie/
- Book – Have No Fear https://www.hospicenursejulie.com/book
- Subscribe to Jenn’s newsletter so you never miss an episode
- Book Clarity and Connection by Yung Pueblo
- Burnout to Badass
- The 6 Habits Of High Performance With Jenn Cassetta – Past episode
- Art of Badassery Retreat
- Art of Badassery Newsletter
About Julie McFadden
Julie McFadden, BSN, RN has been a nurse for 17 years. Julie is an experienced ICU, and now Hospice/Palliative Nurse. Julie has been featured in Time magazine, Newsweek, GMA, USA today, and several other articles worldwide. Julie has been passionate about normalizing death through education to the masses using social media and now her new, NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING book, Nothing To Fear! She has over 4M followers across her platforms, and you can find at Hospice Nurse Julie.
Learn more about Julie at https://www.hospicenursejulie.com/
