When it comes to reflecting on life’s most important moments and decisions, conversations can be the bridge that connects hearts and minds. Whether you’re navigating a new diagnosis, exploring the nuances of caregiving, or seeking ways to leave a legacy of love and understanding, The Conversation Project has explored it all. We’ve compiled blogs grouped by themes—from faith and family to culture and care—that can inspire and empower you to engage in the conversations that matter most.
Sorting through a new diagnosis
- I received a tough diagnosis. How do I think and talk about what’s important in my care?
- Supporting Others through a Difficult Diagnosis
Hard conversations/caregiving/grief/examples of “what matters”
- How to tell someone your wishes when they don’t want to listen
- 11 ideas for when someone is having a hard time talking about their wishes for health care
- Real-life examples of people talking about what matters for their health care
- Dying Well
- How not to be a swooper: Lessons from a seagull about caregiving
- Anticipatory grief: Giving a name to the feeling
- Thoughtful Ice Breakers That Lead to Meaningful Conversations
Dementia
- With Dementia, More is Needed than a Boilerplate Advance Directive
- 6 Tips for Conversations with Someone in the Early Stages of Alzheimer’s or Other Forms of Dementia
Veterans
Solo agers
Generations and culture
- Conversations Across Generations and Cultures
- A Tremble and a Lump: Why Race Matters in End-of-Life Conversations
- Breaking the Silence: Conversations on How to Navigate Care Through the End of Life with Latine Families
- Generational Wisdom: Why Caregiving Shapes You
- The Farewell: Culture’s Role in How We Approach End-of-Life
- The Machismo Mourns (Too)
- Resources for Students Interested in Conversations, Advance Care Planning and End of Life
LGBTQ+ experience
- Focusing on what matters most to LGBTQ+ individuals
- How you Want to Live Through the Rest of Your Life: Queering Cancer’s Q&A with The Conversation Project
Tapping into faith
- Engaging Faith Communities in Meaningful Conversations
- How a pastor supported congregants to have the conversation
- Planning Ahead: One Church’s Journey to Normalizing Conversations about What Matters Most in Life, Death, and Dying
- Lessons on Engaging Youth and Faith Settings as Conversation Catalysts
Letters/poems to family
- Don’t Panic – It’s OK: A Letter to My Family
- It’s because I love you…
- Dear Loved Ones: Listen to Your Mother
Additional ways to engage: podcasts, games, videos
Oftentimes, sharing a link to a podcast with a regular podcast listener, or a suggested activity to do together is just the needed spark to start an initial conversation to get folks talking. Humor and real stories are great ways to help make what could be difficult conversations more lighthearted and accessible. Below are a sampling of short, fun, and touching ways to help you and others think about and prepare for conversations. Consider sharing one of the below to prompt a conversation after listening/playing/watching. More videos from The Conversation Project
- 27 Podcasts About End-of-life Care
- 10 Fun Games to Help You Talk About End-of-Life Care
- Practice Makes Perfect video
- Soul Doctor and Jazz Singer video
- Who Will Speak for You? video
- Don’t Panic, It’s OK: A Letter to Loved Ones Making Difficult Choices video