In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts interviews Greg Barnsdale, a funeral director, certified executor advisor, certified financial planner, and death doula, about his book 'Do Not Ignore Your Mortality: Practical Advice from a Funeral and Financial Insider.' They discuss the importance of end-of-life and financial planning, cultural attitudes toward death, and the consequences of being unprepared. Barnsdale shares his personal experience with a brain tumor diagnosis and stresses the need for open conversations about death and planning to reduce stress and create meaningful legacies. They also talk about practical steps for estate planning, the death positive movement, and tools available on Barnsdale's website to assist individuals and families in initiating these critical conversations.

Greg's Bio

After a career in various end-of-life roles, Greg wrote the book about preparing wisely to die. He

is a funeral director, Certified Executor Advisor, Certified Financial Planner & death doula, all

rolled into one. His compelling message is gaining popularity, and his following is substantial.

Contact and Book Information

https://www.donotignoreyourmortality.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbarnsdale/

To find out more about Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com and his author page psychologyprofessorandminister.com

In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts welcomes David Schatzkamer, a licensed mental health counselor and registered play therapist supervisor. David shares his experiences and insights on helping young children thrive through therapeutic play. He discusses the inspiration behind founding the Center4PlayTherapy, the significance of play in child development, and effective techniques for parents to nurture emotional connections with their children. David also highlights the importance of understanding the child and family as a unit rather than focusing solely on diagnoses. Additionally, David provides practical tips for parents and details his upcoming book, Easy Shmezy Guide to Parenting, which offers therapeutic techniques for everyday use. The episode underscores the transformative power of play in improving communication, behavior, and emotional regulation in children.

David's Bio and Contact Information

David Schatzkamer, LMHC, RPT-S, is a licensed mental health counselor and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor specializing in helping young children thrive through therapeutic play. As founder and director of the Center4PlayTherapy, David brings over 15 years of experience working with children ages 3–8, supporting families through challenges like ADHD, trauma, behavioral struggles, and emotional regulation. He trained at the University of North Texas’s Intensive Play Therapy Supervision Program and continues to lead supervision groups and serve on the board of the Association for Play Therapy of New York State.

David’s approach is deeply practical, blending clinical expertise with simple, powerful tools parents can use to build stronger relationships with their kids. He’s also the co-author of Easy Shmezy Guide to Parenting, a hands-on book packed with therapeutic techniques that actually fit into everyday life. Whether in the therapy room, training other professionals, or sharing insights on podcasts, David’s mission is to make play-based healing accessible, effective, and meaningful.

Phone:  (718) 715-9402.

https://center4playtherapy.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidschatzkamer/

To find out more about Dave Roberts go to davidrobertsmsw.com and his author page psychologyprofessorandminister.com

In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts welcomes guest Carrie Brody, who shares her profound journey of loss, grief, and healing following the sudden, unexplained death of her 9-year-old son, Seth, in 2018. Carrie discusses her transformation and self-discovery, her involvement with the SUDC community, and her certifications in grief education and grief movement. Carrie introduces her book, Do You Know The Way,'which she co-authored with Seth in spirit, detailing her healing journey and offering practical tips. The conversation also explores meditation, grief movement practices, and the importance of being open to different healing modalities and connections with loved ones in spirit.

Carrie's Bio and Contact Information

Born and raised in New Jersey and a graduate of Rutgers College with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Carrie started her career in customer service and stayed there for the next several years before moving to California. While in California, Carrie continued her work serving the public and then attended International Air Academy and became a certified travel agent. After that she moved back east to New York and took a job in banking industry and then landed in corporate training for the next tew years. After that, she moved to Connecticut and returned to her first and innate love, teaching. She taught PreK until she became a full-time stay at home mother in 2006.

In 2018, Carrie had a devastating and shocking loss of her 9-year-old son to sudden explained death in childhood (SUDC). Since then, Carrie has become an active member and volunteer for the SUDC, as peer one to one parent advocate and part of their speaker series. Along with that, Carrie created and founded a grief group for bereaved moms that she leads, along with being a group administrator for large community of bereaved grandparents, parents and siblings.

In July of 2023, Carrie continued her education and dedicated her commitment to serving the grieving community by becoming a Certified Grief Educator through David Kessler’s training program. After that, she continued on to become certified in grief movement with Paul Denniston and completed that program in January of 2024. Then in March of 2024, she became certified in Spiritual and Transformation Life Coaching. She is also a trauma-informed instructor and in training to become a certified meditation teacher. Carrie’s first book, Do You Know The Way, which shares her experiences and journey through child loss and grief, came out on March 12, 2025.

Carrie works with individuals in grief one-on-one, leads grief groups, and speaks nationally to those in grief. She teaches them tools and methods to release, reframe, and shift grief through gratitude, breath, sound, and movement to a more peaceful life with purpose and meaning.

Website and Social Media

www.heartfelthealingwithcarrie.com

Facebook: Carrie Miller Brody

Facebook Page: Heartfelt Healing With Carrie

Book: Do You Know The Way can be found on Amazon

To find out more about Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com and his author page psychologyprofessorandminister.com