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/