Living While Dying: Walking Alongside The Terminally Ill With Danita Ziegler The Life Challenges podcast

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Living While Dying: Walking Alongside the Terminally Ill with Danita Ziegler

5d ago 30:57

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What happens to your perspective when you work with terminally ill patients every day? Danita Ziegler, a medical professional supporting glioblastoma patients, reveals the profound shift in priorities that comes from standing at the threshold between life and death regularly.
"You cannot sweat the small stuff," Danita explains, describing emotional scenes in patients' homes that put everyday frustrations into perspective. After witnessing families navigate the devastating realities of terminal cancer, returning to normal life brings clarity.
This episode explores the stark contrast between homes with and without faith foundations when facing mortality. Danita shares how she can sense immediately upon entering someone's space whether faith plays a central role—"It's like an aura"—and how those without spiritual frameworks often struggle more profoundly with existential questions. Her observations of dying patients receiving visitations from deceased loved ones and experiencing profound peace strengthened rather than diminished her own faith.
We discover how terminal illness transforms not just patients but caregivers too, requiring support and understanding for both. Danita reveals the burnout risks for professionals in this field and how those without faith "don't last very long." Her guidance comes from Luke 22:26, visualizing Jesus washing disciples' feet: "It's not to make them feel guilty about how dirty their feet are, it's just to wash them."
Whether you're facing serious illness, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking perspective on what matters most, this conversation offers wisdom about presence over perfection and relationships over possessions. As Danita reminds us, "Technically we're all born with a death sentence"—making how we live until that moment all the more significant.

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Find strength and courage in your faith at this year’s FEARLESS FAITH Conference. Inspired by Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous,” join us Saturday, September 13, at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in Jackson, Wisconsin, for presentations on navigating life’s storms, understanding God’s peace, and engaging in crucial conversations about euthanasia, anorexia, abortion, prenatal genetic testing, and more. Hear powerful journeys of faith through loss and hope. Don’t miss this empowering event! $50 in person or $40 virtual. Register now: https://christianliferesources.com/resources/events/2025-conference/

Chapters

1. Terminal Care Perspective (00:00:00)

2. Danita's Path to Medical Work (00:08:19)

3. Faith Journey Through Loss (00:12:39)

4. Life's Temporary Nature (00:19:11)

5. Faith vs. No Faith (00:23:13)

6. Supporting Patients and Caregivers (00:27:17)

7. Managing the Weight of Terminal Work (00:30:42)

209 episodes

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