Not Your Average Death Blog
Macaroni’s Story: Why We Hit Record—and Why You Should, Too
If you’ve been listening to The Death Readiness Podcast for a while, you know we often get into the legal mechanics of estate planning, end-of-life documents, and the practical steps that make life easier for the people we leave behind. But death readiness isn’t just about having the right paperwork. It’s about preparing your family for the day when you’re no longer here. It’s about preserving who you were—what you believed, what you lived through, what mattered to you.
And that kind of preparation doesn’t come in the form of a checklist. It comes in the form of stories. That’s why this episode - Macaroni’s Story: A Granddaughter Records Her Unknown Hero - is special. We’re sharing an excerpt from The Mastroianni Family Podcast—and giving you the tools to create a private family podcast of your own.
Celebrating Our 5-Year Famliversary: A Look Back at Love, Life, and Lockdown
Five years ago, in the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband and I sat at our kitchen table with two incredible kids, a cell phone on speaker between us, and the Honorable Senior Judge Don R. Ash on the line from the Chancery Court of Rutherford County, Tennessee. The world had just shut down.
Happy World Down Syndrome Day!
Today, on World Down Syndrome Day, we reflect on this year’s theme: “Improve Our Support Systems.” It’s a theme that resonates deeply with the work we do at The Death Readiness Podcast—especially in our latest episode, “Who’s on Your Team? The Key Players in Special Needs Estate Planning,” released today.
The Power of Self-Perception
In a recent episode of The Death Readiness Podcast, I sat down with my father, Carmen Mastroianni, to talk about Dan’s early years. We discussed my parents’ battles to get others to see Dan’s full humanity, and the unique long-term planning that accompanies raising a child with a disability. I also sat down with Dan to get his perspective, in his own words.
Navigating Parenthood and Planning: A Father’s Story of Love, Advocacy, and Inclusion
Becoming a parent is always a life-changing experience, but when a child is born with special needs, the journey can bring unexpected challenges, emotions, and a steep learning curve.
In Episode 7 of The Death Readiness Podcast, I sit down with my dad to talk about the reality of raising a child with special needs, the fight for inclusion in schools and sports, and how my parents made long-term planning decisions. It’s a conversation about love, resilience, and the responsibility of planning for the future.
Death Readiness: Small Steps, Big Impact
What if you died today—suddenly and without warning?
I know, it’s not the kind of question most people want to think about. But death readiness isn’t just about you—it’s about the people you leave behind. What would they need to handle? Would they know where to find important documents? How to pay the bills? Whom to call?
In the first episode of The Death Readiness Podcast, I walk through two very different scenarios: one in which nothing has been planned, and another in which everything has been organized ahead of time. The difference between these two versions of events is staggering—and it highlights why small, manageable steps today can prevent chaos and stress for your loved ones later.