In EPISODE 177 OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER, Dr. Gillian Lockitch talks with Dr. Brad Stuart about his book “Facing Death: Spirituality, Science, and Surrender at the End of Life.” Dr. Stuart discusses his transition from emergency medicine to hospice care, emphasizing how he came to realize the importance of healing over simply curing. He shares personal experiences and scientific insights into near-death experiences and the role of the default mode network in the brain. He highlights the spiritual and emotional aspects of end-of-life care, advocating for a holistic approach that includes mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. He also touches on the potential of psychedelic therapy in addressing death anxiety and depression.
Brad Stuart, MD is a physician specializing in end-of-life care, a healthcare innovator, and an author and international speaker. He has devoted his career to helping make the end of life a vital part of life itself. After graduating from Stanford Medical School and practicing internal medicine in the ER and ICU, he switched over to hospice practice to care for the dying. As Senior Medical Director for the largest healthcare system in Northern California, he created the first large-scale Advanced Illness Management (AIM) program in the US, funded by a $13 million award from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. He was featured in the HBO special, Letting Go: A Hospice Journey. Brad has been recognized as Physician of the Year by the California Association of Health Services at Home, named a Top 20 national difference-maker by HealthLeaders’ Media, and designated as a Visionary by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
Episode Timeline
[0:01] Introduction to Dr. Stuart’s journey from ER/ICU doctor into end-of-life care
[12:48] The evolution of Dr. Stuart’s approach to medicine
[17:49] Personal experiences with death and recalled experiences
[36:42] Neuroscience and Near-Death Experiences
[43:16] Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Book : Facing Death: Spirituality, Science, and Surrender at the End of Life.
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