Videos of Previous Events

Kathryn Tucker, JD is the Executive Director of the End-of-Life Liberty Project, Special Advocacy Advisor of the National Psychedelics Association, and Founding Board Member of the Psychedelic Bar Association. She has worked for over 3 decades to expand choice at the end of life. In this lecture recorded February 14, 2026, Kathryn discusses the ongoing effort to allow people facing death to seek relief from psychological suffering and die gently through psychedelic therapy. She challenges us to rethink one of life’s most universal experiences: dying. Videography by Michael Daniels Phone 858-202-0507

While current medical advances help us live longer, they often fail to ensure a life of sufficient quality and dignity, especially for those facing Alzheimer’s or other dementias. This presentation by Thaddeus Mason Pope, JD examines four well-established end-of-life choices as well as five emerging choices. It also examines three theoretical options that push the boundaries of what may one day be legally possible in the U.S. Some of these ideas challenge public comfort and policy. But all are grounded in compassion, reason, and respect for personal choice. We hope you benefit from this informed and courageous discussion about how we might expand end-of-life options for aging Americans in the years ahead. https://www.thaddeuspope.com/

December 6, 2025. Doctors play a crucial role in the way we die as essential advisors, medical providers, and coordinators of our healthcare decisions and plans. In this meeting, a panel of 3 doctors discuss why they support Medical Aid in Dying (MAID), what changes they’d like to see in the law, and how they personally want to die. The panel also answered questions from the meeting participants. SPEAKERS: Curtis Krock, MD, A retired pulmonologist who practiced for 20 years and a member of the Hemlock Society Board of Directors. Robert Gunn, MD, A retired physician whose wife chose Medical Aid in Dying. Flora Danque, MD, Medical Director of Apreva Hospice.

October 19, 2025. Board Secretary Christie Golemb and lifetime member Pamela Harper present a history of our organization and an overview of end-of-life options.

September 23, 2025. This program celebrates the publication of There at the End: Voices from Final Exit Network—A Celebration of 20 Years. Guest speakers Jim Van Buskirk, the anthology’s editor, and Jenny Mowry, a senior exit guide and anthology contributor, discuss their essays, their roles within FEN, and share readings from the book. You’ll hear the powerful stories of individuals and their families who come to terms with their end-of-life decisions with the support of FEN’s trained volunteers. Jim and Jenny also share insight into how to access FEN’s free services and detailed the role of FEN Exit Guides who serve as end-of-life coordinators, guides, and confidants. An information question and answer session follows the speakers' presentations.

Beverly Thorn, PhD, a psychologist and certified End-Of-Life Doula, discusses her new book, Before I Lose My Own Mind: Navigating Life as a Dementia Caregiver, telling her own personal story of caring for her husband with dementia. The book is aimed at caring for the caregiver, who often gets overlooked. Since dementia is not an all or nothing thing, there is time before one loses decisional capacity to consider and talk about life values, healthcare and dementia care preferences, and end-of-life wishes. Planning and communication are key in a society where no one wants to talk about dementia or death. Visit Dr. Thorn's website: https://drbeverlythorn.com/

Do you feel alone and overwhelmed by the challenges of aging, facing the end of life, or coping with a life-altering disability? Do you need support to maintain your daily independence and don’t know where to turn? Are you overwhelmed by caregiving or unable to assist loved ones with self-sufficiency issues? Speakers from San Diego County Aging and Independence services provided an overview of nearly 30 support programs offered by various community providers, and shared how to access them locally and in other counties and states.

On January 23, 2025, author and Hemlock Society of San Diego Vice President, Chris Palmer, joined our Zoom audience to discuss his newest book, Achieving a Good Death: A Practical Guide to the End of Life. The book, available on Amazon, covers a wide variety of topics to reduce the fear that often cloaks discussions about death and dying and give readers the knowledge and skills to achieve a peaceful and gentle death.

How do we discuss our inevitable mortality with the people who matter most? Guest speaker Teressa Vaughn, an Advance Care Planning Specialist and Consultant on Aging and End of Life. shares her expertise and experiences on this topic that so many people feel is difficult. With humor and compassion, Teressa gives us ways to openly discuss our last wishes with family, close friends, and medical caregivers. She offers a human-centered and holistic approach to the conversation around end-of-life planning that can help ensure patients receive the care and support they need in accordance with their wishes. If you find it difficult to talk about dying, you won't want to miss this inspiring presentation.

Three death doulas discussed their backgrounds, qualifications, and work, detailing the ways they help bring comfort and peace of mind…

Will your hospice honor your choice to die with dignity? Unfortunately, many do not support a hastened death. Since January…

July 16, 2023. This was a very enlightening meeting with guest speakers Brian Ruder, President of the Final Exit Network Board, and Lowrey Brown, Head of the FEN Exit Guide Program. Faye Girsh opened the program with the history of the Right To Die movement and our guest speakers described the compassionate, important work performed of Final Exit Network

Board members Faye Girsh and Janet Hager discuss the latest global developments in the RTD movement and their take-aways from…

Dr. Lonny Shavelson, founder and head of the Academy of Aid in Dying Medicine (AADM), discusses clinical practices for medical…

In this meeting on May 15, 2022, we take a fascinating inside look at Swiss Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) clinics,…

Faye Girsh interviews Dr. Stefanie Green, a pioneering advocate of the right to die in Canada. Dr. Green discusses her…

September 26, 2021 - Cases of conservatorship abuse in which the victim is an elderly person are not uncommon. Our panel of experts presents the legal facts and challenges of conservatorship and steps you can take to reduce the chances of you or a loved one losing virtually all civil rights.

Part 4 in the series focused on the laws in Europe.

Session two in the series presented by Faye Girsh on July 8, 2021. This program covered the five different laws…

First in the series on Current Issues in the Right to Die presented by Faye Girsh. Please note: YouTube shows a warning that the video is flagged as "potentially offensive or sensitive content." Viewers can click "I understand and wish to proceed".

Sunday, May 16, 2021 In the United States, dementia does not qualify as a condition for MAID. Even if a patient has a terminal illness, if cognitive function is impaired, they are unable to give informed consent for MAID. HSSD is proud to present a renowned international panel who will discuss alternate perspectives on death and dementia and answer questions from our audience.

March 21, 2021 Our panel of experts review the high costs associated with aging and dying, present strategies to mitigate them, and answer questions from audience participants.

September 20, 2020 - Three physicians speak from considerable experience caring for Covid patients.