Terminal Talk is a group-led discussion, inviting individuals who are living with a life-limiting diagnosis to explore the realities of dying and death. This is a supportive space that encourages participants to share thoughts on the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of dying. While grief may naturally emerge, Terminal Talk does not serve as a grief support group or cater to caregivers, loved ones, or the general public.
All diagnoses are welcome! Whether you’re living with ALS, cancer, heart failure, Parkinson’s, or something else, we want you to join our group. We are a friendly place and understand the loneliness that comes with trying to make sense of our fate.
The History of Terminal Talk
I was invited by Roseana Spangler-Sims to host “Terminal Talk: An Open Discussion on Dying for a Select Few.” The subject came up at a Death Cafe I was hosting when one of Roseana’s friends mentioned Roseana’s frustration with established support groups and their reluctance to talk about dying and death.
Roseana spent many hours in a cancer support group where people lived with different types and stages of the disease. Unfortunately, Roseana was at the end of her treatment options and was looking at comfort care only. Hearing people in the support group encourage her to have faith and pray for a miracle only brought irritation. What she later came to recognize was that her diagnosis made them uncomfortable. Their encouragement was less for her benefit as it was for theirs.
Roseana yearned for a place where people living with an incurable diagnosis could come together to talk about their experience. In May 2025, I hosted the first “Terminal Talk” in person at the Vista Senior Center. From May through September, each monthly Terminal Talk attracted a very small group. The advantage was that each person had ample time to get what they wanted to say out to the others.
I hosted the final, in-person Terminal Talk in September 2025 in an empty room. The requests to move it online so people who were either living too far away or too far along to travel became a reality. In October 2025, I hosted the first Virtual Terminal Talk to seven strangers whose courage inspires me to this day.
Terminal Talk Today
Seven seems to be the “lucky” number for the monthly Virtual Terminal Talk. Since October, seven people have shown up to the monthly, ninety-minute, group-led discussion. It has yet to be the same seven people each month. That’s unsurprising considering the nature of the group.
Some of the things people who join Terminal Talk can expect are a variety of perspectives on dying and death. We come together bringing our cultural and spiritual beliefs with us. There is a level of tolerance and respect that transcends political, religious, and personal values.
Terminal Talk is structured in a way that allows participants to talk openly about what is on their hearts and minds. We avoid giving advice, condoning, or condemning each other’s comments. This can be difficult when what we hear doesn’t align with our personal beliefs.
To keep order, I’ve asked attendees to abide by a few guidelines, including welcoming all subjects and being mindful of inviting everyone the opportunity to participate. I ask that what is shared in the space, stays in the space unless there is explicit permission to share with others outside of the meeting.
In December 2025, the members asked me to add a second virtual Terminal Talk. After studying my calendar, I decided that I could add a second monthly Terminal Talk with the caveat that its scheduling needed to be flexible. ‘
As of January 2025, the original Terminal Talk has its fixed date on my calendar on the second Wednesday of each month at 10:30 AM Pacific Time. The additional Terminal Talk is on the third Friday of the month at the same time. I’m confident that the future “floating” Terminal Talks will be around this same week and time.
The Future
Seven people joined the first meeting of the Virtual Terminal Talk. The bond we formed transcends the limits of geography and time. We are blessed to spend our precious, non-renewable resource of time together. As a group, we need your support in sharing this resource with all who qualify, as the founding members of the group succumb to their fate, yet remain present in spirit.
Considering the nature of this discussion group, it’s important to invite all who qualify to participate. I encourage participants and their allies to share this resource so more people can find relief at the end of life.
