Changing Death

1. Everything we transform, transforms us back
We live in an age of rapid change and transformation. With these short interviews I would like to introduce you to
inspirational people who initiate, cultivate and experience positive transformation on different levels and in different
areas. Rich insights and lessons learned that you might take forward into your own journey.
6 Questions to
Amanda Blainey

2. 1. Can you paint me a picture of how you bring change in the world? What do you personally see as your biggest
contribution?
My biggest contribution is to guide people through my talks, book, and podcast
to think about how they are living through an appreciation of how finite life is and
that what we do with our time is precious.
To bring normality to the conversation around death and create a new dialogue
around this subject to improve how people, die, live and to think about the legacy
they leave behind.

3. 2. Many change pioneers and activists speak of external and internal transformation. When or how have you
noticed transformation within yourself, triggered by your work and actions?
Internally I have learned to trust my inner voice and my intuition and to only listen
to people that help me grow and evolve. In volunteering in a hospice, before this
pandemic, I had been on the frontline and seen how some people are dying in the
western world. This transformed the way I looked at my own life and ignited the
fire in me to challenge the way people die and live.

4. 3. Which experiences or people have shaped your personal transformation (Who inspired or even mentored you)?
What would you share with others to help them shape their journey?
Being asked to speak at The Do Lectures was a turning point for me. Co-founder
David Hieatt's instinctual nature meant he took a punt on me and gave me a
platform to talk about death. He understood that talking about death is talking
about life which is the key to my message. David has been a friend and a mentor
and his quiet yet profound leadership inspires me to continue my work. Meeting
and interviewing authors, artists, mavericks for my podcast has given me access
to some amazing people whom I have gained valuable insight from. Opening up
these conversations about death helps us to consider death as a natural process
in life and talking about it can release some of the fear and anxiety we have about
it. Talking, listening and sharing is the key to growth, learning and building our
community.

5. 4. What changes do you find particularly moving at this moment?
The collective efforts of those in my community to help one another, the feeling of
global oneness, that we are all in this together. To realise we are not separate we
are all one. The dolphins swimming in the canals in Venice remind us of our
footprint and how as humans we have the power to make a difference to our
planet if we respect it and each other.

6. 5. How can you or one of your projects be supported?
To listen to series 1 & 2 of the Doing Death podcast, rate and review it on Itunes
or where ever you listen to your podcasts. And to buy my book 'Do Death for a
Life Better Lived' which outlines how we can plan for our future care if we got ill,
how to organise our will and how to look after ourselves and our loved ones at
the end of life and to focus on what's important during our time here.

7. 6. Who would you recommend that could offer transformational experiences and inspirational thoughts?
I heard the most incredible podcast on Instagram
live this week with the Guilty feminist podcast and
comedian Sindhu Vee. So moving and beautiful that
has stayed with me. A beautiful account of what
someone has learned during their illness with the
CoronaVirus.
Julia Samuel is a psychotherapist I love who has
written the book 'This too shall Pass' out now and
particularly prophetic and useful at the moment.
Then there is always Rumi!
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Owa4z_MvV0

8. Here you find more resources about Amanda
https://www.doingdeath.com
Listen to my podcast here:
https://www.doingdeath.com/podcasts
See my book here:
https://thedobook.co/products/do-death-for-a-life-better-lived