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PODCAST

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate planning podcast

Jill Mastroianni - Estate Planning & Probate Consultant for Women

You’re the one prepping for your child’s IEP meeting while trying to talk your aging dad out of getting a puppy. You’re booking medical appointments, managing the money, juggling work emails during school pickup and still expected to keep the fridge stocked and know who has practice, rehearsal, or a field trip tomorrow. Your parents are struggling, but they still insist they’re fine. You see the mobility issues, the memory slips, the unopened mail, but every offer to help feels like an argument

education how to

All Episodes

00:52:01

What to Do with a Dead Body, Who’s in Charge, and Who...

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/07/11

What do you actually do when someone dies? Call 911, the coroner, or Google “funeral homes near me”? In this episode, director of pre-planning at Feldman Mortuary in Denver, Colorado, Jamie Sarche, returns to The Death Readiness Podcast to demystify what really happens behind the scenes after a death. We discuss how a lack of planning can leave your family vulnerable to grief, manipulation, and financial strain, why skipping a funeral can backfire, and how pre-planning can be the ultimate act of

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00:10:41

How Powers of Attorney Work, When to Use Them, and...

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/07/08

Your parent’s health is declining. The bills keep piling up. Are you legally allowed to step in? In this first Tuesday Triage episode, Jill explains how powers of attorney really work, who can use them, and what you can do now to prepare for your parent’s cognitive decline before it’s too late.What We DiscussedWhat a power of attorney is and when to use itWho can grant a power of attorney and when mental capacity mattersImmediate vs. springing powers of attorneyWhy successor agents can’t act until

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00:48:20

How to Prevent your Estate Plan from Becoming a...

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/06/27

What happens when no one agrees on who should manage a loved one’s care—or their money? Jill talks with Sara Ecklein, a professional fiduciary in California, to talk about what goes wrong when we don’t plan ahead. From costly legal fights to irreparable family breakdowns, they unpack how a neutral third party can step in before conflict becomes a catastrophe.They also explore what it means to be a mindful fiduciary, how family dynamics get complicated when siblings are put in charge, and why

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00:18:33

How our favorite movies trained us to accept less

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/06/13

What if the movies we loved growing up were quietly teaching us to settle for less credit, less rest, and less power? In this episode, Jill Mastroianni unpacks the messages in movies like Groundhog Day, Three Men and a Baby, and Miss Congeniality, and how those messages still echo today in hospitals, law offices, and family conversations about caregiving and estate planning.Jill talks about agency, consent, emotional labor, and how the women who keep everything afloat often lack the tools and

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01:18:13

How to Succeed in the Caregiving Role No One Trained...

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/05/30

Caregiving isn’t side work - it’s a leadership position. Host Jill Mastroianni talks with Jennifer O’Brien, author of Care Boss and The Hospice Doctor’s Widow, about the emotional labor, strategic thinking, and societal blind spots surrounding caregiving. Drawing from her experience leading healthcare organizations as well as caring for her husband and parents, Jennifer challenges the notion of caregiving as “soft” work and offers real-world tools to do it well. We cover everything from palliative

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01:20:16

What You Need to Know About Embalming, Cremation, and...

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/05/16

What happens to your body after you die—and who decides? Jill sits down with Jamie Sarche, Director of Pre-arranged Funeral Planning, at Feldman Mortuary, to explore embalming, cremation (both fire and water), green burial, body composting, and the emotional and logistical weight of making funeral plans. Jill even begins her own funeral planning on-air, offering listeners a firsthand look at what these conversations involve.If you've ever wondered what’s inside an urn, whether you can be composted,

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00:45:26

Preparing for the Day I’ll Tell My Brother: "It’s...

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/05/02

As a daughter, a sister to a brother with special needs, and a mother herself, Jill Mastroianni knows firsthand what it feels like to carry the weight of future planning. This episode offers an intimate glimpse into her own family’s story—one filled with heartbreak, hesitation, and ultimately, the strength to move forward. Because sometimes death readiness doesn’t feel brave—it just feels necessary.We explore:The mental load women carry when they’re the ones holding it all togetherThe emotional

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00:34:10

Macaroni’s Story: A Granddaughter Records Her Unknown...

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/04/18

In this special episode, we step away from legal mechanics and into something deeply personal: the power of capturing family stories. Jill and her daughter April share an episode from their private family podcast, featuring Carmen Mastroianni—Jill’s father and April’s grandfather.Carmen reflects on his childhood in Schenectady, New York, his unexpected path to college, and his unforgettable experience serving in the Vietnam War. Nicknamed “Macaroni” during basic training, Carmen’s stories are full

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00:59:30

The Care We Can’t Do Alone: Real Talk on Aging and...

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/04/04

In this real and relatable episode, Jill explores the often-avoided topic of senior living and long-term care. She’s joined by senior care consultant Mikelle Rappaport, who breaks down the various types of senior living and care options and how to plan for them—both practically and financially. Jill also speaks with Bob Stanton, who shares the journey of moving his wife of 54 years into a skilled nursing facility. Together, they unpack the real challenges families face when navigating aging,

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01:00:09

Who’s on Your Team? The Key Players in Special Needs...

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/03/21

In this episode, host Jill Mastroianni continues her conversation with Kristen Lewis, a special needs estate planning attorney. They explore how to build the right team of professionals to support your child’s future. From trustees to life care planners, disability care managers, and legal guardians, they discuss who should be on your team and how to choose the right people for these critical roles.Kristen also shares key mistakes to avoid—such as disinheriting a child with special needs—and

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01:11:28

Breaking Down the Alphabet Soup of Special Needs...

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/03/07

In this episode, Jill welcomes Kristen Lewis, a nationally recognized special needs estate planning attorney, to unpack the critical legal and financial steps families should take to secure the future of a loved one with special needs. They explore common misconceptions, how traditional estate planning often fails these families, and why comprehensive special needs planning requires much more than just drafting a trust.This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation, diving deep into government benefits,

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01:09:01

Navigating Parenthood and Planning: A Father’s Story...

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/02/21

In this heartfelt episode of The Death Readiness Podcast, host Jill Mastroianni sits down with her father, Carmen Mastroianni, to discuss his journey raising her older brother, Dan, who was born with Down syndrome in 1977. Through personal stories and reflections, Carmen shares the challenges, triumphs, and advocacy efforts that shaped their family’s experience, from navigating early medical uncertainties to ensuring Dan’s inclusion in school, sports, and community life.Jill and her father discuss

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01:01:39

The Executor’s Burden: What You Need to Know

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/02/14

What happens after someone passes away? Who handles the logistics, financial matters, and legal steps? In this episode, Jill speaks with Mollie Lacher, a leader in the after-loss services industry, about the often-overlooked challenges of estate administration and how professionals can help families navigate these responsibilities.Mollie shares her personal journey from project management to estate administration, sparked by her own experiences after the deaths of her father and brother-in-law. She

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00:29:57

Death & Taxes: One is inevitable, the other… maybe not?

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/02/07

Taxes can be confusing, but they don’t have to be terrifying. In this solo episode, Jill Mastroianni breaks down estate, inheritance, and gift taxes, helping you separate fact from fiction. Will estate taxes impact your family? Probably not. And what’s the deal with gifting limits? Jill walks you through the history, the myths, and what really matters when it comes to taxes and death readiness.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ The history of estate taxes and how they came to be✔️ What the federal

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00:53:42

Conversations We Avoid: Death, Money, and Planning Ahead

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/01/31

In this episode of The Death Readiness Podcast, Jill is joined by Megan Malick, founder of A New Path, grief and after-loss educator, speaker, and author. Megan shares insights on navigating the complexities of loss, discussing why conversations about death readiness are so difficult, and offering practical steps to approach these conversations with loved ones. She also introduces her new book, A New Path: A Practical Workbook and Planner for the First Year of Grief and Settling Your Person’s

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01:01:04

The Probate Puzzle: Understanding Wills, Assets, and...

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/01/24

In this episode, we discuss:A real-life probate issue and why it’s more common than you thinkWhat probate is and why it matters for your estateThe role of an executor and the challenges an executor may faceThe importance of proper estate planning and using professionalsCommon misconceptions about wills and probate courtHow different assets pass through (or avoid) probateSteps you can take today to make probate easier for your loved onesResources Mentioned:1MillionCups Metro Detroit:After Loss

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00:58:07

Bringing Hidden Treasures to Light: Preserving Family...

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/01/17

In this heartfelt episode, Jill welcomes Julie Ulrich, founder of Organized Legacy, to explore the importance of preserving family stories and legacies before they're lost. Together, they discuss the challenges and emotional rewards of navigating loss, clearing out a loved one's belongings, and uncovering meaningful treasures—both physical and intangible.Julie shares her personal journey, including how she found her grandmother’s Pearl Harbor diary while clearing out her father’s home. This

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00:15:39

Death Readiness: Small Steps, Big Impact

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/01/10

Welcome to the very first episode of The Death Readiness Podcast! In this debut, host Jill Mastroianni—an experienced attorney and death readiness advocate—dives into what it truly means to be prepared for the inevitable.This episode covers:What is death readiness? A compassionate approach to planning for yourself and the loved ones you leave behind.A thought exercise: Two contrasting scenarios of how preparation (or the lack thereof) can impact those you care about most.Practical first steps:

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00:02:15

Trailer

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate... ·

2025/01/06

Welcome to The Death Readiness Podcast, hosted by Jill Mastroianni, an attorney with more than a decade of experience specializing in trusts and estates. In this podcast, Jill makes death readiness approachable, understandable, and empowering for individuals and families.Navigating the legal and emotional complexities of life and death can feel overwhelming. How do you find a trustworthy attorney? How do you ensure your plans stay up to date as life changes? Together, we’ll break down these

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