If you’ve ever avoided talking about death with a loved one because it felt too uncomfortable or culturally off-limits, episode 344 is for you. Dr. Cynthia X. Pan, a leading expert in end-of-life care, shares practical strategies for navigating these sensitive conversations with empathy and clarity. Learn how to approach topics like advanced directives and final wishes—especially across cultural lines—so you can honor your loved ones’ values and find peace in knowing you did right by them.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

(1:25) The evolution of palliative care

(2:55) Ethics and cultural diversity in end-of-life conversations

(4:30) Reframing death with dignity and celebration

(5:51) The power of showing up

(6:47) Family dynamics and grief during COVID

(10:05) Why advanced directives matter

(14:30) When systems ignore patient wishes

(15:44) Navigating cultural resistance to end-of-life talk

(21:56) Breaking death taboos and redefining goodbye

In today's episode, I'm joined by Dr. Cynthia X. Pan, a board-certified physician in internal medicine, geriatrics, and hospice and palliative medicine. She holds a BA in Biology from Harvard and an MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine. Dr. Pan completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Rochester and a geriatrics fellowship at Harvard Medical School’s Division on Aging. She now serves as Chief of Geriatrics and Palliative Care Medicine and Designated Institutional Official for Graduate Medical Education at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens. A Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, she educates future healthcare providers on palliative care, cultural humility, and communication. Fluent in Mandarin and Spanish, she brings a multicultural lens to patient-centered care.

Throughout this episode, Dr. Pan uses her medical background and personal experiences to share both clinical insight and emotional depth. She reflects on working in one of the most culturally diverse regions in the U.S., where sensitive end-of-life conversations require compassion and cultural awareness. Through stories of caring for her father and mother-in-law, she highlights the importance of honoring patients’ wishes. She also discusses how to approach taboo topics like death with respect and indirect communication—especially in communities where such discussions are avoided. Her guidance helps us embrace these moments with courage, clarity, and connection.

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Book: Exit Strategies: Living Lessons from Dying People

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The Grief and Happiness Alliance

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