Director Scott Kirschenbaum joins me to discuss the powerful documentary, The Last Ecstatic Days, and the transformative journey of making this film. Drawn by a long-standing connection to Dr. Aditi Sethi and the story of Ethan Sisser, Scott traveled from California to North Carolina to document Ethan’s final days. The result is a deeply moving, life-affirming film that honors Ethan’s wish to share his experience with the world. Scott finds himself deeply moved by the way in which Ethan was cared for, and he tells me, “We need to see community death care be a part of the fabric of how we engage with our neighbors. It’s imperative now.” What does that mean? How did Ethan’s experience shape that thinking? And where can you see this film? Coming on PBS in August 2025 and available on streaming platforms everywhere.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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