Working as a Death Doula and Managing Death Anxiety with Niki DiGaetano (BPR #306)
Backpacker Radio
Zach Davis
4.7 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 19 May 2025
⏱️ 97 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Niki DiGaetano, known on trail as Phoenix. In addition to being a long distance backpacker, the bulk of today’s conversation centers around Niki’s work as a death doula. We learn, of course, what that work entails, how her experiences working with those at the end of their lives have reframed how she lives hers, advice for those currently processing the death of a loved one, dealing with anxieties around death, and much more.
We wrap the show with how the Appalachian Trail has changed over the last 10 years, ridiculous features we’d like to see added to a backpack, and the triple crown of last meal orders.
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[divider]
Interview with Niki DiGaetano
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:10 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and apply to blog for the Trek!
00:08:40 - Introducing Niki
00:10:19 - What is a death doula?
00:12:07 - How did you get into this field?
00:15:10 - How do you not get weighed down by the work?
00:17:05 - What does the training look like?
00:21:10 - What is the top piece of advice you have for preparing for a loved one’s passing?
00:23:10 - How do you help people cope with death anxiety?
00:25:30 - How often are people prepared for death?
00:29:42 - How does religion and spirituality play into your work?
00:31:30 - What do you think comes next?
00:35:50 - What advice do you have for people in the grieving process?
00:38:50 - What do you think about the 5 Stages of Grief?
00:41:30 - What are the common regrets of people who are dying?
00:45:30 - How has your work intersected with hiking long trails?
00:47:47 - Tell us about your past relationship
00:55:20 - How did the trail help you grow?
00:56:00 - How did you meet your current partner?
01:00:30 - What are your plans for the future in terms of your career and hiking?
01:02:57 - How do you balance offering advice to your friends and family?
01:05:00 - Discussion about death anxiety
01:07:10 - Do you have any advice for someone debating about doing a thru-hike?
01:09:20 - Tell us about the book you’re working on
01:10:37 - Stay Salty Question: What’s your hottest take in the world of backpacking - or death?
01:12:23 - Where can people keep up with you?
Segments
Trek Propaganda
- Where Do You Need a Bear Canister on the PCT? By Katie Jackson
- 10 Ways the Appalachian Trail Has Changed in the Last 10 Years by Kelly Floro
QOTD: If you could add one ridiculous feature to a backpack—purely for entertainment—what would it be?
Triple Crown of last meal orders
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
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Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | In today's episode of Backpacking Radio, |
| 0:02.3 | presented by the trek brought to you by Element. |
| 0:04.1 | We are joined by Nikki DiJatano, known on trail as Phoenix. |
| 0:07.7 | In addition to being a long-distance backpacker, |
| 0:09.8 | the bulk of today's episode centers around |
| 0:12.1 | Nikki's work as a death dula. |
| 0:14.3 | We learn, of course, what that work entails, |
| 0:16.4 | how her experiences working with those at the end of their lives |
| 0:19.6 | have refrained how she lives |
| 0:21.1 | hers, advice for those currently processing the death of a loved one, dealing with anxieties |
| 0:25.8 | around death, and much more. We wrap the show with how the Appalachian Trail has changed over the |
| 0:31.3 | last decade. Ridiculous features we'd like to see added to a backpack and the triple crown |
| 0:36.6 | of last meal orders. But first, if you've listened to see added to a backpack and the triple crown of last meal orders. |
| 0:38.5 | But first, if you've listened to this podcast for any period of time, |
| 0:43.1 | I've sounded like a broken record about the importance of supplementing with electrolytes while backpacking. |
| 0:48.7 | During my first through hike, I landed in the hospital with a condition called hyponotremia, |
| 0:53.4 | a fancy term for low blood |
| 0:55.1 | sodium levels. Symptoms included intense headaches, dizziness, and generally feeling like |
| 1:00.0 | a bag of Richards. This happened as a result of heavy sweating, overconsuming water, and |
| 1:05.6 | underconsuming electrolytes. A couple of saline IVs and a hefty medical bill later, and my energy was magically restored. |
| 1:13.0 | Somewhat counterintuitively, but electrolytes become even more important in cold temperatures and at elevation, |
| 1:19.5 | as our thirst decreases at a faster pace than we lose fluids via sweat and urine. |
... |
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