Into the Great Beyond

A death doula on life's final moments. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( April 20, 2024 Today, we begin at the end: A death doula shares [her unique insight into the dying process](, and we're absolutely riveted. Then we'll take you inside [the Broadway show of the moment]( unpack [a thought-provoking TikTok trend](, and serve up [a twist on classic dish]( that you may have written off. All that, plus our picks for [this year's best Mother's Day presents](, coming right up!   Into the Great Beyond [Illustration of a door opening in the sky]( Getty Images Death remains a taboo topic, even though it’s something every one of us will experience eventually — but Alua Arthur wants to change that. In an excerpt from her new book Briefly Perfectly Human, this experienced death doula shares [what life's final moments are really like]( (and how a person's passing affects everyone who's there to witness it). [READ MORE](   More Stories [Shaina Taub as Alice Paul in ''Suffs'']( Shaina Taub as Alice Paul in Suffs. (Joan Marcus) On Broadway: Suffs, the inspiring and spectacularly staged tale of the women's suffrage movement, is currently lighting up the Great White Way. [We spoke to Shaina Taub, the writer, composer, and star of this must-see show](, about the thrilling production, the timely messages behind it, and working with producers Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai. Grim anniversary: Today marks 25 years since the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School that claimed the lives of 12 students and a teacher. The next morning, I did one of the most memorable interviews of my career, when I spoke with two people whose loved ones died in the shooting. Back in 2019, I reconnected with Craig Scott, who survived the incident but lost his sister Rachel, to discuss his life since the tragedy. [Here's our moving conversation.]( Going Strong: The latest installment of our fitness and wellbeing series is perfect for when you're feeling the weight of difficult news or the trials in your own life. [Ryan Cooper's motivational meditation practice]( is designed to lift you up when you're feeling down, and it only takes 11 minutes. Up in smoke: Since it is 4/20 today, we're taking a closer look at marijuana culture. We'll introduce you to [seniors who use cannabis for healing](, then unpack [what you should know before trying CBD](.   Saturday Spotlight [Photo of a young woman's face next to an older woman's face]( Reckoning with the Past A fascinating trend on TikTok is revealing that the love stories of our grandparents probably aren't as innocent as we once thought. [Read More »]( [Michelle Obama]( Following FLOTUS A Secret Service agent who protected Michelle Obama opens up about his behind-the-scenes experiences with the former first family. [Read More »]( [Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist at ''The Golden Wedding'']( "Try a Little Kindness" After The Golden Wedding ended in divorce in only three months, Theresa Nist shared a personal message about how she's holding up. [Read More »](   In Focus [Illustration of a person holding a blank thought bubble]( Getty Images All volunteer work is good volunteer work, but if you’re a terrible cook, you probably shouldn’t run a fundraising bake sale. So if you want to become an effective cancer advocate, where do you start? With our partners at Exact Sciences, we’ve laid out [5 ways to help cancer patients and survivors,]( whether you’ve got 10 hours or 10 minutes to spare. [READ MORE]( [Supported by Exact Sciences](   Tune In Looking for a little brain food to get you through the weekend? My gripping conversations with [Jay Shetty]( (for my podcast, Next Question) and [Bill Maher]( (for Bill's podcast, Club Random) are both available to stream right now. So is An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th, the thought-provoking documentary I executive produced about the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, which [you can catch on Max](.   Money Talks [Hands reaching out with gold coins]( Shutterstock We all know it's important to save, but how much is enough? Everyone's monetary needs are deeply personal, but this look at [how your savings stack up against the average person in your age group]( is a perfect way to check in on your progress (excellently timed for Financial Literacy Month). [READ MORE](   Word to Your Mother [Collage of Katie Couric and her daughters]( KCM After weeks of research and quality testing, [our 2024 Mother's Day Gift Guide]( is finally here! Our treasure trove of hand-picked ideas for the special women in your life is overflowing with options for every price point and every kind of mom. Let's find the one that'll wow your favorite lady, shall we? [SEE ALL OUR PICKS](   Wise Words [Andie MacDowell]( Getty Images In honor of her 66th birthday on Sunday, we're sharing [Andie MacDowell's refreshingly honest take on getting older](, which will mean a lot to anyone who's ever stressed about the number of candles on their cake.   Serious Savings Give your kitchen an Instagram-worthy upgrade with [up to 40% off cooking essentials from Saks Fifth Avenue](. There's lots to love, but we've got our eye on [this uniquely adorable Dutch oven](, guaranteed to get comments from your next batch of houseguests.   One More Thing [Spicy fruit salad]( Alanna Hale Are you subscribed to [Good Taste, our free cooking newsletter](? If not, you missed this week's mouthwatering collection of crowd-pleasing appetizers. But we'll leave you with a little sample: [This recipe for fruit salad with a secret ingredient]( is a long-overdue spin on this often-maligned dish. [TRY IT FOR YOURSELF](   Thank you for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. See you next week! [Alternate text] Update your preferences or [unsubscribe]( If you buy something through this email, KCM may earn a commission. Katie Couric Media, 75 Varick St, Ste 12, New York, NY - 10013-1917 Copyright © 2023 Katie Couric Media, All rights reserved.