It’s Going to Be Okay
In this episode of The Death Readiness Podcast, I’m not speaking as an estate attorney or a podcast host. I’m showing up as a daughter, a sister, a mother. A woman in the thick of the sandwich generation—caring for a child, walking alongside a father, and quietly planning for the day I’ll be the one who has to tell Dan again: “It’s going to be okay.”
R-E-S-P-E-C-T Your Legacy: Lessons from Aretha Franklin’s Will
I’m new to the Metro Detroit area—and I’m loving it here.
There’s a lot of pride in Detroit. People here wear Detroit T-shirts, Detroit hats—everything Detroit. We don’t need to go anywhere else when we have Detroit.
And one of Detroit’s greatest heroes—the Queen herself—is Aretha Franklin.
She’s still nearby, too: Aretha is interred at Woodlawn Cemetery, just down the road from where I live.
Aretha Franklin passed away on August 16, 2018, at the age of 76. She was unmarried at the time and left behind four adult children, including a son with special needs.
Initially, it was believed that Aretha died without a Will.
Macaroni’s Story: Why We Hit Record—and Why You Should, Too
If you’ve been listening to The Death Readiness Podcast for a while, you know we often get into the legal mechanics of estate planning, end-of-life documents, and the practical steps that make life easier for the people we leave behind. But death readiness isn’t just about having the right paperwork. It’s about preparing your family for the day when you’re no longer here. It’s about preserving who you were—what you believed, what you lived through, what mattered to you.
And that kind of preparation doesn’t come in the form of a checklist. It comes in the form of stories. That’s why this episode - Macaroni’s Story: A Granddaughter Records Her Unknown Hero - is special. We’re sharing an excerpt from The Mastroianni Family Podcast—and giving you the tools to create a private family podcast of your own.
Celebrating Our 5-Year Famliversary: A Look Back at Love, Life, and Lockdown
Five years ago, in the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband and I sat at our kitchen table with two incredible kids, a cell phone on speaker between us, and the Honorable Senior Judge Don R. Ash on the line from the Chancery Court of Rutherford County, Tennessee. The world had just shut down.
The Care We Can’t Do Alone: Real Talk on Aging and Support
In this week’s episode of The Death Readiness Podcast, I had the opportunity to talk with Mikelle Rappaport, a senior care consultant and founder of Golden Lifestyle Partners, and Bob Stanton, a family friend who recently made the difficult decision to move his wife of 54 years into a skilled nursing facility.
Put Yourself in a Box: Why the Harmless Error Doctrine Is No Excuse for Poor Planning
A plan is only as good as the paper it’s written—and properly signed—on. A valid, signed, witnessed and properly executed Will still matters. Yet time and again, people delay. They plan to go back to their lawyer, plan to sign next week, plan to finalize their intentions when life slows down. But life doesn’t slow down. And the result? Confusion, conflict, and sometimes devastating cost.
Happy World Down Syndrome Day!
Today, on World Down Syndrome Day, we reflect on this year’s theme: “Improve Our Support Systems.” It’s a theme that resonates deeply with the work we do at The Death Readiness Podcast—especially in our latest episode, “Who’s on Your Team? The Key Players in Special Needs Estate Planning,” released today.
Did Gene Hackman Disinherit His Children? I Have No Idea… and Neither Do You.
The headlines are swirling: "Hackman's children not named in actor's will.”
Is it true? I don’t know. I haven’t seen the Will.
Jane Goodall’s Favorite Animal Isn’t What You Think
When you think of Jane Goodall, you probably picture her with chimpanzees. But here’s a fun twist — Jane Goodall’s actual favorite animal is the dog.
Understanding the Potential Impact of Medicaid Cuts
Medicaid, established in 1965, provides essential healthcare coverage to more than 70 million Americans, including children, pregnant individuals, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals and families. It operates through a federal-state partnership, ensuring vulnerable populations can receive necessary medical services.
Recently, discussions in Congress have focused on significant budget reductions, with proposals suggesting cuts from federal programs of up to $880 billion over the next decade. While these cuts could be distributed across various programs, there is concern, as evidenced by a recent New York Times article by Margot Sanger-Katz, about the potential effect of cuts on Medicaid.
Breaking Down the Alphabet Soup of Special Needs Estate Planning: SSI, SSDI, Medicaid & Medicare
If you’ve ever tried to plan for a loved one with special needs, you know how confusing it can be. Between navigating government benefits, avoiding costly mistakes, and figuring out how to balance personal savings with public programs, it’s easy to feel lost.
That’s exactly why I invited Kristen Lewis, a nationally recognized expert in special needs estate planning, to join me for a special two-part series on The Death Readiness Podcast. Kristen’s deep knowledge and compassionate approach make her the perfect guide to help us untangle this complicated (but critical) topic.
The Power of Self-Perception
In a recent episode of The Death Readiness Podcast, I sat down with my father, Carmen Mastroianni, to talk about Dan’s early years. We discussed my parents’ battles to get others to see Dan’s full humanity, and the unique long-term planning that accompanies raising a child with a disability. I also sat down with Dan to get his perspective, in his own words.
Navigating Parenthood and Planning: A Father’s Story of Love, Advocacy, and Inclusion
Becoming a parent is always a life-changing experience, but when a child is born with special needs, the journey can bring unexpected challenges, emotions, and a steep learning curve.
In Episode 7 of The Death Readiness Podcast, I sit down with my dad to talk about the reality of raising a child with special needs, the fight for inclusion in schools and sports, and how my parents made long-term planning decisions. It’s a conversation about love, resilience, and the responsibility of planning for the future.
The Executor’s Burden: What You Need to Know
If you’ve ever been named an executor, or if you’re thinking about whom to name in your own estate plan, you might not realize just how much work this role entails. Many people assume that serving as an executor is a straightforward responsibility—gather some paperwork, pay a few bills, distribute the assets, and you’re done.
But the reality is far more complicated.
Death & Taxes: One is Inevitable, the Other… Maybe Not?
We’ve all heard the saying: “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.” But what if I told you that while death is unavoidable, estate, inheritance and gift taxes may not be something you ever have to worry about?
Conversations We Avoid: Death, Money, and Planning Ahead
Talking about death, money, and planning ahead can be uncomfortable—especially with the people closest to us. But avoiding these conversations doesn’t make them go away; it just leaves our loved ones in the dark when they need clarity the most.
In Episode 4 of The Death Readiness Podcast, I spoke with Megan Malick, founder of A New Path, about why these topics are so difficult to discuss and how we can approach them in a way that is meaningful and productive. Megan brings a background in grief education, counseling, and after-loss support, helping people navigate both the emotional and logistical burdens of loss.
The Probate Puzzle: Understanding Wills, Assets, and Legal Hurdles
Probate can be one of the most misunderstood parts of estate planning. Many people assume their assets will simply transfer to their loved ones when they pass away, but without the right planning, the process can be long, costly, and stressful.
Bringing Hidden Treasures to Light: Preserving Family Stories Today
The physical things we leave behind hold pieces of our history. But without our stories, they’re just objects. By taking time to document these memories—whether through conversations, recordings, or organized records—we create a lasting legacy that future generations can cherish.
Death Readiness: Small Steps, Big Impact
What if you died today—suddenly and without warning?
I know, it’s not the kind of question most people want to think about. But death readiness isn’t just about you—it’s about the people you leave behind. What would they need to handle? Would they know where to find important documents? How to pay the bills? Whom to call?
In the first episode of The Death Readiness Podcast, I walk through two very different scenarios: one in which nothing has been planned, and another in which everything has been organized ahead of time. The difference between these two versions of events is staggering—and it highlights why small, manageable steps today can prevent chaos and stress for your loved ones later.