21. About A Year to Live: A 12-Month Experiment to Unlock Clarity, Purpose, and Urgency

Episode Summary:

Join David Morin--former Peace Corps volunteer and sales professional turned death doula, poet, and prison rehabilitation facilitator--as he shares his transformative journey into guiding individuals toward clarity, purpose, and a deeper connection to life through the lens of mortality. 

In this episode, David introduces his upcoming program, A Year to Live, inspired by Stephen Levine’s groundbreaking work. Hear personal stories of discovery, healing, and service that illustrate the profound impact of living as if you only have one year left.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• What A Year to Live is and how it can transform your perspective on life.
• David's personal journey from sales to poetry, prison rehabilitation, and death doula work.
• How contemplating your mortality can help you embrace urgency and purpose.
• The power of reflecting on your "final chapter" to unlock your potential.
• Why this work matters—not just for you but for the world around you.

Highlights:

• David’s Journey: From corporate sales to writing over 1,000 poems, working with prisoners, and facilitating end-of-life guidance.
• Why Mortality as a Teacher: Learn how death can offer clarity, urgency, and healing.
• Insights from A Year to Live: Practical tools, meditations, and lessons drawn from David’s own experience with the program.
• The Value of Community: Why exploring mortality with a small, intimate group amplifies the experience.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Ambitious professionals feeling stuck or seeking a new path.
• Individuals curious about exploring mortality and its connection to living fully.
• Anyone looking to embrace life with greater meaning, urgency, and clarity.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

• Sign up for A Year to Live (starting February 5th): Schedule a chat with David
• Connect with David:
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
• A Year to Live by Stephen Levine

Quotes from the Episode:

• “Mortality is the greatest teacher we’ll ever have, but it’s a class no one wants to take.”
• “By contemplating your final chapter, you unlock a deeper connection to the part of yourself that’s been lost.”
• “This isn’t about facing the end; it’s about embracing the urgency of now.”

Chapters

• 0:01 Introduction and background
• 3:06 Understanding mortality and death
• 6:15 Why trust me for this kind of experience? From darkness meditation retreat to death doula calling
• 10:40 Prioritizing service and family relationships before my death date
• 17:54 Invitation to Join the Year to Live Group
• 18:51 My observations on the broader impact of why this work is critical for the future of humanity and the planet
• 26:16 Year to Live program overview
• 30:08 Frequently Asked Questions
• 31:11 Who is a Year to Live for?
• 33:28 How long is the program?
• 33:54 What kind of commitment will be expected from me?
• 34:40 Will there be homework?
• 36:31 How serious do I need to take this experiment?
• 39:17 How might I feel after completing A Year to Live?
• 40:48 What is the curriculum?
• 44:10 Will we meet in person for a closing out ceremony?
• 44:21 Will focusing on my mortality increase my chances of dying?
• 46:15 How do I sign up?