Aired on Oct. 19, 2025

• Death, Dying, Life, Love, Grief

Birth. Life. Death. They are the most essential moments for all living things. Yet many modern humans in the USA have, on the whole, become separated from death and dying — preparing for death, understanding the signs of active dying, being present for a death, and the various ways we can grieve, and memorialize our loved ones who’ve died.
In it’s 10th year, Death Faire seeks to begin to bridge that gap by offering a variety of events that instruct and guide participants including visual and performing arts, a film documentary, a book launch, and a wide variety of speakers and thinkers, that explore this momentous transition and “invites us to step boldly and intentionally into sacred conversations about death—without fear, and with open hearts”. Join this extraordinary gathering that “calls us to embrace the full cycle of life and death through music, art, poetry, ritual, culture, and collective wisdom.” Listen in and meet our guests:

Tami Schwerin is a re-developer of The Plant, taking a cold-war industrial plant and creating a community hub of food, beverage and experiences. Her past experience includes founding a local food, renewable energy and cultural non-profit: Abundance NC. Before that she helped build Chatham Marketplace, a local co-op grocery store. She has served on art and environmental boards of directors. She traveled the world selling software in her younger years and renovated several old broken-down houses. Tami loves a challenge and creating a world that she wants to live in. She grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and loves the south and Pittsboro. 

Cathy Brooksie Edwards is the founder and director of heart2heartnc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Brooksie is dedicated to helping individuals navigate end-of-life with a greater sense of ease while supporting families, caregivers, and communities through their grief journey. The organization’s community-based events and personalized services are grounded in the power of human connection and the proven practice of various modalities—from touch and sound to movement and mindfulness. heart2heartnc is part of Sanctuary at the Burrow, a conservation green burial ground offering nondenominational end-of-life services and creating a meaningful experience that honors the dead and comforts the living. Brooksie is a licensed clinical counselor, death doula, bodyworker, kundalini yoga teacher and musician with over 25 years of experience.

“On The Porch” is hosted by Randolph ”Randy” Voller. He is also the publisher of Chatham County Line. Randy welcomes guests to the show who are from the communities of art, academia, business, and politics for friendly and informative conversations. “On The Porch” airs every Sunday at 11 AM, and is repeated at 4 PM and 8 PM on WCHL-FM 97.9. The show also streams on ChapelBoro.com
Current and previous shows of “On The Porch” are posted as on-demand, ad-free podcasts at ChapelBoro.com, Spotify and Apple Podcasts
To be a guest on the show or send us a comment, email: ontheporch@wchl.com