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The Gritty Nurse

The Gritty Nurse is back, and NO TOPIC is off-limits! Launching in September 2025 with host Amie Archibald Varley, this podcast is dedicated to amplifying the voices of nurses and others who work in healthcare to explore the most pressing issues they face. Join Amie as she continues to take a deep dive into powerful and often uncomfortable topics. Though shared experriences, storytelling and the discussions surrounding the intersection of power, we will navigate the challenges facing healthcare nationally and internationally--as of course--challenge the status quo. The show's core belief remains unwavering: that compassion is the through understanding diverse narratives and perspectives is KEY. Amie will continue to explore hot-button issues like mental health, social justice, women's health, and the daily challenges within the nursing profession. The Gritty Nurse is more than just a podcast—it's a community where nurses and healthcare workers can feel heard, empowered, and recognized as the community leaders they truly are. Change is HERE.
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  2. Hospice Nurse Penny on "Influencing Death," End-of-Life Myths, and The Difference Between Hospice and Palliative Care

Hospice Nurse Penny on "Influencing Death," End-of-Life Myths, and The Difference Between Hospice and Palliative Care

Nov 27, 2025

Does discussing death actually help us live better? In this episode of the The Gritty Nurse Podcast, Host Amie Archibald-Varley sits down with Penny Hawkins Smith—better known to her millions of followers as Hospice Nurse Penny—to find out.

Penny is a certified hospice and palliative care nurse and a "death influencer" who uses social media to combat death anxiety and misinformation. She joins us to share her incredible journey from the ICU to hospice care and to discuss her new memoir, Influencing Death: Reframing Dying for Better Living.

Together, we break down the critical (and often misunderstood) differences between hospice and palliative care, debunk common myths about morphine and the dying process, and dive into the "gritty" reality of end-of-life advocacy. Penny also opens up about the mysterious side of dying—including "visioning" and the unexplainable phenomena nurses witness at the bedside.

Whether you are a healthcare professional, a caregiver, or just someone looking to understand mortality better, this conversation is an honest, educational, and surprisingly uplifting look at the end of life.

In This Episode, We Cover:

  • Hospice vs. Palliative Care: What is the actual difference, and when should you ask for a consult?

  • The "Death Influencer" Phenomenon: How Penny uses TikTok and Instagram to educate millions and fight death phobia.

  • Controversial Topics in Death Care: We tackle the hard questions about withholding food/fluids, pain management, and the stigma surrounding hospice.

  • Mysterious Experiences: Penny shares stories of "visioning" (seeing deceased loved ones) and terminal lucidity.

  • Influencing Death: A look inside Penny’s new memoir and how her personal struggles with addiction shaped her compassionate approach to nursing.

  • Advocacy in Action: How nurses can lead the charge in normalizing conversations about death.

Resources Mentioned:

  • Book: Influencing Death: Reframing Dying for Better Living by Penny Hawkins Smith

  • Follow Penny: @HospiceNursePenny on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

  • Website: https://www.hospicenursepenny.com/

Listen now to learn why talking about death is the key to a better life.

Where to Listen / Watch to THE GRITTY NURSE

* Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts 

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782

* Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast

Stay Connected:

Collaborations & Inquiries: For sponsorship opportunities or to book Amie for speaking engagements, visit: grittynurse.com/contact

Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse!

www.hospitalnews.com