Series Description

What is our society’s relationship to death? Many are disconnected from its reality and afraid to even think of it or discuss it.

How did we get here, and are there different ways to connect to this part of life that we all must face for ourselves and our loved ones? How do we reclaim death from the industries and processes that have distanced us from it?

This series explores our evolving attitudes towards death, including the growing trend towards openness and honesty about end-of-life care. It aims to break taboos and present cultural perspectives to expand our understanding of one of life’s natural and most profound experiences.

This series is a collaboration between Houston Public Media, PBS Digital Studios, and Electric Pearl Productions.

About the Host

Curly Velasquez is a writer, actor and content creator who celebrates all things Latinx and beautiful. He began his career in fashion working for celebrity photographer David LaChapelle and design icon Jeremy Scott before starting his own line. By the age of 25 he was celebrated as one of the “IT” designers in LA by H&M and directed a music video for Interscope records. Curly produced and appeared in BuzzFeed’s Latinx division: Pero Like. You can see Curly on Starz’ VIDA (Seasons 2 and 3) and the Netflix documentary Mucho Mucho Amor. Curly has also appeared as a guest correspondent on E! What The Fashion. He currently co-hosts the podcast The Super Secret Bestie Club.

About the Producers

Houston Public Media provides Greater Houstonians with free access to informative and inspiring content through a multi-media platform that includes TV 8 | PBS, News 88.7 | NPR and Classical. Every year, more than 3 million people engage with Houston Public Media through our broadcast channels, podcasts, social media platforms, website, mobile app, and streaming.

Electric Pearl Productions brings a fresh perspective while incorporating ethical and non-extractive practices in their work. They offer their unique voice buttressed by a genuine affection and respect for the subject matter.

Why Gen Z Uses Humor to Cope with Death

August 17, 2023

Gen Z is the first generation to have grown up wholly in the digital era. The omnipresence of social media in Gen Z's lives, with its non-stop feed of real events, has made death more visual and present to younger people. The same platforms that feed these violent images also offer places for people to explore taboos around death in safer or more private spaces. From activist efforts, to curated studies, Curly explores how Gen Z deals with death differently.

The Movement Making it Easier to Talk about Death

July 13, 2023

There's a movement afoot to remove the stigma around end-of-life, in unusual and unorthodox ways. From Death Cafes to #DeathTok to Fake Funerals, the overarching goal of all of these efforts is to destigmatize death, to take away the dread and avoidance. When we accept that we all die and ’embrace’ the end of life, we can plan a better end AND a better life.

A World Without Cemeteries

June 8, 2023

What if instead of rows and rows of manicured plots and headstones, our cemeteries looked more like forests or prairies? Natural or “Green” burials are slowly catching on as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial or cremation. In this episode we explore the social benefits and challenges of green burials including financial, religious, and regulatory factors.

New Episode Coming in September