Every talk is different and will be adapted to local audiences, specific needs, and unique interests.

Contact me to discuss what might be of greatest interest for your group/organization/conference.

Dying To Meet You: Preventing Euthanasia, Encouraging hope
More than 70,000 Canadians have died by euthanasia since it was legalized in 2016. The euthanasia rate is three times the suicide rate. Why have suicide and euthanasia become such a temptation in our time? How can we do better to provide mental health support and accompaniment in order to persuade others that the world is better with them in it? We need a better cultural conversation around death and dying – one that explores death as an occasion for discovering who and what we truly are. This talk will explore why artistic beauty, humanizing storytelling, and edifying examples are critical to restoring our cultural health when it comes to our experiences of death and dying.

Is Life Always Worth Living?
An increasing number of people think that there are circumstances under which it is reasonable for someone to ask someone else to end their life. In the jurisdictions where euthanasia is legal, there has tended to be an increase in the number of people opting for it. Some of the reasons listed in government reports are due to cancer, chronic illness, or disability. Does life lose its sense in the face of suffering? Or, is life always worth living? Come get inspired to encounter, understand, and overcome the euthanasia temptation. Filled with stories, this talk will equip to better engage in these conversations and experiences in your own life because this concerns all of us.

From Burden to Gift: Leading a Meaningful Life Until Your Last Breath
"I don't want to be a burden." Maybe you've heard someone say it. Perhaps you've thought it yourself. Despite the countless ways of having cared for people all throughout life, the fear of being a burden tends to creep up on us . Does a life of generosity prepare or stifle someone from receiving the care of others? How can the experiences of aging, dependency, and even frailty help bring about a revolution of tenderness within our communities? Come explore what it means to lead a meaningful life until your last breath and how to make the mindset shift from burden to gift!

Learning from the Witness of Catholic Heroes who Resisted Nazi Euthanasia
Before and during the Second World War, the Nazis performed eugenics and euthanasia. To some, these seemed like rational and scientific ways to reduce suffering. But there were always some courageous Catholics who saw this as an affront to the dignity of the human person. What were their arguments? How did they resist in an even more difficult climate than ours? Come listen to Amanda share some stories about her travels across Europe seeking historical role models who can inspire us in preventing euthanasia and encouraging hope today.

Mercy from Age to Age: Pope Francis's Catechesis on Old Age
During his pontificate, John Paul II devoted many of his Wednesday audiences to the topic of marriage, family, and sexuality, and these audiences have become known collectively as the "theology of the body." As for Pope Francis, he chose to dedicate an entire set of his Wednesday audiences to a "catechetical journey that seeks inspiration in the Word of God on the meaning and value of old age." Passionate about intergenerational solidarity, Pope Francis was convinced that the alliance between generations is the key to the rehumanization of society. This talk will explore some highlights of the Pope's teaching on old age, why it matters, and what we stand to gain from it personally and practically.

More Alive Than Ever! Learning from the Witness of Bl. Carlo Acutis
Carlo Acutis is the first millennial set to be canonized by the Catholic Church. This talk explores why his example is being held up to us today as a source of inspiration for how to lead a meaningful life and die a meaningful death.