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Lea Schweitz, AM'00, PhD'08, author of the Substack 'Playdates with Death'

A feature story from Religion News Service sheds light on Lea Schweitz, AM'00, PhD'08 and her Substack, Playdates with Death, an online, end-of-life planning community.

Schweitz began this work, which has expanded into a monthly digital support group as well as in-person workshops, after receiving a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. She says her training helped prepare her to meet this moment. The piece, "Former theology professor's program takes a 'playful' approach to planning for death," by Ellie Davis reads:

"Schweitz earned her Ph.D. in religion at the University of Chicago. Throughout her career, she’s long been asking deep, hard questions, whether about climate change, dementia or technology.

Then, two years ago, at age 48, while navigating a job loss and divorce, the mom of two received her diagnosis.

'There’s a need to find playful ways to do this hard work in community,” Schweitz said. 'Professional training helped me hold this space with people’s biggest concerns. As hard as it is, it is also life-giving and glorious.'"

Read the full story here: https://religionnews.com/2025/05/06/former-theology-professors-program-takes-a-playful-approach-to-planning-for-death/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email