When Words Matter
A Personal Invitation
Thank you for taking this moment to connect.
We created Thoughtful Talk because we have witnessed the grief and guilt people carry when goodbyes approach or after we’ve lost a loved one. Questions about being or doing enough, regret and being a burden to those we love.
So often we want to say the right thing... but we freeze.
We may never have this moment again. There is no redo. No second chance. And the stakes can feel unbearably high.
Sometimes the question is, “How do I say goodbye?”
We don’t want to let go too soon, and we don’t want to miss the moment. We wonder what to say when words feel fragile, when love is present and when the future is unknown.
Sometimes the phrase is, “I don’t want to be a burden.”
We hear it in ourselves or in someone we love. Beneath it can be fear, tenderness, pride, fatigue, and the longing to protect the people who matter most.
And sometimes the thought is, “Did I do enough?”
After someone dies, grief can erase the countless moments of love and care. The mind replays conversations, decisions, and missed chances ....searching for certainty in a time that may not offer it.
Thoughtful Talk is a compassionate space to speak those questions aloud and to gently reframe them through shared reflection and conversation. No fixing. No pressure. This series is designed as 80% guidance and 20% optional sharing. You will receive practical guidance, compassionate phrases you can use and reflection prompts to help integrate what is true for you.
Our hope is to shift from self-judgment to self-compassion, and from fear to clarity, agency and peace.
If any of these phrases live inside you, you are not alone. You are warmly invited to sit with us to deepen, release and reframe the thoughts and feelings that often keep us stuck.
With care,
Rhonda + Lori 💛
Join Rhonda and Lori as we explore what we say in tender times,
what we really mean and what we truly want to say.
3 Wednesday Nights
Feb 18 | Feb 25 | Mar 4
6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Grief Coach Lori Krause and End of Life Coach Rhonda LoPresti will host and facilitate 3 one hour sessions that invite you, our community, to explore common phrases and expressions that
we often use without our conscious awareness.
Meet Your Facilitators
Rhonda LoPresti
End of Life Coach, PCC | Home Funeral Guide
Rhonda LoPresti is an End of Life Coach who supports conscious preparation for dying through sacred ritual, practical planning and honest conversation. Her work centers on the art of saying goodbye, family-directed funerals and creating meaningful conditions at the end of life.
She is the evolver of the Spiritual Care Directive and creator of the Passing Plan, two guided processes that help individuals articulate their wishes and ease the burden on loved ones during times of grief.
A practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism for over 35 years, Rhonda has developed end-of-life programs for spiritual communities and speaks regularly on conscious death care. She serves on the board of Rangjung Yeshe Gomde California and has taught at both RYG CA and Tara Mandala.
Her work is informed by accompanying her own family and many others through dying with humility, presence, creativity and care.
Lori Krause
End of Life Doula | Grief Coach, PCC
Lori Krause is an end-of-life doula and grief coach who supports individuals and families through loss with compassion, education, and steady presence. She creates safe spaces for honest conversation and healing during life’s most vulnerable transitions.
Her work is shaped by profound personal experiences of grief, including the early death of her husband and the sudden loss of close family and friends. These experiences inform the empathy and wisdom she brings to her clients.
Lori believes no one should have to navigate grief alone. With support, people can protect their emotional well-being, develop coping tools, and slowly rebuild a sense of hope. It is her honor to walk beside others through this human passage.
FAQ
Do I need to attend live?
Live attendance is warmly encouraged, but recordings are included for all registered participants, so you can watch later if you can’t make it.
Will the sessions be recorded?
Yes. All sessions will be recorded, and recordings will be shared with everyone who registers.
Do I have to share or speak during the sessions?
No. Sharing is always welcome, but never required. Silence is honored here. You are invited to participate in whatever way feels supportive.
Is this therapy?
Thoughtful Talk is an educational and supportive series. It is not therapy and does not replace mental health counseling. The intention is to offer guidance, language, reflection, and human companionship around tender topics.
Who is this series for?
This series is for anyone navigating grief, anticipatory grief, end-of-life questions, caregiving, or simply wanting more grounded conversation about death and dying.
What if I’m not grieving a death right now?
You are still welcome. Grief also includes change, endings, transitions, and the quiet heartbreaks that don’t always have names.
What if I become emotional during the session?
That’s okay. Tender feelings are welcome. You are invited to take care of yourself—turn off your camera, step away, breathe, or simply listen. This is a gentle space.
How do I receive the Zoom link?
The Zoom link will be emailed after registration, along with reminder emails before each session.
What is the refund policy?
Because recordings are included and space is limited, registration is non-refundable.
If something comes up and you can’t attend live, the recordings will still be available to you.
Testamonials
"Thank you again Rhonda for facilitating this class. It is so important that one is guided by the right coach and this is you with not only your expertise but warmth, compassion and you are so authentic. That had a big impact on the group and we felt safe to share. Thank you again from my heart.”
Participant
* * * *
"When I share the details of your work, the thing I hear most often is, "Why wasn't I taught any of this in school?" Many people are hungry for this type of wisdom and you have compiled it into an amazingly simple way to broach some enormous subjects.
Your depth of understanding and your kind approach accommodates all walks of life at whatever stage in which they may be. Thank you for sharing your wealth of valuable information with me!"
Phil B.
