What Dying Teaches Us About Living — Lessons from a Hospice Nurse & Designer (with Johanna Lundqvist)

This is HCD – Human-Centered Design, UX & Service Design Thinking Podcast

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Gerry Scullion talks with Johanna Lundqvist, a former hospice nurse turned designer, about the wisdom gathered from years of palliative care. They discuss the Swedish memento mori mindset, why Western culture hides death, and how acknowledging mortality helps us live more intentionally. Johanna shares bedside insights on non-verbal care, the power of simple touch, and the consistent themes in people’s final reflections. It’s a compassionate exploration of designing for endings—so we can live better now.

Learn more: https://sites.google.com/workplayexperience.com/johanna-lundqvist/home

🔑 3 Key Takeaways

1. Death teaches us how to live. End-of-life regrets center on time with loved ones—not titles or money.
2. Compassion is practical. Presence, touch, and careful listening often matter more than complex interventions.
3. Design the ending. Embracing endings—of services and of life—creates dignity, choice, and meaning.

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Creators & Guests

• Gerry Scullion - Host
• Johanna Lundqvist, - Guest
• Serdar Mele - Editor

Click here to view the episode transcript.