Join National Writers Series for an inspiring conversation with New York Times bestselling and author Alua Arthur. Arthur’s deeply transformative memoir Briefly Perfectly Human: Making an Authentic Life by Getting Real About the End, reframes how we think about death and how it can help us lead better, more fulfilling, and authentic lives.
For her clients and everyone who has been inspired by her humanity, Arthur is a friend at the end of the world. As our country’s leading “death doula,” she’s spreading a transformative message: thinking about your death—whether imminent or not—will breathe wild, new potential into your life.
Warm, generous, and funny, Arthur supports and helps manage end-of-life care on many levels. The business matters, medical directives, memorial planning; but also honoring the quiet moments, when monitors are beeping and loved ones have stepped out to get some air and her clients become deeply contemplative.
They want to say aloud to her their aching, unfinished business— regrets, fears, secret joys, hidden affairs, and dim realities. When this happens, Arthur focuses her attention at the pulsing center of her clients’ anguish and creates space for them, and sometimes their loved ones, to find peace.
Briefly Perfectly Human is a life-changing, soul-gathering debut, by a writer whose empathy, tenderness, and wisdom shimmer on the page. Arthur combines intimate storytelling with a passionate appeal for loving, courageous end-of-life care—what she calls “death embrace.”
Praised by author Jodi Picoult (Mad Honey and The Book of Two Ways) who called it “a truly unique, inspiring perspective on the time we have, what we do with it, and how we let go of this world. There is no one I’d trust more to guide me through an understanding of death, and how it informs life.”
Dana Black is an executive public speaking coach, moderator, emcee, and professional storyteller. She was also the podcast host and creator of the 5-star reviewed/Apple featured podcast I Swear on My Mother’s Grave. For 3 seasons, Dana spent time with other fellow grievers sharing bold, funny, and vulnerable stories about what it means to lose a mother. Peter Sagal, the long running host of NPR’S Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me was an incredible guest on season 2 of the podcast. Check it out!
Dana has also been a SAG-AFTRA TV/film/voiceover actor for over 15 years, appearing on TV shows like Chicago Med, Proven Innocent, The Big Leap and more.
For the last 3 years, Black has been a speaker delivery coach for TEDxChicago, and coaches local business leaders, non profit organizations and entrepreneurs right here in Traverse City. She loves helping people craft their story and messaging with more ease, confidence, a little humor and true authenticity.
