Death is one of the few certainties in life, yet most people avoid talking about it. Whether due to fear, discomfort, or uncertainty about where to begin, Dr. Kim Harms is here to change that. Drawing from profound personal loss and decades of professional experience, she invites us to reframe end-of-life planning as a vital act of love.

Dr. Kim Harms, Grief Counselor and Death Doula

“Estate planning is an act of love. Downsizing is an act of love.” In Dr. Harms’ own words, it’s not about morbid preparation, but rather it’s about lifting burdens from your family’s shoulders. It protects your family from future conflict and brings clarity in life’s most difficult moments.

From creating a legacy binder to writing personal letters to her grandchildren, Dr. Harms illustrates how end-of-life planning can foster understanding, preserving family relationships and leaving a legacy rooted in care.

In this NGPF episode, Dr. Kim Harms breaks down common misconceptions about death and dying, reminding that the time to start planning is now since death can be so unpredictable.

Whether you're a teacher, a student, or simply someone who wants to leave more than just assets behind, Dr. Harms offers clear and compassionate guidance for preparing with intention.

Listen to the podcast your favorite platform.

Also Check Out: Dr. Madelaine L’Esperance, Lead Researcher on the 2025 State of Financial Education Report

Dr. Madelaine L’Esperance, Professor of Consumer Sciences at the University of Alabama, leads groundbreaking research on the state of personal finance education in U.S. high schools.

By analyzing over 10,000 course catalogs, she and her team have mapped where personal finance courses are offered and where gaps remain, shining a light on the role of state policy in expanding student access.

Tune in to discover Professor L’Esperance’s insights on standalone vs. embedded personal finance courses, the growth of financial education nationwide, and what educators can do to keep the momentum going.

Join Us for this Week’s LIVE Event with Shang Saavedra, author of Wealth is a Mindset 

Register now for this week’s live Speaker Series featuring Shang Saavedra, author of Wealth is a Mindset at 4pm PT / 7pm ET tonight (May 22). 

About the Author

Anton Ivanushkin

Anton is a student at UC San Diego. He is majoring in Cognitive Science with a specialization in Machine Learning and Neural Computation. Anton has been interning at NGPF since May 2023. He helps with video editing, podcast editing, and many other tasks.

More posts by Anton