A Beginner’s Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death

Shoshana Berger, a dynamic figure who seamlessly blends journalism, editing, and entrepreneurship. In 2013, she made a captivating transition to IDEO as the editorial director, leaving an indelible mark. She pioneered the creation of IDEO's celebrated blog, the Octopus, and orchestrated the inception of Blueprint, an influential large-scale conference. Shoshana's project portfolio is as diverse as it is impressive, spanning from reimagining modern Judaism and end-of-life considerations to innovating school lunch experiences. In 2019, Shoshana embraced a new chapter in her journey by becoming an integral part of IDEO’s design for learning studio. Here, her passion finds its focus in market building. She takes the helm within a leadership team dedicated to infusing human-centered design into transformative education and workforce systems. At the heart of all her endeavors lies a commitment to storytelling. Shoshana's unique approach nurtures our perspectives on lifelong learning, the future of work, and the profound influence of a design-oriented mindset as a catalyst for change. Educated with an MPhil from the University of Toronto and a BA in English from New York University, Shoshana's wisdom shines through her two authored books: "A Beginner's Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death" (Simon & Schuster, 2019), co-authored with Dr. BJ Miller, and "ReadyMade: How to Make Almost Anything" (Crown, 2006). She's also graced the pages of esteemed publications like the New York Times, WIRED, TIME, and Fast Company. Rooted in Berkeley, Shoshana shares her home with two teenagers and a striking resemblance to Don Draper. With her captivating journey and insightful work, she continues to inspire change and storytelling in all that she does.

Meet BJ Miller, an American doctor, writer, and speaker with a passion for helping people in their most challenging moments. With years of experience as a hospice and palliative care physician, he's dedicated to making life better for patients and their families. You might recognize him from his insightful 2015 TED Talk, "What Really Matters at the End of Life." Since 2007, BJ has been sharing his knowledge as part of the teaching team at UCSF School of Medicine. Through his online palliative care service, Mettle Health, he's here to support patients and caregivers alike.