For this episode, I spoke with Keith Wakefield, a Chaplain and educator at UCLA Health, about his evocative new memoir, Stay With Me, I Want to Be Alone.
Keith talked about his ‘fumbled’ path into chaplaincy and how a single, intense night covering four cardiac arrests redefined his understanding of what it means to be present for the dying and the grieving.
We talked about the distinction between therapy and spiritual care, the ‘armor’ we all carry into our work and our lives, and how Keith uses his own insecurities and a healthy sense of humor to connect with his patients and students alike.
AUDIO CHAPTERS
00:00 Understanding Chaplaincy: A Personal Journey
02:01 The Role of a Chaplain in Healthcare
04:18 Clarifying Misconceptions About Chaplaincy
06:27 The Distinction Between Chaplains and Other Professionals
09:06 The Path to Chaplaincy: Education and Experience
11:50 Experiencing Life and Death as a Chaplain
14:21 Finding Meaning in Suffering
19:48 Embracing the Human Condition
20:50 The Influence of Music on Spirituality
24:43 Mentorship and Personal Growth
29:29 The Challenges of Chaplaincy
34:08 Vulnerability in Sharing Personal Stories
36:59 The Impact of Publishing a Memoir
Stay With Me, I Want to Be Alone is published in 2025. It is also available to purchase here.
Discover more from The Dewdrop
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.