Kevin Toolis
Bestselling Author | Grief, Loss, and Healing
About
Kevin Toolis is the award-winning author of the critically acclaimed book 'My Father's Wake: How the Irish Teach Us to Live, Love and Die'. Drawing on his personal experiences and extensive research, Toolis provides searing insights into the rituals of death and the grieving process.
His TED talk 'What the Irish Teach Us About Death' has reached over 3 million views, offering a compassionate perspective on facing mortality. Toolis' keynotes challenge audiences to confront their own fears and find meaning in life's inevitable losses.
Talks1
What the Irish wake teaches us about living and dying
For centuries, the Irish funeral wake has served as a time for people to grieve a life lost and celebrate a life lived, together. In this profound and lyrical talk, poet Kevin Toolis laments the fear and denial of death that characterizes increasingly individualistic societies. He reasons that living life fully means embracing our shared mortality -- and offers simple ways to reconnect with your community, the people you love and even yourself.
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