Exploring End-of-Life Care: Insights from The Drive Podcast

Peter Attia, MD, host of The Drive podcast and founder of Early Medical, recently sat down with B.J. Miller and Bridget Sumser to discuss the complexities of end-of-life care. The episode, released on June 23, 2025, delves into the emotional and physiological processes of dying, the cultural barriers to meaningful conversations about death, and the importance of early engagement with mortality.
Miller, a renowned hospice and palliative care physician, and Sumser, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in serious illness and end-of-life care, shared insights from their decades of experience. The discussion highlighted the distinctions between hospice and palliative care, the nature of suffering beyond physical pain, and the transformative role of honesty, forgiveness, and relational awareness in the dying process.
Miller, who earned his medical degree from UCSF and completed a fellowship at Harvard Medical School, is also the co-founder of Mettle Health, an online palliative care service. Sumser, a Zelda Foster fellow in palliative care and a member of the Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network, co-edited the book Palliative Care: A Guide for Health Social Workers.
The conversation emphasized the importance of addressing mortality with clarity and compassion, offering valuable lessons for both the living and the dying. This three-person discussion provided a rich, multifaceted exploration of a topic that profoundly impacts human experience.

Published: 6/23/2025