Talking with Death: Dr. Isla Fishburn

Talking with Death: Dr. Isla Fishburn

Author: MindBodySpirit.fm May 11, 2026 Duration: 1:10:06
In this deeply moving conversation, the hosts of The Animal Communication Podcast welcome Dr. Isla Fishburn of Kachina Canine - intuitive medicine teacher, shamanic practitioner, grief tender, and author - for a conversation that truly transcends the ordinary. Dr. Isla shares her remarkable "long walk": a lifelong initiation into the consciousness of death, woven through early losses, a near-death experience, an abusive marriage, and the profound teachings of her wolf dog, Tunkashila. Together, they explore death not as an ending to be feared, but as a sacred, intelligent consciousness, an ancient ally that has always been waiting at the edge of our circle, asking to be let in. From the concept of "soulspan" and animals as body-hoppers across infinite lifetimes, to the lost art of ceremony and the village that once held us in grief, to the beautiful truth that a heart that breaks is a heart that wakes, this episode will shift the way you think about loss, love, and the animals who walk us home. RESOURCES: ⁠Dr. Isla Fishburn’s website - Kachina Canine⁠ - https://kachinacanine.com Do YOU want to be an animal communicator or learn more about Soul Level Intuitive Coaching®? Check out the new classes and Be Open Community offered by our teacher, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Danielle MacKinnon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s a great place to learn Energy Management, trusting yourself and even finding a great, supportive community.   YOUR HOSTS Julie is a Soul Level Animal Communicator®, Heart Animal Soul Professional Communicator, Soul Level Intuitive Coach®, Spirit Animal Sacred Alchemy Practitioner and Certified Trauma-Informed Grief Coach. She writes the column ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠“Trust the Animals”⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Substack and is a teaching assistant for the Danielle MacKinnon School. Find out more about her and her monthly Pet Loss Grief Circles at her website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.juliehirt-intuitive.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Karen is a Soul Level Animal Communicator®, Soul Level Intuitive Coach®, Pangu Shengong (qigong) Instructor and Energy Healer. She is an End-of-life Companion Animal Doula through the UVM certificate program and a teaching assistant for the Danielle MacKinnon School. She is also on the board of NicaLove Animal Rescue and the Founder and a Director of The Animal Communication Collective®. Find out more about her at her website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.karendendysmith.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Meredith is a Soul Level Animal Communicator®, Soul Level Intuitive Coach®, Let Animals Lead® Animal Reiki Practitioner, and certified dog trainer with a focus on behavior modification and positive reinforcement. She is also a Director of The Animal Communication Collective®. Find out more about her at her website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.meredithtollison.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can find all of our episodes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MindBodySpirit.fm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Reach out to us with questions or comments via the Contact Us form on our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theanimalcommunicationpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about the fundraising work Karen, Meredith and Julie do with The Animal Communication Collective at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.animalcommunicationcollective.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This podcast is a part of the MindBodySpirit.fm Podcast Network
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Ever wondered what your pet is really thinking, or why a bird outside your window seems to pause just for you? The Animal Communication Podcast offers a rare window into those questions, guided by three experienced practitioners: Julie Hirt, Karen Dendy Smith, and Meredith Tollison. This isn't about training tips, but about connection. Each episode is built on their work as Soul Level Animal Communicators®, where they share candid stories and conversations that bridge our human world with the inner lives of animals. You'll hear them explore everyday mysteries-from puzzling behaviors and health concerns to the pure joy of play-as recounted by the animals themselves, both those sharing our homes and those in spirit. It’s a gentle, often surprising journey that redefines our relationship with all creatures, making it a unique listen for families, pet lovers, and anyone curious about the spiritual bonds we share. Presented by Mind Body Spirit.fm, this podcast invites you to slow down and listen in a whole new way.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Animal Communication Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Behavioral Euthanasia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:32
A lot of previous episodes have talked about difficult topics from love and loss, euthanasia and grief. And in this poignant and vulnerable conversation, Meredith talks with Karen and Julie about behavioral euthanasia. L…
Interspecies Voices with Christine Noble Seller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:02
Christine Noble Seller, founder of Interspecies Voices and a founding member of Nature’s Council. Christine is an intuitive interspecies communicator and activist who works to amplify the voices of animals, wildlife, and…
Deep Root Connections with Kara Daniels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:16
Kara Daniels is the founder of Deep Root Connections—an earth‑centered initiative focused on animal and nature communication, energy healing, and spiritual land connection. As a master gardener and hobby‑farm caretaker,…
The Story of NicaLove [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:34
Meet Julie Burke! She is the human heart behind the amazing animal welfare organization, NicaLove, a non-profit animal welfare organization dedicated to advocating for and protecting domestic and working animals in Nicar…
Lessons from Loss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:38
All of us have lost beloved animals. Our best friends, our greatest teachers - when they pass away, the sadness and grief can feel overwhelming. And yet, when we work with that grief, we can find gold. It may take a whil…
Astrology, Relationships and Our Animals with Dr. Jennifer Freed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:05
We’re talking with Dr. Jennifer Freed, a renowned psychological astrologer, bestselling author, and dynamic group and retreat leader, about how astrology can inform, positively impact and deepen your relationship with yo…
The Animals Help Us Create Community [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:04
Karen, Meredith and Julie reflect on all of the connections and community they have encountered with and among all of the people who lead with their heart for the animals. Animals connect us - to our own humanity, new wa…
The Holy Wild with Victoria Loorz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:56
If you’ve ever bumped up against “religion” (I’m doing air quotes) and animal communication and how they can exist together - Victoria Loorz is someone who can help you. She is the founder of the Center for Wild Spiritua…
Bach Flower Essences with Nina Ruberti [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:08
Are you curious about Bach Flower Essences? In this conversation, we learn all about what they are and how they can help both you and your animal with the help of our special guest, Nina Ruberti. Nina Ruberti is an anima…