Influencing Death

Reframing Dying for Better Living

By: Penny Hawkins Smith RN

Narrated by: Penny Hawkins Smith RN

A hospice nurse’s unflinching look at life, death, and redemption.

Death is undeniable and unavoidable. We must accept it; there is no other choice. But coming to terms with our mortality can profoundly influence how we live—and how we die. Having been a hospice nurse for decades, Penny Hawkins Smith is an expert on death and dying. As a recovering alcoholic and former drug addict, she knows what it means to change course and become a meaningful contributor to society. Through her work with death, Penny found her purpose in life.

In Influencing Death, Penny brings transparency and levity to the grim topic of death while revealing truths about the reckless past that influenced her decision to become a hospice nurse. Using down-to-earth, compassionate storytelling, she transports listeners into the room with dying people and their families, laying bare the raw and real human emotions and behaviors people have when life and death are hanging in the balance.

Weaving together dual narratives of death and life, Penny challenges us to see how embracing our own mortality—and the mortality of the people we love—can help us live more fully and approach the end of life with greater acceptance, grace, and peace.

©2025 Penny Hawkins Smith (P)2025 Dreamscape Media

Storytelling

There’s a reason everyone loves a good story, and dang does Penny have some great ones to tell! From personal to professional, each one is gripping. I listened in one go, I couldn’t stop. Plus it’s always good to hear an author telling their own story. Definitely recommended

Emotional and thought-provoking

I loved this book! I cried at times, laughed, felt like I was there with Penny…she did a great job!

Awesome Read!

I started following @HospiceNursePenny on Instagram and was immediately drawn in by her warmth, wisdom, and compassionate approach to end-of-life care. When I found out she had written a book, Influencing Death, it felt like divine timing—my beloved dad had just been placed on hospice care.

It was such a bonus to discover she narrated the Audible version herself—her voice brings even more comfort and sincerity to the stories and insights she shares.

This book isn't just informative—it's deeply human. Penny brings grace to a topic so many shy away from, reminding us that death can be just as sacred and meaningful as birth. She offers a gentle, honest look at the dying process, and somehow makes space for both tears and healing.

If you're facing the loss of a loved one, working in end-of-life care, or just want to understand the process more fully, Influencing Death is a must-read. I love it, and I’m so grateful it found me when it did.

Awesome Book!

Love this book from cover to cover! Thank you for sharing your life experiences and helping to make the discussion of death normal.

This book is like therapy 💗

“Influencing Death” is an honest and authentic look at Penny’s resilient journey, the moving stories of her patients and their families along with education on death & dying in a way that is so reassuring and understandable.  (And having her narrate it is honestly so special as she’s been such a comfort to so many of us!) I have followed her for years as I have suffered with death anxiety for as long as I can remember and nothing helped; until I met Penny on TikTok and started going to her live streams and watching her content.  The way she uses trends and dark humor to educate is nothing short of brilliant and has changed the narrative surrounding death and dying.  She has created a community on social media where people feel safe sharing their most vulnerable thoughts – usually about losing their person and having some sort of regret or guilt that her video has alleviated once they realize it was a normal part of the death/dying process. 
In “Influencing Death,” the stories about each patient are so synergistically intertwined with the stories about Penny’s human experience and is proof that past mistakes do not define you and it’s never too late to make a difference and change your life and the lives of those around you. 
This is definitely a book I will be sharing with everyone. It will help you see the importance of celebrating life everyday while also encouraging the reader to have those important end of life conversations with your people – both about what you may want when the time comes and what they would want.  “Influencing Death” is full of stories, insights and end of life education that integrate harmoniously and is mesmerizing, emotionally touching, insightful and the best book I’ve read in a very long time. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Penny!

Penny is awesome

Penny, I’m listening to your book while I’m at work. I’ve listened to your lives on TikTok for so long that when you spoke of your visitation from your dad after his death I got so excited and picked up my phone to comment to you about my visitation from my dad after his death. I hope you see this. And I loved your book!

Wonderful

This book is lovely. I watch Penny on social media, but I appreciate this book going over her background and life while speaking openly about death and hospice

Umm PENNY!

This book was such a good read
I’m so sad it’s over already
The lines about the toddler criminal and the perfume took me out with laughter but by no means is this a humorous book, very dark subject you do well explaining and comforting ❤️
Thank you for sharing your story and please do write again
Also be more gentle with yourself, your past does not get to dictate your future you don’t live there anymore
the work you do is truly “God sent” I think that’s why people compare your work to that of an angel
What a blessing it is to not have to die alone
And for people like you who bring us comfort while dealing with it

Real talk about hospice!

Great read with personal experiences. it normalizes the death process and hospice in a funny but respectful way. Don't fear death- read this book!

Raw and Real

Listening the first time through is not enough. I continue to listen to this at night going to sleep as I want all of the key points and meaningful details to become ingrained in my brain. I’m recommending it to everyone I know.