Don't Be Caught Dead

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Did you know it can take over 200 hours to manage the responsibilities of an executor?    For Danielle Phillips, losing both parents during COVID wasn’t just heartbreaking—it became a crash course in navigating the overwhelming task of estate administration.    This week, we uncover how she turned personal tragedy into Sage Executor Solutions, a l...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Are you feeling disconnected in our modern world? You're not alone. In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the heart of social health with Joe Sehee, Executive Director of Social Health Australia. Joe shares his Joeurney from green burial advocate to champion of human connection, revealing how we can combat loneliness and transform en...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In this episode, we dive into the journey of Richard Gosling—a man who left the safe world of civil service to become a funeral director, driven by a desire to connect with others on the deepest level. Join us as Richard shares stories of courage, unexpected life changes, and how facing death can bring new appreciation to life.   Richard Gosling d...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Imagine caring for someone for over 20 years without anyone ever asking if you want to be their carer. It sounds unthinkable, right? In this episode, we delve into this powerful, often unasked question and explore what it truly means to support someone at the end of their life, without sacrificing your own. Join me as I chat with Inge McGinn, a Se...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In this episode, I chat with Luke Roberts of Mornington Green, a unique final resting place that's revolutionising how we approach death and remembrance. Imagine a lush, 34-acre property that feels more like a botanical garden than a cemetery. That's Mornington Green - a place where loved ones' ashes are infused into the roots of tr...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Ever wondered what it's like to chat with ghosts for a living? Join me as I sit down with Jenny Tomkins, the fascinating mind behind Sorrento Ghost Tours, who stumbled into the world of the paranormal quite by accident. What started as a way to stay awake for late-night mum taxi duties has turned into a 14-year journey of discovery, scepticis...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Ever wondered what it would be like to wake up 200 years in the future, in a young, healthy body with all your memories intact? This isn't science fiction - it's the ambitious goal of cryonics, and it's happening right here in Australia. In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Peter Solapides, founder, director, and chairman of...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Ever wondered what it's like to plan a funeral in a golf course or use a combi van as a hearse? Today, we're diving deep into the world of personalised farewells with Mon Jones, a funeral director at The Last Hurrah. Mon's journey into the funeral industry was unexpected, but it's clear she's found her calling. The Last Hu...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In this deeply moving episode, we explore the heart-wrenching journey of Sarah Eagle, a neurodivergent public speaker and consultant, who lost her brother Ben to schizophrenia. Sarah's story is a powerful testament to how profound loss can lead to transformative change and a lifelong commitment to mental health advocacy. Sarah takes us throug...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the heart of Aboriginal funeral traditions with Kaneesha Wise from the Aboriginal Advancement League and the Victorian Aboriginal Funeral Service. Kaneesha shares powerful insights into the cultural significance of Aboriginal funerals, the challenges faced by families, and the vital role of community...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In today’s episode, I sit down with Emily Kisvarda, an integrated healer, alchemist, author, teacher and spiritual guide, to discuss her profound journey through grief and loss. Emily shares her deeply personal story of losing her husband and brother-in-law within two weeks, followed by her mother’s passing just three years later.  Despite these h...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) ⚠️ Trigger Warning ⚠️ This episode contains discussions of sensitive topics including sexual abuse, childhood trauma, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. - From Troubled Past to Funeral Crasher: Meet Bill Edgar, Australia's Infamous Coffin Confessor In this gripping episode, I sit down with Bill Edgar, a man whose life story reads li...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead , I’m sitting down with the incredible Justine Phillips, a sudden cardiac arrest survivor and founder of Heart Matters Australia. Justine shares her jaw-dropping story of being clinically dead for 93 minutes – yes, 93 minutes – before her heart miraculously restarted. It’s a story of resilience, surviva...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In this episode of "Don't Be Caught Dead", I sit down with Jane Morris, President of Dying with Dignity Victoria, to unpack the complex journey of voluntary assisted dying legislation in Australia. From its controversial beginnings to its current stringent implementation, we delve into the challenges, triumphs, and ongoing struggles...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) TRIGGER WARNING: This episode covers the topic of suicide In a world where mental health struggles often go unspoken, three young blokes from Melbourne are turning their personal tragedies into a powerful force for change. Meet Ben Farish, one of the founders of Speak and Share, a charity that's taking Australia by storm with its mission to n...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Ever wondered if there's a kinder way to say goodbye to your loved ones? Most of us are aware of burials and cremations, but have you heard of water cremation?   Luke Cripps is a Director at Alluvium Water Cremations, established in 2023 with Director Brendan Cooper to bring a gentle, affordable, and eco-friendly method of final disposition t...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Have you ever wondered what to say to someone who’s grieving? Or felt unsure about how to handle your own grief? In this episode, I chat with Bryan Petheram, a counsellor and group facilitator from Griefline, about the complexities of grief and how we can better support ourselves and others through loss. Bryan shares his journey from being a polic...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In honour of Dying to Know Day and Loneliness Awareness Week Australia, this week I chat with Associate Professor Michelle Lim, the inaugural CEO and Scientific Chair of Ending Loneliness Together. Michelle dives deep into the pervasive issue of loneliness and how it affects us all, especially those dealing with the death of a loved one. Michelle...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) This week is DonateLife Week (Sunday 28 July - Sunday 4 August 2024), and I've had the honour of speaking with Sam Stones from DonateLife Victoria. Sam shares the delicate and important work they do, helping families navigate the difficult decisions around organ and tissue donation when a loved one is dying. In this episode, Sam walks us thro...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Ever wondered what legal documents you need to have in place before you die? Or how to handle your assets and loved ones when the inevitable happens? In this episode of "Don't Be Caught Dead," I'm joined by Greg Russo, one of Victoria's most experienced and respected succession law solicitors. Greg shares his journey into...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Today we’re talking about a revolutionary approach to farewelling our loved ones, pioneered by an extraordinary guest. Meet Jennifer Briscoe-Hough, the founder and CEO of Tender Funerals Australia. She's been on quite a journey to get to where she is now. She even has had a movie made about her journey!  From her own personal experience with...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In honour of NAIDOC week 2024, the theme:  Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.   Also, because I simply love wh...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Ever wondered what an anthropologist who studies death really does? Join me as I chat with Dr Hannah Gould, a fascinating cultural anthropologist who dives deep into the diverse rituals and beliefs surrounding death across the globe.  In this episode of "Don't Be Caught Dead," I have the pleasure of welcoming Dr Hannah Gould, an ant...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In this episode, we're peeling back the layers of holistic death care with Libby Moloney, a pioneer in sustainable and meaningful funeral practices. We explore what it means to handle death not just with professionalism, but with heart and innovation. Libby shares her journey into holistic funeral care, emphasizing the importance of viewing e...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Just imagine being a young child, navigating through the unimaginable loss of a loved one. Feelings of isolation, confusion, and profound sadness can be overwhelming, right?  Now imagine a place where these children can come together, share their experiences, and learn that they aren't alone in their grief.  This week on 'Don't Be C...