Don't Be Caught Dead

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 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 :-) Ever wondered what it’s like to grow up in a family of funeral directors? Join me as I chat with Kelly Scott, the General Manager of T.J. Scott and Son Funeral Directors in the Macedon Ranges. Kelly shares her unique journey, insights on dealing with death, and the profound importance of family and community in the funeral industry. Kelly Scott, a...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In this episode, I speak with a pioneer in the death care industry, Zenith Virago. Zenith is the founder and executive officer of the Natural Death Care Centre Charity Australia. She is a death walker, a celebrant, and an educator. Zenith has been empowering people to have healthier, healing bereavement with few or no regrets for over 30 years. Ou...

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 :-) In this episode, I'm bringing you a conversation that's both emotional and enlightening.  I had the pleasure of reuniting with an old high school friend Libby Neesham, who shared her incredibly personal experiences with the death of her parents, her unique approach to motherhood, and her valuable insights on dealing with grief as someone...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) What if the unexplained feelings of grief, anxiety, or disconnection you carry aren't entirely your own? In this compelling episode, I sit down with Michelle Scheibner, author of 'Hush', to explore how the secrets and trauma of our family history can echo through generations, impacting our lives in ways we never imagined. Michelle&a...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) How do we ensure that every individual, regardless of their cultural or spiritual background, receives dignified and inclusive care at the end of their life? Today, we tackle this vital question with two incredible guests who are championing change in aged and palliative care. In this episode, I sit down with Tonina Gucciardo-Masci, Community Enga...

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...