Don't Be Caught Dead

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...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Would you return $40,000 to a donor because you don't have time to jump through hoops and need to be available for mothers, babies, and dying people? Would you pack up your life in a moment to go to Cambodia and make a difference there?  In this heartfelt episode of Don’t Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Denise Love, a life and death doula who...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Join us as we dive deep with Kristy and James Thomas, the compassionate founders of 'Feel the Magic,' an organisation dedicated to helping grieving children across Australia. Their journey began from personal losses and has blossomed into a nationwide initiative that offers solace and healing through unique camps and programs. Here'...

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 :-) Today, we're joined by Camilla Rowland, CEO of Palliative Care Australia, who brings decades of experience in transforming palliative care practices and perceptions. In today's discussion, we delve deep into the holistic approach of palliative care—how it integrates into our healthcare system and what it means for individuals facing life...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Annie Whitlocke is a death doula with a rich history of embracing life’s trials with an open heart. Annie shares her profound journey from a turbulent childhood through to her multiple personal tragedies, including loss of multiple husbands and struggles with miscarriages. These challenges have uniquely equipped her to assist others at the end of...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Welcome to another episode of 'Don't Be Caught Dead' where we shine a light on the topic many of us shy away from – death. This week, we're joined by a special guest, Jackie Slater, an authorised marriage and funeral celebrant. Jackie's spent over 40 years working in the funeral industry, and her journey in this industry i...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Do you crave captivating conversation about the things that REALLY matter? Then you can’t go past listening to a seasoned end of life doula with nearly 40 years of experience, like Helen Callanan.  Helen is the founder and lead educator at Preparing the Way, an organisation that delivers holistic end-of-life and doula education across Australia an...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) This episode focuses on the escalating issue of funeral poverty and debt. I speak with Kieran Worthington and Kevin Hartley, who discuss their mission to provide dignified funerals for those who might not be able to afford one. The conversation begins with a poignant question: where were Kieran and Kevin last year when our friend's children h...

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 :-) What happens when some family members see dollar signs in death? How do you navigate such a fraught situation? In this episode, we're discussing family ties, estates, and confronting death, a topic many avoid. I'm sharing a personal and painful story about Grace. After her mother Patricia's death, she discovered her sister had alleg...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In the episode of "Don't Be Caught Dead," I had the pleasure of interviewing Arwen Dropmann, a skilled professional organiser with a background in social work. Arwen is a certified social worker and has additional training in grief and loss, disability, chronic illness, hoarding disorder, motivational interviewing, neurodivergent af...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Welcome to another episode of 'Don't Be Caught Dead'! This week, we delve into an incredibly raw and honest conversation with James Robinson. James courageously shares his personal experiences with loss, grief, and the impact of suicide on his family. In this episode, James opens up about the tragic loss of his older brother, Michae...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Have you ever pondered the experience of facing the end of a loved one's life? In this episode, we share a touching story from Susan Bollard, who grappled with the loss of her husband during the height of the Covid lockdown. Susan, the owner of Showbiz Dance Studio, shares her profound journey through the loss of her husband, Phil. It's...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Have you ever pondered over what it's like to confront death each day? Today we offer a captivating chat with Bradley Lett, who was raised in a family that ran a funeral business, a tradition he's upheld for two decades. It's a voyage through the complexities of life, death, and all that lies in between. So, let's delve into th...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) You’ve probably heard of the term ‘doula’ before, often used in the context of those who support birthing mothers. But do you understand the role of a death doula? In this episode, we demystify the often misunderstood role of an end of life doula, a role that Rebecca Lyons embodies with passion and dedication. Rebecca shares her personal journey t...

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 :-) Today's conversation is one that's close to my heart, and I believe it will touch yours too. I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with my best friend and medical advisor to Critical Info, Dr. Renee Stamation. As an emergency doctor, she faced incredibly challenging life-and-death moments during the tough times of the COVID-19 pan...