Don't Be Caught Dead

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...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Welcome to Don't Be Caught Dead — the podcast that's been changing the way Australians think about death, one conversation at a time. Over 100 episodes in, with listeners around the world and an award-winning track record, we're still doing what we set out to do: having the conversations most people avoid but everyone needs. I'...