Passing Thoughts

In the final episode of Series 2, Connie Mason speaks with award winning photojournalist Julian Kingm a regarding his remarkable book,  The Power of Choice . They discuss Julian's deeply personal project documenting the final days and hours of individuals who have chosen voluntary assisted dying (VAD). Julian introduces his respectful approach to capturing these intimate moments, a process de...

In episode 9 of Series 2, Barbara Sullivan speak Jen Seyderhelm regarding grief in the workplace. They discuss how loss continues to affect employees long after standard bereavement leave ends, and why the silence surrounding grief at work can be so isolating. Jen introduces the concept of "Grief First Aid" a framework designed to help employers and colleagues show up for grieving team members and...

Passing Thoughts is a podcast about life’s final chapter told with honesty, compassion, and heart. It’s a space to talk about what we often avoid, because facing death and grief might just teach us how to live better. In this episode, Connie Mason speaks to Amanda Simons from Carer Gateway . Amanda shares her personal story of being a carer, as well as the vital support services Carer...

  Passing Thoughts is a podcast about life’s final chapter told with honesty, compassion, and heart. It’s a space to talk about what we often avoid, because facing death and grief might just teach us how to live better. Rob Kaldor visits the Sydney headquarters of a groundbreaking new charity: the Shifra Centre . Rob sits down with founder Irene Fihrer , a clinical psychologist wh...

Can you create a digital version of yourself that talks to your loved ones after you die? Connie Mason speaks with Chris Williams , founder of Afterlife AI, about griefbots - AI technology that lets people build interactive digital replicas of themselves for family and friends to communicate with after death. What are the ethical questions? Who is using this, and why? In the Before We Go segment,...

In Series 2, Episode Five of Passing Thoughts , our special guest presenter is world reknowned song-writer and performer Ilan Kidron. Ilan takes us through a unique sonic journey as he sits with Cat as they write a song together to commemorate her late sister Carla. The episode culminates in the playing of the song "Dancing in the Mirror". Passing Thoughts i s a podcast about life’s final ch...

In Series 2, Episode Four of Passing Thoughts , Jane Mundy speaks with Senior Australian of the Year, Professor Henry Brodaty. They discuss the latest developments in dementia research and his plans during his year in the role. In the Before We Go segment, Rob Kaldor talks to our presenter Jane Mundy about what it is likre to work on Passing Thoughts and if it has changed her. Passing Thoughts i s...

In Series 2, Episode Three of Passing Thoughts , Jane Mundy speaks with Dr. Catherine Joyce and Christina Matthews about the essential roadmap of advance care planning. It’s a conversation about bridging the gap between clinical medical instructions and deeply personal values to refocus on what truly matters: autonomy, peace of mind, and the "blessing" of ensuring your voice is heard when yo...

In Series 2, Episode Two of Passing Thoughts , Connie Mason speaks with Dr. Margaret Ross and Dr. Justin Dwyer about the transformative potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy for those facing terminal illness. It’s a conversation about bridging the gap between rigorous trials in Melbourne and ancient wisdom in the Amazon to refocus on what truly matters: dignity, perspective, and finding...

In Series 2, Episode One  of Passing Thoughts , Barbara Sullivan  speaks with Sam McConkey from Bare Funerals about rethinking how we approach death, funerals, and the moments that follow loss. Together, Barbara and Sam explore the emotional and practical realities of death, questioning long-held traditions and asking what a more honest, humane farewell might look like. It’s a conv...

In Episode Ten of Passing Thoughts , Jane Mundy speaks with Anne Marinos about her husband, the beloved entertainer Lex Marinos, and his decision to use Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD). Anne reflects on the emotional, practical and deeply personal moments that shaped Lex’s final days, offering an open and compassionate exploration of what dignity, choice and love look like at the end of life....

In Episode Nine of Passing Thoughts , host Barbara Sullivan shares an in depth conversation with author Casey Beros , about the nature of being a carer to someone in their final stages of life. Casey shares the story of caring for her beloved dad through terminal cancer. In the Before We Go section Rob reminisces about the final album of a musical hero.  Passing Thoughts is a podcast about li...

In Episode Eight of Passing Thoughts , host Connie Mason shares a heartfelt conversation with Christopher Hall , CEO of Grief Australia, exploring the complex nature of grief and its profound impact on our lives. Together, they unpack the intimate connection between love and loss , reflecting on the truth that we grieve simply because we love . Christopher draws on his deep experience to explain h...

In Episode Seven of  Passing Thoughts , Jane Mundy speaks with Bec Lyons , a death doula and educator, about the growing movement of home funerals . Together they explore what it means to reclaim the rituals of death — to slow down, to care, and to find beauty in the final farewell. Bec shares her experiences guiding families through home-based end-of-life care and ceremonies, describin...

In Episode Six   of " Passing Thoughts ," Connie Mason talks with Dr. Matt Morgan, a seasoned ICU doctor and author of “ A Second Act: What Nearly Dying Teaches Us About Really Living ". The conversation revolves around the profound insights that patients who have experienced cardiac arrest can offer us about living life fully and understanding what truly matters. Matt shares his experi...

In Episode Five of " Passing Thoughts ," Jane Mundy dives into an enlightening conversation with the passionate members of Cafe Mortal, Marg, Hazel, and Jude. Recorded at Cafe Piatto in McMahon's Point, Sydney, the discussion centers around the group's origins and their ongoing exploration of death, dying, and the social constructs that surround these inevitable aspects of life. The informal atmos...

In Episode Four of " Passing Thoughts ," Barbara Sullivan explores the intersections of death, dignity, and community with the "Radio Reverend," Bill Crews. Renowned for his tireless work supporting Sydney's homeless, Crews delves into the stories of those who die without traditional family structures and how his foundation provides them with respectful send-offs. This conversation unveils profoun...

In Episode Three of Passing Thoughts, Connie Mason talks with Professor Ken Hillman about the challenge of navigating the medical system for those who are dying.  In our  Before We Go segment, Rob Kaldor looks at the life and music of satrist,  Tom Lehrer . Passing Thoughts is a podcast about life’s final chapter, told with openness, curiosity, and heart. It’s a space to...

In Episode Two of Passing Thoughts, Jane Mundy talks with journalist  Emma Rossi who shares her unique work as Biography Services Manager at St Vincent’s Hospital’s Sacred Heart Palliative Care team, helping people reflect on and record their life stories. Discover how capturing these memories offers meaning, closure, and connection. Learn more about the service at   https://...

In the opening episode of  Passing Thoughts , we feature the extraordinary Teresa Plane , former NSW Senior Australian of the Year and pioneer of modern palliative care in Australia. In conversation with Barbara Sullivan , Teresa shares profound insights from her 40-year career, including why talking about death matters, how palliative care can be a time of healing and growth, and how her per...

For too long, death and dying has been a big unspoken taboo. In the Passing Thoughts podcast, we aim to improve death literacy and encourage conversations around life's final chapter. You can catch the first episode on Thursday the 7th of August, 2025. Subscribe on your favourite podcast app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.