Shows
Don't Be Caught DeadThe Doctor Who Feared Death: Leah Kaminsky on Life, Loss and Finding JoyWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Leah Kaminsky, a physician and award-winning author, to explore the often-taboo subject of death and dying. Leah shares her personal journey from being a terrified doctor to becoming a passionate writer who confronts mortality head-on. We discuss how her experiences in medicine, particularly with dying patients, have shaped her understanding of life and death, and how writing has become a therapeutic outlet for her fears and emotions.Leah's unique perspective as both...2025-04-0954 minDon't Be Caught DeadWhat Happens to Your Body After Death? A Deep Dive into Whole Body DonationWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What if I told you that your body could continue to teach long after you take your last breath? In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Jackie Dent, the author of The Great Dead Body Teachers, to unravel the fascinating and often misunderstood world of whole body donation. This isn’t just about science; it’s about legacy, ethics, and the profound impact our choices can have on future generations of medical professionals.Jackie's journey into this hidden realm bega...2025-04-0251 minDon't Be Caught DeadEmbracing Grief: The Art of Memorialisation with Chloe Marcela CoelhoWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What if the objects we hold dear could help us navigate the complex journey of grief? In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Chloe Marcela Coelho, a passionate death scholar and creative practitioner who dives deep into the intricate dimensions of death, grief, and design. Chloe's work is all about enhancing our understanding of death and the grieving process through innovative memorialisation strategies. We explore how personal objects, tactile experiences, and even technology can help us maintain connections with o...2025-03-2655 minDon't Be Caught DeadOrpheus and the Art of Grief: A Poet's PerspectiveWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Have you ever wondered how poetry can help us face grief and mortality? In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, poet, philosopher and scholar Luke Fischer shares how poetry allows us to sit with loss and navigate life’s deepest challenges.Luke talks about his personal journey, the influence of philosophy on his work, and how themes of nature, death and extinction shape his writing. His exploration of the Orpheus myth is particularly moving, showing how ancient stories continue to...2025-03-1955 minDon't Be Caught DeadFACING DEATH: Judith Leeson AM on EMBRACING Our MortalityWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)In this heartfelt episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with the remarkable Judith Leeson AM, a passionate advocate for those living with disadvantage and a champion for end-of-life planning. At 90 years young, Judith shares her incredible journey, from her early memories during the Great Depression to her extensive career in early childhood, disability, and career development. We dive deep into the importance of having open conversations about death and dying, and how these discussions can empower us to take control of our futures.2025-03-1257 minDon't Be Caught DeadThe Power of Compassion with Dr Hayley D QuinnWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, we dive deep into the often-avoided topic of death, grief, and the importance of compassion in navigating these challenging experiences. Join me as I chat with Dr Hayley D Quinn, an anti-burnout business coach and former clinical psychologist, who shares her insights on how compassion can transform our relationships with ourselves and others, especially during times of loss.Dr. Hayley opens up about her journey from burnout to empowerment, highlighting the significance of self-compassion and the...2025-03-0553 minDon't Be Caught DeadEmbracing Mortality: Hayley West on Art, Death, and CommunityWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What happens when you mix art, death, and a whole lot of creativity? You get Hayley West – a multi-talented artist, librarian, death literacy advocate, and aspiring doom metal vocalist. In this episode, Hayley takes us on a journey through her fascinating life, where death isn’t just a topic—it’s a muse. From interactive art installations to hosting a radio show called Dead Air, Hayley’s work challenges us to think differently about mortality and how we engage with it. Whether you’re curious about...2025-02-261h 09Don't Be Caught DeadBridging Life and Death: Tamil Mourning Traditions ExplainedWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Have you ever wondered how different cultures navigate the complex emotions surrounding death? In this episode, we dive deep into the rich tapestry of Tamil traditions and personal experiences of grief with Nyana Tanzer, who shares her heartfelt journey of loss, love, and the importance of community in the face of death.Join me as I chat with Nyana about her father's passing and the profound impact it had on her life. We explore the rituals that accompany death in Tamil culture, from the...2025-02-191h 17Don't Be Caught DeadENCORE: Meet the Coffin Confessor: From Troubled Past to Funeral CrasherWe'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. Also includes course language. Listener discretion is advised.-From Troubled Past to Funeral Crasher: Meet Bill Edgar, Australia's Infamous Coffin ConfessorIn this gripping episode, I sit down with Bill Edgar, a man whose life story reads like a Hollywood script. From his tumultuous childhood as the son of a notorious gangster to becoming Australia's most talked-about funeral crasher, Bill's journey is nothing...2025-02-121h 02Don't Be Caught DeadENCORE: Secure Your Legacy: Clear Legal Advice from Greg RussoWe'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 law, driven by a love for maths and logic, and how he found his passion in succession law—a field where numbers meet human stories.We dive deep into th...2025-02-051h 35Don't Be Caught DeadENCORE: NAIDOC 2024: Celebrating Indigenous Stories and Heritage with Aunty Jill WestWe'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 what this wonderful woman has to share, we explore the experience and philosophies of Aunty Jill West, a Bunurong and Palawa woman, who generously shares her fascinating life story and...2025-01-291h 20Don't Be Caught DeadENCORE: Eco-Friendly Farewells: Water Cremation's Splash in the Death Care IndustryWe'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 to families in Tasmania, Australia. Luke has worked in the death space both practically and theoretically in Tasmania for the better part of a de...2025-01-221h 11Don't Be Caught DeadENCORE: The Future of Funerals: Insights from Kelly Scott, President of Australian Funeral Directors AssociationWe'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 fourth-generation funeral director, takes us through the fascinating and often misunderstood world of funeral services. Kelly, who joined the fa...2025-01-201h 24Don't Be Caught DeadENCORE: Reclaiming death back into our own hands and hearts with Deathwalker Zenith ViragoWe'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. Our conversation was enlightening and funny, ranging from the significance of graveyards in England, ceremonies for the LGBTQ community, how to support children through grief.2025-01-081h 04Don't Be Caught DeadENCORE: Cheating Death: The Cryonics Revolution in AustraliaWe'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 Southern Cryonics. Peter shares the fascinating journey that led him to establish Australia's first cryonics facility in Holbrook, New South Wales. From the intricate process o...2025-01-0159 minDon't Be Caught DeadENCORE: Navigating Life After Loss: A Daughter's Tale with Libby NeeshamWe'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 with neurodiversity.🌹 In this episode:Libby opens up about the different ways she grieved the death of each of her parents and the lessons she learned along the...2024-12-2551 minDon't Be Caught DeadDeath, DNA, and Family Secrets: How Trauma Lives in Our GenesWe'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's journey of discovery began when she found an old leather suitcase filled with documents after her mother's death. These papers revealed her father's hidden Jewish heritage and his harrowing escape from...2024-12-181h 05
The Song Saloon | Songwriting, Live Performance, & New Music DiscoveryChristmas Without You - Leah AshtonSend us a textLeah Ashton joins the podcast to talk about her newest release, “sad girl silver bells.” It’s an EP of merrily melancholy holiday tunes with an original called “Christmas Isn’t Christmas Without You.”It’s out everywhere now, so go save it to your playlists, get a mug of hot cocoa and enjoy the episode! Listen to Christmas Without You & Add to PlaylistsFollow Leah AshtonMore About Leah:Leah Ashton is a Los Angeles-based artist with Midwestern root...2024-12-1645 minDon't Be Caught DeadDeath, Diversity, and Inclusion in Care with Tonina Gucciardo-Masci and Nikolaus RittinghausenWe'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 Engagement Manager at Palliative Care Victoria, and Nikolaus Rittinghausen, Manager at the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing. Both are working tirelessly to ensure that aged and palliative care...2024-12-111h 05Don't Be Caught Dead200 Hours of Death Admin: Why Executors Deserve More Support with Danielle PhillipsWe'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 lifeline for families facing the chaos after losing a loved one. Becoming an executor is more than signing your name on a...2024-12-0451 minDon't Be Caught DeadFacing Life’s Toughest Moments: Can Social Support Make the Difference?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 end-of-life care.Joe takes us on a fascinating exploration of 'community companioning', a revolutionary approach to supporting those facing life's toughest challenges. From terminal illness to bereavement, learn how this...2024-11-271h 07Don't Be Caught DeadAfter the Worst Has Happened: Tales From a Funeral Director, Richard GoslingWe'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 didn’t follow a conventional path to become a funeral director. His journey took root after experiencing his own famil...2024-11-2059 minDon't Be Caught DeadDo You Really Want to Be a Carer? The Question Nobody AsksWe'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 Senior Counsellor and Caseworker from Peninsula Home Hospice, who has over 25 years of experience working in palliative care. Inge’s unique journey to th...2024-11-131h 01Don't Be Caught DeadHonouring Life Through Trees: The Legacy of Mornington GreenWe'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 trees, creating living memorials that grow and change with the seasons.Luke, a former lawyer, shares how his brother's experience with grief led to the creation of Mornington Green...2024-11-0646 minDon't Be Caught DeadGhosts, Graves, and Gossip: Uncovering Sorrento's Haunted HistoryWe'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, scepticism, and ultimately, belief.Jenny shares how she's developed her own sensitivities over the years. She recounts incredible experiences, from ghostly encounters in haunted...2024-10-3054 minDon't Be Caught DeadCheating Death: The Cryonics Revolution in AustraliaWe'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 Southern Cryonics. Peter shares the fascinating journey that led him to establish Australia's first cryonics facility in Holbrook, New South Wales. From the intricate process o...2024-10-2358 minDon't Be Caught DeadNo Rules, No Rush: The Last Hurrah's Philosophy on Modern FuneralsWe'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 Hurrah isn't your average funeral home - it's a family affair that's reimagining how we say goodbye to our loved ones. From cardboard coffins that families...2024-10-1649 minDon't Be Caught DeadFrom Schizophrenia to Leading A Walk For Life: Transforming a Brother's Death into PurposeWe'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 through the harrowing experience of Ben's disappearance in the Australian bush and the subsequent search that ended in tragedy. She shares the raw emotions of grief and the pivotal moment when she...2024-10-0956 minDon't Be Caught DeadDeath, Dreaming, and Community: Aboriginal Funeral Traditions UnveiledWe'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 support in honouring the deceased.From the importance of returning to Country for a proper burial to the intricate beliefs surrounding the journey to the Dreaming, Kaneesha paints a vivid picture of Aboriginal death...2024-10-0257 minDon't Be Caught DeadFinding Strength in Loss: Emily Kisvarda’s Journey through Grief, Healing, and Higher ConsciousnessWe'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 heartbreaking experiences, Emily found strength and resilience, using her gifts and spiritual awareness to heal herself and guide others.Emily’s journey through trauma became the catalyst for unl...2024-09-251h 13Don't Be Caught DeadThe Coffin Confessor: Crashing Funerals and Exposing Truths from Beyond the GraveWe'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 ConfessorIn this gripping episode, I sit down with Bill Edgar, a man whose life story reads like a Hollywood script. From his tumultuous childhood as the son of a notorious gangster to becoming Australia's most talked-about funeral crasher, Bill's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. ...2024-09-181h 02Don't Be Caught DeadDead for 93 Minutes: Cardiac Arrest Survival after NDE with Justine PhillipsWe'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, survival, and the determination of her family and paramedics who refused to give up on her.We talk about the life-saving importance of CPR and defibrillation, and how knowing these skills can literall...2024-09-1156 minDon't Be Caught DeadDeath on Your Terms: Navigating Voluntary Assisted Dying with Jane MorrisWe'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 in the fight for end-of-life choices.Jane takes us on a captivating historical journey, starting with the formation of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of Victoria in 1974. We explore pivotal moments like the groundbreaking Rights...2024-09-041h 27Don't Be Caught DeadFrom Tragedy to Transformation: How Three Mates are Revolutionising Mental Health ConversationsWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)TRIGGER WARNING: This episode covers the topic of suicideIn 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 normalise mental health conversations and prevent suicide.Born from the depths of their own mental health battles during the COVID lockdown, Ben and his mates...2024-08-2841 minDon't Be Caught DeadEco-Friendly Farewells: Water Cremation's Splash in the Death Care IndustryWe'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 to families in Tasmania, Australia. Luke has worked in the death space both practically and theoretically in Tasmania for the better part of a de...2024-08-211h 10Don't Be Caught DeadA Grief Counsellor's Personal and Professional Reflections on Grief and LossWe'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 police officer to becoming a grief counsellor, offering unique insights into how our understanding of grief has evolved. We discuss the importance of acknowledging lo...2024-08-141h 02Don't Be Caught DeadBreaking the Stigma of Loneliness: The Hidden Epidemic with Dr. Michelle LimWe'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 explains that loneliness is often misunderstood and concealed, with one in two Australians feeling lonely yet hiding it. We talk about how to approach conversations...2024-08-0736 minDon't Be Caught DeadBreaking Myths About Organ Donation with Sam StonesWe'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 through the process of donation conversations, explaining how she approaches families in their most vulnerable moments.We dive into the rarity of organ donations, the specific conditions...2024-07-3150 minDon't Be Caught DeadSecure Your Legacy: Clear Legal Advise from Greg RussoWe'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 law, driven by a love for maths and logic, and how he found his passion in succession law—a field where numbers meet human stories.We dive deep into th...2024-07-241h 33Don't Be Caught DeadThe Power of Community: Transforming Funerals with Tender FuneralsWe'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 the death of her mother and the shocking costs of traditional funeral services, she was driven to find a solution that not only made sen...2024-07-171h 27