Shows
Don't Be Caught DeadENCORE: Time’s Up: Facing Death and Finding Your Life ListWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Are you making the most of your time before death catches us all? In this heartfelt episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I chat with Kate Christie, Australia’s leading time management expert, about how loss and grief can be the wake-up call we need to live intentionally. Kate shares her personal story of losing her ex-husband to pancreatic cancer and how that tragedy reshaped her approach to time, priorities, and what she calls a “life list” — not a bucket list — focusing on what truly matters while we’r...
2026-01-0744 minDon't Be Caught DeadENCORE: Embracing 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 our loved...
2025-12-3154 minDon't Be Caught DeadENCORE: Who’s Really at Risk? Understanding Elder AbuseWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Have you ever thought about who might be the biggest threat to the elderly in our lives? It’s not just the faceless strangers in nursing homes; it’s often their own family members. In this eye-opening episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I chat with William J. Betts, a legal expert in family violence and elder rights at Peninsula Community Legal Centre. Will sheds light on the often-overlooked issue of elder abuse. We dive deep into the complexities of estate planning, the importance of ha...
2025-12-241h 18Don't Be Caught DeadENCORE: Living Well to Die Well: A Philosophical PerspectiveWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)This is an encore episode of the Don't Be Caught Dead podcast and a listener favourite from Season 2.In this thought-provoking episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Dr. Simon Longstaff, a philosopher and the first executive director of the Ethics Centre. We dive deep into the complexities of life, death, and everything in between. Simon shares his unique journey, from his early days on Groot Island to his profound connection with the Anindilyakwa people, and how these experiences have shaped...
2025-12-1759 minDon't Be Caught DeadENCORE: This Is What Dignity Looks Like: A Daughter’s Story in Support of Voluntary Assisted DyingWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)This is an encore episode of the Don't Be Caught Dead podcast and a listener favourite from Season 2.In this heartfelt episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Barb Gering, who shares her deeply personal journey as she navigated her mother's cancer diagnosis and the complexities of voluntary assisted dying. Barb's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of choice and dignity at the end of life. She reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of treatment, the candid conversations with her...
2025-12-1057 minDon't Be Caught DeadENCORE: Grief Without Permission: Rosie Batty on Challenging Silence and Speaking TruthWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)This is an encore episode of the Don't Be Caught Dead podcast and a listener favourite from Season 2.In this powerful episode, I sit down with the incredible Rosie Batty, a fierce advocate for family violence prevention and a beacon of resilience following the tragic murder of her son, Luke. Rosie’s journey through grief, PTSD, and healing is nothing short of inspiring. She shares her candid reflections on the societal perceptions of grief and the importance of having open conversations about death and lo...
2025-12-031h 05Don't Be Caught DeadNo More Death Denial: Alicia Ng's Story of Turning Fear into End-of-Life WisdomWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Ever wondered how staring down your deepest fear of death could actually make you live bolder and more intentionally? That's exactly what today's guest, Alicia Ng, discovered on her wild journey from corporate life in Singapore to end-of-life planning in Australia.Alicia, a brand and content marketing whiz turned author, opened up about her thanatophobia – that gut-wrenching terror of dying that started in childhood and spiralled into panic attacks. Instead of running from it, she ran towards it, training as a death doula, moving co...
2025-11-2646 minDon't Be Caught DeadWhen There's No Funeral: Honouring Babies Lost Before 20 Weeks with Melissa KingWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)When Melissa King lost her baby in 2011, she discovered an unexpected silence. No information, no pathway to support, and very few people willing to talk openly about miscarriage. Out of that heartbreak, she founded Miscarriage Information Support Service (MISS), Australia’s first miscarriage-specific not-for-profit providing free resources, care packages, and a sense of community for people affected by early pregnancy loss.In this conversation, Melissa shares her personal story of loss and how it inspired her to create a space where grief is acknowledged, no...
2025-11-1957 minDon't Be Caught DeadBeyond the Grave: Fighting Heteronormativity in Funerals and WeddingsWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Imagine a gay man planning his own funeral, only for his family to swoop in and rewrite everything. That’s what one of Bronte Price’s clients faced, and he had to fight to honour his wishes.In this episode I chat with Bronte Price, “your gay celebrant,” Australia’s trailblazing LGBTQIA+ celebrant shaking up weddings and funerals. We talk about bias in death care, family interference, and why queer people still face barriers when planning funerals. Bronte shares lessons from The Equality Network, wins in ag...
2025-11-121h 06Don't Be Caught DeadFacing Death Head-On: A Doula's Guide to End-of-Life CareWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Ever wondered what really happens in those final moments before someone dies, or how a death doula can turn a family's grief into something meaningful? In this episode, I chat with Barb Ferguson, a seasoned end-of-life doula, about her hands-on work with dying, death, and everything after. It's raw, real, and full of insights that might just change how you think about the end of life.Barb shares her journey from accountant to death doula, sparked by helping a family through a tragic accident...
2025-11-0553 minDon't Be Caught DeadMeaning Over Ministry: Jim's Unique Approach to Grief and FuneralsWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What do you give the love of your life as a final birthday gift when they only have days left? That's the tender moment Reverend Jim Colville shares with us in this powerful chat. It's an act of love that perfectly sums up Jim's radical, non-judgemental approach to life, death, and dying.Jim, the man who started Colony 47 in Hobart in 1973, joins me to discuss his work offering unconditional acceptance to everyone rejected by 1970s society—from young single mums to the LGBTQIA+ community. He...
2025-10-2954 minDon't Be Caught DeadThe Fabric of Dying: How a Stitched Map Sparks End-of-Life TalksWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Ever wondered if a simple box of fabric and words could unlock the toughest chats about dying? In this episode, I dive into the world of the Bioscope with Chetan Shastri, a Melbourne designer who's turned death into a navigable map – literally. It’s not some dusty chart; it’s a tactile, embroidered toolkit that sparks real talk about end-of-life wishes, from home to hospice, without the awkward silence.Chetan shares how his Indian roots, from street bioscopes with spinning films to his mum’s hand-s...
2025-10-2258 minDon't Be Caught DeadBuilding Resilience: How Architecture and Landscape Can Assist With the Process of GrievingWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Ever wondered how architecture and landscape can turn contested land into a living tribute to lives lost and those affected by family violence? In this episode, I chat with Amy Muir, director of Muir Architecture, about designing Victoria's Family Violence Memorial located next to the Parliament Precinct in East Melbourne. It's a reminder that memorials aren't relics, but rather spaces for reflection, gathering and support that advocate for societal and political change.Amy's journey began with her passion for architecture and landscape when studying...
2025-10-1554 minDon't Be Caught DeadFacing the Unfathomable – Grief, Suicide, and Living Fully After LossWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Ever wondered what it’s like to face death – not your own, but the sudden loss of a child to suicide? In this raw and moving chat, I sit down with Christine Pedley, a grief counsellor, death doula, and author who turned unimaginable pain into purpose. If you’ve ever felt lost in the silence around death and dying, this episode reminds you that talking about it isn’t just okay – it’s essential.Christine’s story began long before her son Jono’s death a...
2025-10-081h 11Don't Be Caught DeadTIME'S UP: Facing Death and Finding Your LIFE LISTWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Are you making the most of your time before death catches us all? In this heartfelt episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I chat with Kate Christie, Australia’s leading time management expert, about how loss and grief can be the wake-up call we need to live intentionally. Kate shares her personal story of losing her ex-husband to pancreatic cancer and how that tragedy reshaped her approach to time, priorities, and what she calls a “life list” — not a bucket list — focusing on what truly matters while we’r...
2025-10-0144 minDon't Be Caught DeadAdvance Care Planning: The Gift of CHOICE Before DeathWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Are you ready to face death head-on? In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I chat with Rose Sexton, a seasoned nurse and passionate palliative care educator from Wangaratta, Northeast Victoria. Rose shares her deep insights into palliative care, advance care planning, and the importance of having honest conversations about death and dying before it’s too late. We explore how palliative care is about living well, not just dying, and why planning early can save your loved ones from unbearable decisions later.Ro...
2025-09-241h 03Don't Be Caught DeadDeath, Grief and Ritual: Lessons from an Interfaith MinisterWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What does it mean to “do death differently”?In this episode of Don’t Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Reverend Amy Firth — interfaith minister, funeral director, and spiritual counsellor — to talk about her incredible journey through grief, loss, and finding her calling in end-of-life care. From training in London with the One Spirit Interfaith Foundation, to returning to the Blue Mountains to support families, Amy shares what it means to walk alongside people in their most vulnerable moments.We explore how ceremo...
2025-09-171h 08Don't Be Caught DeadVoluntary Assisted Dying: The Doctors Who See Death DifferentlyWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What does it really look like to face death with choice, dignity and clarity? In this episode of Don’t Be Caught Dead, I sit down with two doctors who’ve seen death from every angle — and who aren’t afraid to talk about it.I’m joined by Dr Nick Carr, one of the first GPs in Victoria to be involved in voluntary assisted dying, and Dr Kane Treble, a regional GP in Mildura with a background in emergency medicine, palliative care and paramedici...
2025-09-1054 minDon't Be Caught DeadHow My Sister’s Death at Four Shaped My LifeWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What happens when death touches your family before you even understand what it means?In this episode of Don’t Be Caught Dead, I sit down with funeral celebrant Leonie Fletcher Adams, whose life was profoundly shaped when her sister died at just four years old. That childhood loss not only shaped her family but also planted the seed for a lifelong journey of spirituality, honesty, and connection.Leonie shares her path from nursing and acting to becoming a funeral celebrant, weaving in...
2025-09-031h 20Don't Be Caught DeadVAD: Choice, Compassion, and the End of Life.We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)We all know death is coming for us, yet most of us avoid talking about it like it’s the plague. In this episode, I sit down with Baci Hillyer for an honest, heartfelt conversation about why facing our mortality head-on, including the controversial topic of assisted dying, can change the way we live.Baci and I dive into the uncomfortable yet essential topic of death, why we fear it, why we avoid it, and what happens when we finally look it in the ey...
2025-08-271h 09Don't Be Caught DeadFOUND Family: The Importance of Compassion in GriefWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What if I told you that talking about death could be one of the most empowering conversations you ever have? In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Dr. Annetta Mallon, a leading expert in grief loss education and end-of-life care, to explore the profound impact of embracing death and the importance of open dialogue around it.In this episode, I have the absolute pleasure of chatting with Dr. Annetta Mallon, a leading expert in grief loss education and end-of-life...
2025-08-2058 minDon't Be Caught DeadWeaving Life and Death: The Art of Eco-Friendly CoffinsWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What if the way we say goodbye could heal both our hearts and the planet?In this profound episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, we sit down with Zimmi Forest, fibre artist, environmentalist, and creator of handwoven eco-coffins that challenge everything we think we know about death. Zimmi doesn’t just make baskets; she crafts vessels that reconnect us to nature, turning invasive weeds into beautiful, biodegradable farewells.From foraging materials in the wild to guiding families through the emotional process of we...
2025-08-1447 minDon't Be Caught DeadThe Gift of Life: Adele's Journey Through Grief and Organ DonationWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What happens when your worst nightmare becomes your greatest gift to strangers? Adele shares the moment her son's death transformed into hope.In this heartfelt episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Adele, a mother who faced the unimaginable loss of her son, Dan, in 2020. Dan's tragic accident not only shattered Adele's world but also led to a powerful legacy of life through organ and tissue donation. Join us as we explore the profound impact of Dan's life and death, the...
2025-08-0638 minDon't Be Caught DeadFACING DEATH: Moira Kelly's Mission to Save LivesWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What does it mean to TRULY save a life? For humanitarian Moira Kelly, the answer was simple—give a part of herself.In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, we dive deep into the extraordinary life of Moira Kelly, a remarkable humanitarian whose journey has been defined by compassion, courage, and the gift of life. From her early dreams of working alongside Mother Teresa to her recent act of becoming a living kidney donor to Krishna, one of the conjoined twins she brought to...
2025-07-301h 00Don't Be Caught DeadLife After Death: The Impact of Organ Donation on FamiliesWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What if someone else's tragedy could become your lifeline? In this powerful episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, we dive deep into the life-altering journey of Jessica Chappel, a passionate advocate for organ and tissue donation. Jessica's story is one of resilience, hope, and the profound impact of a second chance at life. After being diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, she faced the unimaginable reality of needing a liver transplant. Join us as Jessica shares her raw and emotional experiences, from the moment she received t...
2025-07-231h 11Don't Be Caught DeadHealing Hearts: Navigating Grief After Pet LossWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)In this heartfelt episode of "Don't Be Caught Dead," I sit down with Barbara Allen, the visionary behind Australia's first animal chaplaincy program at the Lort Smith Animal Hospital from 2005 to 2011. Barbara shares her profound insights on the often-overlooked grief that accompanies the loss of our beloved pets. We delve into the emotional complexities of pet loss, exploring why the death of an animal can hit us harder than we expect, and how society's mixed messages can leave us feeling isolated in our grief....
2025-07-1656 minDon't Be Caught DeadLiving Well to Die Well: A Philosophical PerspectiveWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)In this thought-provoking episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Dr. Simon Longstaff, a philosopher and the first executive director of the Ethics Centre. We dive deep into the complexities of life, death, and everything in between. Simon shares his unique journey, from his early days on Groot Island to his profound connection with the Anindilyakwa people, and how these experiences have shaped his understanding of ethics, community, and the essence of a good life.We explore the idea that a...
2025-07-0959 minDon't Be Caught DeadCommunity, Kindness, and Care: Death & Grief with Emma BeattieWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with the inspiring Emma Beattie, founder of Before and After Life, to explore the often-avoided topics of death, dying, and grief. Emma is a trailblazer in reimagining how we prepare for and respond to the realities of caring for those at the end of life. With a background in creative strategy and storytelling, she brings a unique lens to the conversation, drawing from her own experiences of loss and her commitment to fostering compassionate communities.
2025-07-021h 05Don't Be Caught DeadReclaiming Agency: Living Beyond DementiaWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Ever been told to just give up and prepare to die after a diagnosis? What if I told you that’s the standard script handed to people with dementia — and it’s completely wrong? Today, I’m chatting with Kate Swaffer, a powerhouse who refused to accept that narrative. She’s here to shake things up, challenge the world’s outdated views on dementia, and show us why living well with this diagnosis is not just possible, but a right.In this episode of Do...
2025-06-251h 21Don't Be Caught DeadHolistic Funerals Choices BEYOND Traditional FuneralsWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)In this heartfelt episode of "Don't Be Caught Dead," I chat with Charmaine Blanch, the founder of Tiare Funerals and Deathcare. Charmaine's mission is to empower families to reclaim their death rights and make decisions that truly reflect their values and culture. With a unique blend of creativity and deep empathy, she offers a holistic approach to funerals that goes beyond the traditional, sterile services many are accustomed to.Charmaine shares her personal journey, which began with the loss of her grandparents at a...
2025-06-1841 minDon't Be Caught DeadThe FUTURE of DYING: Can We CHEAT DEATH?We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Welcome back to another thought-provoking episode of Don't Be Caught Dead! Today, we dive deep into the fascinating world of neuroscience and the radical idea of abolishing death with our special guest, Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston. As a neuroscientist and author of The Future Loves You, Ariel explores the potential of brain preservation and the philosophical implications of what it means to be alive. If you've ever wondered about the future of dying and whether we can truly cheat death, this episode is for you!In...
2025-06-1154 minDon't Be Caught DeadWho’s Really at Risk? Understanding Elder AbuseWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Have you ever thought about who might be the biggest threat to the elderly in our lives? It’s not just the faceless strangers in nursing homes; it’s often their own family members. In this eye-opening episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I chat with William J. Betts, a legal expert in family violence and elder rights at Peninsula Community Legal Centre. Will sheds light on the often-overlooked issue of elder abuse. We dive deep into the complexities of estate planning, the importance of ha...
2025-06-041h 18Don't Be Caught DeadRITUALS of HEALING: Swimming, Community, and the OCEANWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)The ocean has a raw, powerful way of healing us—body, mind, and soul. In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I'm joined by Fiona Basile, an internationally acclaimed photographer and writer who discovered that open water swimming is far more than just a hobby. It’s a lifeline, a community, and a space where stories of resilience and transformation come to life. Her stunning book, Immerse, shares faces and places shaped by the healing embrace of Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay.Fiona’s journe...
2025-05-281h 15Don't Be Caught DeadThis Is What Dignity Looks Like: A Daughter’s Story in Support of Voluntary Assisted DyingWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What happens when a loved one faces a terminal illness? How do we navigate the heart-wrenching decisions that come with it? In this episode, Barb Gearing shares her powerful story of love, loss, and the importance of choice at the end of life.In this heartfelt episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Barb Gering, who shares her deeply personal journey as she navigated her mother's cancer diagnosis and the complexities of voluntary assisted dying. Barb's story is a powerful reminder...
2025-05-2157 minDon't Be Caught DeadFACING the UNTHINKABLE: Death, Dying, and SuicideWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)⚠️ Trigger Warning ⚠️This episode contains discussions of sensitive topics including suicide. Listener discretion is advised.What if the key to unlocking the mysteries of death and suicide lies in the delicate verses of poetry? In this thought-provoking episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, we sit down with the brilliant Katrina Jaworski, a philosopher and educator who dares to tackle the taboo. Together, we explore the profound connections between creativity and the complex emotions surrounding death and suicide.Katrina's insights...
2025-05-1457 minDon't Be Caught DeadDANCE with DEATH: Tony Yap's Journey Through GriefWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What if the act of dancing could help you confront your deepest fears about death? In this captivating episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with the extraordinary Tony Yap, a multidisciplinary artist and dancer whose work delves deep into the realms of psychophysical research, Asian shamanistic trance dance, and the emotional landscapes of death and dying. Tony shares his unique journey from visual arts to performance, revealing how his rich cultural heritage and personal experiences with loss have shaped his artistic expression.
2025-05-101h 12Don't Be Caught DeadWhat Happens to Your WEALTH When You DIE? The TRUTH About Estate PlanningWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What happens to your wealth, your business, and your family when you’re no longer here? In this episode, we dive deep into the world of estate planning, business continuity, and how to protect your legacy with Shannon Smit, chartered accountant, financial advisor, and founder of Smart Private Wealth. Whether you’re a business owner, a parent, or simply someone who wants to ensure your loved ones are taken care of, this conversation is packed with practical advice, eye-opening insights, and a few surprises you might not...
2025-05-071h 14Don't Be Caught DeadGrief Without Permission: ROSIE BATTY on Challenging SILENCE and Speaking TRUTHWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What happens when the unimaginable becomes your reality? In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I chat with Rosie Batty, a woman who turned her profound grief into a powerful movement for change after the tragic murder of her son, Luke. Join us as we explore the depths of loss, the importance of community, and the strength it takes to find hope in the darkest of times.In this powerful episode, I sit down with the incredible Rosie Batty, a fierce advocate for...
2025-04-301h 05Don't Be Caught DeadDesigning for the Living: Hamish Coates on Cemeteries and CommunityWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What if I told you that cemeteries could be more than just final resting places? What if they could serve as vibrant community spaces that celebrate life, culture, and nature? In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Hamish Coates, a seasoned landscape architect and the principal designer at Greater Melbourne Cemeteries Trust. With over 20 years of experience, Hamish has transformed the way we think about cemeteries—not just as resting places for the dead, but as vibrant, accessible spaces for...
2025-04-2354 minDon'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 min