Don't Be Caught Dead
Welcome to Don’t Be Caught Dead - a podcast encouraging open conversations about dying and the death of a loved one. I’m your host, Catherine Ashton - Founder of Critical Info - and I’m helping to bring your stories of death back to life.
Because while you may not be ready to die, at least you can be prepared.
Episodes
69 episodes
Who’s Really at Risk? Understanding Elder Abuse
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 67
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1:19:25
RITUALS of HEALING: Swimming, Community, and the OCEAN
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 66
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1:16:39
This Is What Dignity Looks Like: A Daughter’s Story in Support of Voluntary Assisted Dying
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.<...
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Season 2
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Episode 65
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58:04
FACING the UNTHINKABLE: Death, Dying, and Suicide
⚠️ 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 poe...
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Season 2
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Episode 64
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58:22
DANCE with DEATH: Tony Yap's Journey Through Grief
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 int...
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Season 2
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Episode 63
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1:13:52
What Happens to Your WEALTH When You DIE? The TRUTH About Estate Planning
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 61
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1:15:21
Grief Without Permission: ROSIE BATTY on Challenging SILENCE and Speaking TRUTH
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 62
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1:06:54
Designing for the Living: Hamish Coates on Cemeteries and Community
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 Coat...
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Season 2
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Episode 60
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55:22
The Doctor Who Feared Death: Leah Kaminsky on Life, Loss and Finding Joy
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 pa...
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Season 2
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Episode 60
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54:56
What Happens to Your Body After Death? A Deep Dive into Whole Body Donation
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 fascinatin...
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Season 2
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Episode 59
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51:52
Embracing Grief: The Art of Memorialisation with Chloe Marcela Coelho
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 in...
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Season 2
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Episode 58
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55:17
Orpheus and the Art of Grief: A Poet's Perspective
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 57
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55:04
FACING DEATH: Judith Leeson AM on EMBRACING Our Mortality
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 incredibl...
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Season 2
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Episode 56
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57:21
The Power of Compassion with Dr Hayley D Quinn
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 55
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53:37
Embracing Mortality: Hayley West on Art, Death, and Community
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 54
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1:09:14
Bridging Life and Death: Tamil Mourning Traditions Explained
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 heartfel...
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Season 2
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Episode 53
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1:17:58
ENCORE: Meet the Coffin Confessor: From Troubled Past to Funeral Crasher
⚠️ 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 C...
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Season 1
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Episode 52
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1:02:32
ENCORE: Secure Your Legacy: Clear Legal Advice from Greg Russo
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 ex...
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Season 1
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Episode 51
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1:35:09
ENCORE: NAIDOC 2024: Celebrating Indigenous Stories and Heritage with Aunty Jill West
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 tape...
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Season 1
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Episode 50
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1:20:04
ENCORE: Eco-Friendly Farewells: Water Cremation's Splash in the Death Care Industry
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, establi...
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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1:11:52
ENCORE: The Future of Funerals: Insights from Kelly Scott, President of Australian Funeral Directors Association
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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1:24:53
ENCORE: Reclaiming death back into our own hands and hearts with Deathwalker Zenith Virago
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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1:04:36
ENCORE: Cheating Death: The Cryonics Revolution in Australia
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....
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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59:54
ENCORE: Navigating Life After Loss: A Daughter's Tale with Libby Neesham
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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51:00
Death, DNA, and Family Secrets: How Trauma Lives in Our Genes
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 histo...
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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1:05:31