Don't Be Caught Dead

No More Death Denial: Alicia Ng's Story of Turning Fear into End-of-Life Wisdom

Catherine Ashton

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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 countries, and pouring her experiences into her compassionate workbook, The Final Gift, which guides readers through life reviews, funeral planning, and leaving a meaningful legacy to ease the grief for loved ones. We also chatted about her children's book, Willow's Tea Tales, a whimsical tale of presence and healing, and her podcast Stories in Transit, exploring life's messy pivots. Alicia's story is raw and real, showing how facing death head-on can transform fear into fuel for a fuller life.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

  • How Alicia's fear of death drove her to quit jobs, move continents, and embrace discomfort for growth and intentional living.
  • Why end-of-life planning is an act of love, easing family burdens with wills, funeral details, and heartfelt legacies.
  • How personal losses, like her grandmother's cremation and aunt's COVID-era passing, exposed grie

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MY LOVED ONE HAS DIED, WHAT DO I DO NOW?

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Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/