Don't Be Caught Dead: Grief, Loss, Death Literacy and Getting Prepared
After surviving a serious car accident in 2019, and then losing a close friend suddenly in 2023, Catherine Ashton discovered a hard truth: most families have no plan for death, and they pay for it in confusion, stress, and decisions made in crisis. Don't Be Caught Dead exists so yours doesn't have to.
Each episode is an honest, often deeply personal conversation, with people who've lived through grief, sudden illness, and caring for a dying loved one, alongside experts in aged care, palliative care, estate law, funeral planning, and financial advice. It's a show for anyone quietly aware they're becoming the one responsible for a parent, a partner, or their own end of life planning, and who wants to feel ready rather than blindsided.
Got questions after listening? Join Critical Chat Tuesdays, free, no-pressure conversations every Tuesday at 7pm where you can ask anything or just listen. No planning required, just come as you are:
https://criticalinfo.com.au/events?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=general
You'll also pick up the practical groundwork here: how to prepare a will, appoint a power of attorney and enduring guardian, set up an advance care directive, plan a funeral in advance, and navigate the health and legal systems families are so often forced into with no warning.
The free Critical Info Platform can help you turn any of it into an actual plan, and if someone close to you has just died, our guide "My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?" walks you through the immediate steps.
Hosted by Catherine Ashton, founder of Australian social enterprise Critical Info.
Learn more: www.criticalinfo.com.au
Don't Be Caught Dead: Grief, Loss, Death Literacy and Getting Prepared
Finding Purpose in Melbourne’s Forgotten Laneways with Tinky
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
When I first discovered Tinky’s tiny installations hidden throughout Melbourne’s laneways, I was instantly captivated. What looked like a whimsical miniature scene often revealed something much deeper: sharp observation, dark humour, storytelling, and a unique way of seeing the world. In this episode, I sit down with Melbourne-based artist Tinky, whose miniature street art has transformed overlooked corners, gutters, walls, and public spaces into unexpected moments of delight and reflection.
Tinky shares the remarkable story of how a spontaneous trip to a vintage market and a toy Big Bird figurine unexpectedly launched an entirely new chapter of her life. From battling imposter syndrome and questioning whether she could even call herself an artist, to exhibiting in galleries, collaborating on major projects, and even catching the attention of Sophie Ellis-Bextor, her journey is a powerful reminder that purpose often arrives in the most unexpected ways.
What unfolds is a conversation about creativity, humour, storytelling, noticing beauty in forgotten places, and how art can help us slow down and see the world differently. We also explore the ephemeral nature of street art, the role of dark humour in processing life, and the joy of creating something that makes complete strangers smile.
Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.
Take care,
Catherine
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)
Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform.
It’s a simple, secure system that helps you prepare and share your legacy, wishes and personal paperwork.
It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan.
Leave behind a legacy, not a mess.
Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.au
No credit card needed.
Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays —
free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen.
No pressure.
No expectation.
Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” —
it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way.
Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events
In episode 110, we talk to Tim Booth, a paramedic and the best-selling author of You Called an Ambulance for What? and You Went to Emergency for What? We're giving you a chance to win a copy of his new book, Post-Mortem. To enter, send us a message via Spotify or Apple fan mail on this episode, or leave a comment on our social media. Tell us what stories you'd love to hear, or send us a question you'd like us to put to a future guest. Entries close September 13.
MY LOVED ONE HAS DIED, WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Our guide, ‘My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?’ provides practical steps for the hours and days after a loved one's death. Download it here.
SUPPORT SERVICES
If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here.
Support the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now.
Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/
Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials:
https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a
Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/
Podcasts we love
Check out these other fine podcasts recommended by us, not an algorithm.
Good Mourning
Sally Douglas and Imogen Carn