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
60 episodes
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
Death, Diversity, and Inclusion in Care with Tonina Gucciardo-Masci and Nikolaus Rittinghausen
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 ch...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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1:05:03
200 Hours of Death Admin: Why Executors Deserve More Support with Danielle Phillips
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 overwhe...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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51:34
Facing Life’s Toughest Moments: Can Social Support Make the Difference?
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 buri...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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1:07:44
After the Worst Has Happened: Tales From a Funeral Director, Richard Gosling
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 coura...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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59:46
Do You Really Want to Be a Carer? The Question Nobody Asks
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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1:01:52
Honouring Life Through Trees: The Legacy of Mornington Green
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. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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46:12
Ghosts, Graves, and Gossip: Uncovering Sorrento's Haunted History
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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54:27
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 36
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58:08
No Rules, No Rush: The Last Hurrah's Philosophy on Modern Funerals
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 th...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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49:03