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
84 episodes
Death, Grief and Ritual: Lessons from an Interfaith Minister
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 thr...
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1:09:43
Voluntary Assisted Dying: The Doctors Who See Death Differently
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 j...
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54:57
How My Sister’s Death at Four Shaped My Life
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 sis...
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1:21:34
VAD: Choice, Compassion, and the End of Life.
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 controvers...
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1:10:04
FOUND Family: The Importance of Compassion in Grief
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 c...
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59:30
Weaving Life and Death: The Art of Eco-Friendly Coffins
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...
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Season 2
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48:24
The Gift of Life: Adele's Journey Through Grief and Organ Donation
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 th...
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39:40
FACING DEATH: Moira Kelly's Mission to Save Lives
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 humanitaria...
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1:01:12
Life After Death: The Impact of Organ Donation on Families
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. Jessic...
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1:12:23
Healing Hearts: Navigating Grief After Pet Loss
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 th...
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57:28
Living Well to Die Well: A Philosophical Perspective
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. S...
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1:00:07
Community, Kindness, and Care: Death & Grief with Emma Beattie
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 r...
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1:06:07
Reclaiming Agency: Living Beyond Dementia
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 r...
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1:22:34
Holistic Funerals Choices BEYOND Traditional Funerals
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...
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42:25
The FUTURE of DYING: Can We CHEAT DEATH?
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 neuroscie...
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Season 2
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Episode 68
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55:42
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