Don't Be Caught Dead: Grief, Loss, Death Literacy and Getting Prepared

What if you spent your whole childhood feeling something you couldn’t name, only to discover the answer on your mother’s deathbed? In this episode, I sit down with Nikki Domeney, a Project Coordinator at Social Engine and board member of Black Duck Group, whose own story of discovering her Indigenous heritage just eighteen months before her mother passed away has shaped everything about how she now supports others through grief, identity and connection to Country. Nikki describes growing up feeling “like she had two heads” — carrying an intuitive, spiritual knowing she had nowhere to place, until she learned her mother and grandmother were part of the Stolen Generation, disconnected from their Gamilaroi heritage in New South Wales. We talk about what it meant for Nikki to walk onto Country for the first time in Dirranbandi, meeting cousins she’d never known, and giving them back stories of the aunty and mother they’d lost touch with. Nikki explains Wayapa Wuurrk, an Earth-centred wellbeing practice built around fourteen elements that helps people — Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike — reconnect with the land, with grief, and with themselves, and why it’s now being used in Victorian early childhood education and corporate settings alike. We also go deep into intergenerational trauma and the emerging science of epigenetics, what it’s like to hold both an Indigenous and Celtic heritage at once, the guilt and nuance of “walking two worlds,” and Nikki’s work helping business leaders understand the difference between lore and law. It’s a generous, moving conversation about grief, belonging, and what it takes to reclaim what was taken. What you’ll hear in this episode: How Nikki discovered her Indigenous heritage just eighteen months before her mother died, and what it was like meeting her mob for the first time at her mother’s deathbed The Stolen Generation story behind Nikki’s family, and how her mother and grandmother were separated from their Gamilaroi culture and Country What it felt like to set foot on Country in Dirranbandi for the first time, and the “coming home” moment with a cousin who looked just like her mum What self-sovereignty means, and why Nikki sees reclaiming identity as an act of returning to yourself What Wayapa Wuurrk is: the fourteen elements, its Indigenous origins, and how it’s being used in Victorian early education and corporate workplaces How Nikki uses Wayapa to hold space for grief, including a story about supporting a school leader and her team through the death of a student Intergenerational trauma, epigenetics and “cellular memory” — and why Nikki says most of us are carrying trauma we’re not even conscious of The nuance of “walking two worlds” as someone with lighter skin and no lived experience of overt racism, and how Nikki holds that alongside her own identity journey Lore versus law: what Nikki has learned about trust, compliance and old ways of being through her work as a people and culture leader What Nikki hopes to pass on to her own children, and why she believes everyone is a storyteller on a healing journey Connect with Nikki Domeney Black Duck Group: https://www.blackduckgroup.org.au/ Social Engine: https://www.socialengine.org.au/ Resources Mentioned in This Episode Wayapa Wuurrk: https://wayapa.com/ 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

Did you know that around sixty percent of burial disputes that end up in Australian courts involve an Aboriginal person, and that appointing an executor can be the one thing that prevents it? In this episode, I'm speaking with Professor Prue Vines, a leading Australian legal academic at the Faculty of Law, UNSW Sydney, where she has taught since 1990. Prue is co-author, with Rosalind Croucher, of the country's leading succession law textbook, Succession: Families, Property and Death, and sole author of Law and Justice in Australia. She is also the author of the Aboriginal Wills Handbook, and her research sits right at the intersection of law and death, with a particular and long standing focus on developing culturally appropriate wills for Indigenous Australians and on the burial rights disputes that so often follow when that planning hasn't happened. Prue and I talk about why succession law can feel so harsh when emotion meets property, and why a will should really be thought of as part of planning for the people you leave behind, not just a piece of paper about money. She walks me through what a will actually does, including the part most people never think about: appointing an executor who has the legal right to decide what happens to your body. We get into the risks of DIY wills, how to choose an executor you can truly trust, and what the probate and intestacy process actually looks like when someone dies with or without a will. A large part of our conversation is dedicated to Prue's decades of work with Aboriginal communities across Australia, developing wills that actually reflect how kinship, family and obligation work in those communities rather than imposing a Western template. She explains how appointing an executor became the single most important reason many Aboriginal elders chose to make a will in the first place, because it settles who has the right to decide what happens to a person's body. We go deep on burial rights: why disputes over where someone is laid to rest disproportionately involve Aboriginal Australians, what dispossession has done to people's ability to be buried on country, the different ways communities have adapted, from smoking ceremonies to carrying home a handful of earth, and the real court cases Prue has seen where a missing will meant a family was torn apart over a burial decision that should never have needed a judge. Prue closes by making the case for enduring power of attorney and guardianship alongside a will, and pushes back on the idea that will disputes are becoming more common than they really are. 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

In this episode, I'm joined by Ben Kelly, CEO of the Australasian Cemeteries and Crematoria Association (ACCA), the peak body representing the cemetery and crematoria sector across Australia and New Zealand. Ben takes us behind the gates of an industry most of us never think about until we have to. We talk about why cremation now accounts for 75 to 85 per cent of dispositions in Australia, why your postcode can determine how far your loved one has to travel to be cremated, and why there's no single national law governing what a cemetery can and can't do. We get into the thornier questions too: who actually owns a grave (hint: you don't), what happens when a family plot sits unused for decades, and the surprisingly heated debate over pets being buried alongside their owners. Ben also walks us through “limited tenure” – the practice of reusing graves after a set period – and why it might be one of the only real answers to Australia's shrinking burial space. Beyond the practicalities, Ben shares how cemeteries are quietly becoming community hubs: death cafes, baby loss memorial services, AI-powered digital storytelling projects, and even wildlife pantries for injured possums and koalas. And we don't shy away from the harder side of his industry – the funding cemeteries rarely get, and the toll the work takes on the people who show up for grieving families every day.' 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

What if there is no such thing as a child being too young for a funeral? In this episode, I sit down with Gail Eaton-Briggs, a Tasmanian author, celebrant, leadership coach and founder of EveryWhen Solutions. With more than 40 years of experience in early childhood education, child safety and leadership, and as an authorised celebrant since 2006, Gail has supported hundreds of families through funerals and celebrations of life. Gail's new picture book, Remembering Nanny: Milly and Tom's First Funeral, follows two young children through the days after their grandmother's death, from the morning they find Mum crying on the back steps, through choosing what to take with them, to the funeral itself and the small, tender rituals that help a family grieve together. We talk about why she believes there is no such thing as “too young” for a funeral, the box of teddy bears she keeps in the boot of her car for children who need a hug, and why a beautiful picture book alone wasn't enough, so she wrote a companion guide too. Gail shares some of the most memorable services she has led, including an unexpectedly joyful celebration at a group home and the loved ones who asked to reopen the curtains so they could keep the coffin company over morning tea. We also talk about her earlier book, Conscious Grit: From Stuck to Unstoppable, the personal tipping point that led her to leave a senior public service career, and the head, heart and gut model she now uses in her coaching and leadership work. 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

“What’s your pain scale?” “A nine.” “Okay, miss.” “No. Mister.” In this episode, I’m speaking with Thy O’Donell, a PhD researcher at the Australian National University in Canberra. Thy’s research explores end-of-life and palliative care for trans and gender diverse people, looking at how gender affirming care can extend into hospitals and hospices. The study has ethics approval through ACT Health’s Human Research Ethics Committee, ANU’s Human Research Ethics Committee, and ACON. Thy’s interest in this space is personal as well as academic. As a trans man who has navigated Canberra’s medical institutions, he brings firsthand experience of how institutional culture can shape whether someone feels safe and respected in the settings where end-of-life care is delivered. We talk about what it really means to stay on hormone replacement therapy until the day you die, why advance care directives and wills matter just as much for younger people and trans people as for anyone else, and the courage it takes to self-advocate in a healthcare system that isn’t always built with you in mind. Thy also shares the story of a difficult experience in a Catholic hospital emergency department, the role of chosen family in end-of-life decisions, and why he believes, at its heart, gender-affirming care is simply care. 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

What do crime scene cleaners, morgue transporters and gravediggers know about death that the rest of us don't? In this episode, I'm joined by Tim Booth, a paramedic of more than nine years and the bestselling author of You Called an Ambulance for What? and You Went to Emergency for What?. His latest book, Post-Mortem, steps outside his own frontline experience to profile around thirty professionals who work with death every day, from crime scene cleaners and organ procurement coordinators to gravediggers, funeral directors and combat medics. Tim tells me how the idea for Post-Mortem came to him almost by accident, how he tracked down people whose jobs barely exist in the public imagination, and the common thread he found running through all of them: it isn't the bodies that are hard to deal with, it's the living. We also talk about the myths around CPR and defibrillators, the gray areas paramedics face when DNR paperwork goes missing, and why dark humour has become the coping mechanism of choice across the death care professions. Tim is honest about burnout, about what writing this book taught him about his own mortality, and about how becoming a father has started to change his thinking on planning ahead. 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

What happens when the document meant to protect your wishes is filed away where nobody can find it, or worse, ignored altogether when it matters most? In this episode, I'm joined by Distinguished Professor Ben White, Professor of End-of-Life Law and Regulation in the Australian Centre for Health Law Research at Queensland University of Technology. A Rhodes Scholar with a DPhil from Oxford, Ben has spent his career researching the gap between what end-of-life law says on paper and what actually happens at the bedside. He's authored over 250 publications, co-authors the End-of-Life Law in Australia website, and is currently leading an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship on regulating voluntary assisted dying. We talk through the three legal tools everyone should know about (advance care directives, enduring powers of attorney, and default substitute decision-makers), why advance care directives so often fail to be followed even when they exist, and the very human reasons families and clinicians clash at the bedside. Ben also walks us through voluntary assisted dying now that the Northern Territory is on the verge of becoming the final Australian jurisdiction to legalise it, what conscientious objection looks like when it works well and when it doesn't, and why a Commonwealth law about phones and faxes is still forcing dying patients to travel for care that could otherwise happen by telehealth. 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

What if the choice to die could also be the choice to save someone else's life? In this episode, I'm joined by Jess Amsden, a senior nurse who holds a new and unique role at DonateLife Victoria as their Family Communication Nursing Coordinator. Piloted nationally over the past two years, the role is a first for Australia, sitting at the intersection of organ donation and voluntary assisted dying (VAD). Jess brings an abundance of experience in critical care nursing and education to a space that barely existed a few years ago. Australia's first case of organ donation following VAD happened in Victoria in 2023, and interest in the pathway has been growing across the country ever since. Jess talks us through how it works, the safeguards that keep the two decisions separate, and the story of Marlene, the woman whose choice paved the way and whose legacy continues to save lives. We also cover the myths that stop people registering, what families and patients most want to know, and why simply telling your loved ones what you want can make all the difference when it matters most. 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

What if the last thing you'd ever want for someone you love is a viewing at a funeral home? In this episode, I sit down with Bonita Ralph, a death educator, family support practitioner and former Holistic Funeral Director whose work spans home-based death care, infant and child loss, and paediatric palliative care. Bonita's journey began with a simple but profound question on a drive home from holiday: “What if I died? What would happen?” That moment sent her down a rabbit hole into community-led death care, eventually leading her to specialise in extended family-led vigils and the care of babies and children who have died. Bonita shares what she has learned from working with bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents, including the “concentric circles of support” model for knowing who to lean on, and who not to burden, in grief. We talk candidly about invisible infant loss, the myths that still shape what people believe is or isn't possible in after-death care, and why she pushes back when funeral providers say something “can't be done.” Bonita also explains what home-based death care actually looks like, what a shrouded witness cremation involves, and why she believes death education belongs in schools. We also explore her work in paediatric palliative care, where she says the first word that comes to mind is joy, and how holding both heartbreak and joy at once has shaped the way she supports families from diagnosis through to bereavement. 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

We talk a lot on this show about preparing for our own death. But what about preparing for the death of a pet, or making sure our pet is looked after if something happens to us? In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Alicia Kennedy, an end-of-life veterinarian of over 40 years and the founder of Cherished Pets, a veterinary social enterprise and B Corp based in the Geelong region of Victoria. Alicia pioneered the field of veterinary social work in Australia, building a multidisciplinary HAB (Human Animal Bond) Care Team of vets, vet nurses, social workers and volunteers who support older people, people living with disability, and people experiencing mental illness, homelessness or family violence to stay together with their pets through life's hardest moments. Alicia shares the personal story behind Cherished Pets, the three guiding principles she uses to decide when it's time to say goodbye, what actually makes for "a good death" for a pet, and why she believes every health care plan, from GPs to aged care, should ask the question: "Do you have a pet?" We also talk about the growing world of home euthanasia, memorialisation and cremation options, how to support children and other pets through pet loss, and why planning ahead for vet bills and end-of-life care can save families from financial and emotional crisis. 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

What if the future of end-of-life care doesn't lie in hospitals, but within our communities? In this episode, I sit down with Professor Samar Aoun AM, internationally recognised palliative care researcher, Founder and Chair of Compassionate Communities Australia, and one of Australia's leading voices in grief, bereavement and public health approaches to end-of-life care. Samar shares how the death of her father and the contrast between community support in Lebanon and Australia inspired her groundbreaking research into grief and bereavement. Her work challenged traditional thinking and demonstrated that 90% of people cope with grief through the support of family, friends and community, while only 10% require professional intervention. Together, we explore why Australia is facing a demographic "tsunami of death" as the population ages, why our health and aged care systems are struggling to keep up, and how compassionate communities can help people live, die and grieve well. We discuss the importance of rebuilding death literacy and grief literacy, why caring networks matter, and how simple acts of kindness can transform the experience of caring, dying and grieving. What you'll hear in this episode: How Samar's personal experience following her father's death shaped her life's work The groundbreaking grief research that found 90% of people rely on community support Why grief has become overly medicalised and what this means for society What compassionate communities are and why they matter Why Australia is unprepared for the coming "tsunami of death" The gap between where Australians want to die and where they actually die How the Compassionate Connector program reduced hospital admissions and improved social connectedness Why building your caring network before you need it is essential The difference between transactional care and relational care in aged care settings Practical ways every person can become part of a compassionate community You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared. Take care, Catherine Connect with Professor Samar Aoun AM Learn more about Compassionate Communities Australia: https://compassionatecommunitiesaus.org.au/ Learn more about Professor Samar Aoun's work at the Perron Institute https://www.perroninstitute.org/research/research-groups/samar-aoun/ & the University of Western Australia: https://www.uwa.edu.au/ Resources Mentioned in This Episode Professor Allan Kellehear – internationally recognised pioneer of the Compassionate Communities movement and public health approaches to palliative care. His work inspired much of the global compassionate communities movement and Professor Aoun's own research. Learn more: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/our-staff/k/allan-kellehear/ Professor Bruce Rumbold OAM – Australian researcher, educator and leading advocate for public health approaches to palliative care, bereavement and death literacy. Learn more: https://scholars.latrobe.edu.au/bdrumbold Compassionate Cities: Public Health and End-of-Life Care by Professor Allan Kellehear Book information: https://books.google.com/books/about/Compassionate_Cities.html?id=wvNOP8hpEk4C 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

Six babies are stillborn in Australia every day. Two babies die within their first 28 days of life, and a miscarriage occurs every three and a half minutes. Yet despite how common pregnancy and baby loss is, it remains one of society’s most misunderstood and least talked about experiences. In this episode, I sit down with Larissa Reinboth, artist, author, and founder of Possum Portraits, an Australian charity providing free memorial portraits and bereavement support to families following miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death. Originally from Germany and now based in Melbourne, Larissa shares how a conversation with her sister, a midwife, sparked the idea that would eventually become Possum Portraits. What began as a single commissioned illustration for bereaved parents has grown into a national charity supporting families across Australia through art, education, memorial photography training, and grief resources. Larissa speaks candidly about her own experience of miscarriage, the misconceptions surrounding pregnancy and baby loss, and why society's discomfort with grief continues to leave so many families feeling isolated and unsupported. We also explore the healing power of creativity, the importance of memory-making after loss, and Larissa’s beautiful children's book, The House in Ollie’s Tummy, which helps families explain pregnancy and baby loss to siblings and young children. This conversation is compassionate, thought-provoking, and deeply important. It is about grief, remembrance, advocacy, and ensuring that no family has to navigate baby loss alone. 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

When we talk about death, we often focus on what happens after someone dies. But what if we also talked about how we support the people left behind? In this episode, I’m joined by Robyn O’Connell, an experienced funeral celebrant, grief educator, author, speaker, and founder of the Rebecca Jane Foundation. For more than two decades, Robyn has helped families navigate some of life’s most heartbreaking moments while advocating for more open, honest conversations about death, grief, and child loss. Robyn shares the deeply personal story of losing her daughter, Rebecca Jane, to SIDS at just nine months old, and how that devastating loss shaped her life's work. We explore what makes a meaningful funeral, why Australia still struggles with grief literacy, how children can be included in conversations about death, and the importance of acknowledging loss rather than avoiding it. This is a compassionate and thought-provoking conversation about love, remembrance, and finding purpose after unimaginable heartbreak. 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

What would you do if you were given a second chance at life? And then a third? For documentary photographer Andrew Chapman, surviving two life-saving transplants has given him a perspective few people ever experience. Rather than turning away from mortality, Andrew has spent decades documenting it, capturing the realities of organ donation, transplantation, and the everyday lives of Australians with honesty, compassion, and extraordinary insight. Andrew is one of Australia’s most respected documentary photographers, known for spending more than five decades capturing the people, places, and moments that shape Australian life. From politicians and shearers to transplant recipients and operating theatres, his work is driven by a deep curiosity about people and an unwavering commitment to documenting the truth as he sees it. In this episode, I speak with Andrew about his extraordinary journey through not one but two life-saving transplants, including receiving a liver transplant that saved his life and, years later, a kidney donated by his daughter. We explore how facing death reshaped his perspective, the emotional complexities of accepting a loved one’s organ donation, and why he remains endlessly curious about what comes next. Andrew also shares the powerful story behind his organ donation photography projects, including documenting both the withdrawal of life support and the life-changing gift of transplantation. His images have not only captured deeply human moments but have directly influenced decisions that helped save lives through organ donation. This conversation is about storytelling, gratitude, curiosity, legacy, and the remarkable impact one life can have on many others. 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

Jean Kittson has spent a lifetime making Australians laugh, but behind the humour is a deeply personal and confronting exploration of death, dying, grief, and the aged care system. In this episode, I sit down with comedian, author, speaker, and Patron of Palliative Care Nurses Australia, Jean Kittson, to talk about how her own fear and avoidance of death transformed into advocacy and education around end-of-life care. Jean shares how growing up in a family that never spoke about death left her feeling frightened, unprepared, and emotionally disconnected from grief. She reflects on the first time she saw a dead body, the misconceptions she held about palliative care, and the surprising warmth, humour, and humanity she discovered within the palliative care community. Together, we unpack the realities of navigating ageing, hospitals, residential aged care, advance care planning, and the heartbreaking gaps families can fall through when support systems fail. Jean speaks candidly about the traumatic deaths of both her parents, the emotional toll of advocating for them, and the lessons she wishes every family knew before facing end-of-life decisions. This conversation is raw, honest, funny in moments, and deeply important. It’s a reminder that planning matters, conversations matter, and that no matter how informed we think we are, none of us should have to navigate death and dying alone. 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

In this episode, I’m joined by photographer and visual storyteller Julian Kingma, whose work has captured some of Australia’s most intimate and human stories across decades of journalism, portraiture, publishing, and documentary photography. But it was his deeply personal project The Power of Choice that drew me to his work. Through portraits and conversations with people navigating voluntary assisted dying, Julian documented not just death, but dignity, vulnerability, humanity, and the emotional complexity of choice. What struck me most throughout this conversation was the care Julian brings into every room he enters. Before the camera comes out, there is listening. There is trust. There is presence. He shares how this project transformed him personally and professionally, challenging the way he approached storytelling and deepening his understanding of grief, fear, compassion, and human connection. We also talk about the changing media landscape, the ethics of documenting vulnerable moments, and what it means to witness someone’s final chapter with honesty and humanity. This episode is thoughtful, emotional, and incredibly important. 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

What happens when a veteran crime journalist revisits one of Australia’s most haunting unsolved murders? In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Rule, one of Australia’s most respected crime reporters and storytellers, to talk about the unsolved murders of Margaret and Seana Tapp. Andrew shares what first drew him to the case decades ago, the troubling missteps in the original investigation, and why this story has continued to stay with him throughout his career. We explore the complexities of storytelling when real families, reputations, and unanswered questions are involved. Andrew reflects on the ethical responsibility of journalists and podcasters covering true crime, the difference between suspicion and proof, and how human behaviour, relationships, and risk can shape criminal investigations. As someone who personally knew Seana and Margie, this conversation is deeply personal for me. Together, we discuss how cases can remain unsolved for decades, why witnesses sometimes only speak years later, and the emotional weight carried by families still searching for answers. Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared. Take care, Catherine Listen to Andrew's episodes about the Tapp murders: The Tapp tragedy revisited: Part 1 The Tapp tragedy revisited: Part 2 Connect With Andrew Rule Read more about his work and life: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/andrew-rule Listen to his podcast: Life & Crimes with Andrew Rule https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/life-and-crimes-with-andrew-rule/id1260800644 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

In this episode, I’m joined by Travis Hamilton, a visionary entrepreneur, ‘recovering banker’, and co-founder of Candour Funerals. After decades working in international finance and navigating addiction, trauma, and two near-death experiences, Travis found himself pulled toward purpose-led work centered around mortality, consciousness, and meaningful living. We talk about the moments that transformed his life, including a terrifying white-water rafting accident where he became trapped underwater and fully believed he was dying. Travis shares how those experiences shifted his relationship with fear, death, and what it means to truly live. We also explore his journey through sobriety, trauma healing, and psychedelic-assisted therapy, and how those experiences deepened his understanding of connection, grief, and human consciousness. Our conversation moves into the funeral industry itself, why death remains such a taboo topic in Western culture, and why Travis believes open conversations about mortality can actually help us live more consciously. He also shares the extraordinary story of honouring his father’s final wish for a full-body burial at sea, including the emotional and logistical realities behind making that happen in Australia. This episode is deeply reflective, vulnerable, and expansive. It’s about transformation, healing, legacy, and the importance of having conversations we so often avoid. 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

I’ve had many conversations about death, grief, and what it means to be prepared… but this one felt different. Barry Du Bois is someone many Australians know from television. A builder, presenter, and now a powerful mental health advocate. But beyond the public image, Barry carries a deeply personal story shaped by cancer, loss, resilience, and a defining belief: “I won’t have anybody else narrate my story,” even when faced with a terminal diagnosis. What struck me most in this conversation wasn’t just what Barry has been through… it was how he chooses to live because of it. This episode explores what it means to face mortality head-on, draw strength from connection, and learn to live fully, one small, intentional step at a time, even in life’s hardest moments. A little extra support for our listeners If this conversation resonated with you, Barry has generously shared a range of free resources to help you feel more prepared, less overwhelmed, and supported through life’s more complex moments. His work through The Art of Untangling Lives focuses on preparation, legacy, and easing the burden on loved ones. Barry also offers a short, practical online program, 5 Days to a Calmer, Stronger You, designed as a gentle starting point for people who may appear to be coping on the outside, but don’t always feel that way underneath. You can explore his resources at: barrydubois.com As a special offer for our listeners, you can use the code BAZ10 to get 10% off his paid courses and guides. Barry is also releasing a new guide, “The Big C: Preparation for Treatment”, which supports individuals navigating a cancer diagnosis and the steps that follow. Follow Barry and continue the conversation: Instagram: @Baz_DuBois Facebook: Barry Du Bois 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 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 show 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&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/