Don't Be Caught Dead

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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 through grief, loss, and finding her calling in end-of-life care. From training in London with the One Spirit Interfaith Foundation, to returning to the Blue Mo...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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 joined by Dr Nick Carr, one of the first GPs in Victoria to be involved in voluntary assisted dying, and Dr Kane Treble, a regional GP in Mildura with a backg...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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 sister died at just four years old. That childhood loss not only shaped her family but also planted the seed for a lifelong journey of spirituality, honesty, an...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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 controversial topic of assisted dying, can change the way we live.

Baci and I dive into the uncomfortable yet essential topic of death, why we fear it, ...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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 care, to explore the profound impact of embracing death and the importance of open dialogue around it.

In this episode, I have the absolut...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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 everything we think we know about death. Zimmi doesn’t just make baskets; she crafts vessels that reconnect us to nature, turning invasive wee...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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 the unimaginable loss of her son, Dan, in 2020. Dan's tragic accident not only shattered Adele's world but also led to a powerful ...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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 humanitarian whose journey has been defined by compassion, courage, and the gift of life. From her early dreams of working alongside Mother Teresa to her ...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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. Jessica's story is one of resilience, hope, and the profound impact of a second chance at life. After being diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis,...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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 the often-overlooked grief that accompanies the loss of our beloved pets. We delve into the emotional complexities of pet l...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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. Simon shares his unique journey, from his early days on Groot Island to his profound connection with the Anindilyakwa people, and how the...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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 respond to the realities of caring for those at the end of life. With a background in creative strategy and storytelling, she brings a un...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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 refused to accept that narrative. She’s here to shake things up, challenge the world’s outdated views on dementia, and show us why living well with this d...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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 values and culture. With a unique blend of creativity and deep empathy, she offers a holistic approach to funerals that ...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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 neuroscientist and author of The Future Loves You, Ariel explores the potential of brain preservation and the philosophical implications of what ...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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, I chat with William J. Betts, a legal expert in family violence and elder rights at Peninsula Community Legal Centre. Will sheds light on the ofte...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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 than just a hobby. It’s a lifeline, a community, and a space where stories of resilience and transformation come to life. Her stunn...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

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.

In this heartfelt episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Barb Gering, who shares her deeply personal journey as she navigated h...

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)

⚠️ 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 poetry? In this thought-provoking episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, we sit down with the brilliant Katrina Jaworski, a philosopher and educator who dares to tack...