The Mourning After

In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson is joined by Ted Reid, who was born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand. Ted shares stories from a life marked by early trauma and transformation.

Now 77 and living in Sydney, Ted reflects on how his experiences shaped his journey toward self-acceptance, meaningful connection, and community involvement. From his time in the police force to his passion for carpentry, mental heal...

In this episode, Ben Gibson is joined by Dr. Jude Neeme-Samson, a spiritual teacher, writer, and scholar, to explore the deep mysteries of death, sacred landscapes, and the journey of the soul. With a background in Christology, Aboriginal ritual, and shamanic practices, Jude offers unique insights into how sacred landscapes shape our understanding of life, death, and what lies beyond.

The discussion delves into the concept of 'sac...

In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson sits down with renowned entertainment journalist Jonathon “J.Mo” Moran to explore the deeply personal journey of losing his mum, Trish, at the age of 31, and how that loss shaped his life. 

Jonathon shares candid memories of his early years and the close bond he had with his mum, leading through her breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately, her death. He opens up about the...

In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson sits down with football identity, sports journalist, and broadcaster Andy Paschalidis.

With a career spanning over four decades, Andy shares his journey from growing up in Sydney’s working-class suburb of Balmain to becoming one of the first Greek Australian sports broadcasters. Beyond his media work, a personal tragedy on the football field changed the course of Andy's life. After...

In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson sits down with Arun Sharma, an Indian American artist, designer, and teacher. 

At 17, Arun faced the unexpected loss of his single mother to a heart attack. His journey through grief led him to return her ashes to the Ganges River in India, a pilgrimage that intertwined his personal loss with his cultural heritage and offered a path toward healing.

Arun's art delves into themes...

In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson sits down with Matthew McConnell. 

Matthew shares the deeply personal story of his daughter Wren, who passed away at just eight days old due to complications from a cord prolapse during birth. He opens up about the profound impact of her loss on his life, how it transformed his outlook on parenting and work, and led him to create Love From Dad, a community for fathers who've exp...

In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson is joined by human rights lawyer, writer, and broadcaster Anthony Levin to share his journey through loss, healing, and redefining masculinity. Anthony opens up about the complexities of his relationship with his mother, who died in 2015. As a secular Jew, he navigated the intricate tapestry of Jewish mourning traditions and personal rituals, exploring how these practices both aided...

In this poignant episode, Ben Gibson delve's into the heartfelt journey of Darryl Ellis, a devoted father who cared for his daughter Monica through her battle with FSHD, a rare genetic form of Muscular Dystrophy. Monica's resilience and spirit touched countless lives, and Darryl opens up about the profound impact she had on him and others. He shares candidly about navigating life after the loss of someone he cared for deepl...

In this episode, Ben Gibson sit's down with Bryan, a retired police officer turned grief counsellor at the not-for-profit organisation Griefline. Drawing from his experience in law enforcement, Bryan offers a unique perspective on grief, shedding light on how his past career has influenced his current role. From his time on the force to his transition into counselling, Bryan shares insights into the various grief styles and how...

In this episode, Ben Gibson sit's down with John Hammond, a seasoned lawyer whose early experiences working as an orderly in the Home of Peace profoundly influenced his advocacy for end-of-life rights throughout his career. John shares poignant stories, including that of his friend Carol, who chose Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in March 2024. We delve into the legal aspects of estate planning and discuss the importance of havi...

In this episode, Ben Gibson is joined by journalist and writer Gary Nunn as he opens up about his deeply personal journey through grief, tracing the trajectory of his relationship with his father from childhood to his father's struggles with alcoholism. Gary shares candidly about the challenges of supporting his family through his father's death, reflecting on the poignant letter his dad wrote to him which he has to this da...

In this episode, Ben Gibson sits down with Dr. Adrian Lo, a dedicated GP deeply integrated into his community's fabric. Dr. Lo shares insights into the multifaceted role of a GP, from caring for families across generations to engaging in advanced care planning. We delve into the physical manifestations of grief and explore Dr. Lo's holistic approach to supporting individuals and families through the journey of loss and bere...

Ben Gibson sits down with Jordan Lukey to discuss all things working in end-of-life. As Funeral Directors, End-of-Life Doulas and Funeral Celebrants, they have both had range of experiences over the years and look at the male response they have witnessed, and tools that can provide support and inclusion during this sensitive time. They also answer the often asked question "What is an end-of-life Doula?".

Supporting ...

Ben Gibson is joined by Mark as he shares his poignant experience, from meeting the love of his life, to the shock of his wife Lisa's bowel cancer diagnosis and her heartbreaking death just 18 months later. He shares the resilience he found in the face of Lisa's death and the tools he employs to navigate grief's tumultuous waves.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses death, grief and loss.

Supporting Resou...

In our first episode of the season, Paul opens up to Ben Gibson about his personal experience through the AIDS crisis in 1980s Sydney. As a gay man living through those tumultuous times, Paul's story resonates deeply with many who faced similar challenges and the mark it leaves on the community to this day. He recounts the emotional turmoil of receiving a false positive result and confronting his own mortality, as well as nursi...