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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.
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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 weeds into beautiful, biodegradable farewells. From foraging materials i...
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 it means to be alive. If you've ever wondered about the future of dyin...
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 often-overlooked issue of elder abuse. We dive deep into the complex...
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 stunning book, Immerse, shares faces and places shaped by the healing embrace of...
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 her mother's cancer diagnosis and the complexities of voluntary assist...
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 tackle the taboo. Together, we explore the profound connections between ...
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) 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 into the realms of psychophysical research, Asian shamanistic trance dance, and the emotional landscapes of death and dying. Tony shares his unique journey from visual arts to performance, revealing how his ri...
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) 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, financial advisor, and founder of Smart Private Wealth. Whether you’re a business owner, a parent, or simply someone who wants to ensure your loved ones are taken care of, this conversation is packed with...
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) 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 us as we explore the depths of loss, the importance of community, and the strength it takes to find hope in the darkest of times. In this powerful episode, I sit down with the incredible Rosie Batty, a fier...
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) 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 Coates, a seasoned landscape architect and the principal designer at Greater Melbourne Cemeteries Trust. With over 20 years of experience, Hamish has transformed the way we think about cemeteries—not just...
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) 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 passionate writer who confronts mortality head-on. We discuss how her experiences in medicine, particularly with dying patients, have shaped her understanding of life and death, and how writing has become a t...
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) 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 fascinating and often misunderstood world of whole body donation. This isn’t just about science; it’s about legacy, ethics, and the profound impact our choices can have on future generations of medical professionals. Jackie's...
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) What if the objects we hold dear could help us navigate the complex journey of grief? In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Chloe Marcela Coelho, a passionate death scholar and creative practitioner who dives deep into the intricate dimensions of death, grief, and design. Chloe's work is all about enhancing our understanding of death and the grieving process through innovative memorialisation strategies. We explore how p...
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Have you ever wondered how poetry can help us face grief and mortality? In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, poet, philosopher and scholar Luke Fischer shares how poetry allows us to sit with loss and navigate life’s deepest challenges. Luke talks about his personal journey, the influence of philosophy on his work, and how themes of nature, death and extinction shape his writing. His exploration of the Orpheus myth is particularly moving, sho...
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 the remarkable Judith Leeson AM, a passionate advocate for those living with disadvantage and a champion for end-of-life planning. At 90 years young, Judith shares her incredible journey, from her early memories during the Great Depression to her extensive career in early childhood, disability, and career development. We dive deep into the importance of having open conversations a...
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, we dive deep into the often-avoided topic of death, grief, and the importance of compassion in navigating these challenging experiences. Join me as I chat with Dr Hayley D Quinn, an anti-burnout business coach and former clinical psychologist, who shares her insights on how compassion can transform our relationships with ourselves and others, especially during times of loss. Dr. Hayley opens up about her j...
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) What happens when you mix art, death, and a whole lot of creativity? You get Hayley West – a multi-talented artist, librarian, death literacy advocate, and aspiring doom metal vocalist. In this episode, Hayley takes us on a journey through her fascinating life, where death isn’t just a topic—it’s a muse. From interactive art installations to hosting a radio show called Dead Air, Hayley’s work challenges us to think differently about mortali...
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Have you ever wondered how different cultures navigate the complex emotions surrounding death? In this episode, we dive deep into the rich tapestry of Tamil traditions and personal experiences of grief with Nyana Tanzer, who shares her heartfelt journey of loss, love, and the importance of community in the face of death. Join me as I chat with Nyana about her father's passing and the profound impact it had on her life. We explore the rituals that...
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) ⚠️ Trigger Warning ⚠️ This episode contains discussions of sensitive topics including sexual abuse, childhood trauma, and suicide. Also includes course language. Listener discretion is advised. - From Troubled Past to Funeral Crasher: Meet Bill Edgar, Australia's Infamous Coffin Confessor In this gripping episode, I sit down with Bill Edgar, a man whose life story reads like a Hollywood script. From his tumultuous childhood as the son of a not...
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Ever wondered what legal documents you need to have in place before you die? Or how to handle your assets and loved ones when the inevitable happens? In this episode of "Don't Be Caught Dead," I'm joined by Greg Russo, one of Victoria's most experienced and respected succession law solicitors. Greg shares his journey into law, driven by a love for maths and logic, and how he found his passion in succession law—a field where numbers meet human sto...
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