In celebration of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we're looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today.

This week we're bringing you 'Life After', an episode that first aired in 2017. From a global pandemic to natural disasters, grief and loss have followed us all in the last few years, and now is a perfect time to reflect on these, often ignored, feelings.

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What does life feel like in the wake of death? How do we cope, who do we turn to, and what can we do to make it better when we’re left behind?

This week we’re looking at life after loss.

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‘Where the sky meets the sea’ by Bethany Atkinson-Quinton

When you stare at a mountain, the sheer enormity of nature stares back.

Our first story this week is the final piece from our recent listening party in Sydney, where we played a collection of nocturnal stories about sex, worry, midnight adventures and, finally, the darkness of grief.

In a culture where death and grief are tucked away from conversation and rarely understood, Bethany Atkinson-Quinton unpacks how our emotional pallet shifts with the tides and echoes in the wind.

If you can, we recommend you listen to this one with headphones, in a quiet, calm, space.

Made in loving memory of Daniel.

Music: fran_ky – Bell Bowed with Grief, Brian Eno With Daniel Lanois & Roger Eno – Landscapes with Haze, Bing & Ruth – Flat Line_Peak Color, Rafael Anton Irisarri – Waking Expectation, New Dawn – The Power Of You, New Dawn – Organza, Brian Eno With Daniel Lanois & Roger Eno – The Water Farden

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‘Last man standing’ by Joshua Garlepp

Every year Josh’s mum, who doesn’t have extended family of her own, drags Josh to a different family’s house for Christmas. Josh is from WA, and for the last three years, he and his mum have spent Christmas with the same family in Bunbury, Southwest of Perth. The Barretts.

The first year, Josh spent a lot of time with Adrian Barrett, the young dad of the family. On the drive home after Christmas, Josh asked his mum what Adrian does for a living. Turns out he’s part of one of the oldest businesses in Western Australia and it was in no way what Josh expected…

Music: “Still Trying” – Nathaniel Rateliff, “Plastic People” – Four Tet, “Milk & Honey” – Arcade Fire

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If this week’s stories brought up any difficult feelings, you can talk to someone by calling lifeline on 13 11 14, or get support online at eheadspace.org.au

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Executive Producer: Selena Shannon

Vic state coordinator: Bethany Atkinson-Quinton

SYN production manager: Beth Gibson

Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie

Host: Jessica Hamilton

Episode Compiler: Tegan Nicholls

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.