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

Ever wondered what really happens in those final moments before someone dies, or how a death doula can turn a family's grief into something meaningful? In this episode, I chat with Barb Ferguson, a seasoned end-of-life doula, about her hands-on work with dying, death, and everything after. It's raw, real, and full of insights that might just change how you think about the end of life.

Barb shares her journey from accountant to death doula, sparked by helping a family through a tragic accident. We dive into the nitty-gritty of after-death care at home, like using cooling methods to give families time to process without rushing to a funeral. She talks about the shifts she sees in families – how anxiety melts away, allowing space for connection and rituals, even simple things like tucking a hanky into a loved one's pyjamas. It's all about embracing the energy of death, from ancestors cheering on the dying to birds singing at the moment of passing.

We also explore voluntary assisted dying, where Barb's support has helped people live more fully, not just end sooner. She reflects on witnessing deaths, the common theme of people slipping away when no one's watching, and how doulas fill gaps in a stretched healthcare system. Barb's passion shines through, reminding us that by facing death head-on, we can live more authentically.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Barb's origin story: From a tragic accident to becoming a death doula.
• Hands-on after-death care: Cooling bodies at home and creating space for grief.
• The energy of dying: Ancestors, birds, and the quiet moments of transition.
• Family dynamics during end-of-life: How anxiety fades and connections deepen.
• Voluntary assisted dying: Real stories of choice and living fully.

Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.

Take care,

Catherine

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<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a

Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

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

What do you give the love of your life as a final birthday gift when they only have days left? That's the tender moment Reverend Jim Colville shares with us in this powerful chat. It's an act of love that perfectly sums up Jim's radical, non-judgemental approach to life, death, and dying.

Jim, the man who started Colony 47 in Hobart in 1973, joins me to discuss his work offering unconditional acceptance to everyone rejected by 1970s society—from young single mums to the LGBTQIA+ community. He tells us how he fought intense judgement, even being called a communist for painting a church door red! Jim's ministry has always been unconventional.

He shares beautiful insights on supporting people through traumatic, sudden death, and why silence is often better than trying to talk. Jim also recounts the deeply personal story of caring for his wife, Margaret, as she was dying from lung cancer. This led to his final, most enduring gift to her: a hidden tattoo he showed her just before she died. Tune in for a powerful, funny, and unforgettable chat about facing death and finding humanity in the toughest times.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• The founding of Colony 47 in 1973 as a hub for non-judgemental acceptance.
• Jim’s philosophy of acceptance and focusing on "what can be" for the rejected.
• The minister's tattoo: a profoundly personal gift Jim gave his dying wife, Margaret.
• The importance of sensitivity, presence, and silence when supporting those grieving a death.
• The legacy of Colony 47, which has now evolved into HomeBase, assisting Tasmanians.

Resources & links mentioned:

Colony 47/HomeBase (Support for Tasmanians) https://homebasetas.org.au/

Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.

Take care,

Catherine

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<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a

Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

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

Ever wondered if a simple box of fabric and words could unlock the toughest chats about dying? In this episode, I dive into the world of the Bioscope with Chetan Shastri, a Melbourne designer who's turned death into a navigable map – literally. It’s not some dusty chart; it’s a tactile, embroidered toolkit that sparks real talk about end-of-life wishes, from home to hospice, without the awkward silence.

Chetan shares how his Indian roots, from street bioscopes with spinning films to his mum’s hand-stitched embroidery, fused with global adventures in Cambodia’s mass funerals and India’s ‘city of death’ in Varanasi. Back in Australia, he wrestled with our hospital-heavy approach to dying, creating the Bioscope to decolonise death – reclaiming it from white coats and back to heartfelt conversations. We chat about his PhD journey, co-designing with palliative pros at places like Peter Mac and Alfred Health, and how this award-winning tool (shoutout to the Victorian Premier's Design Awards and Design Outlook) helps folks grieve, plan, and even cry it out at community sessions.

It’s a reminder that facing death head-on isn’t morbid – it’s what makes life authentic. Chetan’s work shows design can bridge cultures and taboos, turning ‘the end’ into a shared story. 

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Bioscope origins from Indian cinema boxes to fabric map of dying sites like hospital and hospice.
• Global death rituals from Varanasi wood pyres to Cambodia delayed funerals.
• Decolonising death from medical control to cultural conversations.
• Co-designing with palliative experts at Peter Mac and Alfred, award wins and community use.

Resources & links mentioned:

Kashmir Map Shawl 

Dying to Know Day

Bioscope images

Connect. with Chetan

Instagram: @shastrichetan

Facebook

LinkedIn

Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.

Take care,

Catherine

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<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a

Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

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

Ever wondered how architecture and landscape can turn contested land into a living tribute to lives lost and those affected by family violence? In this episode, I chat with Amy Muir, director of Muir Architecture, about designing Victoria's Family Violence Memorial located next to the Parliament Precinct in East Melbourne. It's a reminder that memorials aren't relics, but rather spaces for reflection, gathering and support that advocate for societal and political change.

Amy's journey began with her passion for architecture and landscape when studying at RMIT. Through her education and research, memorialisation within the context of our cities has been a key focus for the practice. Partnering with Mark Jacques from Openwork, they worked with Indigenous advisor Sarah Lynn Rees from JCB Architects and in close consultation with the City of Melbourne, the Department of Premier and Cabinet Office for Women, the Victims Survivors' Advisory Council, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Boon Wurrung Foundation and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.

We explore the core design: a purple-flowering 'landscape in motion' around a gentle 800mm high steel wall, forming an outdoor room for reflection and gatherings with an Indigenous smoking vessel for ceremonies. No names etched, an ethical nod to the 'immeasurable' condition of family violence.

Amy shares that it has recently been reported by Women's Agenda that in NSW police are called to a domestic violence incident every three minutes. She discusses survivor grace, design's fragility-to-strength shift, and Fitzroy Gardens sightlines for healing. Memorials evolve, advocating education, bias-breaking on gender and shame, and compassion for all.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• Amy's path from interior design to architecture and her love of cemeteries as 'in-between' spaces
• Consultation with Victim Survivors Advisory Council, Indigenous wisdom like 'The law of the land is to keep people safe' in Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, and ethical dilemmas of a 'memorial in motion' without names
• Design details: Purple plantings, a cocooning steel wall balancing strength and safety, and embedded ashes from the site's first smoking ceremony
• Learnings on coercive control, grief's non-linear nature, and architecture's role in societal change

Resources & links: City of Melbourne's Family Violence Memorial: https://citycollection.melbourne.vic.gov.au/family-violence-memorial/ Office for Women Victoria: https://www.vic.gov.au/gender-equality-and-womens-leadership Women's Agenda: https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/woman-killed-in-alleged-assault-at-hunter-valley-home-30-year-old-man-arrested/ Muir Architecture: https://muirarchitecture.com/ Openwork: https://openwork.info/

Remember: You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.

Take care, Catherine

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<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a

Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

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

Ever wondered what it’s like to face death – not your own, but the sudden loss of a child to suicide? In this raw and moving chat, I sit down with Christine Pedley, a grief counsellor, death doula, and author who turned unimaginable pain into purpose. If you’ve ever felt lost in the silence around death and dying, this episode reminds you that talking about it isn’t just okay – it’s essential.

Christine’s story began long before her son Jono’s death at 31. With over two decades in palliative care, she’s helped families navigate end-of-life moments and create ceremonies that honour both life and love. But nothing prepared her for the shock and chaos of suicide grief. We talk about her healing journey — finding strength in nature, journaling ‘glimmers’ of hope, and challenging myths about suicide and the language we use.

Her book, Facing the Unfathomable: Surviving Your Child’s Suicide, shares her story and offers guidance to those supporting others through loss. Christine also opens up about death literacy — why we must talk about dying before it reaches us. From raw family conversations to honouring Jono with a memorial seat overlooking the city, she shows that grief isn’t linear; it’s beginning, middle, and forever.

What you’ll hear:
• From palliative care to grieving mum
• Myths and language around suicide
• ‘Glimmer journaling’ and nature’s role in healing
• The “Amazing Mums” community
• How to support grief without fixing it

Check out Christine’s book: Facing the Unfathomable: Surviving your son's suicide

Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.

Take care,

Catherine

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<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a

Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

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

Are you making the most of your time before death catches us all? In this heartfelt episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I chat with Kate Christie, Australia’s leading time management expert, about how loss and grief can be the wake-up call we need to live intentionally. Kate shares her personal story of losing her ex-husband to pancreatic cancer and how that tragedy reshaped her approach to time, priorities, and what she calls a “life list” — not a bucket list — focusing on what truly matters while we’re still here.

Kate’s journey from juggling a demanding corporate career and motherhood to creating a business that helps others reclaim their time is inspiring and deeply relatable. We dive into the guilt many of us feel balancing family and work, and how reframing time as an investment rather than something to manage can transform your life. She offers practical tips on identifying what you most value, setting achievable goals, and making space for the things that bring you joy and meaning — before it’s too late.

This episode is a powerful reminder that death is the great equaliser, but it also urges us not to wait for tragedy to live fully. Whether you’re facing grief, juggling life’s demands, or just want to live with more purpose, Kate’s insights will help you start your own life list today.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Kate’s personal story of loss and how it inspired her to rethink time and priorities
• The difference between a bucket list and a life list — why it’s about living now, not waiting until the end
• How to identify what you most value with three simple questions
• The guilt many working parents face and how to overcome it
• Practical strategies to invest your time wisely and say no to what doesn’t serve you
• The importance of vulnerability and sharing stories of grief to heal and connect
• Kate’s tips for self-care and carving out time for what matters, including her new passion for surfing!

Resources & links mentioned:

New book 'The Life List: Master Every Moment and Live an Audacious Life'

Connect with Kate Christie

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Tiktok

Check out her website and books 

Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.

Take care,

Catherine

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<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a

Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

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

Are you ready to face death head-on? In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I chat with Rose Sexton, a seasoned nurse and passionate palliative care educator from Wangaratta, Northeast Victoria. Rose shares her deep insights into palliative care, advance care planning, and the importance of having honest conversations about death and dying before it’s too late. We explore how palliative care is about living well, not just dying, and why planning early can save your loved ones from unbearable decisions later.

Rose opens up about her personal experiences supporting people at the end of life and how community palliative care works, especially in rural areas where resources are stretched. We also dive into the Good To Go Project, a local initiative reshaping how communities talk about death, grief, and loss. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to start the conversation with your family or wondered what palliative care really means, this episode is packed with practical advice and heartfelt stories to help you prepare.

From the challenges of navigating healthcare systems in rural Australia to the transformative power of death doulas and community support, Rose and I discuss how embracing death can actually help us live more fully. We also touch on the environmental impact of funeral choices and the exciting future of natural organic reduction (human composting). This episode is a must-listen for anyone wanting to break the taboo and bring death back into everyday conversation.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• What advanced care planning really means and why it’s a loving gift to your family
• The difference between community palliative care and hospice, and why early referral matters
• How rural palliative care works and the challenges faced by those living outside cities
• The Good To Go Project and how community collectives can support death literacy
• Practical tips for starting conversations about death with loved ones
• The role of death doulas and why they’re vital in filling gaps in care
• Personal stories from Rose about the sacredness of the dying process
• Funeral traditions, home funerals, and new eco-friendly options like human composting

Resources & links mentioned:

Good To Go Project website

Palliative Care Australia

Death Cafes in Wangaratta and Beechworth

Advance Care Planning information (Victoria)

NSW petition for Human Composting

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY - Signing ePetition - Recognise and regulate Human Composting as a death care option

Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.

Take care,

Catherine

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<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a

Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

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 Mountains to support families, Amy shares what it means to walk alongside people in their most vulnerable moments.

We explore how ceremonies can hold competing truths, including the difficult challenge of creating funerals for those who weren’t always easy to love. Amy talks about including children, honouring complex relationships, and finding healing through ritual. She also shares how her grandmother’s death sparked a mystical experience that changed the course of her life, and why truth-telling — even when it’s painful — is essential in death care.

We also dive into her work running monthly Death Cafés, where community members gather to talk openly about death, dying, grief, pet loss, and even the unresolved grief from COVID. Amy reminds us that ceremonies don’t have to be pompous or formal. They can be barefoot, backyard gatherings or deeply personal rituals that honour the reality of life and death.

In this episode we cover:

• How Amy’s personal bereavements shaped her calling to end-of-life care
• The power of interfaith ministry and what it means to honour all truths
• Crafting funerals for complex or difficult relationships
• Why including children in funerals can be profoundly healing
• The importance of truth-telling in grief and death rituals
• Death Cafés: what they are, and the surprising themes that keep surfacing
• How ritual can support us in everyday life — from funerals to renaming ceremonies

Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.

Take care,
Catherine

Contact Amy: 

Website: https://www.amyfirth.com/ 

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<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a

Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

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 background in emergency medicine, palliative care and paramedicine. Together, they pull back the curtain on how voluntary assisted dying works, why it matters, and what the system gets right (and wrong).

We dive into the personal stories that changed the way these doctors practise medicine — from patients like Beverley who died before the law was passed, to families who’ve experienced the relief and beauty of a death on their own terms. We talk openly about the barriers in the current laws, the stigma in rural communities, the gag clause that stops doctors from raising the option, and the very real impact this has on dying people and their families.

This conversation is raw, eye-opening and full of heart. It’s about the messy truth of death, why choice matters, and how doctors themselves are changed by walking alongside people at the very end.

In this episode, we cover:

• How voluntary assisted dying became law in Victoria
• The story of Beverley Broadbent and why her death sparked change
• Why doctors in Victoria are still gagged from even mentioning voluntary assisted dying
• The challenges rural and regional patients face in accessing end of life choices
• The reality of telehealth restrictions and why they make dying harder than it needs to be
• What it takes to become a VAD-trained doctor — and why more doctors need to step up
• Why every voluntary assisted dying death these doctors have witnessed has been called “beautiful”
• The role of religion, aged care facilities and advanced care directives in end of life planning
• Resources and support for anyone exploring voluntary assisted dying in Australia

Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.

Take care,
Catherine

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Dying With Dignity Victoria: www.dwdv.org.au
• Care Navigators (Victoria): Phone (03) 8559 5823 (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre)
• Go Gentle Australia
• “The Power of Choice” photography exhibition by Julian Kingma
• Dr Nick Carr, GP at St Kilda Medical Group.stkildamedicalgroup.com.au

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<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a

Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

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, and connection.

Leonie shares her path from nursing and acting to becoming a funeral celebrant, weaving in her belief in spiritual guides, the importance of rituals, and why every funeral deserves to be an honest reflection of the person who has died. We talk about how grief is often unacknowledged in siblings, why including children in funerals matters, and how simple touches — like jellybeans in the cupboard or roses from the garden — can make ceremonies deeply personal.

This isn’t just about organising funerals. It’s about truth, spirituality, and finding ways to honour life while facing the reality of death. Leonie’s insights are raw, deeply human, and grounded in decades of experience with families at their most vulnerable.

In this episode, we cover:

• How losing her sister as a child shaped Leonie’s family and her life’s purpose
• The role of spirituality and spiritual guides in navigating grief and creating funerals
• Why honesty is central to meaningful end-of-life rituals
• How rituals, music, and personal touches create space for healing
• The challenges of grief after the funeral is over — and why anniversaries matter
• The importance of preparing funeral wishes as an act of love for those left behind

Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.

Take care,
Catherine

Leonie Fletcher Adams – Contact Details

Website: www.spiritualfunerals.com.au

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<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a

Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/