There are some conversations on Dying for a Cuppa® that are professional, and then there are those that are also deeply personal. This one is both. ❤️

Cathy Chiplen is a fellow Soul Midwife, end-of-life companion, grief worker, holistic therapist and, most importantly to me, a friend. We’ve known each other for a number of years, connected through this strange and beautiful world of death, dying and Soul Midwifery, and this was an incredibly special conversation to record.

Through Cathy Chiplen Compassionate Therapies, Cathy specialises in grief, bereavement, baby loss and end-of-life support. With almost 20 years’ experience as a holistic therapist, her work includes grief listening, holistic therapies and Grief-Crafting — using creativity, making and ritual to explore and express grief when words aren’t enough.

Cathy is also a Trustee and Holistic Therapies Lead with Towards Tomorrow Together, a Somerset-based baby loss charity. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Loss & Bereavement from the Irish Hospice Foundation, gaining First Class Honours in 2026, and is currently studying for an MSc in End of Life Studies with the University of Glasgow.

But, as you might expect when you put two Soul Midwives and friends in front of microphones, we wander much further than that!

We talk about death and dying. Grief and loss. Soul Midwifery. Spirit dolls (yes, it’s a thing and I have one!). The privilege of accompanying someone towards the end of their life and what years of sitting alongside death have taught us both.

And then we head out into the universe…

Spirituality. Energy. Connection. What might happen when we die. The experiences we’ve had through our work that have made us wonder and question, and the possibility that perhaps there are some things we simply can’t explain.

This isn’t about telling anyone what they should believe. It’s two friends sharing our own thoughts, experiences, questions and beliefs after years spent alongside death, dying and grief.

Two Soul Midwives. Two friends. A cuppa. And a conversation that goes from grief and dying, right out into the universe.

Grab yourself a cuppa, some cake, and join us. ☕🍰❤️

Find Cathy:

Cathy Chiplen Compassionate Therapies

cathychiplen.com

Towards Tomorrow Together

towardstomorrowtogether.com

Cathy would also like to acknowledge her doll-making teacher Julia Inglis of Sacred Familiar, and Julia’s friend and teacher Nicole Ahava, who originally taught Julia this doll-making process.

https://www.sacredfamiliar.com/

Huge thanks to Match and Dispatch - Outstanding celebrant training - for supporting this episode

⁠https://matchanddispatch.com/⁠

© 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved.

This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

This week’s Dying for a Cuppa® is a powerful one.

I’m joined by Martin Cosser, Dad, Founder and CEO of Charlie’s Promise, a charity created in memory of his 17-year-old son, Charlie, whose life was tragically taken following a knife attack in 2023.

Martin shares Charlie’s story with extraordinary openness. The events that changed his family’s lives forever, the unimaginable reality of losing his son, and the promise he made to Charlie while he was fighting for his life: to do everything he could to raise awareness of knife crime and its devastating impact.

That promise became Charlie’s Promise.

This is an intense and deeply emotional conversation. At times, it is a hard listen but it is an incredibly important one.

We also talk about the work Martin is doing now to educate young people and create change, including Charlie’s Promise’s work alongside Fearless, the youth service of Crimestoppers, giving young people a safe and completely anonymous way to speak up about crime.

Please take some time to find out more about Charlie’s Promise, follow their work and share their message.

https://www.charliespromise.org/

https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless

And for this episode, you might want to grab yourself an extra strong cuppa.

This is Charlie’s story. And this is the promise his dad continues to keep.

Martin, alongside his wife, Tara, has now dedicated his life to educating young people about the devastating consequences of knife crime, speaking in schools, colleges and communities across the UK.

Through Charlie's Promise, Martin has now reached more than 117,000 young people with a message of hope, prevention and positive change. 

Martin said he was deeply grateful for the opportunity to join Katie's podcast to share Charlie's story, reflect on the family's journey and talk about the work being done to create a safer future for young people.

https://www.charliespromise.org/

https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless

Huge thanks to Match and Dispatch - Outstanding celebrant training for supporting this episode

⁠https://matchanddispatch.com/⁠

© 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved.

This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

Some people really do seem to carry light with them, and Taru Devani is one of those people.

Taru is an actor and singer whose career has spanned theatre, television and film. UK listeners may recognise her from EastEnders, alongside many other screen roles, and she has also recorded devotional and Bollywood music.

I first met Taru through CARE, the extraordinary production at London’s Young Vic that I had the privilege of supporting and consulting on. Taru played Aditi, a woman approaching the end of her life, and in this episode we talk about what it meant to step into that character, the impact the role had on her personally, and the conversations the play opened up around ageing, care, death, dying and what really matters.

But our conversation goes far beyond the stage.

Taru shares stories from her own remarkable life — from her upbringing in Uganda and her time in Nairobi, to making a life in the UK and building a career as a performer.

We talk about her Hindu heritage, spirituality and beliefs around death and dying, and the ways culture and faith have shaped her understanding of both life and death.

Taru also speaks movingly about love, grief and the death of her husband just a few years ago, sharing some of what her own experience of bereavement has taught her.

She is inspiring, warm and absolutely full of light. There are so many beautiful messages of hope throughout this conversation.

It was an honour to meet Taru through CARE, a joy to have stayed in touch, and I’m incredibly grateful that she chose to share a little more of her life and her story with me on Dying for a Cuppa®.

And if, after listening, you’d like to get to know Taru a little more, you can also find her on YouTube, where she shares more of her music, life and work.

Grab a cuppa and join us for a beautiful conversation about culture, faith, grief, theatre, love, life — and, of course, death.

https://www.youtube.com/@TarusWorld

Huge thanks to Match and Dispatch - Outstanding celebrant training for supporting this episode

⁠https://matchanddispatch.com/⁠

© 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved.

This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

This week on Dying for a Cuppa®, it’s Kate, Kate and Katie. And when you put three women this passionate about funerals, celebrancy, and choice in one conversation, there really isn’t much chance of anyone else getting a word in!

I’m joined by Kate and Kate from Coffin Club and Match & Dispatch, who I’m also delighted to welcome as proud sponsors of the next few episodes of Dying for a Cuppa®.

Between the three of us, we delve into the world of funerals, farewells and celebrancy, the importance of giving people genuine choice and autonomy, the magnitude and responsibility of the work we do with families, and why well-trained, educated and supported celebrants matter so much.

Kate and Kate are multi-award-winning funeral educators who are passionate about opening up conversations around death and funerals. Through Coffin Club and Match & Dispatch, they’re helping both the public and professionals understand that funerals can, and should, reflect the people at the heart of them.

It’s open, passionate and, unsurprisingly, there’s plenty to say.

And listen right to the end because we might just drop a little announcement of our own… 👀

Grab a cuppa and join the three Kates

https://matchanddispatch.com/

Huge thanks to Match & Dispatch for supporting this episode of Dying for a Cuppa® The Podcast

© 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved.

This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

In this episode of Dying for a Cuppa® The Podcast, I’m joined by Felicity Warner, founder of Soul Midwives and Principal of the Soul Midwives School and someone who has played a huge part in my own journey and the work I do today.

Our diaries have never quite aligned, until now, and I’m so grateful they finally did! We only had a short amount of time together, but we certainly made the most of it. Felicity shares some of her own journey, how Soul Midwifery came to be, and the experiences that shaped her approach to supporting people at the end of life. We also talk about the world of death and dying more broadly, and share our thoughts on what truly human, compassionate end-of-life care can look and feel like.

For anyone curious about Soul Midwifery, whether you’re considering training, already working in this space, or simply want to understand more about this beautiful approach to end-of-life care, this episode is absolutely one for you.

There was so much more we could have talked about so I’m sure this won’t be the last conversation. Felicity will hopefully be back for Part Two!

For now, grab a cuppa and join us

https://www.soulmidwives.co.uk/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Felicity-Warner/author/B0039XBY7S?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1787496563&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Felicity Warner is the founder of Soul Midwives, a global movement pioneering and teaching holistic and spiritual end-of-life care. Her work is used in hospitals, hospices, and care homes and within communities.

www.soulmidwives.co.uk

She is the principal of the Soul Midwives School, and lectures internationally on death and dying and sacred oils. She has authored four books, including Gentle Dying, A Safe Journey Home, The Soul Midwives' Handbook, and Sacred Oils: Working with 20 Precious Oils to Heal Spirit and Soul.

In her healing work, Felicity is a myrrhophore (a woman who works with myrrh) and holder of a lineage dating back to Mary Magdalene.  She also teaches threshold consciousness and is co-founder of international research platform exploring death and beyond consciousness www.deathisnotend.com

She is an honorary Knowledge Exchange Fellow with the University of Winchester and has won many awards for her work, including End of Life Care Champion of the Year by the National Council for Palliative Care, and the End of Life Doula of the Year by The Good Funeral Guide. She was a finalist in the Daily Mail Inspirational Women of the Year Awards.

© 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved.

This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

Some conversations feel less like an interview and more like sitting alongside a friend. This is one of them. In this deeply personal episode, I’m joined by Emma Higham, someone whose journey has become closely intertwined with my own. I first met Emma when I had the privilege of supporting her husband, Rich, as his Soul Midwife, and later had the honour of leading both of his farewell services as their celebrant.

Together, we reflect on the connection that has grown between us over the past few years, and the experiences that have shaped it and come from it.

Emma speaks with incredible honesty about Rich, his approach to dying, the peace and spirituality that supported him at the end of his life, and the legacy of love he left behind. She also shares, with remarkable openness, what it has been like navigating life after his death while raising their two young daughters, and how her own connection with Rich has continued to guide and support her.

This series is all about spirituality and connection, and this conversation captures both in the most human way. It isn’t about having the answers. It’s about love, grief, hope, resilience and the invisible threads that continue to connect us, even after someone has died.

I’m so incredibly grateful to Emma for trusting me, and all of you, with such a personal part of her story. I hope you’ll listen with an open heart.

As always, I’d love to hear what resonates with you after listening. Please do leave a review, share the episode with someone who may need it, and let us know your thoughts.

© 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved.

This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

This episode takes us into what I lovingly call the “woo-woo.” I’m joined by world-renowned evidential medium Hannah McIntyre for a fascinating conversation about spirituality, connection and the idea that love continues beyond physical death.

I know this is a subject that often divides opinion. Many people have strong beliefs one way or the other, and that’s absolutely okay. My invitation isn’t that you have to agree with everything that’s shared, but simply that you listen with curiosity and an open mind.

This series is all about exploring the many ways people experience connection, meaning and spirituality. Mediumship is one perspective, one belief system and one way that some people make sense of life, death and the relationships that continue after someone has died.

Whether you are deeply spiritual, quietly sceptical or somewhere in between, I hope this conversation gives you something to think about. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts after listening. This is one of those episodes that will no doubt spark conversation, and that’s exactly what Dying for a Cuppa is all about.

Hannah Macintyre is an international evidential medium and host of the acclaimed Mediumship Matters podcast with a global fan base. Hannah’s unique journey into spirit connection brings a fresh, positive perspective on life beyond the physical. With over a decade's experience, her modern, down-to-earth style in mediumship and teaching has gained followers worldwide.

Known for her humour and honesty, Hannah captivates audiences as an accomplished platform medium, providing evidence & messages from the world beyond our physical senses.

www.hannahmedium.co.uk

© 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved.

This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

Today I’m joined by Maxine Edgar, owner of Bronze Ash Funeral Directors in Romford, for a powerful, honest and thought-provoking conversation that covers far more than funerals alone.

Together we explore race, sexism, representation, spirituality, culture and what it really means to care for families with compassion and understanding. Maxine speaks openly about her own experiences as a Black woman working in the funeral profession, sharing the prejudice she has encountered along the way, alongside the strength, resilience and determination.

We also delve into the rich traditions, spirituality and sense of community that are often at the heart of African and Caribbean funerals. Maxine offers a fascinating insight into the families she serves and why understanding different cultures is so important if we’re to provide truly person-centred care at the end of life.

Like me, Maxine is passionate about opening up conversations around death, dying and funerals. She believes that knowledge gives us choice, that representation matters, and that talking openly helps us better understand both one another and ourselves.

There are so many things I admire about Maxine, but perhaps most of all it’s her honesty. Some of the experiences she shares are difficult to hear. I found parts of this conversation almost unbelievable, yet sadly not surprising. They remind us that, while progress has been made, there is still work to do if we want to create a more equal, compassionate and inclusive world.

Above all, this is a conversation about humanity. About listening. About understanding experiences beyond our own. And about meeting every family, regardless of their background, with dignity, respect and kindness.

I’d love to hear what resonates with you after listening. Please leave a review, share the episode with someone who would value this conversation, and let us know your thoughts.

https://www.bronzeashfunerals.co.uk/

© 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved.

This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

In this deeply honest and moving episode, I’m joined by Tom Fitzsimons. Author, inspirational speaker and a man whose life has been transformed through recovery, resilience and human connection.

Tom shares the story of losing his dad when he was just 13 years old, and how that loss shaped the years that followed. He speaks with incredible openness about his struggles with alcohol addiction, the impact it had on his life, and the long road towards sobriety. Now many years sober, Tom dedicates his life to helping others, using his own experiences to inspire hope and show that change is always possible.

We also explore the healing power of movement and connection. Tom talks about discovering running, the profound effect it had on his mental health, and the extraordinary endurance challenges he has gone on to complete. His story is one of courage, determination and the reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always a path forwards.

I was deeply moved by Tom’s honesty throughout this conversation, but it’s what he shares in the closing moments that truly stayed with me. It reduced me to tears, and I hope you’ll stay with us until the very end, you’ll understand why.

This episode contains open conversations about grief, bereavement, alcohol addiction, recovery, death and dying. If these topics feel tender for you right now, please listen gently and take care of yourself.

I’d love to hear what resonates with you after listening. Please do leave a review, share the episode with someone who might need it, and let us know your thoughts.

You’ll find Tom’s links below. Please do give him a follow, explore his work, and if his story connects with you, I’d highly recommend reading his book.

Tom Fitzsimons |

LinkedInInstagram

https://www.tiktok.com/@thesoberbard?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

© 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved.

This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

In this episode of Dying for a Cuppa®, I’m joined by Lisa Rainier, a healthcare chaplain with over 15 years’ experience supporting people at the bedside through some of life’s most profound moments.

Lisa and I first met at the hospice where I used to work, and she now continues her incredible work as a chaplain within a leading cancer hospital.

This is a conversation full of warmth, honesty and compassion. Together we explore what chaplaincy really is, the role it plays at the end of life, and why conversations around faith matter so much. We also unpack the important differences between faith, religion and spirituality, and how these can each offer comfort, meaning and connection in very different ways.

What I admire most about Lisa is her ability to meet people exactly where they are. Whatever someone’s beliefs, or none at all, she creates a space where they feel seen, heard and supported without judgement.

I’m so grateful to Lisa for sharing her own experiences, reflections and beliefs with such openness. It’s exactly what this series is all about: creating honest conversations that help us better understand ourselves, each other, and what it means to be human.

© 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved.

This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.