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Embracing Mortality: Hayley West on Art, Death, and Community
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 mortality and how we engage with it. Whether you’re curious about natural burials, death cafes, or just want to hear a wild story about a stolen hearse, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.
Hayley West is a true multi-potentialite. She’s an artist, a librarian, a death literacy advocate, a radio presenter, and even an aspiring doom metal vocalist. But what ties all these roles together is her deep connection to death—not as something morbid, but as a natural part of life that deserves attention, creativity, and conversation.
In this episode, Hayley shares how her personal experiences with loss shaped her art practice, leading her to create thought-provoking installations like her cooling bed performances and her grotto made from artificial flowers collected from cemeteries.
We also dive into her advocacy work, including her involvement with the Natural Death Advocacy Network (NDAN) and her role in promoting death literacy. Hayley’s passion for breaking down taboos around death is infectious, and her
The Don’t Be Caught Dead Pub Quiz is back — now in its third year, and it’s a sellout event for a reason.
Join us on May 12 at 7pm at Hotel Lona in Frankston, as part of the South Side Festival.
Come solo and join a team, or bring your own crew — and compete for great prizes.
Go to criticalinfo.com.au/events
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/
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By Catherine AshtonWe'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 mortality and how we engage with it. Whether you’re curious about natural burials, death cafes, or just want to hear a wild story about a stolen hearse, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.
Hayley West is a true multi-potentialite. She’s an artist, a librarian, a death literacy advocate, a radio presenter, and even an aspiring doom metal vocalist. But what ties all these roles together is her deep connection to death—not as something morbid, but as a natural part of life that deserves attention, creativity, and conversation.
In this episode, Hayley shares how her personal experiences with loss shaped her art practice, leading her to create thought-provoking installations like her cooling bed performances and her grotto made from artificial flowers collected from cemeteries.
We also dive into her advocacy work, including her involvement with the Natural Death Advocacy Network (NDAN) and her role in promoting death literacy. Hayley’s passion for breaking down taboos around death is infectious, and her
The Don’t Be Caught Dead Pub Quiz is back — now in its third year, and it’s a sellout event for a reason.
Join us on May 12 at 7pm at Hotel Lona in Frankston, as part of the South Side Festival.
Come solo and join a team, or bring your own crew — and compete for great prizes.
Go to criticalinfo.com.au/events
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/