Funerals, natural burials and fake wakes. In this episode, we explore the conversations that people should be having around death, so that we can be better prepared for this inevitable event and when it does arrive, we can best celebrate life.

To learn more about natural burials, visit https://earthfunerals.org/

Intro music: Crimson Fly by Huma-Huma

Additional music: Dark Matter by Harris Heller, Dreary Summer by Harris Heller and The Darker Kind of Day by Harris Heller.

Voluntary Assisted Dying laws allow a person with a terminal illness to peacefully end their life using a lethal medication. In this episode, we learn about the efforts to introduce such a law in South Australia and the people who are leading the cause.

If you live in South Australia and wish to support the campaign, please visit:

https://www.saves.asn.au/

To learn more about Voluntary Assisted Dying, please visit Go Gentle Australia and also listen to Andrew Denton's 17-part podcast, Better Off Dead.

Intro music: Crimson Fly by Huma-Huma

Additional music: Ether by Silent Partner and Dark Matter by Harris Heller.

Well over 100,000 Australians are homeless right now and this may significantly increase as the full impacts of COVID-19 are realized. In this episode, we meet Anthony who is currently homeless and dealing with addiction. We learn about some of the factors that contribute toward homlessness and the services being offered to support those affected.

If you would like to support the work of Vinnie's, visit their website here:

https://donate.vinnies.org.au/donation-hub

Intro music: Crimson Fly by Huma-Huma

Additional music: Ether by Silent Partner and The Darker Kind of Day by Harris Heller.

Death and dying - not a topic people often want to discuss. Open discussions about death can help us prepare for this inevitable event and with the grief that follows. In this episode, we meet Claudia Peoples, who shares her story and that of her partner, Jethro, who died of Motor Neurone Disease. We also meet, Helen Roberts, who works as an End of Life Guide AKA a Death Doola.

Helen's website: http://gracefuldying.com/

Thanks to Loren Kate for providing her song, I'll Be, which was written in the days following Jethro's death. You can download the song here https://lorenkate.bandcamp.com/track/ill-be

and learn more about Loren Kate here https://lorenkate.com.au/

Intro music: Crimson Fly by Huma-Huma

Additional music: Ether by Silent Partner

In the very first episode of Experiencing Life, we meet Matt Newlands, a former police officer who was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, who now works in mental health services as a lived experience consultant. We also hear from Jill Chapman, Founder and CEO of MOSH (Minimisation of Suicide Harm) about the work they are doing to help prevent and reduce the impacts of suicide.

https://moshaustralia.org.au/

World Mental Health Day is 10 October. To host or find an event in Australia, visit https://1010.org.au/

Content warning: This episode discusses suicide. If you require support, please reach out to mental health services in your area. In Australia, one option is Beyond Blue, 1300 22 4636.

Intro music: Crimson Fly by Huma-Huma

Additional music: Ether by Silent Partner

Welcome to Experiencing Life - a podcast that explores topics from birth to death and everything in between. Listen to our season preview and subscribe for updates. Full episodes coming in 2020.

Music: Huma-Huma