Our understanding of death is not just informed by the people around us. Animals also play a role in our experiences of mortality.

For this episode, I put together three stories exploring this theme.

Music by Kent Sutherland.

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Most of the graves in any cemetery are the final resting places for the persons remembered there. But for one headstone in Melbourne that isn't the case. For the person is buried 1000s of kilometres away, at Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee.

This is the story behind the Elvis Presley memorial in the Melbourne General Cemetery.

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When Jessie Williams was 30 years old, she lost her first child at birth. The grief she experienced after was painful, enlightening, and ultimately re-formative. 

This is her story.

Jessie is the CEO of the Groundswell Project, a not-for-profit interested in changing the way Australians do death and dying.

Original music by Kent Sutherland.

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This is the story of Mary and Brian Hill, as told by Mary.

Original music by Kent Sutherland.

Thanks to Mary Hill for her sharing, and to the memory of Brian Hill.

For more information on the story or the podcast, visit www.humanordinary.com

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In the first episode of the Headstone Series, I stumble onto a mysterious memorial in the Melbourne General Cemetery, and try to get to the bottom of its meaning and origin.

Original music by Kent Sutherland

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The third and final part of my series exploring issues around meat-eating.

I get knowledge from Jad Patrick, a naturopath, and Dr. Tamasin Ramsay, an environmental anthropologist and activist, about the health and environmental impacts of chowing down on a steak.

Original music by Kent Sutherland.

For additional content relating to this episode, please visit here.

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While on our first flight with our baby daughter, I contemplate my totally rational fear of flying. Should be emotional.

Music by Kent Sutherland.

Pictures to accompany story here.

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For this story, I spent two banner-making nights with the Essendon Bombers cheer squad, and hung out with them at the final game of the year.

I was really interested in exploring how their support has fared in the wake of the drug scandal and a season of disappointment on the field. I was honestly a little surprised to find such an outpouring of love and passion for the team amongst the supporters. While I was hoping to find someone with something a little negative to say about the team and the past three years, I was left wanting.

My thanks go to the Essendon Bombers cheer squad, particularly Glenda Wade, Ricky Wheeler and Cheryl Trott.

This episode contains soundbites from content owned by afl.com.au, Channel 9 (Footy Classified), and Fox Footy.

Pictures to accompany the story can be found here.

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In the first part of this series, I watched a cow being slaughtered and butchered.

In this second part, I talk to four friends to find out what their views are and why they make the eating choices they do.

Featuring Rosie Joyce, Matt Whitmore, Nicole Rodger, and Kent Sutherland.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.