In the opening episode of Passing Thoughts, we feature the extraordinary Teresa Plane, former NSW Senior Australian of the Year and pioneer of modern palliative care in Australia. In conversation with Barbara Sullivan, Teresa shares profound insights from her 40-year career, including why talking about death matters, how palliative care can be a time of healing and growth, and how her personal grief shaped her life's mission.

With warmth and wisdom, Teresa challenges taboos and offers guidance on how to live meaningfully—right to the very end. She shares moving stories of humour, dignity, and connection in dying, and explains why children, families, and communities must be part of the conversation around death.

In our “Before We Go” segment, Rob shares a touching story from Japan, where a trombone became a unique farewell symbol for a life well lived.

Passing Thoughts is a podcast about life’s final chapter—told with openness, curiosity, and heart. It’s a space to talk about what we usually avoid. Because facing death just might help us live better.

Teresa Plane's podcast Aging with Attitude can be found at https://www.2rph.org.au/ageing-with-attitude/  - you can contact the team from Passing Thoughts [email protected] 

Passing Thoughts has been made with the support of the Wicking Trust. Make sure you join our Facebook Group  

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