Don't Be Caught Dead

The Last Dance: Death During COVID Lockdowns with Susan Bollard


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Have you ever pondered the experience of facing the end of a loved one's life? In this episode, we share a touching story from Susan Bollard, who grappled with the loss of her husband during the height of the Covid lockdown.


Susan, the owner of Showbiz Dance Studio, shares her profound journey through the loss of her husband, Phil. It's a story filled with love, loss, and unexpected lessons learnt along the way. Let's dive into the salient points of this extraordinary conversation.


Key Learnings:


Susan's life before and after Phil's passing: An exploration of her dance studio and how it transformed into a sanctuary after her loss. 

The reality of managing a terminal illness: Susan reveals the emotional rollercoaster and difficult decisions faced during Phil's battle with pancreatic cancer. 

Navigating life after loss: Susan discusses the challenges of adjusting to life without Phil, from managing his affairs to carving out her own path forward. 

The power of dance: Discover how Susan utilised dance as a therapeutic outlet to rediscover herself and establish a supportive community. 

Preparing for the inevitable: Insights into the importance of wills, funeral planning, and engaging in difficult conversations.


Highlighted Resources:


Showbiz Dance Studio Website

Critical Info Website


Whilst death might be a disconcerting topic, it is a part of life we all must confront. Susan's story stands as a testament to the inner strength and resilience we can unearth within ourselves. Tune in and let's navigate this journey collectively.


Keep dancing through life, and don't forget to subscribe for more poignant narratives and insights. See you in the next episode! 

Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.

 Take care,

Catherine


Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform. 

It’s a simple, secure system that helps you prepare and share your legacy, wishes and personal paperwork.

It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan.

Leave behind a legacy, not a mess.

Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.au

No credit card needed.

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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Don't Be Caught DeadBy Catherine Ashton