The Mourning After

In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson sits down with John O’Hare as he reflects on the profound friendship and artistic bond he shared with Maeliosa Stafford—a connection rooted in shared Irish ancestry and a lifetime of creative collaboration.

When John's closest friend and creative partner died, he faced the challenge of grieving from afar. Through the power of community and ritual, he found ways to honour Maeliosa’s life fully, drawing strength from their shared heritage and the legacy they built together.

We explore how the tangible acts of gathering, remembering, and celebrating life create a bridge across distance, showing us that unity in memory can bring peace, even when separated by miles.

Griefline: ⁠https://griefline.org.au/⁠

Grief Australia: ⁠https://grief.org.au/⁠

Men and Grief: ⁠https://griefline.org.au/resources/men-and-grief/⁠

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Advanced Care Planning: ⁠https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/

In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson is joined by Ted Reid, who was born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand. Ted shares stories from a life marked by early trauma and transformation.

Now 77 and living in Sydney, Ted reflects on how his experiences shaped his journey toward self-acceptance, meaningful connection, and community involvement. From his time in the police force to his passion for carpentry, mental health advocacy, and supporting others, Ted offers a thoughtful perspective on living with purpose and compassion.

Supporting links:

Griefline: https://griefline.org.au/

Grief Australia: https://grief.org.au/

Men and Grief: https://griefline.org.au/resources/men-and-grief/

Lifeline: 13 11 14

The Mens Table: https://themenstable.org/

WNOW: https://www.wnow.com.au/

Alcoholics Anonymous: https://aa.org.au/

AL-ANON: https://al-anon.org.au/

Palliative Care Australia: https://palliativecare.org.au/

Advanced Care Planning: https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/

In this episode, Ben Gibson is joined by Dr. Jude Neeme-Samson, a spiritual teacher, writer, and scholar, to explore the deep mysteries of death, sacred landscapes, and the journey of the soul. With a background in Christology, Aboriginal ritual, and shamanic practices, Jude offers unique insights into how sacred landscapes shape our understanding of life, death, and what lies beyond.

The discussion delves into the concept of 'sacred maps' inspired by the work of Dr Sarah Kerr, PhD, and how these spiritual frameworks can guide us through death and bereavement. Jude shares his experience as a Deathwalker, his training in Aboriginal and cross-cultural rituals, and stories of supporting individuals.. Together, Ben and Jude discuss the masculine response to death, the transformative power of ritual, and how nature-based spirituality can provide comfort and healing in the face of loss.

www.youtube.com/@judeneemesamson1962

In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson sits down with renowned entertainment journalist Jonathon “J.Mo” Moran to explore the deeply personal journey of losing his mum, Trish, at the age of 31, and how that loss shaped his life. 

Jonathon shares candid memories of his early years and the close bond he had with his mum, leading through her breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately, her death. He opens up about the devastating impact her death had on him and his family, and how grief sent him on a spiral of drugs and alcohol before he found the path to understanding and mental health advocacy.

Griefline: ⁠https://griefline.org.au/⁠

Grief Australia: ⁠https://grief.org.au/⁠

Men and Grief: ⁠https://griefline.org.au/resources/men-and-grief/⁠

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Cancer Council NSW: ⁠https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/get-support/131120-speak-to-a-health-professional/⁠

Palliative Care Australia: ⁠https://palliativecare.org.au/⁠

Advanced Care Planning: ⁠https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/

In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson sits down with football identity, sports journalist, and broadcaster Andy Paschalidis.

With a career spanning over four decades, Andy shares his journey from growing up in Sydney’s working-class suburb of Balmain to becoming one of the first Greek Australian sports broadcasters. Beyond his media work, a personal tragedy on the football field changed the course of Andy's life. After witnessing the sudden death of his teammate Matt Richardson during a weekend match, Andy was inspired to create the charity Heartbeat of Football, dedicated to promoting heart health awareness in amateur sports.

Ben and Andy discuss this life-altering event, the creation of his charity, and his ongoing commitment to saving lives in the sporting community.

Heartbeat of Football: https://heartbeatoffootball.com.au/en/

Griefline: https://griefline.org.au/

Grief Australia: https://grief.org.au/

Men and Grief: https://griefline.org.au/resources/men-and-grief/

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Palliative Care Australia: https://palliativecare.org.au/

Advanced Care Planning: https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/

In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson sits down with Arun Sharma, an Indian American artist, designer, and teacher. 

At 17, Arun faced the unexpected loss of his single mother to a heart attack. His journey through grief led him to return her ashes to the Ganges River in India, a pilgrimage that intertwined his personal loss with his cultural heritage and offered a path toward healing.

Arun's art delves into themes of death, loss, and memory, reflecting his experiences and his optimistic approach to life.

Kaolin Clay Studio: www.kaolinclaystudios.com.au

Arun Sharma Design: https://www.instagram.com/arunsharmadesign 

Griefline: https://griefline.org.au/

Grief Australia: https://grief.org.au/

Men and Grief: https://griefline.org.au/resources/men-and-grief/

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Palliative Care Australia: https://palliativecare.org.au/

Advanced Care Planning: https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/

In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson sits down with Matthew McConnell. 

Matthew shares the deeply personal story of his daughter Wren, who passed away at just eight days old due to complications from a cord prolapse during birth. He opens up about the profound impact of her loss on his life, how it transformed his outlook on parenting and work, and led him to create Love From Dad, a community for fathers who've experienced similar grief. 

Join us as Matthew discusses honouring Wren's memory through personal rituals, the importance of open conversations about child loss, and the healing power of connecting with others who understand.

Love from Dad: ⁠https://www.lovefromdad.com.au/⁠ 

Love from Dad on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/love.from.dad⁠ 

Ladybird Care Foundation: ⁠https://www.ladybirdcare.org.au/⁠

Red Nose: ⁠https://rednose.org.au/⁠

Red Nose Monthly Mens Support Group: https://rednosegriefandloss.org.au/supportgroups/supportgroup/mens-support-online-support-group

Tiny Footprints Brotherhood Monthly Support Group: https://4louis.co.uk/tfb

Bears of Hope: ⁠https://www.bearsofhope.org.au/⁠

Bears of Hope Dads Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOHdads/

Griefline: ⁠https://griefline.org.au/⁠

Grief Australia: ⁠https://grief.org.au/⁠

Men and Grief: ⁠https://griefline.org.au/resources/men-and-grief/

In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson is joined by human rights lawyer, writer, and broadcaster Anthony Levin to share his journey through loss, healing, and redefining masculinity. Anthony opens up about the complexities of his relationship with his mother, who died in 2015. As a secular Jew, he navigated the intricate tapestry of Jewish mourning traditions and personal rituals, exploring how these practices both aided and challenged his grieving process.

Caring for his mother at a young age, Anthony faced emotional and practical hurdles that reshaped his understanding of duty, love, and forgiveness. He discusses the cultural expectations placed on men regarding emotional expression and how he actively teaches his son that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. Anthony also delves into the concept of intergenerational trauma, the benefits of therapy, and the personal rituals he developed to honour his mother's memory.

Sydney Jewish Museum: www.sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au 

Griefline: https://griefline.org.au/

Grief Australia: https://grief.org.au/

Men and Grief: https://griefline.org.au/resources/men-and-grief/

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Palliative Care Australia: https://palliativecare.org.au/

Advanced Care Planning: https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/

In this poignant episode, Ben Gibson delve's into the heartfelt journey of Darryl Ellis, a devoted father who cared for his daughter Monica through her battle with FSHD, a rare genetic form of Muscular Dystrophy. Monica's resilience and spirit touched countless lives, and Darryl opens up about the profound impact she had on him and others. He shares candidly about navigating life after the loss of someone he cared for deeply, reflecting on the challenges and moments of healing along the way. Additionally, Darryl explores the transformative power of the Camino trail in his grief processing journey, offering insights into finding solace and meaning amidst his loss.

Supporting links:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Griefline: https://griefline.org.au/

Men and Grief: https://griefline.org.au/resources/men-and-grief/

Grief Australia: https://grief.org.au/

Palliative Care Australia: https://palliativecare.org.au/

Advanced Care Planning: https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/

FSHD Global Research Foundation: https://fshdglobal.org/

The Camino Trail: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camino_de_Santiago