What happens when life suddenly takes an unexpected turn and there is no script to follow?

In this deeply personal conversation, actor, comedian and improvisation expert Linda Kash shares the story of losing her husband suddenly—and the unexpected ways improvisation helped her navigate the landscape of grief that followed.

Linda talks openly about the shock of sudden loss, learning to live with uncertainty, and discovering that some of the principles of improv—being present, accepting what is happening, staying open to what comes next, and finding connection with others—can offer wisdom when life no longer looks anything like we imagined.

This conversation is also an exploration of the power of the arts in grief: how creativity, humour, play and artistic expression can give us ways to process what can be difficult to put into words.

A moving and thoughtful conversation about loss, resilience, connection and the possibility of finding our way forward when life changes the script.

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Season 4 of What Now? On the Threshold of Life, Death and Grief comes to a close. The three co-hosts take time to reflect on the conversations, insights, and moments that stayed with them throughout the season.

The hosts look back on the wisdom shared by a remarkable group of guests and discuss what they learned, what surprised them, and how these conversations continue to shape their own perspectives.

This episode is also an opportunity to express heartfelt gratitude—to our guests for sharing their expertise and stories, to our listeners for joining us on this journey, and to the people behind the scenes whose support makes the podcast possible.

Thank you for being part of the What Now? community. We are grateful you're here, and we look forward to continuing these conversations with you in Season 5!

Have feedback about the podcast? Have an idea for a future episode? Get in touch with us: [email protected]

What happens when the ordinary objects of a life become extraordinary after loss? In this episode the co-hosts sit down with acclaimed playwrights and actors Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus to discuss their deeply relatable play: Big Stuff.

We explore how grief can surface in unexpected places—through the belongings we inherit, the stories attached to them, and the emotional weight they carry. With warmth, (lots of) humour, and honesty, Matt and Naomi reflect on the inspiration behind the play, the universal experience of sorting through a loved one’s possessions, and the ways theatre can help us make meaning in the aftermath of loss.

This conversation is a thoughtful exploration of attachment and the sometimes surprising intersections of grief, love, and laughter.

Have feedback about the podcast? Have an idea for a future episode? Get in touch with us: [email protected]

What happens when grief meets artificial intelligence? In this thought-provoking episode, the co-hosts welcome Steve Joordens, professor at the University of Toronto and a leading voice on the use of AI in education and beyond.

Together, they explore the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in the world of grief and bereavement. From practical applications to emerging ethical questions, the conversation examines how AI is already shaping the ways we learn, connect, remember, and mourn. They also delve into the fascinating and sometimes unsettling phenomenon of "grief bots"— AI tools designed to simulate communication with someone who has died — and consider what these technologies might mean for the future of grieving.

Whether you're entirely new to AI or already familiar with its possibilities, this lively and accessible discussion offers valuable insights into one of the most intriguing intersections of technology and humanity. Thoughtful, engaging, and deeply relevant, this episode invites us to consider how innovation may transform our experiences of loss, memory, and connection.

Have feedback about the podcast? Have an idea for a future episode? Get in touch with us: [email protected]

Someone once said that statistics are just numbers with the tears wiped away. But behind every number is a life, a family, and a story that matters. 

Last year in Canada, 7,146 people died from drug overdoses. Today, we remember that those numbers are not just statistics — they are sons and daughters, parents and friends, deeply loved and deeply missed.

In this episode, Bob Campbell shares the story of his daughter, Kathleen, who died from an accidental overdose in 2019 at the age of 43. With honesty, love, and courage, Bob speaks about Kathleen’s life, the struggles she faced with addiction, and the profound grief that remains.

This conversation invites us to move beyond judgment and misunderstanding, and to see the humanity behind addiction and loss. Through Bob’s words, we come to know Kathleen not for the way she died, but for the remarkable person she was.

This is a story about love, loss, and remembering the person behind the statistic.

Have feedback about the podcast? Have an idea for a future episode? Get in touch with us: [email protected]

In this episode co-hosts Julie, David, and Red sit down with Dr. Natalie Whiting, a palliative care physician, and Emily Lamothe from Trillium Gift of Life Network to explore the life-changing impact of organ and tissue donation. Together, they walk listeners through how to become a registered donor, what the donation process can look like for individuals and families, and how Trillium Gift of Life supports donors and loved ones every step of the way. The conversation highlights how organ and tissue donation can become a powerful form of legacy-building, offering meaning and connection in the midst of loss. Natalie also shares personal reflections on how donation has touched her own life and family, bringing both professional and deeply human insight to this important topic.  

Have feedback about the podcast? Have an idea for a future episode? Get in touch with us: [email protected]

Grief touches every part of us—not just our hearts, but our bodies too. In this episode, co-hosts Red and Julie speak with nutrition counsellor Vera Decena about what happens in the body when we experience loss. Vera explores how grief can disrupt our energy, appetite, and daily rhythms, and why everyday tasks like eating or resting can feel so different after a loss. Blending science with lived experience, Vera offers thoughtful suggestions for supporting yourself—or someone you care about—through one of life’s most difficult transitions.

Have feedback about the podcast? Have an idea for a future episode? Get in touch with us: [email protected]

We are honoured to welcome Dr. John Beamish back to the podcast for a thoughtful conversation about the physical process of dying and the bodily needs of those at the end of life.

With his customary ability to speak knowledgeably and compassionately, Dr. Beamish helps families and caregivers understand what is happening in the body during the dying process. Focusing on appetite and hydration, he explains why our instinct to encourage eating and drinking may not always align with the body’s natural needs—and what truly supports comfort and dignity in life’s final stage.

Have feedback about the podcast? Have an idea for a future episode? Get in touch with us: [email protected]

We are honoured to speak with best selling ghost writer Samantha Rose about her mother’s death by suicide and the bewildering yet healing journey of grief that followed. That journey is at the heart of her memoir, Giving Up the Ghost: A Daughter’s Memoir.

 In this open and honest discussion Samantha shares the initial shock of her mother’s death and the complexity of losing someone to a death by suicide. Samantha guides us through the initial shock of her mother’s death, how her mother comes to her in dreams, and her writing ultimately leads to a greater understanding and compassion for her mother. This is a journey of pain and sorrow, confusion and questions, searching and finding and ultimately about the love between a mother and daughter. 

Samantha Rose is a New York Times bestselling ghostwriter and Emmy award winning television writer. She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Oprah and Harper’s Bazaar. Giving Up The Ghost: A Daughter's Memoir is her first publication under her own name.

 To learn more about Samantha, please visit her website:

www.yellowskymedia.com 

Have feedback about the podcast? Have an idea for a future episode? Get in touch with us: [email protected]

In this episode, co-hosts Julie and Red sit down with Dr. Joshua Black, a leading researcher on grief dreams, to explore the powerful ways our minds process loss while we sleep.  Dr. Black explains what grief dreams are, why they’re so common after losing someone we love, and how these dreams can range from deeply comforting to emotionally unsettling.

We discuss the emotional meaning people often attach to dreams and why dreaming of loved ones who have passed can feel incredibly real. Dreams can support healing, create ongoing bonds with the deceased, and challenge our cultural understanding of grief itself. On a personal note, Julie, Red and Joshua all share grief dreams they have experienced as well.  

Whether you’ve experienced vivid dreams after loss or are simply curious about how grief shows up in the subconscious, this conversation offers insight, validation, and a deeper understanding of how love and loss continue—sometimes, even while we sleep.

Have feedback about the podcast? Have an idea for a future episode? Get in touch with us: [email protected]