Podcast
Don't Be Caught Dead: Grief, Loss, Death Literacy and Getting Prepared
Hosted by Hosted by Catherine Ashton, founder of Australian social enterprise Critical Info. Learn more: www.criticalinfo.com.au · EN
After surviving a serious car accident in 2019, and then losing a close friend suddenly in 2023, Catherine Ashton discovered a hard truth: most families have no plan for death, and they pay for it in confusion, stress, and decisions made in crisis. Don't Be Caught Dead exists so yours doesn't have to.
Each episode is an honest, often deeply personal conversation, with people who've lived through grief, sudden illness, and caring for a dying loved one, alongside experts in aged care, palliative care, estate law, funeral planning, and financial advice. It's a show for anyone quietly aware they're becoming the one responsible for a parent, a partner, or their own end of life planning, and who wants to feel ready rather than blindsided.
Got questions after listening? Join Critical Chat Tuesdays, free, no-pressure conversations every Tuesday at 7pm where you can ask anything or just listen. No planning required, just come as you are:
https://criticalinfo.com.au/events?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=general
You'll also pick up the practical groundwork here: how to prepare a will, appoint a power of attorney and enduring guardian, set up an advance care directive, plan a funeral in advance, and navigate the health and legal systems families are so often forced into with no warning.
The free Critical Info Platform can help you turn any of it into an actual plan, and if someone close to you has just died, our guide "My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?" walks you through the immediate steps.
Hosted by Catherine Ashton, founder of Australian social enterprise Critical Info.
Learn more: www.criticalinfo.com.au
43episodes
Episodes
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ENCORE: Navigating Life After Loss: A Daughter's Tale with Libby Neesham
Dec 25, 202400:49:25Tap to summarizeWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)In this episode, I'm bringing you a conversation that's both emotional and enlightening. I had the pleasure of reuniting with an old high school friend Libby Neesham, who shared her incredibly personal experiences with the death of her parents, her unique approach to motherhood, and her valuable insights on dealing with grief as someone with neurodiversity.🌹 In this episode:Libby opens up about the different ways she grieved the death of each of her parents and the lessons she learned along the way.She reflects on her journey into motherhood and how it has shaped her understanding of life and death.We delve into the importance of having open conversations about end-of-life matters and the impact it has on our lives.Libby's story is a powerful reminder of the complexities of grief and the strength we find in the most challenging times. Her insights are not just about coping with loss but also about growing from it, embracing life, and cherishing the memories of those we've lost.Don't forget to follow and leave a review if this episode resonates with you. Your support helps us continue these meaningful conversations.Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.Take care,Catherine 🌟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 SERVICESIf you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here. Contact CatherineBusiness Website: https://dontbecaughtdead.com.auFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094865491683Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/critical_info_org/LinkedIn Business Page: : https://www.linkedin.com/company/critical-infoLinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-ashton-73254528/Podcast Editor: https://www.livvimusic.com/ Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/
Transcribe →Death, DNA, and Family Secrets: How Trauma Lives in Our Genes
Dec 18, 202401:03:55Tap to summarizeWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)What if the unexplained feelings of grief, anxiety, or disconnection you carry aren't entirely your own? In this compelling episode, I sit down with Michelle Scheibner, author of 'Hush', to explore how the secrets and trauma of our family history can echo through generations, impacting our lives in ways we never imagined.Michelle's journey of discovery began when she found an old leather suitcase filled with documents after her mother's death. These papers revealed her father's hidden Jewish heritage and his harrowing escape from Nazi Germany - a history that had been carefully concealed throughout her life. Through her work in epigenetics and inherited family trauma, Michelle explains how traumatic experiences can actually modify our DNA, affecting future generations. Her research, backed by groundbreaking studies from Dr Rachel Yehuda at Mount Sinai School, demonstrates how children of Holocaust survivors and mothers present at Ground Zero show identical anxiety markers and cortisol levels as their traumatised parents.As an adult orphan who lost both parents and later her significant other, Chris, to cancer, Michelle's personal story illustrates how unresolved family trauma can manifest in our lives. Through narrative therapy and deep personal work, she transformed her understanding of grief and identity, moving from a place of blame to one of appreciation for the resilience she inherited from her parents. Her journey offers hope and practical guidance for anyone seeking to understand their own unexplained feelings or recurring patterns.Key Insights:● The science of epigenetics reveals how trauma can be passed down through generations via our DNA● Unresolved family secrets and trauma can manifest as unexplained feelings of grief, anxiety, or disconnection● Our relationship with our mother/primary caregiver from birth to age seven creates the blueprint for all future relationships● Healing begins when we let go of the stories we've been telling ourselves and embrace our true narrativeResources and Tools for Healing:● Journaling with coloured pens (avoid digital methods)● Narrative therapy and coaching● DNA testing for understanding heritage● Michelle's book 'Hush'Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least yMY 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 SERVICESIf you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here. Contact CatherineBusiness Website: https://dontbecaughtdead.com.auFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094865491683Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/critical_info_org/LinkedIn Business Page: : https://www.linkedin.com/company/critical-infoLinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-ashton-73254528/Podcast Editor: https://www.livvimusic.com/ Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/
Transcribe →Death, Diversity, and Inclusion in Care with Tonina Gucciardo-Masci and Nikolaus Rittinghausen
Dec 11, 202401:03:28Tap to summarizeWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)How do we ensure that every individual, regardless of their cultural or spiritual background, receives dignified and inclusive care at the end of their life? Today, we tackle this vital question with two incredible guests who are championing change in aged and palliative care.In this episode, I sit down with Tonina Gucciardo-Masci, Community Engagement Manager at Palliative Care Victoria, and Nikolaus Rittinghausen, Manager at the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing. Both are working tirelessly to ensure that aged and palliative care services in Australia are culturally inclusive and respectful of each person’s individual needs.Tonina shares her experience collaborating with multicultural and multifaith communities to promote equitable access to palliative care, dispelling myths and advocating for care over cure. Meanwhile, Nikki dives into the innovative strategies his organisation employs to make aged care more inclusive, from diversity mentoring to practical tools like communication cards available in over 70 languages.Together, we explore the challenges of adapting systems designed for a "one-size-fits-all" approach, the importance of culturally appropriate food and spiritual practices, and the role of open conversations in breaking down taboos around death. This episode is a call to action to put inclusion at the heart of care.What We Discuss:•What palliative care is and why it’s about quality of life, not just end-of-life.•The importance of culturally inclusive care in aged and palliative care.•How communication cards in 70+ languages are bridging language barriers in care.•Challenges of integrating cultural and spiritual needs into care plans.•Practical examples of inclusive practices in aged care, such as tailored menus and spiritual accommodations.•How advanced care planning can ease the journey for families and individuals.•Why conversations about death and dying need to happen earlier and more often.Links and Resources Mentioned:•Palliative Care Victoria•Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing•Download communication cards in multiple languages: Communication Cards•Learn more about inclusive service standards and mentoring programs: Inclusive Service Standards•Advanced care planning resources: Advance Care Planning AustraliaRemember, you may not be ready to 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 SERVICESIf you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here. Contact CatherineBusiness Website: https://dontbecaughtdead.com.auFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094865491683Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/critical_info_org/LinkedIn Business Page: : https://www.linkedin.com/company/critical-infoLinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-ashton-73254528/Podcast Editor: https://www.livvimusic.com/ Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/
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