Episodes

  • S5 Ep5: Coping with pet loss with Dr. Katie Lawlor

    S5 Ep5: Coping with pet loss with Dr. Katie Lawlor
    Jul 1 2024
    We explore a topic often overlooked—coping with pet loss. Our guest, Dr. Katie Lawlor, a psychologist based in San Francisco, shares her personal and professional experiences with the profound grief that comes with the death of a beloved animal companion.

    Dr. Lawlor discusses how her journey through the loss of her rabbit, Gem, during the pandemic led her to create her Instagram page, petlossdoctor. She opens up about the challenges of discussing her pet's death with colleagues and how this inspired her to support others facing similar experiences.
    Growing up as the introverted middle sister, Dr. Lawlor found solace in the company of animals. Her summers in Ireland, surrounded by animals, shaped her understanding of the unique bond between humans and their pets. She highlights the lack of specialised services for pet loss and stresses the importance of acknowledging and addressing this grief.
    Throughout the episode, Dr. Lawlor addresses common questions about pet loss, such as coping with guilt and regret, and offers insights on navigating this difficult time. She emphasises that grief is a natural response to losing someone you love, whether they are human or animal.
    Tune in to hear Dr. Lawlor's heartfelt stories and valuable advice on coping with pet loss. Learn how her work is providing comfort and support to others experiencing grief. This episode is essential listening for anyone who has ever loved and lost a pet.
    You can follow Dr. Katie Lawlor on her Instagram page.
    Find out more about her book; A Tribute to My Beloved Animal: A Journal to Process Grief & Loss.
    Follow us on Instagram: @ashgate_hospice
    Support resources: https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/resource-centre/
    This episode of The Life and Death podcast was produced by Olivia Swift and it’s a Reform Radio production.
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    28 mins
  • S5 Ep4: A philosopher’s guide to death with Simon Critchley

    S5 Ep4: A philosopher’s guide to death with Simon Critchley
    Jun 17 2024
    Simon Critchley is a renowned philosopher at the New School for Social Research in New York. Simon teaches the popular course "Critchley on Tragedy," and has been recognised as one of the top 25 most influential philosophers today.
    Simon delves into his fascinating life story, including his early years in Hertfordshire, a life-changing accident, and his journey into philosophy. He shares insights from his book, The Book of Dead Philosophers, which examines how the deaths of 190 philosophers reflect their lives and ideas.
    Join us as Simon recounts some intriguing tales, such as Pythagoras's peculiar death and Jeremy Bentham's posthumous display at University College London. He discusses the therapeutic side of philosophy and how confronting our mortality can lead to greater freedom, compassion, and understanding.
    Tune in for an episode filled with humour, deep reflections on mortality, and the wisdom that philosophy can offer in understanding life and death.
    Find out more about Simon his book here: https://www.simoncritchley.org/
    Follow us on Instagram: @ashgate_hospice
    Support resources: https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/
    This episode of The Life and Death podcast was produced by Olivia Swift and it’s a Reform Radio production.
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    26 mins
  • S5 Ep3: Why it’s normal to be afraid of death with Hospice Nurse Julie

    S5 Ep3: Why it’s normal to be afraid of death with Hospice Nurse Julie
    Jun 3 2024
    Julie McFadden is better known by her online persona Hospice Nurse Julie. With her background as an ICU nurse, Julie developed a passion for educating people about death and dying. For the past eight years, she has been making a significant impact as a hospice nurse, helping others face end of life issues with compassion.
    Julie’s journey into online education began when her young nieces introduced her to TikTok. She started sharing insights about death and dying, and soon her videos went viral, garnering a large following. Her content, ranging from biological processes at the end of life to demystifying deathbed phenomena, helps normalise conversations about death and offers comfort to many. She emphasises that understanding death can reduce fear and enhance our lives.
    Julie’s new book, "Nothing to Fear: Demystifying Death to Live More Fully," is a valuable guide for anyone seeking peace in the face of mortality. It combines educational insights with personal stories, making it a comforting resource for both patients and caregivers.

    Follow Julie on:
    YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@hospicenursejulie
    TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@hospicenursejulie
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hospicenursejulie
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Hospice-nurse-julie/100077937666311/
    Follow us on Instagram: @ashgate_hospice
    Support resources: https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/
    This episode of The Life and Death podcast was produced by Olivia Swift and it’s a Reform Radio production.
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    33 mins
  • S5 Ep2: Becoming an orphan in your 30s with Rebecca Soffer

    S5 Ep2: Becoming an orphan in your 30s with Rebecca Soffer
    May 20 2024
    Internationally recognised author and speaker, Rebecca Soffer, began her journey into grief unexpectedly in her early 30s after her mother was killed in a car crash and her father died of a heart attack. The weight of this loss at such a young age left Rebecca feeling untethered.

    Rebecca candidly shares her deeply personal story of navigating loss and finding comfort in shared understanding. From forming a monthly dinner party called WWDP (Women With Dead Parents) to co-founding the Modern Loss movement, Rebecca's journey highlights the power of community in the face of grief.

    Rebecca's experiences inspired her to create a platform dedicated to removing the stigma surrounding grief and providing support and resources for those navigating their own journey of loss. Through heartfelt conversations and genuine human connection, Rebecca offers insights into the universal nature of grief and the strength of human connection in times of loss.

    Check out Modern Loss online at www.modernloss.com
    The Modern Loss Handbook: An Interactive Guide to Moving Through Grief and Building Your Resilience" is available on Amazon in the UK.
    Follow us on Instagram: @ashgate_hospice
    Support resources: https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/

    This episode of The Life and Death podcast was produced by Olivia Swift and it’s a Reform Radio production.
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    32 mins
  • S5 Ep1: Ed Byrne is laughing through grief: How the death of his brother inspired a critically acclaimed show

    S5 Ep1: Ed Byrne is laughing through grief: How the death of his brother inspired a critically acclaimed show
    May 6 2024
    Stephen chats to Mock the Week star, Ed Byrne, as he shares the deeply personal story behind his new comedy show, "Tragedy Plus Time". Ed opens up about the death of his brother Paul, and how his death became the catalyst for Ed's exploration of grief and humour.
    Reflecting on the moments leading up to Paul's death and the complexities of sibling relationships, Ed and host Stephen Rumford delve into the healing power of laughter amidst sorrow.
    Discover the profound impact of loss, the importance of cherishing our loved ones, and the enduring wisdom shared by Ed's late brother: "you can be as serious as you want but there always has to be a joke."
    See if there’s a show near you.
    Follow us on Instagram @ashgate_hospice
    Support resources.
    This episode of The Life and Death podcast was produced by Olivia Swift and it’s a Reform Radio production.
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    31 mins
  • S4 Ep6: Teenage kicks: How Amber coped with the sudden death of her mother in her teens

    S4 Ep6: Teenage kicks: How Amber coped with the sudden death of her mother in her teens
    Jul 17 2023
    When Amber’s mum died suddenly, shortly after her 19th birthday, she spiralled into a life of self-destruction. After several turbulent years and unable to find the support she needed, Amber started The Grief Gang podcast. This podcast became her outlet, a resource dedicated to people who were experiencing bereavement like she was. Seven years since her mum Sue’s death, Amber chats about the sudden death of her mother at such a young age and how this tragedy has inspired her to help others. 

    Find out more about The Grief Gang
    Follow us on Instagram @ashgate_hospice
    Support resources: https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/
    The Life and Death podcast is produced by Reform Radio.
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    39 mins
  • S4 Ep5: Behind the scenes of death with Hayley Campbell

    S4 Ep5: Behind the scenes of death with Hayley Campbell
    Jul 3 2023
    Trigger Warning: Listener discretion is strongly recommended. Hayley talks quite graphically about what death looks like, including what a body might look like after death. This includes discussions of infant death as she talks about her experience of seeing a baby in a mortuary.
    Hayley Campbell is a journalist, writer and broadcaster whose book, All the Living and the Dead, delivers a gripping look at the professionals who have made death their lives work. She talks to embalmers, a former death row executioner, mass fatality investigators, a bereavement midwife, and many more.
    Hayley spent two years immersed in a field few people know about. Amongst the many questions raised, Hayley contemplates: ‘would facing death directly make us fear it less?’
    Find out more about Hayley on her website: https://www.hayleycampbell.com/
    Follow us on Instagram @ashgate_hospice
    Support resources: https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/
    The Life and Death podcast is produced by Reform Radio.
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    35 mins
  • S4 Ep4: Death rituals from around the world with photographer Klaus Bo

    S4 Ep4: Death rituals from around the world with photographer Klaus Bo
    Jun 19 2023
    Through The Dead and Alive Project, Klaus Bo documents death rituals from across the globe. From the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico, where families clean the bones of their ancestors who may have been dead for decades, to families in the Philippines who, due to poverty and overpopulation, are literally living alongside the dead in cemeteries. Klaus takes us on a trip around the world, chatting about his interest in death rituals, and how other cultures view the dead.

    Check out his unique and eye-opening project - viewer discretion is advised: www.deadandaliveproject.com

    Instagram @deadandaliveproject

    Follow us on Instagram @ashgate_hospice
    Support resources: https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/
    The Life and Death podcast is produced by Reform Radio.
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    41 mins