Dying isn’t just a medical event, it’s a deeply social one. In this powerful episode of The Life and Death Podcast, Professor Allan Kellehear, sociologist and founder of the Compassionate Communities movement, joins Stephen Rumford to explore how we can all play a part in supporting people at the end of life. From challenging our assumptions about what care means, to sharing stories of connection, meaning and even visions of near death, Allan invites us to see dying differently. This is a conver...
Jun 30, 2025•35 min•Season 6Ep. 5
How can a doula support people who are dying and those important to them? Dr Emma Clare, chartered psychologist, end of life doula, and director of End of Life Doula UK, joins host Stephen Rumford to unpack the often misunderstood role of the doula. Unlike a healthcare professional, a doula offers emotional, practical and human support at the end of life, simply by being there, witnessing, and walking alongside. Drawing on her clinical training, academic research, and personal experience, Emma s...
Jun 16, 2025•39 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Artist, curator and writer Joanna Ebenstein joins host Stephen Rumford to explore the rich, sometimes eerie, but always fascinating ways we try to make sense of death. Joanna is the founder of the Morbid Anatomy project and author of Memento Mori, a beautiful collection of imagery showing how death has been depicted throughout history and across cultures. Her work invites us to consider what these depictions can teach us about grief, memory, and how we live alongside the knowledge that we’ll one...
Jun 02, 2025•39 min•Season 6Ep. 3
When illustrator Gary Andrews’ wife, Joy, died suddenly from sepsis, everything changed in an instant. Left raising their two young children, aged 7 and 10 at the time, Gary picked up a pen and started doodling - not to create perfect pictures, but to let his feelings out, one sketch at a time. Those nightly doodles became a lifeline. He shared them online, where they struck a chord with thousands of people grieving or struggling with loss. Through simple drawings, some heartbreaking, some full ...
May 19, 2025•36 min•Season 6Ep. 2
In the first episode of season six, journalist and author Erica Buist opens up about how the sudden death of her father-in-law forced her to confront her own mortality. Her quest to understand how different cultures approach death took her across seven countries, from Mexico’s Day of the Dead to Indonesia’s corpse parades. Erica, author of This Party’s Dead, explores how these cultures celebrate death and allow grief to be expressed in ways that are communal and meaningful, in stark contrast to ...
May 05, 2025•40 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Joining the final episode of the series is Josefine Speyer, a German psychotherapist based in London who has dedicated much of her life to changing the way we approach death and dying. Josefine co-founded the Natural Death Centre in 1991 with her late husband, Nicholas Albery. This educational charity has been a beacon of support, offering free and impartial advice on all aspects of dying, bereavement, and consumer rights, including assistance with burials and funerals. Josefine shares her capti...
Jul 15, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 6
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 insp...
Jul 01, 2024•28 min•Season 5Ep. 5
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 refl...
Jun 17, 2024•26 min•Season 5Ep. 4
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, ...
Jun 03, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 3
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 ...
May 20, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 2
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...
May 06, 2024•31 min•Season 5Ep. 1
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...
Jul 17, 2023•39 min•Season 4Ep. 6
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...
Jul 03, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 5
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...
Jun 19, 2023•41 min•Season 4Ep. 4
It was the 9th September 1989 when Tim’s dad died. It was also Tim’s wedding day. Tim Sullivan is a film director, screenwriter and novelist ( Cold Feet , Coronation Street, Letters to Juliet) and in this episode he opens up about the events of that day, how it has shaped his life, and how it has influenced his writing. Tim’s website: https://timsullivan.co.uk/ Follow us on Instagram @ashgate_hospice Support resources: https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/ The Life and Death podcast is produced by Refo...
Jun 05, 2023•31 min•Season 4Ep. 3
In 2011, London-based artist Annie Nicholson suffered an unimaginable tragedy when three members of her family were killed in a tragic accident. She talks to Stephen about how the incident changed her life and how she has used her art to help navigate the complexities of grief. Through her alter-ego Fandangoe Kid, Annie uses dancing and music to help unpack her trauma and encourage others to have open and honest conversations. Follow Annie on Instagram @fandangoekid Follow us on Instagram @ashga...
May 22, 2023•23 min•Season 4Ep. 2
When Ruth’s husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she began documenting their journey through social media and a personal blog. Almost one year since Pete’s death, Ruth reflects on the last year, how the blog has helped others, and how she’s found hope in the face of adversity. https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/resource-centre/ The Life and Death podcast is produced by Reform Radio.
May 08, 2023•36 min•Season 4Ep. 1
In this episode, we are joined by Progressive Funeral Director, Louise Winter who is also one half of the team behind Life. Death. Whatever , an initiative redesigning the dialogue around death and dying. Louise talks with Stephen about her mission to get people to talk more openly about death and dying, reframing how we talk about death and what she has learned about living as a result. She also discusses the importance of people coming together to say their goodbyes and sharing the experience....
Jul 25, 2022•30 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this episode, we chat to former academic, turned writer and TEDx speaker Stacey Heale whose husband, Delays drummer Greg Gilbert, died from bowel cancer last year. Since Greg's death Stacey has used social media to document her family’s journey, offering an honest insight into “how to live well in the rubble of your life.” The mother of two discusses the difference between expectation and reality of death and grieving, the painful moment her and Greg told their children he was dying and what ...
Jun 27, 2022•30 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Acclaimed journalist and Sunday Times bestseller, Clover Stroud, joins us in this episode for a look at how death can help you see the world in vivid colour. Clover’s beloved sister, Nell died suddenly, days after having been told that even with a cancer diagnosis, she would live for years. The shock tore Clover’s life apart and led to her writing ‘The Red of My Blood’ which chronicles Clover’s fearless passage through the first year after her sister's death. In this chat Clover and Stephen expl...
Jun 13, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In this episode, Stephen sits down with Mary-Frances O’Connor. Mary is an associate professor at the University of Arizona, where she leads the grief, loss and social stress (Glass) lab, investigating the effects of grief on the brain and the body. She’s also the author of The Grieving Brain: How We Learn from Love and Loss. They discuss how neuroscience can help us to better understand grief, why grief is different from grieving, how grief can change and evolve over time, and how to support peo...
May 27, 2022•31 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Stephen is joined by Seamus O’Mahony, a recently retired consultant gastroenterologist. Seamus has established himself as a well-regarded commentator on modern medicine and healthcare systems. Join us as he discusses his patient experiences, the state of modern healthcare, and what needs to change.
May 16, 2022•30 min•Season 3Ep. 2
For the first episode of our new season, Stephen talks to Kimberley Greaves, a young widow and mother of two. Tragically, at just 44 years old, her husband, Andrew, died after being diagnosed with bladder cancer three and a half years before. Kimberley has spent the last 12 months coming to terms with life as a young widow. Join us as we find out what life has been like following the death of Andrew, how she’s coped, and what the future might look like for her and her two young children. Twitter...
May 02, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Podcast host and Ashgate’s senior physiotherapist, Stephen Rumford, sits down with Maria Conyers, whose husband died at the beginning of the pandemic, Maddie Zygmunt, who first experienced grief at just five years old and Ashgate’s Reflective Practice Manager, Simon Bell, who shares his expert view and coping strategies. https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/resource-centre/
Dec 01, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 7
“If you ever want some good advice, talk to a funeral director.” Drew Lilleker talks about the emotional responsibility of his job, supporting bereaved families, and working around death.
Jun 18, 2021•28 min•Season 2Ep. 6
“What people give me I hold precious. They’re sharing the deepest part of themselves.” Siobhan Hoyes, Spiritual Care Practitioner at Ashgate Hospicecare, accompanies patients towards the end of their life journeys and discusses the role of spirituality in palliative care.
Jun 11, 2021•31 min•Season 2Ep. 5
“When you find life a bit overwhelming it really makes you interested in the big questions.” Tunng band member, Sam Genders, discusses his recent musical project exploring death and palliative care.
Jun 04, 2021•31 min•Season 2Ep. 4
“The main thing for us is the patients. It was cruel what people had to go through.” 2020 was a difficult year for everyone, and palliative care was no exception. Three people share their unique experiences of palliative care in the time of COVID-19.
May 28, 2021•25 min•Season 2Ep. 3
“I’ve been dead. I know what it’s like, and I’m not frightened.” Terminally ill patient, David Lawton, shares his experience of dying and being brought back to life, and what he saw on the other side.
May 21, 2021•23 min•Season 2Ep. 2
“People think communication is about what we say, when it’s actually about silence.” Author and palliative doctor Kathryn Mannix explains what happens when we die, and why we must talk about it.
May 14, 2021•48 min•Season 2Ep. 1
