What About Death!?

Benjamin Law: Adapting Cory Taylor's Memoir 'Dying' for the stage - Part 1

karuna.org.au — Sun, 03 May 2026 14:00:00 +1000

In the first episode of What About Death!? Season 3, Tsultrim speaks with Australian author, screenwriter, and journalist Benjamin Law. They discuss how Ben adapted his good friend Cory Taylor’s critically acclaimed book, Dying: A Memoir, into a stage play. Ben takes us through the process of bringing the book to the stage, how audiences reacted, and why he thinks it is important to discuss death and grief openly in the community.

Follow Ben on social media to learn more about his work: @mrbenjaminlaw

What About Death!? is hosted by Venerable Tsultrim and brought to you by Karuna Hospice Services.

About Karuna

Karuna exists to ease the suffering that surrounds death. The physical, emotional, spiritual and beyond, for individuals, families, carers and communities.

Karuna’s specialist palliative care is a free in-home consultation service designed to support individuals and families through life’s most challenging chapter. Offering expert care, comfort, and connection at home.

Over the past 30 years, thousands of people have joined the Karuna family. They continue to support us and give back in their own ways.

Support from people like you helps us to continue caring for families, and creating important resources including this podcast. Learn more about how you can support Karuna:

https://karuna.org.au/ways-to-give/

Listener note

The views expressed on these podcasts may not reflect the wider views of Karuna Hospice Services. The content of these podcasts is for general information only, and you should not rely upon that information without seeking further advice from appropriate sources. If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

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You can also follow us on social media for updates about upcoming guests and episodes: @whataboutdeathpodcast

Credits

Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino

What About Death!? returns for Season 3

karuna.org.au — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:30:00 +1000

We're delighted to welcome you back for Season 3 of Karuna's What About Death!? podcast.

Hosted by Venerable Tsultrim, this season continues to gently challenge fear and stigma surrounding death, dying, grief and loss. Grounded in the understanding that life and death are not opposites but part of one continuing journey, Season 3 invites listeners to explore the circle of life through thoughtful conversation, storytelling, research and creativity.

Guests include Australian authors Benjamin Law and Trent Dalton, musical performance duo Leah Cotterell and Narelle McCoy, video game developer Gabby DaRienzo, and researchers and consultants Erica Rosenthal and Kate Folb, whose work includes contributions to the critically acclaimed television series The Pitt. Plus several other exciting and thought-provoking individuals.

What About Death!? is brought to you by Karuna Hospice Services and hosted by Venerable Tsultrim.

Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino.

Learn more about Karuna: http://karuna.org.au/

Follow What About Death!? on social media: @whataboutdeathpodcast

Listener note

The views expressed on this podcast may not reflect the wider views of Karuna Hospice Services. The content of this podcast is for general information only, and you should not rely upon that information without seeking further advice from appropriate sources. If listening to this podcast raises any concerns or issues for you, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Celtic Paganism and how it sees life, death and rebirth with Pagan Elder Linda Ward

karuna.org.au — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +1000

In this episode, Tsultrim speaks with Linda Ward, a Pagan Elder and member of Pagan Hearth Incorporated in Queensland, Australia. Linda explains what Celtic Paganism is and how its belief in the cycle of birth, growth, death and rebirth can bring comfort at the time of death. Linda tells how their view of death is part of a continuous cycle of life and is not something that ends in oblivion and therefore should not be feared. Linda talks about how this cycle of life, death and rebirth is part of the web of life that connects all things in the present and the past.

This episode of What About Death!? is hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Werner Mathiuet. Special thanks to Shannon Callander and the whole Karuna team.

Brought to you by karuna.org.au
Follow What About Death!? on social media: @whataboutdeathpodcast

Our music is Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino.

If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Carked It! – Can a card game about death actually be fun?

karuna.org.au — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +1000

In today’s episode, Tsultrim speaks with Simon Lowe, the creator of a fabulous card game called “Carked It!”. Simon developed this, at times, very funny card game as a way of connecting people and opening the door to friends, family and even strangers, to talking about life, death and beyond in a light-hearted, fun, and positive way. As we all know, death is certain, but the manner and time of our death is uncertain. But this lovely card game will surprise and undoubtedly ease you gently and with lots of humour, into the important conversations that we all need to have about the inevitability of our death, the importance of life and to ensure we prepare well for both…..before it’s too late.

Learn more about Carked It! here: https://carkedit.com
Learn more about Simon's work with the Good Death Impact Network, The Ageing Revolution and PikMe.

This episode of What About Death!? is hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Shannon Callander. Special thanks to Werner Mathiuet and the whole Karuna team.

Brought to you by karuna.org.au
Follow What About Death!? on social media: @whataboutdeathpodcast

Our music is Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino.

If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Pema Düddul: The Tibetan Book of the Dead in the 21st Century - Part 2

karuna.org.au — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +1000

Today's episode is a continuation of Tsultrim's conversation with Dr. Pema on the Tibetan Book of the Dead, how we can apply some of its techniques to our daily lives as a way of living our best life and how it can help us to prepare for when death comes.

Pema tells us more about impermanence, rebirth and the type of meditation encouraged by Padmasambhava, the author of this profound and ancient book. Dr Pema explains how this information and these techniques are neither difficult to understand nor to apply and can be utilized by anyone, anytime.

Read Pema Düddul's book Luminous Awareness - A Guidebook to Natural Awakening in Life and Death.

Jalu Buddhist Meditation Centre - https//:www.pristine-awareness.org

This episode of What About Death!? is hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Werner Mathiuet. Special thanks to Shannon Callander and the whole Karuna team.

Brought to you by karuna.org.au
Follow What About Death!? on social media: @whataboutdeathpodcast

Our music is Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino.

If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Pema Düddul: The Tibetan Book of the Dead in the 21st Century - Part 1

karuna.org.au — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +1000

On today’s episode Tsultrim is pleased to welcome Dr. Pema Düddul back to the podcast to talk about his recently released book “Luminous Awareness – A Guidebook to Natural Awakening in Life and Death”. This book is a guide to understanding the profound work called The Tibetan Book of the Dead (Bardo Thodol) which was taught by Padmasambhava many hundreds of years ago in Tibet. It guides us through the dying process into the interval between death and the next rebirth. Pema explains how these beautiful teachings and practices can be applied today in the 21st Century by anyone, anytime, as a way to prepare for death, to have a good rebirth and even perhaps to experience liberation from suffering.

This episode of What About Death!? is hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Werner Mathiuet. Special thanks to Shannon Callander and the whole Karuna team.

Brought to you by karuna.org.au
Follow What About Death!? on social media: @whataboutdeathpodcast

Our music is Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino.

If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Dr Libby Sallnow on The Value of Death: Bringing Death Back into Life

karuna.org.au — Mon, 29 May 2023 00:00:00 +1000

On today's episode of What About Death!?, Tsultrim speaks with Dr Libby Sallnow, a palliative care consultant and researcher from London in the UK. Dr Sallnow has been a leader in developing social and public health approaches to death, dying and loss for over two decades and she was recently the first author of the Lancet Commission "The Value of Death: Bringing Death Back into Life." This fascinating commission explores how we understand death in the 21st Century and considers the implications of the various systems that determine how we die. Dr. Sallnow offers insights into how we can develop a "realistic utopia" in relation to dying, death and grief that is hopeful, intentional and actually values dying and death.

Read the Lancet commission on The Value of Death: https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/value-of-death

Learn more about Dr Sallnow and her work: https://www.endoflifecare.be/libby-sallnow

This episode of What About Death!? is hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Werner Mathiuet. Special thanks to Shannon Callander and the whole Karuna team.

Brought to you by karuna.org.au
Follow What About Death!? on social media: @whataboutdeathpodcast

Our music is Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino.

If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Pema Düddul: Memory and Memoir and their value to understanding dying, death and grief

karuna.org.au — Mon, 15 May 2023 00:00:00 +1000

In today’s episode of What About Death!?, Tsultrim speaks with Dr Pema Düddul, a Director at Pristine Awareness: Foundation for Buddhist Practice and an internationally recognised Buddhist teacher in the Tibetan tradition. Pema is also recently retired from his position as the Associate Professor of Writing, Editing and Publishing at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba.

Pema has a wide range of published work, including research papers, novels and scripts for stage and screen. One particular area of interest for him has been memoir writing, particularly in the context of understanding the dynamics of memory and how together memory and memoir can help us at the time of death and with our grief.

This episode of What About Death!? is hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Werner Mathiuet. Special thanks to Shannon Callander and the whole Karuna team.

Brought to you by karuna.org.au
Follow What About Death!? on social media: @whataboutdeathpodcast

Our music is Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino.

If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Dr Mary-Frances O'Connor: The Grieving Brain

karuna.org.au — Mon, 01 May 2023 00:00:00 +1000

In today’s episode, Tsultrim speaks with Dr Mary-Frances O’Connor, author of the fascinating book “The Grieving Brain – The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss”. Dr O’Connor is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Arizona where she directs The Grief, Loss and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab, investigating the effects of grief on the brain and the body.

Dr O’Connor explains what she has learnt over more than two decades researching grief and its effects. She also talks about how we can use that research to understand our loss and move through our grief in a way that keeps us connected to love, and offers hope and peace of mind.

Learn more about Dr O'Connor and her work: https://maryfrancesoconnor.org/

Follow Dr O'Connor on Instagram: @doctormfoconnor

This episode of What About Death!? is hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Werner Mathiuet. Special thanks to Shannon Callander and the whole Karuna team.

Brought to you by karuna.org.au
Follow What About Death!? on social media: @whataboutdeathpodcast

Our music is Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino.

If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Hayley Campbell: The vital role of death industry professionals

karuna.org.au — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 00:01:00 +1000

In today’s episode, Tsultrim speaks with UK-based writer, journalist and broadcaster Hayley Campbell about her new book “All the Living and the Dead”. This compelling and heartfelt book explores the death industry and those who work in it, as Hayley strives to answer her own questions about death and better understand society's attitudes towards the topic. Her research leads her to share conversations with many interesting people including embalmers, a former death row executioner, gravediggers and even people with jobs she'd never heard of before, such as a bereavement midwife.

Hayley tells Tsultrim about her experiences meeting with these incredible people who have made death their life's work, but who often go unrecognised in society until we need them.

In addition to her own books, Hayley's work has been featured on WIRED, BuzzFeed, The Guardian, GQ, Esquire, Empire, VICE, FIGHTLAND, New Statesman, McSweeney’s, The Comics Journal. She also hosts the Unpopped podcast for the BBC and Must Watch on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Visit Hayley's website: https://www.hayleycampbell.com/
Follow Hayley on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hayleycampbell
Follow Hayley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayleycampbelly/

This episode of What About Death!? is hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Werner Mathiuet. Special thanks to Shannon Callander and the whole Karuna team.

Brought to you by karuna.org.au
Follow What About Death!? on social media: @whataboutdeathpodcast

Our music is Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino.

If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Dr Rachel Menzies: Death Anxiety and its role in mental illness

karuna.org.au — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +1000

In today’s episode of What about Death!?, Tsultrim speaks with Australian Clinical Psychologist Rachel Menzies. Rachel has extensively researched how the fear of death affects mental illness. She tells us about the causes and contributing factors to experiencing death anxiety and what treatments and strategies can help to reduce that fear. Rachel is the director of the Menzies Anxiety Centre in Sydney, which she established earlier this year to provide evidence-based psychological treatment for death anxiety and related conditions. Her most recent book is called “Free Yourself from Death Anxiety – A CBT Self Help Guide for a Fear of Death and Dying”.

Learn more about Rachel's work:

https://www.menziesanxietycentre.com/

https://rachelmenzies.com/

This episode of What About Death!? is hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Werner Mathiuet. Special thanks to Shannon Callander and the whole Karuna team.

Brought to you by karuna.org.au
Follow What About Death!? on social media: @whataboutdeathpodcast

Our music is Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino.

If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Markus Zusak: Australian author of international best-selling novels “The Book Thief” and “Bridge of Clay”

karuna.org.au — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +1000

In this episode of What About Death!?, Tsultrim speaks with internationally acclaimed and best selling author, Markus Zusak about his hugely successful novel The Book Thief which has been translated into more than 40 languages, and spent 500 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list. Markus explains how “Death” became one of the main characters of this beautiful book and how he created and developed this character and the different relationships that Death has throughout. Markus offers listeners a fascinating insight into how this book became and remains a timeless and much loved story to many people across the world. He also explains how he moved from this story to that of his other novel Bridge of Clay many years later, where death and grief continue to play an important part of the storyline.

This episode of What About Death!? is hosted by Tsultrim. Special thanks to Shannon Callander, Werner Mathiuet and the whole Karuna team.

Brought to you by karuna.org.au
Follow What About Death!? on social media: @whataboutdeathpodcast

Our music is Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino.

If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Coming soon: Australian author Markus Zusak

karuna.org.au — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +1000

In the first episode of Season 2, Tsultrim speaks with Markus Zusak, the award-winning Australian author of the internationally best-selling novel "The Book Thief".

Famously narrated by death, "The Book Thief" explores themes of death, grief, community and love against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Germany during World War II. Tsultrim discusses the way Markus constructed his characters, especially Death as the narrator, and the ways in which his book resonated with people all over the world despite its difficult subject matter.

Markus Zusak: Australian author of international best selling novels "The Book Thief" and "Bridge of Clay" will be available to stream on Monday, March 20.

What About Death!? is an initiative of karuna.org.au and hosted by Tsultrim.
Special thanks to Shannon Callander, Werner Mathiuet and the whole Karuna team.
Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino.

Learn more about Karuna: http://karuna.org.au/
Follow What About Death!? on social media: @whataboutdeathpodcast

What About Death!? returns for Season 2

karuna.org.au — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 00:01:00 +1000

What About Death!? returns for a new season of discussing the many and varied experiences and perceptions of dying and death.

Join us fortnightly from Monday, March 20 as our host Tsultrim, an Australian nun in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, shares the answers to the questions you wanted to know about death... but were afraid to ask!

What About Death!? is brought to you by karuna.org.au and hosted by Tsultrim.
Special thanks to Shannon Callander, Werner Mathiuet and the whole Karuna team.
Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino.

Learn more about Karuna: http://karuna.org.au/
Follow What About Death!? on social media: @whataboutdeathpodcast

Bindi Irwin on life, death and grief

karuna.org.au — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 18:15:00 +1000

In this episode Bindi Irwin, world renowned conservationist, television personality, Wildlife Warrior, and daughter of Steve and Terri Irwin of the world famous, Australian Zoo shares her experience following the death of her father when she was just 8 years old. Bindi tells us how her life experience growing up so closely to wildlife both at the zoo and in the wild has given her a remarkable understanding of the cycle of life, death and grief. She explains how this has given her purpose, hope and a joy for life. Bindi tells us how the events of her past and present shape how she is moving into the future with her own family. This episode of What About Death is hosted by Tsultrim. Our editors are Adair Sheppard, Werner Mathiuet, Shannon Callander, Ryan Drover, and Kiara Fauzi. Special thanks to Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, and the whole Karuna team. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/ Our music is Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Dr Tess Moeke-Maxwell: Death, end of life care and the importance of family in the indigenous community in New Zealand

karuna.org.au — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:15:00 +1000

In today's episode, Tsultrim speaks with Dr Tess Moeke-Maxwell a Research Fellow at the University of Auckland in New Zealand and a founding member of the Te Arai Palliative Care and End of Life Research Group. Through her personal and professional experience as a Maori woman, Tess explains her perspective on end of life care, the importance of spirit, culture and family in the death process and how these can provide the love, respect and support that is needed as the end of life experience draws near in Maori families. www.teipuaronui.co.nz This episode of What About Death is hosted by Tsultrim. Our editors are Adair Sheppard, Werner Mathiuet, Shannon Callander, Ryan Drover, and Kiara Fauzi. Special thanks to Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, and the whole Karuna team. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/ Our music is Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Dr Kriss Kevorkian: Why do humans have difficulty living in harmony with nature? (part 2)

karuna.org.au — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 18:13:00 +1000

The death of the natural environment and its inhabitants are unprecedented and in the main caused by humans. Dr. Kevorkian shares how we as human beings can value our natural world rather than see it as another commodity to be exploited. She explains how we can develop a recognition and understanding of the importance of our interdependence of nature and how this education will further harmony and solidarity with our world and its inhabitants. www.drkkavorkian.com This episode of What About Death is hosted by Tsultrim. Our editors are Adair Sheppard, Werner Mathiuet, Shannon Callander, Ryan Drover, and Kiara Fauzi. Special thanks to Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, and the whole Karuna team. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/ Our music is Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Dr Kriss Kevorkian: What is environmental and ecological grief? (part 1)

karuna.org.au — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 18:00:00 +1000

In this episode of What About Death, Tsultrim speaks with Dr Kriss Kevorkian, a Climate Thanatologist from Washington State in the USA. In part one, of this two part series, Dr. Kevorkian explains environmental and ecological grief and why we humans often experience grief reactions to the death of ecosystems and the extinction of animal and plant species. She also explains her research of the Southern Resident Orca Whale and how they are working hard to try and prevent the extinction of this very endangered ocean mammal. This episode of What About Death is hosted by Tsultrim. Our editors are Adair Sheppard, Werner Mathiuet, Shannon Callander, Ryan Drover, Kiara Fauzi. Special thanks to Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, and the whole Karuna team. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/ Our music is Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Roly Sussex: Why is death such a negative concept?

karuna.org.au — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 17:59:00 +1000

In this episode, I speak with Emeritus Professor, Roly Sussex who has been the presenter of ABC Brisbane's long running program "A Word in Your Ear." He has studied and researched language for many decades and today he shares his significant insights into our use of language and how it relates to our perception of death. Roly explains how language and the visual representations we create of death contribute to what he says has probably become the most negative concept in the English language. This episode of What About Death is hosted by Tsultrim and was edited by Adair Sheppard. Special thanks to Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, Werner Mathiuet, Shannon Callander, Ryan Drover, Kiara Fauzi, and the whole Karuna team. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/ Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Dr Joanne Cacciatore: Traumatic death and how the pain, grief and heartbreak that follows can be transformed (part 2)

karuna.org.au — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 18:30:00 +1000

In this episode of What About Death, Tsultrim speaks with Dr Joanne Cacciatore, a tenured Professor at Arizona State University in the USA and author of the best selling book, "Bearing the Unbearable - Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief." Dr Cacciatore is also the founder of the MISS Foundation and the Selah Carefarm, and she recently appeared on the Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry documentary series on Mental Health, "The Me You Can't See". Dr Cacciatore's area of expertise is traumatic death and the grief that follows. In part two, of this two part series, Dr Jo tells us about the Selah Carefarm in Arizona, the magic it offers, and why connection is such a fundamental part of healing after traumatic death. https://www.missfoundation.org https://www.missfoundation.org/selah-carefarm This episode of What About Death is hosted by Tsultrim and was edited by Werner Mathiuet. Special thanks to Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, Adair Sheppard, Shannon Callender, Ryan Drover, Kiara Fauzi, and the whole Karuna team. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/ Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Dr Joanne Cacciatore: Traumatic death and how the pain, grief and heartbreak that follows can be transformed (part 1)

karuna.org.au — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:21:00 +1000

In this episode of What About Death, Tsultrim speaks with Dr Joanne Cacciatore, a tenured Professor at Arizona State University in the USA and author of the best selling book, "Bearing the Unbearable - Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief." Dr Cacciatore is also the founder of the MISS Foundation and the Selah Carefarm, and she recently appeared on the Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry documentary series on Mental Health, "The Me You Can't See". Dr Cacciatore's area of expertise is traumatic death and the grief that follows. In part one, of a two part series, Dr Jo explains to us why we are often so terrified of the grief that results from traumatic death and how that fear constrains our ability to connect with, love and support those who have experienced traumatic death. And how from the heartbreak, courage and love can transform those who have experienced loss. https://www.missfoundation.org https://www.missfoundation.org/selah-carefarm This episode of What About Death is hosted by Tsultrim and was edited by Ryan Drover & Kiara Fauzi. Special thanks to Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, Adair Sheppard, Shannon Callender, Werner Mathiuet, and the whole Karuna team. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/ Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

What is a Death Doula?: Their role at the end of life.

karuna.org.au — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 18:15:00 +1000

In today's episode, I speak with Annie Whitlocke a Death Doula from Melbourne, Australia. Annie explains her role as a death doula and how the privilege of caring for those coming to the end of their life has reinforced the importance and value of talking openly about death, during life. This episode of What About Death is hosted by Tsultrim and this episode was edited by Kiara Fauzi. Special thanks to Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, Adair Sheppard, and Shannon Callender, and the whole Karuna team. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/ Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Dr Michael Barbato: The art of palliative care

karuna.org.au — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 18:13:00 +1000

In this episode of What About Death I speak with Dr Michael Barbato who has been a medical doctor for over 55 years and a palliative care physician for over 30 years. Michael has written three books entitled, "Caring for the Living and Dying", "Reflections of a Setting Sun, and "Midwifing Death". Michael's extensive experience, knowledge, understanding and insight into this important field of care provides both a personal and professional perspective of the many dimensions to the art of palliative care and to experiencing the kinder side to a palliative life and death. What About Death is hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Adair Sheppard, Kiara Fauzi and Shannon Callender. Special thanks to Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, and the Karuna team. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/ Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Dr Sarah Winch: Let's prepare for death - the value of death literacy

karuna.org.au — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 18:03:00 +1000

In this episode I speak with Dr Sarah Winch an Australian Healthcare Ethicist and author who talks to us about the importance of developing our death literacy. Dr Winch shares her thoughts about why talking about death during our life can help to reduce our fear and discomfort by preparing us for the inevitability of death whether it comes to us today or anytime in the future. What About Death is hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Kiara Fauzi and Shannon Callander. Special thanks to Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, Adair Sheppard, and the Karuna team. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/ Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Dr Hannah Gould: Natural burials, contemporary technology and connection

karuna.org.au — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 18:10:00 +1000

In this episode of What About Death, our guest is Dr Hannah Gould a cultural anthropologist from the University of Melbourne. Dr Gould tells us about the movement towards natural burials and why it is so important. She also explains how technology is being used in a variety of ways to encourage creativity and connection after death. This episode was hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Kiara Fauzi, with special thanks to Shannon Callander, Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, and the Karuna team. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/ Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636

Dr Daniel Wescott: Forensic anthropology, what it is and how it helps the living

karuna.org.au — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 17:55:00 +1000

In today's episode of "What about Death" I speak with Dr Daniel Wescott who is the Director of the Forensic Anthropology Centre Texas State (FACTS) in the USA. Dr Wescott explains the field of forensic anthropology and the importance of understanding what happens to the human body after death whether in relation to archaeological finds or contemporary research. Dr Wescott tells us how human bodies that are donated after death provide the opportunity to study how they decompose which in turn assists in solving crime, identifying missing persons and responding effectively to natural disasters. This episode was hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Shannon Callander, with special thanks to Kiara Fauzi, Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, and the Karuna team. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/ Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636

Dr John Troyer: Death, taboo, politics and their impact on society

karuna.org.au — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 17:45:00 +1000

In today's episode of What about Death!?, Dr John Troyer from the Centre for Death and Society at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom shares his view of the taboo that seems to surround the topic of death. He also shares with us his insights on the necessary societal and political implications that arise as result of our perception of and our response to dying and death. This episode was hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Kiara Fauzi, with special thanks to Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, Shannon Callander, and the Karuna team. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/ Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636

Jackie Campbell: Why palliative care for our pets

karuna.org.au — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 18:00:00 +1000

In today's episode I talk with Dr. Jackie Campbell from Sunset Vets, one of Australia's first ever dedicated Palliative Care teams for pets. Dr. Campbell shares her experience and her insights into why good quality, accessible palliative care is so important when our much loved pets have a life limiting illness or are coming to the end of their life. She explains how a palliative approach can enhance the relationship between pet and owner despite the challenges that accompany this inevitable part of life. This episode was hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Shannon Callander, with special thanks to Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, Kiara Fauzi, and the Karuna team. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/ Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636

Patrick Stokes: Personal identity, online memorials and death

karuna.org.au — Mon, 24 May 2021 18:00:00 +1000

Australian philosopher and author, Dr Patrick Stokes from Deakin University in Melbourne, offers his thoughts about how personal identity impacts how we contemplate our own death and the challenges and fears that may naturally arise as a result. He also tells us about his research into the modern phenomenon of online memorialisation as a way for us to remember the dead both in the present and into the future. www.patrickstokes.com This episode was hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Shannon Callander, with special thanks to Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, Kiara Fauzi. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/

Donate Life: Can there be value and purpose in death?

karuna.org.au — Mon, 10 May 2021 18:15:00 +1000

Alana Cresswell from Donate Life Qld and Phillipa Lazenby from the Qld Tissue Bank tell us about the importance and value of organ and tissue donation. They share their insights on how this practice of generosity and kindness can change the lives of the loved one's left behind after death, alongside the strangers who receive the gift of life and healing. This episode was hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Kiara Fauzi, with special thanks to Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, Shannon Callander, and Liam Riordan. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/ Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636

Samuel Johnson: How death enriches life

karuna.org.au — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 14:00:00 +1000

Australian actor Samuel Johnson shares his experience of dying and death and the profound influence that it has had on his own life. He shares the importance of bringing the subject into the open, how it has enriched his experience, despite the grief and sadness he has felt. He offers his insights into how it has offered hope, purpose and grace to his own life and to his own view of death. loveyoursister.org This episode was hosted by Tsultrim and edited by Liam Riordan, with special thanks to Verena Coombs, Joshua Byrd, Kiara Fauzi, and Shannon Callander. Brought to you by karuna.org.au https://karuna.org.au/donate-karuna/ Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino If listening to these podcasts raises any concerns or issues for you please contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636

Introducing "What About Death!?"

karuna.org.au — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 18:40:00 +1000

"What About Death!?" is a podcast exploring the many and varied experiences and perceptions of dying and death. Every two weeks, Tsultrim, an Australian Buddhist nun in the Tibetan tradition, talks to people from around Australia and the world, listening to their insights and views and bringing this important subject out of the dark and into a place where we consider... everything you wanted to know about death but were afraid to ask!