The Walrus Podcasts

•

Channel • 18 Shows

Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated 28 Jan
Technology

Technology

Updated Weekly
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated Monthly
Education

Education

Updated Fortnightly
History

History

Updated Weekly
History

History

Updated Fortnightly
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated Weekly

28 Jan

Behind the Scenes of Goodbye: Logistics and Rituals of Death

In this episode of Sorry For Your Loss, we explore what happens in the hours and days after someone dies—before they reach their final resting place. What actually happens between the deathbed and the gravesite, the crematorium, or wherever a person’s remains are destined to go? First, we join Mount Pleasant Group funeral director Sarah Mannone to take a look at the unseen world of transfer teams and funeral logistics. Then, we speak with Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton, an ordained minister, interfaith consultant, and former General Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches who brings a rich understanding of the rituals, customs, and cultural differences that shape how we honour the dead. From faith-based traditions to modern shifts in funeral planning, we explore how the steps after death are deeply human, and never one-size-fits-all. Links & Resources Visit the Mount Pleasant Group website for more information and resources. Please note that the opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or beliefs of Mount Pleasant Group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Jan

•

37 min
31/12/2025

Honouring Lives: The Art of Eulogies and Obituaries

In this episode of Sorry For Your Loss, we explore how we speak about the dead—and why it matters. From traditional newspaper tributes to personal videos and self-written obits, the way we honour people after they’re gone is changing. First, Denise and John hear about the art of writing and delivering eulogies from Reverend Dr. Brent Hawkes, who was Senior Pastor at the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto for over 40 years. Then, longtime Globe & Mail obituary writer and author Sandra Martin joins Denise in conversation to unpack what makes a good obituary, how to find the right words in the face of loss, and why these tributes can be just as meaningful for the living as they are for the dead. Links & Resources Visit the Mount Pleasant Group website for more information and resourcesA Good Death: Making The Most of Our Final Choices by Sandra MartinGreat Canadian Lives: A Cultural History of Modern Canada through the Art of the Obit by Sandra Martin Please note that the opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or beliefs of Mount Pleasant Group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31/12/2025

•

39 min
03/12/2025

Green Goodbyes: Exploring Sustainable Death Care

In this episode of Sorry For Your Loss, we explore what it means to die in a way that honours not just the individual, but the planet. We begin with Jim Cassimatis, the former registrar at the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, who helps us understand how death care is regulated, what protections are in place for consumers, and where sustainability fits into the current system. Then, we meet Quinn Hunter, a licensed funeral director and passionate advocate for greener practices, whose own journey into the field began with helping her mother plan a funeral. From aquamation to forest interment, we hear about the alternatives to traditional burials and cremations, the barriers that still exist, and what’s changing as more people begin to ask: can death be sustainable? Links & Resources Visit the Mount Pleasant Group website for more information and resources.Bereavement Authority of Ontario’s Consumer Information GuideQuinn Hunter’s green burial co-op, Return To The EarthTillwell, Manitoba’s first licensed aquamation provider Please note that the opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or beliefs of Mount Pleasant Group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

03/12/2025

•

33 min
14 Jan

The Fine Print of Dying: Regulation, Rights, and Protection

In this episode of Sorry For Your Loss, we unpack how Ontario’s death-care system works—and why strong consumer protections matter when families are grieving. First, Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge and consumer representative on the BAO board, explains what rights Ontarians have, the real costs of funerals and cremations, and why planning ahead can prevent stress and overspending. Then, Jim Cassimatis, former Registrar of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, takes us inside the regulator’s role: how complaints are handled, what rules providers must follow, and the safeguards in place to ensure fairness and transparency. Links & Resources Visit the Mount Pleasant Group website for more information and resources.The Bereavement Authority of Ontario’s Consumer Information Guide This episode features an interview with Jim Cassimatis. The interview was recorded in early 2025 when he was still serving in the role of Registrar of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario. Jim left that position in Summer 2025. Please note that the opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or beliefs of Mount Pleasant Group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Jan

•

40 min
4 days ago

The Shape of Culture: Arabic Typography with Dr. Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès

When Dr. Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès moved from Beirut to study in the United States, she found herself doing something she'd never had to do before: explaining her own visual culture to people who'd never seen it. That challenge changed everything. It sent her deep into the history of Arabic typography—how it grew from calligraphic tradition, was codified by ninth-century philologists in Baghdad, and is now being reimagined through algorithms and animation. And it gave her a lifelong mission: to show the world a side of SWANA creative culture that rarely makes it into the conversation. In this episode, host Mai Habib sits down with Dr. Smitshuijzen AbiFarès to go behind the scenes of her exhibition Inner Structures, Outer Rhythms, explore what makes Arabic letterforms so uniquely expressive, and make the case that contemporary graphic design from the SWANA region is one of the most direct living continuations of Islamic artistic heritage. *The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human.* Links & Resources: This was just one example of Muslim art that sparked curiosity and a great conversation. There is so much more to see at the Aga Khan Museum. Support the museum's vision to impact lives and contribute to more inclusive and peaceful societies. Go to agakhanmuseum.org to plan your visit or make a donation.Can't make it in person? Explore the 3D virtual tour of Inner Structures, Outer Rhythms from anywhere in the world.Check out more episodes in full video. Key Moments 0:00 Introduction to This Being Human and the world of Arabic typography 1:20 Dr. Smitshuijzen AbiFarès' background and how studying abroad sparked her passion for typography 3:07 Defining typography, and how it differs from calligraphy and hand lettering 5:59 How the Arabic script connects cultures across the SWANA region and beyond 8:58 The Quran as connector: Arabic, Islam, and the preservation of a shared script 11:51 What makes Arabic letterforms uniquely readable across wildly different styles 13:36 Behind the scenes of Inner Structures, Outer Rhythms: vision, work, and journey 18:11 How the exhibition adapted to audiences in Qatar, Germany, and Toronto 21:10 Why sparking new conversations—not delivering answers—was the ultimate goal 27:55 The future of Arabic typography: algorithms, animation, and a script that endures Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 days ago

•

31 min
24/09/2025

Mourning Heals: Family, Rituals, and Grief

In this episode, we explore how death shapes family dynamics across generations and cultures. Funeral director Linda Lee reflects on 30 years of guiding families through the practical and emotional realities of funerals, from disputes over eulogies and heirlooms to questions of inheritance and who’s included—or left out—of the will. Author Katherine Ashenburg shares her own experiences of mourning and insights from her book The Mourner’s Dance:What We Do When People Die, tracing the history of rituals like wearing black and covering mirrors, and showing how cultural traditions have long helped families carry grief together. Katherine Ashenburg’s book is both a personal reflection about her daughter’s creation of rituals around her fiancé’s death, and a broader consideration of both the history and the current state of death-related practices around the world. In the conversation with Katherine Ashenburg in this episode many of the examples discussed pertain to British or Western European traditions, but of course they represent only a tiny sliver of the world’s experience. Links & Resources Visit the Mount Pleasant Group website for more information and resources.The Mourner’s Dance: What We Do When People Die by Katherine AshenburgGrieving Beyond Gender: Understanding Diverse Grieving Styles by Kenneth Doka and Terry MartinSee the MPG Pre-Planning Guide to learn more about your options and steps to take.Learn more about Linda Lee’s historical journey in death careThe BAO's Memorial Planning Guide is a useful tool to collect information to plan services. Please note that the opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or beliefs of Mount Pleasant Group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24/09/2025

•

37 min
19/11/2025

The Choice to Die: A Conversation About MAID

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) is a deeply personal and often polarizing topic. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Jean Marmoreo, one of Canada’s first MAID practitioners, and Krista Carr, a leading disability rights advocate, as they share their perspectives on the implications of MAID. What does the process really look like, and what are the concerns about how it’s being implemented? A wide-ranging conversation on one of the most complex issues in the world of death care. Links & Resources Visit the Mount Pleasant Group website for more information and resources.The Last Doctor: Lessons in Living from the Front Lines of Medical Assistance in Dying by Dr. Jean MarmoreoLearn more about Krista Carr’s work at Inclusion Canada Please note that the opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or beliefs of Mount Pleasant Group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19/11/2025

•

41 min
22/10/2025

When Someone You Love Is Dying: How to Talk, How to Listen (Part 1)

In this two-part episode, we step into some of the most tender and difficult conversations of all: what to say—and how to listen—when someone you love is dying. Here in Part 1, hosts Denise Donlon and John Monahan reflect on their own experiences with family and friends in their final days, sharing the lessons, laughter, and moments of grace that came from simply being present. We also meet Dr. Nadine Persaud, a longtime palliative care social worker who has spent nearly two decades at the bedsides of people at the end of life. Nadine offers compassionate, practical guidance on how to start the conversation, what not to say, and why genuine presence matters more than perfect words. From the importance of connection and humour to the small victories that stay with grieving families, this conversation is a reminder that talking about death can bring us closer to life. Links & Resources Visit the Mount Pleasant Group website for more information and resources.Advice for Future Corpses (And Those Who Love Them): A Practical Perspective on Death and Dying by Sallie TisdaleCheck out Nadine Persaud on InstagramLearn more about the Kensington Hospice and the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health at Lakehead University Please note that the opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or beliefs of Mount Pleasant Group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22/10/2025

•

24 min
05/11/2025

When Someone You Love Is Dying: How to Talk, How to Listen (Part 2)

In Part 2 of this two-part episode, hosts Denise Donlon and John Monahan continue exploring the tender and difficult conversations that come with the end of life. They sit down with Dr. Kathy Kortes-Miller, author of Talking About Death Won’t Kill You, to discuss how to guide loved ones, navigate fears and unfinished business, and maintain hope and connection even in life’s final days. Drawing on real-life stories—from pre-death rituals to conversations with children—Kathy offers practical guidance for listening, supporting, and creating meaningful moments. This conversation is a compassionate reminder that talking about death can deepen relationships and bring clarity, presence, and peace. Links & Resources Visit the Mount Pleasant Group website for more information and resources.Talking About Death Won’t Kill You: The Essential Guide to End-Of-Life Conversations by Dr. Kathy Kortes MillerHope For The Best, Plan For The Rest by Hsien Seow and Dr. Sammy Winemaker Please note that the opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or beliefs of Mount Pleasant Group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

05/11/2025

•

34 min
Season 1 Trailer

Introducing: Sorry for Your Loss

Let's talk about death. It's a conversation many shy away from, but it’s something everyone will experience. In Sorry for Your Loss, we explore the questions we often avoid: What happens to a body after it’s taken away? How do you talk about death with kids? And what should you say—or not say—to someone in their final days? Hosted by author and former media executive Denise Donlon and death care professional John Monahan, this podcast aims to normalize the inevitable and help us all navigate the often uncomfortable conversations surrounding death. Join us as we explore what happens when you die, how to prepare, the costs of death care, the options for sustainable burials, and how professionals like embalmers cope with working in a death-centered industry. Through expert guests and candid discussions, Sorry for Your Loss pulls back the veil on the world of dying and death, offering a sensitive and informative approach to understanding what lies ahead. This podcast is your user guide to the end—or beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S1 Trailer

•

2 min

The Walrus Podcasts are an extension of our award-winning storytelling, so whether it’s a look at those moments that change your life forever, an analysis of our unique political system, or a trip to one of the most amazing locations in Canada, The Walrus Podcasts have your ears covered.

Website

The Walrus Podcasts

Top Shows

Top Episodes

About