Don't Be Caught Dead

Catherine Ashton
  • 4.8 (18)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Don't Be Caught Dead is a podcast about the conversations most of us avoid — until we’re forced to have them. Each episode brings you honest, accessible conversations with experts across end-of-life, health, legal, financial, and care industries, alongside people with lived experience, to help you better understand your end-of-life choices and how to prepare a practical backup plan if you fall ill, become incapacitated, or die. Hosted by Catherine Ashton, award-winning speaker and founder of Critical Info, the podcast is grounded in lived experience — created so other people don’t have to go through what her family went through. From wills, powers of attorney, funerals, and estate administration, to caring, grief, sudden illness, and navigating systems when life doesn’t go to plan, Don’t Be Caught Dead exists to build confidence, clarity, and preparedness — before a crisis hits.

  1. 14 HRS AGO

    Behind the Lens of Australia’s Most Powerful End-of-Life Portraits with Julian Kingma

    We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In this episode, I’m joined by photographer and visual storyteller Julian Kingma, whose work has captured some of Australia’s most intimate and human stories across decades of journalism, portraiture, publishing, and documentary photography. But it was his deeply personal project The Power of Choice that drew me to his work. Through portraits and conversations with people navigating voluntary assisted dying, Julian documented not just death, but dignity, vulnerability, humanity, and the emotional complexity of choice. What struck me most throughout this conversation was the care Julian brings into every room he enters. Before the camera comes out, there is listening. There is trust. There is presence. He shares how this project transformed him personally and professionally, challenging the way he approached storytelling and deepening his understanding of grief, fear, compassion, and human connection. We also talk about the changing media landscape, the ethics of documenting vulnerable moments, and what it means to witness someone’s final chapter with honesty and humanity. This episode is thoughtful, emotional, and incredibly important. Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared. Take care, Catherine Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform.  It’s a simple, secure system that helps you prepare and share your legacy, wishes and personal paperwork. It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan. Leave behind a legacy, not a mess. Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.au No credit card needed. Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays — free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen. No pressure.  No expectation. Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” —  it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way. Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events 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 SERVICES If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here. Support the show Support the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now. Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/ Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials: https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

    1hr 17min

  2. 20 MAY

    Why Some Murder Cases Are Never Solved with Andrew Rule

    We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) What happens when a veteran crime journalist revisits one of Australia’s most haunting unsolved murders? In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Rule, one of Australia’s most respected crime reporters and storytellers, to talk about the unsolved murders of Margaret and Seana Tapp. Andrew shares what first drew him to the case decades ago, the troubling missteps in the original investigation, and why this story has continued to stay with him throughout his career. We explore the complexities of storytelling when real families, reputations, and unanswered questions are involved. Andrew reflects on the ethical responsibility of journalists and podcasters covering true crime, the difference between suspicion and proof, and how human behaviour, relationships, and risk can shape criminal investigations. As someone who personally knew Seana and Margie, this conversation is deeply personal for me. Together, we discuss how cases can remain unsolved for decades, why witnesses sometimes only speak years later, and the emotional weight carried by families still searching for answers. Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared. Take care, Catherine Listen to Andrew's episodes about the Tapp murders: The Tapp tragedy revisited: Part 1 The Tapp tragedy revisited: Part 2 Connect With Andrew Rule Read more about his work and life: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/andrew-rule Listen to his podcast: Life & Crimes with Andrew Rule https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/life-and-crimes-with-andrew-rule/id1260800644 Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform.  It’s a simple, secure system that helps you prepare and share your legacy, wishes and personal paperwork. It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan. Leave behind a legacy, not a mess. Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.au No credit card needed. Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays — free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen. No pressure.  No expectation. Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” —  it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way. Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events 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 SERVICES If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here. Support the show Support the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now. Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/ Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials: https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

    54 min

  3. 13 MAY

    What Near-Death Experiences Taught Me About Living with Travis Hamilton

    We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In this episode, I’m joined by Travis Hamilton, a visionary entrepreneur, ‘recovering banker’, and co-founder of Candour Funerals. After decades working in international finance and navigating addiction, trauma, and two near-death experiences, Travis found himself pulled toward purpose-led work centered around mortality, consciousness, and meaningful living. We talk about the moments that transformed his life, including a terrifying white-water rafting accident where he became trapped underwater and fully believed he was dying. Travis shares how those experiences shifted his relationship with fear, death, and what it means to truly live. We also explore his journey through sobriety, trauma healing, and psychedelic-assisted therapy, and how those experiences deepened his understanding of connection, grief, and human consciousness. Our conversation moves into the funeral industry itself, why death remains such a taboo topic in Western culture, and why Travis believes open conversations about mortality can actually help us live more consciously. He also shares the extraordinary story of honouring his father’s final wish for a full-body burial at sea, including the emotional and logistical realities behind making that happen in Australia. This episode is deeply reflective, vulnerable, and expansive. It’s about transformation, healing, Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform.  It’s a simple, secure system that helps you prepare and share your legacy, wishes and personal paperwork. It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan. Leave behind a legacy, not a mess. Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.au No credit card needed. Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays — free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen. No pressure.  No expectation. Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” —  it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way. Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events 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 SERVICES If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here. Support the show Support the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now. Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/ Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials: https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

    54 min

  4. 6 MAY

    What Happens When You Take Back Your Story with Barry Du Bois

    We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) I’ve had many conversations about death, grief, and what it means to be prepared… but this one felt different. Barry Du Bois is someone many Australians know from television. A builder, presenter, and now a powerful mental health advocate. But beyond the public image, Barry carries a deeply personal story shaped by cancer, loss, resilience, and a defining belief: “I won’t have anybody else narrate my story,” even when faced with a terminal diagnosis. What struck me most in this conversation wasn’t just what Barry has been through… it was how he chooses to live because of it. This episode explores what it means to face mortality head-on, draw strength from connection, and learn to live fully, one small, intentional step at a time, even in life’s hardest moments. A little extra support for our listeners If this conversation resonated with you, Barry has generously shared a range of free resources to help you feel more prepared, less overwhelmed, and supported through life’s more complex moments. His work through The Art of Untangling Lives focuses on preparation, legacy, and easing the burden on loved ones. Barry also offers a short, practical online program, 5 Days to a Calmer, Stronger You, designed as a gentle starting point for people who may appear to be coping on the outside, Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform.  It’s a simple, secure system that helps you prepare and share your legacy, wishes and personal paperwork. It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan. Leave behind a legacy, not a mess. Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.au No credit card needed. Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays — free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen. No pressure.  No expectation. Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” —  it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way. Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events 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 SERVICES If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here. Support the show Support the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now. Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/ Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials: https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

    52 min

  5. 29 APR

    A Mother’s Story of Loss and Love with Emily Mir

    We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) There are moments in life that divide everything into before and after… this conversation with Emily Mir holds one of those stories. Emily is a mother, storyteller, and advocate whose life was forever shaped by the stillbirth of her son, Gilbert, at full term. What she shares is not just the heartbreak of that day, but the reality of what comes after… the quiet, evolving, and deeply human experience of grief. In this episode, we talk about what it means to carry love for a child who is no longer physically here, how grief softens but never disappears, and the complexity of holding joy and loss at the same time. Emily also shares the inspiration behind her children’s book Gilbert’s Cake — a gentle but honest way to help families speak about grief with children, without hiding the truth. This is a conversation about love, loss, and the ways we continue to live, connect, and remember. Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared. Take care, Catherine Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform.  It’s a simple, secure system that helps you prepare and share your legacy, wishes and personal paperwork. It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan. Leave behind a legacy, not a mess. Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.au No credit card needed. Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays — free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen. No pressure.  No expectation. Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” —  it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way. Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events 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 SERVICES If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here. Support the show Support the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now. Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/ Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials: https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

    1hr 4min

  6. 22 APR

    If I Could Do It Again, I’d Bring Her Home with Annie Caulfield

    We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) If I had my time again, I wouldn’t leave her there… I would have brought her home. In this episode, I sit down with Annie Caulfield, a Brisbane-based death care practitioner and founder of Grassroots Death Care. Annie’s work is centred around helping families reconnect with death in a way that feels more personal, supported, and deeply human. This conversation is shaped by Annie’s own lived experience of losing her mum suddenly. What she shares isn’t just reflection… it’s clarity that came after the moment had already passed. The realisation that there were choices she didn’t know she had. We talk about how death has quietly been handed over to systems over time, and what that has taken away from families and communities. Annie walks us through what it can actually look like to bring someone home, to care for them in their final days, and to be more involved in the process rather than stepping back from it. This episode isn’t about getting it “right.” It’s about understanding that there are options… and that even in the hardest moments, there can still be space for connection, presence, and meaning. Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared. Take care,  Catherine Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform.  It’s a simple, secure system that helps you prepare and share your legacy, wishes and personal paperwork. It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan. Leave behind a legacy, not a mess. Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.au No credit card needed. Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays — free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen. No pressure.  No expectation. Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” —  it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way. Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events 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 SERVICES If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here. Support the show Support the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now. Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/ Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials: https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

    1 hr

  7. 15 APR

    The Questions I Lived With After Suicide Loss with Todd Maguire

    We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Trigger Warning: This episode includes conversations around suicide, trauma, and grief. Please listen with care. — I’ve sat in many conversations around death… but this one stayed with me in a different way. Today, I’m speaking with Todd Maguire, a former undercover police officer who spent decades on the frontline of humanity’s darkest moments. From violent crime to suicide, from delivering devastating news to living with the aftermath of trauma, Todd has seen more than most of us ever will. But what struck me most wasn’t just what he witnessed… it was what he carried. Todd shares the story of losing his partner to suicide, the years of pain, recklessness, and self-destruction that followed, and how he slowly found his way back. Not perfectly. Not cleanly. But honestly. And in that honesty, there is something incredibly powerful. This conversation isn’t just about death. It’s about what happens after. It’s about grief, identity, healing… and the quiet, often messy work of choosing to live again. Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared. Take care, Catherine Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform.  It’s a simple, secure system that helps you prepare and share your legacy, wishes and personal paperwork. It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan. Leave behind a legacy, not a mess. Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.au No credit card needed. Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays — free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen. No pressure.  No expectation. Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” —  it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way. Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events 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 SERVICES If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here. Support the show Support the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now. Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/ Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials: https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

    53 min

  8. 8 APR

    Death Isn’t Wrong, It’s Part of Life with Annie Raser-Rowland

    We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Have you ever thought about what it really means to live well… and how often we’re told that “more” is the answer? More things. More experiences. More consumption. But what if that’s not it at all? In this episode, I’m joined by Annie Raser-Rowland, writer, horticulturalist, and co-author of The Art of Frugal Hedonism. Together, we explore a different way of living… one that isn’t built around constant consumption, but around presence, connection, and truly experiencing life as it is. What struck me most is how this way of living naturally shifts how we see death. When you understand yourself as part of a wider system… where everything cycles, returns, and continues… death starts to feel less like something “wrong” and more like something that simply belongs. This is a conversation about life, death, grief, and the quiet ways we can feel more alive… without needing more. Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared. Take care, Catherine Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform.  It’s a simple, secure system that helps you prepare and share your legacy, wishes and personal paperwork. It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan. Leave behind a legacy, not a mess. Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.au No credit card needed. Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays — free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen. No pressure.  No expectation. Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” —  it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way. Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events 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 SERVICES If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here. Support the show Support the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now. Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/ Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials: https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22a Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/

    58 min
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4.8
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Don't Be Caught Dead is a podcast about the conversations most of us avoid — until we’re forced to have them. Each episode brings you honest, accessible conversations with experts across end-of-life, health, legal, financial, and care industries, alongside people with lived experience, to help you better understand your end-of-life choices and how to prepare a practical backup plan if you fall ill, become incapacitated, or die. Hosted by Catherine Ashton, award-winning speaker and founder of Critical Info, the podcast is grounded in lived experience — created so other people don’t have to go through what her family went through. From wills, powers of attorney, funerals, and estate administration, to caring, grief, sudden illness, and navigating systems when life doesn’t go to plan, Don’t Be Caught Dead exists to build confidence, clarity, and preparedness — before a crisis hits.

Information

  • Creator
    Catherine Ashton
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    120
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Don't Be Caught Dead
  • Show Website
    Don't Be Caught Dead

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