Dying for a Cuppa - The Podcast

Katie Costello - End of Life Support Services
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⭐️ NEW EPISODES COMING 20TH JULY 2026 ⭐️ Dying for a CuppaⓇ The Podcast is where we get real about death, dying and everything in between. Each episode brings expert guests, real-life stories, and honest conversations from my world of end-of-life care and funerals. Together we explore experiences of death and dying, alongside practical insight, support and compassion. Whether you’re curious, grieving, caring, or reflecting on your own mortality, this is a space for open, human conversations; no fluff, no jargon, just real, unscripted, conversations from the heart.

  1. 3d ago

    Dying for a Cuppa with Silas Armstrong

    I first saw Silas Armstrong perform at the Child Bereavement UK Christmas concert in December 2025. I knew a little of his story - Silas and his family had experienced the unimaginable — the death of his three-year-old son, Teddy, from a brain tumour. What I didn’t know was just how much there was behind that story. Silas had already connected with and supported Child Bereavement UK before his family found themselves needing the charity’s support personally. And in this episode of Dying for a Cuppa®, he shares with extraordinary openness what life has looked like since Teddy died. We talk about Teddy, his life and his death. About being his dad. About the diagnosis and the realities of navigating hospitals and healthcare, including, very honestly, some of the good, the bad and the ugly. We talk about what grief does to a person. We also explore faith and spirituality, and how reaching towards something beyond ourselves can sometimes help us find connection or meaning when absolutely nothing about what has happened makes sense. And then there is music. Silas is an independent British artist whose music has achieved more than 55 million streams across platforms and projects. In 2024, an Instagram Reel featuring his music reached more than 60 million views, while his album About Time produced five consecutive BBC Introducing Track of the Day selections.  Music has always been part of Silas’s life — he began playing and performing at just 11 years old — but following Teddy’s death, it has also provided somewhere for grief to go. We talk about creativity, songwriting and using music to express some of the things for which ordinary words simply aren’t enough. This is a conversation about the death of a child, so inevitably there are parts that are incredibly difficult. But it isn’t only about death. It’s about Teddy’s life. A father’s love. Grief. Music. Faith. Relationships. Anger. Hope. And somehow learning how to continue living when your world has changed forever. Silas trusted me with an incredibly personal conversation, and I’m very grateful that he did. Grab a cuppa and join us. ☕️❤️ Please also take some time to discover Silas’s music and support the work of Child Bereavement UK. https://www.youtube.com/@silasarmstrong https://www.childbereavementuk.org/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1693143101&gbraid=0AAAAADrvdLQ4kGXotrqjFlmg879OvLwG2&gclid=CjwKCAjwnvTUBhBoEiwAZNDxZ0CdFnkmYuqXtYeDneGgMA7EXQxXWOsM2Rvo9G9jT3ZadUX_6gXgeBoCrzgQAvD_BwE Huge thanks to Match and Dispatch - Outstanding celebrant training for supporting this episode https://matchanddispatch.com/ © 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved. This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

    Dying for a Cuppa with Silas Armstrong

  2. Sep 28

    Dying for a Cuppa with Hospice Nurse Penny

    I’ll admit it. I had a bit of a fangirl moment with this one!! For years, I’ve followed Hospice Nurse Penny — Penny Hawkins Smith from across the pond, watching her talk about death and dying with the kind of honesty, humour and straight-talking approach that I absolutely love. Penny is a nationally certified hospice and palliative care nurse with more than 17 years’ experience. During the pandemic, she took her death education onto social media — using straight talk, storytelling, humour and the occasional TikTok trend to make conversations about dying accessible to millions of people around the world.  Today, her community across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube exceeds two million followers.  So having Penny join me on Dying for a Cuppa® was a real privilege. We go right back to the beginning — how she found her way into nursing and hospice care, what years alongside dying people have taught her, and how social media unexpectedly gave her a platform to educate people on an extraordinary scale. And, unsurprisingly, we talk very openly about dying. What actually happens to our bodies. Why understanding the dying process can take away so much fear. The expectations families can carry. And why avoiding conversations about death doesn’t stop death from happening. We also explore faith, spirituality and belief at the end of life — including the assumptions and expectations that can sometimes be projected onto dying people, and what Penny has actually witnessed after years of caring for people with many different beliefs and none. Penny is refreshingly open on social media about her own journey and the experiences that have shaped the woman she is today — something I think is a huge part of why people connect with her. No fluff. No euphemisms. Just an honest conversation about something that happens to every single one of us. I absolutely loved this one!! Two death educators. Two sides of the Atlantic. One very frank conversation about dying. Grab a cuppa and let us know what you think! ☕️❤️ You can find Penny, her work and her book Influencing Death: Reframing Dying for Better Living at Hospice Nurse Penny⁠.  https://www.hospicenursepenny.com/about https://www.hospicenursepenny.com/book Huge thanks to Match and Dispatch - Outstanding celebrant training for supporting this episode ⁠https://matchanddispatch.com/⁠ © 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved. This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

    Dying for a Cuppa with Hospice Nurse Penny

  3. Sep 21

    Dying for a Cuppa with Cathy Chiplen

    There are some conversations on Dying for a Cuppa® that are professional, and then there are those that are also deeply personal. This one is both. ❤️ Cathy Chiplen is a fellow Soul Midwife, end-of-life companion, grief worker, holistic therapist and, most importantly to me, a friend. We’ve known each other for a number of years, connected through this strange and beautiful world of death, dying and Soul Midwifery, and this was an incredibly special conversation to record. Through Cathy Chiplen Compassionate Therapies, Cathy specialises in grief, bereavement, baby loss and end-of-life support. With almost 20 years’ experience as a holistic therapist, her work includes grief listening, holistic therapies and Grief-Crafting — using creativity, making and ritual to explore and express grief when words aren’t enough. Cathy is also a Trustee and Holistic Therapies Lead with Towards Tomorrow Together, a Somerset-based baby loss charity. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Loss & Bereavement from the Irish Hospice Foundation, gaining First Class Honours in 2026, and is currently studying for an MSc in End of Life Studies with the University of Glasgow. But, as you might expect when you put two Soul Midwives and friends in front of microphones, we wander much further than that! We talk about death and dying. Grief and loss. Soul Midwifery. Spirit dolls (yes, it’s a thing and I have one!). The privilege of accompanying someone towards the end of their life and what years of sitting alongside death have taught us both. And then we head out into the universe… Spirituality. Energy. Connection. What might happen when we die. The experiences we’ve had through our work that have made us wonder and question, and the possibility that perhaps there are some things we simply can’t explain. This isn’t about telling anyone what they should believe. It’s two friends sharing our own thoughts, experiences, questions and beliefs after years spent alongside death, dying and grief. Two Soul Midwives. Two friends. A cuppa. And a conversation that goes from grief and dying, right out into the universe. Grab yourself a cuppa, some cake, and join us. ☕🍰❤️ Find Cathy: Cathy Chiplen Compassionate Therapies cathychiplen.com Towards Tomorrow Together towardstomorrowtogether.com Cathy would also like to acknowledge her doll-making teacher Julia Inglis of Sacred Familiar, and Julia’s friend and teacher Nicole Ahava, who originally taught Julia this doll-making process. https://www.sacredfamiliar.com/ Huge thanks to Match and Dispatch - Outstanding celebrant training - for supporting this episode ⁠https://matchanddispatch.com/⁠ © 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved. This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

    Dying for a Cuppa with Cathy Chiplen

  4. Sep 14

    Dying for a Cuppa with Martin Cosser

    This week’s Dying for a Cuppa® is a powerful one. I’m joined by Martin Cosser, Dad, Founder and CEO of Charlie’s Promise, a charity created in memory of his 17-year-old son, Charlie, whose life was tragically taken following a knife attack in 2023. Martin shares Charlie’s story with extraordinary openness. The events that changed his family’s lives forever, the unimaginable reality of losing his son, and the promise he made to Charlie while he was fighting for his life: to do everything he could to raise awareness of knife crime and its devastating impact. That promise became Charlie’s Promise. This is an intense and deeply emotional conversation. At times, it is a hard listen but it is an incredibly important one. We also talk about the work Martin is doing now to educate young people and create change, including Charlie’s Promise’s work alongside Fearless, the youth service of Crimestoppers, giving young people a safe and completely anonymous way to speak up about crime. Please take some time to find out more about Charlie’s Promise, follow their work and share their message. https://www.charliespromise.org/ https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless And for this episode, you might want to grab yourself an extra strong cuppa. This is Charlie’s story. And this is the promise his dad continues to keep. Martin, alongside his wife, Tara, has now dedicated his life to educating young people about the devastating consequences of knife crime, speaking in schools, colleges and communities across the UK. Through Charlie's Promise, Martin has now reached more than 117,000 young people with a message of hope, prevention and positive change.  Martin said he was deeply grateful for the opportunity to join Katie's podcast to share Charlie's story, reflect on the family's journey and talk about the work being done to create a safer future for young people. https://www.charliespromise.org/ https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless Huge thanks to Match and Dispatch - Outstanding celebrant training for supporting this episode ⁠https://matchanddispatch.com/⁠ © 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved. This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

    Dying for a Cuppa with Martin Cosser

  5. Sep 7

    Dying for a Cuppa with Taru Devani

    Some people really do seem to carry light with them, and Taru Devani is one of those people. Taru is an actor and singer whose career has spanned theatre, television and film. UK listeners may recognise her from EastEnders, alongside many other screen roles, and she has also recorded devotional and Bollywood music. I first met Taru through CARE, the extraordinary production at London’s Young Vic that I had the privilege of supporting and consulting on. Taru played Aditi, a woman approaching the end of her life, and in this episode we talk about what it meant to step into that character, the impact the role had on her personally, and the conversations the play opened up around ageing, care, death, dying and what really matters. But our conversation goes far beyond the stage. Taru shares stories from her own remarkable life — from her upbringing in Uganda and her time in Nairobi, to making a life in the UK and building a career as a performer. We talk about her Hindu heritage, spirituality and beliefs around death and dying, and the ways culture and faith have shaped her understanding of both life and death. Taru also speaks movingly about love, grief and the death of her husband just a few years ago, sharing some of what her own experience of bereavement has taught her. She is inspiring, warm and absolutely full of light. There are so many beautiful messages of hope throughout this conversation. It was an honour to meet Taru through CARE, a joy to have stayed in touch, and I’m incredibly grateful that she chose to share a little more of her life and her story with me on Dying for a Cuppa®. And if, after listening, you’d like to get to know Taru a little more, you can also find her on YouTube, where she shares more of her music, life and work. Grab a cuppa and join us for a beautiful conversation about culture, faith, grief, theatre, love, life — and, of course, death. https://www.youtube.com/@TarusWorld Huge thanks to Match and Dispatch - Outstanding celebrant training for supporting this episode ⁠https://matchanddispatch.com/⁠ © 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved. This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

    Dying for a Cuppa with Taru Devani

  6. Aug 31

    Dying for a Cuppa with Kate & Kate - Match and Dispatch

    This week on Dying for a Cuppa®, it’s Kate, Kate and Katie. And when you put three women this passionate about funerals, celebrancy, and choice in one conversation, there really isn’t much chance of anyone else getting a word in! I’m joined by Kate and Kate from Coffin Club and Match & Dispatch, who I’m also delighted to welcome as proud sponsors of the next few episodes of Dying for a Cuppa®. Between the three of us, we delve into the world of funerals, farewells and celebrancy, the importance of giving people genuine choice and autonomy, the magnitude and responsibility of the work we do with families, and why well-trained, educated and supported celebrants matter so much. Kate and Kate are multi-award-winning funeral educators who are passionate about opening up conversations around death and funerals. Through Coffin Club and Match & Dispatch, they’re helping both the public and professionals understand that funerals can, and should, reflect the people at the heart of them. It’s open, passionate and, unsurprisingly, there’s plenty to say. And listen right to the end because we might just drop a little announcement of our own… 👀 Grab a cuppa and join the three Kates https://matchanddispatch.com/ Huge thanks to Match & Dispatch for supporting this episode of Dying for a Cuppa® The Podcast © 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved. This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

    Dying for a Cuppa with Kate & Kate - Match and Dispatch

  7. Aug 24

    Dying for a Cuppa with Felicity Warner

    In this episode of Dying for a Cuppa® The Podcast, I’m joined by Felicity Warner, founder of Soul Midwives and Principal of the Soul Midwives School and someone who has played a huge part in my own journey and the work I do today. Our diaries have never quite aligned, until now, and I’m so grateful they finally did! We only had a short amount of time together, but we certainly made the most of it. Felicity shares some of her own journey, how Soul Midwifery came to be, and the experiences that shaped her approach to supporting people at the end of life. We also talk about the world of death and dying more broadly, and share our thoughts on what truly human, compassionate end-of-life care can look and feel like. For anyone curious about Soul Midwifery, whether you’re considering training, already working in this space, or simply want to understand more about this beautiful approach to end-of-life care, this episode is absolutely one for you. There was so much more we could have talked about so I’m sure this won’t be the last conversation. Felicity will hopefully be back for Part Two! For now, grab a cuppa and join us https://www.soulmidwives.co.uk/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Felicity-Warner/author/B0039XBY7S?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1787496563&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Felicity Warner is the founder of Soul Midwives, a global movement pioneering and teaching holistic and spiritual end-of-life care. Her work is used in hospitals, hospices, and care homes and within communities. www.soulmidwives.co.uk She is the principal of the Soul Midwives School, and lectures internationally on death and dying and sacred oils. She has authored four books, including Gentle Dying, A Safe Journey Home, The Soul Midwives' Handbook, and Sacred Oils: Working with 20 Precious Oils to Heal Spirit and Soul. In her healing work, Felicity is a myrrhophore (a woman who works with myrrh) and holder of a lineage dating back to Mary Magdalene.  She also teaches threshold consciousness and is co-founder of international research platform exploring death and beyond consciousness www.deathisnotend.com She is an honorary Knowledge Exchange Fellow with the University of Winchester and has won many awards for her work, including End of Life Care Champion of the Year by the National Council for Palliative Care, and the End of Life Doula of the Year by The Good Funeral Guide. She was a finalist in the Daily Mail Inspirational Women of the Year Awards.   © 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved. This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

    Dying for a Cuppa with Felicity Warner

  8. Aug 17

    Dying for a Cuppa with Emma Higham

    Some conversations feel less like an interview and more like sitting alongside a friend. This is one of them. In this deeply personal episode, I’m joined by Emma Higham, someone whose journey has become closely intertwined with my own. I first met Emma when I had the privilege of supporting her husband, Rich, as his Soul Midwife, and later had the honour of leading both of his farewell services as their celebrant. Together, we reflect on the connection that has grown between us over the past few years, and the experiences that have shaped it and come from it. Emma speaks with incredible honesty about Rich, his approach to dying, the peace and spirituality that supported him at the end of his life, and the legacy of love he left behind. She also shares, with remarkable openness, what it has been like navigating life after his death while raising their two young daughters, and how her own connection with Rich has continued to guide and support her. This series is all about spirituality and connection, and this conversation captures both in the most human way. It isn’t about having the answers. It’s about love, grief, hope, resilience and the invisible threads that continue to connect us, even after someone has died. I’m so incredibly grateful to Emma for trusting me, and all of you, with such a personal part of her story. I hope you’ll listen with an open heart. As always, I’d love to hear what resonates with you after listening. Please do leave a review, share the episode with someone who may need it, and let us know your thoughts. © 2026 Katie Costello. Dying for a Cuppa® is a registered trademark of Katie Costello. All rights reserved. This podcast and its content, including audio recordings, descriptions, and associated materials, are protected by copyright. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, legal, or medical advice.

    Dying for a Cuppa with Emma Higham
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About

⭐️ NEW EPISODES COMING 20TH JULY 2026 ⭐️ Dying for a CuppaⓇ The Podcast is where we get real about death, dying and everything in between. Each episode brings expert guests, real-life stories, and honest conversations from my world of end-of-life care and funerals. Together we explore experiences of death and dying, alongside practical insight, support and compassion. Whether you’re curious, grieving, caring, or reflecting on your own mortality, this is a space for open, human conversations; no fluff, no jargon, just real, unscripted, conversations from the heart.

Information

  • Creator
    Katie Costello - End of Life Support Services
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Katie Costello - End of Life Support Services
  • Show Website
    Dying for a Cuppa - The Podcast

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