Don't Be Caught Dead

Catherine Ashton
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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. 6D AGO

    ENCORE: Death, Grief and Ritual: Lessons from an Interfaith Minister

    We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In this episode of Don’t Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Reverend Amy Firth — interfaith minister, funeral director, and spiritual counsellor — to talk about her incredible journey through grief, loss, and finding her calling in end-of-life care. From training in London with the One Spirit Interfaith Foundation, to returning to the Blue Mountains to support families, Amy shares what it means to walk alongside people in their most vulnerable moments. We will return with our new season on Thursday, 26 February 2026. Thanks for listening. If you’ve ever thought “I really should get my affairs in order,” this is your moment. For $99 (fully tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — or use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing by creating your own backup plan.. https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4 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 If you’ve ever thought, “I really should get my affairs in order,” or wondered what would happen if you suddenly couldn’t show up — this is your moment. Through Critical Info, we’re inviting listeners of Don't Be Caught Dead to either sponsor an unpaid carer or put their own backup plan in place. For $99 (tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — real backup, not paperwork for paperwork’s sake. Or you can use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing if something happens to you. It’s not about being morbid. It’s about being kind — to yourself and to the people who rely on you. 👉 Sponsor a carer or start your backup plan via this link: https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4 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. Contact Catherine ...

    1h 9m

  2. JAN 31

    ENCORE: Meaning Over Ministry: Jim's Unique Approach to Grief and Funerals

    We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) What do you give the love of your life as a final birthday gift when they only have days left? That's the tender moment Reverend Jim Colville shares with us in this powerful chat. It's an act of love that perfectly sums up Jim's radical, non-judgemental approach to life, death, and dying. Jim, the man who started Colony 47 in Hobart in 1973, joins me to discuss his work offering unconditional acceptance to everyone rejected by 1970s society—from young single mums to the LGBTQIA+ community. He tells us how he fought intense judgement, even being called a communist for painting a church door red! Jim's ministry has always been unconventional. He shares beautiful insights on supporting people through traumatic, sudden death, and why silence is often better than trying to talk. Jim also recounts the deeply personal story of caring for his wife, Margaret, as she was dying from lung cancer. This led to his final, most enduring gift to her: a hidden tattoo he showed her just before she died. Tune in for a powerful, funny, and unforgettable chat about facing death and finding humanity in the toughest times. What you’ll hear in this episode: The founding of Colony 47 in 1973 as a hub for non-judgemental acceptance. If you’ve ever thought “I really should get my affairs in order,” this is your moment. For $99 (fully tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — or use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing by creating your own backup plan.. https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4 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 If you’ve ever thought, “I really should get my affairs in order,” or wondered what would happen if you suddenly couldn’t show up — this is your moment. Through Critical Info, we’re inviting listeners of Don't Be Caught Dead to either sponsor an unpaid carer or put their own backup plan in place. For $99 (tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — real backup, not paperwork for paperwork’s sake. Or you can use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing if something happens to you. It’s not about being morbid. It’s about being kind — to yourself and to the people who rely on you. 👉 Sponsor a carer or start your backup plan via this link: https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4 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. Contact Catherine ...

    55 min

  3. JAN 22

    ENCORE: Found Family: The Importance of Compassion in Grief

    We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) In this episode, I have the absolute pleasure of chatting with Dr. Annetta Mallon, a leading expert in grief loss education and end-of-life care. With over three decades of experience as a psychotherapist, Annetta dives deep into the complexities of grief, loss, and the importance of personal storytelling. We explore the multifaceted roles of an end-of-life doula, the significance of advanced care planning, and how to navigate the often-overlooked challenges faced by the LGBTQI+ community in death care. We will return with our new season on Thursday, 26 February 2026. Thanks for listening. If you’ve ever thought “I really should get my affairs in order,” this is your moment. For $99 (fully tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — or use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing by creating your own backup plan.. https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4 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 If you’ve ever thought, “I really should get my affairs in order,” or wondered what would happen if you suddenly couldn’t show up — this is your moment. Through Critical Info, we’re inviting listeners of Don't Be Caught Dead to either sponsor an unpaid carer or put their own backup plan in place. For $99 (tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — real backup, not paperwork for paperwork’s sake. Or you can use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing if something happens to you. It’s not about being morbid. It’s about being kind — to yourself and to the people who rely on you. 👉 Sponsor a carer or start your backup plan via this link: https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4 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. Contact Catherine ...

    59 min

  4. JAN 14

    ENCORE: Facing Death: Moira Kelly's Mission to Save Lives

    We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) What does it mean to TRULY save a life? For humanitarian Moira Kelly, the answer was simple—give a part of herself. In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, we dive deep into the extraordinary life of Moira Kelly, a remarkable humanitarian whose journey has been defined by compassion, courage, and the gift of life. From her early dreams of working alongside Mother Teresa to her recent act of becoming a living kidney donor to Krishna, one of the conjoined twins she brought to Australia, Moira's story is a testament to the power of love and selflessness. Join us as we explore her incredible experiences, the challenges she faced, and the profound impact she has made on countless lives. We will return with our new season on Thursday, 26 February 2026. Thanks for listening. If you’ve ever thought “I really should get my affairs in order,” this is your moment. For $99 (fully tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — or use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing by creating your own backup plan.. https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4 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 If you’ve ever thought, “I really should get my affairs in order,” or wondered what would happen if you suddenly couldn’t show up — this is your moment. Through Critical Info, we’re inviting listeners of Don't Be Caught Dead to either sponsor an unpaid carer or put their own backup plan in place. For $99 (tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — real backup, not paperwork for paperwork’s sake. Or you can use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing if something happens to you. It’s not about being morbid. It’s about being kind — to yourself and to the people who rely on you. 👉 Sponsor a carer or start your backup plan via this link: https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4 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. Contact Catherine ...

    1 hr

  5. JAN 7

    ENCORE: Time’s Up: Facing Death and Finding Your Life List

    We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Are you making the most of your time before death catches us all? In this heartfelt episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I chat with Kate Christie, Australia’s leading time management expert, about how loss and grief can be the wake-up call we need to live intentionally. Kate shares her personal story of losing her ex-husband to pancreatic cancer and how that tragedy reshaped her approach to time, priorities, and what she calls a “life list” — not a bucket list — focusing on what truly matters while we’re still here. We will return with our new season on Thursday, 26 February 2026. Thanks for listening. If you’ve ever thought “I really should get my affairs in order,” this is your moment. For $99 (fully tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — or use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing by creating your own backup plan.. https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4 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 If you’ve ever thought, “I really should get my affairs in order,” or wondered what would happen if you suddenly couldn’t show up — this is your moment. Through Critical Info, we’re inviting listeners of Don't Be Caught Dead to either sponsor an unpaid carer or put their own backup plan in place. For $99 (tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — real backup, not paperwork for paperwork’s sake. Or you can use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing if something happens to you. It’s not about being morbid. It’s about being kind — to yourself and to the people who rely on you. 👉 Sponsor a carer or start your backup plan via this link: https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4 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. Contact Catherine ...

    44 min

  6. 12/31/2025

    ENCORE: Embracing Grief: The Art of Memorialisation with Chloe Marcela Coelho

    We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) What if the objects we hold dear could help us navigate the complex journey of grief? In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Chloe Marcela Coelho, a passionate death scholar and creative practitioner who dives deep into the intricate dimensions of death, grief, and design. Chloe's work is all about enhancing our understanding of death and the grieving process through innovative memorialisation strategies. We explore how personal objects, tactile experiences, and even technology can help us maintain connections with our loved ones after they’ve passed. We will return with our new season on Thursday, 26 February 2026. Thanks for listening. If you’ve ever thought “I really should get my affairs in order,” this is your moment. For $99 (fully tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — or use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing by creating your own backup plan.. https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4 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 If you’ve ever thought, “I really should get my affairs in order,” or wondered what would happen if you suddenly couldn’t show up — this is your moment. Through Critical Info, we’re inviting listeners of Don't Be Caught Dead to either sponsor an unpaid carer or put their own backup plan in place. For $99 (tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — real backup, not paperwork for paperwork’s sake. Or you can use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing if something happens to you. It’s not about being morbid. It’s about being kind — to yourself and to the people who rely on you. 👉 Sponsor a carer or start your backup plan via this link: https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4 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. Contact Catherine ...

    54 min

  7. 12/24/2025

    ENCORE: Who’s Really at Risk? Understanding Elder Abuse

    We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) Have you ever thought about who might be the biggest threat to the elderly in our lives? It’s not just the faceless strangers in nursing homes; it’s often their own family members.  In this eye-opening episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I chat with William J. Betts, a legal expert in family violence and elder rights at Peninsula Community Legal Centre. Will sheds light on the often-overlooked issue of elder abuse. We dive deep into the complexities of estate planning, the importance of having a Will, and how to protect our loved ones from potential harm. We will return with our new season on Thursday, 26 February 2026. Thanks for listening. If you’ve ever thought “I really should get my affairs in order,” this is your moment. For $99 (fully tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — or use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing by creating your own backup plan.. https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4 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 If you’ve ever thought, “I really should get my affairs in order,” or wondered what would happen if you suddenly couldn’t show up — this is your moment. Through Critical Info, we’re inviting listeners of Don't Be Caught Dead to either sponsor an unpaid carer or put their own backup plan in place. For $99 (tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — real backup, not paperwork for paperwork’s sake. Or you can use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing if something happens to you. It’s not about being morbid. It’s about being kind — to yourself and to the people who rely on you. 👉 Sponsor a carer or start your backup plan via this link: https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4 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. Contact Catherine ...

    1h 18m

  8. 12/17/2025

    ENCORE: Living Well to Die Well: A Philosophical Perspective

    We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-) This is an encore episode of the Don't Be Caught Dead podcast and a listener favourite from Season 2. In this thought-provoking episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Dr. Simon Longstaff, a philosopher and the first executive director of the Ethics Centre. We dive deep into the complexities of life, death, and everything in between. Simon shares his unique journey, from his early days on Groot Island to his profound connection with the Anindilyakwa people, and how these experiences have shaped his understanding of ethics, community, and the essence of a good life. We will return with our new season on Thursday, 26 February 2026. Thanks for listening. If you’ve ever thought “I really should get my affairs in order,” this is your moment. For $99 (fully tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — or use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing by creating your own backup plan.. https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4 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 If you’ve ever thought, “I really should get my affairs in order,” or wondered what would happen if you suddenly couldn’t show up — this is your moment. Through Critical Info, we’re inviting listeners of Don't Be Caught Dead to either sponsor an unpaid carer or put their own backup plan in place. For $99 (tax-deductible), you can sponsor one carer with a full year of practical planning support — real backup, not paperwork for paperwork’s sake. Or you can use the same tools to make sure your loved ones aren’t left guessing if something happens to you. It’s not about being morbid. It’s about being kind — to yourself and to the people who rely on you. 👉 Sponsor a carer or start your backup plan via this link: https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692a1d7562daa122b31e6dc4 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. Contact Catherine ...

    59 min
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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
    104
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Don't Be Caught Dead
  • Show Website
    Don't Be Caught Dead