The Life and Death Podcast

Stephen chats to Mock the Week star, Ed Byrne, as he shares the deeply personal story behind his new comedy show, "Tragedy Plus Time". Ed opens up about the death of his brother Paul, and how his death became the catalyst for Ed's exploration of grief and humour. Reflecting on the moments leading up to Paul's death and the complexities of sibling relationships, Ed and host Stephen Rumford delve into the healing power of laughter amidst sorrow. Discover the profound impact of loss, the importance of cherishing our loved ones, and the enduring wisdom shared by Ed's late brother: "you can be as serious as you want but there always has to be a joke." See if there’s a show near you. Follow us on Instagram @ashgate_hospice Support resources. This episode of The Life and Death podcast was produced by Olivia Swift and it’s a Reform Radio production.

When Amber’s mum died suddenly, shortly after her 19th birthday, she spiralled into a life of self-destruction. After several turbulent years and unable to find the support she needed, Amber started The Grief Gang podcast. This podcast became her outlet, a resource dedicated to people who were experiencing bereavement like she was. Seven years since her mum Sue’s death, Amber chats about the sudden death of her mother at such a young age and how this tragedy has inspired her to help others. Find out more about The Grief Gang Follow us on Instagram @ashgate_hospice Support resources: https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/ The Life and Death podcast is produced by Reform Radio.

Trigger Warning: Listener discretion is strongly recommended. Hayley talks quite graphically about what death looks like, including what a body might look like after death. This includes discussions of infant death as she talks about her experience of seeing a baby in a mortuary. Hayley Campbell is a journalist, writer and broadcaster whose book, All the Living and the Dead, delivers a gripping look at the professionals who have made death their lives work. She talks to embalmers, a former death row executioner, mass fatality investigators, a bereavement midwife, and many more. Hayley spent two years immersed in a field few people know about. Amongst the many questions raised, Hayley contemplates: ‘would facing death directly make us fear it less?’ Find out more about Hayley on her website: https://www.hayleycampbell.com/ Follow us on Instagram @ashgate_hospice Support resources: https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/ The Life and Death podcast is produced by Reform Radio.

Through The Dead and Alive Project, Klaus Bo documents death rituals from across the globe. From the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico, where families clean the bones of their ancestors who may have been dead for decades, to families in the Philippines who, due to poverty and overpopulation, are literally living alongside the dead in cemeteries. Klaus takes us on a trip around the world, chatting about his interest in death rituals, and how other cultures view the dead. Check out his unique and eye-opening project - viewer discretion is advised: www.deadandaliveproject.com Instagram @deadandaliveproject Follow us on Instagram @ashgate_hospice Support resources: https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/ The Life and Death podcast is produced by Reform Radio.

It was the 9th September 1989 when Tim’s dad died. It was also Tim’s wedding day. Tim Sullivan is a film director, screenwriter and novelist (Cold Feet, Coronation Street, Letters to Juliet) and in this episode he opens up about the events of that day, how it has shaped his life, and how it has influenced his writing. Tim’s website: https://timsullivan.co.uk/ Follow us on Instagram @ashgate_hospice Support resources: https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/ The Life and Death podcast is produced by Reform Radio.

In 2011, London-based artist Annie Nicholson suffered an unimaginable tragedy when three members of her family were killed in a tragic accident. She talks to Stephen about how the incident changed her life and how she has used her art to help navigate the complexities of grief. Through her alter-ego Fandangoe Kid, Annie uses dancing and music to help unpack her trauma and encourage others to have open and honest conversations. Follow Annie on Instagram @fandangoekid Follow us on Instagram @ashgate_hospice Annie's website: https://www.fandangoekid.com/ Support resources: https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/ The Life and Death podcast is produced by Reform Radio.

When Ruth’s husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she began documenting their journey through social media and a personal blog. Almost one year since Pete’s death, Ruth reflects on the last year, how the blog has helped others, and how she’s found hope in the face of adversity. https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/resource-centre/ The Life and Death podcast is produced by Reform Radio.

In this episode, we are joined by Progressive Funeral Director, Louise Winter who is also one half of the team behind Life. Death. Whatever, an initiative redesigning the dialogue around death and dying. Louise talks with Stephen about her mission to get people to talk more openly about death and dying, reframing how we talk about death and what she has learned about living as a result. She also discusses the importance of people coming together to say their goodbyes and sharing the experience. Louise’s book ‘We All Know How This Ends - Lessons about life and living from working with death and dying’ – is out now. Follow Life. Death. Whatever. on Instagram

In this episode, we chat to former academic, turned writer and TEDx speaker Stacey Heale whose husband, Delays drummer Greg Gilbert, died from bowel cancer last year. Since Greg's death Stacey has used social media to document her family’s journey, offering an honest insight into “how to live well in the rubble of your life.” The mother of two discusses the difference between expectation and reality of death and grieving, the painful moment her and Greg told their children he was dying and what life looks like for her now. You can find Stacey on Instagram @stacey_heale.

Acclaimed journalist and Sunday Times bestseller, Clover Stroud, joins us in this episode for a look at how death can help you see the world in vivid colour. Clover’s beloved sister, Nell died suddenly, days after having been told that even with a cancer diagnosis, she would live for years. The shock tore Clover’s life apart and led to her writing ‘The Red of My Blood’ which chronicles Clover’s fearless passage through the first year after her sister's death. In this chat Clover and Stephen explore what death teaches us about life, how to navigate grief and the gift that death has given to Clover. Clover’s book is as much about life as it is death - The Red of My Blood is out now.

In this episode, Stephen sits down with Mary-Frances O’Connor. Mary is an associate professor at the University of Arizona, where she leads the grief, loss and social stress (Glass) lab, investigating the effects of grief on the brain and the body. She’s also the author of The Grieving Brain: How We Learn from Love and Loss. They discuss how neuroscience can help us to better understand grief, why grief is different from grieving, how grief can change and evolve over time, and how to support people when they are grieving.

Stephen is joined by Seamus O’Mahony, a recently retired consultant gastroenterologist. Seamus has established himself as a well-regarded commentator on modern medicine and healthcare systems. Join us as he discusses his patient experiences, the state of modern healthcare, and what needs to change.

For the first episode of our new season, Stephen talks to Kimberley Greaves, a young widow and mother of two. Tragically, at just 44 years old, her husband, Andrew, died after being diagnosed with bladder cancer three and a half years before. Kimberley has spent the last 12 months coming to terms with life as a young widow. Join us as we find out what life has been like following the death of Andrew, how she’s coped, and what the future might look like for her and her two young children. Twitter: @Ashgate_Hospice Facebook: www.facebook.com/AshgateHospice Instagram: @ashgate_hospice

Podcast host and Ashgate’s senior physiotherapist, Stephen Rumford, sits down with Maria Conyers, whose husband died at the beginning of the pandemic, Maddie Zygmunt, who first experienced grief at just five years old and Ashgate’s Reflective Practice Manager, Simon Bell, who shares his expert view and coping strategies. https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/resource-centre/

“If you ever want some good advice, talk to a funeral director.” Drew Lilleker talks about the emotional responsibility of his job, supporting bereaved families, and working around death.

“What people give me I hold precious. They’re sharing the deepest part of themselves.” Siobhan Hoyes, Spiritual Care Practitioner at Ashgate Hospicecare, accompanies patients towards the end of their life journeys and discusses the role of spirituality in palliative care.

“When you find life a bit overwhelming it really makes you interested in the big questions.” Tunng band member, Sam Genders, discusses his recent musical project exploring death and palliative care.

“The main thing for us is the patients. It was cruel what people had to go through.” 2020 was a difficult year for everyone, and palliative care was no exception. Three people share their unique experiences of palliative care in the time of COVID-19.

“I’ve been dead. I know what it’s like, and I’m not frightened.” Terminally ill patient, David Lawton, shares his experience of dying and being brought back to life, and what he saw on the other side.

“People think communication is about what we say, when it’s actually about silence.” Author and palliative doctor Kathryn Mannix explains what happens when we die, and why we must talk about it.