Internationally recognised author and speaker, Rebecca Soffer, began her journey into grief unexpectedly in her early 30s after her mother was killed in a car crash and her father died of a heart attack. The weight of this loss at such a young

Ed Byrne is laughing through grief: How the death of his brother inspired a critically acclaimed show

15 days ago 31m 6s

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 o

Teenage kicks: How Amber coped with the sudden death of her mother in her teens

Jul 17th, 2023 38m 52s

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 h

Behind the scenes of death with Hayley Campbell

Jul 3rd, 2023 35m 4s

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 experi

Death rituals from around the world with photographer Klaus Bo

Jun 19th, 2023 40m 42s

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 th

Tim Sullivan: My father died on my wedding day

Jun 5th, 2023 30m 50s

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 t

Annie Nicholson: Dancing with death

May 22nd, 2023 23m 26s

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 n

“It’s the gift that nobody wants” - Ruth Swailes on blogging through her grief

May 8th, 2023 35m 32s

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

How a good funeral can be transformational in our grief.

Jul 25th, 2022 29m 52s

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 mi

“As harrowing as it was there was some comfort knowing that we were all on the same team.” Stacey Heale on bereavement.

Jun 27th, 2022 29m 46s

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 jour

“There’s no fast way through it.” Clover Stroud on life after death.

Jun 13th, 2022 28m 29s

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 wit

Mary-Frances O’Connor: "Grief doesn’t go away but it changes so you can live with it."

May 27th, 2022 30m 39s

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 b

“People were dying without knowing they were dying.” The state of modern healthcare.

May 16th, 2022 29m 58s

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, th

“It just felt completely impossible.” Navigating life as a young widow and a single mum.

May 2nd, 2022 28m

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. K

Bonus

'You don’t have to be happy at Christmas' – advice from people missing loved ones during the festive season.

Dec 1st, 2021 46m 35s

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 P

An undertaker’s perspective

Jun 18th, 2021 28m 11s

“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.

The end of the journey: Spiritual Care

Jun 11th, 2021 31m 7s

“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 spir

Sam Genders: Exploring death in art

Jun 4th, 2021 31m 12s

“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.

Palliative care in lockdown

May 28th, 2021 25m 12s

“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 COV

Died and revived: What’s on the other side?

May 21st, 2021 22m 58s

“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.

Kathryn Mannix: What happens when we die?

May 14th, 2021 47m 37s

“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.

Arlene and Ellie

Dec 18th, 2020 22m 32s

“I learnt to let go of that guilt for feeling okay”. Arlene and Ellie discuss their personal experiences of bereavement, grieving at Christmas time, and how singing has helped their mental health.

Stephen and Barbara-Anne

Dec 8th, 2020 26m 48s

“There are some people that just get under my defences”. Stephen, senior physiotherapist at Ashgate Hospicecare, chats with the hospice’s Chief Executive Barbara-Anne. They discuss the person behind the title, their views of life and death, and

Carl and Tom

Nov 20th, 2020 22m 35s

"You've got the fuel with what you've been through to be able to do it". Tom, who has been a passionate fundraiser since his Dad died in 2018, chats with fundraising manager Carl about family, loss, and the incredible cycling challenge he compl

Liz and Sarah

Nov 6th, 2020 24m 45s

“I think bereavement starts before somebody has died”. Sarah, whose partner Jackie died in 2017, and her bereavement counsellor Liz, chat about loss, coping with death, and how they have worked through Sarah's grief together.