In this episode of Passing Thoughts, Rob Kaldor explores the darker, often avoided realities of mortality and survival. He speaks with Julian Morgans, a documentary filmmaker and host of the podcast *What It Was Like*, who generously shares his insights from interviewing individuals who have survived extreme, near-death events.

Listen to What It Was Like on Spotify, Apple or Youtube

Follow the show on TikTok or Instagram

You can follow Julian Morgans here

🌟 Before We Go

In the Before We Go segment, Rob takes listeners on an audio trip through Japan, exploring the concept of *mujo* (impermanence) and the country's beautifully integrated approach to death, dying, and remembering. From quiet neighborhood shrines and the relentless discipline of sumo training stables to the poignant Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, discover how Japanese traditions weave the memory of those who have passed into the fabric of everyday life.

📩 Connect With Us
We would love to hear from you. If you have feedback, topic suggestions, or would like to share your own experiences around grief, loss, aging, or caregiving, please reach out:

You can email us at passingthoughts@2rph.org.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Passing Thoughts, Barbara Sullivan explores the Buddhist approach to death and the profound practice of accepting life's impermanence. She speaks with Venerable Tsultrim, an Australian Tibetan Buddhist nun, counselor, and educator who generously shares her insights on navigating the end of life.

🌟 Before We Go In the Before We Go segment, Rob dives into the hit TV series Dying for Sex, exploring the concept of an unconventional bucket list and how confronting a terminal diagnosis can push us to discover what we truly want out of our remaining time.

📩 Connect With Us We would love to hear from you. If you have feedback, topic suggestions, or would like to share your own experiences around grief, loss, aging, or caregiving, please reach out:

• Email: You can email us at passingthoughts@2rph.org.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 2 of the 3rd series of Passing Thoughts, Connie Mason explores the deeply personal journey of "the farewell" and the choices we make when saying goodbye.She speaks with three remarkable women, Ewa, Jane, and Kathy—who generously share how they navigated the final send-offs for their partners. This engaging conversation explores the diverse and deeply personal ways to honor a loved one's life, from arranging a police guard of honor and organizing a waterfront celebration, to working with an end-of-life doula for an intimate home vigil.

🌟 Before We Go In the Before We Go segment, Jeff and Sue share their plans for a natural burial in a coastal forest and their desire to become one with nature.

📩 Connect With Us We would love to hear from you. If you have feedback, topic suggestions, or would like to share your own experiences around grief, loss, aging, or caregiving, please reach out:

• Email: You can email us at passingthoughts@2rph.org.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the Series 3 premiere, Rob Kaldor sits down with author Oliver Christen before a live audience at Better Read Than Dead bookstore in Sydney to discuss his remarkable book, As She Chose. This engaging conversation explores the final days of his mother’s life and her decision to use VSED (Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking). Oliver Christen's book is available at all good bookstores, including Better Read Than Dead.

🌟 Before We Go In the Before We Go segment, Oliver talks about his mother’s bucket list moment.

📩 Connect With Us We would love to hear from you. If you have feedback, topic suggestions, or would like to share your own experiences around grief, loss, aging, or caregiving, please reach out:

• Email: You can email us at passingthoughts@2rph.org.au.

This podcast has been produced with the support of the Wicking Trust and the team at 2RPH.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the final episode of Series 2, Connie Mason speaks with award winning photojournalist Julian Kingma regarding his remarkable book, The Power of Choice. They discuss Julian's deeply personal project documenting the final days and hours of individuals who have chosen voluntary assisted dying (VAD). Julian introduces his respectful approach to capturing these intimate moments, a process designed to empower patients by putting the camera away first and building profound trust. They also shed light on the intense emotional impact of the project, validating the extraordinary courage of patients like Sue Parker and Nigel as they made ultimate decisions about their own end of life.

🌟 Before We Go

Stick around for our Before We Go segment, where Rob Kaldor offers an exclusive sneak peek into what is coming up in Series 3.

📩 Connect With Us

We would love to hear from you. If you have feedback, topic suggestions, or would like to share your own experiences around grief, loss, aging, or caregiving, please reach out:

• Email: You can email us at passingthoughts@2rph.org.au.

• Community Support: Don't forget to rate and review Passing Thoughts, as it really helps others find the show.

This podcast has been produced with the support of the Wicking Trust and the team at 2RPH.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In episode 9 of Series 2, Barbara Sullivan speak Jen Seyderhelm regarding grief in the workplace. They discuss how loss continues to affect employees long after standard bereavement leave ends, and why the silence surrounding grief at work can be so isolating. Jen introduces the concept of "Grief First Aid" a framework designed to help employers and colleagues show up for grieving team members and navigate the fear of saying the wrong thing. They also shed light on "unrecognized grief," validating the profound pain of losing a beloved pet or experiencing a major life change.

🌟 Before We Go

Stick around for our Before We Go segment, where Rob explores how one of the world’s greatest artists channeled deep personal loss into a legendary musical catalog. He reflects on U2 lead singer Bono, whose mother, Iris, died suddenly when he was just 14 years old. Rob discusses how this profound grief mapped the evolution of his music over the decades, echoing through iconic songs like I Will Follow, Mofo, and Lemon.

📩 Connect With Us

We would love to hear from you. If you have feedback, topic suggestions, or would like to share your own experiences around grief, loss, aging, or caregiving, please reach out:

• Email: You can email us at passingthoughts@2rph.org.au.

• Community Support: Don't forget to rate and review Passing Thoughts, as it really helps others find the show.

This podcast has been produced with the support of the Wicking Trust and the team at 2RPH.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Passing Thoughts is a podcast about life’s final chapter told with honesty, compassion, and heart. It’s a space to talk about what we often avoid, because facing death and grief might just teach us how to live better.

In this episode, Connie Mason speaks to Amanda Simons from Carer Gateway. Amanda shares her personal story of being a carer, as well as the vital support services Carer Gateway provides to those looking after a loved one. To find out more about Carer Gateway, visit https://www.carergateway.gov.au/.

In the Before We Go segment, we speak with Mel Harrison from the podcast "Disability Fail 101" — well worth a listen at https://www.2rph.org.au/disability-fail-101/.

Connect With Us

📧 Email: Contact the team at passingthoughts@2rph.org.au

👍 Community: Like us on Facebook and connect with others exploring these conversations.

This series is made with the support of the Wicking Trust and Radio 2RPH.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Passing Thoughts is a podcast about life’s final chapter told with honesty, compassion, and heart. It’s a space to talk about what we often avoid, because facing death and grief might just teach us how to live better.

Rob Kaldor visits the Sydney headquarters of a groundbreaking new charity: the Shifra Centre. Rob sits down with founder Irene Fihrer, a clinical psychologist who started the organisation following the deeply challenging passing of her mother. They discuss the critical gap in psychosocial and spiritual end-of-life support and how the Shifra Centre uses a multidisciplinary approach alongside frameworks from Jewish mourning traditions to provide holistic care for the dying. Find out more info about the Shifra Center https://www.shifracentre.org.au/

In the Before We Go segment, Barbara Sullivan reflects on the changing landscape of obituaries. She highlights a memorable, brutally honest tribute to Jenni Kelly.

Connect With Us

• 📧 Email: Contact the team at passingthoughts@2rph.org.au

• 👍 Community: Like us on Facebook and connect with others exploring these conversations.

This series is made with the support of the Wicking Trust and Radio 2RPH.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.