Explore every episode of the podcast Dying for a Cuppa - The Podcast

Evie King – Get Ahead of Being Dead - Planning for death. Getting organised. And all the things you probably haven't even thought about!

This week on Dying for a Cuppa®, I'm delighted to welcome back the wonderful Evie King, author of Get Ahead of Being Dead (and Ashes to Admin)

Evie is an absolute font of knowledge, and thanks to her work within local government dealing with public health funerals, she has a truly unique insight into what happens when someone dies, particularly when plans haven't been made, arrangements aren't in place, or life takes an unexpected turn.

And believe me, there are things you haven't even considered!

This conversation is very much about the practicalities of dying and death. The planning, the paperwork, the decisions, the conversations and all those little details that can make such a difference to the people we leave behind.

We explore the situations we might never imagine finding ourselves in, the assumptions we make about what happens when we die, and why getting our affairs in order isn't just sensible, it's an act of care and CONSIDERATION for ourselves and those we love.

Evie's book, Get Ahead of Being Dead, is packed with practical information, guidance and insight, and this episode gives you a wonderful introduction to why these conversations and preparations matter so much.

As always, Evie is an absolute joy to talk to. She's knowledgeable, refreshingly honest, wonderfully down to earth, and makes even the trickiest subjects feel approachable.

If you've ever thought about getting your affairs in order, planning your funeral, or simply understanding what you need to consider before you die, this really is an episode not to miss.

So grab yourself a cuppa, perhaps a notebook and pen, and join us. There's plenty to learn!

Find Evie's book:

Get Ahead of Being Dead – Available through book retailers, including Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Get-Ahead-Being-Dead-Planner/dp/180419378X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This episode takes us into what I lovingly call the “woo-woo.” I’m joined by world-renowned evidential medium Hannah McIntyre for a fascinating conversation about spirituality, connection and the idea that love continues beyond physical death.

I know this is a subject that often divides opinion. Many people have strong beliefs one way or the other, and that’s absolutely okay. My invitation isn’t that you have to agree with everything that’s shared, but simply that you listen with curiosity and an open mind.

This series is all about exploring the many ways people experience connection, meaning and spirituality. Mediumship is one perspective, one belief system and one way that some people make sense of life, death and the relationships that continue after someone has died.

Whether you are deeply spiritual, quietly sceptical or somewhere in between, I hope this conversation gives you something to think about. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts after listening. This is one of those episodes that will no doubt spark conversation, and that’s exactly what Dying for a Cuppa is all about.

Hannah Macintyre is an international evidential medium and host of the acclaimed Mediumship Matters podcast with a global fan base. Hannah’s unique journey into spirit connection brings a fresh, positive perspective on life beyond the physical. With over a decade's experience, her modern, down-to-earth style in mediumship and teaching has gained followers worldwide.

Known for her humour and honesty, Hannah captivates audiences as an accomplished platform medium, providing evidence & messages from the world beyond our physical senses.

www.hannahmedium.co.uk

© 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.

Today I’m joined by Maxine Edgar, owner of Bronze Ash Funeral Directors in Romford, for a powerful, honest and thought-provoking conversation that covers far more than funerals alone.

Together we explore race, sexism, representation, spirituality, culture and what it really means to care for families with compassion and understanding. Maxine speaks openly about her own experiences as a Black woman working in the funeral profession, sharing the prejudice she has encountered along the way, alongside the strength, resilience and determination.

We also delve into the rich traditions, spirituality and sense of community that are often at the heart of African and Caribbean funerals. Maxine offers a fascinating insight into the families she serves and why understanding different cultures is so important if we’re to provide truly person-centred care at the end of life.

Like me, Maxine is passionate about opening up conversations around death, dying and funerals. She believes that knowledge gives us choice, that representation matters, and that talking openly helps us better understand both one another and ourselves.

There are so many things I admire about Maxine, but perhaps most of all it’s her honesty. Some of the experiences she shares are difficult to hear. I found parts of this conversation almost unbelievable, yet sadly not surprising. They remind us that, while progress has been made, there is still work to do if we want to create a more equal, compassionate and inclusive world.

Above all, this is a conversation about humanity. About listening. About understanding experiences beyond our own. And about meeting every family, regardless of their background, with dignity, respect and kindness.

I’d love to hear what resonates with you after listening. Please leave a review, share the episode with someone who would value this conversation, and let us know your thoughts.

https://www.bronzeashfunerals.co.uk/

© 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.

In this deeply honest and moving episode, I’m joined by Tom Fitzsimons. Author, inspirational speaker and a man whose life has been transformed through recovery, resilience and human connection.

Tom shares the story of losing his dad when he was just 13 years old, and how that loss shaped the years that followed. He speaks with incredible openness about his struggles with alcohol addiction, the impact it had on his life, and the long road towards sobriety. Now many years sober, Tom dedicates his life to helping others, using his own experiences to inspire hope and show that change is always possible.

We also explore the healing power of movement and connection. Tom talks about discovering running, the profound effect it had on his mental health, and the extraordinary endurance challenges he has gone on to complete. His story is one of courage, determination and the reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always a path forwards.

I was deeply moved by Tom’s honesty throughout this conversation, but it’s what he shares in the closing moments that truly stayed with me. It reduced me to tears, and I hope you’ll stay with us until the very end, you’ll understand why.

This episode contains open conversations about grief, bereavement, alcohol addiction, recovery, death and dying. If these topics feel tender for you right now, please listen gently and take care of yourself.

I’d love to hear what resonates with you after listening. Please do leave a review, share the episode with someone who might need it, and let us know your thoughts.

You’ll find Tom’s links below. Please do give him a follow, explore his work, and if his story connects with you, I’d highly recommend reading his book.

Tom Fitzsimons |

LinkedInInstagram

https://www.tiktok.com/@thesoberbard?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

© 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.

In this episode of Dying for a Cuppa®, I’m joined by Lisa Rainier, a healthcare chaplain with over 15 years’ experience supporting people at the bedside through some of life’s most profound moments.

Lisa and I first met at the hospice where I used to work, and she now continues her incredible work as a chaplain within a leading cancer hospital.

This is a conversation full of warmth, honesty and compassion. Together we explore what chaplaincy really is, the role it plays at the end of life, and why conversations around faith matter so much. We also unpack the important differences between faith, religion and spirituality, and how these can each offer comfort, meaning and connection in very different ways.

What I admire most about Lisa is her ability to meet people exactly where they are. Whatever someone’s beliefs, or none at all, she creates a space where they feel seen, heard and supported without judgement.

I’m so grateful to Lisa for sharing her own experiences, reflections and beliefs with such openness. It’s exactly what this series is all about: creating honest conversations that help us better understand ourselves, each other, and what it means to be human.

© 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.

A little hello from me as I step into my 44th year!

Before the next instalment of Dying for a Cuppa® officially begins next week, I wanted to sit down, reconnect and share a few thoughts, reflections and little birthday ramblings with you.

No guest, no big topic, just me and a moment to pause before we begin the next chapter.

Thank you for being here, for listening, and for continuing these important conversations with me.

The first full episode lands Monday 13th, and I can’t wait to share what’s coming! (Sorry folks, new episode will be now 20th July!!)

© 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.

This is the episode we didn’t know we needed… but I’m so glad we’ve got it. This is a great way to end this series.

Let me introduce you to Mathew Crawley, Chief Executive of the ICCM (Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management), a role that carries huge responsibility across the UK, and one Mat brings to life with real depth, honesty and character.

This conversation goes far beyond what I expected We explore everything from talking about death and dying, bereavement leave, and the realities of working in this world, to the wider impact these conversations have on all of us as humans.

There are moments in this chat I didn’t see coming, topics I didn’t plan for, and reflections that genuinely stayed with me. It’s open, it’s real, and it’s incredibly thought-provoking.

I’m also deeply grateful to Mat for sharing his own personal experience following the death of his father last year, bringing a level of honesty and humanity that makes this episode something really special.

If you’ve been following Series 3, this is a powerful note to end on.

https://www.iccm-uk.com/iccm/

Mat has spent more than three decades working in bereavement services, dedicating his career to supporting people at some of the most difficult moments in their lives. He began his journey as a funeral director, gaining first-hand experience of the care and empathy required to guide families through loss. Over the years, Mathew has worked across many areas of service provision, developing a deep understanding of the sector and the people it serves.

In 2025, Mathew became Chief Executive of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM), where he now leads the organisation with the same commitment and energy that has shaped his career. His work is driven by a genuine passion to improve the services that bereaved people rely on, always seeking ways to ensure they are delivered with compassion and are truly individual to those accessing them.

Mathew describes his career as colourful, shaped by a wide range of experiences and the many remarkable people he has encountered along the way. Throughout it all, he has held firmly to a belief that humour, compassion and honesty are powerful vehicles for better developing our understanding of grief and those navigating their own bereavement path. These values continue to guide his leadership and inspire his work to strengthen and advance bereavement services for the future.

© 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.

Mohamed Omer MBE joins us for the last episode of the series and what a way to finish! Dying for a Cuppa series 3 has been such a joy and a privilege.

This episode is quite frankly AMAZING. Mohamed shares insights into his faith and the Muslim rituals and reasons around death and funeral practices, he speaks with heart about humanity, community and spirituality and I could listen to him all day. Not only will you learn but you will feel uplifted, inspired and full of hope.

This is not just about faith, it is about education, connecting and all doing better, collectively, as a human race when it comes to death, dying and end of life support.

This feels like a perfect message to end on for the world and I hope it fills you with as much love as it did us in this moment.

Mohamed is an absolute LEGEND in this end of life world and I love him both personally and professionally. He is currently involved with various organisations, including being the governments go to when it comes to supporting the Muslim faith and end of life services as well as...

Chair – National Burial Council (an umbrella body for the Muslim Community dealing with burials and Deaths)

Board member – External Affairs, Gardens of Peace Muslim Cemetery, based in Hainault Essex. This is the largest dedicated Muslim Cemetery in the United Kingdom.

Director of Muslim Bereavement Support Service

Member of the Burial Cremation Advisory Group at the Ministry of Justice representing the Muslim Community

Board Member of ICCM (Institute of Cemetery and Crematoria Managers)

He is a trustee of The Big Issue Invest – an organisation funding Social

Enterprises that are not able to obtain funding from banks.  

Mohamed has been actively involved with community work in East London for the last 15 years. 

He has been the governor of Oaks Park High School in Ilford for the last 25 years and a chair for the last 4 years. Oaks Park is a community school and the only PFI school in the borough of Redbridge.

Appointed as a trustee of Haven House Children’s Hospice in Woodford inAugust 2016.

Chair of the Redbridge Faith Forum

Thank you so much for all the support, the messages, the shares, the quiet listens, and the brave conversations that have come from this series. It honestly means more than you know.

If these episodes have resonated with you, please do keep sharing, liking, reviewing and telling people about the podcast. That’s how these conversations grow. That’s how we keep normalising talking about death, dying and grief.

And if you’d like to go a little deeper, my book 'A Gift' is available now on Amazon — part funeral plan, part life story, part love letter. It’s there to help you reflect, record and share what matters most. https://amzn.eu/d/01SSVq84

Thank you for being here. Truly.

© 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.

Did you know you can make your own coffin? Or make someone else's? Sophia is a willow coffin maker and founder of Woven Farewell Coffins and can help.

Sophia shares her path into coffin making, and what began as a conversation about willow, craftsmanship and the skill behind creating a coffin quickly unfolded into something much deeper.

Of course, we talk about the art and care that goes into weaving a coffin by hand — the time, the intention, the meaning. But we also travel much further. Sophia speaks openly about her own significant losses, each very different, each shaping her understanding of death in unique ways.

Together we explore sudden death, spirituality, ritual, cultural perspectives, and why the way we say goodbye really matters.

This felt less like an interview and more like two like-minded souls sitting down for a proper chat. Sophia brings such a calm, grounded energy and you can feel that the same care and intention is literally woven (pun intended) into her award-winning work.

This is a conversation where you’ll learn something practical about coffins, yes, but you’ll also come away with a deeper sense of connection to the wider world of death, dying and remembrance.

Pop the kettle on for this one. It’s thoughtful, warm and full of heart.

https://www.wovenfarewell.co.uk/

© 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.

This week on Dying for a Cuppa, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr Carol McLeod, and she’s the final member of our LadBible roundtable crew!

Carol is a forensic scientist, and hand on heart, I think she may have one of the most fascinating, and also one of the hardest, jobs of anyone I’ve spoken to. I first met her during the LadBible roundtable when she spoke about her involvement in the investigation of the murder of Angelika Kluk by serial killer Peter Tobin. Listening to her then, I was completely gripped.

In this episode, Carol gives us a detailed insight into her work as a forensic scientist and what happens behind the scenes in cases of violent crime. It’s a world most of us only ever glimpse through headlines, and hearing about it from someone who has actually stood in those spaces is incredibly powerful.

Please let me be clear and you be warned: this episode contains references to sexual crimes, violent crimes and traumatic deaths.

And then, in a deeply moving turn, Carol very bravely shares something personal, the loss of her own husband to a brain tumour just two and a half years ago. To hear someone who has spent a career working alongside death speak about her own grief with such honesty and openness is truly something.

I cannot thank Carol enough for her courage, her transparency and her humanity. The fact that she does the work she does and remains such a warm, grounded and compassionate person says so much about who she is.

I’m so grateful to her for trusting me with this conversation. And I’m so grateful to you for listening, because I have a feeling this may be one of the most powerful and impactful episodes yet.

Go gently with this one. And as always, I’d really love to hear 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.

He's back! John Adams, friend, colleague, fellow board member, funeral director, past president of the NAFD, ambassador, advocate and all round expert and decent human, joined us last series to share his personal story of the loss of his Mum Maria when he was just 12 years old.

This time he's back to share more about his work with funerals, changing the national curriculum and general world domination. Literally.

John is taking his plans and vision in bereavement education in schools across the world, and has already been to Australia and is off to New Zealand next too.

We talk about all this and SO MUCH MORE. John and I can talk for England, especially about the things we are passionate about and this talk was no exception.

We covered the importance of ritual, the changing faces of funerals, talking to children about death and dying (in and out of schools) direct cremations, grief and playgrounds in funeral directors, yes it's a thing!

We talk openly and honesty, as always so please go gently. John shares some powerful real life experiences as a funeral director and caring for the dying but everything we share is done with so much love. heart and passion for what we do.

Please let us know your thoughts and please do share - there is so much information here that everyone should know.

© 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.

This week on Dying for a Cuppa, I’m joined by the absolute LEGEND that is Martin Jeffrey. Martin has over 34 years’ experience in embalming, post-mortem reconstruction, and mortuary operations. Known for his technical expertise and commitment to education, he has played a key role in developing embalmers across the UK and internationally.

Martin and I first met during our LadBible roundtable back in 2024 and I remember being completely in awe, not just of his talent and skill, but of what a genuinely lovely human he is.

Embalming and Reconstruction don’t get talked about enough. Embalming is both a science and an art, a deeply skilled process focused on the preservation and care of someone who has died. Here, I take full advantage of Martin’s expertise and ask all the questions people often think but don’t always say out loud.

Reconstruction is the careful, skilled restoration of someone’s physical body after they may have experienced violence or trauma before their death.

⚠️ A clear heads-up - this conversation is graphic at times and won’t be for everyone ⚠️

BUT it is also deeply fascinating and extraordinary - the level of skill, care and dedication involved, and to know there are people like Martin who can bring dignity and peace back to families after the most awful circumstances.

We speak very openly and very honestly about the embalming process too - why it’s done, what it involves, what can happen, and what it actually looks like. Martin shares not only his professional knowledge but also some of his personal experiences.

This is a real, raw conversation. Fascinating, intriguing, and incredibly informative. My hope is that it helps answer the questions you might have, gives you a clearer understanding of what embalming and reconstruction involves, and perhaps invites you to consider your own thoughts and feelings around it.

I loved this conversation. I’m so grateful to Martin for his openness and generosity.

Go gently with this one, grab a cuppa, and as always, we’d love to hear your thoughts ☕️🎙️❤️

https://youtu.be/Ff5bs4D-26I?si=5UVjPtm66Wf-H_1J

-

Martin Jeffrey MBIE Dip FD

Funeral Service Professional | Embalming & Post-Mortem Reconstruction Specialist | Mortuary Operations Manager

Chair – British Institute of Embalmers, Scottish Division (2025–2026)

He has trained extensively in the US and Europe, including over 100 hours at the Fountain National Academy of Professional Embalming Skills, alongside study at the University of Puerto Rico, PMR Malmö, and the London Medical Education Academy.

Martin co-developed and led the UK and Europe’s first Post-Mortem Reconstruction Course at the University of Edinburgh and now serves as Course Lead at the University of St Andrews School of Medicine, delivering advanced reconstruction and restorative art training.

As Chair of the British Institute of Embalmers, Scottish Division, he leads on education, workshops, and professional development, while mentoring practitioners across the field. He is also a contributing author to Sudden Death: Intervention Skills for the Emergency Services (2020) and holds a Level 3 Award in Education and Training.

Driven by compassion, precision, and professionalism, Martin’s work champions dignity in death and continues to raise standards across the global embalming community.

© 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.

I’m so excited for you to listen to this week’s Dying for a Cuppa with the brilliantly gorgeous, social media star, Mikey the Death Doula.

https://www.healingheartshouse.com/

Mikey is a fellow end-of-life companion and professional, just like me, but based across the pond in Pennsylvania, USA. We connected through social media, and I’ve loved watching how Mikey shows up online, sharing the very human, very normal realities of death and dying, exactly what I aim to do too.

Chatting with Mikey was such a joy. We share the same energy, the same ethos, and we’re working towards the same goal: helping people feel more informed, more comfortable, and more open when it comes to death and dying. On a personal level, this conversation really helped us both feel seen and heard — knowing there are others out there doing this work, in their own corners of the world.

This is a beautiful, warm and honest conversation, with real insight into how end-of-life care looks in different countries. It’s also your heartfelt heads-up that we speak very openly about the deaths we witness and the work we do. We touch on emotive topics including assisted dying, and we talk candidly about healthcare systems, and yes, how flawed they can be.

So pop the kettle on, grab a big slice of cake for this one, and settle in. And please do let us know your thoughts — I’d love to hear where you’re listening from and your own experiences of end-of-life care.

© 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.

In this next episode of Dying for a Cuppa, I’m delighted to be joined by Dominic from Andy’s Man Club.

https://andysmanclub.co.uk/

Andy’s Man Club is a men’s mental health support charity born from the heartbreaking loss of Andy, who died by suicide at just 23. Out of that tragedy, Andy’s family created something truly powerful — a simple, welcoming space where men can show up, talk, listen, and share. Today, there are over 300 Andy’s Man Club groups across the UK, all offering free, peer-led support and real conversations.

Talking about death, dying, grief and bereavement is hard enough at the best of times. And while we’ve come a long way with mental health awareness, there’s still a stigma when it comes to men opening up about their feelings and emotions.

Dominic shares some brilliant insights into why spaces like Andy’s Man Club matter so much, what actually happens in the groups, and how honest conversation can quite literally save lives. We talk about vulnerability, connection, and the power of simply being heard. Dom alos shares his own story that lead him to find the club

I’m so grateful for Dominic’s openness and for the work Andy’s Man Club continues to do every single week.

Whether this feels personal to you, or to someone in your life, this is a powerful and important episode — and one I truly believe everyone should listen to. Go gently, we talk very honesty about mental health, definitely grab yourself a cuppa.

© 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.

We are so lucky to have this absolute legend joining us on Dying for a Cuppa — the formidable Angie McLachlan.

On her website, Angie describes herself as an artist, a priest, a thanatologist, and a dreamer — and honestly, that barely scratches the surface. There is very little in the world of death, dying, and funeral care that Angie hasn’t been involved in. Her work has informed and educated people across the UK and around the world, supporting everyone from independent funeral directors to forensic pathologists.

Angie is curious, invested, deeply knowledgeable, and brings both academic rigour and creative heart to everything she does. Those letters after her name? Every single one earned. This conversation went everywhere. We covered so many topics, so many perspectives, and easily could have talked for hours more.

I’m especially excited for you to hear your thoughts on Angie’s 'Ichabod death dummies' — yes, it’s a thing, and yes, it’s fascinating.

Angie McLachlan has 35 years of experience on death care and now provides resources guidance and care of the body training to specialist organisations. Their involvement in end- of-life-care, was recognised in 2015 - specifically for her funeral work as one of five finalists in the ‘Major Contribution to the Understanding of Death’ by the Good Funeral Awards for her work with The Ichabodies – death dummies™, a unique family of complex bodies – with medical, social and forensic features – including odours and body-fluids where appropriate.

A gentle note: we do speak very openly and honestly about death, dying, and the physical body after death, so please go at your own pace with this one.

Make yourself a big cuppa, settle in, and give this episode the space it deserves. I promise you — it will be worth it.

© 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.

I have to say, this episode is probably one of my absolute favourites. In this conversation on Dying for a Cuppa, I’m joined by Evie King, author of the incredible book Ashes to Admin. Evie speaks so honestly and openly about her work as a council funeral support person, and honestly… it’s fascinating.

We cover a lot of ground — so many scenarios, so many parts of death, dying, and funerals that people either don’t realise exist, don’t want to think about, or only come to know because they’re right in the middle of it. I learned so much from this chat, and Evie shares with such clarity, insight, and compassion.

Whether this is a world you know nothing about, one you’re deeply involved in, or one you know you’re likely to face, I truly believe there is something in this conversation that everyone should hear. Evie’s work in this field is phenomenal, her book is invaluable, and she also has another one on the way.

Huge gratitude to Evie for her time, her openness, and the work she does. This one really is for everyone.

https://amzn.eu/d/gSaw5lO

https://locate.international/

Evie King does not exist, but the person who plays her is a council worker and writer. A former stand-up comedian, she has always written short-form pieces in the margins of her various day jobs, contributing to New Humanist, Guardian Comment Is Free, BBC Comedy and Viz. After moving to the seaside and going part-time she had more time for writing and in 2023 completed her first book, Ashes to Admin, about her job arranging council funerals. It sold over 10,000 copies, was selected by Stewart Lee for the London Review of Books one hundred books for the next twenty years collection and won the 2025 ASDS (Association for the Study of Death & Society) Award for outstanding and original books in the field of death studies. Her second book Get Ahead of Being Dead is out in June 2026. She also contributed to the book Words to Live and Die By, a series of death haikus compiled by the acute palliative care team at Warwick Hospital. She is an ambassador for missing persons and cold-case charity Locate International and heads the UK training programme for council funeral workers.

© 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.

In this episode of Dying for a Cuppa, I get to sit down with not just a friend and colleague, but a fellow soul midwife, the wonderful Mandy Preece.

Mandy has written a truly beautiful and powerful book about the art — and skill — of listening. It’s something we all think we do, but this conversation really opens up how much deeper listening can go, especially when supporting people who are dying. We explore what it really means to listen, why it matters so much, and how improving our own self-awareness can completely change the way we show up for others.

Mandy brings a wealth of experience, wisdom, and calm insight, and I honestly can’t recommend her book Being Rock highly enough. It’s available on Amazon, and it’s something I regularly reference within my own CPD Dying for a Cuppa Masterclass death education programme.

This conversation was an absolute joy — thoughtful, grounding, and deeply human. Mandy is an incredible woman, and I know this episode will land gently and powerfully for so many of you.

Mandy  Preece is a communications trainer, motivational speaker and author. Mandy initiated a volunteer bedside companion scheme at a NHS palliative care unit in Dorset in 2013 and has helped other hospices and hospitals set up similar schemes.

What she learnt from the bedside transformed her understanding of what it means to listen. Her unique experiential communications training received the Princess Royal Training Award in 2017 and she is an Alumni member.

In 2019 Mandy was NHS Unsung Hero Volunteer of the Year. Her joy of receiving the Award was matched by being asked to be part of an NHS/Helpforce Steering Group on volunteering within the NHS and deliver a keynote at Expo 2019.

She now delivers inspiring talks and training to a huge variety of organisations: from the business sector to the NHS and national charities. Her pro bono work supports many smaller charities. Her book, Being Rock (which redefines listening), was published in 2020:

http://viewbook.at/BeingRock

© 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.

I'm really excited to share this week's episode of Dying for a Cuppa with the lovely an glamorous Debbie Homewood — someone I've actually shared space with before!

Debbie and I previously took part in a roundtable conversation on the worldwide platform LADbible (if you enjoyed that, there are more conversations coming with others from that episode too!) This time though, it's just us, having a really gentle, heartfelt chat.

Debbie speaks openly and from the heart about her work as a mortician and why it matters so deeply to her. Not every funeral director has a mortician, and not everyone will need this kind of care — but for those who do, especially those in Debbie's hands, it's incredibly reassuring to hear just how much love, respect, and intention she brings to her work.

A gentle heads-up: we do talk honestly about aftercare and the care of the body after death, from Debbie's perspective. Please go at your own pace with this one.

It's a warm, comforting conversation - and a reminder that when someone like Debbie is caring for your people, they are being looked after in the most thoughtful and compassionate way

https://youtu.be/Ff5bs4D-26|?si=prYE8hR30VAkVUwM

https://www.tcribb.co.uk/

© 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.

In this episode of Dying for a Cuppa, I’m joined by Paul Radcliffe from Laurelo for a conversation that genuinely surprised me.

If you’d ever told me probate could be interesting — even inspiring — I’d have laughed. But this chat was honestly so enlightening. Paul takes what is usually a total minefield and explains probate with real clarity, in language that actually makes sense. We explore what probate really is (process, paperwork, or something else entirely), whether it’s something you even need, and walk through a whole range of real-life scenarios that people commonly face.

This is one of those episodes where the fog lifts. It might feel daunting if you’re navigating a loss or know probate is on the horizon, but I can truly say this is exactly the kind of conversation you want in your ears. It’s calm, clear, reassuring — and surprisingly uplifting.

So pop the kettle on, settle in with a cuppa, and prepare to feel far more informed and less overwhelmed. Huge thanks to Paul and the team at Lorello for being so open and generous with their knowledge. They’re absolutely there if you need support, and I’ll share their website below.

https://laurelo.co.uk/

© 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.

In this episode of Dying for a Cuppa, I’m joined by Katie Wellman, professional home organiser and declutterer, for a really honest chat about STUFF and why it’s so hard to let go of it.

We talk about the emotional weight our belongings carry, why decluttering can feel overwhelming, and the difference it makes when things are sorted before someone dies compared to after. Katie shares gentle, practical insights into why we keep what we keep, why the little things often matter the most, and how organising and decluttering can be an act of care for ourselves and for those we love.

It’s relatable, thoughtful, and quietly motivating.

So grab a cuppa, maybe a bit of cake, take a look around your own space… you might just feel inspired to make a few changes of your own.

https://makeroomtobreathe.co.uk/

© 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.

This week on Dying for a Cuppa I’m joined by the glorious Lee-Anne Duncan, joining us all the way from New Zealand.

Lee-Anne is a writer and journalist, and also a bereaved child. She lost her mum at just eight years old, an experience that went on to shape her life’s work. Today, Leanne dedicates her time to exploring the long-term impact of childhood bereavement, listening deeply to others who lost one or both parents young and gathering their stories with real care and integrity.

This is a long one (two talkers, no surprises there), but it’s long for all the right reasons. We didn’t want to cut anything out because the insights shared are just too valuable. Leanne talks about her research, the interviews she’s conducted, and what those early losses can mean for behaviour, emotions, identity, and how people move through the world as adults.

We also have the huge privilege of hearing about Māori traditions around death, dying, and funerals, offering a powerful cultural perspective on grief, ritual, and community.

So yes, pop the kettle on. Maybe grab a few biscuits too. This episode is a gentle, thoughtful, and deeply meaningful listen. Please know we talk about death and dying very openly. And if this resonates with you as someone who lost a parent young, we’d really love to hear your thoughts. Lee-Annes link is below if you’d like to get in touch or explore her work further.

https://www.tooyoung.org.nz

© 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.

We are back!! Series 3 kicking off with an incredible first guest!

This week on Dying for a Cuppa, I’m joined by the truly amazing Teepa Snow — world-renowned dementia care expert and all-round human legend.

https://teepasnow.com/

Teepa and I first chatted back in 2021, and it is an absolute honour to welcome her back for a cuppa and a deeply meaningful conversation. Together, we talk all things dementia and end-of-life, exploring what really matters when it comes to care, connection, and presence.

We dive into Teepa’s Positive Approach to Care and her hugely impactful GEMS® State Model — a must-know for anyone supporting, loving, or caring for someone living with dementia. We also talk honestly and openly about dementia at end of life, and how we can show up in ways that are kind, informed, and deeply human.

As always, Teepa shares her wisdom, insight, and lived experience in a way that is heartfelt, practical, and grounding. We hold the same values — person-centred, compassionate, and deeply respectful of the human behind the diagnosis.

Dementia touches so many lives. Understanding how the brain changes, how communication shifts, and how to truly be with someone living with dementia is a learning curve for us all. I’m so grateful Teepa brings her knowledge and generosity to this episode and I know it will leave you thinking, feeling, and caring a little differently.

Pop the kettle on and get comfy, this one gives you some real lightbulb moments.

Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, is one of the world’s leading advocates and educators on the topic of dementia or other forms of brain change and an Occupational Therapist with over forty years of rich and varied clinical and academic experience. Her experiences led her to the development of the GEMS® States of Brain Change and the Positive ApproachTM training strategies. Her company, Positive Approach to Care® (PAC), provides online and in-person education and products to support those living with brain change. She also co-founded the Snow Approach Foundation, a nonprofit organisation based in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Teepa presents with extraordinary expertise and humour to audiences throughout the world.

© 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.

And here we are… the final episode of Series 2. Episode 16 with Karen Kinsella.

I’m closing the series with a deeply moving conversation with Karen, the other half of the Room to Grieve podcast.

This is Karen’s story of her daughter Emily. Emily was diagnosed with a brain tumour at 14 and died at just 16. Karen talks about those two and a half years with such honesty, the way Emily lived, the way she faced her own death, and the impact her loss has had on Karen and the life she now carries.

Karen shares differently to Beck: her language, her mindset, her perspective, all completely her own. But the thread between them, the bond formed through losing their children, is something you can feel. Together, they’ve created a powerful, supportive space over at Room to Grieve, and I’m so grateful they’ve chosen to share their stories with us.

Please do look them up, follow, like, share, all of it, not just for this podcast, but for theirs too. Their voices reach people who truly need to know they’re not alone. As we talk about in the episode, they’re part of a very unique club, one no parent ever wants to join. The more people who know that women like Karen and Bec are out there, the better.

We’re heading into a little Christmas break now, and I’ll be back with you at the end of January.  So settle in for this final episode of the series, sit with Karen and Emily’s story, be mindful it is emotional and still with some swearing, not as much as Bec though, and I’ll see you in the new year.

https://roomtogrievepodcast.podbean.com/

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcvBSyKJT34bGf39TWr2cWS0xKsGwhNtc&si=Kum9BYKOcc-o2X1j

https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z4G5h3BavMRPCwDfAPpCJ?si=3018fa794ab34436

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/room-to-grieve-podcast/id1762303648

https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8caa09d4-5f0d-4a5d-a2f0-06b209212a0a/room-to-grieve-podcast

© 2025 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.

Series 3 might have wrapped… but I’m back with two powerful bonus episodes! Episode 15 with Bec Hadman

First up is a conversation with Bec, one half of the incredible duo behind the Room to Grieve podcast. This episode is tender, raw, and honestly tough in places. Beck talks about her son Bradley, who died at 18 from a brain tumour. She shares his story openly: who he was, what he loved, his diagnosis, his courage, and the nearly year long journey that followed.

It’s emotional. There’s swearing. You’ll want a big mug of tea or coffee and a slice of cake that could double as a doorstop. Bec speaks with such honesty about her experience of supporting Bradley, it is incredibly powerful.

Every episode this season has been heartfelt, but child loss - it lands differently. So go gently with this one, and please do check out the brilliant women over at Room to Grieve on YouTube and wherever you find your podcasts.

Next week, I’ll be talking with Karen about her daughter Emily - another incredible mother, another story of love, heartbreak, and the individuality of grief. Bec and Karen’s journeys are very different, but their friendship, their honesty, and the way they hold each other through loss is something truly special.

So settle in, listen to Bec and Bradley’s story, and get ready for Karen and Emily next week.

https://roomtogrievepodcast.podbean.com/

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcvBSyKJT34bGf39TWr2cWS0xKsGwhNtc&si=Kum9BYKOcc-o2X1j

https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z4G5h3BavMRPCwDfAPpCJ?si=3018fa794ab34436

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/room-to-grieve-podcast/id1762303648

https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8caa09d4-5f0d-4a5d-a2f0-06b209212a0a/room-to-grieve-podcast

© 2025 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.

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a funeral directors? Have you ever thought to ask what care your person receives after the funeral directors collects them? Do you understand the natural processes of the body after someone dies?

Here I discuss all that AND MUCH MORE with the brilliant Judith Dandy from Dandelion Farewells Funeral Directors in Wisborough Green, West Sussex. At the heart of their business is an unhurried approach, listening to what is important to YOU, and a willingness to openly share with you a wealth of knowledge and understanding, allowing you to make the choices that feel right to you.

A modern business, they provide a sensitive, personalised approach to funeral and after death care, mindful of the many choices that are available and guiding you through the important decisions that need to be made.

You will see and feel all this in Judith's sharing here. As always, please be mindful we talk very openly about death and in this case, physical bodies that have died. Not in a gruesome way, but in a real and supportive way to offer information and support understanding.

I think you will be surprised how you feel after listening and I would LOVE to hear your thoughts.

https://dandelionfarewells.com/

https://www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/

https://www.youtube.com/@Dandelionfarewells

© 2025 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.

We’ve all heard the saying that hearing is the 'last sense to go' as we die. We talk about how even as someone is dying, they can still hear our words, our laughter, our love. But what does that really mean? In this episode, I explore the science, the soul, and the stories behind sound at the end of life - how words, vibration, and energy shape those final moments.

Whether it’s reading the football results or whispering something you’ve always wanted to say, this one asks us to think about what’s truly being heard, and felt, as life fades.

As always, I speak honestly and from the heart, so please listen gently as it may stir up memories and emotions.

I have absolutely LOVED this season of both short, soulful episodes and the incredible, honest, real guest stories, and with just one episode left before a Christmas break, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

The final episode of this series is coming next Monday and it is as real about death as you can get, I cant wait for you to hear it!

© 2025 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.

This week on Dying for a Cuppa – The Podcast, I’m joined by my lovely friend Vicky, sister to my dear friend Becky, who if you follow me on socials, will know passed away in March 2024.

Vicky and I sit down for a deeply honest and emotional conversation about her family’s journey through multiple losses — her mum Pat, her sister Nicola, and then Becky — each loss different, each one leaving its own mark. Vicky shares so openly about the impact of grief, the realities of illness, and the experience of hospice care.

As with all my guest episodes, we talk very openly and honestly — but please do bear in mind that this one does get emotional. It’s a tender and raw listen, so go gently if you choose to tune in.

This episode is especially close to my heart. Becky was my personal friend — brilliant, funny, and full of life with the best laugh — and while losing her broke my heart, it brought me a new friend in her sister, Vicky.

This episode is a story of heartbreak, connection, and the life that can come from even the deepest of losses.

© 2025 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.

In this episode of Dying for a Cuppa, I sit down with one of my close friends, Rachel Carter. Rachel isn’t just my death bestie – she’s also a fellow end-of-life companion, and a spiritual life-and-death coach.

Rachel opens up about the loss of two significant people in her life, sharing her experiences with honesty and tenderness. It’s not always an easy listen, as we talk about the realities when things don’t go as hoped, touching on healthcare professionals, the system, and the challenges along the way.

But as often happens over a cuppa, the conversation naturally flows into deeper waters – faith, spirituality, and the way we both see the world.

This is a raw, heartfelt, and very real chat. Please go gently as you listen, and join me in being grateful for Rachel’s courage, wisdom, and openness in sharing her story.

To learn more about Rachael and her work - https://www.evaandalma.com/

© 2025 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.

New episode of Dying for a Cuppa OUT TODAY - Do We Choose the Moment We Die?

In this episode of Dying for a Cuppa, I explore one of those quietly profound questions that often comes up when sitting with the dying. Not sudden or tragic deaths, but the ones where you know it’s close — those vigil moments. The person holds on for days, then slips away the moment someone steps out of the room… or they seem to wait for a special call, a birthday, or that one person to arrive — and then they go.

Is it fate? Coincidence? Faith? Science? Energy? Maybe all of it. Maybe there’s a choice we don’t yet understand. Maybe it’s simply the body doing what it must. Or maybe it’s both.

Gentle content note: this episode talks about the moment of death and our presence and witness to it. You may have your own experiences so pease listen with care if you’re grieving or feeling tender around loss.

Have you ever witnessed what felt like “perfect timing” at the end of life? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Listen now on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts — just search “Dying for a Cuppa.”

© 2025 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.

This week’s episode of Dying for a Cuppa is an extra special one for me. I’m joined by my fiancé, Rick, and his best friend, Ben, as they open up about the loss of their best mate, Kris. Kris died of cancer at just 34, after only being ill for literally a matter of days, it was a complete shock.

Now, a couple of heads up before you listen: this conversation is way out of Rick and Ben’s comfort zone, we have not edited or a scripted anything, their love language is banter (and swearing!) so expect some colourful language, and we speak very openly about death, dying, and the raw grief that followed Kris death.

Alongside the pain, there’s so much love, laughter, and genuine deep bonds of friendship in this chat. Rick and Ben share what Kris meant to them, how they navigated the shock of losing him, and how they are keeping his memory alive.

Friendships, often as deep and important as our blood relatives, sometimes even more so, I feel deserve more space in the way we talk about death and grief.

So, grab yourself a cuppa, listen gently, and come with us into this tender, funny, and very real conversation about friendship, death, (with some choice language) and the love that stays.

© 2025 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.

Special Episode: In Honour of Baby Loss Awareness Week - 9-15th October

This week on Dying for a Cuppa – The Podcast, I’m joined by the beautiful Cathy Milburn, friend, colleague and founder of Heart in Their Hand. Cathy’s work was born from her own heartbreak — the loss of her son, Adam, who was sadly born sleeping.

In this deeply tender and honest conversation, Cathy shares her story — from her pregnancy and Adam’s birth, to the quiet, aching days that followed — and the wisdom she’s gathered along the way as a grieving mother.

Please go gently as you listen to this one. It’s an episode full of love, truth, and remembrance — honouring not only Cathy’s Adam, but all the tiny souls who couldn’t stay, and the families who carry them forever in their hearts.

https://www.heartintheirhand.com/

http://babyloss-awareness.org

© 2025 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.

Grief is one of the heaviest topics we could ever touch on – and truthfully, we could talk about it all day. But in this episode, I simply want to pause and share a few gentle reminders.

Grief is not about comparison or measurement. It’s personal, messy, and different for everyone. Here, I offer some intimate reflections and supportive insights for anyone grieving, or walking alongside someone who is.

Think of this as a short message just for you: whatever you’re experiencing, thinking, or feeling in your grief – it’s all okay.

© 2025 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.

In this latest episode of Dying for a Cuppa, I sit down with Emma Gray, from Rainbow Hunting, who speaks with raw honesty about the death of her husband, Simon. Simon was just 38 when he died, leaving behind Emma and their two young daughters, aged six and eight.

This conversation is tender and deeply emotional, especially towards the end, so please do listen gently. Emma shares Simon’s journey through chemotherapy, cancer, hospitals, and hospice, as well as the heartbreaking reality of being with him when he died. She also reflects on how their daughters were part of this story.

Alongside her personal experience, Emma, who is a probate lawyer, now supports people through the practical side of navigating life after loss —the paperwork and processes that come after a loved one dies—in many ares of her work

I am so grateful to Emma for opening up so honestly, and I know her story will resonate with many. But please do think before you delve in, first stick the kettle on, this ones emosh.

https://www.rainbowhunting.co.uk/

https://www.widowedandyoung.org.uk/

© 2025 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.

In this episode of Dying for a Cuppa, I’m joined by Antonia Rolls, an artist and fellow Soul Midwife, who speaks with incredible openness about the deaths of her two sons. Antonia lost one son to addiction and another to suicide. Antonia has also experienced many other significant losses in her life.

This is your gentle warning: the conversation is raw, very honest, and deeply emotional. Please take care of yourself as you choose whether to listen, and maybe pour yourself a strong coffee first.

Antonia shares not only the painful details of her loss, but also the profound lessons and experiences of living without her sons. Together, we talk about faith, religion, and spirituality; the different perspectives surrounding addiction and suicide; and the very real emotions felt by those struggling — and just as importantly, by those who love them.

https://antoniarollsartistextraordinaire.blogspot.com/

© 2025 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.

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of hospices – what they are, where they came from, and why they matter. Hospices can feel daunting or even misunderstood, so my aim is to strip away the myths and share the key things you really need to know.

This isn’t just about facts and history, though. It’s about encouraging those vital conversations with the people who matter to you – the kind of conversations that help us feel more prepared and supported, long before we actually need hospice care ourselves or for someone we love.

 2025 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.

In this episode of Dying for a Cuppa, I sit down with John Adams – a well-known voice in the Funeral world, with ideas and energy that keep shaping the way forward. But at the heart of John’s drive is something deeply personal. When John was just 12 years old, he lost his mum, Maria. That loss shaped his grief, his life, and ultimately the work he’s doing today to make real changes and raise awareness about how we support bereaved children.

Please be warned, this episode includes open and honest conversations about grief, loss and children. John shares about his reality of losing his Mum and what he remembers as a young boy. Please be aware that things do get emotional at times.

Join us for an honest conversation about John’s story – from those early days of loss to the path he’s on now.

https://achangingindustry.com/

© 2025 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.

In this raw and deeply human episode, I’m joined by my friend and fellow celebrant, Jess May – a living funeral specialist who knows the realities of loss all too well. Jess shares the significant bereavements in her life, including the deaths of her parents and siblings, as well as the heartache of pet loss.

We talk openly about grief, death, and dying – in very real, human terms. Jess speaks with honesty about her own grief journey, the complex family dynamics she faced, and navigating challenges such as alcoholism.

This is a genuine human-to-human conversation – one I was honoured Jess allowed me to record. Our hope is that it helps someone out there feel a little less alone, and that it continues to bring death and dying into the light as a natural part of life.

Please note: this episode is honest, emotional, and unfiltered. Go gently as you listen.

https://www.jess-may.com/

© 2025 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.

PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS BEFORE YOU START…

We’re back with Series 2 of Dying for a Cuppa The Podcast!

In this short intro, we set the scene for what’s to come – honest, in-depth conversations about death, dying, and the many ways loss shows up in our lives. This isn’t a series about grief itself, but about the stories, experiences, and truths people carry.

Before you dive in, this episode offers a gentle but important heads-up: our conversations can be raw, emotional, and sometimes heavy. We touch on difficult topics, and yes – there’s the occasional splash of colourful language. But alongside the intensity, you’ll also find moments of inspiration, lightness, and even laughter.

Think of this as your guide before you journey into the rest of the series. Please listen here first so you’re ready for what lies ahead.

Dying for a Cuppa is a podcast where I sit down with real people to have real conversations about life — and about death. Each episode brings death to the forefront through honest chats and personal stories. Every story holds something unique, something different, and something truly valuable that many of us need to hear. My hope is that these conversations make what often feels abnormal seem a little more normal — and help people feel just a little less alone.

2025 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.

In this final episode of Dying for a Cuppa before a summer break, we’re talking about the ultimate gift you can give your people – talking about death. It might feel hard, but opening up these conversations brings peace, clarity, and understanding. It’s a gift for those we love, easing their grief and giving them something solid to hold on to when everything else feels shaky.

I know many don’t want to talk, but this only makes things worse, trust me. Even a few things written down on a post it nite is better than nothing.

Thank you for being here with me – I’ll be back in September with fresh episodes and some exciting new things to share. Until then, keep talking, keep sharing, and keep showing up for the stuff that matters 🙏🏼

For more info about me and what this is all about, have a look at my website www.katiecsoulmidwife.com and my Facebook and Instagram pages. Also on LinkedIn. Wherever you are, look for Katie Costello - Soul Midwife and Funeral Celebrant - End of life Support Services.

Dying for a Cuppa ® is a registered trademark.

This week on Dying for a Cuppa, we’re diving into the world of personal care. The practical, intimate, human stuff. We talk about the importance of knowing what might need to be done, what you might need and the emotional weight it can carry for both the person giving and receiving support. We need to know this may fall on us.

It’s about dignity, respect and understanding. It’s ok if it easy for you, it is ok that it is not.

It’s a hard task but one we must understand and talk about.

For more info about me and what this is all about, have a look at my website www.katiecsoulmidwife.com and my Facebook and Instagram pages. Also on LinkedIn. Wherever you are, look for Katie Costello - Soul Midwife and Funeral Celebrant - End of life Support Services.

Dying for a Cuppa ® is a registered trademark.

Anticipatory Grief & Secondary Losses

In this episode of Dying for a Cuppa, we’re talking about the grief that shows up before someone dies — anticipatory grief — and the ripple effects of secondary losses that follow. Whether it’s the loss of future plans, roles, routines, or identity, these hidden layers of grief often go unspoken. Let’s name them, explore them, and make space for them over a cuppa.

For more info about me and what this is all about, have a look at my website www.katiecsoulmidwife.com and my Facebook and Instagram pages. Also on LinkedIn. Wherever you are, look for Katie Costello - Soul Midwife and Funeral Celebrant - End of life Support Services.

Dying for a Cuppa ® is a registered trademark.

I thought I’d cover something lighter this week and just chat with you all about, what I lovingly refer to as, the ‘Woo Woo’. Come chat with me and hear all about the spiritual side of me and some of my thoughts and feelings about the said woo woo. This is very much a ‘me waffling on’ kind of episode, easy on the ears, and heart, with a little insight into my home (literally)

Also the day this is released will be the day after my birthday, just saying!

My faith helps me do what I do, it’s not what I project on others, I support all faiths and none.

What are your thoughts on the Woo?

For more info about me and what this is all about, have a look at my website www.katiecsoulmidwife.com and my Facebook and Instagram pages. Also on LinkedIn. Wherever you are, look for Katie Costello - Soul Midwife and Funeral Celebrant - End of life Support Services.

Dying for a Cuppa ® is a registered trademark.