Disasters happen……. tsunamis, terrorist attacks, bushfires, pandemics.
No amount of wishing they didn’t happen makes them go away. But it’s comforting to know there are people preparing for these situations. People like Lucy Easthope.

Lucy has played a vital role in the response to some of the world’s most significant disasters such as 9/11, the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, the 7/7 London bombings, the Manchester Arena attack and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic to name but a few.

She is one of the world’s leading authorities on disaster recovery and emergency planning and the author of the book ‘When the Dust Settles'.

Lucy’s work is about far more than logistics. It’s about humanity, care and dignity in the most difficult of circumstances.

And I am absolutely thrilled to have her as a guest on the podcast.

Lucy Easthope

When the Dust Settles

In this episode of Deadly Serious Conversations, I’m joined by Megan Sheldon, a cultural mythologist, a humanist celebrant and end-of-life doula based in North Vancouver, Canada.

Megan has a deep understanding of the power of ceremony and ritual, especially in times of grief and loss. In many cultures, rituals once played a central role in marking life’s changes, yet in our modern world, they are often forgotten, even though they come so naturally to us.

In this conversation, we talk about why rituals matter, how they give us stability in times of uncertainty and how they can help us embody the emotions we feel during life’s most challenging moments.

Megan also shares the inspiration behind Be Ceremonial , the world’s first guided ritual and ceremony app and how simple rituals can help us connect with ourselves, each other and the world around us.

In the words of Dr Alan Wolfelt: “When words are inadequate, have a ritual.”

Be Ceremonial

Be Ceremonial instagram

Seeking Ceremony

Funeral directors play a pivotal role in guiding families through one of the most difficult times in their lives. But how do you choose the right one? What should you look for and what can you expect from them?

Together with Lillian from The Last Time Funeral Directors in Sydney, we will unpack these questions and more, offering insights to help you make informed decisions and be aware of the choices available to you.

Organising a funeral must be one of life’s toughest tasks and for many people, it’s the last thing they want to be doing.

The reality of it all can suddenly hit when you find yourself in the process of organising a funeral.

People panic when someone dies. Even if someone’s death is expected, it’s still a shock.

People can be a little fearful as they may have never experienced a dead body before and therefore, they aren’t sure what to expect, so they think they will get somebody else to take over as quickly as possible.

This episode offers practical advice and thoughtful discussions on the partnership between families and funeral directors.

Last Time Sydney