What About Death!?

What About Death!? returns for Season 3

What About Death!?

Show Notes

We're delighted to welcome you back for Season 3 of Karuna's What About Death!? podcast. Hosted by Venerable Tsultrim, this season continues to gently challenge fear and stigma surrounding death, dying, grief and loss. Grounded in the understanding that life and death are not opposites but part of one continuing journey, Season 3 invites listeners to explore the circle of life through thoughtful conversation, storytelling, research and creativity.

Guests include Australian authors Benjamin Law and Trent Dalton, musical performance duo Leah Cotterell and Narelle McCoy, video game developer Gabby DaRienzo, and researchers and consultants Erica Rosenthal and Kate Folb, whose work includes contributions to the critically acclaimed television series The Pitt. Plus several other exciting and thought-provoking individuals.

What About Death!? is brought to you by Karuna Hospice Services and hosted by Venerable Tsultrim. Music: Bling Heights by Ahjay Stelino. Learn more about Karuna: http://karuna.org.au/ Follow What About Death!? on social media: @whataboutdeathpodcast Listener note The views expressed on this podcast may not reflect the wider views of Karuna Hospice Services. The content of this podcast is for general information only, and you should not rely upon that information without seeking further advice from appropriate sources. If listening to this podcast raises any concerns or issues for you, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

More from What About Death!?

Oct 18, 2026

In the final episode of the third season of What About Death!?, Tsultrim continues her conversation with award-winning Australian author and journalist, Trent Dalton. Trent shares the different ways love and grief intersect in his books: from the love stories people told him on the streets of Brisbane, to the journalist's "death knock" that inspired his most recent novel Gravity Lets Me Go. Trent also talks about how writing death has shaped his perspective on both the living and the dead, and taught him to embrace both in equal measure. Follow Trent on social media to learn more about his work: @trentdaltonauthor Learn more about Boy Swallows Universe and Trent's other work here: https://harpercollins.com.au/pages/trent-dalton What About Death!? is hosted by Venerable Tsultrim and brought to you by Karuna Hospice Services. About Karuna

Oct 4, 2026

In today's episode, Tsultrim is joined by best-selling Australian author, Trent Dalton. Trent discusses his debut novel, Boy Swallows Universe, and how his personal experiences with grief helped to shape his characters and the world they inhabit. Trent also talks about his late dad Noel, who inspired parts of the book, and how the novel's success and subsequent adaptations help him to process his grief and remember his dad. Follow Trent on social media to learn more about his work: @trentdaltonauthor Learn more about Boy Swallows Universe and Trent's other work here: https://harpercollins.com.au/pages/trent-dalton What About Death!? is hosted by Venerable Tsultrim and brought to you by Karuna Hospice Services. About Karuna

Sep 20, 2026

In today's episode, Tsultrim is joined by Kyle Sherwood, a third-generation mortician and co-founder of the business Save My Ink Forever. Alongside his dad Michael, Kyle offers a unique service that preserves tattoos as a piece of art after a person has passed away. Kyle talks about how the business was created, and why the deeply personal nature of a person's tattoos can create a thoughtful, special memento for grieving families. Follow Save My Ink Forever on social media to learn more about their work: @savemyink4ever For more information, visit the Save My Ink Forever website: https://www.savemyink.tattoo/ What About Death!? is hosted by Venerable Tsultrim and brought to you by Karuna Hospice Services. About Karuna

Sep 6, 2026

In today's episode, Tsultrim speaks to Roshi Joan Halifax, a Zen Buddhist teacher from the Upaya Zen Center in New Mexico. Roshi Joan talks to Tsultrim about her extensive work in death and dying, and grief and loss. In particular, she highlights her work in educating clinicians and other people in the community on how to support people living with a life-limiting or terminal illness. She also shares how her work with the dying has changed her perspective on her own mortality. Follow Roshi Joan on social media to learn more about her work: @joanhalifax and @upayazencenter What About Death!? is hosted by Venerable Tsultrim and brought to you by Karuna Hospice Services. About Karuna

Aug 23, 2026

In today's episode, Tsultrim speaks to Kate Folb (Director, Hollywood, Health & Society) and Erica Rosenthal (Director of Research, Media Impact Project) from the Norman Lear Center. The Lear Center is an initiative of the University of Southern California, and explores the social, political, economic, and cultural impact of entertainment. Kate and Erica share how they connect Hollywood studios and producers with researchers and healthcare professionals, with the goal of creating more authentic and thoughtful storylines, including ones centred around end-of-life, for TV and other media. Learn more about The Norman Lear Center and their work online: Instagram: @learcenter Website: The Norman Lear Center: https://learcenter.org/ Hollywood, Health & Society: https://hollywoodhealthandsociety.org/ Media Impact Project: https://www.mediaimpactproject.org/ End Well: https://endwellproject.org/ What About Death!? is hosted by Venerable Tsultrim and brought to you by Karuna Hospice Services. About Karuna

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