Geraldine Doogue: On the lessons her husband's death left behind
Geraldine Doogue is one of Australia’s most respected journalists and broadcasters. And in this episode, Geraldine reflects on losing her husband, Ian Carroll, in 2011 — and the reality of walking beside someone you love through their final chapter. She talks openly about the moments of courage, the guilt that lingers, the memories that endure, and the relief of honouring Ian’s wish to die in hospital, not at home. This is a conversation about love, loss, and the gift of presence. It’s also a reminder that the best death isn’t about where it happens — it’s about giving someone the dignity to choose. FIND OUT MORE If you’re caring for aging parents, navigating your own next chapter, or just trying to keep all the balls in the air—you’re not alone. At Violet, we offer free tools and support to help families navigate the last stage of life with care and confidence. Visit violet.org.au to start the conversation. CREDITS Host: Melissa Reader Guest: Geraldine Doogue Executive Producer: Lize Ratliff Find out more about Violet at violet.org.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Funerals, PowerPoints & Party Pies: Dr Hannah Gould on doing death better
This week on Agehood, we’re diving into one of the biggest, hardest, and most universal experiences we’ll ever face: death. But not in the way you might expect. Dr Hannah Gould is a cultural anthropologist and researcher at the University of Melbourne’s DeathTech Research Network who is reimagining how we mourn, memorialise, and find meaning in the end of life. Drawing on both her academic work and personal experience of losing her father at 23, Hannah brings a compassionate, curious, and refreshingly honest lens to the conversation. If you’ve ever wondered what a “good death” looks like, or felt that our grief rituals aren’t quite enough, this conversation is a starting point. FIND OUT MORE If you’re caring for aging parents, navigating your own next chapter, or just trying to keep all the balls in the air—you’re not alone. At Violet, we offer free tools and support to help families navigate the last stage of life with care and confidence. Visit violet.org.au to start the conversation. CREDITS Host: Melissa Reader Guest: Dr Hannah Gould Executive Producer: Lize Ratliff Find out more about Violet at violet.org.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Carenting: Alex Lollback on raising her children & caring for her mother
When Alex Lollback received a string of anxious late-night texts from her mum, she had no idea it would mark the beginning of a year that would upend every part of her life. As the executive producer of Ladies We Need To Talk and a mother of two, Alex was already stretched — but when her mum’s physical and mental health rapidly declined, she found herself thrust into the thick of the sandwich generation: raising young kids while becoming a full-time carer for a parent in crisis. In this raw and generous conversation, Alex shares what it’s like to be “everything to everyone” — the living grief, the system failures, the burnout, and the impossible decision to move her beloved mum into residential care. If you’re quietly carrying it all, this episode will make you feel seen. FIND OUT MORE If you’re caring for aging parents, navigating your own next chapter, or just trying to keep all the balls in the air—you’re not alone. At Violet, we offer free tools and support to help families navigate the last stage of life with care and confidence. Visit violet.org.au to start the conversation. CREDITS Host: Melissa Reader Guest: Alex Lollback from Ladies We Need To Talk Executive Producer: Lize Ratliff Find out more about Violet at violet.org.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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What Gogglebox didn’t show: Kerry & Izzy Silbery on love, dementia and letting go
This week on Agehood, we’re joined by Kerry and Isabelle Silbery — the mother–daughter duo you’ll know from Gogglebox Australia. For eight seasons, they shared their lounge room (and lives) with the nation, alongside beloved family matriarch Emmie. A few weeks ago, Emmie passed away following a long journey with dementia. In this deeply personal conversation, recorded shortly before her death, Kerry and Izzy reflect on what that journey has looked like — from the first signs of Emmie’s decline to the complex emotions of caregiving, the overwhelm of navigating aged care, and the grief that arrives long before goodbye. Kerry speaks candidly about becoming Emmie’s primary carer, while Izzy shares what it’s been like raising young children in the midst of such profound change. Together, they offer a moving and honest look at love, loss, and the reality of ageing within a modern family. FIND OUT MORE If you’re caring for aging parents, navigating your own next chapter, or just trying to keep all the balls in the air—you’re not alone. At Violet, we offer free tools and support to help families navigate the last stage of life with care and confidence. Visit violet.org.au to start the conversation. If you're supporting someone with dementia who is experiencing behavioural changes, you can also contact: Dementia Support Australia Phone: 1800 699 799 Availability: 24/7, 365 days a year Website: dementia.com.au CREDITS Host: Melissa Reader Executive Producer: Lize Ratliff Find out more about Violet at violet.org.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Dr Kathryn Mannix has witnessed thousands of goodbyes. Here's what she’s learned
This week on Agehood, we’re having the conversation that matters most—but often happens least. Dr Kathryn Mannix is one of the world’s leading voices on dying well. As a former palliative care doctor, she's sat beside thousands of people at the end of their lives—and what she's learned might just change how you live yours. In this gentle and powerful episode, Kathryn shares the real story of what dying actually looks and feels like—and why our fear is often worse than the reality. We talk about how to begin those difficult conversations, what people really want at the end, and how to support a loved one without losing yourself in the process. She shares the five phrases every family should know, why silence is sometimes the most compassionate response, and how we can turn grief into connection, even before death arrives. Whether you're supporting ageing parents, caring for a sick partner, or simply curious about how to prepare for what lies ahead, this episode offers comfort, clarity and courage. Because talking about death isn’t morbid—it’s an act of love. And as Kathryn says, the end of life deserves just as much care as every other milestone. FIND OUT MORE If you’re caring for aging parents, navigating your own next chapter, or just trying to keep all the balls in the air—you’re not alone. At Violet, we offer free tools and support to help families navigate the last stage of life with care and confidence. Visit violet.org.au to start the conversation. CREDITS Host: Melissa Reader With thanks to Dr. Kathryn Mannix Executive Producer: Lize Ratliff Find out more about Violet at violet.org.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Agehood is the podcast that finally says what we're all thinking but rarely saying out loud. Hosted by Melissa Reader, CEO of Violet, we have the conversations that matter most: watching our parents age, being everyone's go-to person, the mess of love and duty, what it really takes to care for those we love, and yes, death, dying, and loss.
You'll hear Australia's most trusted voices, from beloved broadcasters to respected experts, vulnerably sharing their own stories alongside practical guidance that actually helps. This isn't about having all the answers—it's about asking the right questions and knowing you're not alone.
Australia