Join Ben, an End-of-Life Doula, Celebrant, and Funeral Director, as we navigate the end-of-life experience from a male viewpoint. Candid, respectful discussions...
In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson sits down with John O’Hare as he reflects on the profound friendship and artistic bond he shared with Maeliosa Stafford—a connection rooted in shared Irish ancestry and a lifetime of creative collaboration.
When John's closest friend and creative partner died, he faced the challenge of grieving from afar. Through the power of community and ritual, he found ways to honour Maeliosa’s life fully, drawing strength from their shared heritage and the legacy they built together.
We explore how the tangible acts of gathering, remembering, and celebrating life create a bridge across distance, showing us that unity in memory can bring peace, even when separated by miles.
Griefline: https://griefline.org.au/
Grief Australia: https://grief.org.au/
Men and Grief: https://griefline.org.au/resources/men-and-grief/
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Advanced Care Planning: https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/
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1:11:49
Foundations of Connection with Ted Reid
In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson is joined by Ted Reid, who was born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand. Ted shares stories from a life marked by early trauma and transformation.
Now 77 and living in Sydney, Ted reflects on how his experiences shaped his journey toward self-acceptance, meaningful connection, and community involvement. From his time in the police force to his passion for carpentry, mental health advocacy, and supporting others, Ted offers a thoughtful perspective on living with purpose and compassion.
Supporting links:
Griefline: https://griefline.org.au/
Grief Australia: https://grief.org.au/
Men and Grief: https://griefline.org.au/resources/men-and-grief/
Lifeline: 13 11 14
The Mens Table: https://themenstable.org/
WNOW: https://www.wnow.com.au/
Alcoholics Anonymous: https://aa.org.au/
AL-ANON: https://al-anon.org.au/
Palliative Care Australia: https://palliativecare.org.au/
Advanced Care Planning: https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/
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38:49
The Spiritual Landscape with Jude Neeme-Samson
In this episode, Ben Gibson is joined by Dr. Jude Neeme-Samson, a spiritual teacher, writer, and scholar, to explore the deep mysteries of death, sacred landscapes, and the journey of the soul. With a background in Christology, Aboriginal ritual, and shamanic practices, Jude offers unique insights into how sacred landscapes shape our understanding of life, death, and what lies beyond.
The discussion delves into the concept of 'sacred maps' inspired by the work of Dr Sarah Kerr, PhD, and how these spiritual frameworks can guide us through death and bereavement. Jude shares his experience as a Deathwalker, his training in Aboriginal and cross-cultural rituals, and stories of supporting individuals.. Together, Ben and Jude discuss the masculine response to death, the transformative power of ritual, and how nature-based spirituality can provide comfort and healing in the face of loss.
www.youtube.com/@judeneemesamson1962
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53:17
My Mum, Trish with Jonathon Moran
In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson sits down with renowned entertainment journalist Jonathon “J.Mo” Moran to explore the deeply personal journey of losing his mum, Trish, at the age of 31, and how that loss shaped his life.
Jonathon shares candid memories of his early years and the close bond he had with his mum, leading through her breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately, her death. He opens up about the devastating impact her death had on him and his family, and how grief sent him on a spiral of drugs and alcohol before he found the path to understanding and mental health advocacy.
Griefline: https://griefline.org.au/
Grief Australia: https://grief.org.au/
Men and Grief: https://griefline.org.au/resources/men-and-grief/
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Cancer Council NSW: https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/get-support/131120-speak-to-a-health-professional/
Palliative Care Australia: https://palliativecare.org.au/
Advanced Care Planning: https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/
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48:45
The Heartbeat of Football with Andy Paschalidis
In this episode of The Mourning After, Ben Gibson sits down with football identity, sports journalist, and broadcaster Andy Paschalidis.
With a career spanning over four decades, Andy shares his journey from growing up in Sydney’s working-class suburb of Balmain to becoming one of the first Greek Australian sports broadcasters. Beyond his media work, a personal tragedy on the football field changed the course of Andy's life. After witnessing the sudden death of his teammate Matt Richardson during a weekend match, Andy was inspired to create the charity Heartbeat of Football, dedicated to promoting heart health awareness in amateur sports.
Ben and Andy discuss this life-altering event, the creation of his charity, and his ongoing commitment to saving lives in the sporting community.
Heartbeat of Football: https://heartbeatoffootball.com.au/en/
Griefline: https://griefline.org.au/
Grief Australia: https://grief.org.au/
Men and Grief: https://griefline.org.au/resources/men-and-grief/
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Palliative Care Australia: https://palliativecare.org.au/
Advanced Care Planning: https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/
Join Ben, an End-of-Life Doula, Celebrant, and Funeral Director, as we navigate the end-of-life experience from a male viewpoint. Candid, respectful discussions offer a unique perspective on how men respond to life's inevitable end. Welcome to a podcast that values genuine stories from men in our community and professional insights from those in the field, creating a compassionate space for meaningful conversations. Together, we hope to discover the transformative power within shared narratives of life and life after loss.
Australia