Sam’s story: a podcast about death

About Death

Why start a podcast about death? Sam has been thinking about - or rather - avoiding thinking, feeling and talking about death and dying for a while. She avoided it because she often felt uncomfortable, awkward and embarrassed. Sam worried about upsetting others as she didn't know what to say and when. Listening to other people’s experiences, Sam realised that she’s not alone.

Sam created this podcast as a way of sharing how and why people talk about dying and death. What makes them start? Why sometimes people don't start - and if they didn’t, what they wish they might have said.

Join Sam on her journey to exploring out how we think, feel and talk about death.

Hosted by: Sam Meikle

Produced by: Spark the Difference

Here’s what Sam shares in this conversation:

00:09 - These conversations are all real and can sometimes be a bit raw. Remember, you can always pause and take a break for a bit.

01:15 - Welcome to the podcast! What’s inspired this podcast?

02:27 - Memories from childhood: all the things that could kill Sam, including the sun

04:58 - Sam's regret of not being there for a friend and not starting a conversation that mattered

07:34 - The elephant in the room for patients, families and staff: how to talk about “it”?

09:35 - A conversation that Sam started early, with her Dad

11:45 - How this conversation lead to a remarkable shift in Sam's relationship with her Dad

13:05 - The beginning of a journey figuring out how we think, feel and talk about death

16:27 - The first of two changes Sam would like to see in the world: fewer missed conversations and more conversations about what matters, earlier on

17:25 - The second change Sam would like to see: how we live. What if we took the time and space to figure out what was important to us - about living well and dying well?

A note on looking after ourselves: these conversations are all real and can feel a little raw. If you’re struggling with the content that we’re talking about, please seek support. This might be from a trusted family member or friend. The Samaritans Team are always available to talk and you can contact them on 116 123.