Bringing Life to Death: A candid conversation with end-of-life doula Helen Callanan.

Do you crave captivating conversation about the things that REALLY matter?Then you can’t go past listening to a seasoned end of life doula with nearly 40 years of experience, like Helen Callanan. Helen is the founder and lead educator at Preparing the Way, an organisation that delivers holistic end-of-life and doula education across Australia and New Zealand. Helen's profound experience and passion for education create a wealth of knowledge that she generously shares with us today.In this revealing episode, Helen explains how she has managed to bring life to stories of death through her work and passion. We delve into her journey of creating Preparing the Way and how her mission of empowering all people with choice at the end of life has shaped the way she operates. We also explore how she managed to design and deliver the world's first nationally accredited  Certificate IV in End of Life Doula Services, a feat that required rigorous work and dedication.Helen shares fascinating insights into the world of end-of-life care, including how she has adapted her training methods in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. She also discusses the importance of having open conversations about death and the critical role of end-of-life doulas in our society. This is a must-listen episode for anyone interested in the field of end-of-life care, or anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to face death consciously and compassionately.In this episode, we discuss:Helen's journey to becoming an end-of-life doula and the creation of Preparing the Way.How Preparing the Way developed the world's first nationally accredited Certificate IV in End of Life Doula Services.The impact of Covid-19 on doula training and how it has led to unexpected positive outcomes.The importance of bringing conversations about death into the open and the role of doulas in this process.Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.Take care,CatherineMentioned resources:Preparing the WayNatural Grace Holistic FuneralsWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform. It’s a simple, secure system that helps you prepare and share your legacy, wishes and personal paperwork.It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan.Leave behind a legacy, not a mess.Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.auNo credit card needed. Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays — free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen.No pressure. No expectation.Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” — it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way.Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events MY LOVED ONE HAS DIED, WHAT DO I DO NOW?Our guide, ‘My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?’ provides practical steps for the hours and days after a loved one's death. Download it here.SUPPORT SERVICESIf you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here.Support the showSupport the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now.Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials:https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22aMusic composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/