Life’s Too Short For BS: Authenticity Lessons From A Birth And Death Doula

Would you return $40,000 to a donor because you don't have time to jump through hoops and need to be available for mothers, babies, and dying people?Would you pack up your life in a moment to go to Cambodia and make a difference there? In this heartfelt episode of Don’t Be Caught Dead, I sit down with Denise Love, a life and death doula whose experiences span the globe from Australian towns to Cambodian villages. Denise shares her journey of supporting people through the most profound moments of birth and death, revealing the powerful lessons she’s learned along the way. From dealing with terminal illness to creating a life of intention and minimal stress, Denise’s insights are both challenging and enlightening.We discuss the importance of making conscious choices about living and dying, the impact of stress on our health, and the often-overlooked need for pausing and reflecting on what truly matters. Denise also opens up about her incredible work in Cambodia, where she’s established health centres and brought sustainable solutions to underserved communities. Her stories highlight the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of compassion.Key Points:Facing Mortality: Denise emphasises the significance of asking yourself, "Do I want to live or die?" and making intentional choices about your health and treatment.Dealing with Stress: We explore how chronic stress can impact our immune systems and lead to severe health issues, and why it's crucial to reassess and simplify our lives.The Doula's Journey: Denise shares her extensive experience as a birth and death doula, including her pioneering work in Cambodia, where she established healthcare facilities and trained local midwives.Life and Death Choices: The episode delves into the philosophy of living well to die well, and how Denise’s approach can help people find peace with their end-of-life decisions.Mentioned Links and Resources:Denise Love’s WebsiteBooks:Where There Is No DoctorThe Natural Death HandbookRemember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.Take care, CatherineWe'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/