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It's A Death Sentence

caroline smith

It’s a Death Sentence An unexpectedly deeply human podcast about life, death and everything hilarious and heartbreaking in between. Hosted by two women in their 40s: one, an APT performing daily autopsies, the other; a professional singer! Both have stared grief in the face — and somehow learned to laugh anyway. A home for anyone who has lost someone . Because grief doesn’t just touch individuals. It ripples through families, friendships and whole cultural communities.

It’s a Death Sentence has lively discussions, shared stories, and interviews, were we unspoken rules, the strange rituals, and the quiet solidarity found when we are ready to mourn together .Each episode dives into the messy, taboo, and occasionally gruesome sides of being alive (and not).

Expect sharp British sarcasm, uncomfortable honesty, and the kind of dark humour that makes you laugh just when you think you shouldn’t. They ask the questions we’ve all Googled in private — and answer them out loud.

🎙️ Tune in to laugh, cry, and get a little bit philosophical about what it means to live after loss.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Play
  • 20 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 36 min
  • English
  • S3 · E4
    Friday · 1 hr 8 min

    Amber Alert- Francesca Amber: Can You Manifest Through Grief?

    We are SO proud to have interviewed Francesca Amber on the podcast! For those who don’t know her, Francesca is a Sunday Times bestselling author, entrepreneur and host of the UK’s number-one self-development podcast, Law of Attraction Changed My Life. She’s also the author of Manifest Like a Mother — a book that, as it happens, played a rather important part in this particular episode coming to life… About a year ago, Carrie and I were out walking and discovered we were both reading Francesca’s book. Serendipity? Probably. We decided there and then: “We will interview her. It will happen.” We emailed. Nothing. We waited. Still nothing. Six to eight months, a few tags, another email and eventually a slide into the DMs later… IT HAPPENED. But this episode isn’t just about manifestation. We’re exploring a question we’ve become fascinated by: Can you manifest effectively whilst you’re grieving? Can gratitude, visualisation and the Law of Attraction sit alongside grief and loss — or can they sometimes feel completely at odds with it? We also discover Francesca’s fascination with death, hear about some spooky experiences from her childhood, find out why her daughter has such a particular name, hear about some famous graves she’s visited, and talk openly about the recent loss of one of her own friends. And this is also one of our first episodes to feature “Would You Rather” at the end! Crafted by our very own Carrie, these quick-fire questions are both thought-provoking and absolutely hilarious — and let’s just say, Francesca is put through her paces. Come and join us for a conversation about manifestation, grief, death, friendship, serendipity and finding meaning in the things we can’t always explain. As a side note do you have plans for Halloween ? why not join us at It’s a Death Sentence masquerade Ball on 31st October 2026 is Birmingham – A night Of Glamour, Live Music, Dancing and Dressing up ! tickets here Eventbrite Masquerade Halloween Ball ticket You can find Francesca amber @francescaamber on insta Here is a link to her wonderful book “Manifest like a mother” which we highly recommend Manifest Like A Mother Here is a link to her new book manifest like a mother “The workbook” https://www. amazon.co.uk/Manifest-Like-Mother-Workbook-4-steps/dp/1846048672 We are just about to start in her members only “ Book club bitches” The community where we plough through every brilliant law of attraction/ self help book out there and Francesca does a chapter by chapter podcast episode to accompany it, to join the book club – book club Bitches To listen to her Podcast ” The Law of attraction changed my life” available on all platforms but here is a Spotify link https://open.spotify.com/show/17kFRqblm9iIfwTlemaIUT Don’t Forget to follow It’s A Death Sentence on tik tok, Insta, facebook and you tube Please support our CIC “ Dead Curious” providing death education and facilitating conversation with community’s through creative projects. Dead Curious on all the socials and here is a link to our website Dead Curious CIC Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S3 · E3
    September 4 · 46 min

    Manifesting Through Grief: Can the Law of Attraction Still Work When You’re Broken?

    We’ve talked a LOT about death and grief on this podcast… but what happens when you throw manifestation and the Law of Attraction into the mix? In this episode, Carrie and Emma get personal about their own experiences with manifestation, gratitude and visualisation — and why they’ve both loved and used the Law of Attraction in their own lives. Both of us started with The Secret, the classic beginner’s guide to manifestation, but Emma has a pretty good story about what happened when she took visualisation a little further… Back in 2009, while touring as a singer with The Enemy, Emma created a vision board with one very specific goal on it: Wembley Stadium. She was told she would only be doing the main leg of the tour — which was already pretty amazing — but The Enemy were also supporting Oasis that year. Emma put “Wembley Stadium” above her bed, making it the first thing she saw when she woke up and the last thing she saw before she went to sleep. And guess what? She performed at Wembley. But then we get to the difficult bit… So much of manifestation is about being positive, believing that what you want is already yours, visualising it and feeling those feelings before they arrive. But what happens when you’re grieving? When loss or trauma left you feeling like you’re operating at a completely different frequency? When your energy is low, your thoughts are heavy and your idea of a positive future is simply getting through the next hour without crying? Can you manifest good things while you’re heartbroken? Do you have to be positive all the time? And is there room for grief, anger and sadness within a philosophy that tells us to focus on the life we want? This is a conversation about manifestation, grief, trauma, hope and whether you really have to feel good before good things can happen. As a side note do you have plans for Halloween ? why not join us at It’s a Death Sentence masquerade Ball on 31st October 2026 is Birmingham – A night Of Glamour, Live Music, Dancing and Dressing up ! tickets here Eventbrite Masquerade Halloween Ball ticket Don’t Forget to follow It’s A Death Sentence on Tik Tok, Insta, Facebook and You Tube Please support our CIC “ Dead Curious” providing death education and facilitating conversation with community’s through creative projects. Dead Curious on all the socials and here is a link to our website Dead Curious CIC Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S3 · E2
    August 28 · 1 hr 4 min

    THE MUSLIM UNDERTAKER — AHMED HRAICHIE | THE AUSSIE MAMMOTH

    In this fascinating episode of It’s A Death Sentence, Carrie and Emma are joined by Ahmed Hraichie — The Muslim Undertaker, also known as the Aussie Mammoth — an Australian funeral service professional whose work and social media have reached a global audience. Ahmed takes us on a journey through his remarkable path into the death industry, from his early days working in mortuary removals and cemeteries to preparing and burying thousands of Muslim deceased according to Islamic funeral traditions. We hear about the physical, emotional and spiritual experiences that shaped his journey — and how his understanding of death has influenced the way he lives his own life. Together, we explore the fascinating differences and shared humanity between Islamic funeral traditions and Western funeral practices. We talk about: 🕌 What Islam teaches about death and burial ⚰️ Why traditional Islamic burial practices differ from many Western customs 🔬 What the Muslim faith believes about autopsy 👩‍⚕️ The role of women within Muslim funeral services 🌍 The cultural differences in how we mourn and remember our dead 💬 The importance of death education and having conversations about dying ❤️ Grief, compassion, faith and what we can learn from one another 💭 And why opening up conversations about death can actually help us live better lives There are moments of deep reflection, moments that challenge our own assumptions, and, as you'd expect from Carrie and Emma, plenty of laughter along the way. This is a conversation about difference without division — about asking questions with curiosity, listening with respect and discovering that beneath our different religious and cultural traditions, there are often more shared human experiences than we realise. Ahmed's story is one of physical strength, spiritual growth, compassion and service. His journey into the death industry is fascinating, and his perspective on mortality, faith and the responsibility we have to care for the dead is genuinely thought-provoking. Carrie and Emma thoroughly enjoyed their time with Ahmed and were honoured to have such an open and insightful conversation with him. There was also a lovely little moment after the interview when Ahmed shared a post featuring the three of us. He later chose to remove it out of respect for some of his followers and their sensitivities — something we completely understand and respect. Ahmed is currently in the UK for a series of appointments promoting his work, and we wish him every success while he's here. And if you're wondering where you can watch or listen to the FULL INTERVIEW, we've made it easy! YouTube Audible Spotify Apple Podcasts All Links can be found here : https://linktr.ee/itsadeathsentencepodcast You can also find Ahmed — very easily! — across his social platforms, and we'll be sharing his links through our own posts. And don't forget to follow It’s A Death Sentence on: 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook 🎵 TikTok Death is something every one of us will encounter. The way we understand it, talk about it and prepare for it can be very different. So let's keep having the conversations. Let's keep asking the questions. And most importantly, let's keep talking about death. And that’s us for this episode of It’s A Death Sentence! If you’ve enjoyed it, found it useful, thought-provoking, or just found us thoroughly entertaining — which is entirely possible ! — please like, follow, subscribe and share. It genuinely helps us grow. You can find us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, and the podcast is now available on all major platforms, with the video version on YouTube and Spotify and apple podcasts. https://linktr.ee/itsadeathsentencepodcast We’re also on Patreon if you’d like to support what we do. Please share us with anyone who might need us… or anyone who just enjoys two women talking about death over a microphone. Thanks for listening — and as always, we’re dying to talk to you. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E79
    August 14 · 25 min

    The Interviews - Primrose Hospice: Pete and Steve on Finding Joy in the Present

    What if the very place we fear most at the end of life is actually where we find the most joy, connection, and purpose? In this episode of It's a Death Sentence, we sit down with Stephen and Pete, two men who share their deeply moving experiences at the Primrose Hospice. Far from the sombre, quiet place they initially feared, they discovered a vibrant community filled with laughter, dominoes, and unconditional support. What You’ll Discover - Breaking the Hospice Stigma: Why hospices are not just places to die, but sanctuaries for living fully, finding purpose, and sharing a laugh with people who truly understand. - The Power of Shared Experience: How connecting with others facing similar health battles provides a unique, unspoken comfort that family and friends cannot always offer. - Finding Joy in the Present: The importance of having a routine, a community to wake up for, and how simple activities like art and dominoes can quiet an anxious mind. Whether you are facing a difficult diagnosis or simply need a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, this conversation is a beautiful testament to finding light in the darkest of times. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E78
    August 7 · 21 min

    The Interviews - Primrose Hospice: Sarah McDowell on The Reality of Hospice Care

    When you hear the word "hospice," what is the first thing that comes to mind? In this episode of It's a Death Sentence, we sit down with Sarah McDowell from Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre to dismantle the common misconception that hospices are simply places where people go to die. Sarah shares her personal journey into the charity sector, inspired by her mother's 16-year career as a hospice nurse, and opens up about the vibrant, life-affirming reality of modern hospice care. What You’ll Discover - Redefining Hospice Care: Why places like Primrose are focused on living well, offering day services, physiotherapy, and complementary therapies rather than just end-of-life beds. - Supporting the Whole Family: How dedicated family support teams provide vital bereavement counselling and tailored group activities for children and teenagers navigating loss. - The Power of Community: A behind-the-scenes look at the massive fundraising efforts and the army of 400 volunteers required to keep these essential, free services running. If you have ever felt apprehensive about what goes on behind hospice doors, this conversation is an uplifting reminder that these spaces are often filled with warmth, laughter, and above all, life. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E80
    July 31 · 48 min

    The Interviews - Jenna Smalley on Losing Three Family Members in Two Years

    When multiple losses hit in quick succession, how do you find the space to grieve while still holding everything together for everyone else? In this episode of It's a Death Sentence, we sit down with Jenna Smalley, a 34-year-old mother of two who experienced the unimaginable loss of three close family members in just two years. Jenna shares her deeply personal journey of losing her father suddenly to a ruptured aorta, followed by her 102-year-old grandmother, and finally her uncle, whom she cared for through his terminal cancer diagnosis. What You’ll Discover - Navigating Compound Grief: The emotional and physical toll of losing multiple family members in a short timeframe and why survival mode often delays the grieving process. - Systemic Failures in End-of-Life Care: A honest look at the lack of support from healthcare services, the administrative burdens placed on next of kin, and the vital need for better communication. - Finding Signs of Hope: How personal beliefs about the afterlife and small, meaningful signs from lost loved ones can provide comfort in the darkest times. Jenna's story is a powerful reminder that while we often have no choice but to carry on for the sake of our families, we must eventually allow ourselves the time and space to heal. Her journey highlights the importance of speaking openly about death, even when society tells us to keep quiet. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E78
    July 24 · 23 min

    The Interviews - Primrose Hospice: Rachel Watts on Finding Light in the Dark

    How do you find the light in the darkest of times? In this episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we sit down with Rachel Watts, a social worker, trustee, and dedicated supporter of Primrose Hospice. Rachel shares her deeply personal journey following her sister Liz’s terminal cancer diagnosis, and how the hospice became a lifeline for her entire family. We explore the vital role of peer support for grieving teenagers, the importance of normalising conversations around death, and how Liz’s legacy continues to shape Rachel's life today. What You’ll Discover - Breaking the Hospice Stigma: Why hospices are far from the doom-and-gloom environments many expect, and how they provide a space for both serious support and light-hearted humour. - Supporting Grieving Teenagers: The vital role of peer groups in helping young people navigate loss, and why using clear, honest language about death is essential for their understanding. - Planning for the End: How taking the time to organise your own "death book" and final wishes can be one of the kindest, most compassionate gifts you leave behind for your loved ones. Whether you are navigating your own grief, supporting a loved one, or simply want to understand how to talk more openly about mortality, this episode is a beautiful reminder that even in our final chapters, there is still so much life to be lived. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E77
    July 17 · 39 min

    The Interviews - Primrose Hospice: Kim Chandler on Finding Humour and Humanity in a Terminal Diagnosis

    What if the secret to truly living lies in accepting our own mortality? In this episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we sit down with the incredible Kim Chandler at the Primrose Hospice. Kim shares her journey of living with a terminal secondary breast cancer diagnosis, far outliving her original prognosis, and how she chooses to embrace every single day with humour, honesty, and a refreshing lack of filter. What You’ll Discover - Redefining the Hospice: Why places like the Primrose Hospice aren't just about dying, but are vibrant community hubs focused on living life to the fullest. - Finding Freedom in Finality: How accepting a terminal diagnosis can shift your perspective from anger to gratitude, and why we all need to just "look up" more often. - Breaking the Taboo: The importance of normalising conversations around death, from planning direct cremations and living funerals to talking openly with children about loss. Kim’s story is a powerful reminder that talking about death doesn't have to be morbid. By stripping away the fear and societal awkwardness, we can focus on what really matters: making memories, supporting our loved ones, and finding joy in the everyday. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E76
    July 10 · 32 min

    Dead Smart: The Death Quiz

    Ready for a fun, cheeky quiz to test how much you’ve been paying attention? In this episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we put our (and your) knowledge to the test with a quiz covering everything from the biology of death and the body to grief, desire, psychology, and philosophy to revisit key themes from previous episodes. What You’ll Discover - Death and the Body: From the most common causes of death during sex to what happens to digestion and the brain as we approach the end. - Grief, Desire & The Nervous System: Why libido can increase or decrease during bereavement, the role of oxytocin, and how fear often sits beneath anger. - Philosophical Reflections: Big questions about mortality, continuing bonds, living authentically, and the paradox of death anxiety. Whether you’re a long-time listener or wanting to learn something new, this episode reminds us that talking about death doesn’t have to be solemn - it can be playful, thought-provoking, and deeply human. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E75
    July 3 · 43 min

    DEAD Talks: Grief, 9/11, and the Power of Humour

    What if the most profound way to honour the dead is to find the courage to truly live and maybe even laugh along the way? In this episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we sit down with David Ferrugio, host of the DEAD Talks podcast and author of the upcoming book, Not Dead Yet. David shares his deeply personal journey of losing his father in the World Trade Centre on 9/11 when he was just 12 years old. We explore how he navigated the overwhelming weight of a very public grief, the unique experience of growing up in a household of strong women, and why humour has become his ultimate coping mechanism. What You’ll Discover - Finding Light in the Dark: How dark humour and making jokes can serve as a vital, momentary relief from the heavy, concentrated pain of grief. - Navigating a Public Loss: The strange, isolating, and sometimes overbearing reality of grieving an individual loved one while the entire world is watching and mourning alongside you. - Embracing the Unknown: Why letting go of the illusion of control and accepting the inevitability of death can ultimately free us to live more fully. David’s story is a powerful reminder that grief is not a linear path we must walk in silence. By opening up, sharing our stories, and even daring to laugh at the absurdity of it all, we can find connection and meaning in the most unimaginable circumstances. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E74
    June 26 · 32 min

    The Grief of a Nation: When We Are All Grieving

    There is a strange, quiet comfort in knowing that the person standing next to you is feeling exactly as devastated as you are. In this episode of It's a Death Sentence, we dive deep into the heavy, fascinating world of collective grief. From the profound national mourning that followed the death of Princess Diana to the shared, daily trauma of the Covid-19 pandemic, we explore why we cry for people we have never met, and what happens when an entire nation is forced to process loss at the exact same time. What You’ll Discover - Parasocial Loss and Its Power: Why we feel such a deep, personal ache when a public figure dies, and how the media shapes our permission to mourn. - When Shared Trauma Divides: How a global event like Covid-19 can simultaneously bring us together in solidarity while driving deep wedges between our closest relationships. - Why Rituals are Necessary: Why being denied the traditional, communal acts of saying goodbye - like funerals and bedside vigils leaves us with a complicated, lingering grief. Ultimately, it seems that whether we are mourning a royal, a local legend, or the victims of a global tragedy, our response says far more about us than it does about the event itself. We are pack animals, and even in our darkest moments, we are simply looking for a way to know we aren't entirely alone. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E73
    June 19 · 39 min

    The Interviews - Dr Emma Johnson: The Fear of Death

    This is one of those topics that we just don't talk about enough in our daily lives, mostly because we get so caught up in the busyness of simply getting by. In this episode of It's a Death Sentence, we sit down once again with Emma Johnson. She shares a deeply personal account of what it was like to care for her father at the end of his life. We explore the complexities of navigating a difficult parent-child relationship, the profound reality of end-of-life care during the pandemic, and the existential terror that can accompany our thoughts on mortality. What You’ll Discover - The Complexity of End-of-Life Care: How caring for a parent with whom you have a complicated history can shift the balance of your relationship and offer a unique path to healing. - The Reality of Existential Terror: A deep dive into death anxiety, what truly triggers it, and how it manifests differently for everyone. - The Need for Open Conversations: Why we as a society tend to sleepwalk through life avoiding the topic of death, and why bringing it into the light is so vital. We have these cinematic ideas of peaceful goodbyes, but the reality is often much more visceral, complicated, and deeply human. Emma’s honesty about her own anxiety surrounding the infinite unknown and how she sought therapy to navigate it is a breath of fresh air in a world that largely prefers to look away. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at the ceiling at night wondering what it all means, this episode is worth a listen. It might just change how you think about the time we have left. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E71
    June 12 · 26 min

    Sex & Death

    Sex and death - two of life’s biggest taboos, explored with honesty and zero judgment. In this episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we dive into the often unspoken connection between grief and sexuality. From heightened desire as a form of comfort or escapism to the phenomenon known as “widow’s heat,” we discuss how loss can reshape intimacy in surprising ways. What You’ll Discover - Grief and Libido: Why some people experience increased sexual desire during bereavement while others withdraw, and how sex can serve as grounding, distraction, or emotional release. - Widow’s Heat and Cultural Views: The real experiences of intense craving after loss, plus how different cultures approach intimacy and mourning. - The Philosophical Link: From “la petite mort” (the little death) to the deeper emotional crossover between sex and grief. Whether it’s seeking physical connection to feel something other than sadness or navigating complicated emotions after profound loss, there’s no single “right” way to grieve - including in your sex life. It’s a raw, open conversation that reminds us to be kind to ourselves without judgment. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E70
    June 5 · 31 min

    Death & Disney

    This was one of those episodes that took us right back to our childhood. In this episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we unpack how Disney films shaped our early understanding of death - from parental loss in Bambi and The Lion King to dramatic villain endings, the afterlife in Coco, and the emotional punch of stories like My Girl and Watership Down. What You’ll Discover - How Disney Handles Death: Common tropes like temporary “deaths,” the circle of life, and off-screen losses. - Villains and Justice: Why bad characters meet dramatic but indirect ends, and what that teaches kids about consequences. - Grief, Remembrance & Nostalgia: From Coco’s focus on remembering the dead to how these films influenced the way we process loss. Disney often softens death while still introducing big ideas like grief, legacy, and moving forward. Whether through symbolic afterlives or sudden heartbreak, these stories gave many of us our first (sometimes confusing) window into one of life’s hardest realities. It’s a nostalgic, thoughtful conversation about the powerful role media plays in shaping how we understand death from a young age. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E69
    May 29 · 24 min

    Near-Death Experiences: What Do You See When You Die?

    In this episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we explore near-death experiences - what people report seeing, feeling, and learning when they come close to dying and return. What You’ll Discover - Common Elements of Near-Death Experiences: Bright lights, feelings of peace and wholeness, out-of-body sensations, and encounters with loved ones or beings. - The Science vs. The Mystery: How the brain might create these experiences under extreme stress, and why they feel so similar across cultures and time. - Personal and Cultural Reflections: Stories of transformation, loss of fear of death, and why these experiences continue to fascinate us. What really stood out is how these accounts - whether explained by brain chemistry or something more profound - often leave people changed, with a deeper sense of peace and purpose. The conversation sits beautifully in that space between science and hope, reminding us that death and what might come after doesn’t have to be purely frightening. It can also spark curiosity, comfort, and even wonder. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E68
    May 29 · 14 min

    Kids Talk Death: The Deadly Curious Q&A

    This episode felt different because we handed the big questions over to the children. In this special episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we run a kids’ workshop and ask young people what they think about death, grief, the afterlife, funerals, and how they’d support a friend who is sad. What You’ll Discover - Honest Answers from Children: What they believe happens when we die, whether they think there’s a heaven or hell, and how they’d comfort someone who is grieving. - The Curious Questions Kids Ask: Their raw, thoughtful, and often surprisingly funny takes on death and what comes after. - The Kids Turn the Tables: The curious and brilliant questions the children asked us in return. Their answers are honest, sometimes humorous, and often wiser than we expect. It’s a gentle reminder that death doesn’t have to be a scary or forbidden topic - it can be discussed with care, curiosity, and even hope. This episode was recorded as part of a school pilot on death education, showing how naturally young people engage when given a safe space to talk. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E66
    May 22 · 50 min

    Decomposed & Dead

    This was one of those conversations where you end up equal parts fascinated and slightly horrified. In this episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we getting into what actually happens to your body after you die. Carrie, who performs autopsies for a living, takes us through the full process of decomposition - from the very first changes to the bloating, purging, skin slip, maggots, and everything in between. What You’ll Discover - The Real Stages After Death: Pallor mortis, algor mortis, rigor mortis, livor mortis, autolysis (self-digestion), putrefaction, and how temperature, environment and body type all change the timeline. - The Messy, Honest Realities: Gas, bloating, fluids leaking from the mouth and nose, why bodies can look like old leather in dry conditions, and the unmistakable smell of death. - The Questions People Are Scared to Ask: Do bodies always poop? Why is the tongue sometimes removed? Can organs still be used? Decomposition isn’t just decay - it’s a natural biological process where life keeps doing its thing. This conversation mixes science, dark humour, real mortuary stories, and that strange human curiosity we all have about what happens when we die. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E65
    May 15 · 36 min

    The Interviews - John Kammer: AI and Grief

    This episode goes right to the heart of one of the most tender, complicated spaces we’ve ever explored. In this episode, we sit down with John Kramer, founder of Guardian Angels, to talk openly about using AI as a tool in grief. John shares his own journey through loss, the accidental beginnings of the platform, and how it evolved from an experiment into a structured, therapist-guided journaling experience designed to help people process pain rather than replace human connection. What You’ll Discover - From Digital Séance to Structured Healing: How Guardian Angels moved from conversational AI to reflective journaling rooted in evidence-based grief tasks. - Why Men Often Connect With This Tool: The safe, risk-free space it creates for those who struggle to talk about feelings or show vulnerability. - Guardrails, Ethics & The Path Forward: How the platform is built to support real healing, with clear boundaries, therapist input, crisis resources, and an intentional focus on integration rather than dependence. John’s clear that this isn’t about speaking to the dead or replacing therapy. It’s about giving people (especially those who find it hard to open up) a private outlet to name their feelings, process pain, and slowly integrate their loss into life moving forward. The pushback he’s received has actually helped shape something more responsible and human-centred. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E64
    May 8 · 32 min

    Death By Social Media: The Toxic Loop We Can’t Escape

    This episode felt different to record because, if we're honest, there’s a lot of frustration in it. In this episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we take a proper look at social media. The good, the bad, and the parts that are genuinely dangerous. From the pressure to be liked, to the impact on our mental health, and the very real consequences for young people, this is an honest, unfiltered conversation about something most of us use every day but rarely stop to question. What You’ll Discover - The Pressure to Be Liked: Why social media is designed to keep us hooked, constantly seeking validation and comparison. - When It Turns Dangerous: How cyberbullying, harmful trends, and algorithms can contribute to serious mental health risks. - The Parenting Dilemma: Why there’s no clear answer when it comes to protecting young people without isolating them. What really stands out in this conversation is the contradiction. Social media connects us, grows communities, and even helps people access support in moments of crisis. But at the same time, it can isolate, overwhelm, and in some cases, cause real harm. That tension runs through the whole episode. It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised. Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories. www.its-a-death-sentence.com YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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