Death is universal, yet modern society often treats it as something hidden, feared and rarely discussed. Cultural anthropologist and Buddhist scholar Dr Hannah Gould explores how religion, medicine, mortality and voluntary assisted dying shape the way Australians think about death in the 21st century. 

Drawing on her research, Buddhist practice and personal experience of losing her father at a young age, Hannah reflects on why Western cultures struggle with death, how medicine’s “fight against death” mentality affects patients and clinicians, and why conversations about dying matter. She discusses how changing death practices may reshape grief, funerals and end-of-life rituals. Her book How to Die in the 21st Century offers a compassionate, accessible and thought-provoking guide to confronting mortality. 

How to Die in the 21st Century by Dr Hannah Gould 
https://thamesandhudson.com.au/products/how-to-die-in-the-21st-century 

Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website  at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. 

If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: 

Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745 
Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745 
Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day

Death is universal, yet modern society often treats it as something hidden, feared and rarely discussed. Cultural anthropologist and Buddhist scholar Dr Hannah Gould explores how religion, medicine, mortality and voluntary assisted dying shape the way Australians think about death in the 21st century.&nbsp;
Drawing on her research, Buddhist practice and personal experience of losing her father at a young age, Hannah reflects on why Western cultures struggle with death, how medicine&rsquo;s &ldquo;fight against death&rdquo; mentality affects patients and clinicians, and why conversations about dying matter. She discusses how changing death practices may reshape grief, funerals and end-of-life rituals. Her book How to Die in the 21st Century offers a compassionate, accessible and thought-provoking guide to confronting mortality.&nbsp;
How to Die in the 21st Century by Dr Hannah Gould&nbsp; <a href="https://thamesandhudson.com.au/products/how-to-die-in-the-21st-century">https://thamesandhudson.com.au/products/how-to-die-in-the-21st-century</a>&nbsp;
Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website&nbsp; at <a href="https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state">https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state</a> or by contacting your State Health Department.&nbsp;
If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services:&nbsp;
Griefline (<a href="https://griefline.org.au/">https://griefline.org.au/</a>) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia (<a href="https://www.grief.org.au/">https://www.grief.org.au/</a>) 1800 642 745&nbsp; Lifeline (<a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">https://www.lifeline.org.au/</a>) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day

This podcast series aims to share stories from the family members of loved ones who have accessed Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in South Australia. VAD enables eligible people to voluntarily access and self-administer - or in some cases have a doctor administer - a medication that will end their life.

The journeys undertaken in this podcast are deeply personal and reflective of the speakers' own experiences and circumstances.

VAD in South Australia is only accessible to people who meet strict criteria.

Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website  at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department.

If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services:

Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745

Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745

Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day

This podcast series aims to share stories from the family members of loved ones who have accessed Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in South Australia. VAD enables eligible people to voluntarily access and self-administer - or in some cases have a doctor administer - a medication that will end their life.
The journeys undertaken in this podcast are deeply personal and reflective of the speakers' own experiences and circumstances.
VAD in South Australia is only accessible to people who meet strict criteria.
Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website  at <a href="https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state">https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state</a> or by contacting your State Health Department.
If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services:
Griefline (<a href="https://griefline.org.au/">https://griefline.org.au/</a>) 1300 845 745
Grief Australia (<a href="https://www.grief.org.au/">https://www.grief.org.au/</a>) 1800 642 745
Lifeline (<a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">https://www.lifeline.org.au/</a>) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day

Voices From Voluntary Assisted Dying

This podcast series aims to share stories from the family members of loved ones who have accessed Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in South Australia. It enables eligible people to voluntarily access and self-administer - or in some cases have a doctor administer - a medication that will end their life.

The journeys undertaken in this podcast are deeply personal and reflective of the speakers' own experiences and circumstances.

VAD in South Australia is only accessible to people who meet strict criteria.

Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website  at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department.

If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: 
Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745 
Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745 
Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day

This podcast series aims to share stories from the family members of loved ones who have accessed Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in South Australia. It enables eligible people to voluntarily access and self-administer - or in some cases have a doctor administer - a medication that will end their life.
The journeys undertaken in this podcast are deeply personal and reflective of the speakers' own experiences and circumstances.
VAD in South Australia is only accessible to people who meet strict criteria.
Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website  at <a href="https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state">https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state</a> or by contacting your State Health Department.
If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services:  Griefline (<a href="https://griefline.org.au/">https://griefline.org.au/</a>) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia (<a href="https://www.grief.org.au/">https://www.grief.org.au/</a>) 1800 642 745 Lifeline (<a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">https://www.lifeline.org.au/</a>) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day