Hope takes on different forms

On reflection, we're completely ourselves.

It's been two years since we came up with the idea of talking (publicly) about living and dying with cancer. The podcast is still going, we are still going (!), and in this episode we're taking things a bit further by having photos taken professionally, while reflecting on the past two years of recording 'Laugh Before Death'. Hey look at us, multi-tasking! Ruth from Ruth Morelly Photography kindly included us in the 'social impact' strand of her photography business. You'll hear Ruth in this episode too and for more examples of her photography, we recommend you follow her on rmorellyphotography (Facebook) and rmorellyphotography_family (Instagram) or write to her directly on rmorellophotography@gmail.com Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out! Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com [laughbeforedeath@gmail.com]

What would love do? (an episode about dying)

Death is part of life, yet the process of dying is not easily talked about. How many of us would talk about our own demise as a hypothetical 'event' rather than feeling and knowing it will happen? It is a tough ask to be in touch with the finality of oneself. There there are arguments that once we accept our life will come to an end it makes the lifelong process of dying a little easier to bear. Some people even find a renewed enjoyment of their lives once we accept the inevitable.  In this episode, we're speaking with John Hopkins who is a 'life and death' coach and who has worked as a Soul Midwife. We talk about death and the process of dying, how to make our own death the best it can be for us, and what people's priorities are towards the end. Remember, we talk about death and dying so you feel you can too.  Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out! Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Contributor: John Hopkins (Substack link: ⁠https://open.substack.com/pub/hopkinsjohn?r=6wq3e4&utm_medium=ios⁠ [https://open.substack.com/pub/hopkinsjohn?r=6wq3e4&utm_medium=ios]Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com [laughbeforedeath@gmail.com] Contributor: John Hopkins (Substack link: https://open.substack.com/pub/hopkinsjohn?r=6wq3e4&utm_medium=ios [https://open.substack.com/pub/hopkinsjohn?r=6wq3e4&utm_medium=ios]

Life's too short for exercise, right?

There's never a bad time to improve on your (healthy) habits but once you're given a terminal diagnosis it can be tempting just enjoy yourself. Life's too short for exercise, right?! In this episode, Mand and Heidi speak with Mel Brown (Level 4 'cancer & exercise' personal trainer) about the challenges, avoidance tactics, and benefits of functional exercise while being in active cancer treatment. Needless to say, although life might be short(er), living it to the best our abilities does require a certain level of fitness. No 'short cuts' to a good life and a good death, sadly. Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out! Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com [laughbeforedeath@gmail.com]

Hope takes on different forms

This episode is about the role of storytelling as a way of making sense of illness, and generating hope for ourselves and others. Hope does not cure cancer but it makes cancer life more manageable. Heidi and Mand are in conversation with Kevin Donaghy (driving force behind Stories Of Cancer And Hope [https://storiesofcancerandhope.co.uk/]). We talk about hope and hopelessness, community spirit, and living a good life alongside terminal illness.  Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out! Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com [laughbeforedeath@gmail.com]

A word (or two) on retirement

Once upon a time we were professionals and really good at our jobs... then we had to retire because of cancer. This episode focuses on early retirement due to ill health, the financial implications of metastatic cancer, and reflections on leaving the workforce before the typical retirement age. Link to the Marie Curie petition mentioned in the podcast: Marie Curie Campaigns [https://campaigns.mariecurie.org.uk/page/159107/petition/1?locale=en-GB] Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out! Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling and Darren Scothern Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com [laughbeforedeath@gmail.com]