Simon Mundy: On caring for his wife of 28 years & why we shouldn't waste time

Simon Mundy: On caring for his wife of 28 years & why we shouldn't waste time

My second guest of S2 is Simon Mundy, a great and always entertaining friend of the family. Simon’s wife Ali was diagnosed with a brain tumour around five years ago and Simon, also facing a cancer diagnosis of his own, became a caregiver for his partner of 28 years. Being a husband and a carer is not a unique experience, but it's incredibly difficult and not something that is often discussed at the "dinner table". Although this is not an easy listen, he is very glass half full and I can’t help feeling the same when we speak.  Who Cares? with Lulu Goad is Executive Produced by Lulu Goad Music by Rory Cogavin Instagram: @whocarespod_

Dean Perryman: On dealing with grief by supporting others

You will probably have heard of Empty Chairs or even Chicken Rush, but you may not know their creator, Dean Perryman. Dean didn't grow up talking about his emotions but after the loss of his best friend Rob to suicide at the end of 2025, Dean established Empty Chairs, a grassroots movement tackling loneliness by encouraging people to meet in public spaces for informal and open conversation. This episode comes at 'caring' from a new angle; how can we care for each other in our day-to-day even if we don't have "traditional" caregiving responsibilities.. Helplines & suicide support services: Call Samaritans on 116 123 (available 24/7) Call Mind on 0300 102 1234 (9am-6pm Monday-Friday) For young people: Call Papyrus 0300 102 2470 (available 24/7) or text HOPE to 88247 Links: Empty Chairs website: emptychairs.org.uk [https://www.instagram.com/emptychairsuk/?hl=en] Empty Chairs Instagram: @emptychairsuk [https://www.instagram.com/emptychairsuk/?hl=en] Chicken Rush website: chickenru.sh [https://chickenru.sh/] Chicken Rush Instagram: @thechickenrush [https://www.instagram.com/thechickenrush/] Who Cares Instagram: @whocarespod_ [https://www.instagram.com/whocarespod_/]

Oscar Lacey-Solymar: On Parkinson's caregiving & the significance of a support network

For our third and final episode of season one, I’m speaking to Oscar Lacey-Solymar, the son of Gillian Lacey-Solymar, the renowned Parkinson's activist (and Parky herself). Oscar's mum was diagnosed almost 15 years ago, when he was just 11. He can't imagine life without caregiving, but, to his great credit, only has positive takeaways from his experience. I hope you enjoy this episode. This podcast was hosted and produced by Lulu Goad Music by Rory Cogavin [https://www.rorycogavin.co.uk/] Who Cares? Instagram: whocarespod_ [https://www.instagram.com/whocarespod_/] Movers & Shakers Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/4dipKcMG0IocnGsdRmB2nJ?si=c1c7125ba8c244a6] Instagram: moversandshakerspod [https://www.instagram.com/moversandshakerspod/]

Cicely Creswell: On superhero mums & being part of something bigger

My second guest on Who Cares? is my good friend Cicely Creswell. She's an enormously talented fine line artist. Her siblings are very creative too, no doubt a passion sparked by their dad, the renowned watercolour painter, Alexander Creswell. Cicely’s dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's when she was 17. Two years into her degree at Edinburgh, Ciecly dropped out to care for her dad full time. She’s now back at university a few years on and joins me to reflect on her care experience. I hope you enjoy this episode. Cicely Creswell links: Website: cicelycreswell.com [https://cicelycreswell.com/] Instagram: @cicelycreswell [https://www.instagram.com/cicelycreswell/] Who Cares? links: Instagram: @whocarespod_ [https://www.instagram.com/whocarespod_/]

Josh Brown: On being a young carer, guilt & the manosphere

My first guest is documentary filmmaker Josh Brown. We met at the end of last year and got talking about care when I expressed my desire to start this show. Josh has a fascinating story about growing up as a young carer. When he was four, his great-grandmother Mary Power was diagnosed with dementia, and until the age of 13, Josh took on a range of care responsibilities. He seems only to have the greatest pearls of wisdom to share, whether as takeaways from his caring experience, or as reflections on society as a whole. Enjoy this episode with Josh. Josh: Instagram: @joshbrown._ [https://www.instagram.com/joshbrown._/] Who Cares? Instagram: @whocarespod_ [https://www.instagram.com/whocarespod_/]