Molly Case: On palliative care, poetry and leaving a legacy

Molly Case: On palliative care, poetry and leaving a legacy

This week's guest is Molly Case, who I discovered online telling a really moving story about her work as a palliative care nurse. When I discovered she was an acclaimed poet and writer, I was even more determined to have her on the podcast to talk about her wide-ranging interests and areas of expertise. We talk about caregiving (of course), mortality (we could've talked more on this) and leaving a legacy. We also mention her change-making recitation of her poem 'Nursing the Nation' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOCda6OiYpg] for the Royal College of Nursing. There's almost nothing Molly hasn't done - even bachata! To find out more about Molly and her work, visit mollycasespeaks.com [mollycasespeaks.com] or find her on Instagram @mollycasespeaks [https://www.instagram.com/mollycasespeaks/] Who Cares? Executive Producer: Lulu Goad Music by Rory Cogavin Instagram: @whocarespod_ [https://www.instagram.com/whocarespod_/]

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_/]