Podcast extra: The pineapple projectPodcast extra: The pineapple project
All In The Mind
Sharing with you one of the ABC's other great podcasts. Join Jan Fran and friends as they take life’s prickly bits and make them sweeter and easier to deal with.
27:13•27 Apr 2020
Talking About Death Without Losing Your Sense of Humour
Episode Overview
- Pair difficult conversations about death with an activity like walking or cooking to ease the tension.
- Start by explaining why the topic matters to you and link it to real priorities such as children, pets or personal values.
- Accept that even a brief chat can help; you can build on it over time rather than aiming for one huge conversation.
- Write a will and update it when your circumstances change to reduce conflict and confusion for those left behind.
- Talk about your preferences for medical care and funerals so loved ones aren’t left guessing in a crisis.
“Two minutes can be gold. Two minutes might be all you need to actually get the cogs turning in your family's mind.”
How do people find hope in the darkest times? This special All In The Mind extra hands the mic to The Pineapple Project, where host and journalist Jan Fran tackles one of life’s prickliest topics: death. Sana Kadar sets the scene, explaining that this season of The Pineapple Project is all about the practical and emotional side of dying – wills, funerals, workplace deaths, and the questions no one wants to ask.
In this featured episode, the focus is on how you actually talk about dying with the people you love. You’ll hear Jan and her sister Mira joking, stalling and squirming as they try to talk about their own deaths, from who gets the cat to which kind of funeral absolutely isn’t on the cards. Their banter shows just how uncomfortable many families feel.
As Jan laughs, “If I said I need to talk to you about dying… my sisters would literally assume I was dying and become inconsolable.” Clinical psychologist Dr Ursula Sansom-Daly steps in with simple, practical ideas: don’t start at the dinner table, pair the chat with a walk or cooking, explain *why* you’re bringing it up, and accept that even two minutes of honesty can be enough to open the door.
The tone shifts with Anna and Dean Rogers, who share what it’s like to plan for death after Dean’s stage four lung cancer diagnosis. They talk openly about where Dean wants to die, his will, their children’s future and the emotional messages he’s leaving behind.
Dean’s key message is clear: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help… I’ve never felt alone and isolated through the journey of my treatment.” Between dark humour, a cameo from a chatty Grim Reaper and straight-talking advice, this episode shows that planning for death can make life a bit lighter. So, who would you want to speak for you when you can’t speak for yourself?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.