How It All Began: The Story Behind It’s A Death Sentence

Why on earth would two women decide to make a podcast about death, dying and grief?

Well… there’s quite a story behind it.

Carrie and Emma are both bereaved, and death has become as much a part of their lives as life itself. Carrie has lost her mother-in-law, her uncle and, more recently, her beloved brother David. Emma has lost both of her parents, as well as a heartbreaking number of young friends.

And then there’s Carrie’s job. She works as an Anatomical Pathology Technician for the coroner, performing autopsies as part of her everyday working life. So, quite literally, Carrie works with death every single day.

But the podcast didn’t actually start as a podcast.

Carrie originally had the idea of creating something with her brother David — a way of capturing his voice and creating a lasting legacy for his son after they received the devastating news that David was terminally ill. It was a beautiful idea, born from something terribly sad. Sadly, David became too unwell for their plans to come to fruition.

But the idea stayed with Carrie.

When mutual friend and fellow Dead Curious CIC co-director James Young told her, “Just do it anyway. Start with me,” the first interview was born. James had lost his own mother as a child, and Carrie knew their conversation would be both deeply personal and thought-provoking.

James then suggested she interview another mutual friend…

Emma.

And, as they say, the rest is history. 😂

What began as a serious exploration of real-life stories of death, dying and grief soon took an unexpected turn when Carrie and Emma’s shared love of completely inappropriate, deathly dark humour took over.

They found themselves laughing through loss — loudly, ridiculously and sometimes quite uncontrollably. And that laughter became something cathartic and healing for them both.

In this episode, we talk about why we started the podcast, where the original idea came from, how grief has shaped both of our lives, and how It’s A Death Sentence evolved into the slightly unruly, occasionally dark and surprisingly joyful podcast it is today.

We also talk about what you can expect to find here — from bizarre deaths throughout history, to Carrie’s work with the coroner, what actually happens during an autopsy, personal stories of loss, grief, friendship, life and everything in between.

Because death is serious.

But talking about it doesn’t always have to be.

Welcome to It’s A Death Sentence. ❤️

As a side note do you have plans for Halloween ? why not join us at It’s a Death Sentence masquerade Ball on 31st October 2026 is Birmingham – A night Of Glamour, Live Music, Dancing and Dressing up ! tickets here Eventbrite Masquerade Halloween Ball ticket

Don’t Forget to follow It’s A Death Sentence on Tik Tok, Insta, Facebook and You Tube

Please support our CIC “ Dead Curious” providing death education and facilitating conversation with community’s through creative projects. Dead Curious on all the socials and here is a link to our website Dead Curious CIC

Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories.

www.its-a-death-sentence.com

YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast

Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you

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What if the very place we fear most at the end of life is actually where we find the most joy, connection, and purpose?

In this episode of It's a Death Sentence, we sit down with Stephen and Pete, two men who share their deeply moving experiences at the Primrose Hospice. Far from the sombre, quiet place they initially feared, they discovered a vibrant community filled with laughter, dominoes, and unconditional support.

What You’ll Discover

- Breaking the Hospice Stigma: Why hospices are not just places to die, but sanctuaries for living fully, finding purpose, and sharing a laugh with people who truly understand.

- The Power of Shared Experience: How connecting with others facing similar health battles provides a unique, unspoken comfort that family and friends cannot always offer.

- Finding Joy in the Present: The importance of having a routine, a community to wake up for, and how simple activities like art and dominoes can quiet an anxious mind.

Whether you are facing a difficult diagnosis or simply need a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, this conversation is a beautiful testament to finding light in the darkest of times.

It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised.

Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories.

www.its-a-death-sentence.com

YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast

Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you hear the word "hospice," what is the first thing that comes to mind?

In this episode of It's a Death Sentence, we sit down with Sarah McDowell from Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre to dismantle the common misconception that hospices are simply places where people go to die. Sarah shares her personal journey into the charity sector, inspired by her mother's 16-year career as a hospice nurse, and opens up about the vibrant, life-affirming reality of modern hospice care.

What You’ll Discover

- Redefining Hospice Care: Why places like Primrose are focused on living well, offering day services, physiotherapy, and complementary therapies rather than just end-of-life beds.

- Supporting the Whole Family: How dedicated family support teams provide vital bereavement counselling and tailored group activities for children and teenagers navigating loss.

- The Power of Community: A behind-the-scenes look at the massive fundraising efforts and the army of 400 volunteers required to keep these essential, free services running.

If you have ever felt apprehensive about what goes on behind hospice doors, this conversation is an uplifting reminder that these spaces are often filled with warmth, laughter, and above all, life.

It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised.

Thank you for listening - find us on socials @itsadeathsentencepodcast follow and like us for more episodes. Find contact info on our web page www.its-a-death-sentence.com here you can contact us, buy our merch and send us your stories.

www.its-a-death-sentence.com

YouTube- @itsadeathsentencepodcast

Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.