Sometimes grief finds its way into music and a song is born.

In this honest and moving conversation, Canadian singer, songwriter and musician Rebekah Hawker talks about losing her mother and how that loss has shaped the way she writes, performs and makes music.

At the heart of the conversation is Rebekah’s song Quit My Habit—a beautiful exploration of grief and the ways it can manifest in our lives. Rebekah speaks openly about where the song came from, what it revealed about her own grief, and what happens when experiences that can be difficult to put into words find expression through music.

Together, we explore the power of creativity in hard times and the ways music can help us feel, process and share what we are carrying. Rebekah reminds us that art doesn’t take our grief away—but it can give it a voice, a shape, and somewhere to go.

To see the music video, visit the link below:

https://youtu.be/PVsAMDdlWRU?si=B-AXDa0686dZ1iud

Have feedback about the podcast? Have an idea for a future episode? Get in touch with us: whatnow@hospicepeterborough.org

In this episode, hosts Julie Brown and Red Keating are joined by Dr. Christopher Blake, Medical Director of Hospice Peterborough. He is not only a compassionate, skilled physician—he is also a talented writer of science fiction and fantasy. Throughout human history, storytelling has served as a powerful bridge for connection, wisdom, and meaning-making. In this delightful conversation, Dr. Blake shares some of his writing, exploring profound themes of death, grief, loss, and transformation. Together, we discuss how his stories open doors to rich, insightful reflections on life, all while sharing a touch of humour along the way.

Explore more of Dr. Blake’s writing via the links below:

Dr. Blake’s short story, “In Brightness and in Darkness, We Sit” was originally published in Flash Fiction Online. https://flashfictiononline.com/articles/in-brightness-and-in-darkness-we-sit/

His short story, “A Recipe for Life, A Tonic for Grief” was first published in Strange Horizons. https://strangehorizons.com/wordpress/fiction/a-recipe-for-life-a-tonic-for-grief/

Have feedback about the podcast? Have an idea for a future episode? Get in touch with us: whatnow@hospicepeterborough.org

What happens when life suddenly takes an unexpected turn and there is no script to follow?

In this deeply personal conversation, actor, comedian and improvisation expert Linda Kash shares the story of losing her husband suddenly—and the unexpected ways improvisation helped her navigate the landscape of grief that followed.

Linda talks openly about the shock of sudden loss, learning to live with uncertainty, and discovering that some of the principles of improv—being present, accepting what is happening, staying open to what comes next, and finding connection with others—can offer wisdom when life no longer looks anything like we imagined.

This conversation is also an exploration of the power of the arts in grief: how creativity, humour, play and artistic expression can give us ways to process what can be difficult to put into words.

A moving and thoughtful conversation about loss, resilience, connection and the possibility of finding our way forward when life changes the script.

Have feedback about the podcast? Have an idea for a future episode? Get in touch with us: whatnow@hospicepeterborough.org