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

Season 4 of What Now? On the Threshold of Life, Death and Grief comes to a close. The three co-hosts take time to reflect on the conversations, insights, and moments that stayed with them throughout the season.

The hosts look back on the wisdom shared by a remarkable group of guests and discuss what they learned, what surprised them, and how these conversations continue to shape their own perspectives.

This episode is also an opportunity to express heartfelt gratitude—to our guests for sharing their expertise and stories, to our listeners for joining us on this journey, and to the people behind the scenes whose support makes the podcast possible.

Thank you for being part of the What Now? community. We are grateful you're here, and we look forward to continuing these conversations with you in Season 5!

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

What happens when the ordinary objects of a life become extraordinary after loss? In this episode the co-hosts sit down with acclaimed playwrights and actors Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus to discuss their deeply relatable play: Big Stuff.

We explore how grief can surface in unexpected places—through the belongings we inherit, the stories attached to them, and the emotional weight they carry. With warmth, (lots of) humour, and honesty, Matt and Naomi reflect on the inspiration behind the play, the universal experience of sorting through a loved one’s possessions, and the ways theatre can help us make meaning in the aftermath of loss.

This conversation is a thoughtful exploration of attachment and the sometimes surprising intersections of grief, love, and laughter.

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

What happens when grief meets artificial intelligence? In this thought-provoking episode, the co-hosts welcome Steve Joordens, professor at the University of Toronto and a leading voice on the use of AI in education and beyond.

Together, they explore the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in the world of grief and bereavement. From practical applications to emerging ethical questions, the conversation examines how AI is already shaping the ways we learn, connect, remember, and mourn. They also delve into the fascinating and sometimes unsettling phenomenon of "grief bots"— AI tools designed to simulate communication with someone who has died — and consider what these technologies might mean for the future of grieving.

Whether you're entirely new to AI or already familiar with its possibilities, this lively and accessible discussion offers valuable insights into one of the most intriguing intersections of technology and humanity. Thoughtful, engaging, and deeply relevant, this episode invites us to consider how innovation may transform our experiences of loss, memory, and connection.

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

Someone once said that statistics are just numbers with the tears wiped away. But behind every number is a life, a family, and a story that matters.

Last year in Canada, 7,146 people died from drug overdoses. Today, we remember that those numbers are not just statistics — they are sons and daughters, parents and friends, deeply loved and deeply missed.

In this episode, Bob Campbell shares the story of his daughter, Kathleen, who died from an accidental overdose in 2019 at the age of 43. With honesty, love, and courage, Bob speaks about Kathleen’s life, the struggles she faced with addiction, and the profound grief that remains.

This conversation invites us to move beyond judgment and misunderstanding, and to see the humanity behind addiction and loss. Through Bob’s words, we come to know Kathleen not for the way she died, but for the remarkable person she was.

This is a story about love, loss, and remembering the person behind the statistic.

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

In this episode co-hosts Julie, David, and Red sit down with Dr. Natalie Whiting, a palliative care physician, and Emily Lamothe from Trillium Gift of Life Network to explore the life-changing impact of organ and tissue donation. Together, they walk listeners through how to become a registered donor, what the donation process can look like for individuals and families, and how Trillium Gift of Life supports donors and loved ones every step of the way. The conversation highlights how organ and tissue donation can become a powerful form of legacy-building, offering meaning and connection in the midst of loss. Natalie also shares personal reflections on how donation has touched her own life and family, bringing both professional and deeply human insight to this important topic.

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