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It's A Death Sentence
How it all started: The Story Behind Its A Death Sentence
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
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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.
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Get in touch - we are Dying to talk to you
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79. The Interviews - Primrose Hospice: Pete and Steve on Finding Joy in the Present
25:41||Season 1, Ep. 79What 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.
78. The Interviews - Primrose Hospice: Sarah McDowell on The Reality of Hospice Care
21:34||Season 1, Ep. 78When 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.
80. The Interviews - Jenna Smalley on Losing Three Family Members in Two Years
48:39||Season 1, Ep. 80When multiple losses hit in quick succession, how do you find the space to grieve while still holding everything together for everyone else?In this episode of It's a Death Sentence, we sit down with Jenna Smalley, a 34-year-old mother of two who experienced the unimaginable loss of three close family members in just two years. Jenna shares her deeply personal journey of losing her father suddenly to a ruptured aorta, followed by her 102-year-old grandmother, and finally her uncle, whom she cared for through his terminal cancer diagnosis.What You’ll Discover- Navigating Compound Grief: The emotional and physical toll of losing multiple family members in a short timeframe and why survival mode often delays the grieving process.- Systemic Failures in End-of-Life Care: A honest look at the lack of support from healthcare services, the administrative burdens placed on next of kin, and the vital need for better communication.- Finding Signs of Hope: How personal beliefs about the afterlife and small, meaningful signs from lost loved ones can provide comfort in the darkest times.Jenna's story is a powerful reminder that while we often have no choice but to carry on for the sake of our families, we must eventually allow ourselves the time and space to heal. Her journey highlights the importance of speaking openly about death, even when society tells us to keep quiet.It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised.
78. The Interviews - Primrose Hospice: Rachel Watts on Finding Light in the Dark
23:48||Season 1, Ep. 78How do you find the light in the darkest of times?In this episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we sit down with Rachel Watts, a social worker, trustee, and dedicated supporter of Primrose Hospice. Rachel shares her deeply personal journey following her sister Liz’s terminal cancer diagnosis, and how the hospice became a lifeline for her entire family. We explore the vital role of peer support for grieving teenagers, the importance of normalising conversations around death, and how Liz’s legacy continues to shape Rachel's life today.What You’ll Discover- Breaking the Hospice Stigma: Why hospices are far from the doom-and-gloom environments many expect, and how they provide a space for both serious support and light-hearted humour.- Supporting Grieving Teenagers: The vital role of peer groups in helping young people navigate loss, and why using clear, honest language about death is essential for their understanding.- Planning for the End: How taking the time to organise your own "death book" and final wishes can be one of the kindest, most compassionate gifts you leave behind for your loved ones.Whether you are navigating your own grief, supporting a loved one, or simply want to understand how to talk more openly about mortality, this episode is a beautiful reminder that even in our final chapters, there is still so much life to be lived.It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised.
77. The Interviews - Primrose Hospice: Kim Chandler on Finding Humour and Humanity in a Terminal Diagnosis
39:16||Season 1, Ep. 77What if the secret to truly living lies in accepting our own mortality?In this episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we sit down with the incredible Kim Chandler at the Primrose Hospice. Kim shares her journey of living with a terminal secondary breast cancer diagnosis, far outliving her original prognosis, and how she chooses to embrace every single day with humour, honesty, and a refreshing lack of filter.What You’ll Discover- Redefining the Hospice: Why places like the Primrose Hospice aren't just about dying, but are vibrant community hubs focused on living life to the fullest.- Finding Freedom in Finality: How accepting a terminal diagnosis can shift your perspective from anger to gratitude, and why we all need to just "look up" more often.- Breaking the Taboo: The importance of normalising conversations around death, from planning direct cremations and living funerals to talking openly with children about loss.Kim’s story is a powerful reminder that talking about death doesn't have to be morbid. By stripping away the fear and societal awkwardness, we can focus on what really matters: making memories, supporting our loved ones, and finding joy in the everyday.It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised.
76. Dead Smart: The Death Quiz
32:22||Season 1, Ep. 76Ready for a fun, cheeky quiz to test how much you’ve been paying attention?In this episode of It’s a Death Sentence, we put our (and your) knowledge to the test with a quiz covering everything from the biology of death and the body to grief, desire, psychology, and philosophy to revisit key themes from previous episodes.What You’ll Discover- Death and the Body: From the most common causes of death during sex to what happens to digestion and the brain as we approach the end.- Grief, Desire & The Nervous System: Why libido can increase or decrease during bereavement, the role of oxytocin, and how fear often sits beneath anger.- Philosophical Reflections: Big questions about mortality, continuing bonds, living authentically, and the paradox of death anxiety.Whether you’re a long-time listener or wanting to learn something new, this episode reminds us that talking about death doesn’t have to be solemn - it can be playful, thought-provoking, and deeply human.It's A Death Sentence shares real stories of life after loss and is produced by Urban Podcasts. Listener discretion is always advised.
75. DEAD Talks: Grief, 9/11, and the Power of Humour
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