Ashgate Hospice’s podcast which explores frank and honest conversations around life, death and grief is set to return for a fourth series this month. 

The North Derbyshire hospice’s The Life and Death Podcast welcomes experts, writers, doctors and people who have experienced death, grief and end of life care in different ways.  

Among the guests featuring in series four include Annie Nicholson, otherwise known as The Fandangoe Kid, a multi-disciplinary artist who channelled her grief following the death of her close family in a helicopter crash in New York to pioneer a grief rave movement. 

Episodes are released on Mondays every fortnight, with the first released on Monday 8th May to coincide with Dying Matters Awareness Week.  

Host of the podcast, Stephen Rumford, added: “We’re really pleased to be back with series four of The Life and Death Podcast and can’t wait to continue having important and insightful conversations with people who have a range of experiences and opinions.  

“The aim of our series is to look as openly and sensitively at all aspects of death and dying and how they extend into all aspects of life as human beings.  

“We hope the latest six episodes of the podcast will provide a useful resource to anyone who is bereaved and people who might be curious about the subject. 

“The series is a great conversation starter, a support for those who have experienced bereavement and incredibly thought-provoking. I hope our listeners enjoy the considered opinions of our guests as they share their unique experiences with us.” 

In the first episode, host and Senior Physiotherapist at Ashgate Hospice, Stephen Rumford, meets Ruth Swailes, who talks about finding hope in the face of adversity following the death of her husband of 32 years, Pete, a year ago.  

She discusses how journaling helped Ruth during his illness, how they remained hopeful throughout and how hospices continue to support people beyond the death of a loved one.   

Series one, two, three and a Christmas special episode are available to stream on all platforms by searching for ‘The Life and Death Podcast Ashgate Hospice’ or by clicking here.  

Episodes from series four will be released fortnightly over the next couple of months.  

Listeners can subscribe to the podcast to ensure they never miss out on newly released episodes. 

Pictured: Annie Nicholson, also known as The Fandango Kid, will feature on the new series of The Life and Death Podcast (credit: Tara Darby)