Episode Details

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Ever wondered how staring down your deepest fear of death could actually make you live bolder and more intentionally? That's exactly what today's guest, Alicia Ng, discovered on her wild journey from corporate life in Singapore to end-of-life planning in Australia.

Alicia, a brand and content marketing whiz turned author, opened up about her thanatophobia – that gut-wrenching terror of dying that started in childhood and spiralled into panic attacks. Instead of running from it, she ran towards it, training as a death doula, moving countries, and pouring her experiences into her compassionate workbook, The Final Gift, which guides readers through life reviews, funeral planning, and leaving a meaningful legacy to ease the grief for loved ones. We also chatted about her children's book, Willow's Tea Tales, a whimsical tale of presence and healing, and her podcast Stories in Transit, exploring life's messy pivots. Alicia's story is raw and real, showing how facing death head-on can transform fear into fuel for a fuller life.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How Alicia's fear of death drove her to quit jobs, move continents, and embrace discomfort for growth and intentional living.
• Why end-of-life planning is an act of love, easing family burdens with wills, funeral details, and heartfelt legacies.
• How personal losses, like her grandmother's cremation and aunt's COVID-era passing, exposed grief gaps and sparked her death literacy missio

The Don’t Be Caught Dead Pub Quiz is back — now in its third year, and it’s a sellout event for a reason.

Join us on May 12 at 7pm at Hotel Lona in Frankston, as part of the South Side Festival.

Come solo and join a team, or bring your own crew — and compete for great prizes.

 Go to criticalinfo.com.au/events 

Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays —
free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen.

No pressure.
 No expectation.

Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” —
 it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way.

Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events

MY LOVED ONE HAS DIED, WHAT DO I DO NOW?

Our guide, ‘My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?’ provides practical steps for the hours and days after a loved one's death. Download it here.

SUPPORT SERVICES
If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here.

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Support the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now.

Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/

Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials:
https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/