15 episodes

When was the last time you talked honestly about death? Join Georgie Vestey as she interviews the people who help us as we die and when we're dead.

Dead Honest Georgie Vestey

    • Science
    • 5.0 • 9 Ratings

When was the last time you talked honestly about death? Join Georgie Vestey as she interviews the people who help us as we die and when we're dead.

    Ep.13 All That Remains

    Ep.13 All That Remains

    Robert Jensen is the man you want in the room on the worst day of your life. He runs the world's largest disaster recovery business, Kenyon International,  and is an expert in  recovering the dead and reuniting them with  the families they leave behind.

    We discuss the challenges of collecting fragmented remains, the importance of managing family expectations and why returning personal effects is so critical to the grieving process.

    To read more about Robert’s work, his memoir “Personal Effects” is now available.

    Produced by Georgie Vestey and Kate McAll, with original music by John Biddle.

    And finally … if you’ve found this episode interesting and want to support the show,  please rate it on your favourite podcast app.  It really makes a difference. 

    • 22 min
    Episode 12. What Lies Beneath

    Episode 12. What Lies Beneath

    Sgt Suzanne Crossley supervises a team of police divers who recover dead bodies. She  reveals why this is the best job she’s ever had. 

    Based in  the north of England, her team is regularly deployed to find missing people and gather forensic evidence. 

    Warning: This episode contains references to suicide. For information on organisations offering mental health support, please contact:

    The Samaritans 24/7 crisis helpline: 116 123
    Papyrus Helpline for under 35’s: 0800 068 4141
    Calm: Campaign Against Living Miserably Helpline: 0800 58 58 58
    SOBS: Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide Helpline: 0300 111 5065 
    Produced by Georgie Vestey and Kate McAll with original music by John Biddle.
    And finally … if you’ve found this episode interesting and want to support the show, I’d love you to share it using the icons below. You will help raise the profile of these extraordinary people who are way too modest to promote themselves.

    • 20 min
    Episode 11. Last Train

    Episode 11. Last Train

    Every 30 hours someone dies on Britain’s railways. Liam Johnston is a Railway Chaplain supporting the drivers and devastated families left behind. 
    For more information about Liam’s chaplaincy work visit  Railway Mission.
    Warning: This episode contains references to suicide. For information on organisations offering mental health support please contact:
    Samaritans 24/7 crisis helpline: 116 123
    Papyrus Helpline for under 35’s: 0800 068 4141
    Calm: Campaign Against Living Miserably Helpline: 0800 58 58 58
    SOBS: Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide Helpline: 0300 111 5065 
    Produced by Georgie Vestey and Kate McAll with original music by John Biddle. 
    And finally … if you’ve found this episode interesting and want to support the show, I’d love you to share it using the icons below. You will help raise the profile of these extraordinary people who are way too modest to promote themselves.

    • 23 min
    Episode 10. Road to Nowhere

    Episode 10. Road to Nowhere

    Mac Hobbs is a tow truck driver. He recovers vehicles after fatal crashes and from remote locations where people have taken their lives. The hardest part of his job? Reuniting the cars with the families left behind. 
    Warning: This episode contains references to suicide. For information on organisations offering mental health support please contact:
    Samaritans 24/7 crisis helpline: 116 123
    Papyrus Helpline for under 35’s: 0800 068 4141
    Calm: Campaign Against Living Miserably Helpline: 0800 58 58 58
    SOBS: Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide Helpline: 0300 111 5065 
    Produced by Georgie Vestey and Kate McAll with original music by John Biddle. 
    And finally … if you’ve found this episode interesting and want to support the show, I’d love you to share it using the icons below. You will help raise the profile of these extraordinary people who are way too modest to promote themselves.

    • 16 min
    Episode 9. Handle With Care

    Episode 9. Handle With Care

    Anita Hardy is an Anatomical Pathology Technologist. She takes great pride in caring for her ‘patients’ in the morgue. 
    For more information about Anita’s work, contact her association: 
    Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology 
    Produced by Georgie Vestey and Kate McAll with original music by John Biddle. 
    And finally … if you’ve found this episode interesting and want to support the show, I’d love you to share it using the icons below. You will help raise the profile of these extraordinary people who are way too modest to promote themselves.

    • 18 min
    Episode 8. Don't Look Down

    Episode 8. Don't Look Down

    Cathy MacDonald’s is a former police Crisis Negotiator. Her calm voice and capacity to listen have saved lives. She’s sat on the edge of many high places persuading the troubled to chose life over death.  
    Since leaving the Scottish Police, Cathy has built a successful communications business, Art of Communication.
    Warning: This episode contains references to suicide. For information on organisations offering mental health support, please contact:
    The Samaritans 24/7 crisis helpline: 116 123
    Papyrus Helpline for under 35’s: 0800 068 4141
    Calm: Campaign Against Living Miserably Helpline: 0800 58 58 58
    SOBS: Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide Helpline: 0300 111 5065 
    Produced by Georgie Vestey and Kate McAll with original music by John Biddle. 
    And finally … if you’ve found this episode interesting and want to support the show, I’d love you to share it using the icons below. You will help raise the profile of these extraordinary people who are way too modest to promote themselves.

    • 23 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
9 Ratings

9 Ratings

Alexandra505 ,

Compelling, Thoughtful, and Full of Heart

This is such a beautiful podcast. It’s so well-produced, and so intimate. The people that Georgie interviews really are unsung heroes, and I’m really grateful that they shared their stories with us.

Annabel CK ,

Extraordinary Podcast

Compelling & thoughtful interviews - found it touching and poignant. Just the sheer dignity of these people is inspiring.

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