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Death Becomes Him

When Brian Dowling lost his mum Rosie two years ago, it changed his outlook on life.

Grief is a complicated journey, and one that Brian now endeavours to explore with the help of his friends and family. Over the course of seven episodes, join Brian and his nearest and dearest as they grow to understand death through open conversation, humour and honesty.

Brian in conversation with Bronagh Burke

Death Becomes Him

  • 1.3K views
  • almost 3 years ago
  • 01:17:11

Often in the aftermath of loss, we enter into autopilot. Life needs to go on, the washing needs to be done and the children need to go to school. But for those who have lost people during 2020, these usual vices have been taken away. Mourning in lockdown presents a set of totally unique challenges. This is something Bronagh Burke talks about in today’s episode. She opens up about grieving her husband Thomas who died unexpectedly and talks about the differences in processing that grief compared to the coping mechanisms she had after her father’s passing in 2015.

Brian in conversation with Kathie Stritch

Death Becomes Him

  • 1.4K views
  • about 3 years ago
  • 01:07:39

Kathie’s family rallied around her sister Elaine when she was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. After rigorous treatment, life was getting back to normal in 2015, when Elaine’s husband Pa suffered a fall and passed away. Just over a year later, Elaine’s cancer returned and she too sadly passed. Kathie  opens up about caring for her sister’s children, their fundraising efforts to honour Elaine and Pa and how their wider friends and family will ensure Jason and Adam will always know their parents.

Brian in conversation with Jess Redden

Death Becomes Him

  • 1.8K views
  • about 3 years ago
  • 50:46

Jess joins me virtually from Perth austraila where she has been since earlier this year with fiancé Rob Kearney. Jess opens up about her father’s passing last year and how he encouraged her to live life to the fullest. She talks about the shock of his death, her plans for marriage and finding hope for the future. The first year after losing a loved one can be the hardest – the first birthday, the first Christmas and the first anniversary without them can be heart breaking. Jess is still very much processing her grief but has used these key moments to remember her highlights with her father and share the love he showed her with the world. 

Brian in conversation with Amanda Cambridge

Death Becomes Him

  • 1.3K views
  • about 3 years ago
  • 01:10:37

Amanda opens up about the loss of her son Avery in 2019 when the family were on holidays in Spain.  While Amanda’s story is heart breaking, she has bravely made the decision to share what her family had endured in the hopes of helping other families.

Brian in conversation with Lisa Shannon

Death Becomes Him

  • 2K views
  • about 3 years ago
  • 01:11:55

Lisa is known to many for her incredible talents as a makeup artist, she’s a gorgeous woman with a wide smile and beautiful young family. But today Lisa opens up and shares her story – a history that she has kept close to her heart for years. Lisa lost her mum Helena after a long battle with mental illness. Lisa talks about supporting her mother and finding happiness after tragic loss.

Brian in conversation with John McAreavey

Death Becomes Him

  • 1.1K views
  • about 3 years ago
  • 01:06:48

This week I speak to John McAreavey. In 2011, John suffered the loss of his new wife Michaela on Honeymoon when she was attacked and murdered by two intruders. The story of what happened was plastered on newspapers and John found himself at centre of  an investigation, and his grief on public display. He opens up to me today about the trauma of the incident, how he rebuilt his life and why he will never use the term “moving on.”

Brian in conversation with Mairead Ronan

Death Becomes Him

  • 1.2K views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 01:07:49

On today’s episode, Mairead Ronan laughs when she tells me about her mum encouraging her to pursue a career in radio. At the age of 20 she didn’t think she had the contacts or background to succeed in such a competitive industry but her mum was her champion. She encouraged her, supported her and gave her the confidence to land her first radio gig at just 21. Mairead opens up to me about the devastation she felt when her mum passed on the eve of her 21st birthday and how despite the sadness, she thrived thanks to the upbringing her mother had given her.

Brian in conversation with Baz Ashmawy

Death Becomes Him

  • 1.3K views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 01:03:04

We all know and love Baz and his mum Nancy from the Emmy Award winning show 50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy. Beyond the show, family is integral to Baz’s success and work – from inspiring his teams to working alongside them behind the scenes. Baz opens up today about just what family means to him, how they coped with the loss of their father and how he struggles to deal with grief.

Brian in conversation with Lisa Colhoun

Death Becomes Him

  • 1.3K views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 01:08:49

Today I sit down with Lisa Colhoun. I find Lisa’s story so tough because it’s a real reminder to make every day count. Lisa was married to Christopher and had two young children. The had bought their dream house, Christopher had just been promoted to principal and Lisa taught in the same school. They enjoyed the simple things – walking their dog, holidays and spending time with family. It was after a dinner with their friends that Christopher started feel unwell and he was soon hospitalised with the flu. Six days later, he unexpectedly passed away. Lisa talks to me today about mourning her soulmate and how she’s coped after such a tragic loss.

Brian in conversation with Jennifer Rock

Death Becomes Him

  • 1.4K views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 57:46

Jennifer is a vibrant business woman, a bestselling author and social media star. Her ever-growing success is down to her hardworking nature, her creativity and her supportive family. One person in particular influenced Jennifer’s success more than most – her father. Today Jennifer opens up about his sudden passing in 2018. She talks about dealing with the shock, going into autopilot and how she threw herself into work in the aftermath.

Brian in conversation with Alan McGovern

Death Becomes Him

  • 1.3K views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 01:06:15

Alan McGovern and his wife Jenny were the dream team. They worked together, had a family together and enjoyed life together. They worked incredibly hard to build a wonderful life for their two children. When Jenny was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2018, it was another hurdle the couple believed they could overcome. And they did - once. Sadly Jenny's cancer returned in 2019 and the young mother of two passed. Today Alan talks about mourning the person that was integral to every aspect of his life. 

Brian in conversation with Eileen Loughlin of @Everything_Eileen

Death Becomes Him

  • 3.9K views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 01:02:50

Today Brian talks to Eileen Loughlin aka @Everything_Eileen. Eileen’s story is one of the hardest. Two years ago, in 2018, she lost her young daughter Anabelle after a tragic accident in the home. She chats about mourning the future Anabelle would have had and how despite her grief, she’s determined to give her two sons a happy childhood.

Brian in conversation with Nicky Byrne

Death Becomes Him

  • 1.5K views
  • almost 4 years ago
  • 01:06:32

This week Brian talks to Nicky Byrne about the sudden passing of his father in 2009.  Nicky shared may things with his father; his passion for music, his love of sport and of course his name. Today he opens up about their relationship and his beliefs around life after death.  Death Becomes His is produced by Tall Tales Podcasts. 

Brian in conversation with Nadia Forde

Death Becomes Him

  • 1.2K views
  • almost 4 years ago
  • 01:02:15

This week on Death Becomes Him I sit down with my good friend Nadia Forde. Nadia's story is a little different to those we've already heard. From the age of eight, Nadia was raised mainly by her grandmother and today opens up about the complexity of grieving an estranged parent. Reconnecting during her mother's illness, Nadia admits she began to view her mother differently - woman to woman. We begin our conversation today talking about how becoming a mother helped Nadia heal.