- 16
- Episodes
- 23
- Ratings
- Monthly
- Cadence
- 2024
- First episode
About Laugh before death
Imagine being told "you have incurable cancer". How do people 'keep going' despite being told they are dying? This podcast is about cancer, it is about the will to live well despite a life limiting illness, and it is about dying. We (Mand & Heidi) both have stage four incurable cancer. We want to create a space for talking about living and dying. We want to talk about everyday 'cancer life' and we want to give 'cancer muggles' ideas for how to be the best allies to people with the disease. We think we are funny and we are told we can be inappropriate. What's not to like?!
- Publisher
- Heidi Keeling and Mand Black
- Category
- society & culture
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 22 Jul 2024
- Latest episode
- 7 Aug 2026
Latest episodes
16 episodes in the feed.
7 Aug 2026
Art before death
Creativity is what makes us human, and art and crafting in this cancer world of lifelong treatment (and its side effects) makes us feel more humane. This episode is about what makes us want to 'make stuff', and the role of creativity in processing and ignoring the fact we live with incurable cancer. We also talk about letting go of the standards we set for ourselves and how this creates a wonderful freedom to 'just do'. We don't talk a lot about death but it is the undertone for this episode. Let's face it, we wouldn't have conversation about art if we didn't live with incurable cancer. So the usual rules apply: we talk about death and dying so you feel you can too. Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out! Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com (mailto:laughbeforedeath@gmail.com)
23 Apr 2026
On reflection, we're completely ourselves.
It's been two years since we came up with the idea of talking (publicly) about living and dying with cancer. The podcast is still going, we are still going (!), and in this episode we're taking things a bit further by having photos taken professionally, while reflecting on the past two years of recording 'Laugh Before Death'. Hey look at us, multi-tasking! Ruth from Ruth Morelly Photography kindly included us in the 'social impact' strand of her photography business. You'll hear Ruth in this episode too and for more examples of her photography, we recommend you follow her on rmorellyphotography (Facebook) and rmorellyphotography_family (Instagram) or write to her directly on rmorellophotography@gmail.com Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out! Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com (mailto:laughbeforedeath@gmail.com)
19 Mar 2026
What would love do? (an episode about dying)
Death is part of life, yet the process of dying is not easily talked about. How many of us would talk about our own demise as a hypothetical 'event' rather than feeling and knowing it will happen? It is a tough ask to be in touch with the finality of oneself. There there are arguments that once we accept our life will come to an end it makes the lifelong process of dying a little easier to bear. Some people even find a renewed enjoyment of their lives once we accept the inevitable. In this episode, we're speaking with John Hopkins who is a 'life and death' coach and who has worked as a Soul Midwife. We talk about death and the process of dying, how to make our own death the best it can be for us, and what people's priorities are towards the end. Remember, we talk about death and dying so you feel you can too. Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out! Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Contributor: John Hopkins (Substack link: https://open.substack.com/pub/hopkinsjohn?r=6wq3e4&utm_medium=ios (https://open.substack.com/pub/hopkinsjohn?r=6wq3e4&utm_medium=ios)Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com (mailto:laughbeforedeath@gmail.com) Contributor: John Hopkins (Substack link: https://open.substack.com/pub/hopkinsjohn?r=6wq3e4&utm_medium=ios (https://open.substack.com/pub/hopkinsjohn?r=6wq3e4&utm_medium=ios)
2 Jan 2026
Life's too short for exercise, right?
There's never a bad time to improve on your (healthy) habits but once you're given a terminal diagnosis it can be tempting just enjoy yourself. Life's too short for exercise, right?! In this episode, Mand and Heidi speak with Mel Brown (Level 4 'cancer & exercise' personal trainer) about the challenges, avoidance tactics, and benefits of functional exercise while being in active cancer treatment. Needless to say, although life might be short(er), living it to the best our abilities does require a certain level of fitness. No 'short cuts' to a good life and a good death, sadly. Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out! Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com (mailto:laughbeforedeath@gmail.com)
30 Oct 2025
Hope takes on different forms
This episode is about the role of storytelling as a way of making sense of illness, and generating hope for ourselves and others. Hope does not cure cancer but it makes cancer life more manageable. Heidi and Mand are in conversation with Kevin Donaghy (driving force behind Stories Of Cancer And Hope (https://storiesofcancerandhope.co.uk/)). We talk about hope and hopelessness, community spirit, and living a good life alongside terminal illness. Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out! Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com (mailto:laughbeforedeath@gmail.com)
26 Aug 2025
A word (or two) on retirement
Once upon a time we were professionals and really good at our jobs... then we had to retire because of cancer. This episode focuses on early retirement due to ill health, the financial implications of metastatic cancer, and reflections on leaving the workforce before the typical retirement age. Link to the Marie Curie petition mentioned in the podcast: Marie Curie Campaigns (https://campaigns.mariecurie.org.uk/page/159107/petition/1?locale=en-GB) Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out! Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling and Darren Scothern Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com (mailto:laughbeforedeath@gmail.com)
10 Jul 2025
Nook with a view
In this episode we are on a road trip. In the spirit of 'death talk', we're visiting a local forest burial site to set the scene for our conversation about what we want to do with our remains when we die. Tune in to listen to our thoughts on burials, cremations, and the importance of normalising death (... you'll also catch bird song, wind rustling in treetops, and tea-slurping). Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. Neither do we give medical advice, so if in doubt, check it out! Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling and Darren Scothern Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com (mailto:laughbeforedeath@gmail.com)
6 Apr 2025
Is there ever a good time to celebrate cancer?
Surviving metastatic cancer for 10 years is an amazing feat but why does it feel wrong to celebrate it? Mand was diagnosed with terminal cancer in April 2015. This episode is about her thoughts on living with a terminal illness, how (and if!) to acknowledge her #Cancerversary, and reflections on lives cut short by cancer. Mand is our very own #CancerDinosaur and although she enjoys life, this milestone is giving us all pause for reflection. Maybe 'celebration' is too strong a word? Instead, let's acknowledge this fabulous lady who has lived through 10 years of cancer treatment. A quick disclaimer: the podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out! Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling and Darren Scothern Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com (mailto:laughbeforedeath@gmail.com)
6 Feb 2025
Mum's (definitely not) the word
Enough about us and our cancer! Let's hear how OUR illness affect others. Joking (and references to 'main character energy') aside, terminal illness has a way of making its mark on everybody. This is the first of a two part episode about the impact of cancer on families. In this episode, we introduce Helen (Mand's mum) and Marianne (Heidi's mum). Marianne and Helen share their experiences of navigating their parenting role under cancer circumstances, how they manage social expectations of others, and how they use their love to be a strength to us. Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling & Darren Scothern Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com
6 Feb 2025
Sister, Sister
When there's cancer in the family, you need all the love and support you can get. Those of us who have sisters (and good sisters they are!) will appreciate that very special relationships. This is the second of a two part episode about the impact of cancer on families. In this episode, we hear from Bryony (Mand's sister) and Rikke (Heidi's twin sister). They might sound like us but they have their own mind and stance on sisterhood in the maelstrom of metastatic cancer lives. Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling & Darren Scothern Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com
1 Nov 2024
Easy for you to say!
"We are all going to die one day", yet it can feel awkward to speak about this truth. It can be even harder when you or the person you speak to have a life limiting illness such as cancer. In this episode we talk about the language used to speak about terminal illness and death. We talk about our language likes and dislikes and the worst and kindest things people have said to us. We don't tell you what to say because each person will have their own way they prefer to talk about their experience. Instead we encourage everybody keep talking about life and death because that is how we make connections with each other... and good relationships matter A LOT when a person lives with terminal cancer. Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out! Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling and Darren Scothern Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com (mailto:laughbeforedeath@gmail.com)
13 Oct 2024
"The computer says NO" (or tries to!)
In recognition of Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness day (13th October 2024), we're sharing voice notes sent between us following a frustrating and distressing phone call trying to organise insurance. Our podcasts always focus on how we try to remain realistically optimistic in living a cancer life. This 'pod call' was recorded immediately after Heidi's experience of dealing with a sales representative. It is an acknowledgement that because of our illness we experience powerless and frustration. We can't always 'laugh in the face' of difficulty but as Mand says, we can find ways to feel empowered. Callers: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling
3 Oct 2024
Not so patient!
When you are told you have cancer, dealing with it can't happen soon enough, right? Being a cancer patient requires patience... oodles of patience, which takes as much mental energy as the actual treatment itself. This episode focuses on the processes involved in cancer care from screening, to diagnosis, and treatment. We talk about how we manage the practical and emotional aspects of being a patient and we acknowledge the positive relationships we have with our health care team may not be the experience every cancer patient has. Topics: Forgiving ourselves for not realising the early symptoms of cancer and what tumours look and feel like in reality. Getting the balance right between cancer treatment and medication to deal with the side effects is not always easy. Our experiences of health services before and after our cancer diagnosis. How we juggle self advocacy and being 'the patient'. What is involved in a cycle of treatment. Managing the stress and anxiety when waiting for scan results (also known as 'scanxiety'). The impact of cancer care on families. Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out! Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling and Darren Scothern Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com (mailto:laughbeforedeath@gmail.com)
15 Aug 2024
Is it okay to laugh?
Being generally optimistic, and some might say a bit daft, has stood us in good stead for living with metastatic breast cancer. In this episode we talk about how humour and laughing helps us manage the difficulties of living with a terminal illness. And in answer to the title... Yes, of course it is! Topics: What 'lines of treatment' means in the metastatic cancer world. How humour helped us through difficulties news and facing up to the prospect of our 'untimely' death. A word on social roles and intentionally not living up to what what 'society' might expect of people with a chronic illness. The health benefits of laughing. The risks of uncontrollable laughing (just joking!) Reasons we want people to experience happiness and joy. Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out! Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling and Darren Scothern Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com (mailto:laughbeforedeath@gmail.com)
1 Aug 2024
Who put 'fun' in funeral?!
Speaking about death and dying is something most people avoid or delay as long as possible. We can't avoid because living with metastatic cancer means we regularly face up to the thought of dying. That said, it does not have to be a sad or boring conversation. Instead it can be a way to prepare and tolerate the process of dying before our time. This episode will focus on: We are checking our emotional and mental well-being Chemo therapy can cause 'neuropathy' (aka nerve damage or 'tootsie tingles'). We talk about the 'living and dying' conversations are already taking place What did we think about death before our diagnosis of cancer (if thought about at all)? There is no such thing as a stupid question but some comments can be daft! We spend some time imagining the end and planning for funerals. We even discuss having a last party before we die and how to be 'super compostable'. and finally we talk about how to be an ally to people with cancer although 'hugging' is optional. Contact https://dancingforhealth.org.uk/ for more information about accessible dance groups. Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling and Darren Scothern Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com (mailto:laughbeforedeath@gmail.com)
22 Jul 2024
The pilot: cancer at the helm and ready for take off
This is the pilot episode: an exploration of the themes in our podcast. You will hear about: Metastatic cancer (AKA incurable or terminal cancer), the impact of illness on relationships, cancer's status in society, how life as we knew it changed, and it gives you a chance to think about how to be an ally to people with the disease. Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling & Darren Scothern Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com
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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 5.0 / 5
- 1 ratings
- Spotify
- 5.0 / 5
- 22 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 13 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
- Quality
- 26
- Social presence
- 0
- YouTube
- 0
- Engagement
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