New Episodes Every Monday!
Agehood.

Agehood.

Dad’s had another fall. The kids are out of control. Your boss’s patience is wearing thin. No matter what you do, you feel like you’re letting someone down. And who is looking out for you?

Welcome to Agehood. The podcast that finally says what we're all thinking but rarely say out loud.

The Australian-first series confronts the realities, complexities and unexpected beauty of ageing, caregiving and the last chapters of life through conversations with Sarah Macdonald, Bernard Salt AM, Geraldine Doogue AO, Nikki Gemmell, Dr Emily Musgrove and other prominent figures, offering both raw honesty and surprising warmth.

This is the show for those caught between caring for ageing parents, raising a family, and managing work—all while trying to live a good life. We see you. So join us to hear some of Australia’s most trusted voices share their stories of Agehood: the tears, the frustration, the goodbyes, but also the laughs and moments of true joy along the way.

Recent Episodes

Oct. 12, 2025

Dr Ira Byock: On The Four Things That Matter Most

Most of us know we should talk about the end of life - but almost none of us know where to start. In this episode, Melissa Reader is joined by Dr Ira Byock, one of the world’s leading voices in palliative care, to explore how...
Oct. 5, 2025

Fear and Love: What Medicine Can’t Teach with Steve Robson

What does it take to face fear, to lead with love, and to truly care for others at their most vulnerable? In this episode of Agehood, Melissa speaks with Professor Steve Robson - former President of the AMA, doctor, and son -...
Sept. 28, 2025

From Minister to Carer: Victor Dominello’s Most Personal Challenge

When former NSW Minister Victor Dominello helped build Service NSW, he made government simpler for millions. But when his mum was diagnosed with dementia, he discovered just how broken the system still is. In this powerful co...
Sept. 21, 2025

Next of Kin: Casey Beros on Caring for Her Dad While Raising a Young Family

What happens when you get the call - the one that changes everything? Author and journalist Casey Beros found out when her dad was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Overnight she became organiser, advocate, and round-the-clock car...
Sept. 14, 2025

Kate Carnell: On what families need to know before it’s too late

Kate Carnell has seen ageing and end-of-life care from every angle – as a pharmacist, as Chief Minister of the ACT, as a founding voice of Beyond Blue, and now as chair of Violet, the organisation behind Agehood . But this co...
Sept. 7, 2025

Dr Emily Musgrave believes we don’t need to fix grief

When someone we love dies, our world shifts in ways we can’t always name. Too often we’re left to navigate grief without a guide, unsure of what to say, how to feel, or even what’s expected of us. Dr Emily Musgrave is a clini...

About the Host

Melissa Reader Profile Photo

Melissa Reader

Melissa cared for her husband
Mauro through sudden,
aggressive cancer-losing him
just 15 months after diagnosis.
Left with three small children, no
planning, no preparation, no will,
and mountains of regret, she
transformed her pain into purpose
by founding Violet.