Spotlight on Podcast Producer Denise van Aalst

A registered nurse with over 40 years’ experience, Denise first worked for the Otago Community Hospice as a night shift nurse, back when the Hospice was still in George Street. Following that stint she worked in oncology where she expanded her palliative care skill set. 

Denise returned to the Otago Community Hospice in the early 2000s to work in the newly constructed inpatient unit (IPU). It was during this time that she really ramped up her palliative care studies, first doing a study block with Kate Reid though Whitireia Polytechnic and then completing her Masters of Health Sciences in Palliative Care through the University of Canterbury (2013).   

“Kate was a great mentor and motivator and I got such huge support from Otago Community Hospice to do the study.”

Needing a new challenge after completing her masters Denise went to Hospice Southland to take up the role of Clinical Manager. After four years of commuting back and forth every weekend (her husband was still working and living in Dunedin) the grandchildren ultimately bought her back to Dunedin where she took up her present role as Otago Community Hospice Kōwhai Coordinator.

The Otago Community Hospice Kōwhai Programme provides information and support to whānau and carers of Hospice patients. It’s been going since 2010 and has a wealth of resources available.

“I have always believed in the Kōwhai programme. When I was working in the inpatient unit I used to present on the original programme. Then when I was in Invercargill I set up a similar programme.”

The podcasts came about when Denise was driving to Central Otago as part of her Kōwhai Coordinator role. The radio reception would always disappear for large stretches of the drive.

“My Husband suggested I download some podcasts to listen to and so I picked one for 'family carers'. It was really bad. The content was a tiny part of the overall podcast and it was useless. I thought maybe we should do podcasts?”

Denise did some research and could not find any podcasts for carers, beyond the one-off terrible one she had listened to. She knew from the Kōwhai Programme that she had good people within the Otago Hospice team she could call on.

“Feedback was that despite often difficult topics our staff always presented the information in a warm, engaging and understanding way.”

Hospice New Zealand stepped up to support the editing of the podcasts and the Ending Life Well series began.

"It was exciting and a little daunting to kick-start what was essentially a unique New Zealand initiative with global relevance, but I knew the need was there."

Denise decided early on that the podcasts needed to be ‘a conversation’ that people listening could feel part of, not a lecture. And ideally bite sized – although, as Denise says, “that hasn’t always been adhered to!”

What started with Denise interviewing Otago Community Hospice staff and local experts has expanded to include nationally renowned and even internationally renowned palliative care experts. Interviewing the likes of Dr Kathryn Mannix and Dr Ira Byock has been a real treat for Denise.

“It never ceases to amaze me, the generosity of people in the palliative care community to share their experience and knowledge.”

Over the 29 episodes, Denise has perfected the art of making people feel comfortable and learnt a lot about sound, including how to remove echo from a recording. She credits Kim Hill and Kathryn Ryan from RNZ with her confidence.

“You can tell that Kim and Kathryn have researched the topic really well before they interview someone. After 20 years in palliative care I know all the topics well enough to ask the right questions and draw out the answers that carers want and need to know.”

Denise knew the Kōwhai Programme had a wealth of information but the podcasts have allowed Otago Community Hospice to share that information beyond the hospice service, even beyond New Zealand.

The podcasts have been downloaded in multiple countries, including Australia, United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Greece, Malaysia, Ireland, Philippines, Singapore, Germany, Russia, United Arab Emirates.

“Most of what we share is relevant everywhere, in any setting.”

All the 'information' based podcasts are finished - unless someone comes to Denise with a great topic she hasn't thought of - so now she is turning her attention to personal carer stories.

"One of the most powerful aspects of the Kōwhai Programme is the opportunity for carers to meet up with other carers in a safe space and share their experiences. It's in these moments that individuals realize they are not alone."

Denise tells of one particular carer support meeting where a woman arrived and said 'Oh my God my husband is driving me up the wall!' A second woman piped in with 'me too.' and then a third, 'thank goodness, I thought I was the only one.'

"I know at least three or four carers who would love to share their experiences with a wider audiences, so that's the next phase - letting people know they are not alone."