The Blokes Psychology Podcast is back with a conversation exploring one of the most profound areas of human experience: how we support people at the end of life.
In this episode, Craig sits down with psychologist Shanae O’Leary to discuss the growing movement to bring more compassionate, holistic approaches into end-of-life care. The conversation explores Shanae’s work with End Wise, a not-for-profit advocating for ethical policy reform to allow psilocybin-assisted therapy for people with terminal illness experiencing existential distress.
Craig and Shanae unpack what existential distress can look like for people facing the end of life, and why traditional models of care, which often focus on physical pain, can sometimes fall short in addressing the emotional, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of suffering. The episode also explores emerging approaches that may help people navigate these experiences, including psilocybin-assisted therapy, breath work, and connection with nature.
Along the way, Craig and Shanae discuss the ethical considerations and research shaping this evolving field, and what a more compassionate and evidence-informed approach to end-of-life care might look like in the future.
This conversation offers a thoughtful look at how we support meaning, dignity, and psychological wellbeing in life’s final chapter.
This episode comes at an important time for the work of EndWise.
In March 2025, End Wise submitted an application to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to expand access to psilocybin-assisted therapy for people experiencing existential distress at the end of life. The TGA has since issued an interim decision not in support of the application, alongside detailed feedback that helps clarify the path forward. The final decision has not yet been made, and a second public consultation is now open until 3 July 2026.
This public consultation gives Australians an opportunity to support meaningful change in end-of-life care, and to advocate for greater autonomy, choice and compassion for people facing the end of life.
Please visit End Wise to learn more and make a submission - https://www.endwise.au/get-involved
