The Eternal Debate

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Presented by two qualified and practising embalmers, Rachel Carline and Andy Floyd, The Eternal Debate Podcast covers embalming & mortuary sciences as well as other aspects of the funeral profession.

The Eternal Debate


    • Mar 14, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 2m AVG DURATION
    • 20 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Eternal Debate

    It's "Clot" Rocket Science | Episode #18

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 63:16


    Join Rach and Andy in this myth-busting episode as they untangle the sticky topic of coagulation. Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    Re-stricted: Re-classified | Episode #17

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 52:24


    WARNING: This is a ‘restricted' podcast. Listen carefully to the guidelines and please ensure you keep a path of least resistance open at all times. Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    ‘Waterless' or ‘Water-less' | Episode #16

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2024 48:03


    Join Andy and Rach as they ‘concentrate' their discussion on the power of pure water and how a little really can go a long way. Is ‘waterless' embalming really what you thought it was? Listen up and learn when to hold back on turning that tap. Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    ...And Not A Drop To Leak! | Episode #15

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2022 74:05


    Following on from our synchronised dive into the deep end of oedema in Episode 14, Andy and Rach wade through the embalming management of the oedema case and cast their views on effective procedures for the pre, during and post embalming care of the fluid retentive deceased. Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    Water, Water Everywhere! | Episode #14

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2022 80:59


    No leaks allowed! But what about Oedema cases? Join Andy and Rach in the latest TEDcast and the first of a special two part ‘Oedema Edition' where we dive deep into the science behind the condition. Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    Thermo-affecTED | Episode #13

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2022 61:02


    Happy Easter everyone! Spring is in full swing and temperatures are on the climb but how does a warm ice-cream link to a frustrating problem experienced by embalmers!? Listen to The Eternal Debate Episode 13 to find out if any of the deceased you have looked after have been Thermo-affecTED. Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    The Eternal Debate Meets: Kari the Mortician | Episode #12

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2022 94:08


    Join Rach & Andy as they chat with their very first guest on The Eternal Debate, the wonderful Kari the Mortician! It's an episode full of laughter, the dispelling of salacious mistruths and the eternal debate of is it a coffin or a casket, as well as a great Q&A with Kari were she answers our listeners' questions. For more from Kari you can find her on Facebook and Instagram before joining her other 99.9k subscribers on YouTube! Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    Dye-ing matters! (And so does a fragrant tonic) | Episode #11

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2021 81:33


    Join Rach and Andy for the third episode in their arterial solution trilogy where the mystery of dyes, perfumes and salts are ‘solved' with a little help from water (sometimes alcohol) and discover the magic of emulsification as oil and water miraculously ‘mix'.  Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    Controlling Influences? | Episode #10

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2021 68:54


    Join Rach and Andy in the second of a trilogy of episodes looking into chemicals used in embalming. Buffers, anticoagulants, surfactants and humectants are the modifying agents up for discussion!  Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    Dr Jekyll & Formaldehyde | Episode #9

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2021 68:06


    Join Rachel and Andy as they start the debate on the divisive chemical preservative formaldehyde. Love it or hate it, how much do you really know about it? It has held its own as a reliable preservative and disinfectant for well over a century, but just how dark is its darker side? Why do its alternatives never seem to make the grade? Let the debate begin! Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    Andy & Rach's New Year Ramble

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2021 34:13


    And now for something a little different! Join Andy and Rach as they get to grips with videocasting and have a casual catch-up after the festive break. Watch the video on our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/TheEternalDebate/videos/3311985272258170/ The non-invasive mouth closure method mentioned in the episode was shared with us by John  Van Dermark.  Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    Rigor Mortis (It's a Bit of a Bind) | Episode #8

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2020 52:32


    Join your hosts Rach and Andy for a Hallowe'en special as they discuss the post-mortem phenomenon that is Rigor Mortis. A condition you may think you know, but do you know it well? Acidic tissue, deteriorating cells and one final Myosin fling. It's a story of harsh conditions, decomposing tissue and a loving embrace destined to be broken apart...forever! Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    Death and Discolouration | Episode #7

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2020 53:24


    In this time of ‘body positive' can an embalmer really be sure when they open that fridge door?  Join Rachel and Andy as they dip their brushes into an assorted palette of post-mortem discolourations.  Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    Embalming, Refrigeration and The Environment | Episode #6

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2020 48:47


    Back after a 5 month hiatus due to the Covid-19 disruption, Rach and Andy consider the real context of 'Drinking Grandma', discuss a broken seal on Producer Si's fridge as well as the effects Embalming may, or may not have on the environment. Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    The One That Went 'Viral' | Episode #5

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2020 70:57


    In this topical edition of The Eternal Debate, Rach and Andy discuss the awful effects of the Covid-19 coronavirus and the impact that it is having on the world and the embalming profession. Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    Let's Talk About Embalming | Episode #4

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2020 92:55


    We're back! After a busy festive break, Rachel and Andy have been back in the studio to discuss what it's like to be an active Embalmer, why we Embalm the deceased and the history of the occupation. Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    Vein Drainage | Episode #3

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2019 71:37


    This time around, Rachel and Andy tackle the first listener requested topic in the shape of Vein Drainage. If you have any other subjects that you want to hear covered, give us a shout on our social media pages! Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    Pressure and Rate of Flow | Episode #2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2019 60:20


    Now for the real stuff! Following on from the Introduction to Pressure and Rate of Flow, Rachel and Andy dive into how it applies in a practical sense. Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    An Introduction to Pressure and Rate of Flow

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2019 23:40


    In the first part of a bumper episode on Pressure and Rate of Flow during the Embalming process, Rachel and Andy go over a few of the basic principles. Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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    The Embalming Equation | Episode #1

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2019 39:41


    Rachel and Andy discuss the dreaded Embalming Equation and its benefits in modern embalming.  Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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