A shock diagnosis forced Simon Wilson to come to terms with his own mortality. Rather than let it derail his work, the veteran journalist made the bold call to bring readers along on each step of his gruelling cancer journey.
Just before Christmas 2017, veteran journalist Simon Wilson received a life-changing phone call. He had prostate cancer, and it wasn't looking good.
Having just taken a job at the Herald, he bravely decided to let New Zealand have a peek behind the hospital curtain by penning his Cancer Diaries. Keeping a record of each brutal moment of his illness brought him catharsis and his readers comfort.
In this kōrero with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Simon discusses coming to terms with his own mortality, his experiences as the editor of several of New Zealand's top magazines, and the conundrum of paywalled journalism.