Grief Is Not A Dirty Word

Nick Gaylord
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  • Mental Health
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Grief Is Not A Dirty Word is a weekly podcast that brings honest, real-world conversations about grief, loss, trauma, healing, and mental health into the light. Hosted by Nick Gaylord, the show creates a safe, compassionate space for anyone navigating the complicated emotions that come with losing a parent, partner, child, friend, relationship, or former version of themselves. Originally launched as Our Dead Dads, the podcast has evolved into a broader mission: to normalize grief and break the stigma around talking about it. Nick explores every corner of the grieving experience — from anticipatory grief and sudden loss to complicated family dynamics, unresolved anger, identity shifts, and the invisible pain people carry long after the world assumes they’re “fine.” Each episode features powerful, unfiltered stories from guests who have lived through loss and rebuilt their lives in deeply personal ways. Through conversations centered on resilience, vulnerability, courage, and connection, the podcast helps listeners understand that grief isn’t something to hide — it’s something that deserves space, honesty, and community. Whether your grief is fresh or decades old, whether it’s tied to death or to a different kind of ending, this show will help you feel seen, supported, and less alone. If you’re looking for meaningful discussions about healing, emotional wellbeing, and the human experience — you’re in the right place. New episodes every Tuesday. Listen on all major podcast platforms or at griefisnotadirtyword.com. Grief Is Not A Dirty Word — because every story matters, every emotion belongs, and healing begins when we speak the truth.

  1. 6 days ago

    Finding Hope Through Grief, Trauma and Brain Injury Recovery with Nicholas Ruchlewicz - Episode 92

    WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: People grieving who they were before a traumatic brain injury, life-changing accident or major loss, along with the families and caregivers supporting them through trauma recovery. WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: An honest conversation about identity loss, grief, therapy, post-traumatic growth, dark humor and rebuilding a meaningful life when returning to the old version of yourself is no longer possible. DESCRIPTION: After a near-fatal motorcycle crash, Nicholas Ruchlewicz woke up to a life he did not recognize and a brain that no longer worked the way he expected. In this episode of Grief Is Not A Dirty Word, he joins Nick to talk about traumatic brain injury, identity loss and the rarely acknowledged grief of mourning your former self. Nicholas shares why losing his ability to focus and solve problems was more frightening than his physical injuries, and how years of therapy helped him face guilt, anger and the pressure to become who he had been before. He explains the question that shifted his perspective: What gifts did your trauma give you? Their conversation also explores dark humor as a survival tool, the value of peer support and why every person’s grief remains valid without comparison. Nicholas describes becoming “beyond 100%” not because every symptom disappeared, but because his recovery allowed him to stand beside other trauma survivors. This is a candid conversation about healing after trauma, reclaiming your story and realizing that a changed identity is not a lost identity. This episode answers: ·         How do you grieve the person you were before a traumatic brain injury? ·         How can a traumatic brain injury change your identity and personality? ·         Can therapy help with grief and depression after a life-changing accident? ·         How do you rebuild your life when you cannot return to who you were before? ·         Why does humor help people cope with trauma, grief and chronic pain? Key Takeaways: ·         Grief can include mourning your former identity, abilities and imagined future while you are still alive. ·         Healing does not require erasing what trauma took away or forcing yourself to call the experience a blessing. ·         Therapy can help uncover the fear, guilt and frustration beneath anger while challenging you to see your story from a different perspective. ·         Humor can reduce trauma’s power and give survivors a sense of control over experiences they never chose. ·         Recovery is not always a return to an old baseline; purpose, advocacy and connection can create a life that is different and still deeply meaningful. Connect with Nicholas Ruchlewicz Linktree / complete resource hub: https://linktr.ee/giftofperspective Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/npr_nerd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NPR_Nerd Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vgmhbu654nulf6pcfso4khw6i4 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicholas.ruchlewicz/ Email: giftsinperspective@gmail.com SameYou survivor portrait, “A Gift of Perspective”: https://www.sameyou.org/portrait_nicholas_r Trauma Survivors Network guest feature: https://www.traumasurvivorsnetwork.org/guest-appearance-surviving-the-impact/ Support the show GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS!   FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM!   BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.griefisnotadirtyword.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griefisnotadirtyword Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefisnotadirtyword TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@griefisnotadirtyword YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-gaylord/

    Finding Hope Through Grief, Trauma and Brain Injury Recovery with Nicholas Ruchlewicz - Episode 92

  2. 28 July

    Repairing Trauma, Childhood Grief & Emotional Neglect with Danielle Bernock - Episode 91

    WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS Anyone carrying the lasting effects of childhood emotional neglect, unresolved grief, spiritual trauma, complicated loss, or relationship wounds. This conversation is especially meaningful for people who have spent years believing they needed to earn love, acceptance, or belonging. WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET A deeply honest conversation about grief beyond death, healing childhood trauma, repairing broken relationships, understanding emotional neglect, and discovering that recovery begins by acknowledging what happened instead of pretending it didn't. DESCRIPTION:Some losses leave a headstone. Others quietly shape an entire lifetime without anyone recognizing them as grief. In this episode of Grief Is Not A Dirty Word, Nick sits down with author, speaker, and trauma survivor Danielle Bernock to explore childhood emotional neglect, spiritual trauma, accumulated grief, family loss, and the lifelong process of healing. Danielle shares how losing multiple family members, experiencing rejection inside her church, and growing up believing she had to earn love affected every relationship she would later have. Together, Nick and Danielle discuss why grief is often much bigger than death, why trauma compounds over time, and why repairing our relationship with ourselves often becomes the foundation for healing every other relationship in our lives. This conversation is filled with honesty, compassion, laughter, and hope for anyone learning that their story is not over. THIS EPISODE ANSWERS: What is childhood emotional neglect, and how does it affect adults later in life?  How can unresolved childhood trauma influence grief and relationships?  What is spiritual trauma, and how can someone begin healing from it?  Why do multiple losses seem to become harder instead of easier over time?  How do you begin repairing your relationship with yourself after years of emotional pain? KEY TAKEAWAYS: Emotional neglect can leave lifelong wounds even when parents genuinely loved their children.  Grief extends far beyond death and often includes the loss of safety, belonging, identity, trust, and connection.  Trauma frequently accumulates over time, making later losses feel even heavier than earlier ones.  Healing does not require blaming others forever, but it does require honestly acknowledging what happened.  Repairing the relationship you have with yourself often becomes the first step toward repairing relationships with others.DANIELLE'S LINKS: WEBSITE:  https://www.daniellebernock.com CONTACT:  https://www.daniellebernock.com/contact/ COACHING:  https://www.daniellebernock.com/coaching/ SPEAKING:  https://www.daniellebernock.com/speaking/ TO BUY DANIELLE'S BOOKS:  https://www.daniellebernock.com/books/ Support the show GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS!   FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM!   BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.griefisnotadirtyword.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griefisnotadirtyword Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefisnotadirtyword TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@griefisnotadirtyword YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-gaylord/

    Repairing Trauma, Childhood Grief & Emotional Neglect with Danielle Bernock - Episode 91

  3. 27 July

    Child Loss, Healing & The Mission Behind the Gabby Petito Foundation with Nichole & Jim Schmidt - Episode 90

    WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS Anyone navigating grief after the death of a child or loved one, survivors of domestic violence, families searching for missing loved ones, advocates, first responders, and anyone looking for hope after unimaginable trauma and loss. WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET A deeply personal conversation about grief, healing, child loss, resilience, advocacy, and how one family's unimaginable tragedy became a mission that is helping save lives and supporting families across the country. DESCRIPTION:Most people know how Gabby Petito's story ended. Far fewer know how her family's story continued. In this special bonus episode of Grief Is Not A Dirty Word, Nick Gaylord republishes one of the most powerful conversations from the podcast's original Our Dead Dads series as the Gabby Petito Foundation prepares for its 2026 Charity Golf Event. Nick sits down with Gabby's mother, Nichole Schmidt, and bonus father, Jim Schmidt, for an intimate conversation about parenting, unimaginable child loss, grief, trauma, resilience, and the decision to transform heartbreak into purpose. Together with Joe Petito and Tara Petito, they have spent the past five years building the Gabby Petito Foundation into a nationally recognized voice for domestic violence awareness, missing persons advocacy, prevention, education, and support for families facing their darkest moments. Rather than allowing grief to define them, they have chosen to let Gabby's legacy inspire meaningful change. This conversation is not about the headlines—it is about healing, hope, and the extraordinary impact that can grow from love that never ends. This episode answers: How do parents survive the unimaginable grief of losing a child?  How has the Gabby Petito Foundation helped families affected by domestic violence and missing persons cases?  What was Gabby Petito like beyond the headlines?  How can grief be transformed into purpose and advocacy?  What can each of us do to help prevent domestic violence and support families experiencing traumatic loss? Key Takeaways: Grief doesn't disappear, but purpose can help carry us forward.  Every act of advocacy has the potential to save lives and change families forever.  Healing doesn't mean leaving a loved one behind—it means carrying their legacy forward.  Domestic violence awareness begins with education, conversation, and recognizing warning signs before it's too late.  Communities of compassion, volunteers, and supporters make life-changing work possible for families experiencing grief and trauma.Support the show GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS!   FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM!   BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.griefisnotadirtyword.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griefisnotadirtyword Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefisnotadirtyword TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@griefisnotadirtyword YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-gaylord/

    Child Loss, Healing & The Mission Behind the Gabby Petito Foundation with Nichole & Jim Schmidt - Episode 90

  4. 15 July

    Ambiguous Grief, Traumatic Brain Injury and Healing Through Loss with Andrew Davie - Episode 89

    WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Anyone navigating ambiguous loss, identity grief, caregiving, traumatic brain injury recovery, anticipatory grief, major life transitions, or the challenge of rebuilding life after unexpected trauma. WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: A deeper understanding of ambiguous grief, anticipatory grief, caregiving, resilience, identity loss, post-traumatic growth, and practical insight into finding purpose when life no longer looks the way you expected. DESCRIPTION:Andrew Davie thought he knew exactly where his life was headed until a ruptured brain aneurysm changed everything in an instant. In this powerful conversation, Andrew joins Nick to explore the grief that comes from losing a future, an identity, and a version of yourself that never fully came to exist. Together they discuss traumatic brain injury recovery, ambiguous loss, anticipatory grief, and the emotional challenges of rebuilding life after trauma. Andrew also shares his experience becoming a full-time caregiver after his mother's ALS diagnosis and the lessons he learned while helping her create joy during the final years of her life. Throughout the conversation, Andrew offers profound insights about resilience, uncertainty, purpose, and healing. This episode is a reminder that grief is not limited to death and that growth can emerge even from life's most unexpected losses. This episode answers: What is ambiguous grief and how does it affect identity after trauma?  How do you grieve the life you thought you were going to have?  What is anticipatory grief and how do caregivers experience it?  How can someone find purpose after a traumatic brain injury or major life change?  What helps people rebuild their lives after loss, trauma, and uncertainty? Key Takeaways: Grief can stem from the loss of identity, future plans, and life expectations.  Ambiguous loss often creates unique challenges because there is no clear ending or resolution.  Caregiving can be both emotionally difficult and deeply meaningful.  Healing rarely follows a straight line and often requires patience and self-compassion.  Purpose and fulfillment can emerge in unexpected ways when people remain open to new possibilities.CHECK OUT ANDREW'S PAGES: FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/adavieauthor INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/adavieauthor TWITTER/X:  https://x.com/adavieauthor  WEBSITE:  https://www.andrew-davie.com Support the show GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS!   FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM!   BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.griefisnotadirtyword.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griefisnotadirtyword Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefisnotadirtyword TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@griefisnotadirtyword YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-gaylord/

    Ambiguous Grief, Traumatic Brain Injury and Healing Through Loss with Andrew Davie - Episode 89

  5. 7 July

    When Addiction Steals Your Child: Katie Rizzo's Journey Through Grief - Episode 88

    WHO THIS EPISODE HELPSAnyone grieving the loss of a child, supporting someone through addiction, living with complicated grief, carrying guilt after loss, or struggling with the silence and stigma surrounding substance use disorder. This episode is also for parents, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and anyone searching for hope after unimaginable loss.  WHAT LISTENERS WILL GETA deeply honest conversation about losing a child to addiction, breaking through shame, learning to carry grief instead of outrunning it, and discovering that healing doesn't mean forgetting. Katie shares practical ways she's survived the darkest days through community, creativity, movement, vulnerability and continuing her relationship with her son, Nicholas.  DESCRIPTIONBefore there was addiction, there was Nicholas. That simple truth becomes the foundation of one of the most honest conversations ever shared on Grief Is Not A Dirty Word. Katie Rizzo joins Nick Gaylord to tell the story of her son Nicholas—not as an addict, but as a shy, funny, athletic young man who loved soccer, superheroes, his brothers, and his family. Together they explore the devastating reality of addiction, the stigma families face after an overdose, and why addiction should be treated as a medical condition instead of a moral failing. Katie speaks openly about the six-year battle to save her son, the day everything changed forever, the crushing weight of parental guilt, and how she's slowly learned to give herself the same grace she so freely gives other grieving parents. The conversation also explores Katie's powerful "Trimesters of Grief" framework, why movement and creativity became essential to her healing, the importance of continuing to say a loved one's name, and how grief doesn't have to disappear in order for hope to exist. This is a conversation about love, addiction, shame, resilience, and learning that the people we lose never stop being part of our lives. THIS EPISODE ANSWERS How do you survive losing a child to addiction?  Why is addiction a disease instead of a moral failure?  How do parents cope with guilt after losing a child?  Why do grieving families need us to continue saying their loved one's name?  Can grief and joy exist at the same time?THIS EPISODE ANSWERS How do you survive losing a child to addiction?  Why is addiction a disease instead of a moral failure?  How do parents cope with guilt after losing a child?  Why do grieving families need us to continue saying their loved one's name?  Can grief and joy exist at the same time?KATIE'S LINKS WEBSITE:  https://www.katierizzo.com CONTACT: https://www.katierizzo.com/contact INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/katierizzo007/ Support the show GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS!   FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM!   BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.griefisnotadirtyword.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griefisnotadirtyword Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefisnotadirtyword TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@griefisnotadirtyword YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-gaylord/

    When Addiction Steals Your Child: Katie Rizzo's Journey Through Grief - Episode 88

  6. 23 June

    Grief Beyond Death: Trauma, Divorce, Mental Health, and Healing with Dr. Gregory T. Obert - Episode 87

    WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Anyone navigating grief, trauma, divorce, childhood loss, PTSD, depression, emotional healing, or non-death grief experiences that still carry lasting pain. WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: A powerful conversation about grief beyond death, childhood trauma, emotional validation, mental health, resilience, healing after divorce, and how loss can shape the course of an entire life. DESCRIPTION: Dr. Gregory T. Obert spends his career helping people work through trauma, PTSD, depression, grief, and emotional pain, but long before becoming a psychologist, he was a teenager struggling through the collapse of his parents’ marriage and the loss of the life he thought he knew. In this deeply personal conversation with Nick, Dr. Greg shares how childhood grief, depression, and emotional isolation shaped his future. He discusses the often-overlooked grief that accompanies divorce, family dysfunction, autism within families, and the loss of expected relationships. Together, Nick and Dr. Greg explore why society struggles to recognize non-death grief and how trauma extends far beyond the experiences most people associate with PTSD. They examine the importance of emotional validation, the damage caused when children’s feelings are dismissed, and the role supportive adults can play in healing. Dr. Greg also reflects on the therapist who changed his life, the mentor who helped shape his future, and the experiences that ultimately led him into psychology. This episode is an honest, insightful exploration of grief, trauma, resilience, mental health, and the healing power of being truly seen and heard. This episode answers:  Can divorce cause grief and trauma even when nobody dies?  How does childhood grief affect mental health later in life?  What is the difference between trauma and PTSD?  Why do people dismiss non-death grief experiences?  How can therapy help someone process grief, loss, and emotional pain? Key Takeaways:  Grief is not limited to death and can emerge from divorce, family changes, lost relationships, and disrupted expectations.  Children often recognize emotional problems long before adults realize they do.  Emotional validation can be life-changing for someone struggling with grief or trauma.  Trauma exists on a spectrum and does not always meet the criteria for PTSD.  Healing often begins when people stop minimizing their pain and allow themselves to address it honestly.DR. GREG'S LINKS: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/drgtobert/ X: https://x.com/DrGTObert Support the show GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS!   FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM!   BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.griefisnotadirtyword.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griefisnotadirtyword Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefisnotadirtyword TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@griefisnotadirtyword YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-gaylord/

    Grief Beyond Death: Trauma, Divorce, Mental Health, and Healing with Dr. Gregory T. Obert - Episode 87

  7. 9 June

    Grief, Guilt, Motherhood and Losing Both Parents Before 30 with Annie LaBeth - Episode 86

    WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Anyone navigating parental loss, caregiver grief, anticipatory grief, dementia, cancer, young adult grief, motherhood after loss, guilt after death, or major life transitions while grieving. WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: Practical insight into surviving the loss of both parents before 30, navigating grief while raising a young child, coping with caregiver responsibilities, managing grief triggers, and learning why community and support matter during bereavement. DESCRIPTION: Nick Gaylord welcomes returning guest Annie LaBeth for a deeply honest conversation about what happened after her first appearance on the podcast. After previously sharing the story of losing her father, Annie returns to discuss the devastating loss of her mother following a rapid decline involving throat cancer, strokes and dementia. Together, they explore caregiver grief, anticipatory grief, medical advocacy, guilt, trauma, and the emotional collision of becoming a mother while losing her own mom. Annie shares the realities of handling end-of-life decisions, selling her childhood home, navigating healthcare systems and raising a daughter without parental support. The conversation also examines grief triggers, resentment, healing, therapy and the complicated emotions that follow major loss. Through humor, vulnerability and hard-earned wisdom, Annie offers hope to anyone facing parental loss, family caregiving responsibilities or grief during major life transitions. This episode is a powerful reminder that grief changes us, but we do not have to carry it alone. This episode answers:  What is it like to lose both parents before age 30?  How do you cope with becoming a parent after losing your own parents?  How do you handle guilt after making end-of-life decisions for a parent?  What are the biggest grief triggers after losing a mother or father?  How can caregivers advocate for loved ones with dementia and cancer? Key Takeaways:  Grief often evolves when multiple losses occur during major life transitions.  Caregiver guilt is common, even when you did everything possible.  Building a strong support system is essential during grief and caregiving.  Parenthood can create a deeper understanding of your own parents and their sacrifices.  Healing does not mean moving on. It means learning how to carry loss differently.As discussed in the interview, listen to "First Time On Earth" by Alex Warren on Apple Music, Spotify or wherever you get your music. Support the show GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS!   FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM!   BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.griefisnotadirtyword.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griefisnotadirtyword Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefisnotadirtyword TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@griefisnotadirtyword YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-gaylord/

    Grief, Guilt, Motherhood and Losing Both Parents Before 30 with Annie LaBeth - Episode 86

  8. 2 June

    Suicide Grief, PTSD, Sexual Trauma and Finding Hope Again with Erika Shershun - Episode 85

    WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Anyone struggling with suicide grief, PTSD, sexual trauma, survivor shame, unresolved loss, complex grief, childhood trauma, ambiguous grief, or the long-term effects of living in survival mode. WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: A powerful conversation about trauma recovery, grief healing, nervous system regulation, suicide loss, resilience, boundaries, and how healing remains possible even after decades of pain and silence. DESCRIPTION:Erika Shershun joins Nick Gaylord for a deeply personal conversation about grief, trauma, suicide loss, healing, and resilience. Erika shares the story of losing her father to suicide at age fifteen, the devastating impact of growing up without emotional support, and how unresolved grief shaped much of her life. She also discusses surviving multiple sexual assaults, discovering how trauma remained stored in her body for decades, and the moment she realized survival mode had been controlling her life. Together, Nick and Erika explore PTSD, ambiguous grief, nervous system dysregulation, boundaries, trauma-informed care, and the realities of healing after profound loss. Erika reflects on the later suicide of her brother, the lessons she learned through her own recovery, and the work she now does helping survivors reclaim their lives. This episode offers hope, practical insight, and an honest look at what healing truly requires. If you've ever felt trapped by grief, trauma, shame, or silence, this conversation will remind you that healing is possible and that you are not alone THIS EPISODE ANSWERS: How does suicide loss affect a child for the rest of their life?  Can trauma stay trapped in the body for decades?  What happens when grief and trauma go unprocessed?  Why do survivors often remain stuck in survival mode?  Is it ever too late to heal from trauma and grief? KEY TAKEAWAYS: Trauma can remain stored in the body long after the original event has passed.  Healing does not erase painful memories, but it can remove their power to control daily life.  Unexpressed grief often resurfaces physically, emotionally, and psychologically.  Recovery is rarely linear, but meaningful progress is always possible.  Boundaries, self-awareness, and trauma-informed support are critical parts of healing. Support the show GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS!   FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM!   BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.griefisnotadirtyword.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griefisnotadirtyword Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefisnotadirtyword TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@griefisnotadirtyword YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-gaylord/

    Suicide Grief, PTSD, Sexual Trauma and Finding Hope Again with Erika Shershun - Episode 85
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About

Grief Is Not A Dirty Word is a weekly podcast that brings honest, real-world conversations about grief, loss, trauma, healing, and mental health into the light. Hosted by Nick Gaylord, the show creates a safe, compassionate space for anyone navigating the complicated emotions that come with losing a parent, partner, child, friend, relationship, or former version of themselves. Originally launched as Our Dead Dads, the podcast has evolved into a broader mission: to normalize grief and break the stigma around talking about it. Nick explores every corner of the grieving experience — from anticipatory grief and sudden loss to complicated family dynamics, unresolved anger, identity shifts, and the invisible pain people carry long after the world assumes they’re “fine.” Each episode features powerful, unfiltered stories from guests who have lived through loss and rebuilt their lives in deeply personal ways. Through conversations centered on resilience, vulnerability, courage, and connection, the podcast helps listeners understand that grief isn’t something to hide — it’s something that deserves space, honesty, and community. Whether your grief is fresh or decades old, whether it’s tied to death or to a different kind of ending, this show will help you feel seen, supported, and less alone. If you’re looking for meaningful discussions about healing, emotional wellbeing, and the human experience — you’re in the right place. New episodes every Tuesday. Listen on all major podcast platforms or at griefisnotadirtyword.com. Grief Is Not A Dirty Word — because every story matters, every emotion belongs, and healing begins when we speak the truth.

Information

  • Creator
    Nick Gaylord
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    104
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Grief Is Not A Dirty Word
  • Show Website
    Grief Is Not A Dirty Word