Dads Don't Cry

Peter Shelley
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Dads Don’t Cry is a heartfelt and honest podcast about fatherhood, love, & loss. Hosted by Peter, a dad who knows the depths of grief firsthand, each episode opens up the often-silent conversation around child loss - giving voice to fathers & families who carry their children’s memories in their hearts every day. These are stories of courage, remembrance, and resilience - reminding us that grief shared is grief softened, & that no parent should ever feel alone. Please listen with care & take breaks if you need to. Support resources for bereaved families can be found in each episode summary. You can support the podcast through the following link- buymeacoffee.com/dadsdontcrypodcast

  1. Episode 16: Paddy

    15H AGO

    Episode 16: Paddy

    This week, we’re doing something different. While Dads Don’t Cry usually explores the impact of losing a child, this episode gently turns the lens the other way, asking what it means to lose a parent, especially as a young adult. Old enough to understand the weight of what’s gone…But often still young enough to feel completely unanchored without them. In this deeply personal conversation, Donna joins us to speak about her dad, Paddy. We explore the unique shape of parental loss, anticipatory grief, addiction, dementia, nursing home care, funeral arrangements, and the sudden shift of becoming “the strong one.” We talk about mental health crises, signs and symbolism, tattoos and memorials, and the long road of grief eight years on. We also gently acknowledge something that can be difficult to say out loud: losing a child and losing a parent are not the same. Both are devastating, but they shape us in different ways. And understanding those differences matters if we truly want to support one another. This is a one-off episode - something I wanted to try. And depending on the feedback, it might become something we revisit every 10/15 episodes.A space to open a different conversation about grief, identity, responsibility, and how loss shapes the kind of person you become. Grief doesn’t follow a rulebook.And it doesn’t only show up in one form. If this conversation resonates, you can reach me here on Instagram @dadsdontcrypodcast or by email at dadsdontcrypodcast@gmail.com

    1h 22m
  2. Episode 15: Indie Mai

    FEB 18

    Episode 15: Indie Mai

    In this deeply vulnerable conversation, Caroline shares the beautiful life and radiant personality of her daughter, Indie Mai, a joyful, loving child who touched everyone around her. She reflects on Indie’s final weekend, the heartbreaking moment everything changed, and the desperate efforts to save her. Caroline speaks openly about the reality of child loss and suicide, the shock, the unanswered questions, and the silent weight of guilt so many grieving parents carry. She shares her experience of the hospital, bringing Indie home, and how the loss profoundly affected their entire family. As both a mother and a nurse, Caroline also opens up about navigating grief and how support from community groups and the HUGG charity became a lifeline during the darkest days. By honoring Indie with a remembrance 3K run for what would have been her 13th birthday this March, finding comfort in signs, and holding onto hope, Caroline reflects on enduring love, resilience, and the strength it takes to keep going.

    1h 29m
  3. Episode 14: Izzy

    FEB 2

    Episode 14: Izzy

    On this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Peter is joined by Izzy’s mam, Lauren, during a week that should have been filled with joy celebrating Izzy’s second birthday. Instead, Lauren bravely shares the unimaginable story of losing her daughter. Together, they walk through the frantic attempts to save Izzy, and the devastating moments that followed - from the ambulance ride to the hospital, to hearing the words no parent should ever have to hear. Lauren opens up about navigating post-mortem decisions, explaining Izzy’s death to her siblings, and the heartbreaking choices around her funeral and cremation. The conversation also explores the raw reality of grief: the trauma, the isolation, the suicidal thoughts, and the vital role of mental health support and healing during Lauren’s time in a psychiatric ward. Lauren reflects on receiving Izzy’s SIDS diagnosis, the intensified pain that comes with the second year of loss, and how grief continues to evolve. At its heart, this episode is about love, remembrance, and legacy. Through cherished memories and honest reflection, Lauren keeps Izzy’s spirit alive, showing that even in the deepest sorrow, a child’s impact never fades.

    1h 33m
  4. Episode 13: Penelope

    JAN 26

    Episode 13: Penelope

    In this deeply moving episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Peter sits down with Kim to honour the life and loss of her daughter, Penelope—a bright, unapologetically herself child who filled every room with her spirit. Kim tenderly introduces us to Penelope, sharing who she was beyond the tragedy, before recounting the sudden phone call in September 2025 that shattered her world. What began as an ordinary moment became the unthinkable truth no parent is ever prepared to face: Penelope was gone. Together, Peter and Kim walk through the raw terrain of grief, returning home to a world that keeps moving while yours has stopped, the isolation of carrying invisible trauma, and the shock of learning that Penelope’s death was caused by an undiagnosed intestinal malrotation and volvulus. Four months on, Kim reflects on how her family is surviving the unimaginable, how grief reshapes everything, and how love, memory, and hope quietly coexist with pain. This episode is a gentle, honest space for tears, remembrance, and the reminder that even in the darkest moments, no parent has to grieve alone.

    1h 21m
  5. Episode 12: Jack

    JAN 19

    Episode 12: Jack

    In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Conor, Jack’s dad, who shares the story of a journey that began with an unexpected and  smooth pregnancy, before taking a devastating turn. Conor also reflects on how this loss intersected with earlier grief in his life, having lost his sister to stillbirth at just 13 years old, and, eight years ago, his sister-in-law, experiences that shaped how he understood loss long before becoming a father himself. Conor recounts the sudden medical emergency that led to the heartbreaking loss of his son, Jack, and the surreal, bittersweet experience of Jack’s birth. He speaks powerfully about the overwhelming support from family, the precious moments they were able to share, and how tools like the cuddle cot allowed them to cherish time with Jack and begin building his legacy. The conversation explores what it was like bringing Jack home, how grief reshaped Conor’s outlook on life, and the challenges men often face when navigating loss. Conor opens up about seeking therapy, leaning on support networks, and dealing with anger and emotional outbursts that ultimately strengthened his relationship through shared grief. Peter and Conor also discuss the profound impact of a subsequent miscarriage, highlighting how compounded loss can reopen wounds while deepening understanding of grief. The episode closes with Conor explaining how sharing Jack’s story has brought comfort, connection, and a sense of hope, both for himself and for others walking a similar path. An honest conversation about fatherhood, cumulative grief, love, and the importance of giving dads space to grieve.

    1h 21m
  6. Episode 11: Liam

    JAN 12

    Episode 11: Liam

    In this deeply moving episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Pat, Liam’s dad, shares the story of love, loss, and lasting connection that began with the excitement of expecting their third child and was forever changed by a devastating diagnosis. Pat speaks tenderly about Liam’s peaceful passing, the raw days that followed, and the challenge of learning how to live with grief. The conversation explores how finding support for the first time helped Pat feel less alone, and how shared understanding within bereavement groups eventually led him to support other parents in their own journeys. Pat reflects on imagining who Liam might have become, the ache of lost possibilities, and the comfort found in treasured keepsakes and family traditions that keep Liam’s memory close. Pat also shares how Liam’s life shaped his older brothers, revisited grief through later revelations, and ultimately made him a more empathetic, open-hearted person. With honesty and warmth, he speaks about the importance of sharing his story, and allowing space for fathers to grieve. A heartfelt episode about carrying love forward, even in the face of unimaginable loss.

    56 min
  7. Episode 10: Luca

    JAN 5

    Episode 10: Luca

    In this emotional episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Craig shares the story of his son Luca, a deeply loved third child who changed their family forever. What began with hope and excitement became a journey shaped by love, courage, and unimaginable heartbreak. Craig reflects on the precious moments spent with Luca, the joy of family visits, and the quiet memories that now mean everything. He opens up about grief as a father, the dreams that never came to be, the weight of the “what ifs,” and what it means to love your child when time is heartbreakingly short. Through family, community, sport, and remembrance, Luca’s presence continues to shape Craig’s life. A gentle, honest reminder that love never leaves - and that no matter how short the time, the bond between a father and his son is forever. 🤍 The song that see's out this episode is called "Safe with the Stars", written by a friend of Craigs for Luca.

    1h 24m
  8. Episode 9: Peter Hanlon, Bereavement Therapist

    12/22/2025

    Episode 9: Peter Hanlon, Bereavement Therapist

    “Be strong.”“Hold it together.”“Don’t cry.” For many fathers, grief is something they’re expected to carry in silence. In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, I’m joined by bereavement therapist Peter Hanlon for a raw and compassionate conversation about loss, fatherhood, and what happens when pain can’t be fixed. We explore how dads truly cope with grief, how to support grieving children with honesty, how relationships are impacted after the loss of a child, why community matters, and why healing doesn’t mean forgetting or moving on. If you’re grieving, feeling numb, or simply trying to get through the day, this episode is for you. Peter closes out the episode with a piece he wrote for the Little Lifetime Foundation Christmas Remembrance Mass. The piano piece at the very end of the episode was created in Aodhla’s memory by friend and listener Elizabeth Henry.

    1h 5m
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About

Dads Don’t Cry is a heartfelt and honest podcast about fatherhood, love, & loss. Hosted by Peter, a dad who knows the depths of grief firsthand, each episode opens up the often-silent conversation around child loss - giving voice to fathers & families who carry their children’s memories in their hearts every day. These are stories of courage, remembrance, and resilience - reminding us that grief shared is grief softened, & that no parent should ever feel alone. Please listen with care & take breaks if you need to. Support resources for bereaved families can be found in each episode summary. You can support the podcast through the following link- buymeacoffee.com/dadsdontcrypodcast

Information

  • Creator
    Peter Shelley
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Peter Shelley
  • Show Website
    Dads Don't Cry

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