Grief Is Not A Dirty Word

Nick Gaylord
  • 4.9 (58)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED DAILY

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. 2D AGO

    How Listening to Your Own Story Can Heal Trauma, Grief, and Shame with Susie Delo

    LINKS: Go to Susie's website HERE! Contact Susie HERE! Want to listen to Lauren Heaton's interview? Click HERE! Want to listen to Elissa Swihart's interview? Click HERE for part 1 and HERE for part 2! WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS Anyone carrying unresolved grief, long-term trauma, shame, or emotional self-judgment who struggles to offer themselves compassion. WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET A powerful, practical look at how grief healing deepens through self-forgiveness, reflection, and hearing your own story without judgment. DESCRIPTION: In this follow-up conversation, Nick Gaylord reconnects with Susie Delo after she listened back to her original Grief Is Not A Dirty Word interview for the first time. What she experienced surprised her: pride, compassion, and deep self-forgiveness for the woman telling the story — herself. Together, Nick and Susie explore how listening to your own voice can transform trauma, soften shame, and unlock grief healing at any stage of life. This episode dives into emotional self-compassion, forgiveness, and the power of reflection without blame. Susie shares why recording and listening to your own story can be a pivotal healing practice. The conversation also highlights community, safe connection, and why grief work must include caring for yourself first. This episode stands alone but builds powerfully on Susie’s original interview. This episode answers: How can listening to your own story help heal trauma and grief?Why is self-forgiveness so hard after trauma and loss?Can hearing your own voice change how you see your past?How do you stop judging yourself for what you survived?What role does reflection play in long-term grief healing?Key Takeaways: Self-forgiveness is essential for meaningful grief healingListening to your own recorded story can unlock deep emotional clarityTrauma survivors are often harsher on themselves than anyone elseHealing accelerates when shame is replaced with compassionYou cannot support others fully without caring for yourself first GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS! FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM! BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.ourdeaddads.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourdeaddadspod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdeaddadspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourdeaddadspod Twitter / X: https://x.com/ourdeaddadspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ourdeaddadspod/

    38 min

  2. FEB 3

    How Childhood Trauma and Domestic Violence Shape Grief with Susie Delo

    CHECK OUT SUSIE'S WEBSITE!! Go to Susie's website by clicking HERE! Contact Susie by clicking HERE! WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS People navigating childhood trauma, domestic violence, complex grief, and long-term emotional healing after abuse and loss.  WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET A deeply honest conversation about grief, trauma, resilience, and how healing begins when someone finally feels that they matter.   DESCRIPTION:  This episode of Grief Is Not A Dirty Word features trauma-informed peer coach and You Matter founder Susie Delo, who shares her powerful story of surviving childhood abuse, domestic violence, and profound grief. In conversation with host Nick Gaylord, Susie explores how unresolved childhood trauma and silenced grief shaped her relationships, identity, and sense of self-worth. She reflects on losing her brother as a child, growing up in poverty and addiction, and enduring emotional and physical abuse that followed her into adulthood. Susie also opens up about the death of her abusive husband and the complicated grief that followed, including blame, shame, and isolation. Through therapy, faith, and advocacy, she transformed trauma into purpose by creating You Matter to help others heal. This episode centers resilience, post-traumatic growth, and the life-changing impact of finally being seen and believed.   This episode answers:  How does childhood trauma affect grief and adult relationships?What happens when grief is silenced or ignored for decades?How do survivors heal after domestic violence and emotional abuse?What is complicated grief after losing an abusive partner?How can trauma be transformed into healing and purpose?Key Takeaways:  Unresolved childhood trauma deeply shapes grief responses later in lifeSilence around grief can create lifelong emotional damageSurvivors of domestic violence often carry shame that isn’t theirsHealing begins when people feel believed, supported, and valuedPurpose and advocacy can grow from even the most painful experiences  GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS! FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM! BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.ourdeaddads.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourdeaddadspod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdeaddadspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourdeaddadspod Twitter / X: https://x.com/ourdeaddadspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ourdeaddadspod/

    1h 17m

  3. JAN 20

    Living With Grief, Chronic Illness, and Caregiving with Jacob Kendall

    CONTACT JACOB: Personal website: https://www.jacobevanskendall.com/ Business website: https://4Daging.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobevanskendall/ WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: People navigating grief, caregiving, chronic illness, and anticipatory grief after the loss of a parent WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: An honest, grounded conversation about grief, caregiving burnout, mortality, and finding meaning after loss DESCRIPTION: Nick Gaylord sits down with Jacob Kendall, a grief-informed advocate, health educator, and caregiver whose life has been shaped by chronic illness, anticipatory grief, and the sudden loss of his father. Jacob shares the deeply personal story of caregiving after his father suffered a stroke and heart attack shortly after Jacob’s wedding, and what it meant to lose him only months later. Together, Nick and Jacob explore how grief changes shape over time, why caregiving can be emotionally and physically exhausting, and how anticipatory grief complicates both loss and love. Jacob also opens up about living with a mechanical heart valve, confronting his own mortality, and managing anxiety born from repeated medical trauma. This conversation weaves together grief, health advocacy, and the importance of not carrying illness or loss alone. It is an honest reflection on grief, resilience, and how suffering can inform meaningful work without defining a life. THIS EPISODE ANSWERS: What does anticipatory grief feel like when illness changes everything?How does caregiving impact grief after a parent dies?Why doesn’t grief ever fully go away after losing a parent?How do chronic illness and mortality anxiety shape daily life?What helps caregivers avoid burnout while navigating grief?KEY TAKEAWAYS: Grief does not shrink, but people learn how to live alongside itCaregiving can deepen grief and exhaustion if done aloneAnticipatory grief creates complex emotions before loss occursChronic illness often brings hidden anxiety tied to mortalityTalking openly about grief and illness builds connection and healing GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS! FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM! BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.ourdeaddads.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourdeaddadspod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdeaddadspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourdeaddadspod Twitter / X: https://x.com/ourdeaddadspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ourdeaddadspod/

    50 min

  4. JAN 13

    A Short PodFest Break, Community Growth, and the Bigger Picture with Nick Gaylord

    WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS Listeners navigating grief, loss, emotional isolation, or anyone seeking honest grief conversations and a sense of connection.  WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET Transparency about the podcast’s direction, reassurance during a brief pause, and insight into how grief-focused storytelling grows through community support.   DESCRIPTION:  In this short update episode, Nick Gaylord, host of Grief Is Not A Dirty Word, offers a transparent check-in with listeners. Nick explains why there is no interview release this week and shares what’s happening behind the scenes as he prepares for multiple speaking engagements. He reflects on the evolution of the podcast, the role of community support, and the importance of sustainable growth. Nick also reinforces the show’s mission to bring grief conversations into public space without shame or judgment. This episode serves as both a pause and a recommitment to the work ahead.  Nick also references an evolving wish list of future guest conversations as part of a larger vision for expanding grief dialogue and invites listeners to help amplify the show through sharing and engagement.   THIS EPISODE ANSWERS:  Why is there no interview episode this week?What support, sponsorships, and partnerships help a grief podcast grow sustainably?Why are public grief conversations still so important?How can listeners support a podcast focused on grief and loss?What direction is Grief Is Not A Dirty Word heading next?   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   Sustainable growth requires intention, preparation, and community support.Grief conversations belong in public spaces without shame or judgment.Listener engagement plays a meaningful role in shaping what comes next.  GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS! FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM! BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.ourdeaddads.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourdeaddadspod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdeaddadspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourdeaddadspod Twitter / X: https://x.com/ourdeaddadspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ourdeaddadspod/

    8 min

  5. JAN 6

    Trauma, Grief, and Survival: Healing After Sexual Assault and Loss with Lauren Heaton

    WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS People living with grief, trauma, PTSD, sexual assault recovery, medical trauma, or pregnancy loss who feel unseen or misunderstood. WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET An honest, grounded conversation about grief, trauma healing, boundaries, accountability, and rebuilding self-worth without shortcuts. DESCRIPTION: This episode of Grief Is Not A Dirty Word features licensed professional counselor and victims’ advocate Lauren Heaton in a powerful conversation about grief, trauma, and healing. Nick Gaylord and Lauren explore how sexual assault, PTSD, medical trauma, pregnancy loss, and chronic stress shape identity and survival. Lauren shares her lived experience alongside her clinical work, offering clarity without platitudes or false positivity. They discuss the responsibility that comes with healing, why empathy must be earned, and how boundaries protect recovery. This episode examines motherhood, bodily autonomy, and rebuilding safety after repeated trauma. It is a necessary conversation for anyone navigating grief while trying to move forward honestly. This episode answers: How do you heal from grief and trauma after sexual assault?What does PTSD recovery really look like in everyday life?How does medical trauma and pregnancy loss affect long-term grief?Why is accountability essential in trauma healing?How do boundaries support healing after prolonged trauma?Key Takeaways: Healing from trauma and grief requires honesty, not avoidancePTSD is a lived experience, not a clinical label aloneEmpathy grows through responsibility and self-workBoundaries are a form of self-protection, not punishmentGrief and trauma can coexist with purpose and meaning  GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS! FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM! BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.ourdeaddads.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourdeaddadspod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdeaddadspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourdeaddadspod Twitter / X: https://x.com/ourdeaddadspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ourdeaddadspod/

    1h 10m

  6. 12/23/2025

    Forgiveness After Murder, Trauma, and Grief Recovery with Scott Stewart

    TO CONTACT SCOTT OR TO CHECK OUT HIS WORK, GO TO: www.scottstewartspeaking.com WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: People navigating traumatic grief, complicated loss, family violence, or struggling with forgiveness after profound betrayal.  WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: A grounded, real-world framework for understanding grief, trauma recovery, and forgiveness without minimizing pain or excusing harm.   DESCRIPTION:  In this powerful Episode 66 of Grief Is Not A Dirty Word, host Nick Gaylord sits down with speaker and author Scott Stewart, whose father murdered his mother when Scott was just 22 years old. Scott shares the harrowing story of growing up in an abusive household, the night that changed everything, and the long road through traumatic grief and complex loss. Together, Nick and Scott explore the true meaning of forgiveness—what it is, what it is not, and why it is essential for healing. This conversation unpacks grief after violence, generational trauma, therapy, faith, and the daily work of choosing release over resentment. Scott explains why forgiveness is not about letting someone off the hook, forgetting what happened, or reconciling with unsafe people. This episode offers honest insight, practical tools, and deep compassion for anyone carrying unresolved grief, anger, or trauma.   This episode answers:  How do you forgive someone who committed murder?What does forgiveness really mean in grief and trauma recovery?Can you heal from violent loss without forgetting what happened?Why does unresolved grief turn into anger, bitterness, or resentment?How do you break cycles of abuse and generational trauma?   Key Takeaways:   Forgiveness is for the survivor, not the offenderForgiveness does not erase consequences or require reconciliationHealing grief requires feeling, not suppressing, painful emotionsForgiveness is often a repeated, intentional practice—not a one-time eventBreaking generational trauma starts with conscious healing work  GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS! FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM! BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.ourdeaddads.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourdeaddadspod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdeaddadspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourdeaddadspod Twitter / X: https://x.com/ourdeaddadspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ourdeaddadspod/

    1h 6m

  7. 12/17/2025

    Widower Grief, Parenting Through Loss, and Thriving After Tragedy with AJ Coleman

    PURCHASE AJ'S BOOK AT: https://keepthosefeetmoving.com/ WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Listeners navigating widower grief, spousal loss, anticipatory grief, and the long-term emotional impact of traumatic loss. WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: Honest insight into grief resilience, parenting after loss, acceptance, healing, and how to move forward without forgetting. DESCRIPTION: In this deeply moving episode of Grief Is Not A Dirty Word, host Nick Gaylord sits down with author and widower AJ Coleman to explore grief, loss, resilience, and rebuilding life after the death of a spouse. AJ shares the powerful love story he shared with his wife Corey, her battle with aggressive brain cancer, and the profound grief that followed her death just sixteen months after their daughter was born. Together, Nick and AJ discuss widower grief, anticipatory grief, parenting through loss, and the emotional complexity of raising a child while grieving a partner. AJ opens up about caregiving, acceptance, identity after loss, and how grief reshapes—but does not define—who we become. He also shares the philosophy behind his book Keep Those Feet Moving, an eight-step guide to coping with grief and thriving against all odds. This conversation is a powerful reminder that grief is not a dirty word—and that healing is possible, even after unimaginable loss. This episode answers: How do you cope with grief after losing a spouse to cancer?What does widower grief look like while raising a young child alone?How can grief become a catalyst for resilience and personal growth?How do you honor a loved one’s legacy while continuing to live fully?What helps people move from “why did this happen” to “where do I go now”?Key Takeaways: Grief is an experience you carry, not an identity that defines youAcceptance is a critical step in long-term healing after lossParenting through grief requires honesty, connection, and resiliencePurpose and meaning can emerge from profound personal tragedyMoving forward does not mean leaving love or memory behind  GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS! FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM! BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.ourdeaddads.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourdeaddadspod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdeaddadspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourdeaddadspod Twitter / X: https://x.com/ourdeaddadspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ourdeaddadspod/

    59 min

  8. 12/09/2025

    Grief, Forgiveness, and Rewriting the Fatherhood Narrative After Loss with Dave Roberts

    WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS Anyone navigating childhood grief, parental abandonment, complicated grief, or unresolved trauma. WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET A compassionate, grounded conversation about healing father-loss, understanding generational patterns, and building a renewed relationship with grief. DESCRIPTION: Dave Roberts returns to Grief Is Not A Dirty Word for a powerful, vulnerable conversation about growing up without his father and learning to make peace with decades of unresolved grief. Nick Gaylord guides the interview with care, exploring Dave’s early childhood trauma, emotional wounds, and the healing work that helped him understand his father’s absence. Dave speaks openly about forgiveness, ancestral patterns, spiritual insight, and the impact of supportive male figures who shaped his life. The conversation expands into grief education, emotional resilience, and the lifelong search for belonging. Nick and Dave also reflect on the importance of storytelling, connection, and giving people a safe space to process difficult emotions. This episode offers a grounded pathway toward compassion, healing, and reclaiming your own narrative after loss. This episode answers: What does childhood grief look like when a parent leaves without explanation?How do adults process abandonment years after the original loss?What role does forgiveness play in healing complicated grief?Why do generational patterns and ancestral trauma influence how families cope?How can someone rebuild emotional trust and identity after growing up without a parent?Key Takeaways: You did not cause a parent’s departure or the breakup of your family.Childhood grief often mirrors abandonment, fear, anger, and unmet emotional needs.Understanding generational patterns can bring clarity to a parent’s behavior.Forgiveness does not excuse harm — it frees you from carrying it.It is never too late to heal, seek support, and rewrite your emotional story.  GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS! FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM! BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.ourdeaddads.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourdeaddadspod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdeaddadspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourdeaddadspod Twitter / X: https://x.com/ourdeaddadspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ourdeaddadspod/

    49 min
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4.9
out of 5
58 Ratings

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
    82
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Grief Is Not A Dirty Word
  • Show Website
    Grief Is Not A Dirty Word