Our Dead Dads
The concept of Our Dead Dads was born through the daily discussions of seven men who share bonds of blood, friendship and all having lost their fathers. Nick Gaylord, the show’s host, shares his life experiences with his deceased father while exploring the complications and realities of that relationship. Life is intense, grief and loss come in many forms, and no parent-child relationship is black and white, which is why this show touches on all shades of grey.
Join Nick for candid conversations with his three brothers and three of his lifelong friends, along with other special guests who discuss their experiences with loss, grief, laughter, and moving forward. Nothing is off-limits here. Nick learned after his father's passing that he couldn't process what he was going through alone and sought the help of a therapist, who helped him to let go of his anger toward his father. Looking back, he realized just how many people are being crushed under the weight of grief, loss, and in some cases, anger.
Nick's mission through Our Dead Dads is to offer a platform for anyone who needs or wants to tell their story, to have that opportunity. He also hopes to reach many more who need to talk but don't know how to start the conversation, hopeful that by listening to these stories, they will be able to start talking with someone.
Nick has always sought to help others and to make everyone around him laugh. Along with his brothers and friends, he has frequently used humor to get through the hardest times in their lives, and hopefully, you will permit yourself to do the same. Get ready for an emotional deep dive. Nick has a lot to say and so do his guests. He's here for you and ready to help. Everyone has been through trauma, grief, and loss. Now, along with Nick and his guests, everyone will get through it together.
Nick is changing the world one damaged soul at a time. Welcome to Our Dead Dads.
Our Dead Dads
048 - The Emotional Weight of Waiting with Dr. Mary Ann Mercer
In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Mary Ann Mercer — psychologist, author, and someone I’m proud to call a friend — for a deeply moving conversation about what it means to grieve before the loss even happens. Dr. Mary shares the story of her best friend Willa, who spent the last three years of her life battling a rare form of cancer. As Willa’s health slowly declined, Dr. Mary experienced a grief that started long before the final goodbye — one filled with emotional whiplash, conflicting thoughts, and moments of profound connection.
Together, we talk about anticipatory grief — how it creeps in while someone is still alive, and how emotionally exhausting it can be to keep showing up day after day for someone you love. Dr. Mary opens up about the guilt she felt when she started wishing for peace, the loneliness Willa experienced as others slowly pulled away, and the quiet power of simply sitting in silence with someone who’s suffering. It’s not always about fixing things — sometimes it’s just about being there.
Dr. Mary also shares some of the unexpected moments of beauty in Willa’s final years — including the annual “hippie parties” she was known for, and how her legacy continues to ripple outward through the people who loved her most. This conversation reminded me that grief isn’t just about endings — it’s also about presence, purpose, and honoring the time we do have. If you’ve ever watched someone fade while trying to hold them close, this one is for you.
DR. MARY'S LINKS:
WEBSITE: www.PositiveLifeAnswers.com
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/positivelifeanswers/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/positivelifeanswers/
E-MAIL: drmercer@positivelifeanswers.com
POSITIVE LIFE ANSWERS PODCAST LINKS:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/positive-life-answers/id1653316395
https://positivelifeanswers.buzzsprout.com/
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