Grief Is Not A Dirty Word
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.
Grief Is Not A Dirty Word
Stillbirth grief, parental loss, and healing through writing with Michelle Rix - Episode 54
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WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS:
Anyone grieving child loss, stillbirth, or the death of a parent who seeks connection and hope.
WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET:
An honest conversation about grief, parental loss, survivor’s guilt, and using writing as a healing outlet.
DESCRIPTION:
In this episode, Nick Gaylord sits down with Michelle Rix for a raw discussion about grief, child loss, and the journey of living with tragedy. Michelle shares the heartbreaking story of losing her daughter Paisley to stillbirth at 38 weeks, followed by the devastating loss of her father just a few years later. Together, Nick and Michelle explore the lifelong weight of grief, the struggle with survivor’s guilt, and the pain of addiction and estrangement that often follows trauma. Michelle also reflects on how writing, spirituality, and support from her family helped her rebuild her life and navigate years of sorrow. Their conversation highlights the importance of grief storytelling, the courage to share painful truths, and the healing power of community. For anyone coping with the death of a child, the loss of a parent, or the ongoing impact of grief, this episode offers validation, hope, and a reminder that no one has to walk through loss alone.
This episode answers:
- How do you cope with the grief of losing a child to stillbirth?
- What are healthy ways to process grief after losing a parent?
- How can writing and creativity help with grief and healing?
- Why does survivor’s guilt affect so many grieving parents?
- How can sharing grief stories reduce isolation and shame?
Key Takeaways:
- Child loss and parental grief reshape life in profound ways.
- Survivor’s guilt is a common but misunderstood part of grief.
- Writing and storytelling can provide powerful outlets for healing.
- Addiction, estrangement, and anger often arise in grief journeys.
Grief conversations build community, resilience, and connection
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