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
056 - Finding Grace Through Caregiving with Cleo Childs
Today, poet and author Cleo Childs shares the layered, emotional story of losing her mother Candace to early-onset Alzheimer’s. Cleo was only 21 when her mom was diagnosed — a time when most people are still figuring out their own path. Instead, she became a caregiver. What followed was a years-long journey through denial, frustration, grace, and grief, as Cleo learned to navigate her mother’s decline while grappling with her own identity.
Through poetry, humor, and reflection, Cleo brings a refreshing honesty to what it means to love and lose someone slowly. She talks about her mom’s quiet strength, her own early misunderstanding of that gentleness, and the eventual clarity that came too late. Cleo also opens up about the perfectionism she inherited, the patience she had to learn, and the guilt that lingers after a loss like this.
This conversation is full of heart — and levity. From anthropomorphic sticker planners to s’mores preferences, Cleo and Nick find space for joy even in the heavy moments. Whether you’re a caregiver, a grieving adult child, or someone who just appreciates a story told with depth and wit, this episode will stay with you long after it ends.
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