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
Healing Through Grief, Estrangement, and Tragedy with Lisa Spychalski - Episode 59
Find the show on Apple Podcasts! Click the FOLLOW button so you never miss an episode!
Give us a 5-star rating and leave a review! This will boost our visibility and help others to find the show!
WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Anyone navigating grief after childhood loss, family estrangement, or sibling death.
WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: Insight into grief recovery, coping with family trauma, and the power of resilience through heartbreaking experiences.
DESCRIPTION:
In this episode, host Nick Gaylord sits down with longtime friend and loyal listener Lisa Spychalski to share her deeply moving grief journey. Lisa opens up about losing her mother at just eight years old, reconnecting with her estranged father only to lose him again as a teenager, and enduring the tragic death of her sister in a devastating car accident. She reflects on the silence around her mother’s alcoholism, the complicated emotions of estrangement, and the weight of decades of grief carried forward. Lisa also shares the recent loss of her beloved dog Hazel, underscoring how grief continues to shape her life. Through heartbreak, humor, and raw honesty, Lisa demonstrates how resilience and connection make survival possible. This powerful episode shines light on how grief changes families, reshapes identity, and tests the bonds of love and memory.
This episode answers:
- How do you cope with losing a parent at a young age?
- What happens when you reconnect with an estranged parent and lose them again?
- How does sibling loss in a tragic accident shape lifelong grief?
- What role do grandparents play in raising children after parental death?
- How can humor and resilience help process decades of grief?
Key Takeaways:
- Early childhood loss leaves lifelong impacts that resurface throughout adulthood.
- Estrangement complicates grief, adding layers of anger and unresolved emotions.
- Sibling death in sudden accidents creates trauma that families carry for decades.
- Silence around causes of death, like alcoholism, deepens confusion for children.
- Resilience, loyal friendships, and small moments of humor sustain 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/