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.
Episodes
93 episodes
Grief, Anger, and the Loss of Stability in America Today with Mark Davis - Episode 81
WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Anyone navigating grief tied to identity loss, fractured relationships, or societal division.WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: A powerful perspective on grief, uncertainty, and emotional conflict beyo...
What Grieving Parents Need After Child Loss and Sudden Death with Kelly Edmondson - Episode 80
WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Grieving parents, anyone navigating child loss, and those supporting someone through deep grief and trauma.WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: Honest insight into grief processing, how to show up for so...
Navigating Sudden Death, Widow Grief & Trauma Recovery with Lynn Stone - Episode 79
WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Anyone navigating sudden loss, widow grief, or traumatic death without closureWHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: Real insight into grief processing, trauma recovery, and rebuilding life after loss<...
Sobriety, Identity, and Grief Recovery After Addiction with Faith C - Episode 78
WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Anyone navigating grief, addiction recovery, trauma, or struggling with identity and self-worth.WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: A powerful, honest look at grief, sobriety, healing, and what it takes...
Ambiguous Loss, Grief, Trauma, and True Crime with Michael & Alyssa McFarland - Episode 77
WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS:Anyone navigating grief, trauma, ambiguous loss, missing persons cases, complicated family relationships, or the long and uneven process of healing after loss. WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: ...
Grief, Healing, and Loss Reflections on a Milestone Podcast Journey with Nick Gaylord - Episode 76
WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Anyone navigating grief, loss, emotional healing, or feeling alone in their grief journeyWHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: Honest reflections on grief, healing, connection, and what it means to live with loss...
Grief, Legacy, and Family Stories: Preserving Memory and Healing with Jeffrey Mason - Episode 75
WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Anyone navigating grief, regret after loss, or the fear of losing family memories. Listeners who want to strengthen family connection and preserve the stories of parents, grandparents, and loved ones before th...
Say The Weird Thing – Leaving Church Didn’t Heal My Grief, Finding Myself Did with Keya McClain - Episode 74
IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING AND NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE, CALL OR TEXT 988 (SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE) ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES, US TERRITORIES AND CANADAWHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: People struggling with grief, dep...
Grief, Resilience, and Healing After Spousal Loss with Barnaby Howarth - Episode 73
WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Anyone navigating grief after the death of a spouse, coping with cancer loss, widowhood, or searching for resilience during bereavement.WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: A powerful perspective on grie...
Silent Grief, Identity Crisis, and Emotional Healing with Terraine LeBeau - Episode 72
TERRAINE LEBEAU — LINKS & CONTACT INFOPODCAST & MAIN SITE • Behind the Shades Podcast: https://behindtheshades.com/HOST PAGE / GUEST PROFILE • Terrain...
Childhood Grief, Bereavement Support, and Healing at Camp Good Mourning with Paul Rubin - Episode 71
Episode 71 - Paul Rubin (Director of Camp Good Mourning)CAMP GOOD MOURNING INFORMATION:WEBSITE: https://www.campgoodmourning.orgE-MAIL:
How Listening to Your Own Story Can Heal Trauma, Grief, and Shame with Susie Delo - Episode 70
Episode 70 - Susie Delo returns!LINKS:Go to Susie's website HERE!Contact Susie HERE!Want to listen to Lauren Heaton's int...
How Childhood Trauma and Domestic Violence Shape Grief with Susie Delo - Episode 69
Episode 69 - Susie DeloCHECK OUT SUSIE'S WEBSITE!!Go to Susie's website by clicking HERE!Contact Susie by clicking HERE!...
Living With Grief, Chronic Illness, and Caregiving with Jacob Kendall - Episode 68
Episode 68 - Jacob KendallCONTACT JACOB:Personal website: https://www.jacobevanskendall.com/Business website: https://4Daging.com/<...
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 dir...
Trauma, Grief, and Survival: Healing After Sexual Assault and Loss with Lauren Heaton - Episode 67
Episode 67 - Lauren HeatonWHO 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 ...
Forgiveness After Murder, Trauma, and Grief Recovery with Scott Stewart - Episode 66
Episode 66 - Scott StewartTO CONTACT SCOTT OR TO CHECK OUT HIS WORK, GO TO:www.scottstewartspeaking.comWHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: People navigating traumatic grief, complicated loss, family violenc...
Widower Grief, Parenting Through Loss, and Thriving After Tragedy with AJ Coleman - Episode 65
Episode 65 - AJ ColemanPURCHASE AJ'S BOOK AT:https://keepthosefeetmoving.com/WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Listeners navigating widower grief, spousal loss, anticipatory grief, and the long-term emoti...
Grief, Forgiveness, and Rewriting the Fatherhood Narrative After Loss with Dave Roberts - Episode 64
Episode 64 - Dave RobertsWHO THIS EPISODE HELPSAnyone navigating childhood grief, parental abandonment, complicated grief, or unresolved trauma.WHAT LISTENERS WILL GETA compassionate, grounded co...
When Grief, Divorce, and Family Trauma Collide: Finding Strength and Recovery with Dan Adams - Episode 63
Episode 63 - Dan AdamsCHECK OUT DAN'S WEBSITE:https://brokenyellowline.com/homeWHO THIS EPISODE HELPSAnyone navigating grief, divorce, family trauma, identity loss, or major life transitions....
From Rock Bottom to Renewal: Grief Transformation and Abuse Recovery with Elissa Swihart (Part 2 of 2) - Episode 62
Episode 62 (Part 2) - Elissa SwihartTO HELP SUPPORT TALA'S CLOSET, CLICK HERE:https://bit.ly/m/thedvsurvivorsisterhood?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bioTO LISTEN TO DISMISSED TRUE STO...
Domestic Violence, Hidden Trauma, and the Hard Road Through Grief with Elissa Swihart (Part 1 of 2) - Episode 62
Episode 62 (Part 1) - Elissa SwihartTO HELP SUPPORT TALA'S CLOSET, CLICK HERE:https://bit.ly/m/thedvsurvivorsisterhood?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bioTO LISTEN TO DISMISSED TRUE STO...
Grief Lessons from Family Trauma, Sudden Loss, and Generational Pain with Heather Locklear - Episode 61
Episode 61 - Heather LocklearWHO THIS EPISODE HELPS Anyone navigating grief, trauma, sudden loss, suicide loss, or unresolved emotional pain. WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET Tools, language, and ...
Grief Is Not A Dirty Word (Formerly OUR DEAD DADS) - Trailer
Welcome to the World Premiere of Grief Is Not A Dirty Word! You will remember this podcast as Our Dead Dads. The evolution is complete, and the new name is now a fuller representation of everything this podcast has become in the last two years....
