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
When Grief, Divorce, and Family Trauma Collide: Finding Strength and Recovery with Dan Adams
From Rock Bottom to Renewal: Grief Transformation and Abuse Recovery with Elissa Swihart (Part 2 of 2)
Domestic Violence, Hidden Trauma, and the Hard Road Through Grief with Elissa Swihart (Part 1 of 2)
Grief Lessons from Family Trauma, Sudden Loss, and Generational Pain with Heather Locklear
Grief Is Not A Dirty Word (Formerly OUR DEAD DADS) - Trailer
Taking a short break - but I'm not going anywhere!
Love, Grief, and Advocacy for Change: Honoring Gabby Petito with Joe & Tara Petito - Episode 60
Healing Through Grief, Estrangement, and Tragedy with Lisa Spychalski - Episode 59
Healing Grief Through Death Doulas and End-of-Life Care with Kacie Gikonyo - Episode 58
Finding Hope in Grief, Chronic Illness, and Loss of Parents with Dorothy Graham O’Dell - Episode 57
Turning Grief into Healing, Hope, and Creative Expression with Cleo Childs - Episode 56
Writing Through Grief: Hope, Healing, and Mother Loss with Chelsea Ohlemiller - Episode 55
Stillbirth grief, parental loss, and healing through writing with Michelle Rix - Episode 54
Grief, Healing, and Community at the Gabby Petito Foundation Event - Episode 53
Anticipatory Grief, Family Connection, and Memory-Making Tools with Devan Christian-Vermeer - Episode 52
Grief, Therapy, and Breaking Generational Silence: Transforming Pain into Purpose with Chris Tidrick - Episode 51
Childhood Loss, Grief Healing, and Hope After Sandy Hook with Scarlett Lewis - Episode 50
Turning Grief Into Motivation and Hope for Others with Scott Tavlin - Episode 49
Anticipatory Grief and the Long Goodbye: Coping with Loss, Pain, and Healing with Dr. Mary Ann Mercer - Episode 48
Coping with Cancer, Caregiving, and Grief Transformation with Vicki Goodman - Episode 47
Living with Grief, Child Loss, and Renewed Purpose Through Healing with Linda Henderson - Episode 46
Ambiguous Grief, Spiritual Signs, and Rebuilding After Loss with Kristina Driscoll - Episode 45
Child Loss, Addiction, and Resilience in Grief with Kathy Julien - Episode 44
The Silent Struggles of Estrangement and Grief Healing with Mary Fields - Episode 43
Love, Loss, and Resilience: Navigating Grief and Marriage Healing with Jocelyn Bates and Matthew Struck - Episode 42