Grief Is Not A Dirty Word

CONTACT JACOB:Personal website: https://www.jacobevanskendall.com/Business website: https://4Daging.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobevanskendall/WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: People navigating grief, caregiving, chronic illness, and anticipatory grief after the loss of a parentWHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: An honest, grounded conversation about grief, caregiving burnout, mortality, and finding meaning after lossDESCRIPTION:Nick Gaylord sits down with Jacob Kendall, a grief-informed advocate, health educator, and caregiver whose life has been shaped by chronic illness, anticipatory grief, and the sudden loss of his father. Jacob shares the deeply personal story of caregiving after his father suffered a stroke and heart attack shortly after Jacob’s wedding, and what it meant to lose him only months later. Together, Nick and Jacob explore how grief changes shape over time, why caregiving can be emotionally and physically exhausting, and how anticipatory grief complicates both loss and love. Jacob also opens up about living with a mechanical heart valve, confronting his own mortality, and managing anxiety born from repeated medical trauma. This conversation weaves together grief, health advocacy, and the importance of not carrying illness or loss alone. It is an honest reflection on grief, resilience, and how suffering can inform meaningful work without defining a life.THIS EPISODE ANSWERS:What does anticipatory grief feel like when illness changes everything?How does caregiving impact grief after a parent dies?Why doesn’t grief ever fully go away after losing a parent?How do chronic illness and mortality anxiety shape daily life?What helps caregivers avoid burnout while navigating grief?KEY TAKEAWAYS:Grief does not shrink, but people learn how to live alongside itCaregiving can deepen grief and exhaustion if done aloneAnticipatory grief creates complex emotions before loss occursChronic illness often brings hidden anxiety tied to mortalityTalking openly about grief and illness builds connection and healingGIVE 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/

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 direction, reassurance during a brief pause, and insight into how grief-focused storytelling grows through community support.  DESCRIPTION: In this short update episode, Nick Gaylord, host of Grief Is Not A Dirty Word, offers a transparent check-in with listeners. Nick explains why there is no interview release this week and shares what’s happening behind the scenes as he prepares for multiple speaking engagements. He reflects on the evolution of the podcast, the role of community support, and the importance of sustainable growth. Nick also reinforces the show’s mission to bring grief conversations into public space without shame or judgment. This episode serves as both a pause and a recommitment to the work ahead. Nick also references an evolving wish list of future guest conversations as part of a larger vision for expanding grief dialogue and invites listeners to help amplify the show through sharing and engagement.  THIS EPISODE ANSWERS: Why is there no interview episode this week?What support, sponsorships, and partnerships help a grief podcast grow sustainably?Why are public grief conversations still so important?How can listeners support a podcast focused on grief and loss?What direction is Grief Is Not A Dirty Word heading next? KEY TAKEAWAYS: Sustainable growth requires intention, preparation, and community support.Grief conversations belong in public spaces without shame or judgment.Listener engagement plays a meaningful role in shaping what comes next. 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/

WHO 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 honest, grounded conversation about grief, trauma healing, boundaries, accountability, and rebuilding self-worth without shortcuts.DESCRIPTION:This episode of Grief Is Not A Dirty Word features licensed professional counselor and victims’ advocate Lauren Heaton in a powerful conversation about grief, trauma, and healing. Nick Gaylord and Lauren explore how sexual assault, PTSD, medical trauma, pregnancy loss, and chronic stress shape identity and survival. Lauren shares her lived experience alongside her clinical work, offering clarity without platitudes or false positivity. They discuss the responsibility that comes with healing, why empathy must be earned, and how boundaries protect recovery. This episode examines motherhood, bodily autonomy, and rebuilding safety after repeated trauma. It is a necessary conversation for anyone navigating grief while trying to move forward honestly.This episode answers:How do you heal from grief and trauma after sexual assault?What does PTSD recovery really look like in everyday life?How does medical trauma and pregnancy loss affect long-term grief?Why is accountability essential in trauma healing?How do boundaries support healing after prolonged trauma?Key Takeaways:Healing from trauma and grief requires honesty, not avoidancePTSD is a lived experience, not a clinical label aloneEmpathy grows through responsibility and self-workBoundaries are a form of self-protection, not punishmentGrief and trauma can coexist with purpose and meaning 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/

TO CONTACT SCOTT OR TO CHECK OUT HIS WORK, GO TO:www.scottstewartspeaking.comWHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: People navigating traumatic grief, complicated loss, family violence, or struggling with forgiveness after profound betrayal. WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: A grounded, real-world framework for understanding grief, trauma recovery, and forgiveness without minimizing pain or excusing harm.  DESCRIPTION: In this powerful Episode 66 of Grief Is Not A Dirty Word, host Nick Gaylord sits down with speaker and author Scott Stewart, whose father murdered his mother when Scott was just 22 years old. Scott shares the harrowing story of growing up in an abusive household, the night that changed everything, and the long road through traumatic grief and complex loss. Together, Nick and Scott explore the true meaning of forgiveness—what it is, what it is not, and why it is essential for healing. This conversation unpacks grief after violence, generational trauma, therapy, faith, and the daily work of choosing release over resentment. Scott explains why forgiveness is not about letting someone off the hook, forgetting what happened, or reconciling with unsafe people. This episode offers honest insight, practical tools, and deep compassion for anyone carrying unresolved grief, anger, or trauma.  This episode answers: How do you forgive someone who committed murder?What does forgiveness really mean in grief and trauma recovery?Can you heal from violent loss without forgetting what happened?Why does unresolved grief turn into anger, bitterness, or resentment?How do you break cycles of abuse and generational trauma? Key Takeaways: Forgiveness is for the survivor, not the offenderForgiveness does not erase consequences or require reconciliationHealing grief requires feeling, not suppressing, painful emotionsForgiveness is often a repeated, intentional practice—not a one-time eventBreaking generational trauma starts with conscious healing work 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/

PURCHASE AJ'S BOOK AT:https://keepthosefeetmoving.com/WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Listeners navigating widower grief, spousal loss, anticipatory grief, and the long-term emotional impact of traumatic loss.WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: Honest insight into grief resilience, parenting after loss, acceptance, healing, and how to move forward without forgetting.DESCRIPTION:In this deeply moving episode of Grief Is Not A Dirty Word, host Nick Gaylord sits down with author and widower AJ Coleman to explore grief, loss, resilience, and rebuilding life after the death of a spouse. AJ shares the powerful love story he shared with his wife Corey, her battle with aggressive brain cancer, and the profound grief that followed her death just sixteen months after their daughter was born. Together, Nick and AJ discuss widower grief, anticipatory grief, parenting through loss, and the emotional complexity of raising a child while grieving a partner. AJ opens up about caregiving, acceptance, identity after loss, and how grief reshapes—but does not define—who we become. He also shares the philosophy behind his book Keep Those Feet Moving, an eight-step guide to coping with grief and thriving against all odds. This conversation is a powerful reminder that grief is not a dirty word—and that healing is possible, even after unimaginable loss.This episode answers:How do you cope with grief after losing a spouse to cancer?What does widower grief look like while raising a young child alone?How can grief become a catalyst for resilience and personal growth?How do you honor a loved one’s legacy while continuing to live fully?What helps people move from “why did this happen” to “where do I go now”?Key Takeaways:Grief is an experience you carry, not an identity that defines youAcceptance is a critical step in long-term healing after lossParenting through grief requires honesty, connection, and resiliencePurpose and meaning can emerge from profound personal tragedyMoving forward does not mean leaving love or memory behind 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/

WHO THIS EPISODE HELPSAnyone navigating childhood grief, parental abandonment, complicated grief, or unresolved trauma.WHAT LISTENERS WILL GETA compassionate, grounded conversation about healing father-loss, understanding generational patterns, and building a renewed relationship with grief.DESCRIPTION:Dave Roberts returns to Grief Is Not A Dirty Word for a powerful, vulnerable conversation about growing up without his father and learning to make peace with decades of unresolved grief. Nick Gaylord guides the interview with care, exploring Dave’s early childhood trauma, emotional wounds, and the healing work that helped him understand his father’s absence. Dave speaks openly about forgiveness, ancestral patterns, spiritual insight, and the impact of supportive male figures who shaped his life. The conversation expands into grief education, emotional resilience, and the lifelong search for belonging. Nick and Dave also reflect on the importance of storytelling, connection, and giving people a safe space to process difficult emotions. This episode offers a grounded pathway toward compassion, healing, and reclaiming your own narrative after loss.This episode answers:What does childhood grief look like when a parent leaves without explanation?How do adults process abandonment years after the original loss?What role does forgiveness play in healing complicated grief?Why do generational patterns and ancestral trauma influence how families cope?How can someone rebuild emotional trust and identity after growing up without a parent?Key Takeaways:You did not cause a parent’s departure or the breakup of your family.Childhood grief often mirrors abandonment, fear, anger, and unmet emotional needs.Understanding generational patterns can bring clarity to a parent’s behavior.Forgiveness does not excuse harm — it frees you from carrying it.It is never too late to heal, seek support, and rewrite your emotional story. 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/

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.WHAT LISTENERS WILL GETPowerful insight into grief recovery, emotional rebuilding, personal resilience, and reclaiming identity after life-altering loss.DESCRIPTION:Dan Adams shares an emotional, unfiltered look at the four-month stretch that turned his entire life upside down—losing his mother, facing painful revelations about his father, and watching a 24-year marriage come to an end in rapid succession. Nick guides Dan through the grief, trauma, and identity collapse that followed, exploring the emotional fallout and the long, honest road back to himself. Dan talks about the loneliness of grief, the shock of divorce at midlife, and the disorientation of becoming an empty nester in the same season. Together, they explore how rebuilding happens piece by piece—through truth, community, vulnerability, music, and connection. Dan explains how hearing others’ stories helped him feel less alone and how sharing his own creates healing for others as well. This episode is a raw, inspiring look at grief, resilience, and the courage to rise when everything falls apart.THIS EPISODE ANSWERS:What does grief look like when multiple losses hit at the same time?How do you rebuild your identity after divorce, parental loss, and family trauma?How do midlife transitions and empty nest grief impact emotional wellbeing?Why does hearing other people’s grief stories reduce isolation and shame?What helps someone recover when life radically changes in just a few months?KEY TAKEAWAYS:Grief doesn’t only come from death—it also comes from truth, identity, and family shifts.Multiple losses in quick succession can dismantle a person’s emotional foundation.Rebuilding requires honesty, community, vulnerability, and support from others.Sharing stories normalizes grief and helps people feel less alone in their pain.Healing is possible even after the most disorienting seasons of life. 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/

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 STORIES PODCAST, CLICK HERE:https://open.spotify.com/show/3sp42T4Tr0NaPas6Q8nQ27WHO THIS EPISODE HELPSSurvivors navigating trauma, grief, domestic violence, and post-separation challenges.WHAT LISTENERS WILL GETA deeper understanding of how grief, healing, triggers, and survivorship continue years after abuse—and how purpose and community transform the recovery journey.DESCRIPTION:In this powerful conversation, Nick guides Elissa through the second half of her story—a deeply human look at what long-term healing from domestic violence really feels like. Elissa opens up about triggers that still appear years later, how grief intersects with trauma, and why survivorship is an ongoing process of unlearning and rebuilding. She shares the emotional and spiritual turning points that led her into advocacy and the extraordinary, grief-anchored moment that connected her to Tala, the young woman whose legacy inspired Tala’s Closet. Nick and Elissa also discuss the impact of post-separation abuse, the realities of healing while co-parenting, and the courage required to reclaim your identity after trauma. The conversation expands into community, purpose, grief education, and the life-changing ripple effect Elissa now creates for survivors everywhere. This episode is both a testament to the power of healing and an invitation to believe that rock bottom is not the end of your story.  Elissa interview - transcript -…This episode answers:What does long-term healing from domestic violence and trauma actually look like?Why do triggers and flashbacks appear years after leaving an abusive relationship?How does grief show up in survivors long after the abuse ends?What is Tala’s Closet, and how does it support survivors starting over?How can someone still in an abusive relationship recognize the moment they’re ready to leave?Key Takeaways:Survivorship is an ongoing grief-infused process of unlearning fear and rediscovering identity.Triggers often surface unexpectedly, even in healthy relationships, and do not signal failure.Post-separation abuse, legal abuse, and co-parenting challenges extend trauma long after leaving.Tala’s Closet grew from grief, purpose, community, and Elissa’s commitment to honoring a life lost to domestic violence.Rock bottom is not permanent—healing begins when survivors reclaim self-trust, anger, and agency. 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/

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 STORIES PODCAST, CLICK HERE:https://open.spotify.com/show/3sp42T4Tr0NaPas6Q8nQ27WHO THIS EPISODE HELPSSurvivors of domestic violence, people navigating trauma, and anyone grieving the loss of identity, safety, or self-worth.WHAT LISTENERS WILL GETA deeply honest look at surviving abuse, understanding trauma bonding, rebuilding identity, and finding hope after profound emotional grief.DESCRIPTION:In this powerful episode, Nick Gaylord sits down with Elissa Swihart to unpack the hidden emotional cost of domestic violence, trauma, and identity loss. Elissa shares how her abusive relationship began, the isolation that followed, and the brutal erosion of her confidence, voice, and sense of self. She describes the moment she realized she had become a shell of the person she once was—and the day she finally escaped with her son, her dog, and a single laundry basket of clothes. Nick guides the conversation through the grief that survivors carry long after leaving: grief for the life they imagined, grief for the version of themselves they lost, and grief for the safety they never had. Elissa’s story is raw, grounding, and rooted in truth, offering survivors and supporters a roadmap toward healing, self-awareness, and reclaiming personal power. This episode opens the door to conversations many survivors have never been able to speak out loud, shining a light on emotional strength, community, and the long road out of darkness. Elissa interview - transcript -…This episode answers:What are the early warning signs of emotional abuse that most people miss?Why do so many survivors stay, return, or feel trapped in abusive relationships?How does identity loss show up during long-term domestic violence?What does the escape process really look like for survivors with children?How can survivors rebuild confidence, autonomy, and safety after trauma?Key Takeaways:Abuse often begins with love-bombing, isolation, and subtle emotional erosion.Survivors grieve the loss of identity, safety, and autonomy long before they can leave.Leaving an abusive relationship is rarely a single event—it's a repeated, dangerous cycle.Self-awareness is one of the most powerful tools a survivor gains after escaping.Healing requires support, community, and the reclamation of personal voice and power. 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/

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 emotional clarity to better understand grief, support others, and process layered loss. DESCRIPTION: In this powerful conversation, Nick sits down with Heather Locklear to unpack the deep emotional impact of family trauma, sudden loss, and lifelong grief. Heather reflects on learning about suicide at a young age, and how early exposure to death shaped her identity and emotional patterns. She discusses the heartbreaking losses within her family, the grief of watching her daughter struggle, and the complicated terrain of animal loss and anticipatory grief. Together, Nick and Heather explore the generational weight of unspoken pain, the need for grief education, and the reality of healing when multiple losses collide. The episode also examines how sleep, avoidance, and self-protection can become coping mechanisms. Through honesty, humor, and vulnerability, Heather reveals how she continues to grow, forgive, and reconnect after decades of grief. Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of how grief shapes families—and how healing remains possible at any age. This episode answers: What does grief look like when someone grows up around suicide, trauma, and unresolved family pain?How do you support a child or adult who is overwhelmed by grief or panic after sudden loss?Why does pet loss trigger such intense grief, and how can people better respond to it?What are the long-term effects of learning about death or suicide too young?How can someone rebuild emotional strength after years of layered grief and family trauma?Key Takeaways: Early exposure to suicide and death can create lifelong emotional patterns around grief and fear.Supporting someone in deep distress requires calm language, presence, and nonjudgment.Pet loss carries real grief weight and deserves validation, compassion, and proper emotional space.Generational trauma impacts how families communicate, cope, and emotionally self-protect.Healing expands when people speak openly about loss instead of hiding or minimizing it. 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/