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
Love, Loss, and Resilience: Navigating Grief and Marriage Healing with Jocelyn Bates and Matthew Struck - Episode 42
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WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS
Couples navigating grief, families balancing trauma, and listeners seeking insight into shared loss.
WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET
Powerful lessons in grief support, resilience, communication, and navigating loss within relationships.
DESCRIPTION:
In this episode, host Nick Gaylord welcomes back previous guests Jocelyn Bates and Matthew Struck for a rare and candid conversation about what it means to grieve as a couple. Jocelyn lost both of her parents within a week during the COVID-19 pandemic, while Matthew lost his father to suicide and his grandfather soon after. Together, they share how grief shaped their marriage, tested their communication, and forced them to navigate survival mode while raising three children. Nick explores how different grieving styles can either divide or strengthen a partnership, and how humor, anger, sadness, and silence all became part of their process. The conversation sheds light on the unique challenges of shared grief, including estate planning stress, parenting through loss, and redefining family identity. Most importantly, it highlights the resilience, vulnerability, and love required to move forward together.
This episode answers:
- How do couples process grief differently after major losses?
- What happens when parents die close together and leave no estate plan?
- How can families support children through grief while coping themselves?
- What role do anger and sadness play in grieving styles?
- How can communication and vulnerability strengthen marriages after loss?
Key Takeaways:
- Grief affects couples differently and can challenge relationship dynamics.
- Estate planning and practical matters intensify emotional stress after loss.
- Children process grief uniquely, often mirroring parental coping styles.
- Allowing sadness, not just anger, is critical for healing.
- Shared grief can become a source of resilience and deeper connection.
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