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
Writing Through Grief: Hope, Healing, and Mother Loss with Chelsea Ohlemiller - Episode 55
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WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: Anyone coping with the death of a parent or struggling with parenting while grieving will find validation, connection, and hope.
WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: Insight into living with grief after losing a mother, how writing can support healing, and the importance of honoring legacy while navigating everyday life.
DESCRIPTION:
In this heartfelt episode of Our Dead Dads Podcast, host Nick Gaylord welcomes grief writer Chelsea Ohlemiller, who lost her mother Rita to cancer in 2017. Chelsea shares how grief reshaped her life as a mother, wife, and teacher, and how writing became her most powerful outlet. What began as journal entries evolved into Hope and Harsh Realities, a platform reaching over 200,000 grieving hearts, and her book Now That She’s Gone: A Daughter’s Reflection on Loss, Love, and a Mother’s Legacy. Together, Nick and Chelsea discuss identity after loss, the challenges of parenting without a parent, and the guilt and grace that come with finding joy after grief. Listeners will hear stories of family, second marriages, and even beloved pets that illustrate how grief touches every corner of life. This conversation is both tender and empowering, reminding us that grief is lifelong, unpredictable, and deeply human, yet it also carries hope, connection, and legacy.
This episode answers:
- What does grief feel like after losing a mother to cancer?
- How can writing help process grief and healing?
- What does it mean to parent children while grieving a parent?
- How do milestones like marriage or graduation trigger new grief waves?
- What role does legacy play in navigating grief?
Key Takeaways:
- Grief doesn’t end after the first year; it evolves with new life milestones.
- Writing can transform private pain into healing for a wider community.
- Parenting without a parent carries unique challenges and ongoing grief.
- Joy, humor, and even pets play a role in grief resilience.
- Honoring legacy helps balance harsh realities with hope and healing.
CHELSEA'S LINKS:
Website: www.hopeandharshrealities.com
Facebook: @hopeandharshrealities
Instagram: @hopeandharshrealities
TikTok: @chelseaohlemiller
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