Dead Dad Podcast

The podcast delivers. I speak to my dad's best mate. I find out a lot more of what my dad was like and I feel better for having done it. Lloyd speaks very fondly of my father and I wonder how well my dad and I would get on now were he still alive. I also find myself puzzling over how much of my character is nature and how much is nurture. Whey did I get suspended from school? Why is one breast always bigger than the other? How many motorbikes is too many? Listen to find out.

My dad is dead and that can't be changed. He was not a uniformly good father, that can't be changed either. What I feel I may not have done is give a rounded view of the person he was by remembering some good things…

In this episode, I remember time we spent together 'doing fish. I reminisce on hunting endangered newts and I also recall the plaque he made for me and hid in a field for us to 'discover'. Time spent with my dad was valuable, memorable and made me who I am.

I think about my dead dad quite a bit now and it interests me. It is a personal history that is missing bits that I have the interest, means and mental fortitude to investigate where previously I haven't.

What do you ask wonderwoman about dead dads? Whatever you like…

I speak to my marvellous pal Cynthia Wilkinson about her dead dad, about her dead husband, about what she thinks happens when we die and about how her husband came to be my surrogate dad.

She is a wildly successful half of a business duo that reformed the bespoke kitchen and furniture industry. She lives in a house that even your dreams can't conjure up and yet, we are in the same club – dead dad club.

Is it sane to talk to a deceased relative? Is it right for them to still feel like they are around? How is Mark Wilkinson the least 'dead' dead person I know? Is it 'normal' to keep a loved one at home for 13 days after they have died?

I speak to councillor, therapist and wizard, Carole Coupe. I thank her for all the help she has given me since I first met her. We speak about our dead parents; Carole tells me how different her experiences with her mum and dad dying were. We speak about the difficult 'welcome' her black, visually impaired father (Carl Buckley) with £5.00 in his pocket received 70 years ago and the rich life he built despite this. This snappy dresser also imparted some sound advice as his parting words to his grandsons.

Carole emphasises the importance of just listening when someone we know turns to us in times of trouble. We both agree on the importance of saying what you mean to your loved ones before it is not possible any longer.

Wonder what a therapy dog is? We have you covered. This is a podcast I am thrilled I got to make and one I hope you love…

This episode of dead dad podcast is a very swift pointer in a very helpful direction for anyone wanting to get their head around grief and bereavement and dead dads in a helpful and accessible way. The book is 'Grief Works' and the author is Julia Samuel. Get this book, get clued up and marvel at how one person can reduce any point or idea concerning grief to an eminently memorable quip or sentence. Real life experiences of counselling or therapy recipients totally normalise any reaction to grief over any timescale. A truly excellent resource.

This episode of dead dad podcast examines what 6 different religions postulate about death, dying and grief. Victoria Wilkinson and I talk Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, Judaism and the Quaker faith to see what similarities and differences there are between religions and where our own views fit. Karma, reincarnation, judgement, forgiveness, eternal life, eternal nothingness, enlightenment, damnation, heaven, hell, the whole lot. We also talk Harry Potter, keeping a dead dad at home for 2 weeks, snakes, lizards and death-row meals.

This is a swift dead dad podcast that probes some of the opinions, quips, quotes and models surrounding grief.

What is grief to a selection of authors? What models exist to constrain grief as a process? Why do humans feel grief if it is so disruptive?

Learn a little with me and join the taboo conversation without breaking your heart. From C S Lewis to greek philosophers, there is something for everyone in this episode.

A nice quick episode to start the year. This episode focuses on the etymology of the dead dad podcast. In making this podcast I am tangling with ideas, people and thoughts I don't usually tangle with. The least I can do is learn a little about grief, bereavement, death, dads and podcasts. This episode focuses on what relevant words mean and how they fit into the podcast; a quick nugget of learning for the new year.

Jack tells me how his dad was killed on a train in a freak accident. He was 2.75 years old and doesn't remember his dad at all. However, his family on both sides have made sure he feels his Kiwi heritage as well as his Irish Heritage.

We ruminate on how much of 'us' is nature and how much is nurtured. Jack tells me what it is like to only have second hand memories of his father and also what a sterling job his Grandad did of becoming his dad.

We chat about immaturity, about what makes a good dad and also touch on a cursed garage not far from where we live…

A living surrogate father figure, Jerry Gatley chats to me about his dad, my dad and growing up with a violent and alcohol-fond father. His beautiful Wiltshire accent and talent for story telling make this podcast funny and engaging in a way that only he can make possible. I thank him for the time and effort he found to spend on me, we reminisce on good times had and of course, there is a Christmas carol thrown in for good measure.