It's a short episode. After last week's three-hour marathon, you deserve a little bit of a break!

Give this a listen and hear about what's going on right now and what's coming up in the near future.

Please continue to spread the word about this show. Grief is something that impacts everyone we know and everyone we don't know. Together, we can change the world. And even if we don't change the entire world, changing one person's world is the best place to start.

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Joe and Tara Petito, dad and bonus mom of Gabby Petito, join Nick for a deeply personal and unexpectedly lighthearted in-person conversation. They reflect on parenting, marriage, love, and the enduring impact of Gabby's life. The interview blends emotion, honesty, and laughter, with powerful moments of connection, humor, and vulnerability.

They also discuss the upcoming Gabby Petito Foundation events — including the New York Mets fundraiser at Citi Field on September 19th, and the Run For The Angels 5K in Blue Point, NY on September 20th. Nick shares his own pledge to walk a 5K every day until race day to raise awareness about domestic violence — and how listeners can join or support the effort.

There’s also a little chaos, a lot of laughter, and some talk of an apron-only cooking channel. Yes, really. This episode is heartfelt, fun, and unlike any other. If you’ve followed Gabby’s story or been impacted by grief, this one will stay with you.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

GPF - www.gabbypetitofoundation.org

Run With The Angels 5k Registration - www.gabbypetitofoundation.org/events

Gabby Petito Foundation Night with the NY Mets - https://www.gofevo.com/event/Gabbypetito2

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This week, longtime podcast supporter and Nick's close friend Lisa Spychalski courageously shares the story of a lifetime marked by profound and layered loss. From the death of her mother at just eight years old, through reconnecting with an estranged father only to lose him again during her teenage years, to enduring the sudden and tragic death of her sister in a devastating car accident, Lisa reveals the emotional complexities that shaped her childhood and adulthood.

Lisa offers a candid exploration of family estrangement, unresolved trauma, and the long-lasting impact grief can have on personal identity and relationships. She reflects on the challenges of processing such overwhelming loss while managing the chaos of everyday life, highlighting the role of therapy and the healing power found in humor and human connection.

This episode is a raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful conversation about resilience — a reminder that grief is not linear, that healing can coexist with heartache, and that the bonds we carry with those we’ve lost continue to shape us in unexpected ways.

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Former nurse and certified death doula Kacie Gikonyo shares the story of how caregiving from a young age led her to a career focused on end-of-life care and support. After years working in long-term care and witnessing the challenges and heartbreak of death on the front lines — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic — Kacie chose to become a death doula. She now trains others worldwide through her online Death Doula School. 

Kacie opens up about the emotional toll of witnessing lonely, unplanned deaths, the gaps in the healthcare system’s approach to dying, and the ways in which death doulas restore humanity and dignity to this final chapter. She also discusses the importance of grief education, advance directives, and compassionate presence for patients and their families.

This conversation invites listeners into a vital, often overlooked part of the grief journey and offers hope that through intentional care and presence, death can be transformed into a more meaningful and peaceful experience for all.

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Dorothy Graham O’Dell lost her father, Don in 2021 after years of chronic pain and a fierce cancer fight, then became power‑of‑attorney for her grandmother, who died earlier this year. Layered grief could have sidelined her, but instead she launched the Unstoppable Overcomers show, wrote two resilience‑driven books, and founded a charity golf event that now fuels patient‑care grants.

In this episode, Nick and Dorothy explore the tightrope of caregiving, the guilt of anticipatory grief, and the stubborn joy that can bloom in hospital hallways. Dorothy recounts 4 a.m. drives for pain treatments, the gratitude of hearing her dad’s laugh on her wedding day, and the way dementia reshaped her bond with her grandmother.

They also dig into purpose: why Veterans’ mental health advocacy fuels Dorothy’s work, how fundraising can keep a loved one’s name alive, and why a simple podcast rating can save a stranger in the dark. Expect candor, laughter, and a cameo from Bailey’s‑spiked matcha.

4th ANNUAL DON GRAHAM MEMORIAL FUN CLASSIC (AUGUST 9, 2025)

Text: (519) 359-4743

Email: [email protected]

DOROTHY'S LINKS:

UNSTOPPABLE OVERCOMERS PODCAST: https://www.youtube.com/@theunstoppablenetwork

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/dorothy.graham3

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/dorothygrahamodell/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@unstoppableovercomer

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorothyann-graham-o-dell-49943026/

DOROTHY'S BOOKS: 

THE OVERCOMER: FACING CHALLENGES WITH FAITH AND COURAGE: https://www.amazon.ca/Overcomer-Facing-Challenges-Faith-Courage/dp/B08VLQ91WM/

THE OVERCOMER PLAYBOOK: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1778081517

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Today, poet and author Cleo Childs shares the layered, emotional story of losing her mother Candace to early-onset Alzheimer’s. Cleo was only 21 when her mom was diagnosed — a time when most people are still figuring out their own path. Instead, she became a caregiver. What followed was a years-long journey through denial, frustration, grace, and grief, as Cleo learned to navigate her mother’s decline while grappling with her own identity.

Through poetry, humor, and reflection, Cleo brings a refreshing honesty to what it means to love and lose someone slowly. She talks about her mom’s quiet strength, her own early misunderstanding of that gentleness, and the eventual clarity that came too late. Cleo also opens up about the perfectionism she inherited, the patience she had to learn, and the guilt that lingers after a loss like this.

This conversation is full of heart — and levity. From anthropomorphic sticker planners to s’mores preferences, Cleo and Nick find space for joy even in the heavy moments. Whether you’re a caregiver, a grieving adult child, or someone who just appreciates a story told with depth and wit, this episode will stay with you long after it ends. 

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In Episode 55, grief writer and speaker Chelsea Ohlemiller joins the podcast to share the story behind Hope and Harsh Realities, her widely followed platform that began after the loss of her mother, Rita, to cancer in 2017. What started as private notes on her phone turned into something far greater — a space for honesty, healing, and connection for anyone grieving a mother.

Chelsea opens up about how her grief affected everything — her identity, her parenting, her marriage — and how writing gave her the voice she didn’t know she needed. Along the way, she and Nick talk about invisible grief, parenting without a parent, and how it feels to carry the weight of a mother-shaped absence. They also swap laughs over cats, dark humor, sticker planners, and second chances in love.

This episode is deeply human, funny in all the right places, and full of hard-earned insight. Whether you’ve lost your mother, are navigating a new identity after loss, or just want to feel less alone in your grief — Chelsea’s voice will meet you right where you are.

CHELSEA'S LINKS:

Website: www.hopeandharshrealities.com

Facebook: @hopeandharshrealities

Instagram: @hopeandharshrealities

TikTok: @chelseaohlemiller

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Michelle Rix joins Nick Gaylord for a deeply personal conversation about grief, love, and the long road back from devastating loss. In 2018, Michelle’s daughter Paizlee was stillborn at 38 weeks — a tragedy that was followed by the death of her father, a man she adored. These back-to-back losses sent her into a spiral of grief, trauma, and addiction, leaving her to rebuild not only her emotional world but her entire sense of identity.

With striking honesty, Michelle shares what it felt like to grieve a child she never got to raise, and the guilt that haunted her in the years after. She talks about the breakdown of her marriage, her complicated relationship with religion, and the terrifying moment she realized she could no longer live in survival mode. Through therapy, writing, and the unwavering support of her family, Michelle found a way to begin again — slowly, painfully, but with purpose.

This episode is about grief that doesn’t let up — and the courage it takes to keep going anyway. Michelle’s story will resonate with anyone who has faced unbearable loss, and it’s a testament to what becomes possible when we allow ourselves to feel, to fall apart, and ultimately, to heal.

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This week, Our Dead Dads Podcast takes you behind the scenes of the Gabby Petito Foundation’s “Change the World” charity golf event — a day filled with heart, hope, and a mission rooted in love. Host Nick Gaylord was there in person, capturing conversations, moments, and the energy of a powerful gathering dedicated to remembering Gabby and helping families in crisis. 

Rather than a traditional interview, this episode features a series of on-site conversations with voices from across the foundation’s community. From Nichole and Jim Schmidt to Joe and Tara Petito, and the many people working behind the scenes, you'll hear firsthand how this team is turning unimaginable grief into real, tangible impact. 

Whether you’ve followed the foundation’s work or are hearing about it for the first time, this episode puts you right in the heart of the action. It’s a celebration of connection, awareness, and the lasting power of love. And for anyone touched by loss — this one’s for you. 

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Devan Christian-Vermeer is a therapist, a grief specialist, and a daughter who lived through the heartbreak of her father’s cancer diagnosis — and the unexpected twist of his remission. In this episode, she opens up about the experience of anticipatory grief, and how it shaped her both personally and professionally.

As she navigated her own journey, Devan developed the Compassionate Care Method — a structured yet deeply human approach to helping families connect, preserve memories, and honor their loved ones before they’re gone. Her work is grounded in presence, preparation, and the power of legacy.

This conversation is rich, thoughtful, and quietly transformative. It’s for anyone walking through caregiving, complicated emotions, or the long shadow of loss. Devan’s voice is a guide, and her message is clear: it’s not too early to show up with love.

DEVAN'S LINKS:

Counseling Links

Website: https://devanceciliacounselling.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devanceciliacounselling
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devanceciliacounselling/

Coaching Links

Free Resources: https://payhip.com/DevanCeciliaCoaching
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DevanChristianVermeer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devanceciliacoaching/

Affiliate Links

Turning Hearts: https://turninghearts.com/?sca_ref=4794529.fqmjqOOEgz
Lifebooks: https://lifebooks.io/ --> USE CODE: LifebooksDevan

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