Episode 1.13: Holding Space for Grief with Nick Gaylord

In this episode of ILLUMENATE, host Chris Tidrick sits down with Nick Gaylord, founder and host of the Our Dead Dads podcast. With nearly 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry focused on quality assurance and compliance, Nick spent much of his professional life ensuring the integrity of life-saving medications. Yet, a more personal calling tugged at him—one rooted in pain, introspection, and a desire to connect with others on a human level. After the loss of his father and a period of unemployment, Nick launched a podcast that would give voice to the unspoken and create a safe space for people grappling with grief of all kinds.

Nick shares the origin story of Our Dead Dads, born from a mixture of grief and opportunity. He recounts his own turbulent relationship with his father, the relief and complex emotions that followed his passing, and the transformative power of therapy. Through candid reflection, Nick explains how his show evolved from being solely about paternal loss to encompassing all types of grief—divorce, lost jobs, financial ruin, and even estrangement from living family. By offering guests a space to tell their stories without judgment, Nick is not only helping others heal, but also healing himself in the process.

Throughout their conversation, Chris and Nick delve into the challenges of starting something meaningful amid fear and self-doubt. Nick discusses the fears he had to overcome—particularly around public speaking and self-worth—as well as the surprising intimacy of podcasting that builds trust between host and guest. He emphasizes the importance of male friendships, authentic communication, and accountability as foundations for emotional resilience. With humor and raw honesty, Nick brings to light the emotional labor involved in holding space for others and the sacred trust that guests place in him.

Nick’s mission is clear: to change the world one damaged soul at a time. As he shares his hopes for the future and the lessons he's learned about forgiveness, identity, and personal growth, listeners are reminded that grief, while painful, is universal—and processing it openly can be a powerful act of love, healing, and transformation. This episode is not only a testament to Nick’s journey but a call to all of us to embrace our grief and to support others in doing the same.

You can learn more about and connect with this episode’s guest at:

Website: www.ourdeaddads.com
Contact to be a guest: https://www.ourdeaddads.com/be-a-guest

Facebook (personal): https://www.facebook.com/nick.gaylord.50/

Facebook (podcast): https://www.facebook.com/ourdeaddadspod/

Instagram (personal): https://www.instagram.com/nickgphoto_com/

Instagram (podcast): https://www.instagram.com/ourdeaddadspod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourdeaddadspod

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ourdeaddadspod

ILLUMENATE is a podcast that tells the stories of men with good hearts, open minds, and a desire to make the world better for everyone — not just them and theirs. More info: https://illumenate.substack.com/about