Dead Dads

"He Was Just Gone": Blair French on Grief, Sabbaticals, and Remembering Bob | Dead Dads Podcast

In this episode, Scott and Roger sit down with Blair French to discuss the passing of his father, Bob French—a pragmatic accountant and world traveler who died from metastasized melanoma three years ago.Blair shares a candid look at the "success trap." After his father's sudden death during a power outage, Blair initially tried to outwork his grief, only to realize that professional success couldn't fill the void. This led to the life-changing decision to sell his business partnership and take a sabbatical in Canmore to truly process the loss.Learn more about the podcast at: https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/More grief resources are available at: https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/grief-resources-for-men/Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deaddadspodcastFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deaddadspodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deaddadspodcastFollow us on Substack: https://www.substack.com/@deaddadspodcastChapters:00:00 Trust But Verify00:29 Show Disclaimer Banter01:03 Meet Blair French02:16 Comfort Rewatch Rituals04:27 Who Was Bob French07:07 Fix It Or Call Pros08:15 Diagnosis And Metastasis10:40 Keeping Illness Private12:14 Passing At Home15:12 Finding Out And Aftermath16:43 Stuck Away From Home17:40 Family Support Network18:29 Arriving And Taking Charge19:46 Planning A Small Memorial21:43 Travel Memories And Safari23:40 Aftermath And Burnout29:34 Missing His Guidance31:34 Blue Jays And Legacy34:21 Parenting And Time Regrets36:39 Advice And Farewell

Unqualified, But Willing | Dead Dads

Bill Cooper joins the table to share stories of his father, Frank, a British-born radiologist with an adventurous spirit and a questionable approach to home maintenance. From the perils of unlabeled dish soap to the specific comfort of blaring classical music, this episode explores the "unqualified but willing" nature of fatherhood and the quiet resilience found in keeping family traditions alive.Learn more about the podcast at: https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/More grief resources are available at: https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/grief-resources-for-men/Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deaddadspodcastFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deaddadspodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deaddadspodcastFollow us on Substack: https://www.substack.com/@deaddadspodcastChapters:00:00 Why We Talk About Our Dads (and the Not-a-Therapist Disclaimer)00:54 Meet Today’s Guest: Bill Cooper, Fellow Hockey Dad02:30 Quickfire Get-to-Know-You: Music, Comfort Habits & Napping04:05 Fix-It Philosophy: ‘Unqualified but Willing’ Home Repairs05:27 Introducing Frank Cooper: Names, Roots & Moving from England to Canada06:29 Adventurous Spirit & Mischief: Camping Trips and Family Pranks09:39 The Side of Him You Might Not Know: Classical Music at Full Volume10:30 How He Passed: Lewy Body Dementia, Paranoia, and the Final Episode13:32 Saying Goodbye Without Lucidity: The Last Days and a Birthday in Palliative Care15:23 The First Days After He Passed: Who Handles What?16:26 Staying Busy to Cope: Work, the Call, and Keeping It Together18:01 Family Weekend Ceremony: Small Tasks That Help You Grieve18:35 How the Kids Took It: Grandkids, Support, and Showing Emotion19:43 Keeping Frank’s Memory Alive Through Family Meals & Stories20:59 The Classic Camping Story: Dish Soap in the Nasal Spray22:10 What You Inherit After Loss: Laughs, Humming, and Dad’s Traits24:19 Why Grief Looks Different: Resilience, Guilt, and No Rulebook28:05 Mortality & Perspective Shifts: Losing a Job, Watching Your Kids Grow29:13 Advice, What You Miss Most, and Closing the Episode

Our Origin Story | Dead Dads

It's time to answer the question everyone has asked: Why on earth would two guys start a podcast about their dead dads? Join hosts Scott Cunningham and Roger Nairn as they discuss their origin story, the death of their dads, what the loss has meant for each of them, and why they hope that creating a place for men to hear and share stories of their dads might help. Learn more about the podcast at: https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/More grief resources are available at: https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/grief-resources-for-men/Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deaddadspodcastFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deaddadspodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deaddadspodcastFollow us on Substack: https://www.substack.com/@deaddadspodcastChapters: 00:00 Introduction to Dead Dads Podcast00:38 Why We Started This Podcast01:51 Disclaimer: We're Not Professionals02:18 Getting to Know Roger and Scott03:57 Scott's Dad and Medical Assistance in Dying07:46 The Impact of Scott's Dad's Suicide Attempt12:29 Roger's Dad's Battle with Cancer13:37 The Rollercoaster of Health13:50 A Trip to Europe and Decline14:22 Realizing the Severity15:35 The Burden of Care16:57 The Hardest Conversation19:24 Initiating the Process20:16 Facing the First Christmas22:36 Living with Grief26:46 Embracing Grief and Seeking Help27:32 Conclusion and Call to Action

Buying Condoms in Bulk (+ The Power of Positive Thinking) | Dead Dads

Guest Tiff Daniels joins Scott and Roger to honour the memory of his father, George—a lifelong salesman and "Caring Canadian" award recipient who lived by a mantra of self-accountability. The group explores the heavy transition of becoming the family’s new "roof" after a father passes, shifting from the role of the protected to the protector. From the humour of a Costco-sized errand to the complexity of navigating a parent's medical advocacy, this episode is a thoughtful look at how a father's lessons on positivity and community continue to provide shelter long after he's gone.Learn more about the podcast at: https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/More grief resources are available at: https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/grief-resources-for-men/Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deaddadspodcastFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deaddadspodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deaddadspodcastFollow us on Substack: https://www.substack.com/@deaddadspodcastChapters: 00:00 Introduction and Initial Shock00:58 Meet the Hosts and Guest01:19 Tiff's Motivation to Join the Podcast02:17 Tiff's Relationship with His Father03:54 Discussing Tiff's Father's Personality11:55 Tiff's Father's Final Days27:00 Coping with Loss and Family Responsibilities27:44 Reflecting on Parental Influence28:08 Supporting a Grieving Mother29:39 Becoming the Family Patriarch31:35 Living Up to a Father's Legacy33:01 Unexpected Traits and Memories34:29 Handling Grief and Family Memories41:42 The Practicalities of Grief51:34 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Not Being Able to Say Goodbye | Dead Dads

Kevin Barrett joins the podcast to share the story of his father, Rowe, a man who balanced a gregarious public persona with a deep, quiet devotion to his family. From his recurring fascination with a documentary about migrating geese to the steady tradition of 6:00 AM Saturday pancakes with his grandson, we look at the small moments that define a legacy. We explore the internal process of navigating a sudden loss and the profound perspective shift that occurs when you realize that "being strong" is far less important than being present for the people who remain.Learn more about the podcast at: https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/More grief resources are available at: https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/grief-resources-for-men/Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deaddadspodcastFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deaddadspodcastFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deaddadspodcastFollow us on Substack: https://www.substack.com/@deaddadspodcastChapters:00:00 Breaking the Stigma: It's Okay Not to Be Strong00:21 Introducing the Hosts and Their Unique Approach01:04 Welcoming Kevin Barrett: A Personal Connection01:56 Kevin's Journey: Finding Therapy Through Friends04:03 Coping Mechanisms: Music and TV Shows05:42 Reflecting on the Universe and Grief07:38 Remembering Roe Barrett: A Father's Legacy14:11 The Emotional Side of Roe Barrett18:34 Roe Barrett as a Grandfather19:17 Grandfather's Legacy and Memories20:06 A Funny Nighttime Incident20:35 The Passing of RO22:06 Discovering the Loss24:42 Dealing with the Aftermath25:50 Clearing Out and Moving On27:19 The Legal Side of Loss29:07 Grief and Therapy35:51 Support from Friends40:20 Advice for the Grieving43:00 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up