Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Dead Dads Podcast?

Dead Dads is a podcast and community platform hosted by Roger Nairn and Scott Cunningham, dedicated to helping men navigate grief after losing a father. The show covers everything from the emotional weight of loss to the practical chaos that follows — paperwork marathons, garages full of junk, password-protected iPads, and the grief that blindsides you in a hardware store. It's an honest, conversational show with humor woven in, built for men figuring out life without a dad.

Who hosts the Dead Dads Podcast?

The show is hosted by Roger Nairn and Scott Cunningham, both of whom have personally lost their fathers. They started the podcast because, as Roger put it, 'We couldn't find the conversation we were looking for.' Their shared experience shapes the tone — raw, peer-to-peer, and free of clinical detachment.

What topics does the podcast cover?

Dead Dads covers the full spectrum of losing a dad — the emotional silence, the grief that hits in unexpected places, and the practical realities no one warns you about, like estate paperwork, family heirlooms, and digital passwords. Episodes feature real guest stories alongside the hosts' own reflections. The show's tagline sums it up: 'Death. Jokes. Closure. Not always in that order.'

Is this podcast only for men?

The primary audience is men who have lost their fathers and are working through what that means for their lives. The show is designed as a peer-to-peer space for men, since grief resources tailored specifically to that experience are rare. That said, anyone navigating father-loss may find the conversations relatable and worthwhile.

How is Dead Dads different from traditional grief resources?

Dead Dads deliberately rejects the polished, clinical approach of most grief content. Instead of prescriptive advice or forced optimism, it offers honest storytelling, occasional dark humor, and the kind of conversation most people avoid. It's built on shared experience, not expertise — a peer support dynamic rather than a therapeutic one.

Where can I listen to the Dead Dads Podcast?

Dead Dads is available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, PocketCasts, Castbox, PlayerFM, and Podchaser. You can find your preferred platform via the show's website at https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/.

Is the Dead Dads Podcast on Spotify?

Yes, you can listen on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/4WWlXBPzgj151SFYRUZySB. The full back catalog is available there, and new episodes are added as they're released.

Is the Dead Dads Podcast on Apple Podcasts?

Yes, the show is on Apple Podcasts at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dead-dads/id1867632438?mt=2&ls=1. You can subscribe there to get new episodes delivered automatically.

Does Dead Dads have a YouTube channel?

Yes, the podcast has a YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@deaddadspodcast. You can subscribe directly at https://www.youtube.com/@deaddadspodcast?sub_confirmation=1 to stay up to date on new content.

Can I browse episodes by topic?

Yes, the Dead Dads website allows you to browse episodes by topic or category, making it easy to find conversations relevant to where you are in your grief journey. Visit https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/ to explore.

Can I share my own story or leave a message about my dad?

Yes, the Dead Dads website includes a 'Leave a message about your dad' feature where you can share your experience. The platform is built around the idea that real stories — including yours — are what make the community meaningful.

How do I suggest a guest for the podcast?

You can suggest a guest directly on the website. The show is looking for real people with real stories about losing their dad — not PR pitches or polished bios. The guest suggestion form collects details like the person's name, their relationship with their dad, the date their dad passed, and one memorable moment. Submit at https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/.

Can I leave a review for the podcast?

Yes, the website has a dedicated 'Rate the podcast' feature where you can leave a star rating (1–5), an optional title, your name, and a written review. Listener reviews are published at https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/reviews/ and individual reviews even have shareable links.

Where can I follow Dead Dads on social media?

You can follow the show on Instagram at @deaddadspodcast (https://www.instagram.com/deaddadspodcast/), TikTok at @DDadsPod (https://www.tiktok.com/@DDadsPod), YouTube at @deaddadspodcast, and Substack at @deaddadspodcast (https://substack.com/@deaddadspodcast).

What kind of tone should I expect from the show?

Expect honesty over polish — the show is raw, conversational, and unfiltered. Humor shows up, including the dark kind, because that's often how real people actually cope. If you're looking for a clinical breakdown of the stages of grief, this probably isn't your show. If you want to hear people talk about loss the way you actually think about it, you're in the right place.

Are there real listener stories featured on the show?

Yes, the show features guest episodes with real people sharing their personal experiences of losing a father. Episodes like 'He Got the Call… and Had to Tell His Family His Dad Was Dead' (featuring John Abreu) and 'If You're a Guy Who Lost His Dad… Listen to This' (featuring Greg Kettner) are examples of the kind of honest, real-world stories the show is built on.

What have listeners said about the podcast?

Listeners have described the show as filling a gap they didn't know existed. One 5-star reviewer wrote that it 'touches on things that we as guys either don't discuss or are afraid to discuss.' Another listener, Eiman A., said: 'I felt some pain relief' after engaging with the show — noting it gave him a space for the type of pain he usually bottles up and keeps to himself.

Is the podcast free to listen to?

Yes, the Dead Dads Podcast is available for free on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, iHeartRadio, and more. There are no paywalls to access the episodes.

Does Dead Dads have a blog?

Yes, the podcast has a blog at https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/blog/ with written posts exploring themes related to grief, loss, and the experience of losing a father. Posts include 'What was my dad?' and 'Why did we start Dead Dads?', both published in January 2026.

Where can I read the hosts' thoughts on why they started the podcast?

Roger Nairn and Scott Cunningham wrote about the origins of Dead Dads in a blog post titled 'Why did we start Dead Dads?' published on January 9, 2026, available at https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/blog/why-did-we-start-dead-dads/. The short answer: they couldn't find the conversation they were looking for after losing their own dads.

Is there a Substack for the podcast?

Yes, Dead Dads has a Substack presence at https://substack.com/@deaddadspodcast where additional written content is published. It's another way to stay connected to the show and community beyond the audio episodes.