My Hero Passed Away, Therapy Helped Me Grieve

Losing a father often feels like losing your North Star. In this episode of Dead Dads, Greg Kettner shares the raw reality of life after his hero passed away and how therapy became a vital tool in his journey through grief.

Grief isn't a linear path, and when a person you looked up to is no longer there, the void can feel impossible to fill. Greg joins us to discuss his personal experience and the steps he took toward healing:

- The immediate impact of losing a primary father figure.

- How grief therapy provided a safe space to process the pain.

- Moving from "hero worship" to finding your own inner strength.

- Practical ways to honor a legacy while navigating deep loss.

- Why seeking professional support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

If you’ve lost your hero, you aren't alone. Subscribe to Dead Dads for more honest conversations about healing, resilience, and finding a way forward.

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction: The Reality of Father Loss 

1:52 - Meet Greg Kettner: Comedy & Connection 

5:20 - The Legacy of Sidney Ronald Kettner 

13:20 - The First Stroke: When Your Hero Becomes Mortal 

22:10 - Quality of Life vs. Quantity: End of Life Wishes 

28:45 - Making the Difficult Decision to Let Go 

31:20 - Dad's Last Breath & The Immediate Aftermath 

40:50 - Why Men Should Go to Therapy for Grief 

44:30 - "Am I Doing Grief Right?" 

54:20 - The Power of the Gratitude Text Exercise 

1:04:20 - Closing Thoughts: Work Happy & Healing