Death on the Daily Losing my dad at 2 and stepdad at 18: grief taught me to use my pain
What happens when grief finds you young — before you even have words for it?
Jamie Gamache lost his dad to a sudden heart attack at just two years old. Then at 18, his stepdad Keith died in a sudden accident. Jamie joins me (Tanya Wilkinson) today, to share how childhood grief quietly shaped his identity, his creativity, and his drive — and why he believes there are two types of pain: “pain that uses you, and pain that you use.”
We cover:
- Growing up without a father & grieving what you never had
- Why talking about the dead — even joking about them — matters more than we think
- Men, grief & why we share facts instead of feelings
- The film Kindling — and why we need stories that show men being vulnerable
- Why Jamie still can't talk about his mum getting older (and why that's okay)
- Counselling, friendship & how to start the conversation
Quote of the episode: "There's pain that uses you. And there's pain that you use."
Are you journeying with grief?
JOIN GRIEF COCOON, my new monthly virtual support session - a sacred space for grief in busy lives: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-cocoon
DOWNLOAD MY FREE Grief, Grace & Growth journaling ebook: https://tanyawilkinson.co.uk/grief-grace-growth-journal
Disclaimer:
This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Nor is it a substitute for professional support.
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You can connect with Jamie Gamache and his work here:
- Kindling: rent on Amazon or Sky
- Lowkey Films: www.lowkeyfilms.co.uk
- Jamie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-gamache-85470290/
Mental health support resources:
- www.mind.org.uk
- Speak to your GP about local NHS Talking Therapies that are available
The theme music for Death on the Daily is Set Free by Katie Gray, which is used with artist's permission.
You can connect with Katie and her music and work here https://www.katiegray.com.
This podcast is edited by David Strutt, who you can contact here for any editing needs: davidstrutt2@gmail.com
Chapters
00:00: Introduction
02:13: Growing Up with Loss: The Death of Jamie’s Father
03:38: The Sudden Loss of Keith and Its Impact
09:09: Grief as a Catalyst for Independence and Growth
14:44: The Role of Presence and Memory in Healing
18:20: Normalizing Conversations About Death and Grief
21:30: The Power of Storytelling and Shared Humanity
25:01: Challenges in Talking About Death with Family
27:39: Men, Emotions, and Breaking the Silence
33:27: Advice for Grieving Individuals and Support Systems
37:03: The Role of Counselling and Community Support
41:50: Building Deeper Connections Through Vulnerability
46:45: Transforming Pain into Resilience and Growth
48:03: Resources and Final Thoughts