Episode notes
When you first lose your baby, it can feel impossible to imagine a time when grief won’t dominate every waking moment. The early days are often raw, overwhelming, and full of uncertainty about how life will ever feel bearable again. In this episode, Matt and Liam take a step back and reflect on their own journeys of grief. They talk openly about how things felt in the beginning – the intensity, the shock, and the misconceptions they had about what grief would look like. They share how their experiences have evolved over the years, what has shifted and softened, and the moments that made them…
Podcast
Dad Still Standing
Liam Preston and Matt Dearsley · Kids & Family · English
Two dads discussing baby loss, coping with life, and working their way through grief. Liam and Matt found there was no support for dads to help them process their grief, prepare for what was to come next, and help them to support their partners. So, they teamed up to create this podcast which provid
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S5 · E3 · 11 Aug 2026 · 52 min
Having Difficult Conversations
Across five seasons of Dad Still Standing, much of Matt and Liam’s advice for resolving issues in any relationship - whether with a partner, family member, friend or colleague - has come down to one thing: have a conversation. But what they haven’t talked about is how to have those difficult conversations. In this episode, Matt and Liam put that right. They spell out the practical tips and advice that can help when raising a sensitive subject, navigating strong emotions and saying what needs to be said. They discuss how to prepare, how to listen properly, what to avoid and how to keep a…
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S5 · E2 · 1 Jul 2026 · 39 min
Compassion Fatigue
In this episode, Matt and Liam talk about compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue is the emotional, physical, and psychological exhaustion caused by prolonged exposure to the suffering and trauma of others. We explore what this can look like when you are trying to support other people through grief, but also what happens when you are the person who needs support and those around you begin to feel overwhelmed. We also talk about how compassion fatigue can show up in relationships, especially when both you and your partner are grieving, struggling, or trying to carry each other through…
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S5 · E1 · 22 May 2026 · 43 min
To Heal or Not To Heal
We’re back for Season 5 of Dad Still Standing, and we’re excited, raring to go, and so pleased to be bringing you our first ever video episode on Spotify and Youtube. In this opening episode, To Heal or Not to Heal, we talk about one of the questions that often sits quietly in the background after loss: how quickly are you supposed to heal? Is it okay if you feel ready to move forward sooner than people expect? Is it okay if years later you still feel like you’re carrying the weight of it every day? And what happens when family, friends, work, or the world around you seem to have their own…
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S4 · E12 · 21 Dec 2025 · 41 min
Christmas time… Mistlewoe and whine!
It’s (almost) Chrrriiiiiistmas!! The dads are here for another festive edition of the podcast. Trying to cover the highs and the lows, the merriment and the sorrow. But overall delving deep into the reminders of a time of year that stirs many emotions for people. If you get past the first 15 minutes of the dads having a bitch and a moan about the elf on a shelf and the past twelve months, there’s some handy tips and advice for getting through the festive season. Matt and Liam also chat about how to show up for others at Christmas even if you don’t feel up to it, and also how to build the…
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S4 · E11 · 29 Nov 2025 · 50 min
Spotlight on Loss with Andy Parsons
This episode we chat to Andy Parsons, who apart from being a top bloke also happens to be married to British #NationalTreasure Becky Adlington. In the episode Matt, Liam and Andy discuss all things baby loss including how the couple grieved after suffering multiple miscarriages; Andy's own journey with grief and being a spokesperson as a bereaved father; and how sport gave him a moment to himself. We touch on the role of counselling and how it provides a space to be open about your own challenges and also as a couple. We go deep on the complexities of miscarriage and the connotations that…
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S4 · E9 · 24 Sep 2025 · 46 min
Grief in Darker Months
As the nights draw in and the days get colder, many people notice their grief feels heavier. In this episode, we talk about how the change in seasons can affect our emotions, whether winter makes grief harder to carry, and why that might be the case. We explore Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the pressure of festive celebrations, and the way darker days can heighten feelings of loneliness or sadness after loss. We also share some of our own experiences of navigating grief in winter, alongside ideas that can bring light and comfort during these months; from small rituals of remembrance to…
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S4 · E8 · 13 Jun 2025 · 55 min
Meet The Midwife: Tommy's Special
This Father’s Day weekend, we’re proud to bring you a special episode in collaboration with Tommy’s , the UK’s leading baby loss charity. Joining us is Juliette Ward , an NHS Rainbow and Pregnancy After Loss Specialist Midwife, who shares her insight from years of supporting families through both heartbreak and hope. We talk about the vital role midwives play in pregnancy – especially those that end in loss – and how Juliette and her colleagues walk alongside parents during the most difficult and complex moments. We also shine a light on the incredible work Tommy’s is doing to improve care,…
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S4 · E7 · 6 Jun 2025 · 50 min
Spotlight on Loss with Rev. Kate Bottley
In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Dad Still Standing , we’re joined by Reverend Kate Bottley – priest, broadcaster, journalist, and familiar face from Channel 4’s Gogglebox and BBC National Radio. Building on our earlier episode about religion and baby loss, this conversation offers a new lens: what it’s like to stand beside grieving parents as the person conducting their child’s funeral. Kate speaks with honesty and warmth about the sacred responsibility of holding space for families at their lowest moments. She shares her reflections on how faith – and doubt – show up in these…
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S4 · E6 · 21 Mar 2025 · 38 min
Religion, Grief, and Baby Loss
Losing a baby can shake everything you believe in - whether you have a strong faith or none at all. In this episode, Liam and Matt talk openly about their beliefs and non-beliefs and what impact they did or didn't have on them following the loss of their children. Liam in particular discusses how his (and his wife's) faith was tested after losing Paloma and how it has changed over time. The dads also explore how religion can be a source of comfort following a bereavement but can also leave you questioning everything you believed. It's safe to say it is an episode the dads have wanted to do…
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S4 · E5 · 3 Mar 2025 · 47 min
Knowing Your Legal Rights
In this episode, we explore the crucial topic of knowing your legal rights after baby loss. Whether it’s understanding bereavement leave entitlements at work, government support, or the challenges of navigating the system, we break down what you need to know. We also discuss the proposed changes to bereavement leave currently being proposed to the UK Parliament—are they enough, and do they truly support grieving parents? Plus, we delve into the complexities of legal entitlements depending on when a loss occurs in pregnancy and why this can be such a difficult issue. Understanding your rights…
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