Welcome to On Death and Smiling, a podcast that explores the complex journey of grief, loss, and healing. I'm Dylan, and after losing my mother at 16 and my brother at 25, I've spent over 15 years sloppily navigating the ups and downs of grief.
In this podcast, we dive into candid, thoughtful conversations about death and mourning—unpacking the emotions we all experience when faced with loss. My personal experiences with grief and a curiosity for the macabre serve as the foundation for open discussions with friends, family, and experts. Together, we'll explore the emotional highs and lows, share insights, and maybe even find some silly gags along the way.
Whether you're looking for comfort, community, or a new perspective on grief, join us as we look death in the face with a smile on ours.
Let's cry, scream, and laugh together.
– Dylan
A insightful and raw conversation between two grievers at very different benchmarks in their grieving path. We talk about strategies for coping and healing, the stickiness of bereavement, and the uniqueness that is inherent in everyone's journey. Thanks for listening.
Love,
Dylan
Interested in some bonus content and early access to episodes all while supporting the podcast?
Patreon Page (https://www.patreon.com/odas)
Music by: Orion Reber // https://leaflight.bandcamp.com/
Email me at odascast@gmail.com to get involved!
Instagram: @ondeathandsmiling
If you are struggling and feel as though you need to seek professional help, please do so. We need you here.
National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
17 Dec 2024
Navigating grief and mourning with Cannon W.
Cannon W. shares his personal experience navigating grief and mourning after losing his dad in 2011, revealing the wisdom and lessons that can emerge from tragedy and transforming his life today.
1 Sept 2024
Sammi R. and Her Father Figure
Yagazoozy, gang!
Today we welcome Sammi into the ODAS club. After her father figure's death back in March of this year, Sammi recounts stories of her dad and the affectionate gibberish that they would speak with another, the hurdles she had to overcome in order to give herself the proper space to grieve, and the imposter syndrome she's been feeling since entering the wonderful world of bereavement.
Thanks again to Sammi for joining me in my studio in the clouds and for being bold enough to join me on our first interview of season 2.
'Til next time!
Love, Dylan
Want some bonus content and early access to episodes? https://www.patreon.com/odas
Music by: Orion Reber // LeafLight https://leaflight.bandcamp.com/
Interested in getting involved? Email me at odascast@gmail.com
Instagram: @ondeathandsmiling
If you are struggling and feel as though you need to seek professional help, please do so. We need you here.
National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
12 Aug 2024
Good Mourning Part 2
Good Mourning(part 2)! The second and final act of our 6 or 7 steps the defeat Grief once and for all (not really).
Thanks for listening.
Part 1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2G0ZZPIdHCa3CK73tgiFgs
Love,
Dylan
Music by: Orion Reber // LeafLight https://leaflight.bandcamp.com/
Interested in getting involved? Email me at odascast@gmail.com
Instagram: @ondeathandsmiling
If you are struggling and my nonsense doesn't help please seek professional help.
National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
12 Aug 2024
Good Mourning Part 1
Good Mourning and welcome back in!
Today we reflect on my experiences with grief and the mourning of my older brother Damien in 2020. Looking back, my path of bereavement has been unique to me but boy howdy, if I haven't learned a lot. Now that we are on the other side (wherever that is), I can attempt to share my story and some of the things that helped along the way and some of the things that didn't.
Love,
Dylan
Part 2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2RPVJXdbqJjXp6cIroEtQK
Music by: Orion Reber // LeafLight https://leaflight.bandcamp.com/
Interested in getting involved? Email me at odascast@gmail.com
Instagram: @ondeathandsmiling
If you are struggling and my nonsense doesn't help please seek professional help.
National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
13 Dec 2020
December, Twenty Funny
A collection of reflections and a spew for you. We talk about a stranger named Vincent, throwing cats in the computer room, and my fantastical anticipation of the year 2021.
Enjoy.
Let's talk soon.
Music: D
Reach Out (I get it): odascast@gmail.com
6 Dec 2020
8. Doris W.
Sweet, special Sunday!
Today I discuss death and spirituality with a stubborn old hussy. We dissect her nearly countless experiences with death, her responses to the tragedy in her life, and her general outlook towards this wild ride.
It is our longest episode to date with many deep dives into what has led our warrior queen to where she is today.
Enjoy!
We'll talk soon.
Reach Out (no pressure): odascast@gmail.com
Music: D
30 Nov 2020
Jesse M.
Mamma Mia Monday!
I got to cozy up by a fire with one of my best boys. We chat about purgatory, heaven and hell, redefining grief, Ghost Grandmas, and horrific spiders. And what a pleasure it was.
Enjoy!
-D
Reach Out (someday): odascast@gmail.com
Music: D
22 Nov 2020
6. Six Months
Marvelous Sunday!
A letter to the ether.
Thanks for listening.
Music: D
Reach Out (I'll wait): odascast@gmail.com
15 Nov 2020
5. NAF's Murtality
Magnificent Sunday!
Welcome in to our first episode featuring a guest! I got to sit down with my best friend of ten years, NAF, to share some stories, inspect the afterlife, and spend some time remembering.
I hope you enjoy your dose of loud guys spewing about death.
Let's talk soon.
Reach Out (why not): odascast@gmail.com
-D
8 Nov 2020
4. Good Morning, God!
Happy Sunday, gang!
On today's episode we do our best to discuss our capabilities: all the good we are capable of as well as all the bad. I attempt to remind you that both sides of the spectrum are potent and the limits on what we can achieve and handle are beyond our imagination.
Enjoy. I hope you can find some power in these words and we can share a smile with one another.
We'll talk soon.
-D
Reach Out (please): odascast@gmail.com
1 Nov 2020
Welcome In.
An introduction.
I hope we can share a smile. Thanks for tuning in.
Music: Crater Lake Break-Up by Gabe Noel
www.gabenoel.com
Reach Out (please): odascast@gmail.com
Love,
D
1 Nov 2020
3. Mictēcacihuātl and Skull Literature
Happy Sunday, gang!
Today we attempt to study some myths, some history, and unravel our own thoughts on some antiquated ideologies. Join me as we connect the dots of an intertwined tale and maybe share some goofs and spoofs along the way.
Thanks for checking in, I hope we can share a smile, and we'll talk soon.
Love,
D
Reach Out (please): odascast@gmail.com
25 Oct 2020
2. Ashes to Ashes, Closet to Shelves
Happy Sunday!
In this episode, we bounce all around, share some beautiful tales of song and dance, attempt to apply reason to the tragedies in our life, and talk extensively about the furniture in my apartment. But we eventually find our way and maybe drive some points home.
Thanks for joining me, I hope we can share a smile, and we'll talk soon.
-D
Reach Out (please): odascast@gmail.com
18 Oct 2020
1. Good Grief, Gang!
Welcome in to On Death and Smiling, the project that's main goal is to change the way we look, think, and most importantly, talk about death. I've endured a lot of suffering, pain, and despair in my life as a result of losing people very close to me.
Join me, as I attempt to highlight the love and silliness that can be found in the midst of mourning through verbose ramblings, candid conversations, and maybe a few goofs along the way. Wading through the treachery that is grief can be challenging, but I've learned that grief can be quite useful, if not vital to making peace with our finite existence. We will explore death and the variety of relationships that we have with it around the world to bring some comfort and shed some light on something that we've long kept in the dark.
I hope to build a community that can discuss the morbid while keeping a smile on our face. I hope you can find some value in our time together and I truly look forward to this blossoming relationship.
Thanks so much.
-D
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
27
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 48 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
58
Social presence
0
YouTube
63
Engagement
32
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