When does grief get easier after losing your dad?In this episode of Dead Dads Podcast, Dave Genn of 54-40 talks about grief, mental health, father loss, music, creativity, and what actually happens years after your dad dies.Dave got the honest answer from guys who had already been through grief and loss: the hurt does not really dull. It does not become less painful. But it stops being all day, every day.Dave talks about losing his father, Robert Genn, one of Canada’s most beloved painters and creator of The Painter’s Keys. He shares what it was like to watch his dad face pancreatic cancer, mourn the end of his creative life, and leave behind work that still feels alive.This is a raw, honest, and funny conversation about men and grief, dealing with loss, grief support, the healing journey, music and grief, creativity, legacy, and finding out how much your dad is still with you.🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why Dave says “when you see your father pass, you’re next”What grief feels like after losing your dadHow losing a parent changes your view of mortalityHow Robert Genn faced pancreatic cancer and the end of his creative lifeHow Dave turned grief into music and creativityWhy he rewrote “Crossing a Canyon” after his dad diedHow La Difference came out of grief and lossThe dream where his dad said “everything’s gonna be okay”Why grief does not get less painful, but stops being all day, every dayWhat happened when Dave lost his mom four years laterHow mental health, atheism, and grief support show up after lossWhy mortality is the great leveler👨‍👦 About Dave and his dad, RobertDave Genn is the lead guitarist of 54-40, a Canadian rock band that has been together for more than 40 years.His father, Robert Genn, was a painter, writer, teacher, and creative force. Through The Painter’s Keys, Robert reached artists around the world with reflections on art, work, discipline, and the creative life.In this episode, Dave talks about losing his dad, carrying his influence, and turning grief into art without pretending it fixes anything.It is a conversation about father loss, pancreatic cancer, creativity, music, legacy, grief support for men, and what remains after your dad is gone.Also, yes, there are laughs. Because grief is weird like that. Rude, honestly.⏱️ Episode chapters0:00 – When Dad Passes, You’re Next1:37 – Meet Dave Genn2:02 – Who Robert Genn Was3:44 – Advice, Dreams, and Songs5:25 – Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis6:37 – Final Months at Home9:23 – Turning Grief Into Art11:27 – Aftermath, Work, and Logistics13:09 – Legacy, Paintings, and Mortality15:47 – Counting the Years16:37 – Bandmates and Loss18:08 – Work as Coping19:25 – Crossing a Canyon and La Difference22:33 – Collaboration and Support24:13 – Grief Over Time27:56 – Advice for the Moment28:34 – Nihilism and Apathy30:14 – The Great Leveler32:03 – Atheism and the Afterlife33:19 – Closing and Resources🖤 About Dead DadsDead Dads is a podcast for men figuring out life after losing their dad. Hosted by Roger Nairn and Scott Cunningham, the show features honest conversations about father loss, grief, identity, family, memory, masculinity, and all the strange stuff that happens after your dad dies. No grief brochure voice. No tidy healing arc. Just real conversations for guys who are grieving, remembering, avoiding, laughing, carrying on, or trying to understand what losing a father did to them.You’re not alone.☕ If Dead Dads has helped you feel a little less alone, consider buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/deaddadspodcastFollow Dead Dads:Website: https://www.deaddadspodcast.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deaddadspodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/deaddadspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dead.dads.podcastSubstack: https://substack.com/@deaddadspodcastAnd listen to us here, or wherever you enjoy podcasts:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4WWlXBPzgj151SFYRUZeSB?si=fe005fdf079249b8Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dead-dads-podcast-grief-support-for-men/id1867632438New episodes every week.Dead Dads Podcast is produced with the support of JAR Podcast Solutions, the branded podcast agency that helps organizations build shows people actually want to spend time with. Learn more at https://jarpodcasts.com/