Brave Widow Show

In this episode of the Brave Widow Show, Emily Curtis shares her journey through grief after the sudden death of her husband.  We talk through the challenges of “powering through” grief, the difference between a therapist and coach, and Emily shares her advice for other widows.

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/KCQx_kQ9p1g

Emily is a widow who lost her husband June 2022. She has learned to move forward in her grief with resiliency and has used that resilience to start a Grief Coaching business to help other widows through their grief.

You can find Emily here:

Website: AwakenRenewCoaching.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558129256986

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awaken_renew_grief_coaching

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/awaken-renew-coaching

Sign up for the What's Next Webinar here: https://www.bravewidow.com/next

Emily’s Experience:

I have first-hand insights and lessons learned on grief and mourning through the loss of my father and my husband within the past 12 years. I have also received my Master Grief Coach Certification accredited by CTAA (Complementary Therapists Accredited Association)

I hold a Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University and have spent most of my career (20+ years) in senior leadership positions, within both large publicly traded companies and small start-ups. I have completed many leadership and emotional intelligence courses, including topics on resiliency, active listening, self-awareness, thriving through change, agility and inclusivity.

I have a passion for coaching and supporting people to be their best self and would be honored to support you in your grief journey to help you discover how to look forward to the future to live a life with joy and meaning.

Jess is a widow who has been navigating life after her abusive spouse passed away eight years ago. 

Jess opens up about her complex journey, from meeting and marrying her husband to enduring years of emotional and verbal abuse, and finally coping with his sudden death from a work accident. 

The episode addresses the nuanced challenges of grieving for someone who was both a significant part of one's life and a source of harm. By sharing her story, Jess aims to offer validation and support to other widows experiencing similar complex and disenfranchised grief. 

The episode concludes with Jess offering advice for those in difficult relationships and navigating life after loss.

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/519SYxceWZ4

Jessica who is from Pennsylvania, is in her 8th year of widowhood, in fact today June 6th is the death anniversary of her husband, Chuck. Jess and Chuck were married 13yrs, together almost 15. Jessica’s journey into widowhood was tragic and sudden. The biggest difference between her journey and most other widow/widowers is that her husband was also narcissistic and emotionally abusive to her. For almost the entire length of their marriage she endured verbal lashings and controlling behavior from the man who was supposed to be her best friend, lover and protector. She wants to spread awareness and bring light to the harsh reality of the RELIEF and the GRIEF when losing a spouse who was abusive. 

Elaine shares her touching journey of grief, resilience, and finding a new normal after the tragic loss of her husband in a helicopter crash. Elaine discusses the initial shock, the community support she received, and how she's gradually adjusted to life without him while raising her daughters. She offers heartfelt advice for new widows, emphasizing the importance of taking things one day at a time and giving oneself grace.

01:23 Meet Elaine: A Story of Resilience

02:35 Elaine's Background and Family Life

06:15 The Tragic Accident

08:22 Coping with Loss and Immediate Aftermath

12:59 Adjusting to a New Normal

30:33 Support Systems and Community Help

33:04 Advice for New Widows

36:43 Conclusion and Membership Invitation

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/NgQHLZ7ITYU

You can find Elaine here: https://www.ivyrehab.com/location/king-of-prussia-pa-kids/

Shawn Dinneen is a beacon of resilience and positivity. In this episode, Shawn shares her transformative journey through grief after the loss of her fiancé, John, in 2022. This episode is packed with inspiration, practical advice, and hope for anyone navigating the complexities of loss.

**Highlights:**

- **Event Announcement:** Emily announces a week-long back-to-school bash for widows starting on August 19th. There will be live events to help you move forward through grief.

- **Meet Shawn Dinneen:** Shawn shares her personal story of loss and the steps she took towards healing, including joining support groups and starting her own business, Heartstrings Journals. Learn about the powerful impact journaling has had on her journey.

- **Personal Transformation:** Shawn opens up about how her fiancé's death profoundly changed her perspective on life. She talks about adopting a more outgoing, spontaneous approach to life, inspired by her late fiancé.

- **Finding Hope and Healing:** Emily and Shawn discuss the importance of grief support groups, therapy, and journaling in finding a path to healing. Shawn emphasizes that grief and joy can coexist and shares tangible steps she took to build a supportive community.

- **Creating Heartstrings Journals:** Discover the inspiration behind Shawn's business and how her journals are designed to help others navigate their own grief journeys. From serious grief journals to lighthearted, fun ones, there's something for everyone.

- **Embracing a Positive Mindset:** Shawn shares strategies for maintaining a positive outlook and overcoming judgment, highlighting the importance of living a life that's true to oneself despite societal expectations.

**Where to Find Shawn:**

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heart_strings_journals

- Amazon: Search for 'Heartstrings Journals' or 'Shawn Dinneen'

Instagram: @Heart_StringsJournals

TikTok: HeartStringsJournals 

Facebook: HeartStrings Journals

Or at linktr.ee/HeartStringsJournals

00:00 Introduction and Upcoming Event Announcement

01:34 Meet Shawn: A Journey of Loss and Healing

03:02 Shawn's Personal Transformation

09:12 The Power of Journaling

14:17 Building a Support System

17:51 Creating Heartstrings Journals

21:12 Embracing Positivity and Overcoming Judgment

24:36 Conclusion and Where to Find Shawn

25:38 Brave Widow Membership Community

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/fMrgS7mnJ7I

Melissa, a solo mom of three young boys, shares her journey of separation, addiction, grief, and healing. Melissa candidly shares her experience of separating from her husband, who struggled with alcohol addiction, and the subsequent grief she navigated following his unexpected death in 2022 while they were still legally married. 

Throughout the conversation, Melissa provides insight into the complexities of grieving a spouse from whom she was separated, addressing both the support and challenges she faced. She highlights the importance of therapy, open conversations with her children, and the crucial role of a supportive community. 

 Key Takeaways: 1. Navigating the grief of separation and unexpected loss. 2. The role of therapy and open communication in the healing process. 3. Importance and benefits of a supportive community. 4. Resources for widows, including therapy, Grief Share, and Safe Families. 5. Encouragement to join Brave Widow membership for support and connection. 

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/IaSpb0MDam0

Resources

Safe Families: https://safe-families.org/

(This is available in the US and also in a lot of countries all over the world)

Grief Share: https://www.griefshare.org/

(This is available all over the US)

Facebook Group: Extremely Young & Widowed: https://www.facebook.com/share/ENDJbFYEy4eMrtTy/

Facebook Group: Chicagoland Widows and Widowers: https://www.facebook.com/share/a9uTxwYU1sfYa8Wq/

Facebook Group: Widows of Addiction: Safe Zone: https://www.facebook.com/share/XDSkThFhC4HK8y7h/

Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/

(This is available all over the US)

Some Books that were super helpful:

For Young Kids:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400074460/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Kids Grief Journal:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08C7GVXCH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For Adults (any painful experience, not just death):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0718039858/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Devotional:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400239087/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hey hey, I’m Emily Tanner.  I was widowed at age 37, one month shy of our 20 year wedding anniversary.  Nathan and I have four beautiful children together, and my world was turned completely upside down when I lost him.  

Now, I love my life again!  I’m able to experience joy, achieve goals and dreams I thought I’d lost, and rediscover this next version of me.

I did the work.

I invested in coaching for myself.

I learned what I needed to do to move forward and took the steps.

I implemented the tools and strategies that I use for my clients in my coaching program.

This is for you, if:

For 1-1 Coaching: https://www.bravewidow.com/coaching-options

Find and take the next steps to move forward (without “moving on”).

Rebecca, a 46-year-old widow from Western Massachusetts, shares her journey through love, grief, and resilience. Listen in as Rebecca opens up about her life as a clinical social worker and grief counselor, and her relationship with her wife.

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/FrT4zxMKzhs

00:18 One-on-One Coaching vs. Membership Community

01:18 Benefits of the Brave Widow Community

02:34 Personal Coaching Experience

03:37 Introducing Rebecca

03:51 Rebecca's Background and Early Life

05:22 Meeting and Marrying Her Wife

09:36 Life Together and Initial Challenges

11:32 Discovering the Illness

13:09 Coping with the Diagnosis

19:28 The Final Years

27:43 Advice for Caregivers and Widows

32:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

34:14 Join the Brave Widow Community

Remember: you’re not alone. 

1-1 Coaching Support: https://www.bravewidow.com/coaching-options

Brave Widow Community: https://www.bravewidow.com/join

————————

Hey hey, I’m Emily Tanner.  I was widowed at age 37, one month shy of our 20 year wedding anniversary.  Nathan and I have four beautiful children together, and my world was turned completely upside down when I lost him.  

Now, I love my life again!  I’m able to experience joy, achieve goals and dreams I thought I’d lost, and rediscover this next version of me.

I did the work.

I invested in coaching for myself.

I learned what I needed to do to move forward and took the steps.

I implemented the tools and strategies that I use for my clients in my coaching program.

This is for you, if:

For 1-1 Coaching: https://www.bravewidow.com/coaching-options

Find and take the next steps to move forward (without “moving on”).

FOLLOW me on SOCIAL:

Twitter | @brave_widow

Instagram | @brave_widow

Facebook |   / bravewidow  

YouTube | @bravewidow

Don't forget to give this video a thumbs up if it helped you today, subscribe to the channel, hit that notification bell so you don't miss a single question, and if you have any additional questions ask in the comments (I monitor them daily)!

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/FrT4zxMKzhs

#widow #widowed #widowhood #widowlife #widowsofinstagram #widowshelpingwidows #grief #griefcoach #griefshare #griefsucks #griefquotes #griefsupport #griefjourney #griefandloss #griefrecovery #lifecoaching #lifecoach 

In this episode of The Brave Widow Show, host Emily sits down with Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Frank Powers to dive into their journey of finding love after loss. They share personal stories, tips, and insights into navigating the dating world as seniors, as well as advice on dealing with grief, writing compelling dating profiles, and overcoming loneliness.

You can find Dr. Gloria and Dr. Frank here:

WEBSITE: https://www.goldendatingdoctors.com/ and https://www.opentohope.com/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/goldendatingdoctors/ 

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/thegoldendoctors/ 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Dr. Gloria Horsley, Ph.D., is a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical nurse specialist. She is the president and co-founder of the Open to Hope Foundation and co-hosts the award-winning “Open to Hope” TV series and podcast. A former faculty member at the University of Rochester School of Nursing and the Academy of Intuition Medicine, she has co-authored 10 books and written numerous articles. 

She is a member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council and serves on the advisory boards for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and the Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation. Widowed after 60 years of marriage, she has four children, including a deceased son, and 10 grandchildren. She and her partner Dr. Frank Powers mostly split their time between Palo Alto, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona. 

Dr. Frank Powers, Ph.D., has been a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona, for the last 30 years. He served as the chairman of the Psychiatric Security Review Board for the State of Arizona and is a past psychology professor at Scottsdale Community College. He studied sexuality under William H. Masters and Virginia E. Johnson and received advanced training in couples therapy with the Imago Institute of Harvel Hendrix. 

He has published numerous articles on the subjects. A graduate of George Williams College, he holds master’s degrees from Arizona State University and Columbia University and a doctorate in psychology from Union Institute. He is an award-winning sculptor, and in his spare time, he enjoys golf, pickleball and tennis. He has two stepdaughters and one step-grandson from a previous marriage. 

ABOUT OPEN TO HOPE®: Open to Hope® is an international non-profit organization with the mission of helping people find hope after loss. The organization features an online community offering inspirational stories of loss, hope and recovery, as well as an award-winning television talk series, a podcast, books and articles. In parallel with the non-profit, Open to Hope® president and cofounder Dr. Gloria Horsley and her partner Dr. Franks Powers co-wrote Open to Love: The Secrets of Senior Dating. For more information on Open to Hope®, visit https://www.opentohope.com/. 

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/PqBFu6HNriU

00:14 Addressing Common Dating Concerns for Widows

03:29 Introducing Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Frank Powers

03:57 Dr. Gloria and Dr. Frank's Love Story

04:41 Insights on Senior Dating

04:54 Dr. Gloria's Background and Achievements

05:45 Dr. Frank's Background and Achievements

06:37 The Open to Hope Foundation

07:20 Interview with Dr. Gloria and Dr. Frank

08:06 Dr. Gloria's Journey After Loss

14:48 The Importance of a Dating Buddy

15:40 Dr. Frank's Online Dating Experience

18:07 Overcoming Dating Insecurities

23:55 Finding Compatible Partners

24:33 The Role of Dating Buddies

26:13 Online Dating Experiences

29:11 Creating an Effective Dating Profile

30:44 Dealing with Grief and Loss

34:58 Support Systems and Moving Forward

40:11 Final Thoughts and Resources

Navigating Father’s Day as a Widow: Tips, ideas, and Finding Hope 

In this special episode of The Brave Widow Show, I’m sharing an excerpt from a live call within the Brave Widow membership. It’s your sneak peek into our community, complete with replays and worksheets to help you along your journey.

We dive into ideas for getting through Father's Day and keeping your person’s spirit with you.

Also… I share advice on managing complex emotions like complicated grief, conflicting grief, and disenfranchised grief. Whether your loved one was difficult, struggled with addiction, or left you with mixed feelings, this episode is for you.

Watch the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRl5N-0mqpA

Remember: you’re not alone. 

For more support, schedule a call with me by clicking here: https://www.bravewidow.com/coaching-options

Let’s heal and grow together 💪✨

#widow #widowed #widowhood #widowlife #widowsofinstagram #widowshelpingwidows #grief #griefcoach #griefshare #griefsucks #griefquotes #griefsupport #griefjourney #griefandloss #griefrecovery #lifecoaching #lifecoach 

In this milestone 100th episode of the Brave Widow Show, I reflect on the 18-month journey since the show's inception. 

The Brave Widow Show was created to inspire and encourage you, the audience!

From openly talking about my own experiences to sharing the stories of widows just like you, my goal is to show you what’s possible.  

You can do big things.  Scary things.  Hard things.  

You can do things that don’t feel possible.

Even when you don’t know how.

When I started the show, I would often have to pause the recording to wipe away tears.

The audio wasn’t great.

The video wasn’t great.

The thumbnails weren’t great.

But I kept going.

In spite of grief, self-doubt, and a steep learning curve.

In spite of what people might say.

In spite of a desire for perfection.

And you can, too.

00:22 Reflecting on the Journey

00:58 Overcoming Challenges

01:50 Setting the Tone

03:12 Early Struggles and Growth

09:53 Global Impact

11:13 Membership Evolution

26:25 Future Plans and Personal Achievements

29:04 Testimonials and Encouragement

34:21 Join the Brave Widow Community

In this episode of the Brave Widow show, Emily sits down with Dana Johnson, a Jesus-reliant solo mom who turned her heart-wrenching loss into a journey of faith, resilience, and rebirth. Dana's life was irrevocably changed in June 2021 when unexpected revelations and a tragic suicide shattered her world.

Through her steadfast faith in God, Dana shares how she has been crafting a beautiful life from the thorns of tragedy, mentoring other solo moms to find healing and move forward into freedom.

This episode dives deep into the realities of widowhood—the pain, the process, and the potential for rediscovery and new beginnings. Dana’s story is not just one of survival but of thriving through faith, showcasing how we can find strength and beauty in our most challenging moments.

Join us as Dana offers invaluable insights, hope, and encouragement to widows navigating their paths of grief and renewal.

Dive into this moving discussion and discover how to embrace healing, faith, and the courage to build a life you love after loss. Remember, you're not alone in your journey. For more resources and community support, visit bravewidow.com.

00:00 Introduction to Episode 99

00:12 Brave Widow Community Updates

00:46 Special Sessions for Members

02:31 Meet Dana Johnson

05:14 Dana's Early Life and First Marriage

06:47 Meeting Mario and Building a New Life

07:42 The Revelation and Tragic Loss

16:06 Coping with the Aftermath

24:56 Moving Forward with Faith

33:54 Building a New Life and Helping Others

40:41 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

You can find Dana at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danadaughteroftheking/

Operation Freedom: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclPvdiOpqTRgnHqVAASP7II6hZLSgUuTkdFGOX3GZp6McW8Q/viewform

Dana’s bio:

Dana Johnson is a Jesus-reliant Solo Mama to two beautiful daughters. In June of 2021, her life changed forever. Nine years into what she thought was the perfect marriage, Dana's husband revealed some disturbing events that occurred years prior.  Later that day, while walking, praying, and trying to process it all, God gave her a vision of a blooming cactus flower with a promise that "right now you're in what feels like thorns, but I'm creating beauty - the beauty is coming".

The next day, her husband ended his life with a gunshot wound. In a matter of two days, the beautiful life that she cherished was shattered in every way.

Discover how her full reliance on God during that traumatic time changed her life. Hear the story of how, with God's miraculous provision, she bloomed through thorns, and how she is now mentoring other solo mamas to embrace the healing and move forward into freedom.