Every Widow Thing

Holly shares about a disappointing date with a man who drove a red Porsche. And, no, it wasn't Jake Ryan. ;) After the holidays, it appears that there are more men on the apps, but is the quality better? That remains to be seen. Hear the widows' take on their dating app experiences and dating overall. Keira met her fiancé on Hinge, so maybe there is hope. (We had a few technical difficulties with the microphones. We have addressed it going forward. Thanks for your patience.)

00:00:00 - The Struggles of Young Widows
Discussion on societal expectations for young widows and the impact on their lives.

00:00:26 - Sound Issues Acknowledgment
Introduction and acknowledgment of sound issues in the episode.

00:00:40 - Coping with Widowhood
Conversations about coping mechanisms and the ongoing journey of widowhood.

00:01:13 - Dating Apps and Experiences
Discussion on the influx of people on dating apps in January and personal experiences with them.

00:01:39 - First Date Experience
Details of a first date at Jeffrey's and the expectations versus reality.

00:02:14 - Date Dynamics
Exploration of the conversation dynamics during the date and the focus on the male perspective.

00:03:48 - Revelation of Widowhood
The challenge of discussing widowhood during the date and the missed opportunities for connection.

00:05:14 - Post-Date Reflections
Reactions and feelings after the date, including disappointment and frustration.

00:08:07 - Communication After the Date
Discussion on the importance of closing off communication after a date and the common rudeness in dating.

00:09:44 - Dating Etiquette
Conversations about how to handle dating situations and the importance of being upfront.

00:10:56 - The Numbers Game in Dating
Discussion on the idea that dating can be a numbers game and the importance of experience.

00:12:11 - The Challenge of Grieving
Exploration of the complexities of dating while grieving and the emotional toll it takes.

00:14:10 - Past Relationships
Reflections on past relationships and the challenges of finding a meaningful connection.

00:15:46 - Navigating New Relationships
Discussion on the difficulties of dating someone who is also a widower and the complexities involved.

00:16:22 - Experiences with Arrogant Dates
Sharing of experiences with arrogant dates and the impact of their behavior.

00:18:04 - Listener Questions on Dating
Addressing listener questions about dating and the challenges of blending families.

00:20:20 - Setting Boundaries in Dating
Discussion on the importance of setting boundaries when dating someone with children.

00:21:14 - Honesty in Dating Conversations
The significance of being honest about intentions and desires in dating.

00:23:39 - Talking to Kids About Dating
Sharing experiences on how to approach the topic of dating with children.

00:25:02 - Keeping Kids Out of the Loop
Discussion on the decision to keep children unaware of dating until it becomes serious.

00:27:30 - The Complexity of Blending Families
Exploration of the challenges faced when blending families and the impact of ex-partners.

00:30:25 - Reflections on Past Relationships
Reflections on the emotional challenges of past relationships and the importance of healing.

00:32:14 - The Journey of Healing
Discussion on the ongoing journey of healing and the complexities of moving forward.

00:35:17 - Future Dating Outlook
Conversations about future dating plans and the desire for meaningful connections.

00:36:40 - Community and Support
Encouragement to join the community for support and shared experiences among widows and widowers.

The widows come back from a holiday party to share some wisdom on the holidays, dating, and more.

"It's the most wonderful time to be widowed. NOT"

Topics discussed:

-How the holiday funk has changed over the years

-Taking a break from widowhood

-How Whitney gets dating advice from a reality show called Later Daters

-Is it stealing or sharing when you share your grief with those who are grieving?

-Advice from our present selves to our past selves

Join our insider's group on FB to connect with other widows and widowers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/523215036841828

Follow us on social media

https://www.instagram.com/everywidowthing/

https://www.facebook.com/everywidowthing

Whitney and Holly do an impromptu recording to discuss holiday cards, a Later Daters obsession and Whitney's boyfriend.

In part 2, Lacey, Keira, and Whitney continue their conversation about EMDR therapy with Katie Cummings, a renowned trauma therapist with advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Katie discusses the different techniques used in an EMDR session, such as tapping and buzzers, and explains how triggers and targets are an important part of the process.

Katie gives listeners tips on what to look for when choosing a therapist and how EMDR can specifically help people who have suffered loss.

https://www.katiecummingslpc.com/

Find us on Instagram and Facebook.

Join our Every Widow Thing Insiders Facebook group to connect with other widows and widowers.

What is EMDR? How does it work? Who does it help? On this episode Lacey, Keira and Whitney speak to EMDR specialist Katie Cummings. Katie is a renowned trauma therapist with advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a powerful approach to healing trauma.

In Part 1, you will observe Katie facilitating an EMDR session with Lacey to address her aviophobia (fear of flying.)

Keira will also discuss her profound experience with Emotion Efficacy Therapy (EET). A variety of therapeutic approaches can be effective in treating trauma, and EMDR is a proven method.

https://www.katiecummingslpc.com/

Find us on Facebook and Instagram.

Join our Every Widow Thing Insiders Facebook group to connect with other widows and widowers.

There's a new term for empty nesting! Holly and Whitney talk about their experience with "Free Birding" it now that their youngest kids have gone to college.

Whitney shares a helicopter parent fail story and both widows discuss how grief plays a part in this new chapter.

In the second half of the episode, the widows share tips on how to find your people. Do you think sitting at the bar in a restaurant is a good or bad idea? Holly just won't let it go.

Check out the new Facebook page Every Widow Thing Insiders and connect with other widows. https://www.facebook.com/groups/523215036841828

During this period of transition, the widows anticipate a less consistent release schedule for episodes. Feel free to connect with us on Instagram and or Facebook.

Survive and thrive!

www.everywidowthing.com

Many times during the recordings, the widows go off topic and it has to be cut from the final edit. Lucky for you, that creates bonus episodes! Listen in as Lacey, Keira, Whitney and Holly dicuss their experiences of cremation vs funeral. There is also a discussion of how kids want mommy to have another person. You may be shocked by what you hear! A perfect example of when trauma meets humor.

www.everywidowthing.com

Today EWT speaks with 19-time triathlon competitor and Austin fitness guru, David Garza. A year ago, David and the love of his life broke up, but a friendship remained.

Listen in as David shares his personal story of loss and gives insight into how exercise can help you move through grief, and that there are also gifts in grief.

This episode is brought to you by Roger Brooks and his team at Strategic Investment Management. As an Austin-based fiduciary financial advisory firm, Roger and his team bring decades of experience and empathy to help people regain financial control through life's ups and downs so you can move forward with confidence. www.strategicim.com.

Have you ever wondered what it's really like to navigate the complex world of widowhood? Behind the façade of resilience, many widows are keeping secrets. In this raw and honest episode, real women share their personal stories, revealing the unspoken truths that often accompany grief.  Join us as they share their confessions, revealing the hidden struggles, unexpected joys, and newfound strength that emerge in the aftermath of grief. Discover that you're not alone and find solace in the shared experiences of others.

This episode is brought to you by Roger Brooks and his team at Strategic Investment Management. As an Austin-based fiduciary financial advisory firm, Roger and his team bring decades of experience and empathy to help people regain financial control through life's ups and downs so you can move forward with confidence. www.strategicim.com.

People think about living well, but have you considered dying well? What would it look like if you had it your way? We spend time planning the important moments in our lives- weddings, births of our children, but what about the last moment of your life? Lacey, Keira, Holly and Whitney welcome hospice advocate Arnetta Robinson to the show. They discuss the gift of hospice and how you can create a meaningful experience for yourself or loved one. Spoiler alert: Some plan for everything from roses on the bed to a good looking visitor reading poetry in the room to Whitney playing the ukulele....it's all in the planning.

This episode is brought to you by Roger Brooks and his team at Strategic Investment Management. As an Austin-based fiduciary financial advisory firm, Roger and his team bring decades of experience and empathy to help people regain financial control through life's ups and downs so you can move forward with confidence. www.strategicim.com.