So, how does grief in widowhood change over time?Surprisingly, it does.We call these “grief shifts." Grief shifts happen in subtle ways. It changes shape every time you do.It moves. It breathes. It circles back.Sometimes it softens. Sometimes it explodes.Sometimes you’re healing and hurting at the exact same time.And THAT is the part you are not prepared for. You don’t get over grief. You move through it — and it moves through you. Think of grief like the weather. You can’t stop the storm, but you can learn to read the forecast.Some days it’s a drizzle—you can still function. Other days, it’s a hurricane—you cancel everything.Then there are calm, sunny days where you almost forget the storm ever happened… until thunder rumbles again.Every shift tells you something about where you are now. But get ready, because it could change at any moment.If you're shaking your head yes at all of these things, you don't want to miss this episode.#grief #griefjourney #griefsupport #widow #widowhood #podcast #thedeadtruth #thedeadtruthpodcast

When Stephanie's husband died unexpectedly, she found herself navigating grief, loss, and the complicated reality of a relationship that wasn't always easy.In this powerful conversation, Stephanie shares her journey through widowhood, the challenges of loving someone struggling with mental health issues, the importance of trusting your intuition, and the lessons she learned about standing up for herself, seeking help, and telling the whole truth about her experience.This episode is not about judging the past.It's about understanding it.It's about healing.It's about self-trust.And it's about the courage it takes to stop questioning your own voice.Whether you're grieving a loss, navigating a difficult relationship, rebuilding after heartbreak, or simply learning to trust yourself again, this conversation offers honesty, hope, and an important reminder: You know more than you think you do.#grief #griefjourney #griefsupport #widow #widowhood #podcast #thedeadtruth #thedeadtruthpodcast

I think one of the biggest shocks after loss… is realizing how lonely grief actually is. Not just physically lonely. Emotionally lonely.

Because grief changes the way you experience the world.

In this episode, I discuss the loneliness of grief.

The invisible parts.

The isolation.

The disappearing people.

The moments you feel emotionally abandoned.

But I also talk about the unexpected people who show up.

The strangers who become lifelines.

The widows who speak your language before you even finish the sentence.

Because maybe grief is a walk only you can take…but maybe you were never meant to walk it without witnesses.

#grief #griefjourney #griefsupport #widow #widowhood #podcast #thedeadtruth #thedeadtruthpodcast

Grief doesn’t just break your heart; it drains everything you have.And then the world looks at you like… why are you so tired? Why do you feel so exhausted in grief? And not just tired… like deep, bone-level exhaustion. The kind where even small things feel heavy.Because here’s the truth…Grief doesn’t just take your person. It takes your energy. Your focus. Your capacity to handle life the way you used to.And there is no way you can prepare for that part of grief.If you know exactly what I’m talking aboutYou don't want to miss this episode!#grief #griefsupport #griefjourney #widow #widowhood #podcast #selfcare #selfhelp

This episode of The Dead Truth is a powerful conversation with a widow who lost her husband to cancer over 15 years ago.She raised four daughters on her own, never remarried, and has built a life that now includes grandchildren — all while carrying grief that never fully leaves.This is the side of widowhood we don’t talk about enough: 👉 Long-term grief👉 Raising children through loss👉 Identity after loss👉 Life 15–20 years laterIf you’ve ever wondered what life looks like beyond the first year… this episode is for you.Follow @thedeadtruthpodcastAvailable on all podcast platforms#grief #griefjourney #griefsupport #widow #widowhood #widowsupport #cancersucks #podcast #thedeadtruth #thedeadtruthpodcast

What if losing your spouse didn’t just break your heart emotionally… but changed your body in ways no one warned you about? What if grief in widowhood could actually kill you? Because the dead truth is… for widows, there is a real, documented increase in mortality after losing a spouse and no one is talking about it enough. The Widowhood Effect is the very real phenomenon where a surviving spouse—especially in the first 3–6 months—has a significantly higher risk of illness and death. Let that sink in. The Widowhood Effect is the increased probability of a person dying shortly after a spouse has died. It has also been referred to as "dying of a broken heart." You may have heard someone say, 'She died of a broken heart,' after a person passes not long after their spouse has died. It’s not just a saying. It’s a very real thing. If you’ve been functioning, but barely, stay with me. This episode is for you.If you don't know me, I'm Jen. I’m a widow, speaking from lived experience, research, and real conversations. The topics I turn into episodes are my real life experiences with widowhood. If you are a recent widow or have been on your journey for a while, I hope what I speak about resonates with you and helps you feel a little less alone.💜#grief #griefandloss #griefsupport #griefcommunity #widow #widowhood #widowlife #widowhoodeffect #brokenheartsyndrome #grievingwidowsyndrome #podcast #selfcare #thedeadtruth #thedeadtruthpodcast

June is Pride Month - a time often associated with celebration, visibility, community, and love. But what happens when Pride arrives and the person you shared it with is gone?In this Pride Month episode of The Dead Truth, Jen explores the unique challenges LGBTQ+ individuals may face after losing a partner or spouse, including invisible grief, chosen family, end-of-life concerns religious trauma, identity, healing, and continuing bonds. This conversation creates space for love stories that deserve to be honored. Grief doesn't discriminate.Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community or simply want to better understand the many ways grief can show up, this episode is ultimately about something universal: Wanting the person you loved to be remembered. Wanting your grief to be seen. Wanting to know you don't have to carry it alone. Because there is no hierarchy of heartbreak. Because grief doesn't care who you love. And your grief belongs here.💜Follow @TheDeadTruthPodcast for more conversations about grief, widowhood, healing, survival and the truths people are often too uncomfortable to say out loud. #grief #griefjourney #griefsupport #widow #widowhood #loss #bereavement #lgbtq+ #partnerloss #pride #pridemonth #june #identity #chosenfamily #podcast #thedeadtruth #thedeadtruthpodcast

What is one shift that happens when you become a widow that isn’t always talked about? In the “before” of your before and after… you didn’t have to think about everytYour spouse held part of the weight. And now? You’re the one thinking about: Safety, Finances, Emergencies, and “What if” scenarios. Before loss, safety was shared.

But the part you weren't prepared for? It’s the moment you realize, you’re the plan now. You’re the one who must execute everything that needs to be done. It’s the invisible load that is now very visible. It’s the quiet awareness that there isn’t a backup person. It’s in the “no one else is here” moments when something happens and your first instinct is to look for them…and then you remember: it’s just you.

So, here’s a reality check, without fear. As a widow, you must have some kind of preparedness plan. Let’s make this real… and doable together. I have some scenarios with suggestions. These are common scenarios; some are extreme situations and some are normal life moments that could feel very different when you’re the only one there to respond. What is the second shift you'll make once you have preparedness supplies and plans in place? You will start thinking a little differently. You move from “I hope I’ll be okay” in an emergency… to “I’ll make sure I am.” 💜

#grief #griefsupport #griefandloss #widow #widowhood #emergencypreparedness #emergencyprep #safety #podcast #thedeadtruth #thedeadtruthpodcast

Grief teaches you things you never signed up to learn. It changes how you flow through the world and it will change who you are. Not permanently in a bad way…but permanently in a real way.
You stop pretending.
You stop tolerating things that don’t matter.
You stop shrinking yourself to make other people comfortable.
And yes—that version of you might make some people uncomfortable. Let them be uncomfortable. You’ve already lived through worse. Today we'll unpack together "10 Things I Didn't Expect Grief to Teach Me". Things like:How your brain will betray you.How you stop tolerating the nonsense.And, how saying no feels so amazing.I talk about these things, so as you experience them each day, you won't feel alone. It's all normal. Follow The Dead Truth on all podcast platforms and social media @thedeadtruthpodcast 

#grief #griefjourney #griefsupport #widow #widowhood #cupseries #fillmycup #thedeadtruth #thedeadtruthpodcast #podcast

Nobody really teaches us how to honor love while we still have it.Most of us think there will always be more time… more conversations… more ordinary moments. Until suddenly, there isn’t.In this deeply personal episode of The Dead Truth, Jen talks about the painful realization many grieving people carry after loss: “Did I love them well enough?”Together, we unpack:The replay loop grief creates.Why guilt often shows up after loss.The difference between regret and love.How honoring love changes after someone dies.And how we carry the people we love forward… even after they’re gone.This episode is for anyone who has ever wished they could go back and say more, do more, or love louder.The Dead Truth?You may not have known then what you know now.But that does not mean your love was lacking.Sometimes honoring love doesn’t truly begin… until after loss. 💜Follow The Dead Truth on all podcast platforms and social media @thedeadtruthpodcast 💜