What does life look like when love is intertwined with loss and grief?

Melissa Gallagher shares how her world was turned upside down in 2020, when soon after learning she was pregnant with their third child, her previously healthy husband James was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with cancer at the age of 39.

In the months that followed her young family faced unimaginable adversity trying to navigate pregnancy, cancer treatment and raising young boys in the middle of the pandemic.

Although James fought bravely, he succumbed to his illness on his 40th birthday in July 2021 leaving Melissa and 3 young sons completely devastated.

Over two years on Melissa has gone from wanting to only survive for her boys, to slowly learning to love life again, even if it doesn’t look how she thought it would.

She has worked through her early grief whilst dealing with the demands of a newborn baby and recently qualified as a life coach.

She is currently undertaking further studies, in the hope that she can somehow take her experience and help others by showing them what she has finally started to see is true, the pain remains but only because love does too, and that laughter really does return.

In this interview, we explore:

Resources:

Join my Free Facebook Group ‘Widowed and Rising’ https://www.facebook.com/groups/widowedandrising

My website https://www.karensutton.co.uk/

There is a powerful connection between grief and the physical response that can occur within our body.

In fact, grief can show up in a variety of ways in our body.

Our body is communicating too us and in this episode we explore the impact of grief on our immune system and how to alleviate physical symptoms through self-care practices.

Listen as I talk about:

Resources:

Join my Free Facebook Group ‘Widowed and Rising’ https://www.facebook.com/groups/widowedandrising

My website https://www.karensutton.co.uk/

Grief. It doesn’t follow a linear path. In fact, it can often be unpredictable. There is no making sense of grief. It is a journey of rebuilding life after loss, one day at a time. Explore the importance of acknowledging your feelings, finding support, and rediscovering joy amidst grief's challenges in today’s episode.

Listen as I talk about:

Resources:

https://www.widowretreats.com/widows-choir-grief-and-healing-through-song

Join my Free Facebook Group ‘Widowed and Rising’ https://www.facebook.com/groups/widowedandrising

My website https://www.karensutton.co.uk/

Have you ever wondered how to find purpose and joy again after losing your loved one?

If you've ever felt lost, overwhelmed, or uncertainty about creating a meaningful life after loss, listen as I reveal the path to rediscovering yourself.

Explore practical steps to help you navigate this difficult journey on today’s episode.

Listen as I share:

Resources:

Join my Free Facebook Group ‘Widowed and Rising’ https://www.facebook.com/groups/widowedandrising

My website https://www.karensutton.co.uk/

How do you navigate your way through grief after the loss of a loved one?

Grief is a natural part of the healing and it can be a challenging part of the journey.

Discover how to build a healthy relationship with grief and find ways to express and release the emotions that accompany loss.

Listen as I talk about:

Resources:

Join my Free Facebook Group ‘Widowed and Rising’ https://www.facebook.com/groups/widowedandrising

My website https://www.karensutton.co.uk/

Glimmers, tiny micro moments of joy that offer a sense of calm and inner peace. Did you know that glimmers can be a powerful source of support in your grieving journey?

Join me as I explore what glimmers are, why they matter, and how they can help you navigate through grief.

We will be taking time to notice and appreciate the glimmers as part of your path to healing.

Listen as I talk about:

Resources:

Join my Free Facebook Group ‘Widowed and Rising’ https://www.facebook.com/groups/widowedandrising

My website https://www.karensutton.co.uk/

When we are grieving sometimes we forget to be kind to ourselves.

If we are to become resilient for ourselves and our loved ones, we must first start with nurturing the relationship with yourself.

In this episode, I invite you to slow down, to lie in the stillness and quiet where there is no pressure and no expectation.

Listen as I talk about:

Resources:

Join my Free Facebook Group ‘Widowed and Rising’ https://www.facebook.com/groups/widowedandrising

My website https://www.karensutton.co.uk/

Seven years can feel like a lifetime when you are a widow.

When you lose your life partner, one chapter closes and another chapter opens with new experiences, lots of growth and moments of grieving in between.

Join Karen as she shares her experiences and guidance on navigating through the complex emotions and discoveries that come with widowhood.

Listen as we talk about:

Resources:

Join my Free Facebook Group ‘Widowed and Rising’ https://www.facebook.com/groups/widowedandrising

My website https://www.karensutton.co.uk/

Join Karen for season 3 of The Widow Podcast as she shares the value in receiving support and guidance during widowhood.

From retreats, The Widows Choir to our 12 month programme, Finding Hope in Widowhood, discover what becomes possible when you find your community of support.

Be inspired and discover how you can reclaim the next steps in life through your own personal development journey in finding hope.

In this episode, you will hear:

Resources:

Join my Free Facebook Group ‘Widowed and Rising’ https://www.facebook.com/groups/widowedandrising

My website https://www.karensutton.co.uk/

Join Karen for a recap of the episode’s in season 2 of The Widow Podcast.

There have been so many powerful conversations, insights and stories shared with us through the guest speakers this season.

While we have different experiences, belief systems, upbringings and different people around us, when you bring people together that are going through something similar, magical things happen.

Listen as I discuss:

Resources: