What do you do with the clothes still hanging in his closet? 

The shoes that seem to multiply the moment you try to pack them away?! 

In this raw, unfiltered Widow 180 roundtable, four guests — three widows and a widower — open up about one of the hardest, least-talked-about parts of loss: deciding what to do with a spouse's belongings.

Lindsay Lawrence, Sarah Fox, Likisha Lefever, and psychologist Stephen Taylor share their timelines, triggers, and hard-won strategies — from turning t-shirts into memory bears, to donating shoes to strangers in need, to the surprising guilt that can surface over something as small as a comforter or an empty cologne bottle.

They talk honestly about outside pressure and unsolicited opinions from family. As Lindsay puts it: "Until you are walking in my shoes, I really don't need to hear your opinion anymore." 

And Stephen offers a piece of wisdom that reframes the whole conversation: "If you don't do something with your grief, your grief is gonna do something to you."

This episode also covers the power of pre-loss conversations, the "widow brain" phenomenon, navigating family traditions around belongings, and two simple questions to help guide any decision:

Will I ever actually use this? and

Where is the right place for it to go?

Whether your loss was sudden or came after years of illness, this conversation offers permission to move at your own pace — because when it comes to grief, there's no right way. There's just your way.

For more support and guidance in widowhood, check out the Widow 180 Workbook series at www.widow180.com/workbooks

What stage of widowhood are you in right now? Not sure? Click here to get the specific help you need for where you are right now on this journey. Go to www.widow180.com/stages

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

What happens when widow brain and ADHD collide?

In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Dall — grief-informed neurodivergence specialist, founder of Curveball Press, and widow of four-plus years — to unpack how grief and neurodivergence amplify each other in ways almost no one talks about.

Jennifer opens up about losing her husband to suicide, navigating grief alongside her adult daughter, and the messy, ongoing work of sorting through his belongings (tools, fishing gear, and all). 

We dig into decision fatigue, executive dysfunction, and why "widow fog" hits differently when you're also managing ADHD — plus practical, compassionate strategies for getting through the hardest days, releasing guilt, and rebuilding an identity that's been completely upended.

If you're in the thick of grief and wondering whether you'll ever feel capable again, this conversation is a reminder: you will. One day, one wave, one Netflix episode at a time!

In this episode:

• Grief triggers, "random Tuesdays," and anticipating hard anniversaries
• Widow brain vs. ADHD — how they compound each other
• Practical tools for decision fatigue and overwhelm
• Releasing guilt around big life decisions
• Rebuilding identity after loss
• What "mini survival mode" looks like — and how to get through it again

Connect with Jennifer: adhdholistically.com 

There are 5 stages of healing in widowhood. Not sure which one you're in? Go to www.widow180.com/stages to find out. Get a curated list of resources you need to start healing today!

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

If you're listening to this at 2am because grief won't let you sleep, or three years out wondering why you still don't feel like yourself — this episode is for you!

Forget the 5 stages of grief you've heard about a hundred times. 

In this episode, we are breaking down the 5 stages of healing in widowhood — a framework built specifically for what it actually looks like to lose your spouse and rebuild a life afterward:

1. In the Thick of It — raw, early grief and survival mode
2. Finding Your Footing — small wins and the guilt of feeling capable again
3. Searching for Yourself — the identity work of figuring out who you are now
4. Stepping into Chapter Two — building a new life on purpose, joy and grief coexisting
5. Thriving and Paying It Forward — a new relationship with your loss, and helping others through theirs

These stages aren't a ladder you climb in order, rather, you can move back and forth between them, sometimes in the same week. We walk through what each stage actually feels like, what it looks like from the outside, and exactly what you need in each one.

Whether you're in the fog of week one or years into rebuilding, this episode will help you understand exactly where you are and know that where you're headed is real.

FIND YOUR STAGE: Head to https://www.widow180.com/stages to find your stage and get a personalized list of resources to support you right where you are!

For all Widow 180 Workbooks in the series, go to https://www.widow180.com/workbooks

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

Julie Wright Halbert was a national education attorney, married 22 years, when her husband Jim started losing weight and running a fever — symptoms doctors first mistook for an infection. 

Three weeks later, he was gone.

 In this raw, wide-ranging conversation, Julie shares what it's really like to lose a spouse to a fast-moving, hard-to-diagnose cancer (later identified as cholangiocarcinoma), how she held two teenage sons together while barely holding herself together, and the winding path — through grief therapy, a chance encounter with a life coach in Colorado, a medium session that left her laughing and crying, and healing retreats in Sedona — that led her to become a transformational soul coach, death doula, and author of the forthcoming book Live and Die Awake (releasing November 4, 2026).

This episode isn't just about how Jim died — it's about how Julie learned to live.

In this episode, we chat about:

• The frightening weeks between Jim's first symptoms and his cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis at MD Anderson
• The "angel medevac" flight that got the family home to say goodbye
• Going back to work as an attorney while still in early, acute grief
• The synchronicities — a stranger's conversation, a medium's prediction — that led her to coaching
• How her book Live and Die Awake came together, chapter by chapter, as a healing tool for any kind of loss
• What she looks for first when guiding a new grief client through an identity shift
• Her thoughts on group retreats, Sedona's "vortex energy," and communal healing

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:23 – Jim's first symptoms and the early misdiagnosis
03:30 – The diagnosis: cholangiocarcinoma at MD Anderson
06:07 – The angel medevac flight home
06:43 – Jim passes away, December 6, 2018
07:23 – The raw grief of losing someone in three weeks
11:15 – Returning to work as an attorney while grieving
20:12 – The Colorado synchronicity that led to her life coach
24:20 – How her book Live and Die Awake began taking shape
27:03 – Connecting with medium Tina Powers
34:45 – Founding Rising Phoenix Life coaching
37:03 – Guiding clients through identity shifts after loss
40:27 – Is there a "too soon" for grief transformation?
44:45 – Sedona retreats and communal healing
59:16 – Where to find Julie + closing thoughts

Connect with Julie Wright Halbert:
🌐 Website: risingphoenix.life
📖 Substack: Living and Dying Awake
💼 LinkedIn: Julie Wright Halbert
📧 Email: [email protected]
📚 Book: Live and Die Awake — releasing November 4, 2026

What stage are you on this widow journey? Not sure? Find out at https://www.widow180.com/stages and get the tailored grief support you need.

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

Losing a spouse doesn't just take your partner - it can take your identity, too. In this deeply honest post-interview chat, guest Priya opens up about what it really means to rebuild your life as a widowed mom: the loneliness of making every decision alone, the guilt of not being the same parent you used to be, and the quiet grief of watching your kids adjust to a version of you that's stretched between every role as mom, dad, caregiver, provider.

Priya shares how her work and her children became her anchors when everything else felt uncertain, why surrounding yourself with positive people is non-negotiable after loss, and the moment her own daughter told her therapist that losing her mom's old self was harder than losing her dad. It's a raw look at self-doubt, resilience, and learning to trust yourself again when the person you used to lean on is gone.

If you're a widow struggling with identity loss, solo parenting, or rebuilding confidence after the death of a spouse, this episode will remind you that you're not alone — and that you already know how to make the right decisions for your family.

In this episode:

• Why losing a spouse means losing your built-in "sounding board"
• How grief changes your identity as a parent
• Learning to trust your own decisions again
• Why your social circle often shifts after loss  and why that's okay!
• What kids really feel when a widowed parent changes

Where are you on this widow journey? Not sure?  We have identified 5 common stages of healing, from the thick of early grief to truly thriving again. Wherever you are, there's a name for it, and there are other widows who've been exactly there too. Find your stage and get personalized grief support that meets you exactly where you are at https://www.widow180.com/stages

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

 In this deeply moving episode of Widow 180: The Podcast, occupational therapist, author, and widow Rondalyn Whitney shares the raw story of losing her husband Bill in a sudden car accident during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 She opens up about how she rebuilt her life from "Day Zero" forward. Drawing on her background in narrative medicine and occupational therapy, Rondalyn offers widows practical, evidence-based tools for navigating grief: from journaling techniques backed by research, to reframing mourning as an "occupation" requiring structure, habits, and routines, to finding the courage to rebuild identity after loss. 

She opens up about:

~parenting a grieving teenager

~the power of small rituals

~how she learned to "be her own Bill" and be her own cheerleader

~how she found the courage to step out and do things on her own, like dining out

Whether you're newly widowed or years into your grief journey, this conversation offers both permission to feel and concrete steps toward healing. 

Connect with Rondalyn Whitney at RondalynWhitney.com

She's also on LinkedIn, Facebook, or find her published books and articles on her Amazon author page. 

Join the Widow 180 community for the 60 Days of Summer Healing Quest on YouTube (a video series for widows and widowers) and get your FREE progress tracker here: https://widow180.kit.com/healingquest

Find the newest Widow 180 workbook, the Who Am I Now? Workbook at https://widow180.kit.com/whoaminow

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

I want to offer you some words of encouragement on this Father's Day weekend.

Maybe this is your first Father's Day without your spouse. Or maybe it's the second, or the fifth, and it still feels just as painful as the first.

Whether you choose to celebrate this weekend in some way or you choose to ignore it completely, it's okay. Both decisions are the right decisions if it feels right to you.

Getting through holidays like this one are tough. But you're here and you're doing it. And you're doing so much better than you think!

If you need more support and encouragement this summer, I encourage you to check out the 60 Days of summer Healing Quest!  60 days of short, inspiring YouTube videos to get you through this summer. Go to https://widow180.kit.com/healingquest

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

"When should I take off my wedding ring?"

Most widows face this question at some point after loss.

In this second roundtable discussion episode of Widow 180, three widows—Melissa, Tracy, and Danette—join the conversation to discuss the deeply personal decision of taking off a wedding ring after loss. 

They each share their unique experiences: from moving their rings to different hands, repurposing them into new jewelry, keeping them as special keepsakes for family, to deciding when and how to take this significant step. 

The discussion delves into feelings of guilt, societal expectations, handling others’ opinions, and the importance of doing what feels right for each individual.

 Whether you’re wrestling with this decision yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers comfort, understanding, and practical ideas for navigating the path forward!

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

"Choosing joy and seeking it has made my life truly joyful again... there's still so much life to live." ~Tiffany Rampey

In this inspiring episode of Widow 180: The Podcast, fellow widow and world traveler, Tiffany Rampey joins us to explore how loss can become the catalyst for adventure, healing, and hope!

 Tiffany shares her extraordinary journey through early widowhood, from the sudden loss of her husband in 2020 to packing up her two young children for an epic seven-month, nine-country adventure around the globe. 

We discuss:

~ the therapeutic power of travel 

~the importance of community

~ how Tiffany’s “Widows in the Wild” group is helping women rediscover joy and camaraderie through group adventures!

~dating as a widowed mom!

~her expertise in using points and miles to make travel affordable and accessible for everyone, including practical tips for widows navigating credit card points after the loss of a spouse.

Whether you’re new in grief or looking for inspiration to rewrite your next chapter, and explore the world, this episode is filled with honest reflection, actionable advice, and hope for what’s possible on the other side of pain.

Connect with Tiffany Rampey:

• Instagram: @rebuildingjoy
• YouTube: Rebuilding Joy Travel
• Website and Courses: Rebuilding Joy Travel

To join the 60 Dyas Of Summer Healing Quest, click HERE: https://widow180.kit.com/healingquest

Tune in and let Tiffany’s story remind you: travel and joy are still possible, even after unimaginable loss.

To join our Widow 180 Roundtable Discussions click HERE: https://www.widow180.com/newsletter

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

"I've seen death in the face numerous times. I. I am going to do something going forward that is going to help people in a big way. And so I am. I am. I'm doing it." ~Ksenia Merck

Ksenia Merck joins the show to share her powerful story of love, loss, caregiving, creativity, and renewal. After caring for her elderly mother until her passing and then losing her beloved husband Bill to cancer, Ksenia Merck found herself navigating profound compound grief and the search for healing. Through her journey, she discovered the transformative power of creativity and art.

Listeners will be deeply moved by Ksenia Merck's reflections on “re-lifing” herself. She shares her experience of illustrating and publishing Bill’s unfinished novel "Ghost Flower," and her ongoing mission to build community and help others on the widowhood journey. This episode is full of wisdom, hope, and encouragement for anyone grieving or seeking new purpose after loss.

Key takeaways:

• The traumatic experience of Bill’s sudden illness, ICU stays, and the couple’s recognition of shared PTSD
• The inspiration and healing that came from illustrating and publishing "Ghost Flower," Bill’s final unfinished manuscript
• Finding comfort and connection through creativity, especially in times of grief
• The significance of honoring one’s own grief timeline and resisting outside pressure to “move on”
• Recognizing and appreciating signs from loved ones after their passing, especially through nature
• Trust yourself and your intuition to make the choices that feel right for you on your widowhood journey! You know what's best for YOU!

You can find Ksenia and her book Ghost Flower at https://www.merckiipress.com/ksenia-merck

Struggling with an identity crisis? Many widows find themselves wondering "Who Am I Now?" Get the latest workbook in the Widow 180 Workbook series, The Who Am I Now? Workbook at www.widow180.com/whoaminow 

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]