Do you feel like you were widowed too soon? 

I think all of us can agree that there is never enough time. 

This week's podcast guest, Michelle Bader Ebersole, talks with me about being widowed too soon and how her experience through widowhood inspired her to start helping other widows and widowers around the world.  

Michelle is a passionate widow advocate, author, and podcaster. Michelle and I talk about:

 ~Experiencing Widowhood During COVID-19

~The experience of anticipatory grief

~Balancing personal grief with parenting.

~Starting the Widow 2 Soon Podcast

~The inception of her Non-Profit called Widow Goals

~Michelle’s upcoming book “Widow Goals” and its themes.

~Finding Love Again and navigating a long distance relationship (and its benefits!)

You can find Michelle at

https://www.facebook.com/groups/widowed2soon

For help with loneliness, check out the Overcoming Loneliness Workbook at http://widow180.kit.com/loneliness

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 if I start to forget them? What if I forget their laugh, their smell, the quirky things they used to say and do?

This is one of the biggest fears we have as widows. We put so much pressure on ourselves to be the sole record-keeper of our loved one and the life we shared together. It's impossible to remember every detail, and for that, we tend to be hard on ourselves and even feel guilt. 

The fear of forgetting is a natural and normal part of grief AND there are steps you can take to help preserve the memories.

It starts with asking some MEMORY QUESTIONS. These are questions you can ask friends and family to help you with. I encourage you to sit and take some time on this bittersweet exercise to recall the memories you don't want to forget.

Get the list at https://www.widow180.com/memories

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 would you do if you were told your spouse only had 12 months to live? 

Join us this week for an enlightening conversation with Myra McElhaney on Widow 180: The Podcast where she shares her incredible journey of healing and inspiring others after the loss of her husband, Phil to glioblastoma.

Here are some key takeaways from our discussion:

• Finding Joy After Loss: Myra emphasizes that enjoying life and doing good can become a guiding philosophy to reclaim joy and purpose. 
• Revelation: Myra's moment of revelation from a bible verse that resonate with her.
• Navigating Grief's Seasons: For Myra, the first year was tougher than the second, marking a transition from focusing on loss to rebuilding a new life.
• Building a Supportive Network: Myra shared her strategies for rebuilding a social life post-loss, reminding us of the importance of intentional networking for well-being, which can help combat loneliness.
• Her motivation behind writing her book, Building A Life You Love After Losing The Love Of Your Life
• How to combat isolation.
• The benefits of condo living!
• Challenges from downsizing and getting rid of your spouse's things.

Reach Myra at https://recreatingjoy.com/

Struggling with loneliness? Get the Overcoming Loneliness Workbook today and put a stop to loneliness! Get the workbook at https://www.widow180.com/loneliness

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 am so excited to bring you another inspiring new episode of Widow 180: The Podcast featuring the remarkable Kristin Divers Markey, AKA the "Runaway Widow." In this week's episode, Kristin shares her deeply personal journey of navigating life after the sudden tragic loss of her husband, Mike, in 2015. 

👣 Episode Highlights from my chat with Kristin:

1. Coping with Tragedy: Kristin recounts the night of Mike's sudden death and the confusion and heartache that followed. 
2. Seeking Justice: Delve into Kristin's pursuit of justice for Mike's death amid a complex and broken legal system that failed her. Hear how she navigated investigations and the eventual settlement of a civil suit, all while grieving and keeping her full time job as a teacher.
3. Spiritual Connections:  Kristin recounts her visit with a psychic medium that provided her comfort and a sense of connection to Mike, proving the power such experiences can have in the healing process!
4. Adventures in Healing: Kristin took the big, bold step of traveling solo to Thailand on the first anniversary of Mike's passing! Listen as she shares how pushing personal boundaries opened doors to healing, personal growth, and developing an "I can do anything" mindset.
5. Finding Love Again: Learn how Kristin ventured into the world of online dating...yikes! Through the power of the internet, she found new love with her new hubby Pete! You don't want to miss her adorable pick-up line that landed her a date! Her second chapter becomes better and better each day!
6. Runaway Widow Blog & Book: Kristin started documenting her experiences through her blog, "Runaway Widow," and eventually wrote her book, "No Simple Highway". She loves offering guidance and hope to other widows through her writing and blogging! Be sure to check out her website:

runawaywidow.blog

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]

Do you ever feel like you're not "grieving right?" Do you sometimes feel like you take one step forward and two steps back when it comes to grieving? 

Grief is tricky.

Grief is a complex beast. 

I've always found that metaphors are helpful when trying to understand something. So, on today's podcast episode I would like to share a particularly helpful metaphor about the human experience of grief.

Also, did you know that I have a newsletter that I put out each week- and it's totally FREE!

It's really just a weekly note from me with little bites of encouragement, words of wisdom, journal prompts, updates on the latest Widow 180 resources and content. To get the FREE newsletter go to:

 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]

Is it possible to have a full, robust, vibrant life after losing your spouse? YES! Just ask our guest this week on the podcast, Gini Swancy, who lost her husband Mark in 2019. 

Gini has found her way through the depths of grief and managed to move forward into a new and exciting phase of life. She shares how on today's inspiring episode.

Gini and I talk about:

~ PTSD associated with widowhood.

~ Feeling isolated and battling loneliness of COVID 

~ the concept of "rebirth" and how we need to find a new identity after loss

~ adopting a mindset of saying YES to opportunities and social invitations

~ Trusting your gut when it comes to making decisions

~ Important tax implications when selling your home!

~ How making even small changes to your home, like painting a wall, can make a big impact on your comfort level in your environment

~How there should NO GUILT when it comes to your healing path!

You can reach Gini at www.giniswancy.com 

Struggling with loneliness? Put a stop to loneliness today! Grab a copy of the Overcoming Loneliness Workbook at www.widow180.com/loneliness.

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]

"Make new friends, but keep the old" is a saying that means it's important to continue nurturing, or even rekindling, existing friendships while also seeking out new connections in life.

This is especially important advice for widows, as we find ourselves alone again after years of being with our partner. Our friendships and relationships can change. So the value of older friendships becomes more important than ever before.

In this episode, we hear stories of lasting friendship from different widows and how their lives have changed and grown since the loss of their spouse. 

Rekindling old friendships - this is one of the strategies covered in the Overcoming Loneliness Workbook. To find more help and support on the subject of loneliness, check out the workbook at www.widow180.com/loneliness.

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]

Are you feeling stuck in grief? Wondering how you'll be able to move forward after losing your spouse? Our guest on the podcast this week is Lauri Robinson, who lost her husband Pat in December of 2022. Lauri struggled with the loss, but in the throes of widowhood, discovered that a change in perspective and attitude kept her motivated to keep going. 

Lauri and I talk about:

~How she chose to make some big, bold moves and do things out of character for her!

~How she continued to ask herself "What else can I do?" to keep her motivated!

~ How she chose to say "Yes" to new friendships and opportunities

~ How her involvement in her local widow's group has been a game-changer for her healing!

~How she started her business the year after Pat died.

~How she plans and handles BIG occasions, like weddings and holidays.

If you're struggling with loneliness, be sure to check out the latest workbook in the Widow 180 Workbook series called "The Overcoming Loneliness Workbook". Get the download here: https://www.widow180.com/loneliness

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]

Are you dreading Valentine's Day? Do you just want to get this day over with? 

While Valentine's Day may be a romantic celebration for couples, this can be an extremely tough time to be alone for widows. So, what can we do about it?

The best thing is to plan for it. The best thing is to feel more empowered on this day. With the right planning and mindset, you will have a better time coping.

Today we are talking about 25 Ways to make this Valentine's Day a fun and fulfilling occasion-even if you are alone!

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]

After losing her husband to Glioblastoma, Pam Baker knew her life would never be the same. She struggled to find joy in her life again.

Today on the podcast Pam shares how she followed her heart (and some very interesting signs from the universe!) to a new direction, filled with purpose and meaning.

She talks about:

~ Establishing a "caregiver team"

~ Lessons from her grief counselor

~ An unexpected trip to Honduras

~ Her biggest struggle as a soloparent

~Starting "Widows Who Wine" Grief support group

~ Writing her new book AND developing an App for widows, all in the last year!

Pam runs her in-person grief groups in Roswell, GA.

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]