If you are ever in need of a tale full of twists, turns, randomness, and quirky hilarity, this episode is for you. From being in foster care to finding a supportive birth mom community, having a not-so-planned surprise at Disneyland, meeting young widow friends, and being asked to go look at ethical and sustainable diamonds made in the Pacific Northwest, Marilee's story has it all. You'll love this lady and will be riveted by the soap opera that is her life. 

*Check our Patreon for AD FREE Episodes, or to submit tributes of your person to be read in an episode! *http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Sponsored by:

BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn

Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more!
http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Need some Snarky Grief merch?
http://shop.widowwedonow.com

Wanna buy us tacos?
http://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow

Mel has officially been widowed 8 years, some of Anita's kids want a new (alive) dad, grief dreams happen, Broadway and wayyyyyy off Broadway productions happen, and Anita finds herself considering joining the ranks of lighting directors everywhere. The question "would you get married again" also takes this duo down an interesting road of conversation. Join us for our online hangout this Friday - info in the Widow Wives Club under Events.

*Check our Patreon for AD FREE Episodes, or to submit tributes of your person to be read in an episode! *http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Sponsored by:

BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn

Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more!
http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Need some Snarky Grief merch?
http://shop.widowwedonow.com

Wanna buy us tacos?
http://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow

Amber’s husband, a Gulf War veteran, died from adenocarcinoma caused by toxic exposure during his military service. Thirteen months into widowhood, Amber shares the realities of watching illness unfold, raising awareness about the long-term effects of service, and learning how to rebuild life after loss. She's even got some good widow-brain stories, plus a very lovely selection of favorite cheeses.  IYKYK.

*Check our Patreon for AD FREE Episodes, or to submit tributes of your person to be read in an episode! *http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Sponsored by:

BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn

Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more!
http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Need some Snarky Grief merch?
http://shop.widowwedonow.com

Wanna buy us tacos?
http://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow

When 29-year old Skyler woke up one day seventeen months ago, she never would have imagined her world would change so drastically. Later that day, her husband was in a head-on collision while driving his big lowboy trailer, leaving Skyler with a lot of shock, grief, and a 2 year old. With their toddler to raise and a future she never imagined facing alone, she shares with Anita and Mel what it's like to face widowhood. And, if there are any widows in the wild in central Pennsylvania, please find Skyler and hang out!

*Check our Patreon for AD FREE Episodes, or to submit tributes of your person to be read in an episode! *http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Sponsored by:

BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn

Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more!
http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Need some Snarky Grief merch?
http://shop.widowwedonow.com

Wanna buy us tacos?
http://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow

It's Halloween week, and that time of year where listeners write in to tell Anita and Mel of their personal paranormal experiences that have happened to them since their loved ones' passing. You won't want to miss this one!

*Check our Patreon for AD FREE Episodes, or to submit tributes of your person to be read in an episode! *http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Sponsored by:

BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn

Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more!
http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Need some Snarky Grief merch?
http://shop.widowwedonow.com

Wanna buy us tacos?
http://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow

The story of how this interview came to be has something to do with Anita's exercise regimen, Hawaii 5-0, and little bit of woo woo. Meet Scott. Scott and his wife Donna built a life in Hawaii grounded in love, music, and the spirit of aloha. When Donna was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, everything changed — but her optimism, strength, and warmth continued to guide Scott long after she was gone. Join Anita and Mel during Scott’s honest account of loss, healing, and how he is moving through grief. 

In Donna’s honor, Scott created Daisy Fest, a celebration of life, love, and local Hawaiian music that raises funds for pancreatic cancer research and supports local artists.

http://www.daisyfest.org

*Check our Patreon for AD FREE Episodes, or to submit tributes of your person to be read in an episode! *http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Sponsored by:

BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn

Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more!
http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Need some Snarky Grief merch?
http://shop.widowwedonow.com

Wanna buy us tacos?
http://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow

How and what are some of our former guests doing since their original interview? Today's the day to find out! Check out this episode to hear updates from:

Ep. 123 Trent Thompson

Ep. 125 Maya Glasser

Ep. 137 Jo Betz

Ep. 142 Teal Neil

Ep. 143 Connie Remetch

Ep. 157 Holly Wagg

Ep. 159 Michelle Paris

Ep. 163 Audry Henniger

*Check our Patreon for AD FREE Episodes, or to submit tributes of your person to be read in an episode! *http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Sponsored by:

BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn

Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more!
http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Need some Snarky Grief merch?
http://shop.widowwedonow.com

Wanna buy us tacos?
http://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow

In this episode, Anita and Mel sit down with Shirley, a widow navigating life after losing her husband to addiction. She shares the raw challenges of grief, judgment, and anger—and how she’s transforming that pain into purpose.  This fierce lady is on a mission to break the stigma around addiction and create space for South African women to feel seen and supported. With honesty, resilience, and confidence, she reflects on her healing journey and the power of connection in moving forward.

*Check our Patreon for AD FREE Episodes, or to submit tributes of your person to be read in an episode! *http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Sponsored by:

BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn

Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more!
http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Need some Snarky Grief merch?
http://shop.widowwedonow.com

Wanna buy us tacos?
http://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow

Scammers are everywhere these days—and they’re sneeeeaaaakkkky. In this episode, we’re spilling 10 of the biggest signs that something’s off. You know, the romantic “too good to be true” vibes, the weird pressure to act right now, and those messages that just don’t pass the vibe check.

Listen as Anita and Mel share stories, laugh a little at the ridiculousness, and give listeners simple tips to keep yourself (and your people) safe. Once you know the red flags, it’s a whole lot harder for scammers to get past you.

*Check our Patreon for AD FREE Episodes, or to submit tributes of your person to be read in an episode! *http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Sponsored by:

BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn

Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more!
http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Need some Snarky Grief merch?
http://shop.widowwedonow.com

Wanna buy us tacos?
http://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow

Meet our friend Judy.  She became a widow in 2020 after losing her husband, an anthropologist with whom she shared years of adventure, including time living in Brazil. Now an empty nester, Judy has also faced the heartbreaking loss of her newborn granddaughter and other close family members in the years since. Through the grief, she has discovered unexpected signs of connection—like finding pennies at just the right moments—that remind her love endures beyond loss. Judy’s story weaves together resilience, memory, and the ways we carry our loved ones with us no matter where life takes us. 

*Check our Patreon for AD FREE Episodes, or to submit tributes of your person to be read in an episode! *http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Sponsored by:

BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn

Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more!
http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Need some Snarky Grief merch?
http://shop.widowwedonow.com

Wanna buy us tacos?
http://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow