Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Widowed 2 Soon; Advice on Faith, Mental Health, and Dating Again
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Widowed 2 Soon; Advice on Faith, Mental Health, and Dating Again
Based on Podcast App listening data
Widowed 2 Soon; Advice on Faith, Mental Health, and Dating Again episodes
- 209- It’s Okay to Be Okay After Loss with Leah Chrest
In this heartfelt episode of Widowed 2 Soon, Michelle Bader Ebersole sits down with widow and author Leah Chrest to talk about love, loss, faith, and finding joy again after the death of a spouse.
Leah shares her love story with her late husband Brett, including the joy they shared, the challenges of addiction and illness, and the gift of reconciliation before his passing. She opens up about parenting through grief, navigating guilt and “what ifs,” and learning how to honor her husband’s legacy while still moving forward.
Together, Michelle and Leah explore what it means to truly feel grief instead of avoiding it, how faith and the Holy Spirit carried them through the darkest moments, and why joy is not a betrayal of love. Leah also shares her journey to writing her book, It’s Okay to Be Okay, and how grief became a pathway to growth, peace, and new life—including remarriage.
This episode is honest, hope-filled, and deeply relatable for anyone grieving the loss of a spouse or walking alongside someone who is.
Follow Leah's Website
Leah's Book- It's Okay to Be Okay
Click HERE to learn about the Widow Goals Support Program
Click Here to learn more about the upcoming Widow Goals retreat
Click HERE to order Michelle’s book Widow Goals: Steps to Finding Peace When You Lose Your Spouse
Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook
Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook Leader Guide
Click here to be sent an email on the anniversary of your spouse's passing, wedding anniversary, and more
Click HERE to review Widow Goals on Amazon
Book Michelle as a speaker
Go here to see a list of all the areas we have Widow Goals Groups
To join our podcast listener community, send me a message here. Thank you!
Click Here to apply to be a guest on Widowed 2 Soon
Follow Michelle on TikTok
Follow me on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/widowed2soon_/
https://www.instagram.com/widowgoals
See my videos on Youtube
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Email me [email protected]
1 hr 8 min - 208- Letting Go of Guilt and Holiday Check In
In this episode, Michelle Bader Ebersole opens her heart and shares what it’s really like to walk through grief during the holiday season. From the pressure of traditions to the unexpected waves of emotion, Michelle talks honestly about the challenges that so many widows face this time of year. She reflects on her own journey and offers gentle guidance on how to navigate the season with intention, honesty, and grace.
Michelle dives into the importance of checking in with your feelings instead of pushing them down, and why giving yourself permission to rest or step back from certain events can be an act of courage. She also shares practical tools for planning ahead, taking care of yourself, and creating space for both old memories and new traditions.
A big theme of this episode is releasing the guilt that so often follows widows during the holidays—guilt for feeling joy, guilt for changing traditions, or even guilt for simply surviving. Michelle reminds listeners that letting go of guilt is not only freeing, but vital for healing.
You’ll also hear encouragement about rediscovering purpose after loss and how God continues to meet us in both the heaviness and the hope. Michelle highlights the importance of community, connection, and reaching out, especially when the holiday season can feel isolating.
Whether you're newly grieving or years into your journey, this episode offers comfort, perspective, and gentle reminders that you are not alone—and that healing, joy, and purpose are still possible, even in the midst of the holidays.
Click HERE to learn about the Widow Goals Support Program
Click HERE to order Michelle’s book Widow Goals: Steps to Finding Peace When You Lose Your Spouse
Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook
Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook Leader Guide
Click here to be sent an email on the anniversary of your spouse's passing, wedding anniversary, and more
Click HERE to review Widow Goals on Amazon
Book Michelle as a speaker
Go here to see a list of all the areas we have Widow Goals Groups
To join our podcast listener community, send me a message here. Thank you!
Click Here to apply to be a guest on Widowed 2 Soon
Follow Michelle on TikTok
Follow me on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/widowed2soon_/
https://www.instagram.com/widowgoals
See my videos on Youtube
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Email me [email protected]
17 min - 207-Loving Twice, Losing Twice: A Widower’s Path to Healing Again with Michael Chapman
In this heartfelt conversation, widower Michael Chapman shares his powerful journey through love, loss, and healing after losing his first wife, April, to stage-four melanoma. Michael opens up about their beautiful love story, the whirlwind of her diagnosis, and the emotional weight of parenting through a medical crisis. He reflects on the unexpected moments of peace in April’s final days and how anticipatory grief shaped his experience.
Michael also shares how he eventually opened his heart to love again with Cheryl—another courageous woman facing her own cancer battle. Their story brought both hope and heartbreak, and Michael’s honest reflections highlight the complicated layers of healing after multiple losses.
Throughout the episode, he talks about supporting children through grief, rebuilding life after loss, and the importance of community in the healing process. He also discusses how writing became a therapeutic outlet that helped him make sense of his journey.
This episode is a tender reminder that grief is not linear, joy can return, and there truly is grace in the midst of pain.
Check out Michael's book HERE
Click HERE to learn about the Widow Goals Support Program
Click HERE to order Michelle’s book Widow Goals: Steps to Finding Peace When You Lose Your Spouse
Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook
Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook Leader Guide
Click here to be sent an email on the anniversary of your spouse's passing, wedding anniversary, and more
Click HERE to review Widow Goals on Amazon
Book Michelle as a speaker
Go here to see a list of all the areas we have Widow Goals Groups
To join our podcast listener community, send me a message here. Thank you!
Click Here to apply to be a guest on Widowed 2 Soon
Follow Michelle on TikTok
Follow me on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/widowed2soon_/
https://www.instagram.com/widowgoals
See my videos on Youtube
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Email me [email protected]
1 hr 18 min - 206- Riding the Grief Waves and Learning Grounding Techniques
In this episode of Widowed 2 Soon, Michelle Bader Ebersole shares a personal look at Friendsgiving, holiday moments, and the honest ups and downs of grief. She explains why the old “stages of grief” model doesn’t fit real life and introduces the more accurate idea of grief waves—along with simple grounding techniques to help you stay steady when emotions hit hard. Whether you're newly widowed or years into this journey, you’ll find comfort, clarity, and practical support.
What You’ll Learn
How grief shows up in waves, not stages
Grounding tools for overwhelming moments
Encouragement for navigating holidays and anniversaries
Ways churches and communities can better support widows
Real stories from Michelle’s own healing journey
Focus Keyword: Grief Waves
Killer Quote: “What we feel, God can heal.”
If this episode encourages you, share it with someone who needs extra support today.
Click HERE to learn about the Widow Goals Support Program
Click Here to learn more about the upcoming Widow Goals retreat
Click HERE to order Michelle’s book Widow Goals: Steps to Finding Peace When You Lose Your Spouse
Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook
Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook Leader Guide
Click here to be sent an email on the anniversary of your spouse's passing, wedding anniversary, and more
Click HERE to review Widow Goals on Amazon
Book Michelle as a speaker
Go here to see a list of all the areas we have Widow Goals Groups
To join our podcast listener community, send me a message here. Thank you!
Click Here to apply to be a guest on Widowed 2 Soon
Follow Michelle on TikTok
Follow me on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/widowed2soon_/
https://www.instagram.com/widowgoals
See my videos on Youtube
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Email me [email protected]
17 min - 205-Turning Grief Into Legacy: How Danny Lesslie Honors Raffaella’s Story
In this heartfelt episode of Widowed 2 Soon, Michelle Bader Ebersole sits down with widower Danny Lesslie, whose story of love, loss, and rebuilding will stay with you long after the episode ends. Danny opens up about his beautiful relationship with his late wife, Raffaella, their life as partners and parents, and the difficult road they walked together through her cancer journey. He shares honestly about caregiving, anticipatory grief, and what it was like to suddenly navigate life as a single dad to two daughters.
Danny’s vulnerability offers comfort to anyone carrying the weight of widowhood. He talks about the emotional whiplash of relief and heartbreak after a long season of caregiving, the loneliness of parenting without your person, and the complicated mix of family dynamics and everyday logistics that hit after loss. His story reminds listeners that they’re not alone—there is community, faith, and healing to be found, even in the hardest chapters.
He also shares how writing became a lifeline, eventually leading to Thank You, Cancer, a book he co-authored with Raffaella using her own words alongside his. Their joint memoir has become a source of hope for others walking a similar path, showing how storytelling can bring meaning, connection, and light into grief.
Key Themes:
Receiving a life-altering cancer diagnosis as a couple
The shift from caregiver to solo parent after loss
The healing power of vulnerability and online community
Navigating in-laws, family tension, and single-parenting challenges
Finding faith, purpose, and hope through writing and storytelling
If you're widowed, walking with someone who is, or simply searching for a relatable story that speaks honestly about grief and resilience, this episode offers comfort, practical insight, and genuine encouragement.
Buy Danny's book here- US Buyers https://bluehatpublishing.com/products/thank-you-cancer-by-raffaella-dobles-and-danny-lesslie?variant=46742469771500
International Buyers (outside US) - https://mybook.to/ThankYouCancer On Amazon for Kindle- https://a.co/d/6sTYHEl
@MomentumWithDanny - IG
Dannylesslie.co
Click HERE to learn about the Widow Goals Support Program
Click Here to learn more about the upcoming Widow Goals retreat
Click HERE to order Michelle’s book Widow Goals: Steps to Finding Peace When You Lose Your Spouse
Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook
Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook Leader Guide
Click here to be sent an email on the anniversary of your spouse's passing, wedding anniversary, and more
Click HERE to review Widow Goals on Amazon
Book Michelle as a speaker
Go here to see a list of all the areas we have Widow Goals Groups
To join our podcast listener community, send me a message here. Thank you!
Click Here to apply to be a guest on Widowed 2 Soon
Follow Michelle on TikTok
Follow me on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/widowed2soon_/
https://www.instagram.com/widowgoals
See my videos on Youtube
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Email me [email protected]
1 hr 12 min - Has This Podcast Ever Helped You?
Please use this link to vote for my book, Widow Goals.
You can vote until December 1st at 11:59 Eastern!
https://form.jotform.com/253099031102042
Book Title- Widow Goals
Author- Michelle Bader Ebersole
2 min - 204- Battlecry Moms with Debra Mcninch
In this episode, Michelle Bader-Ebersole sits down with Debra McNinch, the heart behind Battle Cry for Moms—a ministry dedicated to supporting mothers who are walking through some of the hardest seasons with their children, including those who are prodigals. Debra opens up about her own journey as a mom navigating her child’s transgender identity and how that experience stretched her faith, reshaped her family dynamics, and deepened her dependence on God.
Their conversation is honest, tender, and full of hope as they talk about the power of community, the necessity of prayer, and the freedom that comes through forgiveness. They also address how the Church can better show up for families facing these complex issues, creating spaces where hurting parents feel seen and supported.
Debra’s passion for equipping other moms shines through as she shares both the heartbreaks and the victories she’s witnessed—and her vision for where her ministry is headed next. This episode is a reminder that even in today’s most challenging parenting moments, you don’t have to walk alone.
Please vote for my book! https://form.jotform.com/253099031102042
Author- Michelle Bader Ebersole, Book- Widow Goals
Dabra's Links
http://www.debramcninch.comhttp://www.battlecrymoms.com
battlecrydads.com
48 min - 203-Empty Nest, Devastating News, and the Six Weeks That Changed Everything with Kim Sorelle
In this heartfelt episode of Widowed 2 Soon, host Michelle Bader Ebersole sits down with inspiring guest Kim Sorelle to share a powerful story of love, loss, faith, and moving forward. Together, they dive deep into the realities of widowhood—exploring the unexpected challenges that come with losing a spouse and the profound ways God meets us in the darkest valleys.
Michelle and Kim open up about their personal journeys through grief, touching on health battles, raising children, navigating friendships that change after loss, and the lifelong process of rediscovering identity and purpose. They also talk about the comfort and strength that comes from community—how connecting with other widows and engaging with the Widowed 2 Soon family can make an overwhelming season feel a little less lonely.
This episode is filled with hope, honesty, and practical wisdom for anyone experiencing loss. You’ll hear about serving others as a pathway toward healing, overcoming isolation, and leaning into God for strength when life feels impossible. If you or someone you love has been widowed too soon—or if you’re searching for faith-filled encouragement along the way—you’ll find inspiration, comfort, and renewed strength in this conversation.
Connect with Kim below
https://gravatar.com/kimsorrelle WEBSITE
https://www.kimsorrelle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKShttps://tiny.one/kimsfacebookpagehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-langlois-sorrelle-11079523/https://www.instagram.com/kimsorrelle/?hl=enhttps://www.youtube.com/@kimsorrellehttps://tiny.one/kimsorrelleyoutube
TV Show link on Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@ksorrelle
AMAZON BOOK LINKShttps://tiny.one/loveisonamazon
https://kimsorrelle.love/cryuntilyoulaughonamazon
Click HERE to learn about the Widow Goals Support Program
Click Here to learn more about the upcoming Widow Goals retreat
Click HERE to order Michelle’s book Widow Goals: Steps to Finding Peace When You Lose Your Spouse
Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook
Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook Leader Guide
Click here to be sent an email on the anniversary of your spouse's passing, wedding anniversary, and more
Click HERE to review Widow Goals on Amazon
Book Michelle as a speaker
Go here to see a list of all the areas we have Widow Goals Groups
To join our podcast listener community, send me a message here. Thank you!
Click Here to apply to be a guest on Widowed 2 Soon
Follow Michelle on TikTok
Follow me on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/widowed2soon_/
https://www.instagram.com/widowgoals
See my videos on Youtube
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Email me [email protected]
1 hr 8 min - 202- Surviving the Holidays After Loss
In this heartfelt episode of Widowed 2 Soon, Michelle Bader Ebersole welcomes listeners into her newly refreshed studio and introduces a more intimate format—one that blends meaningful guest conversations with personal solo updates created specifically for widows and widowers seeking authentic, faith-filled support.
Michelle opens her heart and shares real moments from her own grief journey, including tender holiday memories with her late husband, Luke, and the ways she’s learned to reshape traditions with her family in the years since his passing. She gently addresses the complex emotions that surface around the holidays—grief waves, loneliness, unexpected triggers—and offers practical, hope-filled tools for navigating this season with grace. Listeners will hear guidance on blending old traditions with new ones, creating space for joy without guilt, and allowing themselves to feel whatever rises without judgment.
Whether you’re approaching an anniversary, preparing for a holiday gathering, or simply trying to make it through the day-to-day realities of widowhood, this episode reminds you that you’re not alone. It’s filled with encouragement, practical strategies, and the steady reassurance that healing is possible—especially when you walk this road with faith, compassion, and community.
Click HERE to learn about the Widow Goals Support Program
Click Here to learn more about the upcoming Widow Goals retreat
Click HERE to order Michelle’s book Widow Goals: Steps to Finding Peace When You Lose Your Spouse
Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook
Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook Leader Guide
Click here to be sent an email on the anniversary of your spouse's passing, wedding anniversary, and more
Click HERE to review Widow Goals on Amazon
Book Michelle as a speaker
Go here to see a list of all the areas we have Widow Goals Groups
To join our podcast listener community, send me a message here. Thank you!
Click Here to apply to be a guest on Widowed 2 Soon
Follow Michelle on TikTok
Follow me on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/widowed2soon_/
https://www.instagram.com/widowgoals
See my videos on Youtube
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Email me [email protected]
30 min - 201-From Heartbreak to Hope: Ryane Oakley’s Journey Through Sudden Loss to Purpose
In this heartfelt and empowering episode of Widowed 2 Soon, host Michelle Bader Ebersole is joined by special guest Ryane Oakley, author and international tour manager, for an honest conversation about navigating life after the loss of a spouse. Ryane shares her personal journey—from a loving marriage and the shocking tragedy of her husband’s sudden accidental death to rebuilding life as a widowed mom and single woman.
Listeners will find deep inspiration as Ryane opens up about raw grief, practical coping strategies, and the everyday challenges of widowhood. She shares how she turned pain into purpose by launching her YouTube channel, “Ryane to the Rescue,” where she teaches essential life skills for widows, and by writing her powerful book, Field Guide for Widows: How to Navigate the Journey You Didn’t Choose, designed to guide others through healing and growth.
Throughout the episode, Michelle and Ryane talk about how faith, community, and authentic friendship can become anchors of hope. Whether you’re learning to manage finances, fixing things around the house, or facing emotional hurdles at your child’s events, you’ll find encouragement and practical wisdom here.
This episode offers a comforting reminder that while grief is universal, healing is possible—and none of us are ever truly alone.
Check out Ryane's Resources
Field Guide for Widows book on Amazon:https://amzn.to/4nqAwtu
Ryane to the Rescue on YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/@ryanetotherescue
Ryane Oakley's website for additional resources for widows:https://www.ryaneoakley.com/
Ryane's Spotify playlists:https://open.spotify.com/user/3au3am217kzgvxemmanw5eqyo?si=f78ccf4bfb104e49Click Here to learn more about the upcoming Widow Goals retreat
Click HERE to order Michelle’s book Widow Goals: Steps to Finding Peace When You Lose Your Spouse
Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook
Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook Leader Guide
Click here to be sent an email on the anniversary of your spouse's passing, wedding anniversary, and more
Click HERE to review Widow Goals on Amazon
Book Michelle as a speaker
Go here to see a list of all the areas we have Widow Goals Groups
To join our podcast listener community, send me a message here. Thank you!
Click Here to apply to be a guest on Widowed 2 Soon
Follow Michelle on TikTok
Follow me on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/widowed2soon_/
https://www.instagram.com/widowgoals
See my videos on Youtube
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Email me [email protected]
1 hr 54 min
About Widowed 2 Soon; Advice on Faith, Mental Health, and Dating Again
From the publisher's feed
Through raw stories and practical wisdom, widow Michelle helps others find healing and connection in the widow journey while raising teens.
More shows like Widowed 2 Soon; Advice on Faith, Mental Health, and Dating Again
Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith
1,408 Listeners
The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast
4,803 Listeners
That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs
10,464 Listeners
Thanks For Asking
13,242 Listeners
The Nothing Is Wasted Podcast
1,077 Listeners
Everything Happens with Kate Bowler
5,107 Listeners
The Daily Grace Podcast
3,021 Listeners
The Unfolding
894 Listeners
The Widowed Mom Podcast
689 Listeners
Widow 180 The Podcast with Jen Zwinck
86 Listeners
The Widow Podcast
145 Listeners
Lisa Harper's Back Porch Theology
2,707 Listeners
You, Me & Mike
6,002 Listeners
The Mel Robbins Podcast
19,009 Listeners
Jesus People Podcast
391 Listeners