What does year two of widowhood look like? This is a topic that comes up a lot, especially in the first year of widowhood as we anticipate what’s next. That’s why I asked two members of my program, Finding Hope In Widowhood, to share their experiences of their second year in widowhood. In our conversation we unpack the differences between year one and year two, what it looks like and different people's experiences of it, to help you process it, understand it and hopefully fear it less. Listen as...
Jun 12, 2023•1 hr 25 min
Rosie Freeland, the host of The Widowhood Podcast, talks about her journey through becoming a widow and how podcasting has helped her move to share her experience and talk about the challenges and expectations that society puts on those who lose their partner. Rosie tells her story of her husband passing and how she found her way as a single parent with the support of her friends and family. Listen as we discuss: Experiencing hospice and being there for your partner in their final days The diffe...
Jun 05, 2023•47 min
How do we support our children in their grief whilst we are also trying to navigate our own grief? Myriam and Alison, two incredible women in my membership, share their experiences and journey of parenting through grief. They share their stories of how they became a widow and how they managed their own emotions to care for their kids. Listen as we discuss: • How to talk to your children about death • What the first years of widowhood can feel like • The lessons we can learn from our children • H...
May 29, 2023•1 hr 31 min
Sally and Imogen met in a grief support group after both of their mother’s passed suddenly. Through their loss, a silver lining appeared as a beautiful friendship began that bonded them for life. From their experience they launched the podcast, Good Mourning, to help make grief a topic that people talk about authentically. Now they’ve taken the topic of grief to the written page in their book, Good Mourning: Honest Conversations About Grief and Loss. Listen as we discuss: How Sal & Im met an...
May 22, 2023•52 min
When Orla Blackburn’s husband died in 2018 she felt helpless and numbed by the grief. It was in yoga that she began to heal. From her experience Orla Blackburn became a Grief Yoga Guide and Mentor for the widowed to help them find space in body and mind. Her guidance allows others to heal as they discover their own self-belief and self-confidence. Through her experience she also discovered the healing benefits and power of yoga and meditation for children as well. Listen as we discuss: Connectin...
May 15, 2023•57 min
When Carolyn Gould lost her husband in 2019 from a car accident that resulted in serious brain injuries, she became a widow. Carolyn shares her story from the six months leading to her husband’s passing to the PTSD she worked through and the tools she found that got her through each day of her widowhood. Carolyn started the Widow Walk and discovered journaling as an outlet for her grief. She wrote the Widows Walk to help others on their path to healing too. Listen as we discuss: Carolyn’s tools ...
May 08, 2023•40 min
After losing her husband to a brain aneurysm, Marie Alessi has made it her mission to change the narrative of grief. Founder of the Movement, “Loving Life after Loss” Marie has inspired others in processing their loss. Marie is also an author and has shared her experience of moving to Australia, marrying and losing her husband, how she coped and found empowerment throughout her experience. Listen as we discuss: A different perspective on life, love, grief and the choices that are yours to make H...
May 01, 2023•1 hr 5 min
At the age of six, Britta Hochkeppel became aware of vibration, energy and a presence beside her that began her journey into energy and healing. Britta is an author, naturopath, intuitive healer, kinesiologist and holistic therapist. What makes Britta so unique is her approach to providing the possibility of physical, emotional, spiritual restoration and healing for clients who have given up on more traditional methods of medicine. In Britta’s 26 years of practicing energy healing she has helped...
Apr 24, 2023•47 min
How do you find joy in grief? Can two opposing emotions, grief and joy, exist together? In today’s episode I invite you to explore the possibility of thinking about grief from a different perspective. To also look at redefining your joy and how it can change over time. Listen as I talk about: The difference between positive and negative emotions in grief Recognising the bittersweet moments Acknowledging that grief and pain is not the only thing that attaches you to your person Re-writing your de...
Apr 17, 2023•19 min
Did you know that only 16% of 35- to 44-year-olds have a will? Emma Gray returns to the podcast to speak about the importance of setting up our own death admin. Emma is a former will and probate solicitor. The death of her husband, Simon, inspired her to support others to better understand and set up their own death admin as well as the admin of their loved ones after they have passed. Listen as we talk about: Sadmin - the admin that nobody wants to do or talk about Setting up your own will now ...
Apr 10, 2023•46 min
What would life look like to be widowed twice? Clare and Moira are two incredible women in my community who have both been widowed twice. They share their stories of loss, love and the journey of what it’s like to go through widowhood for a second time. Listen as we talk about: How to find love again after the loss of a partner When your children have difficulty accepting your new partner The vulnerability that comes with life after the loss of your person The importance of self-care and self-aw...
Apr 03, 2023•1 hr 20 min
In today’s episode I speak with Emma Gray, former will and probate solicitor. Her husband, Simon, a Royal Marine died of cancer in July 2016 at just 38 years old. Emma’s has had a career change since Simon’s death and has set up Rainbow Hunting to help others through tough times. Listen as we talk about: How to get started with the post death admin (aka sadmin) Understanding the role of the executor of the will Asking for help as you work through your finances The importance of recognising what ...
Mar 27, 2023•1 hr 5 min
In today’s episode I speak with Nina Nannar, media personality and Art editor for ITV News. While Nina’s career flourished her peers did not know of her personal struggle as her husband ’s health declined. Nina shares Steve’s story and his positive outlook on life even though he knew his body was unwell. Listen as we talk about: How Steve supported her in her career and kept her grounded How his positive attitude helped him to enjoy life through the decline of his health Finding the good in any ...
Mar 20, 2023•51 min
There are so many reasons we don't get to say goodbye. Some know their person is going to die but did not have the opportunity to say goodbye. Others find out their person passed unexpectedly. No matter the reason many can relate to not being able to say the things they wanted to say before their person passed. In today’s episode I share the story of when my husband died and how I didn’t get to say goodbye. Listen as I talk about how we can all find our own way to say goodbye even after our pers...
Mar 13, 2023•26 min
Life can take an unexpected turn from one moment to the next. Geraldine Mullan shares her story of love and loss and how she faces each day after the tragic loss of her husband John, son Tomas and daughter Amelia in a car accident in August 2020. Geraldine shares the love that her family brought to each other and how that has helped her navigate her grief after her devastating loss. Listen as we talk about: How she finds the courage to move forward with her life The hardest thing about grief How...
Mar 06, 2023•1 hr 20 min
In today’s episode I am talking with Emily Bingham, a Certified Grief Educator, Grief Coach, widow and founder of moveTHRU. After the loss of Emily’s husband in 2019 she started moveTHRU as a way to give new meaning from her tragedy by helping others to heal. Emily’s mission is to help anyone who has experienced a loss embrace grief through movement, mindset, and by connecting with a community who understands, and find meaning and purpose in life after loss. Listen as we talk about: The decision...
Feb 27, 2023•50 min
In today’s episode I am speaking with Louise Blyth who is a widow, a mum and an author. She wrote a book called Hope is coming. A true story of grief and gratitude. A book that tells the story of the death of her husband, George and the hope she found through the loss and her life after her husband’s passing. Listen as Louise shares : The story of her husband, George and losing his battle with Cancer when he was just 34 years old. Accepting the inevitability of death for you and the person who i...
Feb 20, 2023•59 min
As a widow it can be hard to consider that next chapter in life without your partner. You may be thinking, will I ever be ready or want to date again? In today’s episode I am speaking with Nicky Wake who is the founder of Chapter 2, UK’s only dating app built by widows for widows. Listen as Nicky shares : Her story of dating after the loss of her husband, Andy. The idea behind Chapter 2 and how it has become a safe space for widows and widowers to find like minded people that understand their po...
Feb 13, 2023•32 min
Did you know the stories and beliefs you currently hold may be causing extra suffering? Often we seek validation after the loss of a loved one which leads to people pleasing and a shift in our beliefs. In today’s episode I want to share with you what a limiting belief is and how they impact our lives during widowhood. Listen as I share: How the stories we tell ourselves can become our truth A simple way to identify your limiting beliefs and stories that are not serving you How to write a new sto...
Feb 06, 2023•13 min
Today I want to share with you some hope and the story of one of my clients, Katie Hunt. Katie gave an incredible TedX talk that speaks to widowhood and as she says in her talk, “the future that we envisioned no longer exists”. Although life is going to be very different now it can also still be good. There is still so much to look forward to and so many more wonderful moments for you to experience. Listen as I talk about: How loss can teach us to live Why grief is the catalyst for growth and ch...
Jan 30, 2023•15 min
I want to share with you what grief looks like six years on. How the story we tell ourselves in the beginning stages of grief changes over time to a new story. At first it feels like your world is over and your best days are behind you with your person in your mind with everything you do. Listen as I share with you: My story as I enter my seventh year as a Widow How to grieve and have space for a new partner What it would be like if your person came back into your life today Allowing yourself to...
Jan 23, 2023•33 min
In today’s episode I speak with Stacy Francis, the President and CEO of Francis Financial, who helps women in transition through widowhood. She is a certified grief coach and is talking to us about the financial implications of widowhood. Stacy also shares her own experience with loss and how it has impacted her to help others. Listen as we discuss: Taking inventory of where you're at and what help you need The importance of finding a financial advisor and how to you find the right financial adv...
Jan 16, 2023•46 min
In this episode I want to talk to you about the importance of not allowing your person's death to overshadow their life. In the early stages of grieving we are naturally very focused on the death, this is unavoidable, however, we want to avoid it becoming our focal point for the rest of our lives. Our person lived, they created memories, they taught us so much and they shaped who we are today. Remembering our person for all that they were in life is so healing for us, it helps us take steps forw...
Jan 09, 2023•18 min
It can be incredibly difficult in our grief to care for ourselves. Sometimes it can feel easier to keep busy, distract ourselves and take ourselves away from the pain that we're in. Today, I’d like to invite you to take some time to slow down and think about you. To focus on some breathing & self healing in a guided meditation. Practice this meditation as often as you would like and experience the amazing benefits of self care and self healing. Resources: Join my Free Facebook Group ‘Widowed...
Jan 02, 2023•17 min
In this episode, I want to give you a widow pep talk. I want to give you some words of encouragement to help you see how courageous, inspiring and incredible you are. In our journey through grief, acknowledging the things that we've done since our person has died can be challenging. Some people find this a little easier while others may feel disloyal. It can be hard to acknowledge the things that we're doing and giving ourselves credit for that. Listen as we discuss: Why we can’t compare ourselv...
Dec 26, 2022•16 min
When you’re widowed there will be people in your life who will want to support you in your grief. They’re showing up because they care about you. They may not always know the right thing to say, or do, as what works for one person doesn’t always work for another. Grief is daunting, uncomfortable and scary for so many. Let's not make this worse by expecting them to get it all right all the time. Listen as we discuss: The importance of letting go of the expectation of what people can and cannot sa...
Dec 19, 2022•19 min
Talking about death and dying is as difficult, if not more so, as talking about grief and grieving. It feels deeply uncomfortable for a lot of us and we are unsure of how to have these conversations with our loved ones. I get a lot of messages from people giving end of life care and there’s a real fear of getting it wrong, either by saying too much or not enough. When we think about preparing for death and opening up those conversations it can be helpful to think ‘What would love say’? In today’...
Dec 12, 2022•50 min
Christmas is a difficult time of the year when grieving the loss of a life partner, we feel the heavy weight of expectation and our grief can feel even more invisible than ever. And, as a widow, it is incredibly hard for us to talk about our grief and how we are truly feeling, we fear being a greater burden on everyone else and darkening their Christmas with our sadness. So often, as a result, as we navigate our way through the holidays we can feel incredibly alone with everything that we are th...
Dec 05, 2022•28 min
When those around you tell you you’re being so brave, you're doing so well, we are so proud of you, is your first instinct to say, ‘What choice do I have?’ As a widow the grief we endure often leaves us feeling we have no choice in what we do or feel. In this episode we’ll discuss: How to overcome the opinions of others How to start looking at all the good choices we are making Re-learn a new way of thinking about choices we make in our day to day life A simple way to reframe the words we use in...
Nov 28, 2022•20 min
When will I feel better? This is a question most widows ask after losing a partner. The truth is, no one knows how long grief will last. Some people find peace within months. For others, the journey can take years. We can all agree that nothing can replace your person, but that is not reason enough to lose hope. If you feel like there is no hope in your journey through widowhood, remember your person has died, but your love for them has not. You can continue loving them and honouring them and in...
Nov 21, 2022•24 min
