Feeling stuck after loss looks different than most people imagine. You're functioning, checking off your to-do list, and everyone thinks you're doing well. They tell you how strong you are. But inside, you're watching your life happen from the outside, going through the motions without really feeling connected to any of it. This particular kind of stuckness happens when you're past the point of barely surviving but nowhere near thriving. You might feel detached or foggy, not excited about the fu...
Jul 21, 2025•16 min•Ep. 321
There’s an invisible ceiling above you, limiting what you believe is possible for your life after loss. You didn't put it there consciously, you probably can't even see it clearly, but you can feel its weight pressing down on everything you do. This quiet but powerful belief problem shapes your entire future without you even realizing it's there. After losing your person, you put one foot in front of the other and get through the practical stuff. You hold it together for your kids, your job, you...
Jul 14, 2025•10 min•Ep. 320
When Hugo died, people kept assuming I'd be furious at the driver who had meth and alcohol in his system. But the anger just wasn't there - it felt like a tragedy, not a betrayal. The emotions I carried were heavy with sadness and shock, but not the white-hot rage everyone expected. This time around, with my recent breakup and having to sell the house, I'm experiencing wave after wave of intense anger. Maybe you've been caught off guard by unexpected waves of anger, or perhaps you're wondering w...
Jul 07, 2025•14 min•Ep. 319
Black-and-white thinking shows up everywhere in grief - in the harsh judgments we make about ourselves, in the impossible standards we hold ourselves to, and in the rigid rules we create about how healing should look. It's that voice that says you're either doing grief "right" or you're failing completely, with no room for the messy middle ground where most of us actually live. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn a more gentle way of thinking about your grief journey. I show you how to break fr...
Jun 30, 2025•14 min•Ep. 318
In this episode, I'm addressing the productivity pressure that so many widows face - that nagging feeling that you should be doing more, moving faster, or getting back to normal. This isn't just about recognizing the pressure; it's about understanding how deeply our culture has tied our sense of worth to our output. Join me this week to discover how to identify when productivity pressure is affecting your grief process, even when you think you're just being realistic. I share specific questions ...
Jun 23, 2025•11 min•Ep. 317
While cleaning light fixtures in my home, I discovered layers of built-up dirt that had dimmed what were actually crystal-clear glass fixtures. For years, I had accepted the clouded appearance as normal, never questioning if something better lay beneath. This simple household revelation sparked a powerful metaphor for how we often settle into life after loss. I understand firsthand how we can unknowingly plateau in our grief journey. We reach a point where we're functioning and surviving, but no...
Jun 16, 2025•13 min•Ep. 316
As I navigate intense emotions using my regular tapping practice, I've noticed a common pattern that many of us fall into during grief - attempting to smooth over difficult feelings with gratitude. While gratitude is undeniably powerful and beneficial, I've observed how it can sometimes become a way to bypass emotions that need to be felt and processed. Tune in this week to learn how you might be unconsciously using gratitude as a shield against experiencing the full depth of your grief. Get ful...
Jun 09, 2025•12 min•Ep. 315
Living a full and meaningful life after loss isn't about waiting until you feel completely ready - it's about recognizing the subtle signs that you're prepared to take those first steps forward. Many widowed moms find themselves in what I call a "grief plateau." If this is you, it's time to move beyond merely surviving to truly thriving. In this episode, I explore the five key signs that suggest you're more ready than you think to love life again, even if uncertainty and sadness still linger. Ge...
Jun 02, 2025•17 min•Ep. 314
Is true happiness possible without pursuing another romantic relationship? This is a question many widows contemplate privately. In this episode, I break down what it means to build a steady, loving relationship with yourself and how to create genuine fulfillment as a widow. I discuss why rushing into dating from a place of discomfort can lead to settling for less than you deserve, and share practical ways to develop a sense of wholeness that isn't dependent on having a partner. Get full show no...
May 26, 2025•19 min•Ep. 313
In this raw and unfiltered conversation, I sit down with my client Janet Lea who shares her experience of grief after losing her wife of 43 years. Janet's perspective is fresh—she's approaching the one-year mark since Mary Lou's passing—and her insights are both heartbreaking and illuminating. Join us this week as Janet lets us in on the realities of grief—from the unexpected ways it manifests physically to the well-intentioned but unhelpful things people say. Whether you're newly widowed or sup...
May 19, 2025•48 min•Ep. 312
“ Am I doing this wrong?” The question haunts so many of us on our grief journey. We look around at other widows, compare our progress to arbitrary timelines, and wonder if our unique experience somehow means we're failing at grief. In this episode, I tackle the common fear that there's a "right way" to grieve and explain where this anxiety actually comes from. Join me this week as I explore the pressure to grieve according to societal expectations, the common fears of grieving “wrong” or not do...
May 12, 2025•14 min•Ep. 311
Have you ever wondered why grief feels so physical? Why your heart races, your sleep vanishes, and your body aches when you're mourning the loss of someone you love? In this illuminating episode, I welcome back renowned grief researcher Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor to discuss her new book, The Grieving Body , which explores the profound physical impact of grief. Dr. O'Connor explains that grief isn't just emotional—it's deeply embodied. When we lose someone we love, it's like an amputation; part of...
May 05, 2025•45 min•Ep. 310
Are you filling every hour of your day since your partner died? Maybe well-meaning friends have advised you to “just stay busy” or “give it time” as if these are magical solutions to grief. While staying busy can provide temporary relief, it might actually be keeping you stuck in your grief journey without you even realizing it. Staying busy can feel like a way to maintain control when everything else feels unpredictable. But there’s a crucial difference between healthy distraction and avoidance...
Apr 28, 2025•17 min•Ep. 309
What happens when the life you thought was perfect suddenly shatters? In this week's episode, I sit down with Jo Kleinsorge, who lost her high school sweetheart to suicide two years ago. Their life seemed picture-perfect on the surface - financially stable, healthy kids, world travelers, surrounded by great friends. But in an instant, everything changed. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/308...
Apr 21, 2025•54 min•Ep. 308
Do you find yourself trying to control everything in your life since losing your person? If so, I want you to know that this is completely normal, especially after loss. Our need to control often comes from a deep desire to feel safe when our world has been turned upside down. But here's the truth: trying to control what we can't control is exhausting. It's like trying to hold onto sand - the tighter we grip, the more it slips through our fingers. In this episode, I explore why we feel compelled...
Apr 14, 2025•24 min•Ep. 307
Do you look outside at the blooming flowers and singing birds and wonder why you don't feel as bright and cheerful as the season suggests you should? You're not alone. Sometimes spring brings up a very different kind of tension - when everything outside looks light and beautiful, but inside, it feels heavy and tender. Maybe even dark. In this week's episode, I'm getting vulnerable and sharing my own experience with this seasonal disconnect, along with some gentle reminders that I think we all ne...
Apr 07, 2025•19 min•Ep. 306
How often are you pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion? For many widows, juggling work, children, household responsibilities, and grief creates a perfect storm where taking breaks seems impossible. In this episode, I share the warning signs that your body and mind desperately need rest, how to redefine what a "break" actually means, and why making rest non-negotiable is essential for your wellbeing. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista...
Mar 31, 2025•12 min•Ep. 305
Do you ever feel like your grief progress is too slow? That the little things you accomplish each day don't really matter in the grand scheme of things? I'm here to tell you that every small win counts, especially when you're grieving. In this episode, we dive into the power of celebrating small wins and how they can help build momentum and confidence during the grief journey. You'll learn why our brains are wired to focus on the negative and how we can train them to notice and celebrate the pos...
Mar 24, 2025•11 min•Ep. 304
I open up about my own recent experience with secondary loss, feeling the impact of recent plane crashes that involved the same types of aircraft my late husband Hugo used to work on. It's a stark reminder that grief doesn't have an expiration date, and secondary losses can hit us when we least expect them. If you've been struggling with vanishing friends in the wake of your loss, know that you are not alone. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkri...
Mar 17, 2025•16 min•Ep. 303
Letting go can be incredibly challenging after loss. It may feel like a betrayal to release things tied to your partner's memory. However, holding on to what no longer aligns with the life you want to live can come at a high emotional cost. Learn why endings are essential for growth and how to take small steps toward letting go of what feels heavy. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/302...
Mar 10, 2025•15 min•Ep. 302
Emotional eating is incredibly common, especially for those dealing with grief. It's not just about food either - maybe for you it's over drinking, over scrolling, over working, or over shopping. We're going to talk about why we eat our grief, how to understand what's driving this behavior, and a simple shift that can change how you respond to these cravings. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/301...
Mar 03, 2025•16 min•Ep. 301
I want to reflect on what I have learned in the last 100 episodes, building on the lessons I shared back in episode 200. Let's dive into eight powerful lessons that these past 100 episodes have taught me about grief. From understanding that grief isn't something to "get over" to recognizing the resilience within each of us, these insights have the potential to shift your perspective and support you on your journey. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingw...
Feb 24, 2025•12 min•Ep. 300
I share a simple yet powerful mindset shift that can help you navigate your emotions with more ease and less suffering. I explore the difference between struggling and feeling sad. By the end of this episode, you'll have a new perspective on sadness and a tool for creating more space for your feelings. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/299
Feb 17, 2025•10 min•Ep. 299
What if I told you there was a way to reimagine Valentine's Day and make it a meaningful, connecting experience - even in the midst of grief? I explore four pillars of connection that can transform Valentine's Day from a painful reminder of loss to an opportunity for love and belonging. Whether you choose to focus on one, two or all of these pillars, you have the power to make this holiday whatever you need it to be. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachin...
Feb 10, 2025•11 min•Ep. 298
I explore the fascinating concept of post-traumatic growth and how it's available to all of us, including widows. Post-traumatic growth doesn't mean being grateful for your loss or minimizing your pain. It's about intentionally creating more meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in your life after a traumatic event. I share powerful sentences that can help foster post-traumatic growth, the thoughts that can hold you back, and reflective questions to guide you on this journey. Get full show notes, tr...
Feb 03, 2025•17 min•Ep. 297
Have you ever felt stuck in your grief, unsure of how to move forward after losing your husband? I talk with Danielle Fitzpatrick about her journey through grief after losing her husband to pancreatic cancer when she was only 36 years old. Danielle shares openly about the challenges she faced as a young widow and mother, from the numbness and insecurity she felt in the early days of grief to the difficulty of making decisions without her husband. Get full show notes, transcript, and more informa...
Jan 27, 2025•31 min•Ep. 296
If you're doing everything right but still not feeling the happiness you expect, you're not alone. Many widows face this challenge, even after putting in the effort to rebuild their lives. I explore why this happens and offer a powerful tool to help you shift your mindset. By becoming aware of the stories you're telling yourself, you can regain control and start loving life again. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/295...
Jan 20, 2025•16 min•Ep. 295
What if, instead of being in the way of fully living life, grief is actually the way to fully living? I invite you to consider a powerful reframe: grief as a feature, not a bug. By listening to our grief, we open ourselves up to the possibility of post-traumatic growth - making changes that lead us toward a more aligned life, not in spite of what happened, but because of what we do after it happens. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/29...
Jan 13, 2025•12 min•Ep. 294
Do you feel inundated by all the "New Year, New You" messaging right now? What if, instead of trying to fix ourselves, your only job this year was to start selling yourself on your own inherent worthiness? Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/293
Jan 06, 2025•14 min•Ep. 293
The death of a loved one can feel like the end of the game, but it’s important to remember that life doesn’t stop. Learn the concept of Game 1 versus Game 2, and how it can help us reframe our experience of loss and embrace the next chapter of our lives. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/292
Dec 30, 2024•14 min•Ep. 292
