Shortly before this 28 year old mom of a toddler became a widow, her dad died by suicide. She's no stranger to shocking and sudden loss, and the myriad of feelings that accompany life after death. Following her husband's tragic accident while on duty with the Army Reserves, she puts her strength into helping others, and helping herself not fall victim to victim mentality. Check out Amy and what she's doing on IG: @amypaigeking Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online ...
Sep 30, 2024•50 min
When you're a 14 year old whose mom died, then as an adult you become a widower, you might have some perspective on death. Or maybe you are just muddling through, trying to parent your own child and keep them afloat. Either way, TJ Kingsbury has insight into what it's like to be in multiple paradigms. Check out his conversation with Anita and Mel. Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwd...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Amy Pickett-Williams and Anita have something in common that's surprisingly not grief-related. But these small, prickly things are what ultimately led Amy, who is a grief therapist and integrative somatic trauma therapist, on her journey to help the world find tools for healing. The LIGHT Movement (Love in Grief, Held Together) was started by a group of volunteers in the fall of 2023, with the intention to let those grieving know that they are not alone. For resources, volunteer opportunities, t...
Sep 09, 2024•55 min
It's another round of listener submissions with tales of in-laws, outlaws, and everything in between. Join Anita and Mel for the ride! 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 Gri...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Kimmie is rad. Her husband Mike was also rad. But not all situations in marriage are smooth sailing. Between diagnoses of autism, OCD, and ADHD, life could be unpredictable. Add to the mix that Mike suddenly died, and you come out with a lot of complex feelings and situations. Kimmie shares her story of partnership, death, healing, health, parenting a transgender teen, and of course, cheese. Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with o...
Aug 19, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Anita and Mel have had quite the stories to tell in the past few weeks. Join them to learn what in the world a squirrel bag is, and if Mel ever returned from Indiana/Illinois/India. Sponsored by: Rock House Financial & the podcast: He's Gone But The Money's Not https://rockhousefinancial.com/podcasts/ 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 ...
Aug 05, 2024•33 min
In this episode, we travel (via google) to the South Pacific islands, Asia, Ghana, New Orleans, and more. What does fermented banana soup have to do with death? What fantasy coffin would you design? Join Anita and Mel to find out in this week's episode. 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://...
Jul 15, 2024•53 min
Whether it's repartnering, getting started managing how to tackle your deceased partner's belongings, or navigating how in-law relationships change post partner death, Rachel Kodanaz has done it all. Check out her resources at: http://www.rachelkodanaz.com 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...
Jul 01, 2024•1 hr
How's summer going? Anita and Mel do a summer check in which may or may not include suggestions of a reality dating show featuring Anita. 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 ...
Jun 24, 2024•40 min
Meet Jennifer. Jennifer is from Indiana, had cancer in her youth, volunteered at cancer camp as an adult, and met her husband who also had cancer in his youth. She shares their story of their time together, which has gone beyond his recent death. Content warning: giant photos of faces on sticks, Larry Bird, and French Lick.... 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...
Jun 10, 2024•54 min
Travel nurse, skier, flight nurse, wife, caretaker, widow, sailor....these are just some of the things that make Gia Benoit who she is. Gia shares the story of the life she had with her husband after his high spinal cord injury and poses the question, "we can survive anything, but to what detriment?" Check out her real and honest story in this episode with Anita and Mel. Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https...
May 13, 2024•1 hr 1 min
When you're a therapist that works with children and parents facing grief and anxiety, you probably have some tools and insight to share. Anita and Mel have determined this is the case for their guest, Joanne Doucette, and are excited to share this interview with the world! 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 ...
May 06, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Can you imagine what it's like to be 31, you have been a caretaker for your husband diagnosed with ALS, and alre already a widow? Where do you go from there? Sheila Clemenson tells her story of love, death, table dancing, and repartnering with Anita and Mel. Check her out, as well as her book Over The Rainbow: From The Depths of Grief to Hope, found anywhere books are sold. https://www.amazon.com/Over-Rainbow-Depths-Grief-Hope/dp/B0CKGT45MT https://sheilaclemenson.com/ Help us keep the Widow We ...
Apr 29, 2024•55 min
Judy Condie is very distinguished. As this Brit lost her husband, her mom, and her dog with months of each other, she faced a future of uncertainty. Armed with the will to carry on and ride the waves of grief, Judy tells Anita and Mel of her solo travels around Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, and South Africa after her husband's death from colorectal cancer. Help us keep the Widow We Do Now podcast going, get ad-free episodes, and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? ht...
Apr 22, 2024•53 min
Who is Rebecca DiTore? Is she a rapper? A widow? Both? Get to know this amazing human who has experience in partner death by brain tumor, parenting two small kids, and repartnering in her quest to move forward in this thing called life. Look for Rebecca's book starting in May called "I'd Still Choose You" wherever books are sold. To learn more about how Rebecca is helping children who have lost a parent have moments of joy, check out her foundation: https://www.smallmomentsfoundation.org Help us...
Apr 16, 2024•54 min
Detective Anita is at it again with this second installment of her investigative work. What do four-eyed dogs, catacombs, and freeze driers have in common? Check out this weeks episode to find out! Help us keep the Widow We Do Now podcast going, get ad-free episodes, and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Need some Snarky Grief merch? http://shop.widowwedonow.com Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of onli...
Apr 08, 2024•53 min
Nicole became a mother at 18 to a beautiful baby boy who also happened to have Downs Syndrome. She eventually met her future husband, and father to another amazing boy with Downs Syndrome, and they were living life to the fullest. And then, Nicole's husband died. Listen to her story in this interview with Anita and Mel. Help us keep the Widow We Do Now podcast going, get ad-free episodes, and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow N...
Apr 01, 2024•1 hr 32 min
You asked for it, and here it is! Anita and Mel read listener submissions of in-laws gone wild! Enjoy! Help us keep the Widow We Do Now podcast going, get ad-free episodes, and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Need some Snarky Grief merch? http://shop.widowwedonow.com 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 Mobi...
Mar 25, 2024•1 hr 2 min
*This episode contains discussion of suicide, mental illness, and substance abuse and may not be suitable for some listeners* Jenn Vriend. Is she a widow? She isn't sure, but Anita and Mel use the widow index scale to assess. Jenn is a child psychologist, mom to a great kid, and a survivor of partner suicide. Twice. Check out this discussion with the trio of trauma to hear validating stories, psychologist advice, and shenanigans. Anita and Mel are excited about their new "Vriendship" with Jenn, ...
Mar 18, 2024•1 hr 29 min
Anita has gone full Sherlock Holmes with research into why we do what we do regarding death and burial traditions. Is she committed to whistleblowing the funeral industry in the US? Yes, yes she is. Check out her findings on this episode and let us know what you think! Help us keep the Widow We Do Now podcast going, get ad-free episodes, and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Need some Snarky Grief merch? http://shop.widowwedono...
Mar 11, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Cancer, squirt gun and spooky funeral shenanigans, kids, moving from the country to somewhere closer to a Target....these are just some of the topics Anita and Mel learn about their new friend Sari Overby. Check out the interview to learn how this widow is making it through life, one step at a time. Help us keep the Widow We Do Now podcast going, get ad-free episodes, and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Need some Snarky Grief...
Mar 04, 2024•59 min
Rosie is widowed AF, thanks to the day her husband went missing while diving in the English Channel. She's also got some kids, an alive husband who has also been widowed, and a podcast. Check out Rosie's chat with Anita and Mel, and her pocast, "Widowed AF" which is available all the places podcasts are found. Help us keep the Widow We Do Now podcast going, get ad-free episodes, and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Need some S...
Feb 26, 2024•53 min
Jess and Justin were happily married with a 3 day old baby when a one-in-infinity chance situation changed things forever. The events of Jess's experience are so wild, you'd never think this could happen in real life. Sadly, it is real life, but Jess's story of what happened and continues to happen beyond that day is one of resilience. Check out what this remarried widow has to say in her conversation with Anita and Mel. Help us keep the Widow We Do Now podcast going, get ad-free episodes, and m...
Feb 19, 2024•1 hr 8 min
What do you do when you are a widow, a writer, and you want to tell stories about other widows who just happen to have been the partners of actual rock stars? Well, that's what Lori Tucker-Sullivan has done in her book "I Can't Remember If I Cried: Rock Widows on Life, Love, and Legacy." Join Anita and Mel as they learn more about Lori, her story, and how she's telling the stories of other widows. Among those interviewed in Lori's book are: Judy VanZant who, after losing husband Ronnie of Lynryd...
Feb 12, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Anita and Mel experience close death tragedy. In January. Again. It truly is bizarre how their lives are intertwined with personal death, so settle in for another wild ride. Help us keep the Widow We Do Now podcast going, get ad-free episodes, and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Need some Snarky Grief merch? http://shop.widowwedonow.com Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely...
Feb 07, 2024•49 min
Did someone say it's already 2024? Join Anita and Mel in this top of the year discussion. Anita reflects on 5 years of widowhood, and Mel, almost 6.5. Help us keep the Widow We Do Now podcast going, get ad-free episodes, and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Need some Snarky Grief merch? http://shop.widowwedonow.com Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our uniqu...
Jan 22, 2024•30 min
Join Anita and Mel as they interview match support specialist Rachal Milford from Big Brothers Big Sisters. From volunteering as a mentor to enrolling kids in this amazing program, there are many options for how we can all help each other along the path of life. Check out BBBS of America for more info: http://www.bbbs.org Help us keep the Widow We Do Now podcast going, get ad-free episodes, and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow...
Jan 15, 2024•1 hr 1 min
The internet says Finland is one of the happiest countries in the world , but is it really true? And what if you've sustained a huge loss, perhaps as huge as losing your partner? What about mental health in a geographical area that is dark most of the time during the long winter months? Join Anita and Mel as they talk with Eline Kärki, widowed mom, lover of many cheeses, and all-around great gal. Help us keep the Widow We Do Now podcast going, get ad-free episodes, and more! http://www.patreon.c...
Jan 08, 2024•52 min
How do you continue to honor the memory of your person while still moving forward through life? Anita and Mel share examples from their widowed friends, then discuss holidays for those who have families vs those who are lone wolves. Help us keep the Widow We Do Now podcast going, get ad-free episodes, and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Need some Snarky Grief merch? http://shop.widowwedonow.com Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. S...
Dec 11, 2023•45 min
When someone has experienced divorce, infertility, childlessness, and widowhood by the age of 32, they might think their life is over. But not for Rosaline Orwa. Since then, she has been fighting for the rights of widows and orphans through making change in policy and education. She has been an advocate to stop the abuse of widows in the forms of literacy, education, community, and speaking up about many African communities' tradition of inheritance and cleansing - the cleansing ritual is an ext...
Nov 28, 2023•55 min
