Widow We Do Now?

*FANFARE* Did you know there are grief olympics? No, not the kind where you get to wear cool uniforms to represent your country. The kind of contests we are talking about are the kind that pit grief against grief. Join Anita and Mel in the discussion. Help us keep the podcast going by joining our Patreon starting at just $5 -  www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffe...

Anita and Mel interview fellow alum of their high school, facilitator of Widow We Do Now's monthly zoom hangs, clinical mental health counselor AND widow, Autumn Barker. Autumn shares her story of losing her husband to Covid, while she also had Covid, as well as candid conversation and helpful coping tips. Help us keep the podcast going by joining our Patreon starting at just $5 -  www.patreo...

After significant loss, it is common for one's relationship with food to change. Overeating, underrating, changes in taste, as well as loss of experience with our person, are all topics Anita and Mel cover in this widowsode.  Help us keep the podcast going by joining our Patreon starting at just $5 -  www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Sp...

Anita and Mel interview Bethany Dixon from the amazing  international widow support organization, Nyanam, based in West Kenya. To learn more, visit www.nyanam.org and follow them in IG at @nyanam.intl Help us keep the podcast going by joining our Patreon starting at just $5 -  www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Sa...

What is the term for when you don't seek to jump in front of a bus, but you welcome the bus hitting you, AND is this normal after suffering significant loss? The answer is: passive suicidality, and yes. Much shame can be associated with such feelings, however, it is typical of people in the widow situation, as well as others who have faced devastation. Anita and Mel face the convo head on, as...

Anita and Mel interview fellow podcaster, Jenny Lisk, host and creator of The Widowed Parent Podcast. Jenny is also author of the book, Future Widow, available at http://www.jennylisk.com . She also happens to be a fan of cheese that is not legal outside of France.  Help us keep the podcast going by joining our Patreon starting at just $5 -  www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://...

The first year after losing your person SUCKS SO BAD! It's confusing, full of ups and downs, and grievers find they are  navigating through sludge with no roadmap.  In this widowsode, Anita and Mel discuss the firsts, lasts, and some helpful tips to make it through.  Help us keep the podcast going by joining our Patreon starting at just $5 -  www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? ht...

Anita and Mel interview concert-goer, Prince fan, and cancer widow Rachel Engstrom, who just happens to also be an author! Check out her book "Wife, Widow, Now What?" at  https://www.amazon.com/Wife-Widow-Now-What-Navigated/dp/B08KBV5DBL Help us keep the podcast going by joining our Patreon starting at just $5 -  www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.co...

Thinking positive, finding the silver lining, being grateful....just how helpful is it in the grieving process? Join the conversation and tell us your thoughts!  Help us keep the podcast going by joining our Patreon starting at just $5 -  www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online th...

Anita and Mel interview the lovely Autumn Toelle Jackson, who has survived spouse loss, child loss, written a book, started a website, ranched llamas...ok just kidding with the llamas...but you get the idea: Autumn is a wonder woman who has earned her stripes. Check out her website www.growingwithgrief.com for all resources grief! Help us keep the podcast going by joining our Patreon starting at j...

Anita and Mel continue the discussion in part 2 of this episode on  grief in children, parents, and overall humans, with child therapist, Kyndel Marcroft LCSW. Help us keep the podcast going by joining our Patreon starting at just $5 -  www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online ther...

Anita and Mel make an exciting announcement! Oct 15-17, 2021, they will be presenters at Camp Widow in San Diego. COME ONE, COME ALL! We would love to see you! They then get down to business with child therapist, Kyndel Marcroft, LCSW. Our fellow widows submitted all the questions and Kyndel gives all the trauma-informed answers. This episode is part 1 of 2.  Help us keep the podcast going by join...

Anita and Mel interview Emily Cave, who was widowed at 25 when her husband, professional hockey player for the Edmonton Oilers, Colby Cave, died unexpectedly in 2020. Emily discusses what it's like to grieve in the spotlight as an introvert during Covid. The widow unity is strong with these three, and further topics include importance of the widow community and, of course, dark humor.  Follow...

What the **** is secondary loss? Is it different than losing your partner? What does it look like? Feel like? Is it positive, negative, in-between? Join the discussion! Comment below Help us keep the podcast going by joining our Patreon starting at just $5 -  www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the fir...

Anita and Mel are fascinated with the complex and colorful story of Jozet Richardson Hulley. Jozet's first husband, Lance, had a near-death experience while in a coma.  Lance lived for five years  post-NDE, wrote a book, then died for real. Jozet is remarried and discusses grief, having an alive husband and a dead husband, step-parenting, and how she has chosen to frame her experiences for th...

Ah, the double-edged sword of social media. Most people are familiar with the pros and cons, and Anita and Mel do a deep dive to discuss some of the various circumstances and opinions in this fake, real, good, bad, neutral, funny, annoying MINE FIELD!  Help us keep the podcast going by joining our Patreon starting at just $5 -  www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoff...

Anita and Mel learned many helpful things from the queen empress of the world (and the internet), Dr. Julie Hanks. From informed self care suggestions to social media guide posts to grief boundaries, Dr. Hanks drops all the mics, all the time. Help us keep the podcast going, and join our  Patreon starting at $5: www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedo...

Every widow ever knows about the ups, downs, and tangled spectacle that is 'widow brain.' Join Anita and Mel in the discussion! Help us keep the podcast going by joining our Patreon starting at just $5 -  www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Sponsored by BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, onli...

Anita and Mel interview Jennifer O'Brien, who not only is the widow of a hospice doctor, but is also an artist and award-winning author. After years of caring for people with serious illness as a physician, Jennifer's husband was diagnosed with cancer. Now, Jennifer works to help caregivers feel supported while caring for others and taking care of themselves. Check out Jennifer's we...

Internal, external, regret, should's, should-not's....it's a lot. Join the discussion with Anita and Mel as they discuss guilt and its complexities in the widow world.  Help us keep the podcast going by joining our Patreon starting at just $5 -  www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Sponsored by BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the fir...

Anita and Mel interview Ruth Valjean, widowed when her husband died while out of town pursuing a secret extramarital affair. To say Ruth has suffered and survived betrayal trauma would be highly accurate. Oh, and she also has metastatic breast cancer. Ruth is an amazing survivor who shares her story to help others dealing with complicated grief. Join Anita and Mel's  Patreon starting at $5: w...

Words, words, words. We develop thoughts, feelings, and meanings to particular words when living in the world of widows, and the divide is real! Join Anita and Mel in the discussion.  Help us keep the podcast going by joining our Patreon starting at just $5 -  www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Sponsored by BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the fir...

Many people get tattoos to memorialize someone special to them, especially after that person is no longer alive. Black and white, water color, traditional, sleeve, half-sleeve, fine line, single needle....the options are many. On the flip side, some people WANT to get a tattoo, but are hesitant for various reasons. Join the conversation and comment below! Check out our podcast: Widow We Do Now? on...

Anita and Mel interview serial name-dropper, doctor, and the pop-culture icon you never knew about: Dr. Mark Goulston aka Dr. Morose. From stories of Hollywood tragedy to picking up dropped names, Dr. Goulston gives us much food for thought. Join Anita and Mel's  Patreon starting at $5: www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Mel's custom...

Ooookkkkk.....this can be a sensitive one, depending on where we grievers are at at any given time. Some widows choose not to date, some choose to date, and everyone seems to have an opinion. Check out the episode to join the discussion. Join Anita and Mel's  Patreon starting at $5: www.patreon.com/wwdn Want to buy us some tacos? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Mel's custom rel...