The Widow Podcast

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 w...

This week I am talking to the wonderful Julie New. Julie is an experienced personal recovery coach specialising in helping people after difficult and sometimes traumatic life change. Prior to starting her coaching Julie spent 20 years in the NHS as a senior nurse and midwife, she also worked on various pioneering NHS community projects. Since becoming a professional coach in 2006 she has developed...

This podcast is from September. However, I wanted to share it with you again. Coming into the new year with the thoughts of more anniversaries, birthdays and holidays arising, really makes this Podcast resonate with me. These are often huge triggers for us in our grief leaving us unsure of what we should do to mark the occasion and how we can best support ourselves through them. In this episode I...

Dina Gachman, Pulitzer Center Grantee and award winning journalist discovered grief when her family lost the lives of her mother and her sister. For Dina, she found comfort in putting pen to paper and in 2023 she wrote a book of essays about grief, SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. Dina shares her story of grief, love, loss and even humour as she navigated her way through the passing of two family members a...

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...

How do we find hope during the holiday season when there’s grief? In a season that can be filled with emotional challenges, I hope you find solace and peace in this special Christmas episode. With the help of some of the members in my community we have brought together tips to honour the memories of your loved one, carry on with holiday traditions and practice self-care during the holidays. Join m...

In this episode of The Widow Podcast I discuss three important factors to guide you on your grief journey. These factors haven’t been scientifically proven, they’re just from my own experience and from the experience of the people I help in one to one sessions, and in groups. In my experience, the three most important factors are: Rely on your support system, don’t say no to help. It’s important t...

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 acce...

David Kessler, one of the world’s foremost experts on grief shares his wisdom and his experience of working with thousands of people on how to move past grief and loss. He’s been featured by The New York Times, Unlocking Us with Brene Brown, TODAY Show, GQ, and more. He's written six bestselling books and has just released the workbook, Finding Meaning: Grief Workbook: Tools for Releasing Pain and...

Have you ever wondered how to find hope again and the resilience to carry on after experiencing a profound loss? Pete Cohen is an expert in human behaviour and performance, business consultant, coach, motivational speaker and the founder of Mi365. Pete has dedicated his life to helping others discover their true passions, living life intentionally and become the best versions of themselves. The au...

How soon is "normal" enough for a widow to start craving intimacy? Is it even possible to have a genuine desire for someone new after the death of a loved one? The simple answer is yes. But unfortunately, widowhood has traditionally been constructed as an asexual period. A widow may look to move forward, but not without the risk of being judged. A widow may crave intimacy from another, but not wit...

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. Almost everyone has heard about the five stages of grief. However, these 5 stages were first proposed in 1969, which is why many people question their relevance in today's world. Plus, despite their popularity, grief researchers have continuously demonstrated that everyone handles grief in their own distinct way. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, the creator...

How can you find hope and create a meaningful life after losing your life partner? The reality is grief is not a linear process and feelings will shift from sorrow, to anger, to confusion to frustration. Give yourself permission to grieve, to heal and know it is possible to move towards a positive and meaningful life after loss. Listen as I talk about: Seeking support during the grieving process a...

Widowhood has taught me so much about grief, loss and life, things I didn't know when I first came into this chaotic world and things I wish I had known. I'm sharing these learnings with you so hopefully you can feel less like you're going mad and more like what you are feeling is normal in the world of grief. Resources: Join The Widows Membership: https://www.karensutton.co.uk/the-widow-membershi...

What does life look like when love is intertwined with loss and grief? Melissa Gallagher shares how her world was turned upside down in 2020, when soon after learning she was pregnant with their third child, her previously healthy husband James was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with cancer at the age of 39. In the months that followed her young family faced unimaginable adversity trying to navi...

There is one thing that can be difficult to talk about after becoming a widow and yet it is one of the most important topics to discuss. How anxiety about your own heath can occur after losing your life partner. This is a common challenge that many widows face and it’s important to know that you are not alone. Listen as Karen talks about: Noticing and understanding the heightened health anxieties...

Grief and the process of healing after loss is a journey. So many of us wonder, how do we navigate through the complexities of losing a life partner? In this heartfelt episode, you’ll hear how the power of community can help you to find hope and find your way once again.   Listen as Karen talks about: The unique challenges of losing a life partner and how it impacts every aspect of your life....

In this special episode, we return with a part 2 of Words of Wisdom as eight widows share their stories of loss and of love. Join us for stories of resilience from a community of women who have walked the path of widowhood. The widows share their experiences to show you the power of connection and support in navigating grief.   Listen as the widows talk about: Finding comfort in nature, grati...

Did you know that your personality plays a role in the way you grieve? Lindsay Wright, the founder of Link Engagement, joins us on the podcast to share her knowledge on personality traits and the reasons behind people's behaviours as key to transformation. As a widow, this knowledge and insight is something Lindsay has reflected on deeply as part of her own journey through her own grief. Listen as...

What role does community play in the process of healing and recovery? Join us as I talk about finding hope after loss and creating a meaningful life with the support of others. Discover the significance of sharing to help yourself and to help others in their darkest times.   Listen as I share: How grief can have both emotional and physical impacts on the body How self-care practices help alle...

  How do we find joy after the loss of our person?   Debbie Weiss, a former lawyer & author shares her experience through grief after the loss of her husband, George.   Debbie turned to writing with essays published in The New York Times’ “Modern Love” column, HuffPost, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, Elle Decor, and Reader’s Digest.   Debbie has also taken her journey thro...

How do you celebrate a loved one's birthday after they've passed? Join me for a very special episode as I talk about my late husband's birthday and how I've navigated the eight years since his passing. You'll hear about the pain, the healing, and the importance of community support. Listen as I talk about: The emotional journey of celebrating our loved one's birthday after they’ve passed The suppo...

It’s never easy talking about, planning, or attending a funeral. Jess May, fully accredited and double Award-Winning Funeral Celebrant joins us as we open up the discussion around funerals and how we can approach funerals in a way that celebrates life. Jess is a specialist in Living Wakes and Memorials with a passion for telling your stories in meaningful ways. From unconventional funeral practice...

It can sometimes feel hard to keep the memories of our loved ones going after they’ve gone. How do we continue on with their legacy so that they live on in our hearts even when the memories start to fade? Join Karen as she shares her journey and discusses how to continue the legacy and memory of your loved ones. Listen as she talks about: Ways to preserve the legacies and memories of your loved on...

How do we begin to build resilience after experiencing the loss of our loved one? Karen shares her ABC's of resilience and the importance of finding hope and purpose in widowhood. We’ll explore how to begin to bounce back and adapt when we are coping with grief.   Listen as I talk about: Cultivating a growth mindset to overcome challenges and embrace possibilities Acknowledging everyday acts...