The Widowed Mom Podcast

Have you heard the term widow fire and wondered what it actually means or whether something is wrong with you if you've experienced it? In this episode, I unpack one of the most misunderstood experiences in widowhood and explain why widow fire is far more common than many widows realize. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/371 Follow me on...

What if loneliness isn't caused by being alone? In this episode, I explore one of the most common experiences in widowhood: loneliness . I share why loneliness can feel so overwhelming after losing a spouse, why you can feel lonely even in a room full of people, and how understanding what loneliness really is can completely change the way you respond to it. Get full show notes, transcript, and mor...

How do you keep living after a traumatic loss changes everything in an instant? In this episode, I sit down with Mom Goes On member Kaydee Castricone, who shares the heartbreaking story of losing both her husband and daughter in a devastating car accident that also left her youngest son critically injured. Kaydee shares what helped her most, including somatic tools, coaching, community support, an...

Have you ever wondered if your grief is too intense, lasting too long, or somehow a sign that you’re doing something wrong? In this episode, I talk about what it really means to cope with intense grief after losing a spouse and why so many widows unintentionally make grief harder by judging themselves for how they’re grieving. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www...

What if tapping could help you stay present with grief without feeling completely overwhelmed by it? In this episode, I sit down with Mom Goes On member Judith Lysaker to talk about how tapping became an unexpected but powerful part of her grief journey after the sudden death of her husband, Paul. Join us this week as we discuss the early days of grief, the importance of community, and how writing...

Are you exhausted by the nonstop mental load of solo parenting after loss , even when you’re doing everything “right”? In this episode, I talk about the emotional, mental, and nervous system impact of solo parenting in widowhood and why so many widows feel overwhelmed in ways that rest alone doesn’t fix. Join me this week to hear how solo parenting after loss affects executive functioning, decisio...

In this episode, I share six powerful lessons I wish someone had told me after I became a widow and the guidance I now give widows as a grief coach. Tune in this week as I talk about the difference between consuming grief content and actually doing the work of healing. I explain why self-compassion matters, why getting the right support and tools is essential, and how widows often stay stuck waiti...

What if understanding your nervous system in grief could completely change how you experience loss, healing, and emotional overwhelm? This week, I sit down with Deb Dana, a renowned clinician, author, and polyvagal expert, best known for translating Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory into practical, accessible tools for clinicians and the public. Join us as we explore how grief impacts the nervo...

What if your grief could become part of an intentional, meaningful next chapter? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with my client Wendy Veazie as she shares her deeply personal journey after the sudden loss of her husband, Peter, and how she learned to reframe her grief story and navigate unimaginable pain without losing herself. In this episode, Wendy opens up about the shock of sudden lo...

Have you ever thought, “I was doing better, so why am I falling apart again?” In this episode, I want to reassure you that you are not back at the beginning, you are not failing, and you are not doing grief wrong. Grief was never meant to move in a straight line. Tune in this week to learn why grief isn’t linear, why the traditional idea of “stages” can make us judge ourselves, and why recurring g...

What if grief journaling - something everyone seems to recommend - might actually be keeping you stuck instead of helping you heal? In this episode, I challenge the idea that journaling is always beneficial, and explain why it sometimes leaves you feeling worse instead of better. Tune in to learn how to shift from unintentional journaling to purposeful grief journaling . I’ll show you how to quest...

How do widows build real resilience ? It's not about "getting over it" or putting on a brave face; resilience is a skill you can develop . Whether you’re in the early stages of grief or looking to strengthen your emotional toolkit, this episode provides actionable strategies to build resilience from the inside out. Tune in this week as I break down five key ways widows can build real resilience, a...

What if you could calm overwhelming emotions in just a few minutes - anytime, anywhere? In this episode, I share one of the simplest and most powerful tools I use daily to help regulate emotions: EFT tapping . I’ll show you why it works, how it helps calm the nervous system, and why it can be especially powerful when you’re navigating grief, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm. Listen in this week to...

What if the memories you hold most dear started to fade? Would that mean losing your person all over again? The fear of forgetting your person is something many widows quietly carry, and it can feel just as painful as the loss itself. In this episode, I share my own experience with the fear of forgetting your person - worrying about losing the sound of their voice, their quirks, and the tiny detai...

Are you ready to date again but feeling overwhelmed by the process? In this episode, you’ll meet Jennie Young: the professor and rhetorician turning the dating world upside down with her Burned Haystack Dating Method . Jennie explains why this method works, offering clear steps on how to identify dangerous patterns and why blocking unwanted matches can help you find your ideal partner. Join us thi...

What does a grief life coach actually do, and could it change how you experience grief? If you’ve ever wondered whether coaching is just listening, advice-giving, or something more, this episode pulls back the curtain. In this episode, I explain what grief life coaching really is (and what it isn’t). Grief isn’t a problem to fix. It’s a natural response to loss. As a grief life coach, my role is t...

Have you noticed yourself avoiding everyone lately, wondering if something might be wrong? After the loss of your person, even simple social interactions can suddenly feel overwhelming . If invitations feel heavy, texts go unanswered, or you just want more time alone, you might worry that you're isolating too much or doing grief “wrong.” Join me this week as I dive into what it really means when y...

Dating a widow can be a complex yet rewarding journey, and it's often not what you expect. This week, I sit down with Brad Judy, the husband of Jamie Galyon, a longtime member of our Mom Goes On community. Brad shares his experience of dating a widow, navigating the unique challenges that come with grief, blending families, and the ongoing presence of a lost loved one. Join us on this episode as B...

I used to think grief was something you “get through,” but what I’ve learned, and what I share in this episode, is that the first year isn’t about hitting milestones. It’s about your nervous system adjusting to a new reality you never chose. In this episode, I break down what many widows aren’t told ahead of time: grief is deeply physical; your body reacts; decision-making gets harder; confidence...

Are you searching for the right books for widows, hoping one of them will finally show you how to “do grief” the right way? I remember desperately wanting a roadmap or something that would tell me how to get to the end of grief successfully. In this episode, I share my top eight books for widows that have shaped how I understand grief, resilience, and growth in the nearly ten years since Hugo died...

Have you ever wondered if it’s selfish to want more for your life after your person dies? If the desire to date again, set boundaries, rest, or feel joy brings up guilt or heaviness, you are not alone. In this episode, I unpack the question so many widows quietly wrestle with: Is it selfish to want to move on? Tune in this week as I help you redefine what selfish really means, recognize internaliz...

Have you been wondering why you can’t think clearly, remember simple things, or focus the way you used to since your person died? If grief has left you feeling foggy, slow, or disconnected from your own brain , you’re not alone—and nothing has gone wrong. In this episode, I’m talking about grief brain, often called widow fog, and why brain fog is such a common experience after loss. This experienc...

Does the thought of your wedding anniversary send a wave of dread through your body? You’re not alone. For many widows, the anniversary of their wedding can feel even harder than the day their partner passed. But no matter what you’re feeling - dread, sadness, confusion - there are no rules for how to experience the day . Tune in this week as I guide you through the emotional landscape of your wed...

If life feels harder in your body since your person died , if you notice yourself feeling grumpy, exhausted, numb, or overwhelmed in ways that don't always make sense, you’re not imagining it . When your person dies, your nervous system loses something foundational that you may not have even realized you had. Suddenly, things that used to feel easy feel hard, everything feels out of whack, and we...

What happens when a teenager loses a parent ? In this episode, I sit down with Aubrey Galyon, daughter of longtime Mom Goes On member and coach Jamie Galyon, to hear her perspective on losing her dad when she was just nine years old. Aubrey's journey through grief led her to write a poetry book called Prevernal Winds , which captures her experience from diagnosis through the intensity of early gri...