Widow 180 The Podcast with Jen Zwinck

Julie Wright Halbert was a national education attorney, married 22 years, when her husband Jim started losing weight and running a fever — symptoms doctors first mistook for an infection.  Three weeks later, he was gone.  In this raw, wide-ranging conversation, Julie shares what it's really like to lose a spouse to a fast-moving, hard-to-diagnose cancer (later identified as cholangiocarcinoma...

Losing a spouse doesn't just take your partner - it can take your identity, too. In this deeply honest post-interview chat, guest Priya opens up about what it really means to rebuild your life as a widowed mom: the loneliness of making every decision alone, the guilt of not being the same parent you used to be, and the quiet grief of watching your kids adjust to a version of you that's s...

 In this deeply moving episode of Widow 180: The Podcast, occupational therapist, author, and widow Rondalyn Whitney shares the raw story of losing her husband Bill in a sudden car accident during the COVID-19 pandemic.  She opens up about how she rebuilt her life from "Day Zero" forward. Drawing on her background in narrative medicine and occupational therapy, Rondalyn offers widows pra...

I want to offer you some words of encouragement on this Father's Day weekend. Maybe this is your first Father's Day without your spouse. Or maybe it's the second, or the fifth, and it still feels just as painful as the first. Whether you choose to celebrate this weekend in some way or you choose to ignore it completely, it's okay. Both decisions are the right decisions if it fe...

"When should I take off my wedding ring?" Most widows face this question at some point after loss. In this second roundtable discussion episode of Widow 180, three widows—Melissa, Tracy, and Danette—join the conversation to discuss the deeply personal decision of taking off a wedding ring after loss.  They each share their unique experiences: from moving their rings to different hands, r...

"Choosing joy and seeking it has made my life truly joyful again... there's still so much life to live. " ~ Tiffany Rampey In this inspiring episode of Widow 180: The Podcast, fellow widow and world traveler, Tiffany Rampey joins us to explore how loss can become the catalyst for adventure, healing, and hope!  Tiffany shares her extraordinary journey through early widowhood, from th...

"I've seen death in the face numerous times. I. I am going to do something going forward that is going to help people in a big way. And so I am. I am. I'm doing it." ~Ksenia Merck Ksenia Merck joins the show to share her powerful story of love, loss, caregiving, creativity, and renewal. After caring for her elderly mother until her passing and then losing her beloved husband Bi...

“Behind every heroic firefighter, there is a man that has many, many different lives that we should be honoring also.” – Eileen Bellew, FDNY widow We welcome Eileen Bellew, author of After John Jumped , for a deeply moving conversation about surviving profound loss, mothering through grief, and finding hope after tragedy.  Eileen recounts the heartbreaking events of January 23, 2005, known as Blac...

Have you ever found yourself wondering, “ Who am I now? ”?  Today we dive deep into the concept of " identity lag" —the uncomfortable, confusing gap between who you were before losing your partner and who you are becoming.   Join us for these relatable stories and practical tips about why simple questions like “What do you want?” suddenly feel impossible to answer!  Unpack how grief isn’...

Jen Newberg shares her journey through heart-wrenching loss, unexpected chaos abroad, and the path to healing through connection.  After a blended family, second marriage, and overcoming personal struggles, Jen  tragically lost her husband Jack while on a dream vacation in Greece. Grappling with grief, solo-parenting, and the shock of sudden loss far from home, she reveals the raw, real experience...

Leslie Harter Berg's entire world changed in a single instant. At just 30 years old, she became a widow with two grieving toddlers. In today's episode, Leslie shares the raw, unfiltered story of sudden loss, early widowhood, and the messy, beautiful journey of rebuilding a life.   She opens up about: ~the surreal experience of Ryan's aneurysm and stroke ~navigating solo parenthood w...

Why do friends and family stop calling, texting, or checking in after you've lost your spouse? While every grief journey is unique, so many widows and widowers experience the pain of disappearing support just a few months after their loss. What starts as an outpouring of sympathy, calls, texts, and casseroles too often fades into quiet and isolation. This period of time, known as “the grief d...

"Don’t give up. Allow yourself to breathe, laugh, and dream again. Healing is possible, and you are not alone." ~Mary Henderson Mary Henderson sits down with us this week for an honest, heartfelt conversation about love, loss, and rebuilding life after unimaginable grief. She shares the traumatic story of losing her husband during the COVID pandemic, the raw challenges of navigating grie...

Welcome to this first ever Widow 180 roundtable discussion! We are bringing together an inspiring group of guests to explore the deeply personal process of rebuilding life after loss . Pam (4 years widowed), Becky (4 years widowed) and MaryBeth (14 years widowed), all bravely come forward today to share their unique stories of grief, resilience, rediscovering joy, and picking up the pieces of thei...

Get ready for an episode that’s as heartwarming as it is inspiring! In this week’s Widow 180 episode, I sit down with widow, author, and death doula Jackie Disch. Jackie takes us on a deeply personal journey through the loss of her beloved wife, Katie, during the pandemic. You’ll hear Jackie open up about:  becoming a caregiver in the isolating days of lockdown  navigating the practical “business...

Have you found yourself wondering, "Am I doing this right?" or "Is what I feel normal?" after losing your spouse? You're not alone — and this episode is for you. Grief after losing a husband or wife is unlike almost any other loss. The silence in the house. The missing half of every plan. The strange, disorienting feeling of moving through the world as "I" when y...

Tammy and Bob Cranston join us on the podcast and open up about the tragedies that changed their lives—& the unexpected journey that brought them together! This episode is packed with wisdom on intentional grieving, goal-setting, and moving forward at your own pace—whether that means finding love again, creating new adventures, or embracing purpose in unexpected ways. Highlights include: Their...

Join me as we sit down with the incredible Elle Davis —a mother, widow, professor, writer, and TEDx speaker! Elle bravely shares her deeply personal journey of the sudden loss of her husband Paul and the raw aftermath that followed as she navigated single motherhood with a toddler. Together Elle and I dive into the realities of widowhood:  ~coping with overwhelming grief and parenting challenges ~...

A heartfelt and encouraging message this week for anyone navigating widowhood! Drawing inspiration from the concept of "micro-dosing discomfort," this episode explores how small, courageous choices can make a big impact over time.  The biggest takeaway: that healing and growth don’t require giant leaps, but rather gentle, manageable steps that build confidence and resilience. Listeners a...

Ready to dip your toes—or maybe just test the water—when it comes to dating after loss? Get ready for a heartfelt crash course in venturing back into the dating world as a widow! This solo episode is filled with honest advice& relatable stories as we cover the three essential things every widow should consider before dating:  timing, guilt, and redefining what you want in a new relationship. Y...

To all the men who are questioning whether or not to date a widow, this is for you! And to all the widows who need to remember just how amazing they are - this is for you too! In terms of relationships and love, dating a widow just might be the best decision you'll ever make! Widows and widowers, not sure if you're ready to date? Take this QUIZ to find out: https://widow180.kit.com/datin...

In the final 35 minutes of this heartfelt Widow 180 episode, I continue my deep and honest conversation with Courtney Pray Duke as we explore how to move forward after loss.  Episode Highlights: Turning Pain Into Purpose: Courtney Pray Duke shares how her deepest wounds led her to discover her calling, emphasizing: "The thing that you thought was going to take you out might just be the very t...

Join us today for Part 1 of this heartfelt episode of Widow 180 as I sit down with guest Courtney Pray Duke for an incredibly raw and honest conversation about sudden loss, the journey through early widowhood, and finding faith in the darkest moments. Episode Highlights: Becoming a widow at just 29, Courtney was left to raise their kids alone. What the immediate aftermath of loss feels like. How ...

Can hope help us heal? Absolutely! Today's podcast dives deep into the healing power of hope as we approach 2026. We explore what hope really means—believing with confidence that good things are still possible—and why it’s such a vital part of moving forward after loss. There are challenges of holding onto hope while coping with grief, but hope can truly shift your perspective, inspire action...

Angela Enloe, a true adventurer at heart, joins us on the podcast today to share her incredible journey through love, loss, and rebuilding her life. Tragedy struck when her husband Dan passed away unexpectedly, leaving Angela to face the unimaginable: grief, uncertainty, and starting over without her life partner or even a home base. Hear Angela’s wisdom on facing fear, creating a new identity bey...