Widow We Do Now?

If you are ever in need of a tale full of twists, turns, randomness, and quirky hilarity, this episode is for you. From being in foster care to finding a supportive birth mom community, having a not-so-planned surprise at Disneyland, meeting young widow friends, and being asked to go look at ethical and sustainable diamonds made in the Pacific Northwest, Marilee's story has it all. You'l...

Mel has officially been widowed 8 years, some of Anita's kids want a new (alive) dad, grief dreams happen, Broadway and wayyyyyy off Broadway productions happen, and Anita finds herself considering joining the ranks of lighting directors everywhere. The question "would you get married again" also takes this duo down an interesting road of conversation. Join us for our online hangout...

Amber’s husband, a Gulf War veteran, died from adenocarcinoma caused by toxic exposure during his military service. Thirteen months into widowhood, Amber shares the realities of watching illness unfold, raising awareness about the long-term effects of service, and learning how to rebuild life after loss. She's even got some good widow-brain stories, plus a very lovely selection of favorite ch...

When 29-year old Skyler woke up one day seventeen months ago, she never would have imagined her world would change so drastically. Later that day, her husband was in a head-on collision while driving his big lowboy trailer, leaving Skyler with a lot of shock, grief, and a 2 year old. With their toddler to raise and a future she never imagined facing alone, she shares with Anita and Mel what it&apo...

It's Halloween week, and that time of year where listeners write in to tell Anita and Mel of their personal paranormal experiences that have happened to them since their loved ones' passing. You won't want to miss this one! *Check our Patreon for AD FREE Episodes, or to submit tributes of your person to be read in an episode! * http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Sponsored by: BetterHelp.co...

The story of how this interview came to be has something to do with Anita's exercise regimen, Hawaii 5-0, and little bit of woo woo. Meet Scott. Scott and his wife Donna built a life in Hawaii grounded in love, music, and the spirit of aloha. When Donna was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, everything changed — but her optimism, strength, and warmth continued to guide Scott long after...

How and what are some of our former guests doing since their original interview? Today's the day to find out! Check out this episode to hear updates from: Ep. 123 Trent Thompson Ep. 125 Maya Glasser Ep. 137 Jo Betz Ep. 142 Teal Neil Ep. 143 Connie Remetch Ep. 157 Holly Wagg Ep. 159 Michelle Paris Ep. 163 Audry Henniger *Check our Patreon for AD FREE Episodes, or to submit tributes of your per...

In this episode, Anita and Mel sit down with Shirley, a widow navigating life after losing her husband to addiction. She shares the raw challenges of grief, judgment, and anger—and how she’s transforming that pain into purpose.  This fierce lady is on a mission to break the stigma around addiction and create space for South African women to feel seen and supported. With honesty, resilience, and co...

Scammers are everywhere these days—and they’re sneeeeaaaakkkky. In this episode, we’re spilling 10 of the biggest signs that something’s off. You know, the romantic “too good to be true” vibes, the weird pressure to act right now , and those messages that just don’t pass the vibe check. Listen as Anita and Mel share stories, laugh a little at the ridiculousness, and give listeners simple tips to k...

Meet our friend Judy.  She became a widow in 2020 after losing her husband, an anthropologist with whom she shared years of adventure, including time living in Brazil. Now an empty nester, Judy has also faced the heartbreaking loss of her newborn granddaughter and other close family members in the years since. Through the grief, she has discovered unexpected signs of connection—like finding pennie...

In this episode, Anita and Mel sit down with widowed serial entrepreneur, event planner, and former naked podium dancer, Nicky Wake, whose journey through love, loss, addiction, and recovery inspired her to create dating platforms for overlooked communities. After losing her husband and battling alcoholism, Nicky embraced sobriety and launched Sober Love —a space for sober singles to connect witho...

When Aubrey Sirman lost her husband to the rare cancer Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE), her world changed forever. In this episode, she shares how grief reshaped her life—and how her passions have helped her move forward. Join Anita and Mel as they talk with Aubrey about the healing power of birding and the joy (and obsession) of taking on a Big Year . Aubrey also introduces us to the world...

In this episode, Anita dives into the unfolding case of Kouri Richins, a Utah widow and author of a grief book for children, accused of murdering her husband, Eric. Drawing from court documents, news reports, and public statements, this epsiode unpacks the timeline, the key allegations, and the questions still surrounding the story.  *Check our Patreon to submit tributes of your person to be read...

Anita and Mel check in as the end of the summer is approaching. Was Anita successful in solo parent camping with her children? What do cows have in common with both Anita and Mel? Who can whittle a clarinet reed on demand? Find all that and more in this week's episode.  *Check our Patreon to submit tributes of your person to be read in an episode!* http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Sponsored by: Be...

When Janelle Blessing lost her husband Zach in a tragic bike accident at 34 weeks pregnant, life took a turn she never imagined. In this episode, she shares the story of their adventurous love, the shock of sudden loss, and navigating new motherhood through grief. From mountain trails to their multiple wiener dogs (!!!), Janelle brings heart, humor, and hope to a journey no one prepares for. If yo...

In this powerful episode, Beth Schenderlein shares her journey after losing everyone in her house. In December 2020, her husband and teenage daughter were killed in a tragic paddle board accident on the Willamette River. With honesty, grace, and humor, Beth reflects on grief, resilience, and authenticity in the aftermath of unimaginable loss. This episode may also contain discussion of cribbage, s...

In this episode, Anita and Mel catch up after the holiday. Anita needs some help, and Mel has some unexpected connections during a rain storm. *Check our Patreon to submit tributes of your person to be read in an episode!* http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/ww...

We asked, you answered, and we’re sharing! In this episode, Anita and Mel dive into the results of their recent widowhood survey. From surprising stats to heartfelt insights, they unpack what the widowed community had to say about grief, growth, and everything in between.  You won’t want to miss what your fellow widows (and widowers) had to say.  Support the show

In this episode, Anita and Mel take thoughtful stroll down memory lane, comparing the first half of their widowhood journey to the more recent happenings. As a bonus, learn about Anita's camping adventures that may involve a dump truck, a fake junkyard, an actual junkyard, and a guy named Rick. *Check our Patreon to submit tributes of your person to be read in an episode!* http://www.patreon....

Father’s Day hits differently when you’re a widow—and even more so when you don’t have kids. In this episode, Anita and Mel dive into the complicated emotions that come with this holiday for everyone: from grief and exclusion to support and meaning. They also put out a call to the widowed community for their opinions on a very important matter. Extra: Anita visits the pit of Wicked and learns thin...

As an avid outdoor recreationist and medical professional, Jen Lundberg knows the value of recreation safety. Her husband, Wil, who adventured alongside Jen, was also no stranger to taking safety measures. But everything changed in an instant one day when Wil went e-skateboarding on a rail trail....with no helmet. Join Anita and Mel as they get to know more about Jen, Wil, and safety measures in t...

We're bringing back one of our most talked-about episodes: The Dating Roundtable . From modern love to dating app disasters, this unfiltered conversation between widows and widowers is as real, hilarious, and relevant now as it was when it first dropped. Join several of our widow and widower friends in this discussion about widowhood, re-partnering, dating yourself, situationships, kids....wh...

Oh Joe. You've been an easter egg in episodes of yore, a care taker, coach, cake assistant, and widower. Now it's time for the world to know who you are, and why your arms are so important.  Listen to Joe's story about his life with wife, Sia, their journey with breast cancer, and where widowhood has taken him. Spoiler: Joe has found love with one of our favorite people. Who could i...

Updates are here! Listen to find out how these previous guests are doing: Deb Nylec, Krista Waitt, Minhi England, Constance Bell, Rob Bowles, Linda Shanti McCabe, and Julie Martella! *Check our Patreon to submit tributes of your person to be read in an episode!* http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our u...

Would you rather a) go with Anita to an endless track meet or b) be her emotional support human as she competes on Survivor? Join Anita and Mel for a fun and light-hearted episode where the shenanigans and lore are at an all time high. *Check our Patreon to submit tributes of your person to be read in an episode!* http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first mon...