Widow We Do Now?

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...

It's the episode you all have been waiting for. The one where you ask the burning question "what do I do about this widow's fire I'm experiencing?" What is widows fire? Stay tuned to find out, and learn how Julia has started a community to help the widowed people with connection, intimacy, romance, and sex. Learn more at https://widowsfire.com/ Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com...

Sometimes that's all you can say. You'll have to listen to learn what in the world this one's about. * please take care listening as this episode may contain content disturbing for some listeners* Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with...

Is Anna Tracie really her name? This mysterious guest and friend of the podcast reveals her true identity, a serial killer case she and her FBI team helped solve, the identities of her two deceased partners, and the case that obliterated anything else that happened to still be standing following her husband Bill's death.  Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online th...

Meet Lisa. She and her husband Eric met in jr high, and the rest is history. Kids, jobs, scandal within the county leading to self-imposed exile halfway across the country, nothing out of the ordinary. But then, Eric dies. Weird dating experiences ensue that may or may not include dog pee. Get to know Lisa and her story and find out how this widow has made a comeback.  Check out Lisa's book,...

After a years-long struggle with Behçets Syndrome, Anita's sister, Kaylyn, left behind a kind-hearted widower named Mark. Learn about what it was like for Mark and his family to live with Kaylyn's auto-immune struggles, how it is having two young widowed people now in the family, and if indeed the giant truck Mark grief-bought was helpful. Now taking applications for Mark to meet new fri...

Does Costco stock future husbands? In the case of Erica Hansen, the answer is yes! Erica is a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, loves musical theater, singing, and Patsy Cline....but she does not love that she lost her amazing husband a year and a half after they were married. She also does not love that she was diagnosed with breast cancer after she became a widow. But even though she's been l...

By now, you've probably heard of ketamine as a possible therapy for trauma, but what is it? Is it from the streets? A lab? How is it used? Does it really work? Do you pee your pants if you use it? Join therapist Carolyn Recksiek from Anew Therapy as Anita and Mel learn what it is and if it can help with trauma recovery. For more info about Anew Therapy, check out the link: https://anewtherapy...

Meet Nick. By day, he's a dad, CPA, and disc golf aficionado. By night...ok lets be honest... 24/7 he's all that AND a widower. After losing his wife to a blood infection five days after the birth of their second child, Nick found himself in uncharted territory. Check out his story, and learn about the serendipitous way he was connected to Anita and Mel.  Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Sa...

The lore is strong with Vera, and you won't want to miss her story. Although a variety of entertaining topics from Siegfried and Roy to camel milk may have been discussed, this naturpathic doctor who joined the widow ranks has much to impart. Vera explains what and how pharmacogenetic testing is and can do, how to baby step through the first horrific times of fresh widowhood, and why you shou...

Molly Peacock is a poet, writer, widow, and super fun lady all the way around. There are too many amazing things about her to encapsulate in a few sentences, but check out this interview with Anita and Mel as they learn about her life, her life after death by melanoma, and about how her words have helped heal others.  Find "The Widow's Crayon Box" anywhere book are sold, including M...

The title says it all: you're a widowed parent, you want to date, but it's not always met with excitement from your kids who have also lost their parent. Delve into this topic with Anita and Mel and learn six ways to facilitate communication with kids about the parent dating again.  Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with ou...

Meet Eileen. She and her husband Mike had a lovely life. They were childfree by choice, looking forward to their golden years together, and having fun riding bikes together...except when one bike excursion didn't turn out so well. Join Anita and Mel as they learn about Eileen's story and touch on topics of helmets, drivers with dementia, and Eileen's next steps on her journey.  Spon...

Dr. Kimberly Hubenette isn't just an adventurous lady who loves helping others. She's also a widow. Join Mel and Anita as they uncover the mysteries of RV black water, oral hygiene, what it was like to be married to a survivor of a double lung transplant, and how this busy lady has found strength and energy to continue on without her person.  Find her book, GRID, on Amazon, Audible, Kind...

Autumn is 22. Autumn is a widow, or, as we lovingly have termed it "un-wedow". Autumn and Ian were together for six years and planning on spending the rest of their lives together, but Ian's epilepsy proved to only make that come true for his length of life. Join Anita and Mel as they get to know Autumn and Ian, and what in the world the "Ian Bus" is.  Sponsored by: Better...

Anita and Mel are back together again, catching up on current happenings, looking back at the year, and hyperfocusing on JNCO jeans.  Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/ww...