What to Do When Grief Hits Out of Nowhere: Coping with Grief Waves & Triggers

Grief isn’t linear. It doesn’t follow a timeline, checklist, or expiration date. Instead, it moves in waves. You might feel steady for days or even weeks, and then suddenly without warning, a wave crashes in. Grief waves are often triggered by sensory or emotional cues like sounds, smells, memories, or even subtle environmental changes . These triggers can activate emotional memory systems in the brain, bringing feelings to the surface …

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Mindset & Moving Forward – Welcome, Jerrid Sebesta!

In our second episode, we welcome our first guest, Jerrid Sebesta! He is the best selling author of Life-Undeferred, the host of “The Breakthrough Effect” podcast, and is here to shine his bright light on all of our listeners today. We hope you enjoy our inspiring, thoughtful conversation on the importance of mindset in overcoming big things and moving forward in your life.   Spotify Apple Podcast

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The Woman on the Empty Road

Sometimes I think back to those days. Early grief. I think of that woman, and I see her standing on an empty road. I see her pain; I feel it. I can still imagine her cries of anguish and the sadness that consumed her heart with every beat. I feel her anxiety and her despair. Maybe, reading this, you are that woman. You are in the thick of early grief. …

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Travel After Loss: Taking Your First Trip as a Widow

Traveling after a spouse dies can feel complicated. Maybe you used to travel together, and the thought of going somewhere without them feels painful. Maybe you’re now navigating life as the sole parent in your household and can’t imagine leaving your kids behind. Or maybe part of you quietly longs for a moment away from everything. A place where you can breathe and process what has happened. Your first trip …

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The Second Year of Widowhood: Why It Can Feel Harder Than the First

The Second Year of Widowhood: Why It Can Feel Harder Than the First

Grief is not linear. It doesn’t follow milestones, timelines, or what anyone tells you to “expect.” And if you’re reading this, it may be because you’re living the second year of widowhood and wondering why, despite time passing, you feel more exhausted, raw, or unsteady than ever. You are not alone, and what you’re experiencing matters. Many widows share one of the most misunderstood parts of grief: the second year …

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We Did It! It’s Official, We’re Podcasters!

Welcome to our new show, The Widow Collaborative Podcast!  In our first episode, we introduce ourselves as co-founders of the The Widow Collaborative, an online resource for widows.  We share a glimpse into our world as young widows navigating an unexpected path, insight into our non-profit, and how we hope to inspire widows through our podcast to fully live the life they are meant to live.   Spotify Apple Podcast

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All There Is Podcast – with Anderson Cooper

Grief can feel so lonely but talking about it and listening to others share their experiences helps. In all new episodes of this award-winning podcast, Anderson Cooper continues his deeply personal exploration of grief in all its complexities.  In moving and honest discussions, he learns from others who have faced life-altering losses. 

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A Reflection of Love

When you think about love, what pops into your head? A good rom-com? Maybe a great love song? Or maybe you think of someone really special in your life. Whatever love means to you, I want you to take a moment to hear me out over the next few paragraphs.  Maybe it will change the way you think about love. And maybe it can help you in your journey through …

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The Anniversary

Anniversary of their death, Angelversary, Remembrance Day… whatever you choose to call it. It is a day we all face and most times dread. My story is unique. My husband was missing for 3 weeks and 4 days. He has two days that I signify as the day he passed away-with many days in between as he was missing. The first was November 26th, the day he went missing. And …

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Rediscovering Yourself: Rebuilding Confidence During Widowhood

Losing a spouse shatters more than just a relationship, it can upend your entire sense of self. In the quiet moments after loss, you may find yourself asking: Who am I now? What’s next? Can I ever feel whole again? The path forward is rarely straightforward. But with time, compassion, and intentional self-care, many widows find themselves reconnecting to a deeper sense of identity, rebuilding confidence, and discovering new purpose. …

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