Claim OwnershipWidow 180 The Podcast with Jen Zwinck
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When you become a widow, the heartache can be overwhelming. You feel lost. You feel broken. You feel alone. And you find yourself trying to pick up the pieces of your life and function. But I believe that every widow has the capacity to endure, that every widow has the power to overcome and the determination to create a new life filled with meaning and purpose. The Widow 180 Podcast is about turning tragedy, loss and fear into strength and creativity and a new passion for life. It's about self-reflection and realizing that we only have this one precious life to live and that a new life and a new you is achievable.Each week I will be interviewing widows, incredible survivors of loss. These women have taken the lessons they've learned and the insights they've gained and used them to grow and transform themselves. Some have started businesses, went back to school, run marathons, lost 100 pounds, and moved across the world! They made a choice not to be held down.How did they do it? How did they get through their grief? What's their secret? What lessons can we learn from them that will transform our own lives? How can we write our own story because our story isn't over yet? How can we begin our Chapter 2? I hope that you are as inspired by these women as I am. And maybe hearing even just one story will be life-changing for you.
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"I had no idea!" Here they are...5 things no one tells you about grief after losing your spouse—today I am sharing insights from my own journey through sudden loss and widowhood. If you’re struggling with fatigue, overwhelming fear, loss of motivation, unexpected waves of pain, or feeling like a stranger to yourself, you are not alone! We are diving deep into the emotional and practical realities of grief that often catch widows off guard, offering understanding and hope for those navigating ...
Navigating life after loss can feel overwhelming, but every widow needs to know there is hope and healing on the other side of heartbreak. Drawing from my own experience and the wisdom and personal journeys of the hundreds of widows I’ve interviewed on Widow 180: The Podcast, I’ve gathered 10 tips every widow needs to know, each designed to encourage self-compassion, practical action, and the rediscovery of joy in this next chapter. Whether you’re just beginning the journey or see...
What if less than a year after getting married, you're told you have only 3 months to live? This was the reality of this week's guest on the podcast, Stephanie Duran, who lost her husband to terminal cancer. Stephanie opens up about the realities of caregiving and also bravely discusses their experience with California’s Death with Dignity law, and the complexity of honoring Jeff’s wish for a compassionate, courageous end to his suffering. Stephanie and I chat about: ~Anticipatory...
Blizzards and french fries for dinner? There's nothing wrong with that! In this heartfelt episode, we welcome back Christie Salava for an honest conversation about solo parenting after loss. Christie, who lost her husband Andy to cancer in 2020, opens up about the ups and downs of raising young children while processing her own grief. Christy shares personal stories, confessions, and wisdom—reminding listeners that there’s no handbook for widowed parenting, but there is always hope! Lis...
We're always searching for things to help us cope with loss. Is it books? Is it YouTube videos? Is it live events? Maybe, just maybe, it's these 2 little words that help get you through... Everything counts. Let that sink in for a bit. And start becoming aware of every decision, every interaction, every contribution you make. Every small step counts. Small steps are still progress. Start applying this to your life today and see what a difference it can make! For more resources, check ou...
I hope you're ready to listen in on an honest conversation about grief, growth, and finding new footing after profound loss! I had the privilege of interviewing Linda Davis this week. This chat was rich in wisdom — not just about surviving widowhood, but about rebuilding yourself in the years that follow. Linda dropped more than a few gems that anyone moving through monumental change might want to tuck away for later. Here are the five that most spoke to me: Baby Steps Are L...
Having now circled marriage, dating, and second chances at love on Widow 180: The Podcast, I thought I’d finally share a handful of my favorite pieces of advice—many pulled directly from my chat with my now husband Doug for Episode 236! Widows have so much stress and concern over dating again, so I wanted to share a guy's point of view about it all. Did he have any concerns? Was there any hesitation about dating a widow? We also talk about his experience and advice about online dating! ...
Debbie Weiss originally joined us for this interview on episode 140 of the podcast. In today's episode we hear her story of losing her husband George to cancer after a 4 year battle. Debbie recounts the loneliness and isolation she struggled with and talks about what she did to overcome those struggles, including turning to writing as a way to heal through grief. With writing as a passion and outlet, Debbie decided to return to school to pursue her Master's Degree! She then published her book...
Sleep deprivation is a major problem for those of us who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Sleep disorder insomnia after loss is more common than you may think, so if this is affecting you, you're not alone! In this episode we are talking about some strategies for coping with sleep disorders and getting better sleep while grieving. Some of these include: ~Sleep sounds or sleep music ~Using a sleep mask Listen here for more suggestions! Want to share your own "widow success story" on...
What does it mean to truly start over after unimaginable loss? From learning how to ask for help in her "season of yes," to the strength it took to finally take off her wedding ring, Christie Salava's story is raw, honest, and inspiring—and a powerful reminder that you’re never alone, even in your darkest moments! Here are 5 key takeaways: The Power of Saying "Yes" to Support Christie shared valuable advice she received early in her journey: embrace a "season of yes." She learned ...
Brandi Abbott joins the podcast today. Brandi recounts the tragic Apache helicopter accident that claimed her husband Derek's life on what was supposed to be his retirement flight, and the wave of grief, faith, and unexpected blessings that followed. Takeaways from the episode include: The Day Everything Changed: Brandi recalls the series of events leading up to Derek’s last flight, and the profound significance of a simple wrench left behind—a symbol that keeps mysteriously appearing, ...
Today, I had the honor of sitting down with Kara Jordan Wright, a courageous widow who transformed unimaginable tragedy into real and lasting change. After losing her husband Jesse in a workplace accident, Kara not only navigated grief with her daughter, Avery, but she also fought to change state laws—making life better for widows and children in Tennessee. From surviving those darkest days to launching a new glampground business and inspiring a movement, Kara’s story is the...
One of the topics that we cover in the new Finding Purpose and Meaning After Loss Workbook is life's synchronicities. These are those seemingly random events that happen to us all the time. It's those little nudges from the universe pushing us in one direction and guiding us. This happens to all of us. The key is just to pay close attention so you can recognize it when it happens! In this episode I share a couple of examples of synchronicities. There is magic here. There is mystery here. It's...
Today's episode is a widow pep talk for you. Sometimes we just need to hear that everything is going to be okay. Today I am offering some words of encouragement to help you get through this day and this Father's Day weekend, a time when we can really feel the ache of the loss. I see you and I hear you. I see how hard you're trying. And the quiet courage it takes to just exist in a world that feels so "off" from normal. This is a strength that most people don't understand. But you ...
Welcome to the 60 Days of Summer Healing Quest for Widows and Widowers! This is the first week of June which means that we are a few days into the 60 days of Summer Healing Quest For Widows and Widowers over on YouTube at Widow 180:The Channel. I hope you’ve gone over to check out those videos. If not, what in the world are you waiting for? It’s not too late to join. For today’s episode I actually want to share with you the first 3 days of the Healing Quest. Reme...
Do you think it's impossible to find love again after losing your spouse? You will want to hear Becca's story this week! Becca’s journey through sudden widowhood, parenting three children (each with unique stories of their own), rebuilding her life, and eventually finding love again is both humbling and inspiring. She speaks candidly about the reality of life after loss: solo parenting, making impossible decisions, and waking up in a new “normal” that never feels quite right. Despite feeling ...
Can we truly recover after devastating loss? Guest Julie New says, "YES!" Julie New, grief and sudden loss recovery coach, joins us today on the podcast. This Episode’s Highlights: 🌷 Julie’s Story – From the pain of grief of losing both her daughters’ father and subsequently her husband, Julie shares how her own path fuels her compassion for others. 🌱 “Watering You” – Julie’s signature message: self-care isn’t just a buzzword, it’s vital. Her analogy of keeping your “watering can filled...
Grief specialist Ashley Olivia Nelson joins us on Widow 180: The Podcast. Ashley shared her deeply personal journey as a two-time widow before 35, and her transition into helping others navigate grief. There were so many powerful insights, but here are the top 3 takeaways: 🔹 Your identity is ever-evolving. Ashley reminds us that after a significant loss, our sense of self changes—not just once, but many times. Grief challenges us to get intimate with who we are now, and that evolution is both...
Are you stuck in a FRUMP-WIDOW funk? Try this confidence life hack to break out of a rut and regain some of that confidence you may have lost since becoming a widow. You will get an instant boost in your spirit, you will perk up, you will stand taller and prouder, you will carry yourself in a different, better way! Listen to the episode to find out how! And if you're looking for more tips and help to boost your confidence level after loss, be sure to check out the latest Widow 180 resou...
What if you wanted to make up your own rules for grieving and do what feels right for you? That's EXACTLY what Diane Easley decided to do. This is an incredibly honest and inspiring conversation with Diane Easley, who graciously shared her journey through widowhood after suddenly losing her husband, Walter, in 2017. I know you will enjoy it and all of the wisdom she shares! What “Doing Grief Your Own Way” Really Looks Like Diane’s story starts with the unexpected loss of her husba...
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Hello, I’m Rizwan from XtraSaaS (https://xtrasaas.com). I just wanted to say that your podcast is amazing and very helpful. Sharon’s story is truly inspiring—her courage in choosing life after loss and the way she found healing and new love is something special. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt conversation!