Claim OwnershipWidow 180 The Podcast with Jen Zwinck
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© 2026 Widow 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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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 thing God uses to bring people all the way through their brokenness and into wholeness and victory...
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 "there's no way to plan for" that moment.Facing birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas just w...
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, and help you find meaning and purpose in a new chapter of life. Learn practical ways to make hope a ...
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 beyond being a widow, and the importance of embracing adventure—even through heartache. This episode...
I want to thank all of our amazing guests for coming on the podcast this year! Thank you for sharing your stories....the good, the bad, the ugly! Thank you for your honesty and most of all, thank you for your wisdom that you share with us from your own widowhood experiences. We learn so much from each other. In today's episode, we have a compilation of several pieces of advice from our guests on the podcast in 2025. I hope you find these helpful and if something resonates please go back and l...
The holidays can feel especially heavy after the loss of a loved one, and in this heartfelt episode, Jen opens up about her own journey through grief during Christmas. She shares honest reflections and personal lessons learned from her first Christmas as a widow—how the holidays transformed from a source of pain to a season of deeper meaning. Whether you’re facing your first holiday without your spouse or are years into your healing, this episode is here to remind you that you’re not alone. 3...
This week, I sat down with Haley Haight to share her extraordinary story of love, loss, and rebuilding in the face of unimaginable hardship. Haley opens up about life with her husband Don, the shock of his sudden terminal diagnosis, navigating the world as a young widow with 2 small boys, and the (literal!) wave of challenges that kept coming—from financial uncertainty to being flooded by a natural disaster! Through it all, Haley has gathered invaluable insights and practical tips every...
If you have been grieving a loss, then you know the intense feeling of isolation that can overcome you. It can make you feel like nobody else in the world understands what you're going through. But then you come across a line of poetry, a quote, a heartfelt phrase that captures EXACTLY what you're feeling and it doesn't just change your day, it changes your life! You realize: Wow, I'm not alone in this. Someone else has been where I am, and they found the words to express it...
Gratitude feels IMPOSSIBLE when your heart is broken! This episode offers hope and guidance for anyone navigating life after loss—especially as the holiday season approaches. This episode explores how gratitude can coexist with grief, even when it feels impossible. There are simple, authentic practices for noticing the small sparks of goodness in the darkness, like keeping a gratitude journal, writing letters, and daily rituals that support healing. You’ll learn why tiny act...
Are you facing Thanksgiving after the loss of a loved one? We are here to guide you through the heartache and help you create moments of comfort and connection. In this episode, we have five unique and meaningful ways to start your Thanksgiving meal, especially designed for widows, widowers, and anyone coping with grief during the holidays! From the powerful idea that “hope grows where gratitude is planted,” we discuss how gratitude can coexist with grief and be a key healing tool. Acti...
What to do when you're in the messy middle of grief? Sandi Waters' story highlights the complex challenges—and unexpected sources of strength—faced by widows. In this episode, she candidly describes the overwhelming experience of watching her partner’s abilities slip away, caring for him, and the support she received from Rodney’s family and their adult daughter, who moved in to help. Sandi and I talk about: Faith as Anchor: how faith became her main source of strength, especially in the...
After losing a spouse, many widows and widowers are haunted by guilt — guilt for what they did or didn’t do, guilt for surviving, or even guilt for feeling moments of happiness again. But what if that guilt isn’t proof of love, but a sign that your heart is still searching for peace? This eye-opening episode explores why widows hold onto guilt after loss and how it can become a false sense of control, loyalty, and purpose. Jen shares deep emotional insight into how guilt gives our pain...
"I wanted the TV version of cancer". This week, guest Christine Fader talks openly about the realities of illness and loss, what real support looks like, and reveal the complexities of navigating life after the death of a spouse. From the challenges of anticipatory grief and survivor’s guilt to harnessing rage for positive impact, Christine offers insight, hope, and actionable advice for anyone on this hard journey. 7 Key Takeaways from today are: The Reality of Long Illness & Loss: Chris...
Today we dive deep into the often-unspoken "downside" of being too strong after the loss of a spouse. This episode explores what happens when widows feel pressured to always put on a brave face for their families—and the hidden costs of doing so. We talk about the importance of letting go of the constant need for strength and to make space for true healing. 3 Main Takeaways from today are: It's Okay to Show Vulnerability: Many widowed moms are always trying to be strong for the children, but ...
Widow 180: The Podcast welcomes Amber Vogt, a recent widow navigating life after the sudden loss of her husband, Jay, in April 2024. Amber opens up about the shock and trauma of that day, parenting through grief, and the unexpected challenges of solo adulthood. Her story is raw, vulnerable, and ultimately inspiring. Here are five standout takeaways from our conversation: Trusting Your Instincts: Amber shares how paying attention to a “weird feeling” caused her to go home from work and c...
Have you ever wondered how grief can completely change the direction of your life—and even help you discover your strength? I had the honor of sitting down with guest Rachel Blatt to explore her journey through sudden loss, the unexpected ways she coped, and how she’s found meaning and new purpose. Highlights from our chat include: Rachel’s Widow Story: The shocking diagnosis and rapid loss of her husband, Dave, to a rare form of sarcoma, and how she balanced caregiving, parenting, and her ow...
"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...
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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!