MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Learn more about Brave Widow Academy and current scholarship details: bravewidow.com Ready for more support? Book a free consult at bravewidow.com to see if the Academy or 1:1 coaching is a fit Grief Recovery Method with Emily Tanner: https://www.bravewidow.com/offers/EPW2EeyT/checkout If this is your first Christmas without your husband and you already feel that knot in your stomach… this episode is for you. In Episode 180 of The Brave Widow Show, Emily shares a gentle 3-step survival plan to help you get through what is often one of the hardest days in a widow’s first year: the first Christmas without him. You’ll learn how to: Protect your heart instead of powering through and pretending to be “okay” Plan your exit so you can leave events without guilt, panic, or drama Choose one meaningful moment to honor your person without trying to make the whole holiday “magical” We talk about: Why the holidays can feel like emotional whiplash when you’re newly widowed Guilt, “wearing a mask,” and feeling pressure to make it special for everyone else How to simplify traditions, set boundaries, and bow out gracefully Practical ideas for honoring your spouse in a way that doesn’t shatter you If you’re facing your first Christmas as a widow and feel fragile, numb, or like you might break at any moment… you are not alone, and there is a gentler way through this season. Get support as a widow If you’re a widow in your 40s–60s trying to rebuild a life you can love again, you don’t have to do it alone. Join the Brave Widow Academy for a proven path, live coaching, and a community of widows who truly get it: 👉 Learn more and join here: bravewidow.com/academy 💬 If this episode helped you, please: Hit Subscribe Leave a quick rating & review – it helps more widows find this support • • Share this with a friend who’s facing grief or the holidays without their person
Apply for the Brave Widow Academy scholarship before midnight, Friday, January 2nd: https://www.bravewidow.com/scholarship If you’re ready for more support, learn about Brave Widow Academy here: https://www.bravewidow.com/academy The longest night of the year can feel even darker when your person is gone. In this special 2025 Widow Winter Solstice gathering, Emily and a panel of Christian widows share honest stories about loneliness, surviving the holidays, feeling misunderstood, wrestling with God, and answering the question: “Will I always feel this way?” You’ll hear real, unpolished conversations from women in different seasons of widowhood who have walked through the same sleepless nights, empty chairs, and “I don’t know who I am anymore” moments you may be living right now. In this episode you’ll hear: -Why we honor Winter Solstice as “the longest night” for widows -Raw stories of loneliness in grief: empty houses, changing friendships, family let-downs -How faith, prayer, and Scripture show up when you’re angry, numb, or confused with God -What helped each widow move from “just surviving” to taking tiny brave steps again -Guided reflection prompts you can use tonight to process your own grief -How joy and sorrow can coexist without betraying your person’s memory -An invitation to go deeper inside Brave Widow Academy and our scholarship opportunity Next steps -Watch / listen and journal through the reflection prompts -Share your person’s name in the comments so we can honor them with you Chapters 00:00 Welcome & Why Winter Solstice matters for widows 09:00 Panel introductions & love stories 28:00 Loneliness in the new normal 1:22:00 Guided reflection time 1:35:00 “Will I always feel this way?” 2:25:00 Q&A on anger, boundaries, and kids
The holidays can feel brutal after your spouse dies. While the world is twinkling with lights and parties, you’re just trying to get through the longest nights. I’m inviting you to Widow Winter Solstice, a free online gathering on Sunday, December 21, 6–8 pm Central for widows and widowers on the longest night of the year. You’ll be able to: Cozy up at home in PJs (you’re not on camera) Hear from a panel of widows at different stages of loss Ask questions live in the chat or simply listen Join giveaways (books, gift cards, and Brave Widow surprises) Remember your person and be reminded: it will not always feel like this 👉 Register & get the replay + giveaways: https://www.bravewidow.com/winter
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Connect with Danny: * Book: Thank You, Cancer (paperback & Kindle) https://stan.store/dannylesslie/p/thank-you-cancer- * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momentumwithdanny/ * Substack (audiobook-style readings & poetry): https://dannylesslie.substack.com * Brave Widow® Academy: https://www.bravewidow.com/academy * Grief Recovery Method with Emily Tanner: https://www.bravewidow.com/offers/EPW2EeyT/checkout What do you do when you run out of options… and then God shows up? In this episode of The Brave Widow Show, Emily talks with widower and dad, Danny Lesslie, who walked through five years of a rare vulvar cancer journey with his wife Raffaella before losing her in December 2024. Danny shares the raw reality of caregiving, solo parenting two daughters, crippling financial uncertainty, and the “Jesus moments” that became anchors for their faith when there were no moves left. You’ll also hear how Danny and Raffaella’s story became the powerful book “Thank You, Cancer” – built from her own real-time journal entries, his perspective as a caregiver, and the undeniable ways God provided when everything else fell apart. In this episode, we talk about: * Getting a rare cancer diagnosis and how it upended their life overnight * The 1,592 days of pain Raffaella endured, and how she still showed up with joy * Losing jobs, housing, and stability… and the RV + home God provided the same day * What it’s really like to raise two young daughters without their mom * How to hold anger, confusion, and faith at the same time * Turning grief into a book: why “Thank You, Cancer” exists and what’s inside * Using writing and sharing their story as a way to “spend” unexpressed love * Practical encouragement for widows, widowers, and solo parents in deep grief Get support as a widow If you’re a widow in your 40s–60s trying to rebuild a life you can love again, you don’t have to do it alone. Join the Brave Widow Academy for a proven path, live coaching, and a community of widows who truly get it: 👉 Learn more and join here: bravewidow.com/academy 💬 If this episode helped you, please: * Hit Subscribe * Leave a quick rating & review – it helps more widows find this support * Share this with a friend who’s facing grief or the holidays without their person
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Brave Widow® Academy: https://www.bravewidow.com/academy Grief Recovery Method with Emily Tanner: https://www.bravewidow.com/offers/EPW2EeyT/checkout When your husband dies suddenly on Christmas Eve… while you’re standing there with your kids… how do you ever breathe again? In today’s episode, I’m talking with Allyson, a Brave Widow community member, mom of four, and woman of deep faith whose husband Chris died of a sudden heart attack just six days after their 23rd wedding anniversary. What those first days and months really felt like when grief made it hard to even breathe How her existing habits (prayer, gratitude journaling, gym, music) became lifelines after loss Organ donation, and the surprising thought that someone may have received a life-saving gift on Christmas because of Chris Mom guilt, four kids, and trying to balance their grief, her grief, and all the “to-dos” life still demands Why she says grief is some of the “hardest work you’ll ever do” – and how she chose to keep going anyway Saying yes to support: life coaching, grief recovery, Brave Widow Academy, and a “waterfalls + camping” trip totally outside her comfort zone How faith was both tested and strengthened – and why she clings to the belief that “if it’s not good, it’s not over” Practical things she does now (especially around holidays) so she isn’t alone and doesn’t wake up on a hard day with no plan If you’re in the thick of it – wondering if life will ever feel anything but shattered – Allyson’s story is a tender, honest reminder to hang on, take the next tiny step, and let people help you. 💬 If this episode helped you, please: Hit Subscribe Leave a quick rating & review – it helps more widows find this support Share this with a friend who’s facing grief or the holidays without their person
🔗 Resources Mentioned Brave Widow Academy – 6-Month Group Coaching: Your roadmap from deep grief to rebuilding and loving your life again ➝ https://bravewidow.com/academy Grief Recovery Method – 8-Week Evidence-Based Program: Next group starts December 9, Tuesdays 1–3 pm CT, limited spots ➝ https://bravewidow.com Free Consult Call: Not sure what you need next? Book a free, no-pressure call. ➝ https://bravewidow.com If you’ve ever thought, “Is this it? Is this how I’m going to feel for the next 40–50 years?” this episode is for you. In today’s Brave Widow Show, I walk you through my RISE Framework — the 4 Seasons of Widow Grief: R – Rawness: the shock, numbness, insomnia, and survival mode I – Isolation: when everyone else moves on and you feel left behind S – Self-Discovery: trying new things, facing guilt, and finding tiny glimmers of hope E – Empowerment: building a life that honors your person and actually feels worth living We talk about: Why “time heals all wounds” isn’t true (it’s time + tools + action) What to do when every happy moment feels like the knife is being twisted How guilt keeps you stuck (“If I stop hurting, did I love them enough?”) The moment I decided, “My life is not going to end when his did.” How to carry both — deep love for your person and excitement for your future 👉 You do not have to feel this way forever… but you do get to decide. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome & updates on Brave Widow Academy + Grief Recovery 2:00 – The question every widow asks: Will I always feel like this? 4:00 – Season 1: Rawness – shock, numbness, survival mode 11:00 – Season 2: Isolation – when everyone else’s life keeps going 17:00 – “What’s the point?” moment on the backyard bench 23:00 – Season 3: Self-Discovery – trying new things, feeling guilty, not going back 31:00 – Can grief really change? First glimpses of real joy again 38:00 – Season 4: Empowerment – living a life where both of you still matter 45:00 – Grief as a “bank account” that needs to be spent 51:00 – How Brave Widow Academy & Grief Recovery can support your next steps 👋 About Brave Widow I’m Emily, a widow, grief coach, and founder of Brave Widow. I help widows move from feeling lost, lonely, and stuck to feeling clear, connected, and confident as they rebuild a life they can love again. Subscribe for more episodes on grief, healing, purpose, dating after loss, and building a life after widowhood.
Connect with Debbie: Book: Available As Is: A Midlife Widow’s Search for Love (Amazon, Apple Books, and most retailers) https://a.co/d/6jBMOxz Website: https://debbieweissauthor.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbie_weiss_author/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.hansen.9/ Work with Emily / Brave Widow: 🔁 Grief Recovery Method® – an 8-week, evidence-based program to help you heal your heart and find emotional freedom https://www.bravewidow.com/offers/EPW2EeyT/checkout 🧭 Brave Widow Academy – 6-month coaching and community to help widows find clarity, real connection, and lasting confidence https://www.bravewidow.com/academy 📞 Book a free consult: Go to BraveWidow.com to schedule your no-pressure call and see what support is right for you In today’s episode of The Brave Widow Show, I’m talking with author and midlife widow Debbie Weiss, who went from a 32-year marriage and deep isolation after her husband’s death… to rebuilding her life, dating again in midlife, earning an MFA in Creative Writing at 56, and writing her memoir Available As Is: A Midlife Widow’s Search for Love. We talk honestly (and with humor) about what it’s really like to start over after decades with one person, how to build a new life when you feel totally alone, and the messy reality of midlife dating after loss. 🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations about widowhood, grief, dating after loss, and rebuilding a life you actually want to live. 💔 In This Episode, You’ll Hear: Debbie’s story: Growing up in the Bay Area, marrying her high school sweetheart, and losing her husband after 32 years together. Isolation after loss: How being introverted, retired, and “just the two of us” left her deeply alone after he died—and what she did first to change that. Tiny brave steps to a new life: The small, practical actions she took: daily walks, yoga, staying after class to talk, and joining groups (Meetup, hiking, writing, career groups). Dating again as a midlife widow: Why she started dating 18 months after her loss, what she wishes she’d done differently, and the “red flags” she ignored at first. The myth of “you should just accept less now”: How midlife dating culture often pressures widows to settle—and why you don’t have to. Finding her voice & identity: Going back to school for an MFA at 56, taking her writing seriously, and turning her experience into an award-winning memoir. Hope 12 years later: What grief looks like now, being with a second life partner, and why she believes there’s real hope for widows—even when it doesn’t feel that way. Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome + Grief Recovery Method update 02:30 – Meet Debbie: high school sweetheart, 32-year marriage, cancer, and loss 05:00 – Isolation after widowhood: “I had to create a whole new life” 07:00 – Tiny steps: walks, yoga, and not running out of the room 10:00 – 12 years later: What grief and hope look like now 11:30 – Dating 18 months after loss: what she’d do differently 15:00 – Why you don’t have to accept “less” just because you’re older 18:00 – Writing Available As Is and going back to school at 54 24:00 – “You’re not too old. Life is not over.” 27:00 – How to connect with Debbie & next steps with Brave Widow
When my husband died, everyone told me, “Just give it time… it’ll get better.” It didn’t. [Enroll for the Brave Widow Academy here: bravewidow.com/academy] In this episode, I’m sharing the real reason I started Brave Widow and why, three years later, the Brave Widow Academy is still my favorite offer for widows who want more than just survival. I’ll walk you through: The moment I realized time alone wasn’t going to heal my grief The gap I kept seeing in traditional grief support, therapy, and church groups How the 4 Seasons of Grief (RISE) framework gives you a clear roadmap instead of random tips What actually happens inside the Brave Widow Academy each week Real feedback from current Academy students (what’s working, what they’d change, and what they’d tell someone on the fence) If you’ve tried counseling, grief groups, podcasts, and books… and you’re still thinking, “Okay, but what do I do now?” …this episode is for you. 🎧 In this episode you’ll learn: Why your “old life” is gone (and why that truth is painful but freeing) The 4 core phases widows move through from raw survival to rebuilding a life with peace, purpose, and real relationships How we calm your nervous system, stabilize your routine, and rebuild confidence step by step Why group coaching + community often works better than doing this alone in therapy The weekly rhythm inside the Academy (2-hour Monday calls, live coaching, worksheets, progress tracking, and 24/7 messaging support) 🧭 Ready for more than survival? 👉 Learn about the Brave Widow Academy + join the next round: bravewidow.com/academy 👉 Not sure what you need yet? Book a free consult with me: bravewidow.com 💌 Free resources for widows: Brave Widow podcast + blog: bravewidow.com Free Brave Widow guides & checklists for family and friends Community + meetups inside Brave Widow widow, widows, widowed mom, grief support, Christian widow, faith based grief coaching, grief recovery method, 4 seasons of grief, Brave Widow Academy, widow coaching, life after loss, loneliness after loss, move forward after grief, grief help for widows #widow #widowed #widowhood #widowlife #widowsofinstagram #widowshelpingwidows #grief #griefcoach #griefshare #griefsucks #griefquotes #griefsupport #griefjourney #griefandloss #griefrecovery #lifecoaching #lifecoach
Book a free consult here: https://calendly.com/bravewidow/widow-consult-call Feeling stuck between who you were and who you’re becoming? Today we dive into Season 4: Empowerment in my RISE framework (Rawness → Isolation → Self-Discovery → Empowerment). You’ll learn why empowerment doesn’t arrive by waiting, it’s built through time + consistent action, and how to start uncovering a renewed sense of purpose, confidence, and direction after loss. Free worksheet mentioned in the episode: 👉 Download: bravewidow.com/173 (fill it out while you listen) What you’ll learn: What “Empowerment” looks like in Season 4 and why waiting won’t get you there How to reframe purpose (no more “one big calling” pressure) A simple gift & talent inventory to spot what you still have to give The “grief-forged strengths” you’ve earned (resilience, adaptability, leadership, boundaries) Tiny service seeds to plant this week (purpose through action) Helpful assessments to spark self-discovery (MBTI, CliftonStrengths, Enneagram, DISC) • • The difference between Big-P Purpose and little-p purpose (how you show up daily) Next steps: 🎧 Listen + fill your worksheet: bravewidow.com/173 💬 Book a free consult: bravewidow.com 🎓 Next Brave Widow Academy cohort begins November 10—join or pre-enroll for best bonuses. 📌 Subscribe & Stay Connected 👍 Like this video if it helped you 🎧 Subscribe for more stories and strategies for life after loss. 💬 Leave a comment if this story resonates with you or if you want to share your own experience. 📩 Share it with someone who needs encouragement Ready for more support? Book a free consult here: https://calendly.com/bravewidow/widow-consult-call Download the Brave New Widow Starter Kit: A free guide to help you navigate the first steps of widowhood. → https://bravewidow.com/start
Book a free consult here: https://calendly.com/bravewidow/widow-consult-call In Part 3 of the Four Seasons of Grief series (R.I.S.E.), we’re in Season 3: Self-Discovery: the messy middle where many widows get stuck. I walk you through my 5-step Connection Protocol to rebuild safe, real relationships: Redefine Connection Boundaries Rebuild Key Relationships Meet People & Make Friends Communicate Clearly Why you feel pulled back into Isolation, and how to keep going without “losing progress.” • • A gentle reminder: you’re allowed to hold big emotions at the same time; grief and moments of joy can coexist.
Welcome to Episode 171 of The Brave Widow Show — and we’re nearly at Brave Widow’s 3rd birthday! Today we continue the Four Seasons of Grief (RISE) mini-series and go deep on Season 2: Isolation, that weird “I’m functioning… but I feel invisible” stage. You’ll learn my Self-Trust System (the exact 4 components I coach on to help you move from anxious second-guessing to grounded confidence): Decisions — build your “Board of Advisors,” stop waffling, make informed choices. Self-Confidence — why action creates confidence (not the other way around); the Be-Do-Have model. Safety — how to create real-world safety nets so trying new things doesn’t feel like jumping without a parachute. Boundaries — who gets access to you, how much, and why that matters now more than ever. You’ll Hear About What “Isolation” really looks like (losing 75% of your social circle, feeling untethered). Why your brain feels “hijacked” (amygdala vs. prefrontal cortex) and how to work with it. Real stories: riding a longhorn 🐂, lighting a propane grill for the first time, and building Brave Widow when no one showed up… yet. The mindset shift that collapses the timeline between who you are and who you’re becoming. Free Resources & Links 🎯 Free Seasons of Grief Quiz: find your season + next steps — bravewidow.com 🧭 Book a Free Consult (no pressure): bravewidow.com 🧩 Programs & tools mentioned: Chaos-to-Calm Blueprint, Self-Trust System, Connection Protocol (inside Brave Widow Academy) Chapters 00:00 Intro + Brave Widow turns 3 02:00 RISE overview + Season 1 recap (Rawness / Chaos-to-Calm) 03:30 What Season 2 (Isolation) feels like 06:10 “Untethered” story & why decisions feel high-stakes 11:00 The Self-Trust System overview (Decisions, Confidence, Safety, Boundaries) 18:00 Building your Board of Advisors (money, legal, health, home) 24:00 How action builds self-confidence (+ Be-Do-Have) 27:00 Travel, grills, longhorns: practicing confidence in real life 31:00 Safety nets for firsts (travel groups, buddy systems) 48:00 Boundaries that protect your energy 50:30 Your custom plan + next steps (quiz + consult) Work With Me If you’re tired of feeling lost, lonely, and second-guessing everything, my coaching helps you find clarity, create real connection, and rebuild confidence—for good. Book a free consult at bravewidow.com. #BraveWidow #GriefSupport #WidowLife #Loneliness #SelfTrust #ConfidenceAfterLoss #FourSeasonsOfGrief 📌 Subscribe & Stay Connected 👍 Like this video if it helped you 🎧 Subscribe for more stories and strategies for life after loss. 💬 Leave a comment if this story resonates with you or if you want to share your own experience. 📩 Share it with someone who needs encouragement Ready for more support? Book a free consult here: https://calendly.com/bravewidow/widow-consult-call Download the Brave New Widow Starter Kit: A free guide to help you navigate the first steps of widowhood. → https://bravewidow.com/start Grief Recovery Method Group: Tuesdays 12–2 pm CT, Sept 30–Nov 18, $400 (credited toward Brave Widow Academy or 1:1). Brave Widow Academy: Next cohort starts in November. I’m Emily Tanner. I was widowed at age 37, one month shy of our 20 year wedding anniversary. Nathan and I have four beautiful children together, and my world was turned completely upside down when I lost him. Now, I love my life again! I’m able to experience joy, achieve goals and dreams I thought I’d lost, and rediscover this next version of me. I did the work. I invested in coaching for myself. I learned what I needed to do to move forward and took the steps. I implemented the tools and strategies that I use for my clients in my coaching program. This is for you, if: You want a faith-based approach to coaching You want to move forward after loss, and aren’t sure how You want to enjoy life without feeling weighed down by guilt, sadness, or regret You want a guide to help navigate this journey to the next version of you You want to rediscover who you are Schedule a consult with Emily: https://calendly.com/bravewidow/widow-consult-call?month=2024-08 Find and take the next steps to move forward (without “moving on”). FOLLOW me on SOCIAL: Twitter | @brave_widow Instagram | @brave_widow Facebook | / bravewidow YouTube | @bravewidow
If you’re widowed and feel like you’re drowning, this episode gives you a clear starting line. I walk through my RISE framework: the 4 Seasons of Grief (Rawness, Isolation, Self-Discovery, Empowerment) and the Chaos-to-Calm Blueprint (the 5 foundations I use with clients). You’ll leave knowing your very next step and where to get help, free or paid. What you’ll learn How to identify your current season of grief using RISE (Rawness, Isolation, Self-Discovery, Empowerment) The 5 foundations that stabilize you fast: Routine, Self-Care, Help, Emotional Healing, Spiritual Connection Why time alone doesn’t heal—and the action steps that do Free ways to get support (Skool community, guides, quiz) and how to book a consult if you want hands-on help Resources mentioned Free Grief Season Quiz: https://bravewidow.com (top of homepage) Brave New Widow Guide + Family & Friends Quickstart (Newly Widowed → Start Here): https://bravewidow.com Free Brave Widow Community (Skool): search “Brave Widow” in the Skool app Grief Recovery Method (Tuesdays, 12–2 pm CT): accepting new participants through October 7; last time offering the $400 Earn-Your-Money-Back Bonus (show up for 7/8 calls, do homework, 1:1 closeout call, leave a review) • • Book a free consult: https://bravewidow.com (Consult) 📌 Subscribe & Stay Connected 👍 Like this video if it helped you 🎧 Subscribe for more stories and strategies for life after loss. 💬 Leave a comment if this story resonates with you or if you want to share your own experience. 📩 Share it with someone who needs encouragement Ready for more support? Book a free consult here: https://calendly.com/bravewidow/widow-consult-call Download the Brave New Widow Starter Kit: A free guide to help you navigate the first steps of widowhood. → https://bravewidow.com/start Grief Recovery Method Group: Tuesdays 12–2 pm CT, Sept 30–Nov 18, $400 (credited toward Brave Widow Academy or 1:1). Brave Widow Academy: Next cohort starts in November. I’m Emily Tanner. I was widowed at age 37, one month shy of our 20 year wedding anniversary. Nathan and I have four beautiful children together, and my world was turned completely upside down when I lost him. Now, I love my life again! I’m able to experience joy, achieve goals and dreams I thought I’d lost, and rediscover this next version of me. I did the work. I invested in coaching for myself. I learned what I needed to do to move forward and took the steps. I implemented the tools and strategies that I use for my clients in my coaching program. This is for you, if: You want a faith-based approach to coaching You want to move forward after loss, and aren’t sure how You want to enjoy life without feeling weighed down by guilt, sadness, or regret You want a guide to help navigate this journey to the next version of you You want to rediscover who you are Schedule a consult with Emily: https://calendly.com/bravewidow/widow-consult-call?month=2024-08 Find and take the next steps to move forward (without “moving on”). FOLLOW me on SOCIAL: Twitter | @brave_widow Instagram | @brave_widow Facebook | / bravewidow YouTube | @bravewidow
Most widows aren’t “stuck”—they’re undecided on their next step. In this episode, I walk you through the exact 10-minute self-audit I use on consults so you can see where you are (and what to do next) today. What You’ll Learn A simple 5-question audit to pinpoint your next step (not your “forever plan”). How to rate yourself 1–10 in Routine, Relationships, Confidence, Purpose, and Direction. The “8–10 test”: name the one change that would move your number up, then do just that. Why “little-p” purpose (coffee, calls, tiny kindnesses) rebuilds meaning faster than waiting for a lightning-bolt calling. How to use the free Consult Sheet to see progress in black-and-white. Find the free download at www.bravewidow.com/consult Chapters: 00:00 — Welcome + why this episode is different (watch with a pen!) 01:00 — What actually happens on a Brave Widow consult (no pressure, real clarity) 04:00 — How the 5-Bucket Self-Audit works (score 1–10, gut check > perfection) 06:00 — Bucket 1: Routine (from “always behind” → predictable rhythms) 11:00 — Bucket 2: Relationships (friendships, family, community, dating readiness) 12:00 — Bucket 3: Confidence (decisions without second-guessing; fear under the surface) 18:00 — Bucket 4: Purpose (“little-p” purpose you can do daily; meaning after loss) 21:00 — Bucket 5: Direction (near-term plan, next right step, momentum map) 25:00 — Turn scores into action: close your gap (what would make it an 8–10?) 26:00 — How to use the free Consult Sheet to track progress over time 28:00 — Inside Brave Widow Academy: live-taught curriculum + step-by-step supports 30:00 — Is Grief Recovery Method or Academy the better starting point for you? 31:00 — Wrap + invitations (download, consult, programs) ✨ Work with Emily: Ready to stop just surviving and start rebuilding? Book a free consult at bravewidow.com. 📌 Subscribe & Stay Connected 👍 Like this video if it helped you 🎧 Subscribe for more stories and strategies for life after loss. 💬 Leave a comment if this story resonates with you or if you want to share your own experience. 📩 Share it with someone who needs encouragement “What was your lowest score and why? Comment it below, and I’ll reply with one tiny step you can take this week.” Ready for more support? Book a free consult here: https://calendly.com/bravewidow/widow-consult-call Download the Brave New Widow Starter Kit: A free guide to help you navigate the first steps of widowhood. → https://bravewidow.com/start Grief Recovery Method Group: Tuesdays 12–2 pm CT, Sept 30–Nov 18, $400 (credited toward Brave Widow Academy or 1:1). Brave Widow Academy: Next cohort starts in November. I’m Emily Tanner. I was widowed at age 37, one month shy of our 20 year wedding anniversary. Nathan and I have four beautiful children together, and my world was turned completely upside down when I lost him. Now, I love my life again! I’m able to experience joy, achieve goals and dreams I thought I’d lost, and rediscover this next version of me. I did the work. I invested in coaching for myself. I learned what I needed to do to move forward and took the steps. I implemented the tools and strategies that I use for my clients in my coaching program. This is for you, if: You want a faith-based approach to coaching You want to move forward after loss, and aren’t sure how You want to enjoy life without feeling weighed down by guilt, sadness, or regret You want a guide to help navigate this journey to the next version of you You want to rediscover who you are Schedule a consult with Emily: https://calendly.com/bravewidow/widow-consult-call?month=2024-08 Find and take the next steps to move forward (without “moving on”). FOLLOW me on SOCIAL: Twitter | @brave_widow Instagram | @brave_widow Facebook | / bravewidow YouTube | @bravewidow
In this gentle gathering, we name the pain of recent headlines, settle our nervous systems, read Scripture honestly about evil days, and look for how God is at work, even now. Expect box-breathing, short prayers, Habakkuk 1:2–5, Psalm 94, Psalm 46, four simple “anchors,” and journaling prompts you can use this week. What you’ll learn How to set a calm boundary with media overload A trauma-aware way to lament (without fixing or debating) Four anchors: Name the pain • Normalize reactions • Turn to Scripture • Nurture one next step Why Scripture says God works in dark days, not just after them (Gen 50:20; Hab 1:5; Acts 8; Phil 1) Chapters 00:00 Welcome & why this matters 02:10 When headlines overwhelm your nervous system 04:30 Opening prayer + box breathing (4×4) 10:50 Reading: Habakkuk 1:2–5 (“How long, LORD… I am doing a work…”) 16:10 “Even now” narration: God at work amid evil days (Gen 50:20; Isa 60; Acts 8; Phil 1; Eph 5) 18:40 Signs of awakening + honest questions we’re asking 21:00 The 4 Anchors for hard weeks (name • normalize • Scripture • one next step) 30:20 Guided journaling (4 prompts you can reuse) 36:00 Reading: Psalm 94 (selected lines) 39:10 Reading: Psalm 46 (refuge and strength) 40:40 Reading: Psalm 34:15–19 (near to the broken-hearted) 45:00 How to bring complaints to God without shame 47:30 Blessing, resources, gentle close Scriptures referenced Habakkuk 1:2–5 • Genesis 50:20 • Isaiah 60:1–3 • Acts 8:1–4 • Philippians 1:12–14 • Ephesians 5:14–16 • Psalm 94 (selected) • Psalm 46 • Psalm 34:15–19 Resources: Book a free consult here: https://calendly.com/bravewidow/widow-consult-call Download the Brave New Widow Starter Kit: A free guide to help you navigate the first steps of widowhood. → https://bravewidow.com/start Free Training: Four Seasons of Grief — Mon, Sept 22: https://bravewidow.com/live Grief Recovery Method Group: Tuesdays 12–2 pm CT, Sept 30–Nov 18, $400 (credited toward Brave Widow Academy or 1:1). Brave Widow Academy: Next cohort starts in November.
The 4 Seasons of Grief: Why “Just Give It Time” Keeps You Stuck Join the Brave Widow Academy here: https://www.bravewidow.com/academy Schedule your consult call here: https://calendly.com/bravewidow/widow-consult-call Join Grief Recovery Method here: www.bravewidow.com/grief Take the quiz to learn what season of grief you’re in here: https://www.bravewidow.com/seasons Grief isn’t something you “get over.” It’s something you move through. In this webinar replay, Emily Tanner (founder of Brave Widow) shares her story of loss, healing, and rebuilding — plus the framework she created after coaching hundreds of widows: The 4 Seasons of Grief (RISE Method). 🌱 Season 1 – Rawness: survival mode, brain fog, emotional overload 🍂 Season 2 – Isolation: loneliness, loss of confidence, craving connection ❄️ Season 3 – Self-Discovery: shaky first steps toward identity and purpose 🌸 Season 4 – Empowerment: clarity, confidence, and creating a life you love again You’ll also hear inspiring stories from real widows who moved from devastation to confidence, purpose, and even joy again. And if what you hear resonates, now is the perfect time to take the next step. My next round of Brave Widow Academy begins in November. But if you pre-enroll now, you’ll unlock my fast action bonuses: ✨ 3 private 1:1 coaching calls with me ✨ Early access to the full Academy curriculum + content ✨ Pre-launch group coaching calls before November This is the support I wish I’d had when I was lost in grief: a clear roadmap, a safe community, and practical tools to heal and rebuild. Don’t wait for “time” to make things better. Healing happens when you take the first step. Join the Brave Widow Academy here: https://www.bravewidow.com/academy Schedule your consult call here: https://calendly.com/bravewidow/widow-consult-call
: BW 167: When Grief Days Get Hard: The 3-R Bad Day Protocol (Regulate • Relate • Reengage) What to do when a hard day (or season) won’t let up — Emily’s 3-R Bad Day Protocol: Regulate, Relate, Reengage. If you’re tired of feeling like you “went backwards,” this episode gives you a gentle, doable plan for the worst days — plus how to move through a longer season of suffering without burning out. Key Takeaways A hard grief day doesn’t mean you’re back at square one; it’s part of the process. Don’t aim for “happy now.” Aim for grounded, peaceful, purposeful. On hard days, do less; regulate first, relate second, reengage last. In extended suffering, use a broader blueprint (help, healing, routine, movement, faith). Chapters: 0:00 — Announcements: Free Four Seasons of Grief live training (Wed, Sept 10) + Grief Recovery Method group (Tuesdays, 12–2 pm CT, Sept 30–Nov 18; $400 creditable toward Academy or 1:1). 2:30 — Farm-life update: the donkeys! The “messy middle” analogy. 5:00 — Why healing looks worse before it looks better (closet/brush-clearing analogy). 6:30 — When milestones, dates, and “the body remembers” make life heavy. 10:00 — We’re not chasing “happy”; we’re building capacity for multiple emotions + grounded peace. 12:00 — Why many widows get stuck between Isolation (Season 2) and Self-Discovery (Season 3). 14:00 — The 3-R Bad Day Protocol: Regulate your body (slow down, do less, food/sunlight/rest). Relate (reach out; be witnessed, not fixed). Reengage (one tiny thing: shower, pay one bill, sit in the sun). 20:00 — If it’s not a “bad day” but a season of suffering: switch to a fuller framework. 24:00 — The Chaos to Calm Blueprint: help, emotional healing, routine, movement, spiritual connection. 27:00 — A soft place to land + your next brave step. ✨ Work with Emily: Ready to stop just surviving and start rebuilding? Book a free consult at bravewidow.com. 📌 Subscribe & Stay Connected 👍 Like this video if it helped you 🎧 Subscribe for more stories and strategies for life after loss. 💬 Leave a comment if this story resonates with you or if you want to share your own experience. 📩 Share it with someone who needs encouragement Ready for more support? Book a free consult here: https://calendly.com/bravewidow/widow-consult-call Download the Brave New Widow Starter Kit: A free guide to help you navigate the first steps of widowhood. → https://bravewidow.com/start Free Training: Four Seasons of Grief — Wed, Sept 10 (replay available). Grief Recovery Method Group: Tuesdays 12–2 pm CT, Sept 30–Nov 18, $400 (credited toward Brave Widow Academy or 1:1). Brave Widow Academy: Next cohort starts in November. I’m Emily Tanner. I was widowed at age 37, one month shy of our 20 year wedding anniversary. Nathan and I have four beautiful children together, and my world was turned completely upside down when I lost him. Now, I love my life again! I’m able to experience joy, achieve goals and dreams I thought I’d lost, and rediscover this next version of me. I did the work. I invested in coaching for myself. I learned what I needed to do to move forward and took the steps. I implemented the tools and strategies that I use for my clients in my coaching program. This is for you, if: You want a faith-based approach to coaching You want to move forward after loss, and aren’t sure how You want to enjoy life without feeling weighed down by guilt, sadness, or regret You want a guide to help navigate this journey to the next version of you You want to rediscover who you are Schedule a consult with Emily: https://calendly.com/bravewidow/widow-consult-call?month=2024-08 Find and take the next steps to move forward (without “moving on”). FOLLOW me on SOCIAL: Twitter | @brave_widow Instagram | @brave_widow Facebook | / bravewidow YouTube | @bravewidow
What if the future version of you isn’t years away; she’s one brave decision away? In this episode, Emily breaks down the Be-Do-Have principle, how to stop shaming yourself into action, and a simple visualization exercise that pulls you forward (instead of pushing from willpower). You’ll also hear a personal life update (hello, donkeys 🫏) and three mindset blockers that keep widows in a holding pattern—and how to flip each one. Resources & links Free training (Sept 10 @ 12 pm CT): Four Seasons of Grief register here: bravewidow.com Take the Four Seasons Quiz: bravewidow.com Join the free Brave Widow Community on Skool (weekly coaching + starter courses): https://www.skool.com/brave-widow-community-5482/about?ref=ea7d7d79e5c847b2a3b9146bc0cb6fe0 Book a free consult: bravewidow.com Listen for: A gentle way to meet “Future You” (even if you can’t picture her yet) Why confidence comes after the action, not before A 2-minute room visualization that jump-starts momentum Three common blocks (“I should do this alone,” “Now’s not the time,” “What if I fail?”) and better beliefs to borrow How investing time/energy/money changes your identity and your results Chapters 00:00 Welcome + why “if you knew what was possible, nothing would hold you back” 01:45 Free training (Wed, Sept 10 @ 12 pm CT): The Four Seasons of Grief + what to focus on in each season. Quiz now at bravewidow.com. 03:20 Free Brave Widow Community on Skool (weekly coaching + starter courses) 05:35 Life update: land, shop, and the surprise donkey adoption 10:00 Seeing clients’ potential before they can (how to paint a believable vision) 16:40 Stop self-shaming; create an inspiring vision that pulls you 18:55 The 2-minute room visualization (try this today) 25:20 Reverse-engineering “Future You” 26:00 The Be-Do-Have principle (and why “Have-Do-Be” keeps you stuck) 27:30 The solo-cruise example: book it now, build confidence by spring 32:30 Client wins traveling solo for the first time 35:00 Action compresses timelines (land → shop → office → donkeys!) 41:00 3 blocks + reframes (support, timing, failure) 43:30 Why people use what they invest in (gym vs. trainer analogy) 49:00 Treating the podcast like a profession from day one 52:00 Don’t know the future? Choose one feeling to create more of 54:30 Recap + next steps Quotable “Confidence doesn’t arrive first. You become the person, do what she’d do, and then confidence shows up.”
I Lost My Husband. Here’s How I Learned to Live Again (Bonus x Grief Observed) Bonus Episode — My Story on the Grief Observed Podcast (with Brad Morrell)In this bonus crossover, I share the raw story of losing my husband in 2021, parenting four teens through that storm, the day everything cracked open on a garden bench, and the simple, brave decision that started my life again. We talk identity after loss, faith when answers don’t come, why “moving forward” beats “moving on,” and how Brave Widow began. You’ll hear: The ICU goodbye and the identity freefall after loss The bench moment: choosing to live when grief felt endless Practical grief help vs. platitudes (what actually helps) Faith, guilt, and finding peace without tidy answers Rebuilding: community, confidence, and remarriage after widowhood Why I named it Brave Widow (not Fearless Widow) Resources & next steps: Work with me / free consult: bravewidow.com Brad’s show: Grief Observed Podcast (griefobserved.com) Connect with Brad: Podcast: Grief Observed Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grief-observed-podcast/id1714188718 Website: griefobserved.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griefobservedpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@griefobservedpodcast Emily’s episode on the Grief Observed Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grief-observed-podcast/id1714188718?i=1000722104513 ✨ Work with Emily: Ready to stop just surviving and start rebuilding? Book a free consult at bravewidow.com.
Bonus Episode — My Story on the Grief Observed Podcast (with Brad Morrell)In this bonus crossover, I share the raw story of losing my husband in 2021, parenting four teens through that storm, the day everything cracked open on a garden bench, and the simple, brave decision that started my life again. We talk identity after loss, faith when answers don’t come, why “moving forward” beats “moving on,” and how Brave Widow began. You’ll hear: The ICU goodbye and the identity freefall after loss The bench moment: choosing to live when grief felt endless Practical grief help vs. platitudes (what actually helps) Faith, guilt, and finding peace without tidy answers Rebuilding: community, confidence, and remarriage after widowhood Why I named it Brave Widow (not Fearless Widow) Resources & next steps: Work with me / free consult: bravewidow.com Brad’s show: Grief Observed Podcast (griefobserved.com) Connect with Brad: Podcast: Grief Observed Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grief-observed-podcast/id1714188718 Website: griefobserved.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griefobservedpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@griefobservedpodcast Emily’s episode on the Grief Observed Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grief-observed-podcast/id1714188718?i=1000722104513 ✨ Work with Emily: Ready to stop just surviving and start rebuilding? Book a free consult at bravewidow.com.