In this episode of The Widow Podcast, I’m joined by the inspiring Joan, who shares her journey of sudden loss, resilience, and finding new ways to live with purpose.

Joan lost her husband Mike unexpectedly in 2021, when she was 66. Overnight, her world changed, and with it all the plans they had made for their retirement together. Alone and uncertain, Joan found herself navigating widowhood while also adjusting to the realities of ageing, loneliness, and rebuilding life from the ground up.

What’s remarkable is the way Joan has chosen to respond. From joining a Nordic walking group to travelling solo on a sewing retreat in the French Alps, she has steadily built a new life filled with courage, community, and connection. She shows us that it’s never too late to step out of your comfort zone, try something new, and discover joy again.

In this conversation, we talk about:

 • Living through the shock of sudden loss and the emptiness it leaves behind

 • Facing widowhood in your late 60s and the unique challenges that brings

 • Finding support through community, retreats, and friendship

 • The role of hobbies, creativity, and travel in healing

 • Learning to balance solitude with connection and joy

 • Why it’s never about age, but about mindset, openness, and possibility

Joan’s honesty, warmth, and adventurous spirit remind us that grief reshapes us, but it doesn’t have to confine us. Her story is proof that even in the hardest circumstances, new beginnings are possible.

Awakening Hope 

I’d love you to join me for Awakening Hope, a free five-day immersive experience for widows and surviving partners, running 22–26 September 2025. Together we’ll explore how to face feelings, cultivate self-compassion, and rediscover who we are after loss.

Find out more and sign up here: https://www.karensutton.co.uk/awakeninghope

For More Support: 

The Widows Membership: karensutton.co.uk/the-widow-membership

Coaching and retreats: karensutton.co.uk