BW 183: A Simple Question That Makes Grief Easier To Share | Erin Clark on ‘How’s The Weather’

Do you ever freeze when someone asks “How are you?” and you don’t know how to answer without either lying or trauma‑dumping?   Today, fellow widow Erin Clark shares the grief language she created after losing her husband Greg: “How’s the weather?” It’s a softer way for widows and grievers to name their inner landscape – from bright and sunny to dark and stormy – without pressure to be “fine” or “strong.”   We talk about how this simple question became a movement, how it’s changing conversations in families, schools, and hospitals, and how you can start using it with the people who love you.   🎧 IN THIS EPISODE 00:00 Intro: Why “How are you?” can feel impossible 02:00 Erin’s story of losing Greg and feeling alone in a full house 03:30 The moment “How’s the weather?” was born 05:00 What it actually sounds like in real conversations 07:30 Turning a private language into a public movement 09:30 Launching “How’s The Weather” in 15 weeks (as a brand‑new founder) 12:30 Sticky notes, three tiny tasks, and surviving early grief 16:00 Feeling alone even with a big family or church 18:00 Why this helps both the griever and the friend who wants to help 21:00 Erin’s vision: schools, hospitals, chemo rooms, everywhere 23:30 Practical advice if you’re scared to start using this language 27:00 Brave Widow giveaway + life update 31:00 What’s coming next inside Brave Widow   💛 ENTER THE HOW’S THE WEATHER MERCH GIVEAWAY If you’re in the US and want to win some How’s The Weather merch, enter here: https://bravewidow.com/183 (If you’re watching later, this link will tell you if the giveaway is still open.)   🧡 CONNECT WITH ERIN CLARK – HOW’S THE WEATHER Website: https://www.hows-the-weather.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wwwhowstheweather Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erin_clark_242 YouTube: search “How’s The Weather Erin Clark” or use handle @HowstheWeather-y3q   🤝 JOIN THE FREE BRAVE WIDOW COMMUNITY Get access to free calls, trainings, and guided meditations for widows: https://bravewidow.com/free   🌱 READY FOR DEEPER SUPPORT? If you’re tired of feeling lost, lonely, and second‑guessing every decision, Brave Widow Academy is a 6‑month, faith‑based coaching program to help you rebuild a life you can love again. Book a free no‑pressure consult: https://bravewidow.com   💬 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     If you’re new here, my name is Emily Tanner. I’m the founder of Brave Widow and Brave Widow Academy.   I help widows move from barely surviving their loss… to rebuilding a life they can actually love again without feeling like they’re betraying their person.   By day (and for 20+ years), I’ve led large teams and complex operations in the corporate world.    After my husband Nathan died in 2021, just shy of our 20-year anniversary, I took everything I knew about leadership, systems, and change — and started applying it to grief.   Since then, I’ve: Shared my story publicly to make widows feel less alone. Launched the Brave Widow podcast, now with 180+ episodes and listeners around the world. Coached hundreds of widows 1:1 and in groups, and talked with thousands more through the podcast, communities, and events. Built Brave Widow Academy, a 6-month coaching program with a clear framework for moving from deep grief to rebuilding a life you can love again.   I don’t teach “just think positive” grief tips.   I teach widows how to: Heal their heart. Stop waiting on “time” to fix everything. Take small, brave steps toward a life that feels meaningful again.   How I Got Here…   2021: My husband Nathan dies unexpectedly. I’m 4 kids in, overwhelmed, and drowning in paperwork, decisions, and pain. Therapy helps, but I still feel stuck with no roadmap.   2021–2022: I start devouring books, interviewing widows, trying grief groups, and studying coaching — desperate to find something that actually helps me feel different.   2022: I start the Brave Widow podcast, recording episodes while terrified and crying between takes — but determined that no widow should feel as alone as I did.   Year 1: I begin coaching widows 1:1. Word spreads quietly. The same patterns and problems keep showing up, so I start building frameworks instead of one-off advice.   Year 2: I launch Brave Widow Academy — a structured, 6-month coaching program with a step-by-step path: from deep grief, to stability, to rebuilding.   Year 3: Brave Widow has listeners around the world. I’ve personally coached hundreds of widows and spoken with thousands more through consults, lives, emails, and DMs.    Today: My work is simple:   Help widows stop white-knuckling their way through each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.   You don’t have to do it alone. 💜