Navigating Widowhood with Donna Kendrick

Episode 60 of the The Best Guest podcast, hosted by Victoria Bennion, titled "Navigating Widowhood with Donna Kendrick" was published on November 15, 2022 and runs 23 minutes.

November 15, 2022 ·23m · The Best Guest

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Episode Description

In episode 60 of The Best Guest we welcome Donna Kendrick, the author of A Guide to Widowhood: Navigating the First Three Years, to the show. We talk about:

What you can do to prepare for an unexpected loss
The best ways for friends and family to support a widow or widower
The stages of navigating your finances in widowhood

About Donna Kendrick

Donna Kendrick will never forget that “Omgosh, what just happened?!?!” moment when she discovered her husband Greg passed away suddenly in November 2013.

During her time of grieving Donna quickly realized that she had stepped into a new role overnight, one where she had to take control of her family’s finances in order to keep life consistent for her and her kids. Important family decisions came on real soon and real quick, and Donna had to figure out how to navigate this new season in her life, which meant finding the professional resources to help.

Donna has made it her life’s work to help other widows and widowers navigate their own financial decisions in the first days, weeks and months of widowhood... and the years to follow. She is the author of A Guide to Widowhood: Navigating the First Three Years (pub. Epic Author July 22) which is here to help through the first days, weeks and months of widowhood… and the years to follow. Donna is also the host of the Widow, Wisdom and Wealth ™ podcast, which aims to remove the intimidation out of financial planning, so families can handle any transitions that come their way.

Donna is an avid long-distance runner who turns her passion into an ability to raise funds for local causes such as Safe Harbor, a grief counselling program. In 2022 Donna married her husband Jim and between them, they have six children. Together with their Newfoundland and English bulldog, they enjoy living in the community of Springfield Township, Wyndmoor, PA.

Key Takeaways

If the worst happens make sure you take a moment to breathe
Surround yourself with trusted people
Get your state documents done
Make sure you have enough life insurance
Don't wait for widowhood to get prepared
Have someone come to meetings with you to take notes
If someone you know has recently lost a partner think what you can do to make their life easier