The Lost Love Stories with Dr. Tina Fornwald: Love, Loss, Purpose, and Permission to Thrive

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt episode of The Lost Love Stories, Pam sits down with friend, author, podcast host, Army veteran, and widow advocate Dr. Tina Fornwald for a powerful conversation about love, grief, healing, and the unexpected beauty that can emerge after devastating loss. Dr. Tina shares the story of meeting her late husband, Mark, in the Army, their whirlwind romance, and the profound blessing of being by his side when he unexpectedly passed away. Nearly ten years later, she reflects on what it means to carry grief while also embracing joy, purpose, and a life still worth living. Together, Pam and Tina discuss: ✨ The gift—and heartbreak—of being present when a loved one transitions ✨ Why widowhood isn't a competition and there is no "better" way to lose someone ✨ The importance of having conversations about death and preparing for the unexpected ✨ How one late-night phone call inspired Dr. Tina to create Widowhood Real Talk with Tina ✨ Building community instead of competition among widow advocates ✨ The incredible impact of the Children of Widowhood Secret Santa Program, which provided Christmas gifts to 29 children last year ✨ Why fiction can sometimes tell the deepest truths—and the inspiration behind Dr. Tina's Amazon bestselling novel, Five Widows ✨ Learning to hear God's whispers and act on the "downloads" that life sends us ✨ The healing power of widow retreats and giving yourself permission to laugh again ✨ Why thriving after loss isn't betrayal—it's honoring the life we still have ✨ The ripple effect that occurs when widows reclaim joy Throughout the conversation, one truth shines brightly: You can deeply love the person who died and still choose to fully love the life you have remaining. 📚 About Dr. Tina Fornwald Dr. Tina R. Fornwald is a grief advocate, transformational speaker, author of The Five Widows Club, and founder of Widowhood Real Talk with Tina. A retired and decorated Army officer, widow, breast cancer survivor, and mother of two, she helps individuals and organizations understand where grief gets stuck and how people can reconnect with life, community, and a renewed sense of belonging. Connect with Dr. Tina Dr. Tina’s website https://tinafornwald.com/ Purchase The Five Widows Club https://bit.ly/TheFiveWidowsClub Where Grief Gets Stuck: https://tinafornwald.com/where-grief-gets-stuck/ WRTWT Home page https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/ Children of Widowhood Secret Santa https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/children-of-widowhood/ Retreat web page https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/real-widowhood-weekend-nextyou-experience/ Interest form for 2026 Real Widowhood Weekend: #NextYou Experience https://bit.ly/nextyou-experience-interestform Memorial Garden https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/events/community-memorial-garden/ Podcast https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/podcast/ Events https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/events/ Watch on this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/6-wyc4klh3Q Email [email protected] with comments, questions or to be considered as a guest on show.