Brave Widow Show

If you’ve ever wondered what life might look like 10 years after losing your spouse, this conversation will feel like a deep breath.   Connect with Dori Ann Dupré Instagram: @Author.DoriAnnDupre Facebook: @AuthorDoriAnnDupre Website: https://dorianndupre.wixsite.com/books   Brave Widow Resources   Free, Live “Four Seasons of Grief” Training + Quiz: bravewidow.com/live Held in Hope Conference (Oct 8–9, Jenks, OK): https://www.standinthegap.org/heldinhope/ Brave Widow Academy (join the waitlist or book a call): https://bravewidow.com/academy Join Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief):👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free     In this episode, Emily talks with author and widow Dori Ann Dupré about growing up in a family of widows, losing her husband to colon cancer, raising daughters without their dad, and turning generational grief into legacy through her new novel “Widows and Children” and an upcoming children’s book about a grandfather her granddaughter never met.   You’ll hear how writing became “medicine,” why grief feels like a heavy backpack you learn to carry, and the small, sacred ways we can keep our person’s memory alive for future generations.   In this episode: What it’s like to be widowed in a line of widows Loving and losing Eric: husband, dad, stepdad, West Point grad Writing her first two novels while caregiving through cancer How her daughter lost both her dad and first love in the same year The inspiration behind Widows and Children The “grief backpack” analogy and why you’re not going backwards Practical ways to weave your person into your kids’ and grandkids’ lives Hope from 10 years out: what gets lighter, what still hurts, and what’s possible   Chapters 00:00 – When your widow story spans generations 02:38 – Meeting Eric: love, integrity & young-onset colon cancer 06:25 – Keeping “Pop” alive for a granddaughter he never met 08:10 – Writing through cancer and finishing a book before he died 12:40 – Stepdads who stand in the gap (and the story behind Good Buddy) 15:05 – The “widow curse” in one family & the new novel Widows and Children 18:45 – Double loss: her daughter’s first love and her dad in the same year 21:40 – What widows recognize in each other across a room 22:55 – The grief backpack: learning to carry a weight that never fully leaves 24:35 – Hope for new widows + how to connect with Dori     💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

Brave Widow Resources   Brave Widow Academy (join the waitlist or book a call): https://bravewidow.com/academy Join Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief):👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free   📍 In‑Person Events Mentioned: • Held in Hope Conference – Jenks, OK – Oct 8–9, 2026: https://www.standinthegap.org/heldinhope/ • San Antonio, TX meetup (September 2026) • Faith and Growth Summit – Miami, FL – Dec 3, 2026: https://faithbasedcoachingacademy.com/faith-and-growth-summit/     If you stand in front of the fridge asking, “What do I want?” and come up blank – not just about food, but about life – this episode is for you.   After losing your person, wanting anything can feel numb, wrong, or like a betrayal. In this Brave Widow episode, Emily gently helps you practice wanting again without forcing yourself into big dreams or a brand-new life purpose.   In this episode, you’ll hear: Why grief flattens desire and makes “neutral” feel safer than hope How to start with “coffee-level” wants instead of life purpose A simple way to design 90 minutes of your weekend to feel more like you How to try new things without promising an outcome A new way to see old dreams, shared dreams, and the dreams that belong to you now   🎁 Free “Desire Again” Worksheet Want help unpacking your own resistance and desires as you listen? Grab the free worksheet that goes with this episode: Click here to download: https://bravewidow.com/want     Chapters: 00:00 – “What do I want?” when the fridge question is really about life 01:18 – How grief suppresses desire and makes “neutral” feel safe 04:05 – Practicing tiny wants: coffee, mornings, and dinner plans 07:02 – Not “What do I want out of life?” but “What do I want more of?” 08:45 – Redesigning your weekends: three words and a 90‑minute block 11:35 – Trying without guarantees: experiments vs promised outcomes 13:40 – Frozen vs healing: numbness, overwhelm, and timing in grief 15:35 – Old dreams, shared dreams, and the dreams that are yours now 17:25 – “I’m allowed to want…” and giving yourself permission 18:40 – How to get the worksheet, join the community, and live events     Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

If you’ve ever wondered what your future self would say to you 5 years after losing your spouse, this episode is for you. July 17 marked 5 years since my husband Nathan died, and I sat down with our Momentum Monday community to share the 10 things I wish I had known as a brand‑new widow.   Brave Widow Resources   Brave Widow Academy (apply or book a call): https://bravewidow.com/academy Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief):👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free   We talk about feeling like a zombie, wondering if you’ll ever laugh and mean it again, how unprocessed grief can show up in your body, why “bad days” don’t mean you’re going backwards, and the brutal belief that moving forward means leaving your person behind. I also share how my faith shaped the way I think about time, legacy, and building a life Nathan would be proud of.   You will hear live reactions and questions from other widows who joined this Momentum Monday call, so you can imagine your future self and your widow friends sitting with you as you listen.   Chapters 0:00 Five Years Out: A Message From Your Future Widow Self 2:00 1 - You Really Can Feel Like A “Normal” Human Again 4:00 2 - When Unprocessed Grief Shows Up In Your Body 7:30 3 - You’re Not Going Backwards In Your Grief 11:30 4 - Moving Forward Is Not Leaving Them Behind 16:00 5 - Healing Comes From Action, Not Just Time 21:30 6 - Expanding Your Capacity For Grief And Joy 25:30 7 - Your Life Grows Where Your Attention Goes 30:00 8 - You Don’t Have To “Find Yourself” – You Decide Who You’ll Be 36:00 9 - The Story You Tell Matters More Than What Happened 39:00 10 - Not Everyone Will Understand (And That’s Okay) 43:00 Bonus - You Were Never Meant To Do This Alone 46:00 How To Get Support Inside The Brave Widow Community     Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.  

If you’ve ever felt invisible at church after your spouse died, this episode is for you. Emily talks with Amy Woody, Director of the Widows Program at Stand In The Gap Ministries in Tulsa, OK. After losing her husband suddenly at 36, Amy went from feeling totally alone to helping churches around the world build intentional widows ministries so that no widow grieves in isolation.   We talk about: What to do when your church doesn’t know how to support widows How you (yes, you) can help start a widows ministry in your church Practical ways churches can care for widows in the first year and beyond The upcoming Held in Hope widows conference (October 8–9 in the Tulsa, OK area)   If you’ve been waiting for someone to “fix” your church… this may be your invitation to stand in the gap.   Learn more about Stand In The Gap & Held in Hope: Website: Stand in the Gap Ministries – https://www.standinthegap.org Held in Hope Conference (Jenks, OK) October 8–9: https://www.standinthegap.org/heldinhope/ Amy’s Book: What I Wish I Could Tell Myself: My Journey Through Grief: https://a.co/d/00KBgecL   Connect with Amy & Stand in the Gap Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StandintheGapMinistries/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinthegapministries/   CHAPTERS  00:00 Intro: When church doesn’t know how to help widows 02:30 Amy’s sudden loss at 36 and feeling completely alone 06:45 “It won’t always feel this way” – 10 years of perspective on grief 10:20 How Stand In The Gap equips churches to care for widows 14:40 Plug‑and‑play tools for starting a widows ministry at your church 18:30 From deep hurt to leading: God using broken pieces to serve others 21:10 Why widows are some of the most generous, resilient people 22:40 Held in Hope Conference: who it’s for and what to expect 25:45 How churches, leaders, and widows can get involved 28:30 Brave Widow: next steps if you don’t want to grieve alone       Brave Widow Resources   Brave Widow Academy (apply or book a call): https://bravewidow.com/academy Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief):👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free     Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

If music has been part of your healing, or you wish it could be, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale.    In this episode, I’m talking with Victoria (artist name: SH3), a music therapist, grief counselor, and widow who created The Blue Album after the sudden loss of her partner.   We talk about using music to process grief, the power of community and support groups, continuing bonds with your person, and why love truly doesn’t die.   IN THIS EPISODE: • Victoria’s story of sudden loss and turning to music for survival   • How being a grief counselor did (and didn’t) prepare her for her own grief   • Why grief support groups and community changed the way she practices   • The faith and meaning that keep her grounded working in hospice   • How The Blue Album maps to Worden’s Tasks of Mourning   • The story behind “Love Doesn’t Die” and continuing your bond   • Finding real hope that this is not the end of your story together     CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Music, grief, and why this episode matters if you’re hurting   01:12 – Victoria’s loss story and turning to music after her partner died   03:35 – Grief groups, community, and how support changed her work   06:10 – Hospice work, faith, and going back to supporting other grievers   08:32 – Creating The Blue Album using the Tasks of Mourning   13:40 – “Love Doesn’t Die”: continuing bonds instead of “goodbye”   19:05 – Hope, reunion, and how to connect with Victoria + next steps     LINKS MENTIONED:   Learn more about SH3 (Victoria) + her music: https://www.sh3official.com   Follow SH3 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sh3official Link to stream The Blue Album:  https://li.sten.to/apjayenf?fbclid=PAVERFWASqAIlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaf9GjSfdnsHMRwRzo1derS1-LF46s5U-Iu19dwjsKkO1wk1UnlX1sY8LS7YbA_aem_JDtvN9ihPugXtZTwzeYr0A   If this helped you, please: • Hit Subscribe • Leave a quick rating & review • Share this episode with a widow who needs hope today    

  Brave Widow Resources Mentioned  Brave Widow Academy (apply or book a call): https://bravewidow.com/academy Scholarship Application for Academy: https://www.bravewidow.com/scholarships1 Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief):👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free     If you’re a widow who looks “fine” on the outside but feels empty, stuck, or like you’re just getting through the day, this episode is for you.   In this deep dive, I walk you through: Who Brave Widow Academy is really for (and who it’s not for) The 5 areas widows struggle with most after the early grief fog lifts Real data from Academy graduates (how their scores actually changed over 6 months) Honest stories from widows who went from “What’s the point?” to waking up with purpose again How our scholarships work, including how much we’ve already awarded and what’s available for this cohort   If you’ve done GriefShare, counseling, or Facebook groups and you’re still asking, “Now what? Is this really the rest of my life?” I made this episode for you.   Our next Brave Widow Academy cohort starts Monday, July 13 at 5–7 pm Central.   Chapters 0:00 – Are you “functioning” but not really living? 2:18 – Why I created Brave Widow Academy (and where I was in my grief) 10:20 – Foundations vs Academy: which season of grief are you in? 17:45 – What you actually get inside Academy (structure, calls, community) 26:30 – How we measure “intangibles” like confidence, purpose, and moving forward 35:40 – Real student results: from dreading days to wanting to live 90% of them 47:05 – Midpoint check‑ins: what current students are noticing in real time 59:10 – Objections: money, time, “maybe it’s been too long,” “maybe I’m broken” 1:09:35 – Scholarships: how they work and what’s available this round 1:16:50 – How to apply and how to know if Academy is your next step If you’re ready to stop just surviving and start intentionally rebuilding a life you could actually love again, apply for the next Brave Widow Academy cohort (starting Monday, July 13, 5–7 pm CT with coaches Allyson and Nicole). Apply here: bravewidow.com/academy     Links & Next Steps Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief): 👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community and get Momentum Monday calls: 👉 bravewidow.com/free 💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

Brave Widow Resources Mentioned  Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief):👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free Brave Widow Academy (apply): https://bravewidow.com/academy   If you’re a widow who isn’t in raw, early grief anymore but still feels stuck, hollow, and thinking, “Is this really it for the rest of my life?”… this episode is for you.   Emily shares why simply “giving it time” will only give you MORE of what you have today, how unprocessed grief shows up in your body, and the exact small, brave steps she took to go from floating through life to genuinely feeling alive again.   You’ll also hear why most grief support stops too early, what makes Brave Widow different, and how Brave Widow Academy helps widows collapse their timeline and intentionally rebuild a life they can actually love again without betraying their person.   In this episode you’ll learn: Who this message is not for (and why that matters) The brutal truth about “time heals all wounds” How unprocessed grief sits in your body and life Why grief groups are only the first stage of healing Practical examples of stepping into your future identity How widows in Brave Widow Academy are measurably changing their lives in 6 months   Chapters: 00:00 – Who this episode is (and isn’t) for 04:00 – “There has to be more than this” widow: stuck, frozen, existing 10:00 – The lie of “just give it time” and what time actually multiplies 19:00 – Emily’s small, brave steps: solo symphony nights, dinner dates, and dating again 32:00 – Collapsing the timeline: from 10+ years of thinking to 4 months of doing (real estate story) 36:00 – What happens inside Brave Widow Academy + real client progress numbers 48:00 – Your invitation to stop floating and start rebuilding on purpose If you’re ready to stop just surviving and start intentionally rebuilding a life you could actually love again, apply for the next Brave Widow Academy cohort (starting Monday, July 13, 5–7 pm CT with coaches Allyson and Nicole). Apply here: bravewidow.com/academy     Links & Next Steps Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief): 👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community and get Momentum Monday calls: 👉 bravewidow.com/free 💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.    

Brave Widow Resources Mentioned  Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief):👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free Brave Widow Academy (apply): https://bravewidow.com/academy   In this special 200th episode of The Brave Widow Show, Emily is joined by three members of the Brave Widow community – Carrie, Tammie, and Mary – who openly share their journeys through grief, anxiety, faith, and slow-but-real transformation.   They talk about the darkest days after loss, the guilt of investing in themselves, the concrete changes they’ve experienced since joining Brave Widow, and the ordinary moments when they realized, “I’m actually living again.”   If you’ve ever worried you’re “doing widowhood wrong” or that this is as good as it gets, this episode is for you.   Chapters: 00:00 – Why this episode matters + Foundations invitation 03:30 – Meet Carrie, Tammie & Mary: where they are now 08:30 – The hardest days after loss & feeling stuck in grief 20:00 – Finding Brave Widow, GriefShare, and hesitating to invest in themselves 32:00 – Concrete changes: routines, community, less anxiety, big moves & trips 46:30 – Moments of “I’m actually living again” & what their husbands would say 51:30 – What they’d tell the widow who thinks “this is as good as it gets” + how Foundations can help   Links & Next Steps Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief): 👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community and get Momentum Monday calls: 👉 bravewidow.com/free 💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

Quick note: We had a weird static issue on this recording. We cleaned it up as much as possible, and the conversation with Dr. Tina was too powerful not to share.   Connect with Tina: Website - https://tinafornwald.com/ https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/  Children’s Secret Santa - https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/children-of-widowhood/  Three-Night Healing Retreat - https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/real-widowhood-weekend-nextyou-experience/ Link For Free Gift Or Offer (If Any): https://tinafornwald.com/where-grief-gets-stuck/ Free Gift/Offer Description (If Any): Discover which of the Five Survival Patterns may be keeping you stuck in grief. Complete the free self-assessment and instantly receive a downloadable guide with practical insights, reflection questions, and next steps to help you reconnect with hope, purpose, and healing.   Brave Widow Resources Mentioned  Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief):👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join us for Renew: A Brave Widow Retreat: https://bravewidow.com/retreat Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free Brave Widow Academy (apply): https://bravewidow.com/academy Schedule a free, no-pressure call: https://bravewidow.com/call   What do you do when it feels like life just keeps hitting you with loss after loss?   In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Tina Fornwald: retired Army officer, breast cancer survivor, and widow after a 29‑year marriage. We talk honestly about stacked suffering, listening to God’s promptings, surviving those first months when simply bathing feels impossible, and how she slowly rebuilt a life that now includes a nonprofit, a Secret Santa program for widowed families, a memorial garden, and her new novel The Five Widows Club.   If you’ve ever wondered, “Does this ever get better?” this conversation is for you.   Chapters 0:00 – Intro, Renew Retreat & Foundations announcements 3:00 – Dr. Tina’s story: 29‑year marriage, Army life & sudden loss 8:00 – Breast cancer, stacked suffering & surviving the first few months 14:00 – Wrestling with God, honesty in grief & when hope starts to return 21:00 – Secret Santa, memorial garden & The Five Widows Club 30:00 – Purpose, pressure & encouragement for years 1–10 of widowhood     Links & Next Steps Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief): 👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community and get Momentum Monday calls: 👉 bravewidow.com/free     💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.    

Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief):👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join us for Renew: A Brave Widow Retreat: https://bravewidow.com/retreat Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free Brave Widow Academy (apply): https://bravewidow.com/academy Schedule a free, no-pressure call: https://bravewidow.com/call   If getting through the day feels like your new full‑time job, this episode is for you.   In this faith‑based conversation, Emily shares the 5 Foundations she uses to help widows move from pure survival mode into a little more stability, structure, and hope.    If you’re tired of people telling you to “just give it time,” you’ll learn what to focus on instead so you can actually breathe again.   You’ll learn: Why time alone doesn’t heal grief (and what does) The 5 Foundations that steady you when life feels relentlessly hard How to calm your nervous system when you feel constantly on edge Why doing less (not more) is actually wise in early grief How to rebuild routine, connection, hope, and identity without leaving your person behind What the new Brave Widow Foundations program is and who it’s for   Foundations is a gentle, faith‑centered container for widows and widowers in the “rawness” and “isolation” seasons of grief who need stability and support before they’re ready to fully rebuild life again.   Chapters 0:00 – When getting through the day feels like a full‑time job 6:45 – Why “just give it time” isn’t working 10:30 – The 5 Foundations that help you breathe again 37:10 – “Too broken / too early / I should do this alone” and other stories we tell ourselves 48:10 – Inside the Brave Widow Foundations program and how to join   Links & Next Steps Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief): 👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community and get Momentum Monday calls: 👉 bravewidow.com/free     💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

Brave Widow Resources Mentioned  Join us for Renew: A Brave Widow Retreat: https://bravewidow.com/retreat Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free Brave Widow Academy (apply): https://bravewidow.com/academy Schedule a free, no-pressure call: https://bravewidow.com/call   Description / Show Notes When you hear “widow,” do you picture old, sad, and alone? These 5 faith-based widows will change that perspective.   In this roundtable, Brave Widow coaches share raw, faith-filled stories of losing their husbands, feeling shattered, trying counseling, books, GriefShare, and groups… and still feeling stuck.    Then they talk about how finding a like-minded widow community, real tools, and tiny brave steps helped them rebuild confidence, purpose, and hope.     If you’re a widow who feels lost, lonely, and “not truly living,” this is for you.   In this episode you’ll hear: Why so many of us hated the word “widow” What life looked like before Brave Widow (brain fog, isolation, “walking in place”) How faith-based community felt different from therapy and generic grief groups Specific tiny steps that rebuilt confidence, identity, and friendships How tools like Grief Recovery Method created peace with “unsaid” conversations The choices widows make when they experience the biggest transformation What our coaches would say to the widow who thinks she’s “too broken” or “too late”   Chapters 02:00 – Meet the 5 Brave Widow coaches 10:30 – Life before Brave Widow: grief groups, therapy, and feeling stuck 22:00 – Finding a faith-based widow community online 32:00 – Tiny brave steps: leaving the house, trying new groups, asking for help 44:00 – Grief Recovery Method and completing “unsaid” conversations 55:00 – Rebuilding confidence, boundaries, and a new relationship with God 1:05:00 – What transformed widows do differently 1:09:00 – An invitation if you feel “too broken” or “too far gone”   Call to action If you’re tired of feeling lost and alone and want a structured, faith-based plan to move forward, book a free consult at BraveWidow.com and see if Brave Widow Academy is a fit for you.       💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

Brave Widow Resources Mentioned * Join us for Renew: A Brave Widow Retreat: https://bravewidow.com/retreat * Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free * Brave Widow Academy (apply): https://bravewidow.com/academy * Schedule a free, no-pressure call: https://bravewidow.com/call Description / Show Notes This conversation with Denise, a first-year widow and retreat planner, is a behind-the-scenes look at the Brave Widow Renew Retreat in Southern Oregon. We talk about the shock of “the business of widowhood,” surviving the first holidays, and why a quiet, beautiful place in nature can help your nervous system finally exhale. If you’re tired of being “the strong one” and want three days where someone else handles the logistics so you can rest, grieve, and re-center with widows who truly understand, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll hear: * Denise’s fast, heartbreaking loss and the “business of widowhood” that stole her space to grieve * How she found Brave Widow right before the holidays and finally let herself fall apart * Why this unexpected Oregon resort has become a place of deep peace and healing * The vision behind the Renew Retreat: rest, renewal, and baby steps into your next season * What to actually expect: travel, lodging, Crater Lake, spa time, stargazing, and more * How to know if Renew Retreat is the right next step for you Chapters (approximate): * 00:00 – Meeting Denise & “this was such a God thing” * 02:00 – Their love story, sudden cancer, and becoming a widow overnight * 05:30 – The business of widowhood: passwords, bills, and no space to grieve * 08:30 – Finding Brave Widow before the holidays & finally collapsing at mom’s house * 13:30 – Why this small Oregon resort became a place of peace and healing * 23:00 – The heart of Renew Retreat: rest, renewal, and baby-deer next steps * 34:00 – What you’ll experience: Crater Lake, spa, trails, stargazing, community * 39:30 – How to join us at Renew Retreat 💛 Ready for deeper support?Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows:@BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook 💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

Brave Widow Resources Mentioned Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free Brave Widow Academy (apply): https://bravewidow.com/academy Renew: A Brave Widow Retreat: https://bravewidow.com/retreat Schedule a free, no-pressure call: https://bravewidow.com/call   Description / Show Notes What if your future self could send you a 30-second video today and say, “Don’t give up. Hope is coming”?   In this episode, I share real (anonymous) stories and reflections from our most recent Brave Widow Academy graduates. You’ll hear what they wish they could go back and tell themselves six months ago, what they’re most proud of, and why walking with others through grief changes everything.   I’ll also break down who is typically in the Academy, what actually happens over those six months, and a special bonus for those who join the next round starting July 13.   Whether you ever join the Academy or not, I want you to walk away believing this: your future can feel very different from today.    Hope is coming!   Chapters: 02:00 Why I’m sharing graduation stories (and your main takeaway) 04:45 What it’s like when life starts to feel lighter again 06:30 The visible shift from first call to graduation 08:30 The power of proximity: who you’re “in the room” with 11:00 The question I asked our graduates about their past selves 15:00 What they’re most proud of: hard choices, boundaries, firsts 18:00 Why “I care how I look again” is a massive win 21:00 No widow left behind: when you feel “behind” or overwhelmed 23:00 The real goal of Academy (for the rest of your life) 26:00 Who is usually in the room? Real stats from all cohorts 29:00 Details: July 13 cohort schedule & how to apply 34:30 Early enrollment bonus: 4 private 1:1 coaching sessions 36:00 Retreat invitation & why it pairs perfectly with Academy 38:00 Faith, grief, and a God who can handle your pain       💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

Brave Widow Resources Mentioned Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free Brave Widow Academy (apply): https://bravewidow.com/academy Renew: A Brave Widow Retreat: https://bravewidow.com/retreat     Description / Show Notes In today’s episode, I walk you through the exact ways you can get support inside Brave Widow – from completely free resources to the most personalized, hands-on coaching – so you can stop guessing and know which next step is right for you.   If you’re somewhere between barely surviving and starting to wonder if there’s more than just “getting through the day,” this is for you.    We’ll talk about: A totally free community where you don’t have to do this alone A gentle new space (Foundations) for deep grief and overwhelm Brave Widow Academy for widows who are ready to rebuild 1:1 coaching for the most tailored support Our in‑person Renew retreat for widows ready to recenter and rise   You do not have to do all of these. My goal is to help you see the “support ladder” and pick the one step that fits where you are right now.   Chapters: 02:00 – Why I’m creating a “support ladder” for widows 03:20 – Level 1: Free Brave Widow Community (what you get & who it’s for) 09:20 – Level 2: Introducing Brave Widow Foundations 22:40 – Level 3: Brave Widow Academy – when you’re ready to rebuild 46:00 – Level 4: 1‑1 coaching – when you want a guide just for you 60:00 – Level 5: Renew – the Brave Widow Retreat 66:00 – Feeling overwhelmed? Here’s the one step to take 69:00 – Final encouragement: don’t do this alone     💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

Brave Widow Resources Mentioned Apply for Brave Widow Academy (next group starts July) https://bravewidow.com/academy Join the free Brave Widow Community + weekly calls and prayer nights - https://bravewidow.com/free Schedule a no-pressure call with Emily to figure out your best next step - https://bravewidow.com/call     Description / Show Notes If you’ve ever thought, “Surely this can’t be the rest of my life… but I have no idea what’s next,” this episode is for you.   After coaching hundreds of widows, I’ve seen the same pattern over and over. It’s not “time heals all wounds.”    It’s a simple 4-step path: Stabilize Explore Build Expand   In this episode of The Brave Widow Show, I walk you through each step so you can find where you are and what to focus on next, without guilt, pressure, or rushing your grief.   You’ll hear: Why “being strong” is the opposite of what your heart and nervous system need in early grief What to do when life feels like a blurry maintenance mode and you’re just “walking in place” How to treat trying new things as experiments, not pass/fail tests of whether you’re “doing widowhood right” The shift from simply surviving each day… to actually feeling glimmers of excitement about your future again What “expansion” looks like (from new friendships to writing books to becoming a Brave Widow coach)   And I’ll invite you into our always-free Brave Widow community so you don’t have to walk this road alone.   Join the free Brave Widow Community: 👉 https://bravewidow.com/free   Learn about Brave Widow Academy: 👉https://bravewidow.com/academy   Chapter Timestamps 00:00 – Why I’m “on fire” today & my heart for widows 01:10 – My “secret agenda” behind the always-free Brave Widow community 04:05 – Time doesn’t magically heal: the real reason you still feel stuck 05:40 – Step 1: Stabilize (getting out of survival mode without guilt) 11:20 – Step 2: Explore (treating new experiences as experiments, not failures) 15:05 – Step 3: Build (creating a routine and life that finally feels like you) 17:40 – Step 4: Expand (growing into dreams you never thought possible) 22:20 – How long stabilization takes & why it’s different for everyone 24:00 – Your next brave step: free community & Brave Widow Academy   💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.      

  MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE   Connect with Jen Website & contact: https://www.itslifey.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573198074373 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itslifeyco/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ItsLifey-co   Brave Widow Resources Mentioned Apply for Brave Widow Academy (next group starts July) https://bravewidow.com/academy Join the free Brave Widow Community + weekly calls and prayer nights - https://bravewidow.com/free Schedule a no-pressure call with Emily to figure out your best next step - https://bravewidow.com/call   What happens when your husband dies in front of you on your dream vacation in Greece… and you’re completely alone on an island with no 911?   In this episode, Jen Newberg, founder of It’s Lifey, shares the night her husband Jack died in their hotel room, the chaos of navigating police and embassies in a foreign country, the crash that came when she tried to “go back to normal,” and how that pain turned into a lifeline of retreats and community for widows who feel alone.   If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I normal? Will I ever feel like myself again?” this conversation is for you.   In this episode: The night everything changed on a “perfect” trip to Greece Trying to save Jack with CPR while medics were still being found Coming home to 850 people at the wake and an empty bed at night The panic attack that sent Jen to the ER and why she took short‑term disability Why “you cannot do this alone” became the heartbeat of It’s Lifey How retreats, support circles, and vetted resources help widows breathe again Practical ways to ask for the help you actually need (beyond flowers)   Chapters:  0:00 – Welcome & Brave Widow Academy July 13 invite 2:32 – Meet Jen Newberg, founder of It’s Lifey 3:18 – Jen’s blended family & “imperfect” but loving marriage 6:55 – “I think I’m having a heart attack” on a Greek island 7:40 – No 911, scrambling for help & Jack’s final moments 9:58 – Flying home alone & facing the wake and funeral 15:45 – Panic attack, ER visit & taking short‑term disability 18:20 – The retreat that inspired It’s Lifey for widows 19:15 – Widow retreats, support circles & community that “gets it” 22:30 – Building a trusted resource network for widows 27:55 – Becoming more whole and confident after loss 29:05 – How to connect with Jen & It’s Lifey 32:40 – Brave Widow Academy: next steps if you want a roadmap and community   💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook     💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.    

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE   Connect with Julie Website & contact: risingphoenixlife.com Email: [email protected] Substack: “Live Awake” by Julie Wright Halbert Free meditation & book updates: link in the description   Brave Widow Resources Mentioned Apply for Brave Widow Academy (next group starts July) https://bravewidow.com/academy Join the free Brave Widow Community + weekly calls and prayer nights - https://bravewidow.com/free Schedule a no-pressure call with Emily to figure out your best next step - https://bravewidow.com/call Get updates on the RENEW in-person retreat and the new deep-grief space (Retreat + program updates coming soon on the Brave Widow website.)   New here? Start with the free community and let us walk with you. You don’t have to do widowhood alone.       What if death, grief, and love could all live in the same room… and it didn’t feel so terrifying? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with death doula, transformational soul coach, and grief-literacy advocate Julie Wright Halbert to talk about walking with our loved ones at the end of life, honoring our own grief, and why we are never as alone as we feel. Julie shares how the sudden death of her young husband shattered her old life as a national education attorney and led her into sacred work at the bedside of the dying. We talk about identity after loss, “living and dying awake,” and very practical ways to support someone who is transitioning… without losing yourself. We also wrap up with some big Brave Widow updates: our first in-person retreat, a new space for widows in deep grief, and what’s next for the Academy.   In this episode, we cover: Julie’s story: from national education attorney and young wife to sudden widow What a death doula actually does (and why this role matters for widows) How to sit with someone who is dying without trying to “fix” anything The difference between taking on someone’s grief vs. holding sacred space Why we avoid talking about death… and how that makes widowhood even lonelier How Julie talks to her own children about their dad’s death and legacy Simple practices to bring more presence, love, and peace into the room Practical Brave Widow updates: retreat, deep-grief space, Academy, and free support   Time Stamps 00:00 – Welcome + Brave Widow updates teaser 01:00 – Meet Julie: attorney, wife, widow, and now death doula 03:00 – Jim’s sudden illness, rapid decline, and death at home 05:00 – From “serious law career” to transformational soul coach 07:30 – What is a death doula and how do they help families? 10:00 – Planning for end of life: senses, setting, and spiritual support 12:00 – How Julie doesn’t “take on” every family’s grief 15:00 – Love at birth, love at death: a powerful bedside story 18:00 – Julie’s book Divine Ashes Ascending and how it guides your own healing 22:00 – Helping children say goodbye and capture legacy 24:00 – How to connect with Julie + her free meditation 25:00 – Brave Widow Retreat “RENEW” in southern Oregon (June 28–July 1) 27:00 – New space for widows in deep grief (no timelines, no pressure) 28:30 – Next Brave Widow Academy cohort (starting July – applications open) 32:00 – Always-free Brave Widow community + weekly calls 34:00 – How investing in yourself also blesses other widows     💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook     💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.    

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Apply for Brave Widow Academy: 👉 bravewidow.com/academy Book a free consult (no pressure): 👉 bravewidow.com/call Join the next free live training on the four seasons of grief: 👉 bravewidow.com/liveyt Is the second year of grief really harder? How long should you wait to go through your spouse’s things, make big decisions, or feel “ready” to rebuild your life?   In this power‑hour Q&A, I answer the most common questions widows ask me about grief and timing: “Shouldn’t I feel better by now?”, “Why do grief waves still hit me out of nowhere?”, and “Does time actually heal, or am I just… stuck?”   You’ll hear: Why I never tell widows “the second year is harder” What’s actually happening in your brain and body when grief “waves” slam you Why time by itself doesn’t heal your heart (it’s time + action) How to know when you’re ready to: Go through your spouse’s things Make big life decisions (moving, retiring, dating, etc.) Start rebuilding friendships, work, travel, and purpose What to do when family thinks you “should be further along” Why healing is possible even if it’s been 4, 10, or 25+ years   If you’ve been waiting on time to fix this… this episode will lovingly challenge that and show you a different way forward.   ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Power Hour intro: grief & timing questions 01:00 “Is the second year of grief harder?” 04:00 The danger of self‑fulfilling grief prophecies 08:00 Why year one and year two feel so different 09:00 The myth that “time heals all wounds” 11:00 Time vs. time plus action in grief 12:00 When is the right time to go through my spouse’s things? 15:00 When is the right time to make big decisions? 17:00 Retiring, work, and not walking away into an empty life 20:00 A widow’s story: “I’m doing great and I’m excited again” 21:00 Why grief hits “out of nowhere” (triggers, seasons, and your nervous system) 26:00 Learning to surf grief waves instead of drowning in them 27:00 How to know if you’re ready to date, work, travel or dream again 29:00 “Why does everyone think I should be further along?” 32:00 Healing even after many years of being stuck 40:00 “I’ve waited 7+ years… should I just keep waiting?” 44:00 Time won’t rebuild your life, but you can 45:00 The Four Seasons of Grief framework & free class 47:00 What we do inside Brave Widow Academy   🎁 Free Resources for Widows Take the free Four Seasons of Grief quiz: find out which season you’re in and what to do next → bravewidow.com/quiz Join the free Brave Widow Community and weekly live calls → bravewidow.com/free Register for the next live Four Seasons of Grief class → bravewidow.com/liveyt   💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   WHO THIS IS FOR Brave Widow Academy is for widows (from a few months to 20+ years out) who are: Tired of waiting on “time” to magically fix things Done just surviving and ready to rebuild intentionally Longing for a faith-based, hopeful roadmap and real community Ready to take gentle, practical steps toward a life they can love again   If that’s you, apply at bravewidow.com/academy. Our next small cohort (under 20 women) starts Thursday, April 2.     💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.    

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Apply for Brave Widow Academy: 👉 bravewidow.com/academy Book a free consult (no pressure): 👉 bravewidow.com/call When your spouse dies, it can feel like your entire life burned to the ground. You don’t recognize yourself, you don’t know what’s next, and part of you is terrified that rebuilding a new life means abandoning the old one.   In this episode, I’m inviting you into my personal story and the exact mindset shifts that helped me go from “life is over” to becoming the architect of a new, hopeful, faith‑filled life.   We talk about: Why you can’t go back to your old life (and why that doesn’t mean leaving your person behind) What it really means to be the “life architect” of your next chapter The coaching rooms, mentors, and programs that radically changed my grief journey How one decision at a retreat opened the door to meeting my now‑husband, Robert How coaching helped me collapse years of suffering into months of transformation Why Brave Widow Academy exists and who it’s truly for   If you’re a faith-based widow who is tired of feeling stuck, lonely, and “not really living,” this episode is for you.   TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Being a “life architect” after loss 03:40 – “Your old life is gone. It’s ash.” 07:00 – Deciding who you want to be now 09:30 – Hearing Dr. Betsy’s story and the moment everything shifted 13:00 – The priest’s advice that changed how I see grief 15:00 – Investing $10K+ in a coaching program I barely understood 18:00 – How healing in community changed me from the inside out 21:00 – Miami retreat, guilt about dating, and a powerful moment of healing 24:00 – Praying for a future spouse… and meeting Robert two weeks later 26:30 – “Who are you becoming?” vs “What are you learning?” 27:30 – Hiring a speaking coach for NFDA and becoming a different woman 30:30 – Stepping into the identity of “author” 35:00 – Overwhelm, exhaustion, and discovering my iron was severely low 38:00 – Re‑energizing my relationship with Brave Widow 43:00 – Why I built Brave Widow Academy as a group coaching space 46:00 – Stabilize, explore, build: the 3 stages inside Academy 48:00 – How widows “collapse time” in Academy 50:00 – Who Brave Widow Academy is for (and who it’s not) 52:00 – How to apply + free consult option       WHO THIS IS FOR Brave Widow Academy is for widows (from a few months to 20+ years out) who are: Tired of waiting on “time” to magically fix things Done just surviving and ready to rebuild intentionally Longing for a faith-based, hopeful roadmap and real community Ready to take gentle, practical steps toward a life they can love again   If that’s you, apply at bravewidow.com/academy. Our next small cohort (under 20 women) starts Thursday, April 2.     💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

What do hospice nurses see at the end of life that most of us never talk about?   In this conversation, hospice nurse and GLADD founder Christa McDonald, RN shares what thousands of deaths have taught her about grief, regret, love, and how we can live (and grieve) differently.   If you’re a widow who feels like you’re “supposed” to just get over it, this episode will give you language, perspective, and permission to grieve in a healthier, more hope-filled way.   In this episode, we cover: * Why we live in a grief-avoidant culture and how that hurts widows * “How you live is how you die” and what that means for your next chapter * Christa’s story of walking with death from age 13 and how GLADD was born * What hospice nurses actually see and why many patients experience peace * Practical ways to honor your person and stop feeling guilty for still grieving   Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & who Christa is 01:00 – Teen volunteer to hospice nurse: how death “found” her 06:00 – “We are a grief-avoidant society” and the cost of pretending 10:00 – The story of Christa’s stepdad and the birth of GLADD 15:00 – What hospice nurses notice at the end of life 18:00 – Signs and comforts near death (and why they matter for the living) 22:00 – Why “just get over it” doesn’t work & what to do instead 26:00 – How to connect with Christa + next steps with Brave Widow   Connect with Christa: GLADD Community: https://gladdcommunity.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grievewithchrista   Next steps: 1. 🎯 Find your season of grief (free quiz): https://bravewidow.com/quiz 2. 📅 Join the live “4 Seasons of Grief” webinar: https://bravewidow.com/live 3. 🤍 Explore Brave Widow Academy: https://bravewidow.com/academy   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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

Take the free 4 Seasons of Grief Quiz here: https://bravewidow.com/quiz   When life feels impossible after losing your spouse, it can feel like your story is over. In this episode, Emily walks you through the 4 Seasons of Grief and shows how to take one tiny step toward what feels impossible right now: a life you can actually love again.   You’ll hear: What the “Impossible Life” is and why it feels so far away in early grief How each of the 4 Seasons of Grief makes your future feel impossible in a different way Why a tiny seed of belief can quietly shift your brain toward hope Real examples of widows who now have joy, peace, and purpose again How Brave Widow is training widows to coach and lead other widows   Timestamps 00:00 – When a good future feels impossible 01:00 – Season 1: Rawness – pure survival and “I’ll never be okay again” 08:40 – Season 2: Isolation – hollow routines, lost friendships, and gray days 14:10 – Free Brave Widow community invitation 15:00 – Season 3: Self‑Discovery – trying new things, getting knocked down by grief 25:00 – Managing your mind, guilt, and shame while you rebuild 31:00 – Season 4: Empowerment – bringing “impossible” dreams into real life 36:00 – Brave Widow coach training and widows leading widows 40:00 – Your next step: from impossible to “I actually love my life again”   Resources mentioned Free Brave Widow Community: bravewidow.com/free Free “Four Seasons of Grief” Live Class: bravewidow.com/live “Four Seasons of Grief” Quiz (find your season): bravewidow.com/quiz   If you feel stuck, empty, or like you’re “walking in place” while time passes, you are not broken. You’re grieving. You don’t have to do it alone.   💬 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 surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.  

Take the free 4 Seasons of Grief Quiz here: https://bravewidow.com/quiz     If you’ve ever laid awake at night terrified you won’t have enough money to keep your home or lifestyle, this episode is for you. Emily shares a listener’s question about fear, explains what fear really is (and isn’t), and walks you through three practical steps to work with fear instead of letting it run your life – all through a gentle, faith-based lens.   In this episode, you’ll learn: Why intense fear after losing your spouse is a normal response, not a moral failure The difference between helpful fear (“I need a plan”) and unhelpful fear (“I’m doomed”) How to pull fear “out of the dark” and name exactly what you’re afraid of How to gather facts about your finances and future so you can make informed decisions How to create a simple “fear plan” so your brain has a job to do A real story of a widow who went from frozen in fear about her home to selling it in one week once she had clarity and support How faith, prayer, and small actions work together as you face the unknown     Next steps: 🎯 Find your season of grief (free quiz): https://bravewidow.com/quiz 📅 Join the live “4 Seasons of Grief” webinar (Feb 17): https://bravewidow.com/live 🤍 Explore Brave Widow Academy and coaching: https://bravewidow.com/academy If you feel like “a shell of yourself,” lonely, or stuck walking in place, you’re not broken and you’re not alone. There is a gentle, faith-based path forward, one small step at a time.   Chapters / Timestamps: 0:00 – When fear keeps you up at night: the listener’s question 1:00 – Life “before and after” loss and why your nervous system feels unsafe 3:00 – What fear actually is: a signal, not a sentence 5:30 – The car analogy: letting fear ride in the backseat, not drive your life 7:30 – Helpful fear vs unhelpful fear with money and lifestyle worries 9:00 – Step 1: Bringing fear out of the dark and naming what you’re afraid of 11:00 – Step 2: Gathering facts and checking your financial reality 15:30 – Applying the same process to big decisions like moving or selling a house 18:00 – Step 3: Creating a “fear plan” and giving your brain a job 22:00 – Client story: from months of fear about housing to selling in one week 26:30 – Fear can ride in the car, but it doesn’t get the steering wheel 28:00 – Invitation to Brave Widow Academy: you don’t have to do this alone     🌱 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.   Learn more: https://bravewidow.com/academy Book a free no‑pressure consult: https://bravewidow.com/call   💬 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.

Are you afraid you’re “doing grief wrong”? In this episode, Emily breaks down the 4 Seasons of Grief and how to know if you’re actually healing or just staying busy. Take the free 4 Seasons of Grief Quiz here: https://bravewidow.com/quiz     In this episode of the Brave Widow Show, Emily answers a question so many widows ask in different ways: “Have I really done the work of grieving, or am I just pushing it down and keeping myself busy?” You’ll learn: Why there is no one “right” way to grieve, and what actually makes grief work helpful or harmful The 4 Seasons of Grief (Rawness, Isolation, Self-Discovery, Empowerment) and what each season looks like day-to-day How shoving emotions down can show up later in your body as pain, illness, or accidents The difference between staying busy to avoid grief vs. taking baby steps to build a new life How to carve out simple, intentional “grief time” even when you’re providing for a family and leading at work Why it’s normal not to have all your big life decisions (house, remarriage, future plans) figured out yet How to stabilize, explore, and then build a life you can actually love again with your person’s memory honored, not erased   Next steps: 🎯 Find your season of grief (free quiz): https://bravewidow.com/quiz 📅 Join the live “4 Seasons of Grief” webinar (Feb 17): https://bravewidow.com/live 🤍 Explore Brave Widow Academy and coaching: https://bravewidow.com/academy If you feel like “a shell of yourself,” lonely, or stuck walking in place, you’re not broken and you’re not alone. There is a gentle, faith-based path forward, one small step at a time.   Chapters 0:00 – Are you “doing grief right”? 1:00 – Listener question: “Have I really done the work of grieving?” 3:05 – The fear of doing grief wrong (and what others think) 5:10 – Why time alone does NOT heal grief 7:00 – What it means to “do the work” of grieving 9:05 – Grief needs a witness: why talking matters 11:00 – The 4 Seasons of Grief (R.I.S.E. overview) 13:20 – Season 1: Rawness & survival mode 16:00 – Stabilize: the Chaos to Calm Blueprint 18:30 – Season 2: Isolation & feeling like a “shell” 21:00 – Holding “and”: grieving AND feeling moments of joy 23:40 – Seasons 2–3: Scheduling grief vs. staying busy 27:10 – Season 4: Empowerment & building a new life 29:30 – Are you busy to avoid grief… or to build a future? 32:00 – Overachievers, martyrs, and burning yourself out 35:00 – 3-step path: Stabilize, Explore, Build 37:00 – Free 4 Seasons of Grief Quiz & live webinar invite     🌱 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.   Learn more: https://bravewidow.com/academy Book a free no‑pressure consult: https://bravewidow.com/call   💬 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. 💜

In this episode, Emily Tanner (founder of Brave Widow) talks about the “in‑between” season of widowhood: the space between the life you had and the life you can’t yet see. She unpacks why this hidden season is not a punishment but a place of formation, how to wrestle honestly with God without pretending, and a simple 3‑step framework to start moving forward, even when you still feel sad, foggy, or unsure. 00:00 – Living In The In‑Between 01:10 – When Your Old Life Is Gone And The Future Feels Blank 03:05 – Signs You’re In The In‑Between 04:10 – Feeling Forgotten By God 05:15 – Elijah, The Wilderness, And Hidden Seasons 06:20 – Israel In The Desert & Grief As Lament 07:15 – Can I Still Trust God After He Didn’t Answer My Prayer? 08:10 – Praying Through Tears Without Pretending 10:00 – “Waiting On God” vs Doing Nothing 11:10 – What Faithful Waiting Really Looks Like 14:00 – “If I’m Still Sad, I Shouldn’t Move Forward” 15:05 – Forcing Outcomes vs Faithful Action 16:00 – A 3‑Step Framework For The In‑Between: Anchor – Act – Attune 19:30 – What God’s Guidance Usually Feels Like 20:00 – The In‑Between As Formation, Not Failure 22:00 – Life Update: Nathan’s Birthday & Graveside Sunrise 23:20 – Holding Two Truths: Grieving Nathan & Loving Robert 27:00 – Growing Your Capacity To Hold Mixed Emotions 31:40 – Final Encouragement For The In‑Between In this episode, you’ll hear: * What the “in‑between” is * Not the crisis moment and not the fully rebuilt chapter * Signs you’re in it: you can function but feel hollow, invisible, or forgotten * Why decision‑making feels impossible when you don’t know who you are now * Hidden seasons in Scripture * Elijah in the wilderness and God’s slow rebuilding work * Israel in the desert learning to trust and depend on God daily * Jesus’ 30 hidden years, David’s years between anointing and the throne * Why being unseen doesn’t mean you’re unimportant or unproductive * Wrestling honestly with God * Confusion when God feels “good” on paper but not in your reality * Why biblical faith doesn’t skip pain; it brings pain to God * How stuffing questions and stopping prayer keeps you stuck * Waiting on God vs. taking action * Common trap: “If I move, I’m not trusting God” * What faithful waiting actually looks like: seeking, listening, obeying the next step * The difference between forcing outcomes vs. taking small, surrendered steps * A 3‑step framework for the in‑between * Anchor – simple daily anchors (prayer, Scripture, boundaries, movement) * Act – identify what you want “more of” (peace, gentleness, stability, purpose) and take tiny actions toward that * Attune – regularly ask: What brings peace vs. pressure? Where do I sense God inviting me? What lights even a small spark? * Growing your capacity to hold “both/and” * Emily’s story of honoring Nathan’s birthday while preparing to celebrate her anniversary with Robert * Learning to hold grief and joy, past love and new love, loss and hope, without one erasing the other * Why expanding your emotional capacity makes life feel lighter and more grounded * Life update * Visiting Nathan’s graveside on his birthday * Upcoming anniversary trip with Robert * A teaser for an upcoming Q&A episode with Robert on dating/marrying a widow Resources mentioned: * Elijah: Faith and Fire by Priscilla Shirer * Just Be Honest: How to Pray When You’re Suffering by Clint Watkins 🌱 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. Learn more: https://bravewidow.com/academy
 Book a free no‑pressure consult:
https://bravewidow.com/call 💬 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. 💜

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. 💜

  Are you facing your first New Year as a widow and feeling dread instead of hope? While everyone else is posting “New year, new me,” you might be thinking, “I didn’t even want this year. I just wanted my person back.” In this episode, Emily shares 5 “permission slips” for your heart so you can walk into a new year without your person with more gentleness, honesty, and faith. No pretending you’re okay. No pressure to set big goals. Just real talk, real grief, and real hope in Jesus. You’ll hear: Why the New Year can feel especially cruel and disorienting after loss Permission slip #1: Feel what you actually feel (even anger at God) Permission slip #2: Pause and lower expectations when grief waves hit Permission slip #3: Step forward without “leaving your person behind” Permission slip #4: Be deeply honest with God and with safe people Permission slip #5: Be guided instead of doing this alone To help you put this into practice, I created a free New Year Permission Slip Worksheet just for widows. 👉 Download your free worksheet: https://bravewidow.com/182 You can print it, fill it out, and literally sign the permission you’re giving your heart this year. Resources mentioned: Free New Year Permission Slip Worksheet: https://bravewidow.com/182 Brave Widow Academy (6‑month group coaching for widows): https://bravewidow.com/academy Book a free, no-pressure consult: https://bravewidow.com If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another widow who’s staring down January feeling alone. You don’t have to do this year by yourself.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: * Apply for the Brave Widow Academy Scholarship (applications open until January 2): bravewidow.com * Learn about the next Brave Widow Academy group starting Thursday, January 22 at bravewidow.com * Want more support rebuilding life after loss? Book a free consult at bravewidow.com * Curious about Grief Recovery Method® with Emily? https://www.bravewidow.com/offers/EPW2EeyT/checkout Everyone’s shouting “Happy New Year!” and making resolutions… and you’re thinking, I don’t even want this new year because he isn’t in it. If that’s you, this episode is for you. In Episode 181 of The Brave Widow Show, Emily talks about the strange, painful feeling of moving into a year your person will never see, and how to step into the future without feeling like you’re abandoning him in the past. You’ll hear: * Why entering a new year can feel surreal, unfair, and anxiety‑provoking for widows * A powerful reframe: if you believe you’ll see him again, each step forward can bring you closer, not further away * Emily’s story of feeling empty nearly two years out, and how Brave Widow slowly became more than she could have imagined * The “four seasons of grief” and why your life can one day feel better than you’re able to picture right now * How to “borrow belief” when you don’t have any hope left of your own You’ll leave with a tiny seed of hope that your life in the future can be gentler, fuller, and more meaningful than the gray, empty version your brain is predicting today. Get support as a widow If you’re a widow 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:    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.

In this episode of The Brave Widow Show, I sit down with Brad Morell, a licensed professional counselor and host of the Grief Observed Podcast.   Brad shares his journey from corporate life to counseling, his personal experiences with divorce and the death of a best friend, and how grief has shaped his calling to help others.   We explore:  Why moving forward (not “moving on”) is essential in grief recovery  The surprising science behind tears as healing   How family dynamics and expectations complicate the grieving process  Why men are beginning to reach out for mental health support more than ever  The power of Kaizen: small steps that change your life    Brad and I also talk about the importance of faith, connection, and simply showing up for grieving friends.   ✨ Whether you’re in the early stages of loss or years into your journey, this episode offers hope, perspective, and practical tools for healing.   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.   Timestamps:  00:35 Brave Widow Academy Updates 02:13 Upcoming Grief Recovery Program 04:23 Introducing Brad Morell 05:17 Brad's Journey to Counseling 06:46 Personal Experiences with Grief 12:01 The Importance of Asking for Help 13:32 Challenges in Mental Health and Grief 16:29 Family Dynamics and Grief 21:39 Moving Forward After Loss 24:30 Understanding Kaizen: The Power of Small Steps 27:51 Managing Expectations in Life and Relationships 33:40 The Role of Faith in Overcoming Loss 35:15 The Healing Power of Tears and Emotions 40:48 Finding Hope and Resilience in Grief 42:40 Resources and Support for Grief Recovery     📌 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           Join the Brave Widow Academy: https://bravewidow.com/academy   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