Getting Back Up Podcast: Finding Life After Death
by Getting Back Up Podcast Media, LLC
Two fathers. Two stories of loss. One mission to get back up.Real conversations with two men learning to navigate life, raise children, and find love again…after loss. Hosted by Jamal Jones and David McClain, Getting Back Up: Life after Death is a real, raw, and often humorous podcast about what comes after the unthinkable—losing a partner, facing grief, and finding your way through it. As two widowers, now devoted girl dads (and one remarried man), Jamal and David create space for honest conversations around healing, identity, and starting over. Getting knocked down is part of life. Getting back up is how we live.
Episodes
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53: Dating at This Age
(00:00:00) Cold Open: Do I Still Have It? (00:00:31) Dating in Our 50s (00:04:20) Why This Conversation, Why Now (00:06:29) David: From Casual to Exclusive (00:16:14) Jamal: What Dating Taught Me (00:30:01) Divorce Is Loss Too (00:40:57) What I Had to Unlearn (00:47:54) What Surprised Us…
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52: The Home We Left Behind
Episode 52: The Home We Left Behind What's something in your home that stayed exactly where your spouse left it? A pair of shoes. Clothes in the closet. A favorite chair. A photograph. And why can moving something so small feel like letting go of something so much bigger? In this episode of…
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51: When You're No Longer part of THAT couple
Send us Fan MailEpisode 51: When You're No Longer part of THAT coupleFor years, you were part of a couple. Dinner parties, weddings, vacations, holidays, and friendships were built around we and us. Then you lose your spouse, and suddenly you're showing up alone. The invitations may still come.…
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50: What Happened When We Put Widowers in a Room Together | Widower Reset
Send us Fan MailEpisode 50: What Happened When We Put Widowers in a Room Together | Widower ResetWhat happens when you put a group of widowers in a room and give them permission to stop being strong for a weekend?Jamal and David created the Widower Reset because 49 episodes of conversations about...
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49: Dad, I Need to Talk to Mom
Send us Fan MailEpisode 49: Dad, I Need to Talk to MomSometimes there are moments in raising children when you can almost hear the words: “I really wish Mom was here for this.” For a widowed father, those moments can be especially difficult—because sometimes your child needs the parent who isn't...
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48: Nobody Knows What to Do With the Empty Chair
Send us Fan MailEpisode 48: Nobody Knows What to Do With the Empty ChairWhen your spouse dies, your family doesn't simply become the same family minus one person. The entire family changes.In this episode, Jamal and David explore the roles their wives occupied that became even more visible after...
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47: The Signs You’re Healing (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It)
Send us Fan MailEpisode 47: The Signs You’re Healing (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It)Healing after loss rarely announces itself. There’s usually no big breakthrough or morning when you wake up and suddenly feel “better.” More often, it shows up quietly—in the first laugh that doesn’t bring…
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46: The Man I Never Expected to Become
Send us Fan MailEpisode 46: The Man I Never Expected to BecomeLoss changes us. That's unavoidable. But every so often, if we're paying attention, we realize grief hasn't only taken something away—it has quietly shaped us into someone we never expected to become.In this episode, Jamal and David...
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45: The Lasts We Never Saw Coming
Send us Fan MailEpisode 45: The Lasts We Never Saw Coming Some of the hardest moments after losing a spouse aren't the anniversaries we prepare for. They're the milestones we never realized would become "lasts." In this episode, Jamal and David reflect on the quiet grief that can surface as...
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44: Grieving a Future After Loss
Send us Fan MailEpisode 44: Grieving a Future After LossGrief isn't only about losing the person you loved. Sometimes it's about losing the future you spent years imagining together.In this episode, Jamal and David explore one of the least talked about dimensions of grief: mourning the life that...
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43: What If I Forget Her? The Fear of Letting Go
Send us Fan MailEpisode 43: What If I Forget Her?One of the fears many widowers carry isn't losing a memory—it's losing the connection behind it.In this episode, Jamal and David tackle a question that often goes unspoken: What if I forget her? They share the moments that stop you in your…
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42: I’m Tired of Being Strong (Holding it together after loss)
Send us Fan MailEpisode 42: I’m Tired of Being Strong (What everyone sees after loss)For many widowers, strength becomes a role they never asked to play. You keep showing up. You take care of the kids. You pay the bills. You go to work. You handle the responsibilities. And somewhere along the…
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41 - I Don't Feel Like Myself Anymore | Identity After Loss
Send us Fan MailEpisode 41: When you don't feel like yourself After loss, there comes a moment many widowers quietly experience: you look in the mirror, go to work, attend a family event, or scroll through old photos and think... I don’t even recognize myself anymore.In this episode, Jamal and...
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40: Why Am I Still Angry?
Send us Fan MailEpisode 40: Why Am I Still Angry?For many widowers and grieving spouses, anger doesn’t always show up in the beginning. Sometimes it arrives later—after the funeral, after the shock, after life gets quiet again. And when it does, it can feel confusing, constant, and…
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39: I Felt Guilty for Laughing Again, After Loss
Send us Fan MailEpisode 39: I Felt Guilty for Laughing Again After LossThere’s a moment many widowers and grieving spouses experience—but rarely say out loud: the first time you genuinely laugh again… and immediately feel guilty afterward. In this episode, Jamal and David unpack the emotional...
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38: When Your Child Has an Emergency — Why It Hits Different After Loss
Send us Fan MailEpisode 38: When Your Child Has an Emergency — Why It Hits Different After LossThere’s a moment every parent dreads—the call you weren’t expecting… the one that makes your heart drop before you even have the full story. In this episode, Jamal and David open up about their first…
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37. When Life Hits Again - Unemployed after loss
Send us Fan MailEpisode 37: When Life Hits Again - Unemployed after lossWhat happens when life knocks you down… again?In this episode, Jamal and David step into something raw and unfiltered. Just weeks after being laid off, Jamal shares what it feels like to take another hit—after already...
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36: Finding Passion & Purpose Again
Send us Fan MailEpisode 36: Finding Passion & Purpose AgainThere comes a moment in the journey where survival isn’t the question anymore… it’s now what?In this episode, Jamal and David dive into one of the hardest transitions after loss—moving from just getting through the day to actually…
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35: In-Laws or Out-Laws? — Dealing with Their Family After You Move On
Send us Fan MailEpisode 35: In-Laws or Out-Laws? — Dealing with Their Family After You Move OnMoving forward after loss isn’t just about you—it can shift every relationship connected to your past. In this episode, Jamal and David tackle one of the most complicated dynamics widowers face…
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34: Bitter Sweet Sixteens - Navigating Fatherhood Through Milestones
Send us Fan MailEpisode 34: Bitter Sweet Sixteens — Navigating Fatherhood Through MilestonesTurning sixteen is supposed to be a celebration — a moment where parents look at their daughters and realize childhood is slowly giving way to adulthood. But for widower fathers, milestones like a Sweet...
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33: Am I Depressed… or Am I Grieving?
Send us Fan MailEpisode 33: Am I Depressed… or Am I Grieving?In this episode, Jamal and David take on a question many widowers wrestle with quietly: Am I depressed… or am I grieving? It’s a question that usually shows up late at night, in the quiet moments when the distractions fade and the…
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32: Telling the Story With Heart — A Conversation with Dr. Nicole Clark
Send us Fan MailEpisode 32: Telling the Story With Heart — A Conversation with Dr. Nicole Clark In this episode, Jamal and David sit down with Dr. Nicole Clark, Emmy award-winning anchor and reporter for Spectrum News Texas — but before the newsroom, before the camera, there was nearly two…
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31: Grief Beyond Death — A Conversation with Jocelyn Barrera of The Christi Center
Send us Fan MailEpisode 31: Grief Beyond Death — A Conversation with Jocelyn Barrera of The Christi CenterIn this on-location episode in Austin, Jamal and David sit down with Jocelyn Barrera, Executive and Clinical Director of The Christi Center, to explore grief in all its forms — not just…
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30: “If Only I Had…” — Living With the Loop of Regret (Part 2)
Send us Fan MailEpisode 30: “If Only I Had…” — Living With the Loop of Regret (Part 2)In Part 2 of our conversation on regret, Jamal and David move from awareness to release. Many widowers quietly believe that suffering proves love — that carrying guilt forever somehow honors their wife. But what...
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29: “If Only I Had…” — Living With the Loop of Regret (Part 1)
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 29: “If Only I Had…” — Living With the Loop of Regret (Part 1)In Part 1 of this raw and reflective conversation, Jamal and David open up about one of the hardest truths many widowers face: regret. The kind that creeps in...
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28: What Must Be Carried (Pt. 2 ) w/ Whitney Lyn Allen
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 28: What Must Be Carried (Pt. 2 ) w/ Whitney Lyn AllenIn this second half of our conversation with grief coach and author Whitney Lyn Allen, we explore the deep complexities of what it means to truly move forward.…
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27: What Must Be Carried (Pt. 1 ) w/ Whitney Lyn Allen
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 27: What Must Be Carried (Pt. 1 ) w/ Whitney Lyn AllenIn this deeply personal conversation, we sit down with Whitney Lyn Allen—grief coach, attorney, author, and widow—to talk about the life she built with her late…
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26: The Cost of the Craft with Russell Hornsby (Part 2)
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 26: The Cost of the Craft with Russell HornsbyIn Part 2 of our powerful conversation with actor Russell Hornsby, we move from personal loss to professional sacrifice—and how they’re more connected than people think.…
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25: Black Men, Cancer, and the Fight for Our Lives @ Clark Atlanta University
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 25: Black Men, Cancer, and the Fight for Our LivesIn this special episode, Jamal and David head to Clark Atlanta University to sit down with researchers, doctors, and survivors at the frontlines of cancer care and...
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24: A New Year. A New You.
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 24: A New Year. A New You. It’s 2026—and for those of us navigating life after loss, the new year can feel less like a reset and more like a reckoning. In this episode, Jamal and Dave reflect on entering a fresh calendar...
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23: When the Job Is Gone, Who Are You? with Degion Craddock
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 23: When the Job Is Gone, Who Are You? with Degion Craddock In this episode, Jamal and David sit down with marketing pro and former Dell colleague Degion Craddock—a talented, driven brother who found himself suddenly…
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22: For the People - A Conversation with our Community
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 22: For the People - A Conversation with our CommunityIn this episode, Jamal and Dave step back from the mic to reflect on the journey so far—and to respond to you, the Getting Back Up community. Since launching, we’ve...
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21: A Son’s Reflection on Love, Loss, and Legacy with Russell Hornsby (Part 1)
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 21: A Son’s Reflection on Love, Loss, & Legacy with Russell Hornsby (Part 1) In this deeply personal conversation, Jamal and David sit down with acclaimed actor Russell Hornsby to talk about the kind of loss that doesn’t...
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A Thanksgiving Break
Send us Fan MailGoing into Thanksgiving and somewhat taking a break. We are thankful to our fans and listeners and grateful for this community. Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way...
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20. Children and Grief with Kelly Medvin (LPC)
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 20: Children and Grief with Kelly Medvin (LPC)In this episode, Jamal and Dave sit down with Kelly Medvin, a licensed professional counselor from New Jersey whose work with grieving families began with her own…
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19: Life After Loss w/ Melody Rollins Downes (Part 2)
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 19: Life After Loss w/ Melody Rollins Downes (Part 2)In Part 2 of thier powerful conversation, Melody opens up about the final chapter of her husband’s life—the caregiving, the chaos, the clarity, and the quiet moments…
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18: Life After Loss w/ Melody Rollins Downes (Part 1)
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 18: Life After Loss w/ Melody Rollins Downes (Part 1)In this episode, Jamal and David sit down with Melody Rollins Downes, a close friend, mother, and widow, to explore the full story—not just the moment of loss, but the...
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17: The Holidays After Loss
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 17: The Holidays After LossFor anyone grieving, the holiday season doesn’t just bring lights and cheer—it brings shadows, silence, and reminders of what (and who) is missing. In this episode, Jamal and Dave get real…
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16.5: Time Out - Still Getting Back Up
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 16.5: Time Out - Still Getting Back UpTen episodes later, we’ve gone from the first morning alone to parenting through pain, rediscovering purpose, and opening our hearts to what comes next.In this reflection episode,...
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16. New Love on the Horizon
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 16: New Love On the HorizonFalling in love again after loss is layered. In this episode, Jamal and Dave reflect on what it means to move forward while still honoring the past. Jamal shares how his connection with Jordan...
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15. The DadMom - Taking Over the Solos
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 15: The DadMom - Taking Over the Solos Being a solo parent after loss isn’t just about logistics—it’s about stepping into the spotlight when the lead singer of the band is gone. In this episode, Jamal and Dave reflect on...
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14. Dating again: What we learned. What you should know.
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1) Episode 14: Dating again: What we learned. What you should know. Dating after loss is a different kind of game—and the playbook isn’t exactly handed to you. You’ve changed. The world has changed. And when it comes to love after...
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13. We were ready to date. Or were we?
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1)Episode 13: We were ready to date...Or were we?In this episode, Jamal and Dave talk about what it was like to start dating after months of loneliness. After all, they were single fathers trying to focus on their kids, also...
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12: The Tough First Solo Decisions
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1)Episode 12: The Tough First Solo DecisionsFrom what to make for dinner… to how to fill out “Mother” on a school form—those first solo decisions hit harder than expected.In this episode, Jamal and Dave talk through the early…
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11. The Pressure to Move On...Or Just Move
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1)Episode 11: The Pressure to Move On...or Just MoveEveryone’s got opinions when you’re grieving—especially the folks who’ve never done it.In this episode, Jamal and Dave get real about the pressure to “move on” after losing a...
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10: When the Calls Stop Coming...It's just me.
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1)Episode 10: When the Calls Stop Coming...It's just me.The food stops showing up. The texts stop buzzing. The people who promised to be there… vanish.In this episode, Jamal and Dave open up about the moment the crowd fades and the...
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9: Honoring A Life & Your Rite of Passage
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1)Episode 9: Honoring A Life & Your Rite of PassageThe church was full. Or maybe it was nearly empty. Either way, you stood there—grieving, performing, surviving.In this episode, Jamal and Dave reflect on the surreal experience of...
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8. How Do You Tell the Kids?
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1)Episode 8: How Do You Tell the Kids?There’s no blueprint for this. No playbook. Just a heart that’s breaking—and a child looking to you for answers.In this episode, Jamal and Dave revisit the most painful part of early grief:...
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7. The First Moments Alone...
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1)Episode 7: The First Moments AloneWhat happens when the chaos quiets down and you’re left alone? Just…you. And the silence. The first moments that you actually begin to process losing your spouse and flood of emotions, thoughts,...
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6.5. Timeout: Let's Catch Our Breath
Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death (Season 1)Episode 6.5: Timeout: Let's Catch Our Breath In this special episode, Jamal and Dave reflect on the first six episodes of Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death. From their origin stories to the passing of their wives, the...
About this show
Two fathers. Two stories of loss. One mission to get back up.Real conversations with two men learning to navigate life, raise children, and find love again…after loss.
Hosted by Jamal Jones and David McClain, Getting Back Up: Life after Death is a real, raw, and often humorous podcast about what comes after the unthinkable—losing a partner, facing grief, and finding your way through it. As two widowers, now devoted girl dads (and one remarried man), Jamal and David create space for honest conversations around healing, identity, and starting over.
Getting knocked down is part of life. Getting back up is how we live.
Hosted by
Getting Back Up Podcast Media, LLC