PODCAST · health
Widow We Do Now?
by Anita and Mel
Widow We Do Now is a podcast created by two young widows, Anita and Mel. Through humor, authenticity, and empathy, they address topics related to grief, death, bereavement, and moving forward through the inescapable pitfalls of young widowhood. They also love cheese.
Episodes
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Ep. 293 | Widowed Parents Dating: What Kids Really Think
What happens when a widowed parent starts dating again? The parent might be ready for companionship, connection, or even a new relationship—but what does that feel like for the kids? This week, Anita and Mel dig into a survey they conducted with kids who have a widowed parent, asking them how…
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Ep. 292 | The Grief App
This week, Anita and Mel talk with Sandra Neperud - fellow widow and the creator of The Grief App, a resource designed to help people navigate the messy, unpredictable reality of loss. Sandra joins them from https://thegriefapp.com/om her travel van, bringing her own experience with grief into…
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Ep. 291 | The Million Stages of Grief and Healing: Michael Reed
This week, Anita and Mel sit down with Michael Reed, who experienced an unimaginable loss when his wife and two daughters died in a fire in Gatlinburg, Tennessee in 2016. His son survived, and Michael was left to navigate a grief no parent should ever have to face. Michael shares his journey...
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Ep. 290 | Owner's Manual: Widowhood Edition
What if you had an owner’s manual for yourself? What would it have said before widowhood, and what would it say now? Mel puts Anita in the hot seat and asks her to imagine her personal owner’s manual — how she operated, what she needed, what people should know about her, and what changed after…
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Ep. 289 | Then and Now: Meet Me Where I Ham
Anita and Mel go back to Episode 13, “Meat Me Where I Ham,” recorded when Mel was two years into widowhood and Anita was one year in. Now, Mel is almost nine years into widowhood and Anita is coming up on eight. They listen to that early conversation and reflect on what has changed, what hasn’t,...
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Ep. 288 | The Widow Complaint Department
The Widow Complaint Department is officially open. In this episode, Anita and Mel read listener submissions about the things that make widowhood harder, weirder, more annoying, and occasionally downright ridiculous. From clueless comments and unsolicited advice to people who just don’t know what…
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Ep. 287 | Learning To Live As A Widow: Dr. Tina Fornwald
Dr. Tina Fornwald knows firsthand how quickly life can change. As a retired US Army officer and breast cancer survivor, her husband Mark died suddenly from a massive heart attack in 2017. After his death, Tina had to figure out how to live again. She found support through therapy, faith, family,...
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Ep. 286 | A New Way To Remember: Cumulus
What happens to all the stories, photos, memories, and little pieces of a person after they die? This week, Anita and Mel talk with Alex, the founder and architect of Cumulus, an online memorial platform created to give people a place to remember and celebrate the people they've lost. They talk...
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Ep. 285 | Wrongful Death Widow: Deborah Westwood
Meet Deborah Westwood, a widow whose life was forever changed by the wrongful death of her husband, Larry, following medical malpractice. Deborah shares the devastating reality of grieving a loss that never should have happened. She talks about the heartbreak of losing Larry, the anger and...
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Ep. 284 | Five Stars, Would Grieve Again: Aaron Simmons
Anita and Mel are joined by widower Aaron Simmons, who shares the story of losing his wife just six days after what was supposed to be a routine abdominoplasty, when she suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism. Aaron describes the surreal experience of grief, saying it felt like his entire life had...
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Ep. 283 | Annnnnd They're Back!!
Well, it hasn't quite been a relaxing summer, but Anita and Mel are back after life smacked both of them upside the head a few times (or knocked one of them right into the hospital). Check out this episode to get the scoop on what has happened - good, bad, and scammy! And speaking of scams, be…
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Ep. 282 | Summer News
Anita and Mel have had some crazy things happen in the last little while, so new episodes will be back up in July! Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn Mint Mobile: Mobile phone…
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Ep. 281 | After John Jumped: Eileen Bellew
Eileen Bellew joins Anita and Mel to talk about the sudden death of her husband, John, on January 23, 2005 also known as "Black Sunday," one of the deadliest days in FDNY history. Her husband, FDNY firefighter John Bellew, was one of six firefighters trapped in a Bronx apartment fire. The day...
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Ep. 280 | Choosing to Live: Jess Anderson
Anita found Jess Anderson completely by accident through a comment on Threads, and what followed was one of those instant connections that feels like it was meant to happen. Jess shares the story of loving her husband through cystic fibrosis, a double lung transplant, and the years of hope, fear,...
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Ep. 279 | Widows, Witches, and Wellness with Jennifer Newberg
When you're a sober alcoholic, a divorcee, and a widow, you might know a thing or two about rebuilding your life. Jennifer Newberg joins Anita and Mel to chat about what all this looks like with honesty, humor, and zero interest in pretending healing is linear. After the death of her husband,...
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Ep. 278 | Trauma-Informed Cancer Care: Christine Fader
Christine Fader joins Anita and Mel from Canada to talk about the death of her husband, Michael, and the reality of living through not one but two cancer diagnoses. In 2018, Michael was diagnosed with the “good” kind of throat cancer. In 2020, he was diagnosed with a completely new and far more...
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Ep. 277 | The Modern Dating Survival Guide (Widow Edition) with Lauren Salaun
Dating is already complicated—add grief, trauma, and modern communication norms, and it becomes a whole new landscape. This week, Lauren Salaun helps Anita and Mel dig into what it actually looks like to date after loss: how to approach it as a widow, how trauma can show up in your body (yes…
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Ep. 276 | The Secret Life of a 4-Month Widow Wife: Dorothy Kane
Dorothy Kane is not a grandmother. She is a 36-year-old widow from Toronto who is just four months into life after loss. With a newborn at home and maternity leave underway, Dorothy shares what it’s like navigating fresh grief while caring for a brand-new life. She opens up about losing her…
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Ep. 275 | Anita's Crime, Aubrey Plaza, and The Clown Room
Anita and Mel are catching up after spring break—grief, growth, and the weird ways time keeps moving whether you’re ready or not. Anita opens up about a heavy realization about her kids: the stretch of time after their dad’s death didn’t just pass—it quietly closed doors. Some of the kids missed...
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Ep. 274 | Dennis "Fitted Sheet" Brozzo
Meet our friend Dennis. Dennis was widowed from his long-time partner Michelle, who died from ampullary adenocarcinoma - a rare, malignant tumor arising from the spot where the bile and pancreatic ducts empty into the small intestine. Dennis discusses with Anita and Mel how he and Michelle were...
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Ep. 273 | "You're So Strong....": Leslie Harter-Berg
Leslie Harter Berg, known for her Vids for Wids, joins Widow We Do Now to talk about the loss of her husband, Ryan, who died from arteriovenous malformations, and what life has looked like in the years since. She shares the reality of early grief, what it meant to rebuild, and how her path...
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Ep. 272 | The Widow of a Modern-Day Boston Marriage: Sara Gregerman
Sara Gregerman became a widow when her platonic life partner, Joanna, died from brain cancer. Sara is asexual. Joanna was first her best friend, then the person she built a life with—and the person she was planning to marry. Their partnership didn’t follow the usual scripts people imagine when…
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Ep. 271 | No More Secrets: Katie Goetz
When your husband was a deeply kind and loving person who brought joy and warmth into the lives of the people around him, it goes without saying that this is the kind of person everyone needs. Katie Goetz shares with Anita and Mel how the complications of addiction came as a shock, because she...
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Ep. 270 | AuDHD, Non-Monagamy, and Car Crying: Julia Robinson
Julia Robinson is not here to fit in a box — and she’s definitely not here to let widowhood be reduced to a single storyline. As an AuDHD widow, mom to a non-binary child, and someone who was in an open marriage before her husband’s death, Julia brings sharp wit, self-awareness, and zero interest...
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Ep. 269 | When You Get Hit By An Actual Truck After Your Husband Dies: Jessica Medlin
It's not an uncommon phrase: "I felt like I got hit by a truck." But Jessica Medlin, school principal, avid runner, and recent widow actually DID get hit by a truck. Join Jessica, Anita, and Mel as they discuss widowhood, kids, work, what it's like to wake up in the hospital with crushed body...
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Ep. 268 | When “How Are You?” Isn’t Enough: Erin Clark on How’s the Weather
Erin Clark, the widowed creator behind How’s the Weather, joins Anita and Mel to talk about life after losing her husband, the emotional whiplash of grief, and how widowhood can shift from “I’m fine” to “I’m not okay” faster than anyone sees coming. Together, they unpack the daily realities:...
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Ep. 267 | Fiona In The Middle: Cancer and Cringe Dating
Fiona de la Mezzo joins Anita and Mel all the way from Australia to talk about life after loss, love after cancer, and what happens when you decide to date again before you’re remotely ready. After losing her husband to cancer, Fiona opens up about the strange pressure to “make memories” while...
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Ep. 266 | Anita Gets Asked To Dance
In this episode, Anita and Mel get together to discuss current widow happenings. Anita shares one of her wildest post-widowhood adventures yet—getting asked to dance. Meanwhile, Mel dives into the growing conversation around AI awareness and what it means for regular people, independent creators,...
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Ep. 265 | Widowhood, Broken Blended Families, and Crack Waxes: Tina Newman
Anita and Mel are joined by guest Tina Newman for a real-talk episode on dating after widowhood—because it’s never as simple as “moving on.” They chat about how Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) can turn life upside down, what widows actually want, and how we decide what to do with our past when we...
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Ep. 264 | Kratom Killed My Husband: Kate Terry's Story
Meet our friend Kate. She's that cute friend that can fit in Anita's pocket but will pack a hefty throat punch if warranted. Kate's husband, Jeff, died by suicide at his place of work in 2024 after ingesting something called Kratom. In this episode, Kate shares what happened, what she wants…
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Ep. 263 | Young Widowing In Germany: Kim Walker
Kim Walker never expected to become a widow—especially not in the middle of an ordinary day. In this episode, Kim joins Anita and Mel from Germany to share the story of losing her husband, Lee, unexpectedly just one year ago as he was on his way to work. Whether it's Formula 1 racing, traveling…
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Ep. 262 | Things To Bring To The New Year
Anita never thought she’d still be standing seven years after Jason’s death—but here she is. And in a strange twist, it wasn’t grief that almost took her out—it was something else in an adventurous jaunt on New Years Eve. In this episode, Anita and Mel also talk about what they’re choosing to…
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Ep. 261 | When A Medium Becomes Widowed: Michelle Clare: part 2
You've heard a bit of of her story in part 1 (Episode 260), and now it's time for the part where Anita and Mel find out what it's like for a medium to experience partner loss. Not only did Michelle experience partner loss - she experienced partner loss via suicide. In this episode, Michelle...
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Ep. 260 | Three Near Death Experiences & a Mediumship: Michelle Clare, Part 1
This episode is the prequel to the most recent happenings in the life of medium, Michelle Clare. Anita and Mel had fun while interviewing Michelle Clare, the woman who fell into mediumship after literally falling off a ladder and surviving three near-death experiences. This episode was originally...
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Ep. 259 | Krampus Fest and an Encore of 10 Holiday Tips
Anita and Mel discuss the 2025 holiday season, which of course includes an Austrian Krampus Festival. When you aren't sure what to do when the price of ornaments are sky high, never fear - captain Anita comes to the rescue with a brilliant solution. And, saving the best for last, please enjoy a…
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Ep. 258 | THE BOSS OF CHEESE: Marilee Zafaripour-Tantry
If you are ever in need of a tale full of twists, turns, randomness, and quirky hilarity, this episode is for you. From being in foster care to finding a supportive birth mom community, having a not-so-planned surprise at Disneyland, meeting young widow friends, and being asked to go look at...
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Ep. 257 | Milestones and Marriage Musings
Mel has officially been widowed 8 years, some of Anita's kids want a new (alive) dad, grief dreams happen, Broadway and wayyyyyy off Broadway productions happen, and Anita finds herself considering joining the ranks of lighting directors everywhere. The question "would you get married again" also...
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Ep. 256 | The Gold Star Widow: Amber Slaughter
Amber’s husband, a Gulf War veteran, died from adenocarcinoma caused by toxic exposure during his military service. Thirteen months into widowhood, Amber shares the realities of watching illness unfold, raising awareness about the long-term effects of service, and learning how to rebuild life…
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Ep. 255 | Seventeen Months a Widow: Skyler Sholder
When 29-year old Skyler woke up one day seventeen months ago, she never would have imagined her world would change so drastically. Later that day, her husband was in a head-on collision while driving his big lowboy trailer, leaving Skyler with a lot of shock, grief, and a 2 year old. With their...
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Ep. 254 | Spooky Story Submissions
It's Halloween week, and that time of year where listeners write in to tell Anita and Mel of their personal paranormal experiences that have happened to them since their loved ones' passing. You won't want to miss this one! *Check our Patreon for AD FREE Episodes, or to submit tributes of your...
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Ep. 253 | Aloha Ever After: Scott Meehan
The story of how this interview came to be has something to do with Anita's exercise regimen, Hawaii 5-0, and little bit of woo woo. Meet Scott. Scott and his wife Donna built a life in Hawaii grounded in love, music, and the spirit of aloha. When Donna was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic…
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Ep. 252 | Widow They Do Now? Past Guest Updates
How and what are some of our former guests doing since their original interview? Today's the day to find out! Check out this episode to hear updates from: Ep. 123 Trent Thompson Ep. 125 Maya Glasser Ep. 137 Jo Betz Ep. 142 Teal Neil Ep. 143 Connie Remetch Ep. 157 Holly Wagg Ep. 159 Michelle Paris...
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Ep. 251 | Flipping Addiction's Stigma Upside Down in South Africa: Shirley Pegram
In this episode, Anita and Mel sit down with Shirley, a widow navigating life after losing her husband to addiction. She shares the raw challenges of grief, judgment, and anger—and how she’s transforming that pain into purpose. This fierce lady is on a mission to break the stigma around addiction...
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Ep. 250 | "Hello My Queen": 10 Tips To Spot Scammers
Scammers are everywhere these days—and they’re sneeeeaaaakkkky. In this episode, we’re spilling 10 of the biggest signs that something’s off. You know, the romantic “too good to be true” vibes, the weird pressure to act right now, and those messages that just don’t pass the vibe check. Listen as...
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Ep. 249 | Pennies From Heaven: Judy Malkin
Meet our friend Judy. She became a widow in 2020 after losing her husband, an anthropologist with whom she shared years of adventure, including time living in Brazil. Now an empty nester, Judy has also faced the heartbreaking loss of her newborn granddaughter and other close family members in the...
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Ep. 248 | Turning Pain Into Purpose: Nicky Wake
In this episode, Anita and Mel sit down with widowed serial entrepreneur, event planner, and former naked podium dancer, Nicky Wake, whose journey through love, loss, addiction, and recovery inspired her to create dating platforms for overlooked communities. After losing her husband and battling...
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Ep. 247 | The Pigeon Widow's Big Year: Aubrey Sirman
When Aubrey Sirman lost her husband to the rare cancer Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE), her world changed forever. In this episode, she shares how grief reshaped her life—and how her passions have helped her move forward. Join Anita and Mel as they talk with Aubrey about the healing power…
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Ep. 246 | From Widow to Suspect? The Allegations Against Kouri Richins
In this episode, Anita dives into the unfolding case of Kouri Richins, a Utah widow and author of a grief book for children, accused of murdering her husband, Eric. Drawing from court documents, news reports, and public statements, this epsiode unpacks the timeline, the key allegations, and the...
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Ep. 245 | Whittling Smol Cows
Anita and Mel check in as the end of the summer is approaching. Was Anita successful in solo parent camping with her children? What do cows have in common with both Anita and Mel? Who can whittle a clarinet reed on demand? Find all that and more in this week's episode. *Check our Patreon to…
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Ep. 244 | Widowed at 34 Weeks: Janelle Blessing
When Janelle Blessing lost her husband Zach in a tragic bike accident at 34 weeks pregnant, life took a turn she never imagined. In this episode, she shares the story of their adventurous love, the shock of sudden loss, and navigating new motherhood through grief. From mountain trails to their...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Widow We Do Now is a podcast created by two young widows, Anita and Mel. Through humor, authenticity, and empathy, they address topics related to grief, death, bereavement, and moving forward through the inescapable pitfalls of young widowhood. They also love cheese.
HOSTED BY
Anita and Mel
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Widow We Do Now? have?
Widow We Do Now? currently has 328 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Widow We Do Now? about?
Widow We Do Now is a podcast created by two young widows, Anita and Mel. Through humor, authenticity, and empathy, they address topics related to grief, death, bereavement, and moving forward through the inescapable pitfalls of young widowhood. They also love cheese.
How often does Widow We Do Now? release new episodes?
Widow We Do Now? publishes regularly with 328 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Widow We Do Now??
You can listen to Widow We Do Now? on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Widow We Do Now??
Widow We Do Now? is created and hosted by Anita and Mel.
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