The Widowed Mom Podcast

Episodi

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  383. Making Big Decisions in Your First Year of Widowhood Without Rushing Yourself 28.09.2026 13min

  Making big decisions in the first year of widowhood can feel especially overwhelming when grief has affected your concentration, confidence, and sense of certainty. In this episode, I’m challenging the common advice that widows should avoid all major decisions for a full year after their person dies. Sometimes waiting is helpful, and sometimes life requires you to decide sooner. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/383 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  382. Widows and Depression 21.09.2026 18min

  If you're having thoughts about self-harm, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional. Call or text 988 to get in touch with the Suicide and Crisis Line. If you’ve ever wondered whether what you’re feeling is grief, depression, or both, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down why grief and depression can look so similar, including changes in sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, motivation, and connection. I’ll also share some general patterns professionals may consider, such as grief that comes in waves versus a more persistent low mood or hopelessness. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/382 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  381. The Widowhood Effect: Can You Die of a Broken Heart? 14.09.2026 17min

  Can you really die of a broken heart? In this episode, I’m looking at the science behind that question, including the widowhood effect and the real medical condition known as broken heart syndrome, or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/381 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  380. Anticipatory Grief: When You Started Grieving Before He Died 07.09.2026 15min

  If you knew your person was going to die, you may have expected the loss to feel different because you had time to prepare. In this episode, I’m talking about anticipatory grief: the grief that can begin before a death fully occurs. We’ll look at the losses that happen during illness, decline, and caregiving, from changing roles and intimacy to the future you thought you would share. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/380 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  379. Survivor’s Guilt as a Widow: Why You Feel It and How to Carry It 31.08.2026 11min

  In this episode, I’m talking about survivor's guilt and why it can show up in widowhood, sometimes when you least expect it. You might wonder why you get to keep living, laughing, traveling, watching your kids grow, or creating a future when your person can’t. And sometimes, those thoughts get even louder when life starts feeling better.I’ll explain why guilt can create an illusion of control, how counterfactual thinking keeps us stuck in the woulda, shoulda, couldas, and why enjoying your life does not mean you’re leaving your person behind. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/379 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  378. Thriving 4 Years After Sudden Loss: An Interview with Widow, Anne Chillman 24.08.2026 38min

  In this episode, I sit down with Anne Chillman, a widowed mom whose husband, Chili, died suddenly of a heart attack in 2022. Anne shares what the first years after sudden loss looked like for her and her two daughters, including the shock, the secondary losses, the pressure to hold everything together, and the challenge of making decisions without her partner. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/378 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  Join The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works 21.08.2026 3min

  I have something brand new I want to invite you to. It’s a free live class called The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works.If you’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, tried therapy or a grief group, stayed busy, given it time, and you still feel stuck, this class is for you.So much of what we’ve been taught about grief is outdated or incomplete, and when it doesn’t work, widows often assume they’re the problem. You might wonder if you’re grieving wrong, if you should be further along, or if this is simply what life is going to feel like now.In this class, I’ll show you why some of the most common grief advice can keep you spinning, what the five stages of grief never taught us, and the difference between a grief problem and a you problem. Most importantly, I’ll teach you what actually helps you move forward and start feeling like yourself again.The Thriving Widow Blueprint is completely free and live. Save your seat here: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclass
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  377. When Therapy and Grief Groups Aren't Enough: What Grief Coaching Adds 17.08.2026 15min

  If therapy or a grief group has helped you but you still find yourself wondering, “Is this as good as it gets?” this episode is for you. This week, I’m talking about what grief coaching can add when you’ve told the story, understand your grief better, and are functioning again, but you still don’t feel like you’re really living. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/377 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  376. Navigating Grief, Perimenopause, and Menopause: An Interview with Jill Crotty 10.08.2026 48min

  Can grief make perimenopause and menopause feel even harder to navigate? In this episode, I sit down with my friend and women's health nurse practitioner, Jill Crotty, to explore what happens when the emotional and physical effects of grief overlap with hormonal changes. If you've been wondering whether what you're experiencing is grief, perimenopause and menopause, or both, this conversation will help you better understand what's happening in your body. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/376 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/ Check out Jill's work here: https://myglow365.com/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  375. Lessons I’ve Learned from 10 Years of Widowhood 03.08.2026 21min

  As I mark 10 years since Hugo’s death, I'm reflecting on the biggest lessons widowhood has taught me and sharing the insights I wish someone had given me in those early days. My hope is that these lessons help you approach your own grief with more compassion and a little less self-judgment. Tune in this week to learn 10 lessons from a decade of widowhood, including how to stop fighting your emotions, why support matters, how to rebuild confidence, and why post-traumatic growth is available to every widow who wants to create a life they genuinely love.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/375 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  374. What No One Warns You About Grief and Your Nervous System: An Interview with Heather Rosser 27.07.2026 42min

  What do you do when grief doesn't just break your heart, but completely overwhelms your nervous system? In this episode, I sit down with Mom Goes On member Heather Rosser to talk about what happened after the death of her husband and how learning to regulate her nervous system became one of the biggest turning points in her healing. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/374 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  373. What Actually Helps with Acute Grief: Part 2 20.07.2026 19min

  What actually helps when you're in the middle of acute grief and every day feels impossible? In this episode, I continue my two-part series on acute grief by sharing 10 practical strategies that supported me and the thousands of widows I've coached. My goal isn't to help you avoid grief, but to make the early days feel a little less overwhelming and a little more manageable. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/373 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  372. What No One Tells You About Acute Grief: Part 1 13.07.2026 18min

  What if some of the most frightening parts of acute grief are actually completely normal? In this episode, I begin a two-part series on acute grief by sharing ten things I wish someone had told me after my husband died. My goal isn't to make acute grief hurt less, but to help you stop wondering if you're grieving "wrong" when your mind and body respond in ways you never expected. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/372 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  371. What Is Widow Fire? 06.07.2026 15min

  Have you heard the term widow fire and wondered what it actually means or whether something is wrong with you if you've experienced it? In this episode, I unpack one of the most misunderstood experiences in widowhood and explain why widow fire is far more common than many widows realize. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/371 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  370. Widows and Loneliness 29.06.2026 22min

  What if loneliness isn't caused by being alone? In this episode, I explore one of the most common experiences in widowhood: loneliness. I share why loneliness can feel so overwhelming after losing a spouse, why you can feel lonely even in a room full of people, and how understanding what loneliness really is can completely change the way you respond to it. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/370 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  369. Traumatic Loss: An Interview with Kaydee Castricone 22.06.2026 48min

  How do you keep living after a traumatic loss changes everything in an instant?In this episode, I sit down with Mom Goes On member Kaydee Castricone, who shares the heartbreaking story of losing both her husband and daughter in a devastating car accident that also left her youngest son critically injured. Kaydee shares what helped her most, including somatic tools, coaching, community support, and learning to hold both joy and pain at the same time.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/369 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  368. How to Cope with Intense Grief After Losing a Spouse 15.06.2026 26min

  Have you ever wondered if your grief is too intense, lasting too long, or somehow a sign that you’re doing something wrong? In this episode, I talk about what it really means to cope with intense grief after losing a spouse and why so many widows unintentionally make grief harder by judging themselves for how they’re grieving. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/368 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  367. Tapping, Writing, and Finding Beauty in Grief: An Interview with Judith Lysaker 08.06.2026 43min

  What if tapping could help you stay present with grief without feeling completely overwhelmed by it? In this episode, I sit down with Mom Goes On member Judith Lysaker to talk about how tapping became an unexpected but powerful part of her grief journey after the sudden death of her husband, Paul. Join us this week as we discuss the early days of grief, the importance of community, and how writing and tapping helped Judith navigate the disorientation of loss. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/367 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  366. The Mental Load of Solo Parenting 01.06.2026 26min

  Are you exhausted by the nonstop mental load of solo parenting after loss, even when you’re doing everything “right”? In this episode, I talk about the emotional, mental, and nervous system impact of solo parenting in widowhood and why so many widows feel overwhelmed in ways that rest alone doesn’t fix. Join me this week to hear how solo parenting after loss affects executive functioning, decision-making, emotional regulation, and nervous system capacity. You’ll learn practical ways to reduce the mental load of solo parenting through systems, simplified decisions, community support, age-appropriate responsibility for kids, and intentional rest. This episode is a compassionate reminder that overwhelm is not failure, and you were never meant to carry all of this alone. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/366 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint
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  365. Dear Widow: Advice From a Grief Coach 25.05.2026 22min

  In this episode, I share six powerful lessons I wish someone had told me after I became a widow and the guidance I now give widows as a grief coach. Tune in this week as I talk about the difference between consuming grief content and actually doing the work of healing. I explain why self-compassion matters, why getting the right support and tools is essential, and how widows often stay stuck waiting to feel ready before taking action toward the life they want. This episode is a reminder that fulfillment after grief is possible, and you deserve support getting there. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/365 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/Mentioned in this episode:Join my free live class, The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually WorksWant to understand why you still feel stuck even after doing everything you're “supposed” to do in grief? The Thriving Widow Blueprint: Why Conventional Grief Advice Fails and What Actually Works, is where I'll show you what actually helps widows move forward and start feeling like themselves again. Save your seat at: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/freeclassThe Thriving Widow Blueprint