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In this heartfelt episode of The Lost Love Stories, Pam sits down with friend, author, podcast host, Army veteran, and widow advocate Dr. Tina Fornwald for a powerful conversation about love, grief, healing, and the unexpected beauty that can emerge after devastating loss.

Dr. Tina shares the story of meeting her late husband, Mark, in the Army, their whirlwind romance, and the profound blessing of being by his side when he unexpectedly passed away. Nearly ten years later, she reflects on what it means to carry grief while also embracing joy, purpose, and a life still worth living.

Together, Pam and Tina discuss:

✨ The gift—and heartbreak—of being present when a loved one transitions

✨ Why widowhood isn't a competition and there is no "better" way to lose someone

✨ The importance of having conversations about death and preparing for the unexpected

✨ How one late-night phone call inspired Dr. Tina to create Widowhood Real Talk with Tina

✨ Building community instead of competition among widow advocates

✨ The incredible impact of the Children of Widowhood Secret Santa Program, which provided Christmas gifts to 29 children last year

✨ Why fiction can sometimes tell the deepest truths—and the inspiration behind Dr. Tina's Amazon bestselling novel, Five Widows

✨ Learning to hear God's whispers and act on the "downloads" that life sends us

✨ The healing power of widow retreats and giving yourself permission to laugh again

✨ Why thriving after loss isn't betrayal—it's honoring the life we still have

✨ The ripple effect that occurs when widows reclaim joy

Throughout the conversation, one truth shines brightly:

You can deeply love the person who died and still choose to fully love the life you have remaining.

📚 About Dr. Tina Fornwald

Dr. Tina R. Fornwald is a grief advocate, transformational speaker, author of The Five Widows Club, and founder of Widowhood Real Talk with Tina. A retired and decorated Army officer, widow, breast cancer survivor, and mother of two, she helps individuals and organizations understand where grief gets stuck and how people can reconnect with life, community, and a renewed sense of belonging.

Connect with Dr. Tina

Dr. Tina’s website https://tinafornwald.com/

Purchase The Five Widows Club https://bit.ly/TheFiveWidowsClub

Where Grief Gets Stuck: https://tinafornwald.com/where-grief-gets-stuck/

WRTWT Home page https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/

Children of Widowhood Secret Santa https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/children-of-widowhood/

Retreat web page https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/real-widowhood-weekend-nextyou-experience/

Interest form for 2026 Real Widowhood Weekend: #NextYou Experience https://bit.ly/nextyou-experience-interestform

Memorial Garden https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/events/community-memorial-garden/

Podcast https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/podcast/

Events https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/events/

Watch on this episode on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/6-wyc4klh3Q

Email thelostlovestories@gmail.com with comments, questions or to be considered as a guest on show.

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Some people leave behind memories.

Others leave behind movements.

In this heartfelt episode of The Lost Love Stories, Pam sits down with her friend Kate O'Donnell to share the remarkable story of her father, Joe O'Donnell—a beloved leader in the cystic fibrosis community whose impact continues to be felt long after his passing.

Joe's journey into advocacy began after his son Joey was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. What started as a father's determination to help his child evolved into a lifetime of service, fundraising, storytelling, and leadership that helped transform the future of CF care for countless families.

But this conversation is about far more than fundraising.

Kate shares what it was like growing up in a family shaped by both profound loss and extraordinary purpose. She reflects on losing the brother she never had the chance to know, watching her parents turn grief into action, and eventually stepping into her father's legacy after his death from pancreatic cancer in 2024.

Together, Pam and Kate explore the realities of anticipatory grief, caregiving, hospice, family traditions, and the ways we continue relationships with those we love after they're gone.

This episode is filled with laughter, tears, wisdom, and a powerful reminder that the people we love never truly leave us—they live on in the stories we tell, the lives they touched, and the work we continue in their honor.

In This Episode We Discuss:

• Growing up in the shadow and light of a sibling lost to cystic fibrosis
• How Joe O'Donnell became one of the most influential advocates in the CF community
• The power of storytelling to inspire change
• Turning grief into purpose and action
• The realities of pancreatic cancer and anticipatory grief
• Hospice, caregiving, and end-of-life experiences
• Continuing bonds with loved ones after loss
• Why talking about death helps us live more fully
• Carrying forward a loved one's legacy

About Kate O'Donnell

Kate O'Donnell is a passionate advocate, fundraiser, and leader within the cystic fibrosis community. Following in the footsteps of her father, Joe O'Donnell, she continues to support the mission of improving and extending the lives of people with CF while helping carry forward the extraordinary legacy her family has built over decades of service and advocacy.

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Joe O'Donnell—a storyteller, fundraiser, leader, husband, father, grandfather, and friend whose impact continues to ripple through countless lives.

Follow Kate and her work with The Joey Fund on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thejoeyfund?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Watch this episode on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/7T_lc0-Fr0U

Email thelostlovestories@gmail.com with comments, questions or to be considered as a guest on show.

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In this deeply moving and eye-opening episode of The Lost Love Stories, Pam sits down with longtime friend Kate Boccia to share the heartbreaking and complicated story of her son, Daniel Boccia.

What began as a seemingly “normal” suburban upbringing slowly evolved into a devastating journey through addiction, incarceration, systemic failure, and unimaginable grief. Kate candidly shares how Daniel’s opioid addiction began during the height of America’s prescription pill crisis, eventually leading to heroin addiction, incarceration, trauma, and ultimately his death from fentanyl in 2021.

But this episode is about far more than addiction.

It’s about motherhood. Shame. Survival. The hidden grief families carry when someone they love enters the prison system. It’s about what happens when punishment replaces healing — and what true rehabilitation could look like if we chose humanity over stigma.

Kate also shares how her pain transformed into purpose through the creation of the National Incarceration Association, where she now advocates for incarcerated individuals and their families while fighting for meaningful criminal justice reform.

This conversation is raw, emotional, and incredibly important.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How addiction quietly entered Daniel’s life
• The opioid crisis and its impact on families
• Parenting through addiction and legal trouble
• The trauma of incarceration for both inmates and families
• PTSD and post-incarceration syndrome
• Why rehabilitation inside prisons matters
• The stigma families face when a loved one is incarcerated
• Turning grief into advocacy and action
• Finding purpose after unimaginable loss

If you’ve ever loved someone struggling with addiction, incarceration, or mental health challenges — or if you’ve ever wondered what families behind these stories endure — this episode will stay with you.

🎧 Listen with an open heart.

Watch on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/IZ4fqVwjuVg

To learn more about Kate and The NIA visit:

https://joinnia.com/

Email thelostlovestories@gmail.com with comments, questions or to be considered as a guest on show.

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This episode contains discussions of homicide, trauma, PTSD, self-harm, substance use, and grief. Please listen with care and prioritize your mental health if these topics are difficult for you.

In this deeply emotional and profoundly honest episode, Pam sits down with Tiffany Mourning to share the extraordinary love story she built with her husband, Justin — a relationship full of laughter, music, adventure, devotion, and fierce friendship.

From their unforgettable first meeting at a Halloween party to late-night karaoke in downtown Alpharetta, Tiffany paints a vivid picture of a marriage rooted in joy, playfulness, loyalty, and genuine partnership. She shares how Justin showed up for her in life’s hardest moments — from caring for aging parents to building a life together through grief, parenting, career changes, and cross-country moves.

The conversation then turns to the unimaginable: the night Justin was murdered while the couple walked through downtown Alpharetta after a date night. Tiffany bravely recounts the trauma of surviving the shooting, the devastating aftermath for their children and community, and the complex layers of grief, PTSD, survival mode, and healing that followed.
This episode is not only about devastating loss — it’s also about what happens after. Tiffany speaks candidly about trauma therapy, EMDR, sobriety, residential treatment, self-forgiveness, and learning how to rebuild a life after violent loss. Her vulnerability offers a powerful reminder that healing is not linear, and no one should have to navigate grief alone.

Watch the video on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/ggbHntAr5ZI

#TheLostLoveStories
#WidowJourney
#GriefSupport
#LoveAfterLoss
#TraumaHealing
#HealingAfterLoss
#WidowLife
#PTSDRecovery
#SurvivingTrauma
#GriefPodcast
#LossAndHealing
#MentalHealthAwareness
#HomicideSurvivor
#LifeAfterLoss
#WidowSupport
#HealingJourney

Email thelostlovestories@gmail.com with comments, questions or to be considered as a guest on show.

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In this episode of The Lost Love Stories, I sit down with Anne Keeton—a certified Grief Recovery Specialist and someone who has deeply impacted my own journey—to talk about her best friend, Ted.

Their relationship was deeply connected, honest, and full of laughter—what Anne describes as one of the “cleanest” friendships she’s ever had.

When Ted was diagnosed with cancer, Anne stepped into a unique caregiving role, walking alongside him through a year-and-a-half journey that would ultimately end in loss.

But this conversation goes far beyond that loss.

Anne shares powerful insight into what grief actually is—and how it shows up in ways most of us don’t recognize. From unmet expectations to everyday life transitions, grief is often much broader than we think.

We talk about:

• Why time alone doesn’t heal grief
• How unresolved grief builds over time
• And the idea that staying in pain is not the same as honoring someone we love

This episode is thoughtful, honest, and incredibly helpful—whether you’ve lost someone or are carrying something you haven’t quite been able to name.

Because grief isn’t just something we experience once…
it’s something we learn how to move through.

To learn more about Anne and grief recovery, visit her website:

https://annekeeton.com/

Watch the video on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/fmccMg8V3Fs

Email thelostlovestories@gmail.com with comments, questions or to be considered as a guest on show.

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In this episode of The Lost Love Stories, I sit down with Elle Davis—speaker, author, and founder of The Ellevate Group—to talk about her husband, Paul, and a love that started unexpectedly but quickly became something undeniable.

From a 12-hour first date to a deeply connected marriage, their story was full of faith, laughter, and meaning. But in an instant, everything changed.

At just 36 years old, with a two-year-old daughter at home, Elle lost her husband suddenly—turning an ordinary day into one that would change her life forever.

What follows is a powerful conversation about navigating unimaginable loss and the choice to move forward.

Elle shares how she began to rebuild, what resilience really looks like, and how she now helps others find their way through life’s hardest moments.

This episode is a reminder that while grief may shape us… it doesn’t have to define us.

Connect with Elle:

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/elledavisspeaks

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/elledavisspeaks/

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ldavismsw/

Website:
www.ellevategroup.us

Watch this episode on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/YbtVNNVZSBo

Email thelostlovestories@gmail.com with comments, questions or to be considered as a guest on show.

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Some relationships are built over decades—through shared struggles, deep understanding, and the kind of connection that only comes from walking a similar path.

In this episode of The Lost Love Stories, I sit down with my dear friend Margarete Cassalina. We met over 20 years ago through the cystic fibrosis community, both raising children with the same diagnosis. And like so many relationships formed in hard places, ours became something lasting and deeply meaningful.

Today, we talk about her daughter, Jena.

Margarete doesn’t say Jena “died.” She says Jena moved up. And as you listen, you begin to understand why.

Jena was vibrant, strong-willed, and wise far beyond her 13 years. What she left behind isn’t just memories—it’s a presence that Margarete still feels every day.

This conversation isn’t just about loss—it’s about what comes after.

You’ll hear the moment everything shifted for Margarete and how, from that point on, Jena became someone who is, not someone who was.

We talk about signs, connection, and what Margarete calls “love from above”—from pennies that appear at just the right moment to the quiet ways our people remind us they’re still with us.

But more than anything, this episode is about how we choose to live.

Jena once said:

“I’m not going to ruin today because I’m worried about tomorrow.”

And that wisdom becomes the heartbeat of this conversation.
If you’ve ever wondered how to keep going… how to honor the ones you love… or how to find meaning inside grief—this episode is for you.

Because love never ends.

It just changes form.

To learn more about Margarete and all that she does, please visit:

https://margaretecassalina.com/

https://margaretecassalinaauthor.com/

https://africanmissionhealthcare.org/

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Margarete-Cassalina/author/B0128JFWTE?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1774553578&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

https://fundraise.cff.org/CentralNYXtremehike2026/Cassalina

Watch the podcast video:

https://youtu.be/0N09JWZNoms

Email thelostlovestories@gmail.com with comments, questions or to be considered as a guest on show.

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This episode is a little different—but it felt too important not to share.

Before The Lost Love Stories, I recorded this conversation with my sister Kylee. And the more I listened back… the more I realized how much it still belongs here.

Because while this isn’t a story about losing a person—it is a story about losing and finding yourself.

Kylee shares her lifelong relationship with food—how it started young, how it evolved, and how it became both a comfort and a struggle she carried for years. From early habits to significant weight gain, to losing over 200 pounds, to gaining some of it back… this is not a straight line story.

It’s real.
It’s honest.
And it’s something so many people will see themselves in.

What stood out most to me wasn’t just the physical journey—it was the mental one.

The constant decisions.
The exhaustion of always having to choose.
And the realization that there is no “finish line” when it comes to healing your relationship with yourself.

We also talk about something that doesn’t get said enough:
How differently the world treats you based on how you look—and how that shapes your experience in ways most people don’t even realize.

But underneath all of it is a deeper message:

This isn’t about perfection.
It’s about awareness.
It’s about self-worth.
And it’s about learning how to live in your own life—without constantly fighting yourself.

If you’ve ever struggled with food, your body, or the voice in your head that tells you you’re not enough… this conversation is for you.

#food #addiction #weightloss #gastricsleevejourney #bodyimage #diet #selfimprovement #mentalhealth #health #bariatricsurgery #healthjourney journey #bodyacceptance #emotionaleating #selfworth #gastricsleeve

Watch this episode on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/SOrqT7a-aDc

Email thelostlovestories@gmail.com with comments, questions or to be considered as a guest on show.