If you have been grieving a loss, then you know the intense feeling of isolation that can overcome you.

It can make you feel like nobody else in the world understands what you're going through.

But then you come across a line of poetry, a quote, a heartfelt phrase that captures EXACTLY what you're feeling and it doesn't just change your day, it changes your life!

You realize: Wow, I'm not alone in this.

Someone else has been where I am, and they found the words to express it.

Today on the podcast we're diving into 20 motivational quotes about grief and the holidays.

Let these words be a touchstone of comfort, even transformation!

Get the Widow 180 Workbook Series Bundle on SALE NOW through Christmas! Go to https://www.widow180.com/workbooks

Don't want the whole bundle? Get your downloadable copy of the Surviving The Holidays After Loss Workbook! https://www.widow180.com/holidays

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

Gratitude feels IMPOSSIBLE when your heart is broken!

This episode offers hope and guidance for anyone navigating life after loss—especially as the holiday season approaches. This episode explores how gratitude can coexist with grief, even when it feels impossible.

There are simple, authentic practices for noticing the small sparks of goodness in the darkness, like keeping a gratitude journal, writing letters, and daily rituals that support healing.

You’ll learn why tiny acts of gratitude are not about forcing positivity but about reconnecting to life, honoring your loved one, and rebuilding hope for the future. Perfect for widows and anyone struggling to find light when the world feels shattered. Don’t miss this episode about finding gratitude, even in the hardest moments.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your healing journey or want to support someone who is, listen in and discover how gratitude can be a powerful tool for rebuilding after loss.

I also invite you to join the Widow 180 Holiday Club! 4 weeks of support and encouragement during the holidays! Sign up here: https://www.widow180.com/holidayclub

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

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Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

Are you facing Thanksgiving after the loss of a loved one? We are here to guide you through the heartache and help you create moments of comfort and connection. In this episode, we have five unique and meaningful ways to start your Thanksgiving meal, especially designed for widows, widowers, and anyone coping with grief during the holidays!

From the powerful idea that “hope grows where gratitude is planted,” we discuss how gratitude can coexist with grief and be a key healing tool.

Actionable steps like the “Thankfuls and Giggles” round to balance sincerity with laughter, “Taste of Memory” moments to honor loved ones through food, distraction games to lighten the mood, help ease the pain of this day.

Whether your holiday is filled with bittersweet memories or unexpected sadness, these approaches help ease the heaviness, foster togetherness, and spark joy around the table.

Also you are invited to sign up for the FREE Grief to Gratitude Five-Day Challenge where you can learn to incorporate gratitude as a way of healing. For FREE INSTANT ACCESS, go to http://widow180.kit.com/gratitude.

If your heart feels heavy this holiday season and the empty chair feels overwhelming, I also invite you to the Widow 180 Holiday Club! Part group coaching, part book club, part social group, this is exactly where you need to be this holiday season! Join us at https://www.widow180.com/holidayclub

Listen now for inspiration, practical support, and gentle encouragement to navigate Thanksgiving after loss. You’re not alone—Widow 180 is here for you.

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

What to do when you're in the messy middle of grief? Sandi Waters' story highlights the complex challenges—and unexpected sources of strength—faced by widows.

In this episode, she candidly describes the overwhelming experience of watching her partner’s abilities slip away, caring for him, and the support she received from Rodney’s family and their adult daughter, who moved in to help.

Sandi and I talk about:

• Faith as Anchor: how faith became her main source of strength, especially in the darkest moments. She speaks openly about wrestling with anger, asking “why,” and ultimately trusting that something bigger was at work.
• The Messy Middle of Grief: the ongoing challenges of widowhood—the fear of being alone, learning to manage a household independently, and the uncertain “middle” phase of grief where the future feels unclear.
• Finding Community & Healing: Support from children, friends, church family, and fellow widows proved essential. Sandi also found solace and inspiration in the Widow 180 Podcast and started her own YouTube channel to document Rodney’s journey and help others facing dementia and loss.
• Giving Back & Looking Forward: She stepped out of her comfort zone with solo travels and is now leading a GriefShare group, discovering purpose in helping others. She emphasizes that healing comes from connection and support, not rushing the process.

Key Takeaways:

• Everyone’s grief journey is unique—there is no timeline for healing.
• Sharing stories and hearing from others who “get it” is crucial for widows feeling isolated.
• Allowing yourself to feel, to cry, and not judge your progress is important in the messy middle of grief.
• Faith, community, and giving back can become lifelines through the darkness.
• Practical steps—getting affairs in order, accepting help, and finding new routines—make the path a bit easier.
• Supporting others through grief (like leading support groups) can offer light, purpose, and even hope for the future.

Tune in to this episode for honest wisdom, real encouragement, and a reminder that even in the hardest seasons, hope and healing are possible.

Connect with Sandi:
Follow her journey and support others facing Alzheimer’s and widowhood on her YouTube channel: @thewaters9111

Join The Widow 180 Holiday Club here: https://www.widow180.com/holidayclub

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

After losing a spouse, many widows and widowers are haunted by guilt — guilt for what they did or didn’t do, guilt for surviving, or even guilt for feeling moments of happiness again. But what if that guilt isn’t proof of love, but a sign that your heart is still searching for peace?

This eye-opening episode explores why widows hold onto guilt after loss and how it can become a false sense of control, loyalty, and purpose. Jen shares deep emotional insight into how guilt gives our pain somewhere to go — and how releasing it doesn’t mean letting go of love.

You’ll learn:

• Why guilt often feels like a form of love after loss
• How the mind uses guilt to stay “busy” during grief
• The truth about control, loyalty, and self-blame
• Gentle steps to begin letting go of guilt while keeping your connection alive

If you’ve ever wondered how to stop feeling guilty after your spouse’s death, this episode is for you! It will remind you that love doesn’t need to be proven through suffering. Releasing guilt is not betrayal — it’s an act of love, for both you and your partner.

Tune in to rediscover peace, forgiveness, and the courage to live again.

Discover more about guilt and grief and start healing today with the newest workbook in the Widow180 Workbook Series, The Let Go Of Guilt Workbook. Download your copy today at https;//www.widow180.com/guilt

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

"I wanted the TV version of cancer". This week, guest Christine Fader talks openly about the realities of illness and loss, what real support looks like, and reveal the complexities of navigating life after the death of a spouse. From the challenges of anticipatory grief and survivor’s guilt to harnessing rage for positive impact, Christine offers insight, hope, and actionable advice for anyone on this hard journey.

7 Key Takeaways from today are:

1. The Reality of Long Illness & Loss: Christine’s experience caring for Michael shatters expectations set by popular media, highlighting the unpredictable, deeply painful, and sometimes traumatic reality of terminal illness and caregiving.
2. Navigating Guilt and Regret: Christine candidly discusses feelings of guilt and regret about the choices made in Michael’s final months, and shares how she learned to make peace with decisions that were out of her control.
3. The Importance of Honest Conversations: Avoiding conversations about death to protect a partner’s hope often leads to missed opportunities for deeper connection. Christine encourages listeners to have open, meaningful discussions—even if they feel uncomfortable.
4. Unexpected Impact of Grief: Even with preparation and anticipatory grief, the shock and physical consequences of losing a spouse—difficulty reading, headaches, disrupted sleep and eating patterns—can be overwhelming. Recognizing these as normal can help with processing the experience.
5. Seeking Support and Connection: Christine highlights the value of widow support groups, online communities, and social media as lifelines, especially for those who might otherwise isolate. Finding others who “get it” is essential.
6. Harnessing Rage for Good: Fueled by anger over Michael’s suffering and trauma, Christine turned her rage into action by volunteering and advocating for trauma-informed cancer care and awareness—showing how channeling negative emotions can lead to positive change.
7. Finding Purpose Through Advocacy and Legacy: Christine’s work—creating a scholarship in Michael’s name and sharing their story with cancer care professionals—reflects the power of transforming personal tragedy into support and hope for others.

Listen in for inspiration, practical advice, and heartfelt wisdom—whether you’re grieving, caring, or seeking ways to make a difference. Christine’s courage and honesty will touch your heart and help you feel less alone.

Visit ChristineFader.com and follow her on Instagram at @awidowswalk to learn more about her advocacy and writing. For community support, join the Widow180 Facebook group.

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

Today we dive deep into the often-unspoken "downside" of being too strong after the loss of a spouse. This episode explores what happens when widows feel pressured to always put on a brave face for their families—and the hidden costs of doing so. We talk about the importance of letting go of the constant need for strength and to make space for true healing.

3 Main Takeaways from today are:

1. It's Okay to Show Vulnerability: Many widowed moms are always trying to be strong for the children, but need to realize that allowing them to see pain could help their healing, too. Modeling vulnerability gives permission for others—especially children—to process their own feelings.
2. The Cost of Suppressing Grief: How striving to "just endure" and pushing down emotions is not sustainable. Carrying unprocessed feelings can lead to numbness and anxiety, making true healing much harder.
3. Strength Isn’t Always What Heals: While resilience is important, authentic healing comes from allowing yourself to grieve, mourn, and feel—instead of simply performing strength for others. It's crucial to make time to face grief, ask for support, and let go of the guilt that so many widows carry.

Tune in for this honest conversation that reminds us strength doesn’t mean ignoring our own pain—and that real healing begins with permission to be vulnerable.

Get the latest workbook in the Widow 180 Workbook Series, The Let Go Of Guilt Workbook today and start releasing the burden and weight of the guilt you've been carrying. Go to https://www.widow180.com/guilt

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

Widow 180: The Podcast welcomes Amber Vogt, a recent widow navigating life after the sudden loss of her husband, Jay, in April 2024. Amber opens up about the shock and trauma of that day, parenting through grief, and the unexpected challenges of solo adulthood. Her story is raw, vulnerable, and ultimately inspiring. Here are five standout takeaways from our conversation:

1. Trusting Your Instincts: Amber shares how paying attention to a “weird feeling” caused her to go home from work and check on her husband—reminding us to listen to our gut, especially during uncertain times.
2. The Fog of Grief: The initial days following loss can be a blur; Amber only remembers fragments and emphasizes that it’s normal to struggle with memory, planning, and focus after trauma.
3. Importance of Hard Conversations: Having discussed funeral wishes and life plans with Jay helped tremendously—Amber encourages everyone to talk openly about end-of-life decisions, no matter how uncomfortable.
4. Seeking Help and Letting Go: From home maintenance to parenting and finances, Amber’s journey highlights the value of asking for support and accepting that independence sometimes means leaning on others.
5. Giving Yourself Grace in Change: Whether it’s tackling household projects as a form of coping, adapting to new routines, or learning to forgive yourself for not having all the answers—Amber’s story illustrates that healing requires patience, self-compassion, and permission to keep moving forward.

Tune in every week for honest widow talk and conversations about loss, resilience, and learning to rebuild life!

Get our latest workbook in the Widow 180 Workbook Series, The Let Go Of Guilt Workbook if you need help releasing the tiring burden of guilt after losing your spouse. Get all of the details at https://www.widow180.com/guilt

Get support from our community and join our Facebook Group, Widow 180 The Community on Facebook!

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com