In this deeply moving episode of Widow 180: The Podcast, occupational therapist, author, and widow Rondalyn Whitney shares the raw story of losing her husband Bill in a sudden car accident during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She opens up about how she rebuilt her life from "Day Zero" forward. Drawing on her background in narrative medicine and occupational therapy, Rondalyn offers widows practical, evidence-based tools for navigating grief: from journaling techniques backed by research, to reframing mourning as an "occupation" requiring structure, habits, and routines, to finding the courage to rebuild identity after loss.

She opens up about:

~parenting a grieving teenager

~the power of small rituals

~how she learned to "be her own Bill" and be her own cheerleader

~how she found the courage to step out and do things on her own, like dining out

Whether you're newly widowed or years into your grief journey, this conversation offers both permission to feel and concrete steps toward healing.

Connect with Rondalyn Whitney at RondalynWhitney.com

She's also on LinkedIn, Facebook, or find her published books and articles on her Amazon author page.

Join the Widow 180 community for the 60 Days of Summer Healing Quest on YouTube (a video series for widows and widowers) and get your FREE progress tracker here: https://widow180.kit.com/healingquest

Find the newest Widow 180 workbook, the Who Am I Now? Workbook at https://widow180.kit.com/whoaminow

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

I want to offer you some words of encouragement on this Father's Day weekend.

Maybe this is your first Father's Day without your spouse. Or maybe it's the second, or the fifth, and it still feels just as painful as the first.

Whether you choose to celebrate this weekend in some way or you choose to ignore it completely, it's okay. Both decisions are the right decisions if it feels right to you.

Getting through holidays like this one are tough. But you're here and you're doing it. And you're doing so much better than you think!

If you need more support and encouragement this summer, I encourage you to check out the 60 Days of summer Healing Quest! 60 days of short, inspiring YouTube videos to get you through this summer. Go to https://widow180.kit.com/healingquest

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

"When should I take off my wedding ring?"

Most widows face this question at some point after loss.

In this second roundtable discussion episode of Widow 180, three widows—Melissa, Tracy, and Danette—join the conversation to discuss the deeply personal decision of taking off a wedding ring after loss.

They each share their unique experiences: from moving their rings to different hands, repurposing them into new jewelry, keeping them as special keepsakes for family, to deciding when and how to take this significant step.

The discussion delves into feelings of guilt, societal expectations, handling others’ opinions, and the importance of doing what feels right for each individual.

Whether you’re wrestling with this decision yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers comfort, understanding, and practical ideas for navigating the path forward!

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

In this inspiring episode of Widow 180: The Podcast, fellow widow and world traveler, Tiffany Rampey joins us to explore how loss can become the catalyst for adventure, healing, and hope!

Tiffany shares her extraordinary journey through early widowhood, from the sudden loss of her husband in 2020 to packing up her two young children for an epic seven-month, nine-country adventure around the globe.

We discuss:

~ the therapeutic power of travel

~the importance of community

~ how Tiffany’s “Widows in the Wild” group is helping women rediscover joy and camaraderie through group adventures!

~dating as a widowed mom!

~her expertise in using points and miles to make travel affordable and accessible for everyone, including practical tips for widows navigating credit card points after the loss of a spouse.

Whether you’re new in grief or looking for inspiration to rewrite your next chapter, and explore the world, this episode is filled with honest reflection, actionable advice, and hope for what’s possible on the other side of pain.

Connect with Tiffany Rampey:

• Instagram: @rebuildingjoy
• YouTube: Rebuilding Joy Travel
• Website and Courses: Rebuilding Joy Travel

To join the 60 Dyas Of Summer Healing Quest, click HERE: https://widow180.kit.com/healingquest

Tune in and let Tiffany’s story remind you: travel and joy are still possible, even after unimaginable loss.

To join our Widow 180 Roundtable Discussions click HERE: https://www.widow180.com/newsletter

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

"I've seen death in the face numerous times. I. I am going to do something going forward that is going to help people in a big way. And so I am. I am. I'm doing it." ~Ksenia Merck

Ksenia Merck joins the show to share her powerful story of love, loss, caregiving, creativity, and renewal. After caring for her elderly mother until her passing and then losing her beloved husband Bill to cancer, Ksenia Merck found herself navigating profound compound grief and the search for healing. Through her journey, she discovered the transformative power of creativity and art.

Listeners will be deeply moved by Ksenia Merck's reflections on “re-lifing” herself. She shares her experience of illustrating and publishing Bill’s unfinished novel "Ghost Flower," and her ongoing mission to build community and help others on the widowhood journey. This episode is full of wisdom, hope, and encouragement for anyone grieving or seeking new purpose after loss.

Key takeaways:

• The traumatic experience of Bill’s sudden illness, ICU stays, and the couple’s recognition of shared PTSD
• The inspiration and healing that came from illustrating and publishing "Ghost Flower," Bill’s final unfinished manuscript
• Finding comfort and connection through creativity, especially in times of grief
• The significance of honoring one’s own grief timeline and resisting outside pressure to “move on”
• Recognizing and appreciating signs from loved ones after their passing, especially through nature
• Trust yourself and your intuition to make the choices that feel right for you on your widowhood journey! You know what's best for YOU!

You can find Ksenia and her book Ghost Flower at https://www.merckiipress.com/ksenia-merck

Struggling with an identity crisis? Many widows find themselves wondering "Who Am I Now?" Get the latest workbook in the Widow 180 Workbook series, The Who Am I Now? Workbook at www.widow180.com/whoaminow

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

“Behind every heroic firefighter, there is a man that has many, many different lives that we should be honoring also.” – Eileen Bellew, FDNY widow

We welcome Eileen Bellew, author of After John Jumped, for a deeply moving conversation about surviving profound loss, mothering through grief, and finding hope after tragedy.

Eileen recounts the heartbreaking events of January 23, 2005, known as Black Sunday, when her husband John, a dedicated FDNY firefighter, lost his life in the line of duty. She shares the agonizing hours of uncertainty, the moment she said goodbye, and the challenges of facing unimaginable PTSD with four young children.

Navigating grief in the public eye, Eileen describes trying to protect her children’s innocence amidst intense media scrutiny, endless ceremonies, and the ongoing pain of public memorials.

She discusses the multi-layered aspects of widowhood—how it altered her very identity, changed her approach to motherhood, and left her grappling with PTSD, anxiety, and the daunting question: “How do I rebuild?”

Key takeaways from this episode:

• There is no right way to handle tragedy or grief—every decision is raw and personal.
• Support often means simply sitting in the muck with someone, rather than trying to “fix” their pain.
• The loss of a spouse can mean losing parts of yourself, but over time healing and resilience do grow—even if it takes years.
• Remarriage is not a replacement but a new chapter. You can love again while holding your lost loved one close.
• Eileen's journey is also chronicled in her memoir, which began as a legacy for her kids and grew into a beacon for others facing similar paths.

Learn more about Eileen Bellew, her book, After John Jumped, and the upcoming Black Sunday movie at eileenbellew.com.

Get the "Who Am I Now?" Workbook to rediscover yourself after loss. Download it today at https://www.widow180.com/whoaminow

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

Have you ever found yourself wondering, “Who am I now?”?

Today we dive deep into the concept of "identity lag"—the uncomfortable, confusing gap between who you were before losing your partner and who you are becoming.

Join us for these relatable stories and practical tips about why simple questions like “What do you want?” suddenly feel impossible to answer!

Unpack how grief isn’t just about missing your spouse—it’s also about missing a part of yourself.

You’ll learn:

• What "identity lag" is and why it happens after loss
• How intertwined relationships shape our sense of self
• Real-life examples of how identity lag shows up in everyday decisions
• Three actionable steps to begin closing the gap and rediscovering yourself

If you’re feeling lost, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken!

Tune in for encouragement, empathy, and tools for moving forward in your healing journey.

Don’t forget to check out the newest workbook in the Widow 180 Workbook Series, the guided workbook, The “Who Am I Now?” Workbook. It's designed for widows and widowers navigating identity after loss.

Go to https://www.widow180.com/whoaminow

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

Jen Newberg shares her journey through heart-wrenching loss, unexpected chaos abroad, and the path to healing through connection.

After a blended family, second marriage, and overcoming personal struggles, Jen tragically lost her husband Jack while on a dream vacation in Greece. Grappling with grief, solo-parenting, and the shock of sudden loss far from home, she reveals the raw, real experiences that shaped her into the support beacon she is today.

Listeners will hear how Jen began to rebuild her life—leaning into her recovery community, seeking out connection, and ultimately founding "It's Lifey," a dynamic project focused on retreats and support for widows.

She also shares about:

~ insights on loneliness

~the rollercoaster of grief

~the hard-won lessons of solo parenting.

This episode is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the necessity of asking for help, and the unexpected ways life after loss can add depth and meaning.

Key Themes & Takeaways

• Life-changing Loss Far From Home: Jen recounts losing her husband to a heart attack while abroad, grappling with unique logistical and emotional challenges.
• Navigating Early Grief: The need for a strong, supportive network and the experience of profound loneliness and chaos.
• Solo Parenting & Major Milestones: The challenges of managing teenage milestones, college planning, and household responsibilities alone.
• The Importance of Community: How connection—through recovery groups, family, and new friendships—eased the burden of grief.
• Launching "It's Lifey" and Hope Hub: Creating retreats, local events, and online spaces specifically for widows craving support, wellness, and community.
• Learning to Ask for Help: Why seeking support is a strength, not a weakness, and practical strategies for reaching out.
• Personal Growth Through Widowhood: Tools for coping with loneliness, setting boundaries, and rediscovering joy after loss.
• Inspiration for Moving Forward: Proof that healing isn’t linear, but transformation and happiness are possible—even after devastating loss.

Learn more about upcoming retreats and resources at www.itslifey.com.

Check out the Widow 180 Workbooks at https://www.widow180.com/workbooks

Join the thousands of other who hear from us every week in our newsletter: https://www.widow180.com/newsletter

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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