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Episode 2:

Dating While Dead Inside

In this episode, I open up about navigating the dating scene after loss — from short relationships to funny (and sometimes narcissistic) encounters. Along the way, we’ll talk about other widows in the public eye, like Lauren London and Vanessa Bryant, and the very different ways they’ve processed love, loss, and moving forward.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Dating While Dead Inside – My unfiltered perspective on dating as a widow, plus why Lauren London’s words about love hit me so deeply.
• Vanessa Bryant’s Rumored Pregnancy – Why grief, love, and judgment don’t belong in the same conversation.
• Dating Stories – From realizing my body still works… to realizing some men are straight-up narcissists.
• Report Card Session: Fashion – A special closet tour, featuring my shoe collection, shifting from red bottoms to Jordans, and why shoes always start the outfit.
• Comical Confession – How grief turned into retail therapy, and the secret history of how I first fell in love with fashion: boosting clothes back in the day. Plus, a listener confession and prize giveaway

Participate & Win:

• Send your Comical Confession or grief story to: butdidyoudiethopodcast@gmail.com
• Follow me on Instagram: @carmencomedy
• Subscribe on YouTube: Carmen Barton Comedy
• Connect via Linktree: @carmenbarton
• Comment, share, and stay tuned for your chance to win raffle prizes straight from Carmen’s closet!

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Lauren London on Life After Nipsey Hussle – Interview Excerpt
• Vanessa Bryant – Instagram
• Book: Phenomenal: Gurl That’s U! Letters to My Younger Self by Dagne Barton – Purchase Here

About Carmen Barton

Carmen Barton sizzles as one of the most captivating female comics to grace the stage! With a natural flair for entertainment, she effortlessly juggles the roles of a new widow and mother to three adult children. Even amid her personal struggles, Carmen’s relatability, adaptability, and refreshing take on life never fail to win over audiences. In the midst of her grief, Carmen bravely shared snippets of her journey in an anthology, propelling her book, And Then She Bounced Back, to the top of Amazon’s best sellers list! Armed with an uncanny ability to find humor in life’s trials, Carmen fearlessly transforms her most painful and awkward moments into uproarious comedy.

She’s brought her comedic talents to stages worldwide — from U.S. comedy clubs to military bases in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan — and has been featured on Martin Lawrence Presents: 1st Amendment Stand Up, Comedy In Color, and BET’s Ms. Pat Settles It. Recently, Carmen starred in and produced her debut film This is Life, now streaming on Tubi and Amazon.

With But Did You Die Though: Confessions of a Widow, Carmen brings her humor, honesty, and heart to the mic, inviting listeners to laugh, reflect, and ride along on her one-of-a-kind journey.

Production Credits:

• Executive Producer: Carmen Barton
• Senior Producer: Coach Dagne Barton
• Podcast Engineer: DoBoy

Closing Note: You’ve officially been Carmonized! Tune in next week for Episode 3, where the laughs a

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Welcome to the very first episode of But Did You Die Though: Confessions of a Widow. I’m your host, Carmen Barton — comedian, TV personality, and now your podcast guide through a mix of humor, real-life stories, and heartfelt reflections.

In this debut episode, I honor my late husband, Anthony Nicholas “Nick” Carthan, on the 4-year anniversary of his passing. Recorded in the very space he used for his own creative work, I share stories, laughs, and a glimpse into what’s ahead for this show. From my journey as a widow to hilarious moments from our life together, you’ll hear how grief and comedy can coexist — and why we’re just getting started.

🗒️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• The Story Behind the Mic — My background in stand-up comedy, TV appearances, and why this podcast exists.
• Remembering Nick Carthan — The man behind the name, his creative spirit, and the memories that keep me going.
• A Sneak Peek at the Truth — Why I’m saving the full story of his passing for a special multi-part series later in the season.
• Report Card Session - 4Cs & 2Fs: Cooking — From St. Louis-style fried rice in a pineapple bowl to tacos (and a little Chipotle finesse).
• Comical Confession — The time I accidentally (on purpose) set off two fire alarms at work… and blamed it on Barbara.
• How You Can Join the DYD Crew — Submit your own comical confession or grief story for a chance to win prizes from my closet, DYD merch, and more.

📨 Participate & Win:

• Send your Comical Confession or grief story to: butdidyoudiethopodcast@gmail.com
• Follow me on Instagram: @CarmenBarton
• Subscribe on YouTube: Carmen Barton Comedy https://www.youtube.com/@CarmenBartonComedy

📌 Mentioned in This Episode:

• BET’s “Ms. Pat Settles It” – Watch on BET
• Martin Lawrence Presents: 1st Amendment Stand Up – Bounce TV
• Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed

🎤 About Carmen Barton

Carmen Barton is a stand-up comedian, actress, and TV personality whose quick wit and relatable storytelling have taken her from the stages of Martin Lawrence Presents: 1st Amendment Stand Up to her current role as a resident juror on BET’s hit courtroom comedy Ms. Pat Settles It. A widow and mother of three, Carmen turns life’s toughest moments into laugh-out-loud stories — including in her Amazon best-selling book And Then She Bounced Back.

She’s performed for audiences worldwide — from U.S. comedy clubs to military bases in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan — and her work can be seen on Tubi, Peacock, Amazon, and AppleTV. With But Did You Die Though: Confessions of a Widow, Carmen brings her humor, honesty, and heart to the mic, inviting listeners to laugh, reflect, and ride along on her one-of-a-kind journey.

Closing Note:
You’ve officially been Carmonized — welcome to the DYD Crew! Stick around for next week’s episode where we dive into my dating life post-loss (spoiler: it’s a wild ride).