Get ready! Our latest episode is here, and it's a special one: our 50th!

We reflect on our experiences, share heartfelt stories from our recent meet and greet with listeners, and celebrate the monumental milestones in our lives, including the graduations of Keira and Holly's firstborns.

What would we tell our newly widowed selves about the future? Tune in to find out!

Don't dip out early! Keira gives us fresh material for some good-natured ribbing and it is "sole-ful!"

00:00:00 - Celebrating Episode 50
The hosts introduce themselves and celebrate the milestone of their 50th episode, reflecting on their journey.

00:01:00 - Meet and Greet Recap
Discussion about the recent meet and greet with listeners, sharing experiences and the rewarding nature of connecting with their audience.

00:02:00 - Supporting New Widows
The hosts talk about their experiences supporting newer widows and the impact of their podcast on listeners.

00:03:00 - Funny Hat Misunderstanding
A humorous anecdote about their EWT hats being misread by others at the meet and greet.

00:04:00 - Planning Challenges
The hosts discuss the difficulties of planning events and the emotional responses tied to scheduling after loss.

00:05:30 - Flipping the Script on Negativity
A conversation about changing negative thought patterns and focusing on positive outcomes.

00:06:30 - Worries About Kids Driving
The hosts share their concerns about their children driving long distances and the anxiety that comes with it.

00:07:30 - Graduation Milestones
The hosts reflect on their children's recent college graduations and the emotions tied to these significant milestones.

00:08:30 - Mixed Emotions at Graduation
Discussion about the bittersweet feelings surrounding their children's graduations and the absence of their late spouses.

00:10:00 - Incorporating Late Spouses in Celebrations
Kira shares her emotional struggle to include her late husband in her daughter's graduation celebration.

00:12:00 - Family Connections
The hosts discuss family dynamics and the involvement of their late spouses' families during graduation events.

00:13:30 - Gabe's Graduation Experience
Holly shares details about her son Gabe's graduation, including family attendance and special gifts.

00:15:00 - Navigating College Experiences
The hosts discuss the differences between high school and college graduations and the unique experiences of their children.

00:17:00 - Expectations vs. Reality
A conversation about the pressures of expectations during significant life events and how they can affect experiences.

00:19:00 - The Reality of College Life
The hosts discuss the challenges their children face in college and the importance of managing expectations.

00:20:30 - Reflections on Loss and Growth
The hosts reflect on their children's growth and resilience after losing their fathers at a young age.

00:22:00 - Gabe's Tattoo Tribute
Holly shares the story of Gabe getting a tattoo to honor his late father, Toby, and the significance behind it.

00:25:00 - Tattoo Stories and Memories
The hosts share personal stories related to tattoos and the memories they evoke.

00:27:00 - Podcast Journey Reflection
The hosts reflect on their journey with the podcast, discussing the challenges and growth they've experienced.

00:30:00 - The Impact of Sharing Stories
Discussion on the importance of sharing their stories and how it has helped both them and their listeners.

00:32:00 - Filling a Void for Others
The hosts talk about their motivation for starting the podcast and the need for support in the widow community.

00:35:00 - Looking Ahead
The hosts express their hopes for the future of the podcast and their commitment to supporting others through their experiences.

In this informative episode of "Every Widow Thing," Lacey , Whitney, Holly, and Keira speak with special guest Cheryl Martin, a retired grief therapist and recent widow. Together, they explore the complexities of grief, particularly the often-overlooked challenges of the second year after loss. Cheryl shares her personal journey of navigating widowhood and the insights she gained from her professional experience as a grief counselor.

Throughout the conversation, they discuss the importance of empathy, the need for ongoing support, and the reality of living with grief long after the initial loss. Cheryl offers valuable tools for coping, including the significance of allowing oneself to feel a range of emotions, the power of community, and the necessity of seeking help when needed.

Join us as we delve into the realities of grief, the importance of remembering our loved ones, and the ways we can support each other through this difficult journey. Whether you're a widow/widower, a friend, or someone looking to understand grief better, this episode is filled with compassion, wisdom, and hope.

Topics Covered:

• ​The challenges of the second year of grief
• ​The importance of empathy and support
• ​Tools for coping with loss
• ​The significance of remembering loved ones
• ​Finding the right therapist and support groups

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!

• ​00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Introduction: Introduction of Cheryl Martin, a retired grief therapist and widow.
• ​00:02:13 - Experiencing Grief as a Therapist vs. a Widow: Cheryl discusses her insights on grief after becoming a widow.
• ​00:04:15 - The Challenge of Second Year Grief: Discussion of the difficulties of the second year of grief.
• ​00:06:19 - The Marathon of Grief: Grief as an ongoing journey.
• ​00:08:39 - The Importance of Remembering Loved Ones: Significance of remembering deceased loved ones.
• ​00:10:11 - Navigating Conversations About Loss: How to approach conversations about deceased loved ones.
• ​00:12:07 - Therapist Tools for Grief: Using therapy background to navigate grief.
• ​00:13:26 - Allowing Grief Emotions to Surface: Importance of expressing all grief emotions.
• ​00:15:33 - Self-Care and Grief: The necessity of self-care during grieving.
• ​00:18:02 - Finding Support Groups: Benefits of joining support groups.
• ​00:21:43 - Choosing the Right Therapist: Advice on finding a suitable therapist.
• ​00:25:40 - The Goal of Therapy: Guiding individuals through their grief journey.
• ​00:28:38 - Books and Resources for Grief: Recommended resources for grief.
• ​00:30:10 - Grounding Techniques in Therapy: Grounding techniques related to EMDR and trauma.
• ​00:34:05 - Understanding Dissociation: Explanation of dissociation during trauma.
• ​00:39:13 - Reliving Trauma in Therapy: Discussion on reliving traumatic events in therapy.
• ​00:41:14 - Navigating Medical Conversations: Challenges of discussing trauma with medical professionals.
• ​00:45:02 - The Role of the Therapist in Grief: Therapist's role in holding space for clients' grief.

Okay, grab your comfiest blanket and a big ol' bowl of snacks, because the "Every Widow Thing" crew is spilling all their binge-watching addictions! Make sure to stick around until the end for some interesting new trends for those looking for love!

They discuss everything from the fun and fantasy of "Younger" to the dark humor in "Bad Sisters" and the emotional rollercoaster of the new Bridget Jones movie, "Mad About the Boy."

But it's not all fluff! We're also getting real about how shows like "Shrinking" and "Landman" tackle grief, and how those stories hit home for us.

Plus, you won't believe the wild TikTok trend we found about love at... Home Depot?! Seriously. And why the local grocery store soup station might also be worth a shot!

Whether you need a good laugh or something to make you think, this episode's got your back. So, hit play and join the pajama party!

TIME STAMPS:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Lighthearted Topics
00:00:20 - Current Shows and Recommendations
00:01:30 - Younger: A Fun Fantasy
00:02:39 - Schitt's Creek and Bad Sisters
00:03:27 - Soothing True Crime Shows
00:04:02 - Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
00:05:22 - Grief Themes in Movies
00:06:38 - Shrinking: A Grieving Perspective
00:08:00 - Handling Widowhood in TV Shows
00:10:42 - Cordially Invited: A Family Dynamic
00:12:02 - Landman: A Complex Narrative
00:15:25 - Virgin River: A Mixed Bag
00:16:10 - Home Depot Dating Trend
00:19:07 - Soup Flirting and Closing Thoughts