In this heartfelt episode, Tim sits down with grief-literacy expert, teacher, and widow Kathi Balasek to explore how to truly support people through loss. 🌊 From raising five kids alone after tragedy to creating a new language for comforting grievers, Kathy shares practical tips, moving stories, and powerful lessons learned over 20+ years.

✨ What You’ll Discover:
🔹 Why “grief literacy” matters — and how to say the right things to someone grieving
🔹 Strategies Kathy used to guide her children through loss
🔹 How to handle awkward comments, anniversaries, and emotional triggers
🔹 Practical ways to show up for widows and grieving families

🎧 Listen now for real talk, tools, and hope for widows, families, and professionals who want to do better 💙

#GriefLiteracy #WidowsJourney #FromTearsToTriumph #GriefSupport #Podcast

Tim Hudson welcomes veteran realtor Melanie DeHaven (23+ years, Carolina Elite) to talk about one of the hardest decisions widows face: when and how to sell the marital home.

🏡 What You’ll Learn:
⏳ When it’s the right time to move after losing a spouse
🔎 How to choose a trusted, experienced realtor
📊 What really determines your home’s true market value
🧹 Staging, decluttering & making your home “saleable”
🏦 Mortgages without a job & financial planning tips
💵 Tax rules every widow should know (including the 2-year $500k exemption)

💔 Losing a spouse changes everything — from your heart to your finances. In this episode, Tim (financial advisor with a heart for widows) and Lindsay (widowhood & life coach) dive into one of the most common questions widows ask:
👉 “Should I gift money to my children, grandchildren, or loved ones after my spouse passes?”

✨ Together, we unpack both the financial rules and the emotional realities of giving:

• 📊 Financial Guidance: 2025 IRS gift tax limits ($19,000 per person), Form 709, lifetime exclusions, and smart planning tips before gifting.

• 💸 Practical Strategies: When it makes sense to give, how to avoid draining your retirement, and the impact of paying tuition or medical bills directly.

• 💞 Emotional Insights: Understanding grief-driven generosity, setting boundaries with kids, avoiding guilt-based giving, and preserving family harmony.

• 🧭 Legacy & Love: How to bless your children without jeopardizing your own long-term stability.

🎧 Whether you’re a widow navigating financial decisions or a family member supporting one, this episode will help you:
✅ Give with wisdom, not just emotion
✅ Protect your financial future while blessing loved ones
✅ Find non-financial ways to show love & presence

⭐ Tune in now for practical advice, heartfelt encouragement, and steps you can take to move forward with confidence.

👉 Don’t forget to rate, review, and share the podcast — your support helps widows everywhere find the guidance and hope they need.

Losing a spouse is life-changing — and when real estate is involved, the decisions can feel overwhelming. Should you keep your rental properties? Sell? Hire a property manager? In this powerful episode of From Tears to Triumph: A Widow’s Journey, financial advisor Tim Hudson is joined by real estate expert David Benham, who has over 20 years of experience owning everything from single-family rentals to commercial buildings.

Together, they walk widows through the practical and emotional steps of managing real estate after loss, including:

• How to evaluate the true value and income of your properties

• Understanding rental property expenses, taxes, and cash flow

• When to consider selling vs. holding for long-term gains

• The benefits and protections of using a property management company

• Legal and tax considerations, including LLCs, umbrella policies, and cost basis tracking

Whether you’re suddenly managing properties for the first time or deciding if real estate still fits into your financial future, this episode offers clear, compassionate guidance to help you make wise, confident decisions.

In this deeply moving episode of From Tears to Triumph, Tim and Lindsay sit down with forgiveness therapist of The Forgiveness Connection, LLC, Tammy Reed to explore the intersection of loss, betrayal, and healing. Discover what it truly means to forgive — not to excuse or forget, but to release and move forward.

Whether you're struggling to forgive someone who's passed away, uncovering painful truths after loss, or battling the weight of self-blame, this conversation offers real tools, emotional insight, and spiritual encouragement.

We unpack the stages of grief, how to process complex emotions, and practical ways to write your own closure — even if the conversation never happened.

Perfect for:

• Widows navigating grief and unresolved pain

• Listeners seeking emotional and spiritual healing

• Anyone ready to break free from guilt, grief, and unforgiveness

🔑 “Forgiveness isn’t letting someone off the hook. It’s setting yourself free.”

In this episode of From Tears to Triumph: A Widow’s Journey, Tim (a financial advisor who specializes in working with widows) and Lindsay (grief coach and co-host) break down one of the most misunderstood financial products: annuities.

💡 Whether you're newly widowed or reevaluating your retirement plan, we explain:

• What annuities are (in simple terms)

• The different types: fixed, indexed, and more

• Pros and cons specific to widows’ needs

• What to watch out for: surrender charges, fees, and risks

• How annuities compare to high-yield savings accounts

• Why working with a grief-aware financial advisor matters

🎧 This episode is packed with practical insights—without the sales pitch. Learn how annuities might offer peace of mind or why they may not be the best fit for your financial goals.

👉 Subscribe for more compassionate, clear conversations about money, grief, and rebuilding life after loss.

In this heartfelt episode of From Tears to Triumph: A Widow’s Journey, we sit down with a retired ER nurse who shares her emotional journey after the sudden loss of her husband, John, following 29 years of marriage. She opens up about the raw, early days of widowhood, supporting her adult sons through grief, and the surprising ways healing showed up—through journaling, walking, and holding tight to her faith.

You’ll hear honest reflections on how grief comes in waves, why time alone doesn’t heal, and why offering yourself grace is essential in the aftermath of loss. If you're a widow navigating grief, someone supporting a grieving loved one, or simply want to better understand how to walk with someone through deep sorrow, this episode offers wisdom, comfort, and real-life hope.

Are you a widow feeling overwhelmed by investing and financial decisions? You’re not alone. In this episode of From Tears to Triumph, Tim—a financial advisor who specializes in working with widows—and Lindsay, a grief and life coach, break down the most common fears widows face about investing.

Whether you're managing life insurance, IRAs, or are just unsure where to start, this episode will help you:

• Understand your risk tolerance

• Explore options like high-yield savings, CDs, mutual funds, and real estate

• Learn how to start investing without fear

• Balance emotions with smart financial decisions

• Regain confidence in your financial future—one small step at a time

Packed with personal stories, practical tips, and emotional support, this is a must-listen for widows ready to take control of their money and move forward with clarity.