Widowhood Real Talk with Dr. Tina cover art

Widowhood Real Talk with Dr. Tina

Widowhood Real Talk with Dr. Tina

By: Dr. Tina R. Fornwald
Listen for free

About this listen

Many people talk about the ups and downs of married life, but few prepare for the worst-case scenario when a spouse passes away. Marriage is a journey, a stage in life shared by two people on a path that is meant to be walked together. But what happens when you lose your partner? How does one deal with this permanent separation?

Welcome to Dr. Tina's Widowhood Real Talk, a safe space for widows and widowers, as well as their loved ones, to talk and listen to stories of love and loss.

Dr. Tina R. Fornwald's life was turned upside down when her husband Mark died suddenly of a massive heart attack while on vacation on March 11, 2017. His death was both tragic and unexpected. She had no idea how to survive without him or even if she could. They were married for 29 years, raised two wonderful children to adulthood, traveled the world together, and loved each other unconditionally. With a strong faith in God, countless therapy sessions, and the support of family and friends, she was able to keep living and develop a new life. She also started talking to other widows and widowers to gain insight, understanding, and a new perspective on this hard journey. This step was critical to her well-being, and those numerous conversations inspired the podcast. She felt called to turn her most dreadful experience into a place of healing and hope for others.

The purpose of the show is to give a voice to what it's like to be a widow or widower. It's time to let people in the community—children, friends, family members, funeral directors, therapists, or clergy—know they can help in the healing process. Beyond that, the goal is to give children of widows and widowers a voice to speak about their experience and reach others who feel alone. There is hope and a group of caring individuals who want to lend a hand.

Each episode features stories from Dr. Tina and her guests as they share their experiences, lessons learned, insights, and more. Let these honest conversations give you hope and comfort. Discover a wealth of resources and learn how to connect with others who are traveling the same path.

Learn about the experiences of other widows and widowers, and how they are coping and healing in their own ways. No two experiences are alike, and no two stories are the same. Finding out how other people have handled—or are handling—this unfortunate event can help you feel more confident that, in your own time and at your own pace, you're handling it just fine.

You are not alone on this journey. You shouldn't feel like you have to keep quiet about your feelings of loss and grief after a spouse dies. As you venture back into the world and into a new life, learn to be open with others and to express your true feelings. Experiencing grief after the death of a spouse merely demonstrates how much love there is in your heart.

Join Dr. Tina on Widowhood Real Talk to talk about your experiences as a widow, both good and bad, and to find support in your journey.

Visit https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/ to join the community and access additional resources.


Copyright 2025 l All Rights Reserved l Widowhood Real Talk Tina, Inc. l Tina R. Fornwald Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Management Management & Leadership Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Surviving Grief With An Unrelenting Mindset With Brian Francis

    Surviving Grief With An Unrelenting Mindset With Brian Francis
    Feb 26 2026

    Abuse and grief may leave you with deep wounds, but the path to healing will always be open. With an unrelenting mindset, Brian Francis managed to endure a childhood of domestic abuse and the trauma of his father’s death. He tells how he embraced unwavering resilience to write a memoir about his experiences, insights, and realizations to spread inspiration to people who are going through the same struggles. Brian also shares how he gained deeper empathy as a psychiatric nurse, his decision to seek reclassification as a conscientious objector in the Navy, and how he connected with his readers who now feel less alone because of his truth.


    I am sharing my experience of loving the same man for 32 years, a mother to two adult children, a retired military officer, a breast cancer survivor, and my connections with others.


    Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts should reach out to a suicide hotline or local emergency number in their country: Psychology Today Suicide Hotlines and Prevention Resources Around the World.


    Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/
    Show More Show Less
    56 mins
  • Healing The Shattered Soul: Your Journey Through Grief Transformation with Julie Halbert

    Healing The Shattered Soul: Your Journey Through Grief Transformation with Julie Halbert
    Feb 19 2026

    Moving through the unimaginable pain of loss is the beginning of a profound grief transformation and conscious new life. Tina Fornwald sits down with Julie Halbert, a Transformational Soul Coach, Death Doula, and former lawyer, to explore the powerful journey from victimhood to light, discussing her upcoming book, Divine Ashes Ascending. They speak the raw truth about the guttural reality of grief, the importance of building community, and how spiritual practice can move us from mere survival to a state of being and profound peace. Julie also sheds light on the often-overlooked emotional needs of grieving sons and the crucial role of the 504 plan in providing accommodations for children in school.


    I am sharing my experience of loving the same man for 32 years, a mother to two adult children, a retired military officer, a breast cancer survivor, and my connections with others.


    Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts should reach out to a suicide hotline or local emergency number in their country: Psychology Today Suicide Hotlines and Prevention Resources Around the World.


    Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • The Power Of Setting Healthy Boundaries With Regina Hiremath

    The Power Of Setting Healthy Boundaries With Regina Hiremath
    Feb 12 2026

    Setting healthy boundaries should never restrict you from living your best life, but protect you from getting hurt by external forces out of your control. Author and speaker Regina Hiremath experienced a rough childhood and got into an unhappy marriage, but she handled the wounds of her journey by doing the inner work and creating boundaries in the right places. She shares how overcoming her fear of public speaking and undergoing a self-discovery allowed her to share her story of trauma, domestic violence, and divorce to the world. Regina also explains how to find your own “onesome” and learn to ride the huge waves of life’s challenges.


    I am sharing my experience of loving the same man for 32 years, a mother to two adult children, a retired military officer, a breast cancer survivor, and my connections with others.


    Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts should reach out to a suicide hotline or local emergency number in their country: Psychology Today Suicide Hotlines and Prevention Resources Around the World.


    Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/
    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.