Widow 180 The Podcast with Jen Zwinck
When you become a widow, the heartache can be overwhelming. You feel lost. You feel broken. You feel alone. And you find yourself trying to pick up the pieces of your life and function. But I believe that every widow has the capacity to endure, that every widow has the power to overcome and the determination to create a new life filled with meaning and purpose. The Widow 180 Podcast is about turning tragedy, loss and fear into strength and creativity and a new passion for life. It's about self-reflection and realizing that we only have this one precious life to live and that a new life and a new you is achievable.Each week I will be interviewing widows, incredible survivors of loss. These women have taken the lessons they've learned and the insights they've gained and used them to grow and transform themselves. Some have started businesses, went back to school, run marathons, lost 100 pounds, and moved across the world! They made a choice not to be held down.How did they do it? How did they get through their grief? What's their secret? What lessons can we learn from them that will transform our own lives? How can we write our own story because our story isn't over yet? How can we begin our Chapter 2? I hope that you are as inspired by these women as I am. And maybe hearing even just one story will be life-changing for you.
Widow 180 The Podcast with Jen Zwinck
225. Twice Widowed And Still Thriving! - Interview With Grief Specialist Ashley Olivia Nelson
Grief specialist Ashley Olivia Nelson joins us on Widow 180: The Podcast. Ashley shared her deeply personal journey as a two-time widow before 35, and her transition into helping others navigate grief.
There were so many powerful insights, but here are the top 3 takeaways:
🔹 Your identity is ever-evolving.
Ashley reminds us that after a significant loss, our sense of self changes—not just once, but many times. Grief challenges us to get intimate with who we are now, and that evolution is both necessary and empowering.
🔹 Feeling "stuck" often means you don’t feel safe, not that you’re failing.
Ashley reframes the sensation of being stuck in grief as a protective response. It’s not a lack of progress—it's your body and mind searching for safety after the world shifts beneath your feet. Finding small ways to regain a sense of security is key.
🔹 Grieving your old life and desires is valid.
You don’t have to “stop wanting what you had.” Ashley encourages us to honor those attachments, validate our yearning, and recognize that healing doesn’t mean erasing your grief, but rather learning to carry it with more ease.
Whether you’re navigating grief yourself or supporting someone who is, Ashley’s wisdom is a must-hear.
Find Ashely at https://www.learningaboutgrief.com
Join us for the upcoming interactive video series, 60 Days of Summer Healing Quest For Widows and Widowers starting June 1.
Get your FREE progress tracker and all information at https://www.widow180.com/healingquest
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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com
Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com