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
233. Are You In A Season Of YES? From Grief To Growth To New Beginnings - Interview With Christie Salava
What does it mean to truly start over after unimaginable loss? From learning how to ask for help in her "season of yes," to the strength it took to finally take off her wedding ring, Christie Salava's story is raw, honest, and inspiring—and a powerful reminder that you’re never alone, even in your darkest moments!
Here are 5 key takeaways:
- The Power of Saying "Yes" to Support Christie shared valuable advice she received early in her journey: embrace a "season of yes." She learned to accept help from friends, community, and anyone offering support—even when it felt uncomfortable or humbling. By saying yes, she allowed others to be part of her healing and recognized the importance of not walking through grief alone.
- Profound Shifts in Marriage and Caregiving Christie’s story illustrates how illness can transform a loved one and a marriage. She discussed the pain of watching her husband Andy’s personality change due to his brain tumor and treatments—moving quickly from the man she knew to someone unrecognizable, and the difficult task of protecting her children from those changes while navigating her own grief.
- Reminders That Healing and Moving Forward Aren’t Betrayals The episode deeply explored the emotional complexity of moving forward—especially when it came to taking off her wedding ring and moving out of the family home. Christie expressed her internal tug-of-war between honoring Andy and embracing new chapters.
- Honesty as a Cornerstone of Healing Christie emphasized the importance of being honest—with herself, her children, her support system, and with God. She explained that allowing herself to voice her true feelings, needs, and struggles enabled her to receive comfort and support.
- Cultivating Hope for the Future While honoring her past, Christie shared her growing hope and openness to finding love again—without diminishing the love she still holds for Andy. She highlighted how both personal growth and the courage to tackle challenges (like solo road trips and relocating her family) have helped rebuild her confidence and inspire her children by example.
This episode is full of heartfelt, vulnerable moments and practical wisdom for anyone navigating loss and the journey toward healing.
Be sure to join us again for Part 2 with Christie in an upcoming episode!
Need support for feeling more confident moving into your Chapter 2? Check out the Boost Your Confidence Level After Loss Workbook! Go to https://www.widow180.com/confidence and get the instant download PDF today!
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Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com