Widow 180 The Podcast with Jen Zwinck

280. Widow Brain Meets ADHD: Navigating Grief, Guilt, and Identity After Suicide Loss (with Jennifer Dall)

Jen Zwinck Episode 280

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0:00 | 44:24

What happens when widow brain and ADHD collide?

In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Dall — grief-informed neurodivergence specialist, founder of Curveball Press, and widow of four-plus years — to unpack how grief and neurodivergence amplify each other in ways almost no one talks about.

Jennifer opens up about losing her husband to suicide, navigating grief alongside her adult daughter, and the messy, ongoing work of sorting through his belongings (tools, fishing gear, and all). 

We dig into decision fatigue, executive dysfunction, and why "widow fog" hits differently when you're also managing ADHD — plus practical, compassionate strategies for getting through the hardest days, releasing guilt, and rebuilding an identity that's been completely upended.

If you're in the thick of grief and wondering whether you'll ever feel capable again, this conversation is a reminder: you will. One day, one wave, one Netflix episode at a time!

In this episode:

  • Grief triggers, "random Tuesdays," and anticipating hard anniversaries
  • Widow brain vs. ADHD — how they compound each other
  • Practical tools for decision fatigue and overwhelm
  • Releasing guilt around big life decisions
  • Rebuilding identity after loss
  • What "mini survival mode" looks like — and how to get through it again

Connect with Jennifer: adhdholistically.com 

There are 5 stages of healing in widowhood. Not sure which one you're in? Go to www.widow180.com/stages to find out. Get a curated list of resources you need to start healing today!

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