Brave Widow Resources Mentioned  Brave Widow Academy (apply or book a call): https://bravewidow.com/academy Scholarship Application for Academy: https://www.bravewidow.com/scholarships1 Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief):👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free     If you’re a widow who looks “fine” on the outside but feels empty, stuck, or like you’re just getting through the day, this episode is for you.   In this deep dive, I walk you through: Who Brave Widow Academy is really for (and who it’s not for) The 5 areas widows struggle with most after the early grief fog lifts Real data from Academy graduates (how their scores actually changed over 6 months) Honest stories from widows who went from “What’s the point?” to waking up with purpose again How our scholarships work, including how much we’ve already awarded and what’s available for this cohort   If you’ve done GriefShare, counseling, or Facebook groups and you’re still asking, “Now what? Is this really the rest of my life?” I made this episode for you.   Our next Brave Widow Academy cohort starts Monday, July 13 at 5–7 pm Central.   Chapters 0:00 – Are you “functioning” but not really living? 2:18 – Why I created Brave Widow Academy (and where I was in my grief) 10:20 – Foundations vs Academy: which season of grief are you in? 17:45 – What you actually get inside Academy (structure, calls, community) 26:30 – How we measure “intangibles” like confidence, purpose, and moving forward 35:40 – Real student results: from dreading days to wanting to live 90% of them 47:05 – Midpoint check‑ins: what current students are noticing in real time 59:10 – Objections: money, time, “maybe it’s been too long,” “maybe I’m broken” 1:09:35 – Scholarships: how they work and what’s available this round 1:16:50 – How to apply and how to know if Academy is your next step If you’re ready to stop just surviving and start intentionally rebuilding a life you could actually love again, apply for the next Brave Widow Academy cohort (starting Monday, July 13, 5–7 pm CT with coaches Allyson and Nicole). Apply here: bravewidow.com/academy     Links & Next Steps Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief): 👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community and get Momentum Monday calls: 👉 bravewidow.com/free 💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 If this episode helped you, please:  Hit Subscribe  Leave a quick rating & review – it helps more widows find this support Share this with a friend who’s facing grief or the holidays without their person   If you’re new here, my name is Emily Tanner. I’m the founder of Brave Widow and Brave Widow Academy.   I help widows move from barely surviving their loss… to rebuilding a life they can actually love again without feeling like they’re betraying their person.   By day (and for 20+ years), I’ve led large teams and complex operations in the corporate world.    After my husband Nathan died in 2021, just shy of our 20-year anniversary, I took everything I knew about leadership, systems, and change — and started applying it to grief.   Since then, I’ve: Shared my story publicly to make widows feel less alone. Launched the Brave Widow podcast, now with 180+ episodes and listeners around the world. Coached hundreds of widows 1:1 and in groups, and talked with thousands more through the podcast, communities, and events. Built Brave Widow Academy, a 6-month coaching program with a clear framework for moving from deep grief to rebuilding a life you can love again.   I don’t teach “just think positive” grief tips.   I teach widows how to: Heal their heart. Stop waiting on “time” to fix everything. Take small, brave steps toward a life that feels meaningful again.   How I Got Here…   2021: My husband Nathan dies unexpectedly. I’m 4 kids in, overwhelmed, and drowning in paperwork, decisions, and pain. Therapy helps, but I still feel stuck with no roadmap.   2021–2022: I start devouring books, interviewing widows, trying grief groups, and studying coaching — desperate to find something that actually helps me feel different.   2022: I start the Brave Widow podcast, recording episodes while terrified and crying between takes — but determined that no widow should feel as alone as I did.   Year 1: I begin coaching widows 1:1. Word spreads quietly. The same patterns and problems keep showing up, so I start building frameworks instead of one-off advice.   Year 2: I launch Brave Widow Academy — a structured, 6-month coaching program with a step-by-step path: from deep grief, to stability, to rebuilding.   Year 3: Brave Widow has listeners around the world. I’ve personally coached hundreds of widows and spoken with thousands more through consults, lives, emails, and DMs.    Today: My work is simple:   Help widows stop surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

Brave Widow Resources Mentioned  Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief):👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free Brave Widow Academy (apply): https://bravewidow.com/academy   If you’re a widow who isn’t in raw, early grief anymore but still feels stuck, hollow, and thinking, “Is this really it for the rest of my life?”… this episode is for you.   Emily shares why simply “giving it time” will only give you MORE of what you have today, how unprocessed grief shows up in your body, and the exact small, brave steps she took to go from floating through life to genuinely feeling alive again.   You’ll also hear why most grief support stops too early, what makes Brave Widow different, and how Brave Widow Academy helps widows collapse their timeline and intentionally rebuild a life they can actually love again without betraying their person.   In this episode you’ll learn: Who this message is not for (and why that matters) The brutal truth about “time heals all wounds” How unprocessed grief sits in your body and life Why grief groups are only the first stage of healing Practical examples of stepping into your future identity How widows in Brave Widow Academy are measurably changing their lives in 6 months   Chapters: 00:00 – Who this episode is (and isn’t) for 04:00 – “There has to be more than this” widow: stuck, frozen, existing 10:00 – The lie of “just give it time” and what time actually multiplies 19:00 – Emily’s small, brave steps: solo symphony nights, dinner dates, and dating again 32:00 – Collapsing the timeline: from 10+ years of thinking to 4 months of doing (real estate story) 36:00 – What happens inside Brave Widow Academy + real client progress numbers 48:00 – Your invitation to stop floating and start rebuilding on purpose If you’re ready to stop just surviving and start intentionally rebuilding a life you could actually love again, apply for the next Brave Widow Academy cohort (starting Monday, July 13, 5–7 pm CT with coaches Allyson and Nicole). Apply here: bravewidow.com/academy     Links & Next Steps Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief): 👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community and get Momentum Monday calls: 👉 bravewidow.com/free 💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 If this episode helped you, please:  Hit Subscribe  Leave a quick rating & review – it helps more widows find this support Share this with a friend who’s facing grief or the holidays without their person   If you’re new here, my name is Emily Tanner. I’m the founder of Brave Widow and Brave Widow Academy.   I help widows move from barely surviving their loss… to rebuilding a life they can actually love again without feeling like they’re betraying their person.   By day (and for 20+ years), I’ve led large teams and complex operations in the corporate world.    After my husband Nathan died in 2021, just shy of our 20-year anniversary, I took everything I knew about leadership, systems, and change — and started applying it to grief.   Since then, I’ve: Shared my story publicly to make widows feel less alone. Launched the Brave Widow podcast, now with 180+ episodes and listeners around the world. Coached hundreds of widows 1:1 and in groups, and talked with thousands more through the podcast, communities, and events. Built Brave Widow Academy, a 6-month coaching program with a clear framework for moving from deep grief to rebuilding a life you can love again.   I don’t teach “just think positive” grief tips.   I teach widows how to: Heal their heart. Stop waiting on “time” to fix everything. Take small, brave steps toward a life that feels meaningful again.   How I Got Here…   2021: My husband Nathan dies unexpectedly. I’m 4 kids in, overwhelmed, and drowning in paperwork, decisions, and pain. Therapy helps, but I still feel stuck with no roadmap.   2021–2022: I start devouring books, interviewing widows, trying grief groups, and studying coaching — desperate to find something that actually helps me feel different.   2022: I start the Brave Widow podcast, recording episodes while terrified and crying between takes — but determined that no widow should feel as alone as I did.   Year 1: I begin coaching widows 1:1. Word spreads quietly. The same patterns and problems keep showing up, so I start building frameworks instead of one-off advice.   Year 2: I launch Brave Widow Academy — a structured, 6-month coaching program with a step-by-step path: from deep grief, to stability, to rebuilding.   Year 3: Brave Widow has listeners around the world. I’ve personally coached hundreds of widows and spoken with thousands more through consults, lives, emails, and DMs.    Today: My work is simple:   Help widows stop surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.    

Brave Widow Resources Mentioned  Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief):👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free Brave Widow Academy (apply): https://bravewidow.com/academy   In this special 200th episode of The Brave Widow Show, Emily is joined by three members of the Brave Widow community – Carrie, Tammie, and Mary – who openly share their journeys through grief, anxiety, faith, and slow-but-real transformation.   They talk about the darkest days after loss, the guilt of investing in themselves, the concrete changes they’ve experienced since joining Brave Widow, and the ordinary moments when they realized, “I’m actually living again.”   If you’ve ever worried you’re “doing widowhood wrong” or that this is as good as it gets, this episode is for you.   Chapters: 00:00 – Why this episode matters + Foundations invitation 03:30 – Meet Carrie, Tammie & Mary: where they are now 08:30 – The hardest days after loss & feeling stuck in grief 20:00 – Finding Brave Widow, GriefShare, and hesitating to invest in themselves 32:00 – Concrete changes: routines, community, less anxiety, big moves & trips 46:30 – Moments of “I’m actually living again” & what their husbands would say 51:30 – What they’d tell the widow who thinks “this is as good as it gets” + how Foundations can help   Links & Next Steps Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief): 👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community and get Momentum Monday calls: 👉 bravewidow.com/free 💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 If this episode helped you, please:  Hit Subscribe  Leave a quick rating & review – it helps more widows find this support Share this with a friend who’s facing grief or the holidays without their person   If you’re new here, my name is Emily Tanner. I’m the founder of Brave Widow and Brave Widow Academy.   I help widows move from barely surviving their loss… to rebuilding a life they can actually love again without feeling like they’re betraying their person.   By day (and for 20+ years), I’ve led large teams and complex operations in the corporate world.    After my husband Nathan died in 2021, just shy of our 20-year anniversary, I took everything I knew about leadership, systems, and change — and started applying it to grief.   Since then, I’ve: Shared my story publicly to make widows feel less alone. Launched the Brave Widow podcast, now with 180+ episodes and listeners around the world. Coached hundreds of widows 1:1 and in groups, and talked with thousands more through the podcast, communities, and events. Built Brave Widow Academy, a 6-month coaching program with a clear framework for moving from deep grief to rebuilding a life you can love again.   I don’t teach “just think positive” grief tips.   I teach widows how to: Heal their heart. Stop waiting on “time” to fix everything. Take small, brave steps toward a life that feels meaningful again.   How I Got Here…   2021: My husband Nathan dies unexpectedly. I’m 4 kids in, overwhelmed, and drowning in paperwork, decisions, and pain. Therapy helps, but I still feel stuck with no roadmap.   2021–2022: I start devouring books, interviewing widows, trying grief groups, and studying coaching — desperate to find something that actually helps me feel different.   2022: I start the Brave Widow podcast, recording episodes while terrified and crying between takes — but determined that no widow should feel as alone as I did.   Year 1: I begin coaching widows 1:1. Word spreads quietly. The same patterns and problems keep showing up, so I start building frameworks instead of one-off advice.   Year 2: I launch Brave Widow Academy — a structured, 6-month coaching program with a step-by-step path: from deep grief, to stability, to rebuilding.   Year 3: Brave Widow has listeners around the world. I’ve personally coached hundreds of widows and spoken with thousands more through consults, lives, emails, and DMs.    Today: My work is simple:   Help widows stop surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

Quick note: We had a weird static issue on this recording. We cleaned it up as much as possible, and the conversation with Dr. Tina was too powerful not to share.   Connect with Tina: Website - https://tinafornwald.com/ https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/  Children’s Secret Santa - https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/children-of-widowhood/  Three-Night Healing Retreat - https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/real-widowhood-weekend-nextyou-experience/ Link For Free Gift Or Offer (If Any): https://tinafornwald.com/where-grief-gets-stuck/ Free Gift/Offer Description (If Any): Discover which of the Five Survival Patterns may be keeping you stuck in grief. Complete the free self-assessment and instantly receive a downloadable guide with practical insights, reflection questions, and next steps to help you reconnect with hope, purpose, and healing.   Brave Widow Resources Mentioned  Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief):👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join us for Renew: A Brave Widow Retreat: https://bravewidow.com/retreat Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free Brave Widow Academy (apply): https://bravewidow.com/academy Schedule a free, no-pressure call: https://bravewidow.com/call   What do you do when it feels like life just keeps hitting you with loss after loss?   In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Tina Fornwald: retired Army officer, breast cancer survivor, and widow after a 29‑year marriage. We talk honestly about stacked suffering, listening to God’s promptings, surviving those first months when simply bathing feels impossible, and how she slowly rebuilt a life that now includes a nonprofit, a Secret Santa program for widowed families, a memorial garden, and her new novel The Five Widows Club.   If you’ve ever wondered, “Does this ever get better?” this conversation is for you.   Chapters 0:00 – Intro, Renew Retreat & Foundations announcements 3:00 – Dr. Tina’s story: 29‑year marriage, Army life & sudden loss 8:00 – Breast cancer, stacked suffering & surviving the first few months 14:00 – Wrestling with God, honesty in grief & when hope starts to return 21:00 – Secret Santa, memorial garden & The Five Widows Club 30:00 – Purpose, pressure & encouragement for years 1–10 of widowhood     Links & Next Steps Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief): 👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community and get Momentum Monday calls: 👉 bravewidow.com/free     💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 If this episode helped you, please:  Hit Subscribe  Leave a quick rating & review – it helps more widows find this support Share this with a friend who’s facing grief or the holidays without their person   If you’re new here, my name is Emily Tanner. I’m the founder of Brave Widow and Brave Widow Academy.   I help widows move from barely surviving their loss… to rebuilding a life they can actually love again without feeling like they’re betraying their person.   By day (and for 20+ years), I’ve led large teams and complex operations in the corporate world.    After my husband Nathan died in 2021, just shy of our 20-year anniversary, I took everything I knew about leadership, systems, and change — and started applying it to grief.   Since then, I’ve: Shared my story publicly to make widows feel less alone. Launched the Brave Widow podcast, now with 180+ episodes and listeners around the world. Coached hundreds of widows 1:1 and in groups, and talked with thousands more through the podcast, communities, and events. Built Brave Widow Academy, a 6-month coaching program with a clear framework for moving from deep grief to rebuilding a life you can love again.   I don’t teach “just think positive” grief tips.   I teach widows how to: Heal their heart. Stop waiting on “time” to fix everything. Take small, brave steps toward a life that feels meaningful again.   How I Got Here…   2021: My husband Nathan dies unexpectedly. I’m 4 kids in, overwhelmed, and drowning in paperwork, decisions, and pain. Therapy helps, but I still feel stuck with no roadmap.   2021–2022: I start devouring books, interviewing widows, trying grief groups, and studying coaching — desperate to find something that actually helps me feel different.   2022: I start the Brave Widow podcast, recording episodes while terrified and crying between takes — but determined that no widow should feel as alone as I did.   Year 1: I begin coaching widows 1:1. Word spreads quietly. The same patterns and problems keep showing up, so I start building frameworks instead of one-off advice.   Year 2: I launch Brave Widow Academy — a structured, 6-month coaching program with a step-by-step path: from deep grief, to stability, to rebuilding.   Year 3: Brave Widow has listeners around the world. I’ve personally coached hundreds of widows and spoken with thousands more through consults, lives, emails, and DMs.    Today: My work is simple:   Help widows stop surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.    

Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief):👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join us for Renew: A Brave Widow Retreat: https://bravewidow.com/retreat Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free Brave Widow Academy (apply): https://bravewidow.com/academy Schedule a free, no-pressure call: https://bravewidow.com/call   If getting through the day feels like your new full‑time job, this episode is for you.   In this faith‑based conversation, Emily shares the 5 Foundations she uses to help widows move from pure survival mode into a little more stability, structure, and hope.    If you’re tired of people telling you to “just give it time,” you’ll learn what to focus on instead so you can actually breathe again.   You’ll learn: Why time alone doesn’t heal grief (and what does) The 5 Foundations that steady you when life feels relentlessly hard How to calm your nervous system when you feel constantly on edge Why doing less (not more) is actually wise in early grief How to rebuild routine, connection, hope, and identity without leaving your person behind What the new Brave Widow Foundations program is and who it’s for   Foundations is a gentle, faith‑centered container for widows and widowers in the “rawness” and “isolation” seasons of grief who need stability and support before they’re ready to fully rebuild life again.   Chapters 0:00 – When getting through the day feels like a full‑time job 6:45 – Why “just give it time” isn’t working 10:30 – The 5 Foundations that help you breathe again 37:10 – “Too broken / too early / I should do this alone” and other stories we tell ourselves 48:10 – Inside the Brave Widow Foundations program and how to join   Links & Next Steps Learn more about Brave Widow Foundations (gentle, faith‑based support for the first seasons of grief): 👉 bravewidow.com/foundations Join the free Brave Widow Community and get Momentum Monday calls: 👉 bravewidow.com/free     💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 If this episode helped you, please:  Hit Subscribe  Leave a quick rating & review – it helps more widows find this support Share this with a friend who’s facing grief or the holidays without their person   If you’re new here, my name is Emily Tanner. I’m the founder of Brave Widow and Brave Widow Academy.   I help widows move from barely surviving their loss… to rebuilding a life they can actually love again without feeling like they’re betraying their person.   By day (and for 20+ years), I’ve led large teams and complex operations in the corporate world.    After my husband Nathan died in 2021, just shy of our 20-year anniversary, I took everything I knew about leadership, systems, and change — and started applying it to grief.   Since then, I’ve: Shared my story publicly to make widows feel less alone. Launched the Brave Widow podcast, now with 180+ episodes and listeners around the world. Coached hundreds of widows 1:1 and in groups, and talked with thousands more through the podcast, communities, and events. Built Brave Widow Academy, a 6-month coaching program with a clear framework for moving from deep grief to rebuilding a life you can love again.   I don’t teach “just think positive” grief tips.   I teach widows how to: Heal their heart. Stop waiting on “time” to fix everything. Take small, brave steps toward a life that feels meaningful again.   How I Got Here…   2021: My husband Nathan dies unexpectedly. I’m 4 kids in, overwhelmed, and drowning in paperwork, decisions, and pain. Therapy helps, but I still feel stuck with no roadmap.   2021–2022: I start devouring books, interviewing widows, trying grief groups, and studying coaching — desperate to find something that actually helps me feel different.   2022: I start the Brave Widow podcast, recording episodes while terrified and crying between takes — but determined that no widow should feel as alone as I did.   Year 1: I begin coaching widows 1:1. Word spreads quietly. The same patterns and problems keep showing up, so I start building frameworks instead of one-off advice.   Year 2: I launch Brave Widow Academy — a structured, 6-month coaching program with a step-by-step path: from deep grief, to stability, to rebuilding.   Year 3: Brave Widow has listeners around the world. I’ve personally coached hundreds of widows and spoken with thousands more through consults, lives, emails, and DMs.    Today: My work is simple:   Help widows stop surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

Brave Widow Resources Mentioned  Join us for Renew: A Brave Widow Retreat: https://bravewidow.com/retreat Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free Brave Widow Academy (apply): https://bravewidow.com/academy Schedule a free, no-pressure call: https://bravewidow.com/call   Description / Show Notes When you hear “widow,” do you picture old, sad, and alone? These 5 faith-based widows will change that perspective.   In this roundtable, Brave Widow coaches share raw, faith-filled stories of losing their husbands, feeling shattered, trying counseling, books, GriefShare, and groups… and still feeling stuck.    Then they talk about how finding a like-minded widow community, real tools, and tiny brave steps helped them rebuild confidence, purpose, and hope.     If you’re a widow who feels lost, lonely, and “not truly living,” this is for you.   In this episode you’ll hear: Why so many of us hated the word “widow” What life looked like before Brave Widow (brain fog, isolation, “walking in place”) How faith-based community felt different from therapy and generic grief groups Specific tiny steps that rebuilt confidence, identity, and friendships How tools like Grief Recovery Method created peace with “unsaid” conversations The choices widows make when they experience the biggest transformation What our coaches would say to the widow who thinks she’s “too broken” or “too late”   Chapters 02:00 – Meet the 5 Brave Widow coaches 10:30 – Life before Brave Widow: grief groups, therapy, and feeling stuck 22:00 – Finding a faith-based widow community online 32:00 – Tiny brave steps: leaving the house, trying new groups, asking for help 44:00 – Grief Recovery Method and completing “unsaid” conversations 55:00 – Rebuilding confidence, boundaries, and a new relationship with God 1:05:00 – What transformed widows do differently 1:09:00 – An invitation if you feel “too broken” or “too far gone”   Call to action If you’re tired of feeling lost and alone and want a structured, faith-based plan to move forward, book a free consult at BraveWidow.com and see if Brave Widow Academy is a fit for you.       💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 If this episode helped you, please:  Hit Subscribe  Leave a quick rating & review – it helps more widows find this support Share this with a friend who’s facing grief or the holidays without their person   If you’re new here, my name is Emily Tanner. I’m the founder of Brave Widow and Brave Widow Academy.   I help widows move from barely surviving their loss… to rebuilding a life they can actually love again without feeling like they’re betraying their person.   By day (and for 20+ years), I’ve led large teams and complex operations in the corporate world.    After my husband Nathan died in 2021, just shy of our 20-year anniversary, I took everything I knew about leadership, systems, and change — and started applying it to grief.   Since then, I’ve: Shared my story publicly to make widows feel less alone. Launched the Brave Widow podcast, now with 180+ episodes and listeners around the world. Coached hundreds of widows 1:1 and in groups, and talked with thousands more through the podcast, communities, and events. Built Brave Widow Academy, a 6-month coaching program with a clear framework for moving from deep grief to rebuilding a life you can love again.   I don’t teach “just think positive” grief tips.   I teach widows how to: Heal their heart. Stop waiting on “time” to fix everything. Take small, brave steps toward a life that feels meaningful again.   How I Got Here…   2021: My husband Nathan dies unexpectedly. I’m 4 kids in, overwhelmed, and drowning in paperwork, decisions, and pain. Therapy helps, but I still feel stuck with no roadmap.   2021–2022: I start devouring books, interviewing widows, trying grief groups, and studying coaching — desperate to find something that actually helps me feel different.   2022: I start the Brave Widow podcast, recording episodes while terrified and crying between takes — but determined that no widow should feel as alone as I did.   Year 1: I begin coaching widows 1:1. Word spreads quietly. The same patterns and problems keep showing up, so I start building frameworks instead of one-off advice.   Year 2: I launch Brave Widow Academy — a structured, 6-month coaching program with a step-by-step path: from deep grief, to stability, to rebuilding.   Year 3: Brave Widow has listeners around the world. I’ve personally coached hundreds of widows and spoken with thousands more through consults, lives, emails, and DMs.    Today: My work is simple:   Help widows stop surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

Brave Widow Resources Mentioned * Join us for Renew: A Brave Widow Retreat: https://bravewidow.com/retreat * Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free * Brave Widow Academy (apply): https://bravewidow.com/academy * Schedule a free, no-pressure call: https://bravewidow.com/call Description / Show Notes This conversation with Denise, a first-year widow and retreat planner, is a behind-the-scenes look at the Brave Widow Renew Retreat in Southern Oregon. We talk about the shock of “the business of widowhood,” surviving the first holidays, and why a quiet, beautiful place in nature can help your nervous system finally exhale. If you’re tired of being “the strong one” and want three days where someone else handles the logistics so you can rest, grieve, and re-center with widows who truly understand, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll hear: * Denise’s fast, heartbreaking loss and the “business of widowhood” that stole her space to grieve * How she found Brave Widow right before the holidays and finally let herself fall apart * Why this unexpected Oregon resort has become a place of deep peace and healing * The vision behind the Renew Retreat: rest, renewal, and baby steps into your next season * What to actually expect: travel, lodging, Crater Lake, spa time, stargazing, and more * How to know if Renew Retreat is the right next step for you Chapters (approximate): * 00:00 – Meeting Denise & “this was such a God thing” * 02:00 – Their love story, sudden cancer, and becoming a widow overnight * 05:30 – The business of widowhood: passwords, bills, and no space to grieve * 08:30 – Finding Brave Widow before the holidays & finally collapsing at mom’s house * 13:30 – Why this small Oregon resort became a place of peace and healing * 23:00 – The heart of Renew Retreat: rest, renewal, and baby-deer next steps * 34:00 – What you’ll experience: Crater Lake, spa, trails, stargazing, community * 39:30 – How to join us at Renew Retreat 💛 Ready for deeper support?Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows:@BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook 💬 If this episode helped you, please: * Hit Subscribe * Leave a quick rating & review – it helps more widows find this support * Share this with a friend who’s facing grief or the holidays without their person If you’re new here, my name is Emily Tanner. I’m the founder of Brave Widow and Brave Widow Academy. I help widows move from barely surviving their loss… to rebuilding a life they can actually love again without feeling like they’re betraying their person. By day (and for 20+ years), I’ve led large teams and complex operations in the corporate world. After my husband Nathan died in 2021, just shy of our 20-year anniversary, I took everything I knew about leadership, systems, and change — and started applying it to grief. Since then, I’ve: Shared my story publicly to make widows feel less alone. Launched the Brave Widow podcast, now with 180+ episodes and listeners around the world. Coached hundreds of widows 1:1 and in groups, and talked with thousands more through the podcast, communities, and events. Built Brave Widow Academy, a 6-month coaching program with a clear framework for moving from deep grief to rebuilding a life you can love again. I don’t teach “just think positive” grief tips. I teach widows how to: Heal their heart. Stop waiting on “time” to fix everything. Take small, brave steps toward a life that feels meaningful again. How I Got Here… 2021: My husband Nathan dies unexpectedly. I’m 4 kids in, overwhelmed, and drowning in paperwork, decisions, and pain. Therapy helps, but I still feel stuck with no roadmap. 2021–2022: I start devouring books, interviewing widows, trying grief groups, and studying coaching — desperate to find something that actually helps me feel different. 2022: I start the Brave Widow podcast, recording episodes while terrified and crying between takes — but determined that no widow should feel as alone as I did. Year 1: I begin coaching widows 1:1. Word spreads quietly. The same patterns and problems keep showing up, so I start building frameworks instead of one-off advice. Year 2: I launch Brave Widow Academy — a structured, 6-month coaching program with a step-by-step path: from deep grief, to stability, to rebuilding. Year 3: Brave Widow has listeners around the world. I’ve personally coached hundreds of widows and spoken with thousands more through consults, lives, emails, and DMs. Today: My work is simple: Help widows stop surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

Brave Widow Resources Mentioned Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free Brave Widow Academy (apply): https://bravewidow.com/academy Renew: A Brave Widow Retreat: https://bravewidow.com/retreat Schedule a free, no-pressure call: https://bravewidow.com/call   Description / Show Notes What if your future self could send you a 30-second video today and say, “Don’t give up. Hope is coming”?   In this episode, I share real (anonymous) stories and reflections from our most recent Brave Widow Academy graduates. You’ll hear what they wish they could go back and tell themselves six months ago, what they’re most proud of, and why walking with others through grief changes everything.   I’ll also break down who is typically in the Academy, what actually happens over those six months, and a special bonus for those who join the next round starting July 13.   Whether you ever join the Academy or not, I want you to walk away believing this: your future can feel very different from today.    Hope is coming!   Chapters: 02:00 Why I’m sharing graduation stories (and your main takeaway) 04:45 What it’s like when life starts to feel lighter again 06:30 The visible shift from first call to graduation 08:30 The power of proximity: who you’re “in the room” with 11:00 The question I asked our graduates about their past selves 15:00 What they’re most proud of: hard choices, boundaries, firsts 18:00 Why “I care how I look again” is a massive win 21:00 No widow left behind: when you feel “behind” or overwhelmed 23:00 The real goal of Academy (for the rest of your life) 26:00 Who is usually in the room? Real stats from all cohorts 29:00 Details: July 13 cohort schedule & how to apply 34:30 Early enrollment bonus: 4 private 1:1 coaching sessions 36:00 Retreat invitation & why it pairs perfectly with Academy 38:00 Faith, grief, and a God who can handle your pain       💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 If this episode helped you, please:  Hit Subscribe  Leave a quick rating & review – it helps more widows find this support Share this with a friend who’s facing grief or the holidays without their person   If you’re new here, my name is Emily Tanner. I’m the founder of Brave Widow and Brave Widow Academy.   I help widows move from barely surviving their loss… to rebuilding a life they can actually love again without feeling like they’re betraying their person.   By day (and for 20+ years), I’ve led large teams and complex operations in the corporate world.    After my husband Nathan died in 2021, just shy of our 20-year anniversary, I took everything I knew about leadership, systems, and change — and started applying it to grief.   Since then, I’ve: Shared my story publicly to make widows feel less alone. Launched the Brave Widow podcast, now with 180+ episodes and listeners around the world. Coached hundreds of widows 1:1 and in groups, and talked with thousands more through the podcast, communities, and events. Built Brave Widow Academy, a 6-month coaching program with a clear framework for moving from deep grief to rebuilding a life you can love again.   I don’t teach “just think positive” grief tips.   I teach widows how to: Heal their heart. Stop waiting on “time” to fix everything. Take small, brave steps toward a life that feels meaningful again.   How I Got Here…   2021: My husband Nathan dies unexpectedly. I’m 4 kids in, overwhelmed, and drowning in paperwork, decisions, and pain. Therapy helps, but I still feel stuck with no roadmap.   2021–2022: I start devouring books, interviewing widows, trying grief groups, and studying coaching — desperate to find something that actually helps me feel different.   2022: I start the Brave Widow podcast, recording episodes while terrified and crying between takes — but determined that no widow should feel as alone as I did.   Year 1: I begin coaching widows 1:1. Word spreads quietly. The same patterns and problems keep showing up, so I start building frameworks instead of one-off advice.   Year 2: I launch Brave Widow Academy — a structured, 6-month coaching program with a step-by-step path: from deep grief, to stability, to rebuilding.   Year 3: Brave Widow has listeners around the world. I’ve personally coached hundreds of widows and spoken with thousands more through consults, lives, emails, and DMs.    Today: My work is simple:   Help widows stop surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

Brave Widow Resources Mentioned Join the free Brave Widow Community: https://bravewidow.com/free Brave Widow Academy (apply): https://bravewidow.com/academy Renew: A Brave Widow Retreat: https://bravewidow.com/retreat     Description / Show Notes In today’s episode, I walk you through the exact ways you can get support inside Brave Widow – from completely free resources to the most personalized, hands-on coaching – so you can stop guessing and know which next step is right for you.   If you’re somewhere between barely surviving and starting to wonder if there’s more than just “getting through the day,” this is for you.    We’ll talk about: A totally free community where you don’t have to do this alone A gentle new space (Foundations) for deep grief and overwhelm Brave Widow Academy for widows who are ready to rebuild 1:1 coaching for the most tailored support Our in‑person Renew retreat for widows ready to recenter and rise   You do not have to do all of these. My goal is to help you see the “support ladder” and pick the one step that fits where you are right now.   Chapters: 02:00 – Why I’m creating a “support ladder” for widows 03:20 – Level 1: Free Brave Widow Community (what you get & who it’s for) 09:20 – Level 2: Introducing Brave Widow Foundations 22:40 – Level 3: Brave Widow Academy – when you’re ready to rebuild 46:00 – Level 4: 1‑1 coaching – when you want a guide just for you 60:00 – Level 5: Renew – the Brave Widow Retreat 66:00 – Feeling overwhelmed? Here’s the one step to take 69:00 – Final encouragement: don’t do this alone     💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 If this episode helped you, please:  Hit Subscribe  Leave a quick rating & review – it helps more widows find this support Share this with a friend who’s facing grief or the holidays without their person   If you’re new here, my name is Emily Tanner. I’m the founder of Brave Widow and Brave Widow Academy.   I help widows move from barely surviving their loss… to rebuilding a life they can actually love again without feeling like they’re betraying their person.   By day (and for 20+ years), I’ve led large teams and complex operations in the corporate world.    After my husband Nathan died in 2021, just shy of our 20-year anniversary, I took everything I knew about leadership, systems, and change — and started applying it to grief.   Since then, I’ve: Shared my story publicly to make widows feel less alone. Launched the Brave Widow podcast, now with 180+ episodes and listeners around the world. Coached hundreds of widows 1:1 and in groups, and talked with thousands more through the podcast, communities, and events. Built Brave Widow Academy, a 6-month coaching program with a clear framework for moving from deep grief to rebuilding a life you can love again.   I don’t teach “just think positive” grief tips.   I teach widows how to: Heal their heart. Stop waiting on “time” to fix everything. Take small, brave steps toward a life that feels meaningful again.   How I Got Here…   2021: My husband Nathan dies unexpectedly. I’m 4 kids in, overwhelmed, and drowning in paperwork, decisions, and pain. Therapy helps, but I still feel stuck with no roadmap.   2021–2022: I start devouring books, interviewing widows, trying grief groups, and studying coaching — desperate to find something that actually helps me feel different.   2022: I start the Brave Widow podcast, recording episodes while terrified and crying between takes — but determined that no widow should feel as alone as I did.   Year 1: I begin coaching widows 1:1. Word spreads quietly. The same patterns and problems keep showing up, so I start building frameworks instead of one-off advice.   Year 2: I launch Brave Widow Academy — a structured, 6-month coaching program with a step-by-step path: from deep grief, to stability, to rebuilding.   Year 3: Brave Widow has listeners around the world. I’ve personally coached hundreds of widows and spoken with thousands more through consults, lives, emails, and DMs.    Today: My work is simple:   Help widows stop surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.

Brave Widow Resources Mentioned Apply for Brave Widow Academy (next group starts July) https://bravewidow.com/academy Join the free Brave Widow Community + weekly calls and prayer nights - https://bravewidow.com/free Schedule a no-pressure call with Emily to figure out your best next step - https://bravewidow.com/call     Description / Show Notes If you’ve ever thought, “Surely this can’t be the rest of my life… but I have no idea what’s next,” this episode is for you.   After coaching hundreds of widows, I’ve seen the same pattern over and over. It’s not “time heals all wounds.”    It’s a simple 4-step path: Stabilize Explore Build Expand   In this episode of The Brave Widow Show, I walk you through each step so you can find where you are and what to focus on next, without guilt, pressure, or rushing your grief.   You’ll hear: Why “being strong” is the opposite of what your heart and nervous system need in early grief What to do when life feels like a blurry maintenance mode and you’re just “walking in place” How to treat trying new things as experiments, not pass/fail tests of whether you’re “doing widowhood right” The shift from simply surviving each day… to actually feeling glimmers of excitement about your future again What “expansion” looks like (from new friendships to writing books to becoming a Brave Widow coach)   And I’ll invite you into our always-free Brave Widow community so you don’t have to walk this road alone.   Join the free Brave Widow Community: 👉 https://bravewidow.com/free   Learn about Brave Widow Academy: 👉https://bravewidow.com/academy   Chapter Timestamps 00:00 – Why I’m “on fire” today & my heart for widows 01:10 – My “secret agenda” behind the always-free Brave Widow community 04:05 – Time doesn’t magically heal: the real reason you still feel stuck 05:40 – Step 1: Stabilize (getting out of survival mode without guilt) 11:20 – Step 2: Explore (treating new experiences as experiments, not failures) 15:05 – Step 3: Build (creating a routine and life that finally feels like you) 17:40 – Step 4: Expand (growing into dreams you never thought possible) 22:20 – How long stabilization takes & why it’s different for everyone 24:00 – Your next brave step: free community & Brave Widow Academy   💛 Ready for deeper support? Brave Widow Academy is my 6‑month, faith‑based program to help you heal your heart and rebuild a life you can love again. Small group, step‑by‑step roadmap, and weekly support. Learn more and apply here: bravewidow.com/academy   Subscribe for more faith‑based, hopeful grief support for widows: @BraveWidow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook   💬 If this episode helped you, please:  Hit Subscribe  Leave a quick rating & review – it helps more widows find this support Share this with a friend who’s facing grief or the holidays without their person   If you’re new here, my name is Emily Tanner. I’m the founder of Brave Widow and Brave Widow Academy.   I help widows move from barely surviving their loss… to rebuilding a life they can actually love again without feeling like they’re betraying their person.   By day (and for 20+ years), I’ve led large teams and complex operations in the corporate world.    After my husband Nathan died in 2021, just shy of our 20-year anniversary, I took everything I knew about leadership, systems, and change — and started applying it to grief.   Since then, I’ve: Shared my story publicly to make widows feel less alone. Launched the Brave Widow podcast, now with 180+ episodes and listeners around the world. Coached hundreds of widows 1:1 and in groups, and talked with thousands more through the podcast, communities, and events. Built Brave Widow Academy, a 6-month coaching program with a clear framework for moving from deep grief to rebuilding a life you can love again.   I don’t teach “just think positive” grief tips.   I teach widows how to: Heal their heart. Stop waiting on “time” to fix everything. Take small, brave steps toward a life that feels meaningful again.   How I Got Here…   2021: My husband Nathan dies unexpectedly. I’m 4 kids in, overwhelmed, and drowning in paperwork, decisions, and pain. Therapy helps, but I still feel stuck with no roadmap.   2021–2022: I start devouring books, interviewing widows, trying grief groups, and studying coaching — desperate to find something that actually helps me feel different.   2022: I start the Brave Widow podcast, recording episodes while terrified and crying between takes — but determined that no widow should feel as alone as I did.   Year 1: I begin coaching widows 1:1. Word spreads quietly. The same patterns and problems keep showing up, so I start building frameworks instead of one-off advice.   Year 2: I launch Brave Widow Academy — a structured, 6-month coaching program with a step-by-step path: from deep grief, to stability, to rebuilding.   Year 3: Brave Widow has listeners around the world. I’ve personally coached hundreds of widows and spoken with thousands more through consults, lives, emails, and DMs.    Today: My work is simple:   Help widows stop surviving each day… and start rebuilding a life that makes them genuinely glad to be alive again.