The Administrative Burden on the Grieving Spouse
Release Date: 11/12/2025
The Administrative Burden on the Grieving Spouse
After Life with Samina Bari
In this episode of the After Life Podcast, Samina Bari sits down with Jason Fang, founder of TerraFirma Wealth Partners, to explore the often unseen challenges that come after losing a loved one. Jason shares his personal story of losing his father at a young age and how that shaped his empathetic and hands-on approach to helping families navigate the overwhelming financial and administrative responsibilities that follow a death. Together, Samina and Jason discuss the realities of grief, the limitations of “planning ahead,” and the practical—yet emotionally taxing—steps surviving...
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Channeling Your Strengths to Provide Support
After Life with Samina Bari
In this episode of the After Life Podcast, Samina Bari is joined by Abby Reyes, a powerhouse communications executive and a longtime friend of both Samina and her late husband, Doug. Abby shares the extraordinary and tender role she played in supporting Samina during the immediate aftermath of Doug’s sudden passing - including managing the countless details that weigh heavily on those left behind. Together, they explore themes of shock, grief, and the immense challenge of stepping up for someone while navigating their own emotions. Abby’s cultural perspective - rooted in Filipino...
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Living a Life We Didn’t Choose
After Life with Samina Bari
In the premiere episode of the After Life Podcast, host Samina Bari opens her heart and shares the deeply personal story that inspired her to create this show. With honesty and vulnerability, she talks about the sudden death of her husband, Doug, how that loss transformed her world as a wife, mom, now solo parent, and as a person, and why she is committed to changing how we support grieving spouses. Drawing from decades of leadership experience, personal struggles through religious and cultural pressures, otherness, infertility, and the devastating loss of her life partner, Samina offers a...
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The Support We Need Most When We’ve Lost Ourselves
After Life with Samina Bari
In this episode of the After Life Podcast, Samina Bari is joined by her lifelong friend, Stephanie Koze, who shares a deeply personal account of the moments surrounding the loss of Samina’s husband, Doug. From the first 3 a.m. phone call from the hospital to rushing cross-country to be by Samina’s side, Stephanie reveals the realities and raw emotions of showing up for someone in the darkest times. Together, they explore what true support looks like beyond words - offering presence, compassion, and practical help without overwhelming the grieving person. Stephanie’s thoughtful...
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After Life Trailer
After Life with Samina Bari
info_outlineIn this episode of the After Life Podcast, Samina Bari sits down with Jason Fang, founder of TerraFirma Wealth Partners, to explore the often unseen challenges that come after losing a loved one. Jason shares his personal story of losing his father at a young age and how that shaped his empathetic and hands-on approach to helping families navigate the overwhelming financial and administrative responsibilities that follow a death.
Together, Samina and Jason discuss the realities of grief, the limitations of “planning ahead,” and the practical—yet emotionally taxing—steps surviving spouses and families must take in the aftermath of loss. From managing joint accounts and Social Security benefits to protecting against fraud, updating beneficiaries, and navigating digital assets, this conversation is both personal and practical. More than anything, Jason emphasizes the importance of compassion, building a strong support network, and ensuring no one has to walk this painful path alone.
Key Takeaways
Lean on your village: Friends and family can help with administrative tasks, meal trains, and phone calls - delegating is not only allowed but necessary.
Try to avoid costly mistakes: Many financial and legal decisions are one-way doors. Professional guidance is invaluable for preventing errors with lasting consequences.
Digital assets require special planning: Wills often don’t account for digital legacies. Assigning a legacy contact and using password managers can prevent costly and painful legal hurdles.
Family transparency prevents conflict: Open conversations about estate intentions reduce confusion and future disputes among loved ones.
If the stories and insights from these episodes have touched you, I warmly invite you to continue the conversation with me at saminabari.com. There, you’ll discover meaningful ways to share this work - whether by ordering copies for your office or community, gifting the book to someone in need, or inviting me to speak and ignite more of these essential conversations together.
On the site, you’ll also find the latest updates about my book Don’t Call Me Widow: How to Support Someone Who Has Lost Their Spouse.
Additionally, you can download a free resource I created, What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do.