What Your Next Best Minute Can Do When Disaster Hits with Erika Andresen
Widow, Wisdom & Wealth™: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss
Release Date: 04/28/2026
Planning for Long-Term Care, Love, and Legacy with Raymond Lavine
Widow, Wisdom & Wealth™: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss
In this episode of Widow, Wisdom and Wealth™, Donna welcomes Raymond Lavine, host of Planning with Purpose and two-time EXPY award winner, for a candid conversation about long-term care planning. Rather than getting lost in policy jargon, the discussion focuses on why these conversations matter now—especially for widows, widowers, and families navigating major life transitions. Together, they explore caregiving, vulnerability, legacy, and the importance of having a plan that protects both your loved ones and your future. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why long-term care planning is...
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How Forcing Joy Transformed a Widow’s Grief into a Community of Healing with Dana Frost
Widow, Wisdom & Wealth™: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss
In this episode of Widow, Wisdom and Wealth™, host Don sits down with Dana Frost, founder of the Forced Joy Project, to talk about grief, resilience, and the power of community after loss. Dana shares the story behind her husband Brad’s terminal cancer diagnosis, the “forced joy” mindset they created during his final 100 days, and how that practice evolved into a meaningful mission supporting widows, widowers, and others navigating life after loss. Listeners will hear how the Forced Joy Project grew into a community with retreats, the Joy Scout Club, and creative tools for honoring...
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Rebuilding Life After Loss: Wisdom from Lisa Woolery
Widow, Wisdom & Wealth™: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss
In this heartfelt episode, Lisa Woolery shares her journey of overcoming widowhood, raising children, and rediscovering purpose through her mission of supporting widows. Her story offers powerful insights on healing, community support, and embracing a new chapter with hope and resilience. Main Topics: Lisa Woolery’s personal widowhood story and early relationship with her husband Eric The importance of honesty, shared responsibility, and mutual support in coping with loss Building community and leaning on neighbors and friends for strength The concept of a widow’s comeback and her...
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Rebuilding Joy Through Travel: Tiffany Rampey’s Journey from Widowhood to Empowered Global Explorer
Widow, Wisdom & Wealth™: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss
Discover how Tiffany Rampey transformed her grief into a movement that empowers widows to travel the world responsibly and joyfully. In this episode, she shares her inspiring story of resilience, the innovative Travel More Method, and practical tips for leveraging points and miles to unlock global adventures. Main Topics: Tiffany’s personal journey from widowhood to reinventing her life through travel The development and principles of the Travel More Method How widows can use points and miles to travel affordably Overcoming mindset blocks like guilt and fear after loss The importance...
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Navigating Real Estate Transitions After Loss or Divorce with Dana Friedman
Widow, Wisdom & Wealth™: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss
In this episode of "Widow Wisdom and Wealth," Dana Friedman shares insightful advice on managing real estate decisions during emotional life transitions, particularly after widowhood or divorce. Whether you’re considering selling your family home, downsizing, or exploring 55+ communities, Dana’s expertise offers practical guidance and emotional support. Main Topics Covered: How to use the long-term capital gain exclusion within the first two years of widowhood Strategies for accurately determining home value amidst fluctuating markets Important updates and improvements that can increase...
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What Your Next Best Minute Can Do When Disaster Hits with Erika Andresen
Widow, Wisdom & Wealth™: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss
In this episode of Widow Wisdom and Wealth, we dive deep into resilience, life pivots, and practical strategies for navigating business and personal challenges after loss. Erika Andresen shares her inspiring journey from military service and law to becoming a business continuity expert, emphasizing the importance of planning, action, and living in alignment with your passions. Key Topics The parallels between business continuity planning and handling life's disruptions Erika’s personal story of evolving careers and overcoming hardships How resilience builds through proactive planning and...
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How Mindfulness Can Help Widows Heal and Thrive: Being Present for Life with Harriet Stein
Widow, Wisdom & Wealth™: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss
Discover how mindfulness can transform your daily life, reduce stress, and help you find joy amidst chaos, especially for widows and widowers navigating grief, careers, and parenting. Harriet Stein shares practical insights, her personal story, and tools to incorporate mindfulness into busy routines. Key topics: The true meaning of mindfulness: paying attention without judgment Practical ways to practice mindfulness in everyday activities like driving, washing hands, and walking How mindfulness can ease stress and grief, especially during challenging times The nine attitudes of...
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From Career Chaos to Purpose—And the Secret to Reimagining Retirement with Dale Power
Widow, Wisdom & Wealth™: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss
In this heartfelt episode, Dale Power shares her inspiring journey through life's transitions—from entrepreneurship to profound personal loss—and how courage can be a guiding force during pivotal moments. Discover practical steps to reimagine your purpose and embrace change with confidence. Key Topics: Dale's personal story of resilience and reinvention The Share Your Courage three-step methodology for navigating transitions The importance of starting where you are and leveraging strengths Reimagining career paths through conversations and informational interviews Practicing...
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Supporting Families in Transition: Financial Caregiving and Daily Money Management with Jeremy Zizmor
Widow, Wisdom & Wealth™: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss
In this episode, Donna Kendrick hosts Jeremy Zizmor to discuss how daily money management and financial caregiving can ease the lives of families navigating widowhood, divorce, aging parents, or other transitions. Jeremy shares insights into establishing financial organization, protecting assets, and leveraging professional teams to provide clarity during challenging times. Key Topics: The role of daily money managers in supporting families through life transitions How to organize and streamline financial documents and insurance policies Importance of establishing trusted...
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Embracing Guilt and Gratitude: A Widow’s Journey to Financial and Emotional Wellness
Widow, Wisdom & Wealth™: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss
In this heartfelt solo episode, Donna Jean Kendrick shares her personal story of resilience, the challenges of widowhood, and how she rebuilt her life and business from loss to abundance. If you've ever struggled with guilt, self-judgment, or balancing career and family after a major life transition, this episode offers inspiration, practical insights, and a reminder to embrace your own journey. Key topics: Donna’s journey from widowhood to remarriage and blended family life The significance of community support and local culture (Jenkins Town) Overcoming guilt related to financial...
info_outlineIn this episode of Widow Wisdom and Wealth, we dive deep into resilience, life pivots, and practical strategies for navigating business and personal challenges after loss. Erika Andresen shares her inspiring journey from military service and law to becoming a business continuity expert, emphasizing the importance of planning, action, and living in alignment with your passions.
Key Topics
- The parallels between business continuity planning and handling life's disruptions
- Erika’s personal story of evolving careers and overcoming hardships
- How resilience builds through proactive planning and practice
- Practical steps to increase your resilience, including estate and business succession planning
- The emotional aspects of managing relationships and assets after loss
- The importance of testing your plans regularly for preparedness
- Aligning your life and business with your purpose and passions
- Strategies for widows and widowers to support their mental health and community connections
- Erika’s insights on making sense of big life changes and trusting your intuition
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction to Erika Andresen and episode overview
02:32 - Erika's background in law, military, and disaster preparedness
04:47 - Drawing parallels between business resilience and widowhood challenges
06:40 - Erika’s personal journey of career pivots and overcoming loss
08:33 - How her military and emergency management experience inform her current work
09:54 - The impact of unexpected life changes and the importance of adaptability
12:23 - Moving from military service to entrepreneurship amid personal upheaval
14:26 - Pivoting after personal loss and managing family estate issues
16:11 - Explaining risk management and probability in disaster preparedness
17:25 - Supporting aging parents with estate planning and emotional resilience
19:27 - The significance of planning, testing, and practicing for crises
21:14 - Practical advice on creating and maintaining resilient personal and business plans
22:12 - The difference between recovery and thriving after disruptions
23:22 - How to test and improve continuity plans regularly
24:46 - Building stronger relationships through shared planning and communication
26:39 - The importance of documenting plans and addressing emotional barriers
28:04 - Erika’s advice on authentic career pivots and trusting your intuition
29:30 - How finances and lifestyle adjustments support reinvention
31:01 - The power of reflection and celebrating progress in resilience journeys
31:43 - Resources available through Erika’s website for ongoing support
Resources & Links
Erica Andresen’s Website: