Rebuilding Life After Loss: Wisdom from Lisa Woolery
Widow, Wisdom & Wealth™: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss
Release Date: 06/09/2026
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...
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The Hidden Trauma Sabotaging Your Business (And How To Uncover It) with Nicole Lewis-Keeber
Widow, Wisdom & Wealth™: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss
In this episode, we explore how childhood trauma and emotional health directly impact entrepreneurs’ business performance. Nicole Lewis Keeber, a business therapist and mindset coach, shares insights on harnessing therapeutic tools to overcome subconscious barriers, leading to sustainable success. Whether you're growing a startup or feeling stuck at a ceiling, this conversation offers actionable strategies to align your emotional health with your business goals. Key topics: How childhood trauma influences entrepreneurial mindset and business outcomes Recognizing and...
info_outlineIn 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 inspiring memoir and resources
- Practical tips for widows to actively participate in shaping their new lives
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Lisa Woolery and her story of widowhood and rebuilding
00:30 - The significance of sharing her mission and the platform of Widow Wisdom and Wealth
01:22 - Seven years after loss: reflections on grief and rebuilding life
02:08 - Lisa’s personal story: meeting Eric at age 14 and their lifelong love story
03:40 - The impact of Eric’s sudden death and moving to Kansas City
05:05 - Their journey as a family, career changes, and adopting children from Russia
06:28 - Challenges during Eric’s political career and move across states
07:55 - Navigating widowhood: the loss and the subsequent life adjustments
10:06 - Key lessons from Lisa’s experience: honesty, responsibility, and support
11:06 - Honest communication with her children after Eric’s death
12:28 - Practical strategies for managing responsibilities and setting boundaries
13:26 - The importance of neighborhood support and community involvement
16:34 - Asking for help and building a network of support
18:11 - The impact of vulnerability and openness in healing
19:09 - Creating a support system: writing names down and delegating help
20:35 - Practical examples of community help in times of crisis
21:56 - The power of neighborly acts and community bonds
22:15 - Introducing Lisa’s book, The Widow’s Comeback, and her mission to inspire widows
25:16 - Resources for widows: journal, grieving calendar, and guided support
26:13 - Lisa’s current work: fiction trilogy and courses for widow reinvention
27:07 - How to connect with Lisa and follow her resources
28:09 - Final advice: Be an active participant in your healing and new life
29:02 - Words of encouragement from Lisa Woolery
Resources & Links to Connect with Lisa Woolery: