Healthy Widow Healthy Woman
Welcome to Healthy Widow Healthy Woman Podcast. Where no widow is left behind as we pursue how to empower women in widowhood to thrive in every healthy way possible.
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The Science Behind Your Grief to Growth Journey with Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor
09/05/2025
The Science Behind Your Grief to Growth Journey with Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor
Healthy Widow, Healthy Woman Podcast "The Science Behind Your Grief to Growth Journey" with Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor, Neuroscientist, Author & Professor, Department of Psychology, Grief, Loss and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab at the University of Arizona. Our founder Modern Widows Club® Carolyn Moor sits down with renowned neuroscientist Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor, author of The Grieving Brain and The Grieving Body, for a groundbreaking conversation that will validate everything you've been experiencing. 💡 What You'll Discover: The Science Behind Your Experience: Why your brain believes your person still exists while knowing they've died The real reason you feel like you're "losing your mind" (spoiler: you're not!) How grief creates actual physiological changes in your body 💜 Why This Matters: Dr. O'Connor's research proves what we've known at MWC for 12 years—grief is a natural learning process that requires time, support, and comprehensive care. This isn't just about "getting through it"—it's about understanding the incredible transformation happening within you - although unwanted. Tag a widow who needs to hear this science-backed validation of their journey. Sometimes understanding the "why" behind what we're experiencing is the first step toward healing. Learn more about Modern Widows Club at 844-4- A WIDOW
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Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor on "The Grieving Body"
09/01/2025
Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor on "The Grieving Body"
Healthy Widow, Healthy Woman Podcast "The Science Behind Your Grief to Growth Journey" with Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor, Neuroscientist, Author & Professor, Department of Psychology, Grief, Loss and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab at the University of Arizona. Our founder Modern Widows Club® Carolyn Moor sits down with renowned neuroscientist Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor, author of The Grieving Brain and The Grieving Body, for a groundbreaking conversation that will validate everything you've been experiencing. 💡 What You'll Discover: The Science Behind Your Experience: Why your brain believes your person still exists while knowing they've died The real reason you feel like you're "losing your mind" (spoiler: you're not!) How grief creates actual physiological changes in your body 💜 Why This Matters: Dr. O'Connor's research proves what we've known at MWC for 12 years—grief is a natural learning process that requires time, support, and comprehensive care. This isn't just about "getting through it"—it's about understanding the incredible transformation happening within you - although unwanted. Tag a widow who needs to hear this science-backed validation of their journey. Sometimes understanding the "why" behind what we're experiencing is the first step toward healing. Learn more about Modern Widows Club at 844-4- A WIDOW
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The Emotional Spectrum: How Colors Influence Our Feelings in Widowhood
06/09/2025
The Emotional Spectrum: How Colors Influence Our Feelings in Widowhood
We Welcome to Healthy Widow Healthy Woman Podcast, Guest residential home décor on-air expert for QVC network., showcasing the latest in interior design and home fashion to millions of television viewers. She’s a member of American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). For more than thirty years, Sharon has been combining her unique ability to see and combine color, along with her aesthetic vision for simple elegance, to professionally help families create homes that are exceptionally beautiful as well as functional. She takes great care in listening to client's hearts as they express their personal ideas to help them realize their dreams. She is the author of many books including, The Simple Home: A Faith-filled Guide to Simplicity, Peace, and Joy in Your Home, My Name Isn't Martha, But I Can Decorate My home, and Decorating without Fear. Sharon's work has appeared numerous times on such highly-regarded television shows and networks such as The Today Show, HGTV, CBN, and DIY Network. Her newest endeavor is on her YouTube Channel Color Therapy & Healing Spaces with Sharon Hanby-Robie Sharon Hanby-Robie explores the transformative role color plays in the widow healing journey. Sharon reveals the deeply personal crisis that first connected her to the emotional impact of color, and how this awakening led to her groundbreaking "Safe Space with Sharon" approach to designing environments for those experiencing profound transitions and hoping to use color to better communicate themselves. The conversation delves into specific colors that can help widows navigate overwhelming emotions and identity disruption—from calming blues that reduce anxiety to grounding earth tones that provide stability during life's most turbulent transitions. Sharon shares evidence-based insights on how our visual environment directly impacts our psychological wellbeing when grief has disrupted our sense of home and self. Through touching client stories, Sharon illustrates how redesigning living spaces becomes a powerful metaphor for rebuilding life after loss. Hear the remarkable transformations. This episode offers practical wisdom for anyone seeking to create spaces that honor what was while supporting what can be.
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Solo Parenting, Resilience & Widowhood: A Healthy Way Forward
05/19/2025
Solo Parenting, Resilience & Widowhood: A Healthy Way Forward
Founder Carolyn Moor interviews the MWC Parenting Club Facilitator Michelle Walker and discusses the mission of this virtual resource for parentally bereaved families. The mission of the is simple: to support you as awidowed parent so you can take the best possible care of your grieving children. We share information and resources that address the following areas, all of which have been identified by research as important, positive influences on grieving families: +Understanding & Supporting Children's Grief +Strengthening Family Bonds & Communication +Parent Self-Care: Its Importance & Its Many Forms +Effective Positive or Authoratative Discipline Tactics Michelle's Story: Michelle received the devastating news that her husband of 11 years, Mike, had been killed by a reckless driver. She was 40 years old, left to raise their heartbroken 7 and 9 year old daughters, who adored their tall, funny daddy. With the love of family and friends, she navigated the lengthy process of rebuilding her family life while also supporting her children's grief and processing her own. Once her children were grown, she wanted to "pay it forward" by supporting other families who had suffered the death of a parent. To complement her 18+ years as a widowed parent, she obtained a Master of Science in Family & Human Development from Arizona State University. Through research during this program, she discovered Modern Widows Club® and knew she had found just the place to support all widows, including those with children. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve and encourage all widowed parents in her role as MWC Parenting Support Club Facilitator since 2024. Learn more about MWC Parenting Club at: 844-4- A- WIDOW
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Rebuilding After Loss: Tara Gidus Collingwood's Journey of Hope and Purpose
03/31/2025
Rebuilding After Loss: Tara Gidus Collingwood's Journey of Hope and Purpose
From Wife to Widow to Wister®: How Healthy Choices Led to New Beginnings and Sweet Success In this heartfelt episode of the Healthy Widow Healthy Woman podcast, we welcome Key Points to Savor: + Tara opens up about her personal journey through widowhood and shares the transformative moments that shaped her path forward. Tara reflects on our first meeting and how that connection became a turning point in her grief journey. + She discusses the profound impact of the Modern Widows Community on her personal healing, highlighting how the "Hope, Heal, Grow, Lead" pathway provided structure to her recovery and empowered her to embrace a healthy widowhood. + The conversation takes a joyful turn as Tara shares her remarriage story and the beautiful challenges of blending families. She tells the touching story behind "Basil's Award," a meaningful tribute that honors her past while celebrating her present being an example of the impact MWC ripples out to our children, family, future partners and others closest to us. + Tara also discusses her commitment to giving back as a WEE (Widows Empowerment Event) Speaker and her role on the MWC Ambassador Council, explaining how helping others has become an essential part of her healing journey. + Tara is currently leading our popular monthly + If you'd like to meet Tara in person, join us at our She'll be presenting on how quality sleep during widowhood can provide the essential energy you need to continue moving forward on your healthy widow healthy woman journey. + The episode concludes with Tara introducing her exciting new venture, "Truffles & Treats by Tara," where she combines her expertise as a dietician with her passion for creating delicious, mindful chocolate indulgences. This episode offers listeners a powerful reminder that grief and joy can coexist, and that finding purpose after loss is both possible and transformative. Learn more and reach out to Tara on IG and her webpage: and We extend our heartfelt thanks to Tara and all our guests on the Healthy Widow Healthy Woman podcast. You can find our episodes wherever you enjoy quality podcasts—iHeart, Apple, Spotify, and more. Until next time, embrace the hope, healing, and growth in your own world. We're committed to elevating your experience every step of the way throughout your widowhood journey. [email protected] 844- 4- A-WIDOW https://modernwidowsclub.org
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Adventure Women Travel at Modern Widows Club®
02/27/2025
Adventure Women Travel at Modern Widows Club®
Welcome to Healthy Widow Healthy Woman- we are joined by Emily Vaden, Director of Sales, for the women-owned travel company where the slogan is "Destination is just the Beginning". They have been pioneering women's travel since 1982 and offering over 75 exciting trips designed exclusively by women for women exploring over 65 countries. We'll learn stats like 70% of Adventure Women are solo travelers- many of them widows. Wow!! I really love that they curate opportunities to connect with local women as well. *Awards: 2024 Travel & Leisure World's Best Tour Operator Winner *2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Best Women’s Travel Club Winner MWC is all about making healthy choices, as Carolyn Moor quotes in this podcast, “Travel shouldn’t be a cortisol inducer, but a cortisol reducer”. Adventure Women's mission and what makes your approach to women's travel unique in the industry. The type of travelers who join your trips across various activity levels - from Moderate to Active, High Energy, and Challenging - and how these ratings help women find their perfect adventure. Highlights of your new luxury-focused trips and what makes these premium experiences special. Where our listeners can find Adventure Women online and how they can reach out to explore these opportunities further. We are so grateful to Emily for raising awareness of this amazing resource and partnership for our ladies at Modern Widows Club®. Reach out to her here - We are so grateful to Emily for raising awareness of this amazing resource and partnership for our ladies at . Learn more about Looking to learn more about travel in widowhood, you can join our
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Widowhood in the 21st Century with Dr. Debbie Oliver
01/07/2025
Widowhood in the 21st Century with Dr. Debbie Oliver
We're thrilled to announce the 2025 relaunch of our *Healthy Widow Healthy Woman* podcast. Widowhood in the 21st Century with Dr. Debbie Oliver, Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, Division of Palliative Medicine. 🎙️ Podcast Episode: Widowhood in the 21st Century: A Descriptive Study🎙️ What does it truly mean to navigate widowhood in the modern era? In this compelling episode, we delve into the groundbreaking research study, *Widowhood in the 21st Century: A Descriptive Study,* exploring the physical, financial, psychological, social, and spiritual experiences of widows. This study, conducted with over 1,150 widows (average age 60), sheds light on the challenges and resilience of widows today, with findings that may surprise you. 📊 Key Findings We’ll Discuss: - It takes *5 years* to rebuild social and support networks in widowhood. - Anxiety decreases with age, while personal growth improves over time. - Nearly half of widows were working full-time before loss, yet financial health declines post-loss. - Strong continuing bonds with deceased partners foster a deeper appreciation for life. We’ll explore the seven key areas of research, including financial health, caregiving, and the positive impact of religious coping and social support. Learn why traditional theories linking widowhood and health to the benefits of marriage miss the mark in today’s society, where empowerment and single-life resiliency are rising.
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Inspire, Connect and Lead in Widowhood
03/04/2024
Inspire, Connect and Lead in Widowhood
Inspire Connect Lead: Empowering Your Mentoring and Leadership Gifts written by Founder Carolyn Moor will enable you to become inspired to connect and lead widows with your natural gifts. She discusses in this HWHW podcast how to activate the power between you and your mentee and what it requires of your gifts of your time, availability, communication, integrity, understanding, listening, emotional support, knowing limitations, humbleness, humor, knowledge, positive words, feedback, practical support, action and leadership. Carolyn's experience in raising awareness and developing the first (and only) widow mentoring and leadership nonprofit organization, Modern Widows Club, brings a decade of expertise to the important topic of empowering widow support, solutions and research. If we are to solve the many complex issues for widows worldwide to break the barriers of social exclusion and to improve their financial security and stop neglecting women in their greatest time of need, it begins by educating and training widows and professionals to lead the charge in advancing widow leadership. Widows are subject matter experts in their experience and to serve widows better than we have before their stories need to be heard by mentors, leaders and advocates. Use this resource on how to become a compassionate, empathetic, non-judgmental widow mentor and leader by engaging your capability to engage your natural gifts to advocate in local communities, groups and places of worship. Hear powerful stories and insights from decades of lived experiences mentoring and leading widows on the front lines of authentic community building. Serving widows is the last area of great social significance to be addressed and solved for women's health, join the movement to create positive change. It requires a new level of adaptive leadership based on trust and belonging to ensure widows develop unlimited thinking towards their future. Embrace this opportunity to build flourishing widow support communities to empower both the mentee and mentoring leader in you. Buy this book where all books are sold. Here's a Enjoy my book and podcast, Carolyn Moor
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A Daughter's Voice at Modern Widows Club: Cultivating Their Personal Legacy of Love
02/15/2024
A Daughter's Voice at Modern Widows Club: Cultivating Their Personal Legacy of Love
Today, a member of our "Legacy Club," who are daughters of widows and thus daughters without fathers, have communicated to their aversion to being labeled as "Fatherless Daughters." They do have fathers, and their memory stays alive through them. They prefer to be seen as architects of their own legacy of love, as a way to honor their fathers. Heather Price, daughter of Cindy Price (an MWC member), from Orlando, FL, is with us on the HWHW podcast. Heather recounts her experience and where she was at the time of her father, James Price's, passing while he and her mom were in Costa Rica on vacation. Essential Highlights: Reflecting on the cherished, remarkable memories between her and her father. Inquiring about what aspects of her father she misses the most. Understanding the type of support she was provided. How did she respond? What worked? What could have been done differently? Because she attended the MWC 2023 Widow Empowerment Event in St. Louis, MO with her mom, how did this program benefit her and meeting other daughters? Changes between the mother daughter relationship after loss. Exploring the reasons behind her decision to become a daughter who now gives financially as a recurring donor at Modern Widows Club. Listening to Heather discuss the significance of creating a legacy in honor of her father's memory. We deeply appreciate Heather's willingness to share her experiences of personal loss as a daughter with such vulnerability. At Modern Widows Club, we are committed to supporting daughters and their mothers, knowing that the next generation of adult women will be better informed and more knowledgeable about widowhood. We are grateful for the opportunity to provide this support.
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2024: New Beginnings and Daring Topics
01/14/2024
2024: New Beginnings and Daring Topics
We're delighted to welcome back the Healthy Widow Healthy Woman podcast! Following a hiatus and Modern Widows Club Founder Carolyn Moor's writing sabbatical, she has returned with a lengthy list of requested topics scheduled for 2024. In this episode, Carolyn Moor discusses the inaugural book introduced by Modern Widows Club in 2023, titled "Legendary Widows: Stories of Legacy." She delves into why the book serves as a narrative changer, emphasizing its significance in highlighting the intrinsic value of sharing the stories of empowered widows for both women in widowhood and society at large. Tune in to uncover the extensive array of upcoming topics featured on our short list. Stay connected for future episodes delving into even more adventurous, compassionate, and taboo subjects—conversations that consistently take place in our private forums at Modern Widows Club. All aimed at fostering holistic health for widows in womanhood. Here's a preview of some upcoming topics in 2024: 1. Launch of the 3rd Edition of "Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life's Greatest Challenge," book featuring Modern Widows Club and its Survivor Mission, with Mt. Sinai Author Dr. Jonathan DePierro. 2. Managing Estate Sales in Widowhood: Strategies for dealing with belongings, especially significant items. 3. Widow's Fire: Navigating the awakening of the sensual body with Dr. Marissa Magsino. 4. Toxic Attraction: Exploring why narcissists, codependents, and seekers of abusive relationships are drawn to widows, with insights from Cyndi Williams, LCSW, and real MWC widows who have faced this experience. 5. Coping with Dying Abroad: Better preparation and strategies for dealing with this unexpected circumstance. 6. Trials and Tribulations of Nonprofit Building in Widow Organizations, featuring discussions with the HQ Modern Widows Club Team. 7. Selling Real Estate in Widowhood: Tips, Trends, and Takeaways for navigating this process. 8. Widow Advocacy: Insights into the situations in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Israel. 9. International Widows Day Forum and the formation of the first Widowhood Caucus in DC. 10. Heroes and Champions in the World of Widow Advocacy: Recognizing those making a difference. 11. Remarried Widows: Dispelling myths and exploring the reality. 12. Fatherless Daughters Speak: A discussion on the title and its implications. 13. Dating Again: A Golden Bachelor Review for widows re-entering the dating scene. 14. Women's Health Equity and Widowhood Gaps: Exploring disparities and potential solutions. Here's a glimpse of some of the excitement that lies ahead in 2024. We hope you will join us all year long and follow our podcast to expand your knowledge of all things healthy widowhood healthy womanhood.
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016 - 7L’s of Financial Planning
12/06/2021
016 - 7L’s of Financial Planning
Meet Cindy Price of Price Financial Services in Orlando, Florida as she discusses her book “7L’s of Financial Planning: Growing and Protecting Your Financial Future.”
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015 - Supporting Widow-Led Businesses
06/23/2021
015 - Supporting Widow-Led Businesses
Encar, now widowed, is doing what two did before. You will be amazed and inspired by her story of survival and of rebuilding the center that houses sloths, monkeys, reptiles, birds, and mammals during the COVID pandemic and beyond.
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014 - Dr. Marissa Magsino
10/28/2020
014 - Dr. Marissa Magsino
Join Carolyn and Howard as they interview Dr. Marissa Magsino. In this episode, the team talks with Dr. Magsino about Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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013 - Mollie Lacher
10/01/2020
013 - Mollie Lacher
Join Carolyn and Howard as they interview Mollie Lacher of Sunny Care Services. In this episode, the team talks with Mollie about "what you're not thinking of."
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012 - Heather Isaacs
08/04/2020
012 - Heather Isaacs
Join Carolyn and Howard as the podcast returns from the COVID-19 break. In this episode, the team interviews Heather Isaacs. Heather is the widow of a first responder.
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011 - Sunshine Woodyard
03/30/2020
011 - Sunshine Woodyard
In this episode of Healthy Widow Healthy Woman, Carolyn and Howard interview Sunshine Woodyard who talks about dealing with life in a social-media-driven world.
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010 - Be Kind and Love Yourself
02/05/2020
010 - Be Kind and Love Yourself
In this episode of Healthy Widow Healthy Woman podcast, Carolyn and Howard discuss the need to be kind and love yourself.
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009 - Be Your Own Mentor
01/24/2020
009 - Be Your Own Mentor
In this episode of Healthy Widow Healthy Woman, Carolyn and Howard discuss being your own mentor and the success factors necessary to be successful.
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008 - Interview with Gina Strasser
12/05/2019
008 - Interview with Gina Strasser
In this episode of Healthy Widow Healthy Woman, Carolyn talks with Gina Strasser about the rise of Modern Widows Club.
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007 - Resources
11/20/2019
007 - Resources
In this episode of Healthy Widow Healthy Woman, Carolyn talks about some helpful resources (mostly books).
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006 - Who Is a Widow
11/06/2019
006 - Who Is a Widow
In this episode of Healthy Widow Healthy Woman, Carolyn and Howard take on the tough question of who is a widow. This episode acts as an open letter to churches everywhere to challenge how they define who is a widow.
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005 - MWC Leadership Conference
10/24/2019
005 - MWC Leadership Conference
In this episode of Healthy Widow Healthy Woman, Carolyn and Howard talk about the upcoming (now past) Modern Widow's Club leadership conference.
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004 - Leaving a Legacy
10/09/2019
004 - Leaving a Legacy
In this episode of Healthy Widow Healthy Woman, Carolyn and Howard talk with Carly Weaver about the importance of legacy in the grief process.
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003 - Spiritual Health
09/30/2019
003 - Spiritual Health
Join Carolyn and Howard for a discussion about Modern Widows Club's Spiritual Health pillar.
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002 - Advocacy
09/11/2019
002 - Advocacy
In this episode, Carolyn and Howard talk about advocacy for widows. They discuss the secondary losses infographic.
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001 - International Widows Day
08/28/2019
001 - International Widows Day
During the first episode of Healthy Widow Healthy Woman, listen to Carolyn Moor talk about International Widow's Day and the Widow's report.
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000 - Pilot
07/24/2019
000 - Pilot
In the pilot episode of the Healthy Widow Healthy Woman podcast, Carolyn Moor discusses the purpose of the podcast and some staggering statistics. Carolyn is the founder of Modern Widows Club.Â
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