From Tears to Triumph: A Widows Journey

What is a power of attorney? Do you still need one after your spouse passes away? What’s the difference between a will and a trust—and how do you know which documents you actually need?

In this episode of From Tears to Triumph, Tim sits down with long-time friend and attorney Russ DeMott to break down the legal basics in a clear, compassionate way, especially for widows who feel overwhelmed by paperwork and “legalese.” Together they...

🎙️ From Tears to Triumph: Understanding the “Big Beautiful Bill” for Widows 💰👩‍🦳

What does the “Big Beautiful Bill” really mean for widows and those who’ve recently lost a spouse? 🇺🇸💔 In this episode, Tim breaks down the new tax deductions, filing rules, and Social Security changes that are making waves — and explains what’s actually tax-free (and what’s not).

👉 Learn how the new bill affects:
✨ Standard deductions for wid...

💔 From heartbreak to healing 🌅 — this week on From Tears to Triumph: A Widow’s Journey, host Tim sits down with Pat Kowalczyk, a courageous widow who shares her powerful story of faith, love, loss, and redemption.

Hear how Pat met her adventurous husband Joe on a blind date 🎃, built a beautiful life together, and faced the unimaginable after his battle with cancer. Through grief, single parenting, and rediscovering her faith 🙏, ...

In this episode of From Tears to Triumph, Tim and Lindsay explore why widows often withdraw after loss. 💔 Learn the science behind “grief brain,” how isolation protects the body, and small, compassionate steps to reconnect with life and others. 💜

Why do so many widows pull back after loss? Tim & Lindsay unpack:
🧠 “Grief brain” & nervous system overload
💔 The loneliness/shame spiral
🪜 Tiny, doable steps to re-en...

In this heartfelt episode, Tim sits down with grief-literacy expert, teacher, and widow Kathi Balasek to explore how to truly support people through loss. 🌊 From raising five kids alone after tragedy to creating a new language for comforting grievers, Kathy shares practical tips, moving stories, and powerful lessons learned over 20+ years.

✨ What You’ll Discover:
🔹 Why “grief literacy” matters — and how to say the right things ...

Tim Hudson welcomes veteran realtor Melanie DeHaven (23+ years, Carolina Elite) to talk about one of the hardest decisions widows face: when and how to sell the marital home.

🏡 What You’ll Learn:
⏳ When it’s the right time to move after losing a spouse
🔎 How to choose a trusted, experienced realtor
📊 What really determines your home’s true market value
🧹 Staging, decluttering & making your home “saleable”
🏦 M...

💔 Losing a spouse changes everything — from your heart to your finances. In this episode, Tim (financial advisor with a heart for widows) and Lindsay (widowhood & life coach) dive into one of the most common questions widows ask:
👉 “Should I gift money to my children, grandchildren, or loved ones after my spouse passes?”

✨ Together, we unpack both the financial rules and the emotional realities of giving:

• 📊 Financial Gu...

Losing a spouse is life-changing — and when real estate is involved, the decisions can feel overwhelming. Should you keep your rental properties? Sell? Hire a property manager? In this powerful episode of From Tears to Triumph: A Widow’s Journey, financial advisor Tim Hudson is joined by real estate expert David Benham, who has over 20 years of experience owning everything from single-family rentals to commercial buildings.

Together...

In this deeply moving episode of From Tears to Triumph, Tim and Lindsay sit down with forgiveness therapist of The Forgiveness Connection, LLC, Tammy Reed to explore the intersection of loss, betrayal, and healing. Discover what it truly means to forgive — not to excuse or forget, but to release and move forward.

Whether you're struggling to forgive someone who's passed away, uncovering painful truths after loss, or battling...

In this episode of From Tears to Triumph: A Widow’s Journey, Tim (a financial advisor who specializes in working with widows) and Lindsay (grief coach and co-host) break down one of the most misunderstood financial products: annuities.

💡 Whether you're newly widowed or reevaluating your retirement plan, we explain:

• What annuities are (in simple terms)

• The different types: fixed, indexed, and more

• Pros and cons specific to widows’ ...

In this heartfelt episode of From Tears to Triumph: A Widow’s Journey, we sit down with a retired ER nurse who shares her emotional journey after the sudden loss of her husband, John, following 29 years of marriage. She opens up about the raw, early days of widowhood, supporting her adult sons through grief, and the surprising ways healing showed up—through journaling, walking, and holding tight to her faith.

You’ll hear honest refl...

Are you a widow feeling overwhelmed by investing and financial decisions? You’re not alone. In this episode of From Tears to Triumph, Tim—a financial advisor who specializes in working with widows—and Lindsay, a grief and life coach, break down the most common fears widows face about investing.

Whether you're managing life insurance, IRAs, or are just unsure where to start, this episode will help you:

• Understand your risk tol...

Facing the impending loss of a spouse is one of the most emotionally and logistically challenging experiences a person can endure. In this heartfelt episode, Tim and Lindsay walk listeners through the essential financial and emotional steps to take when a spouse receives a terminal diagnosis.

Tim shares the powerful story of Mary and Tom, a couple blindsided by a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, and how thoughtful preparation gave Mary con...

Get ready for a heartwarming and empowering episode that’s all about tackling those tricky home repairs! 🏠💪 We’re diving into the world of hiring reliable tradespeople, especially for widows and homeowners who want to feel secure. Our special guest, Dan Smith—a fourth-generation electrical contractor and the proud owner of Randy’s Electric and Plumbing—brings his expertise and personal touch to the table. 🌟

Dan shares game-changi...

Discover why 70% of widows change financial advisors within a year of losing their spouse and how to find one who truly supports you. In this episode of From Tears to Triumph, we share real stories of widows feeling ignored by advisors and break down the top reasons for switching—lack of connection, outdated approaches, and new life stages like remarriage. Learn key signs it’s time to switch, what to look for in a financial advisor...

Have you ever felt pressured to "move on" after losing a spouse? Whether it’s family, friends, or society pushing you to date again, sell your home, or “get back to normal,” navigating these expectations can be overwhelming. In this episode of From Tears to Triumph, we’re addressing the emotional and financial pressure widows face when others think it’s time to move forward.
✅ How to handle societal and family expectat...

💡 In today’s episode, we’re tackling an important yet emotionally complex topic—planning for your children’s financial future.

As a widow, you want to provide for your children—whether it’s saving for college, helping with a wedding, or ensuring their financial stability. But balancing their needs with your own financial security can feel overwhelming. How do you prioritize? How do you set financial boundaries? And how do you make ...

💡 In today’s episode, we’re tackling a topic that’s both practical and deeply personal: Budgeting after the loss of a spouse.

Losing a loved one can bring financial uncertainty, especially if your spouse handled the money. How do you manage your income? What expenses should you cut? How can you create a financial safety net?

🔹 What you'll learn in this episode:

✅ The Emotional Side of Budgeting – Why finances can trigger grief and h...

💡 Today's episode tackles a major financial question many widows face: Do you still need life insurance?

After losing a spouse, many widows receive a life insurance payout—but what about their own policy? Should you keep paying for it, reallocate those funds, or invest in other financial security options? We're breaking down everything you need to consider before making this big decision.

🔹 What you'll learn in this epi...