From Tears to Triumph: A Widows Journey

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...

Welcome to From Tears to Triumph, the podcast that provides widows with guidance, support, and practical advice for rebuilding life after loss. Hosted by Tim, the financial advisor with a heart for helping widows rebuild their financial lives and Lindsay speaking on the non-financial aspects of widowhood. We’re here to help you navigate this journey with hope, honesty, and actionable steps.

In today’s episode, we focus on one of the...

In this episode, we’re diving into an essential financial topic that many widows may not even realize impacts them and their families—Social Security benefits. Understanding who qualifies, how to apply, and how to maximize these benefits can provide much-needed financial relief during an already difficult time.

We’ll cover:

✅ How Social Security survivor benefits work for widows – What happens to your spouse’s benefits and how you ca...

In this episode, we break down a critical financial decision widows face: what to do with your late spouse’s retirement accounts. Understanding your options when inheriting an IRA, 401(k), or other retirement funds is essential for long-term financial security, but the process can feel overwhelming and complex.

We’ll discuss:

✅ Inherited IRA vs. Traditional IRA – Understanding the key differences and which option is best for your sit...

In this episode, we tackle a topic that overwhelms many widows: filing taxes after the death of a spouse. Taxes are already complicated, and when grief is added to the mix, even simple financial tasks can feel daunting and emotional.

We’ll cover:

✅ The emotional impact of filing taxes after loss – Why this process can be so overwhelming and how to navigate it with grace.
✅ Understanding your tax filing status – What changes after ...

In this episode, we explore one of the most unexpected and challenging aspects of widowhood: social changes and shifting relationships. Losing a spouse is more than just an emotional and financial transition—it reshapes your social world in ways you may not have anticipated.

We’ll discuss:

✅ How friendships change after loss – Why some friends drift away and how to handle feelings of isolation.
✅ Navigating changing family dynamic...