Widow We Do Now?

Anita and Mel are joined by guest Tina Newman for a real-talk episode on dating after widowhood—because it’s never as simple as “moving on.” They chat about how Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) can turn life upside down, what widows actually want, and how we decide what to do with our past when we start over.

This episode also gets into messy blended family stuff—stepkid issues, what happens when there’s no relationship with stepchil...

Meet our friend Kate. She's that cute friend that can fit in Anita's pocket but will pack a hefty throat punch if warranted. Kate's husband, Jeff, died by suicide at his place of work in 2024 after ingesting something called Kratom. In this episode, Kate shares what happened, what she wants people to understand about kratom, and the complex mental health struggles Jeff faced.

This is a raw conversation about what it m...

Kim Walker never expected to become a widow—especially not in the middle of an ordinary day. In this episode, Kim joins Anita and Mel from Germany to share the story of losing her husband, Lee, unexpectedly just one year ago as he was on his way to work.  Whether it's Formula 1 racing, traveling the world, or spending time with her dog Lando, Kim is showing up for life while carrying heavy grief. Kim also opens up about someth...

Anita never thought she’d still be standing seven years after Jason’s death—but here she is. And in a strange twist, it wasn’t grief that almost took her out—it was something else in an adventurous jaunt on New Years Eve. In this episode, Anita and Mel also talk about what they’re choosing to bring into the new year, and what they’re ready to leave behind. 

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You've heard a bit of of her story in part 1 (Episode 260), and now it's time for the part where Anita and Mel find out what it's like for a medium to experience partner loss. Not only did Michelle experience partner loss - she experienced partner loss via suicide. In this episode, Michelle discusses her journey through grief, how it's affected her mediumship, and the power of "For Now".

*PLEASE TAKE CA...

This episode is the prequel to the most recent happenings in the life of medium, Michelle Clare. Anita and Mel had fun while interviewing Michelle Clare, the woman who fell into mediumship after literally falling off a ladder and surviving three near-death experiences. This episode was originally released as Ep. 95 on Nov. 8, 2021. Stay tuned for next week's episode: part 2 of Michelle’s story.

Michelle Clare's website: ht...

Anita and Mel discuss the 2025 holiday season, which of course includes an Austrian Krampus Festival. When you aren't sure what to do when the price of ornaments are sky high, never fear - captain Anita comes to the rescue with a brilliant solution. And, saving the best for last, please enjoy a fan favorite: the  encore of Ten Tips To Survive The Holidays.

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If you are ever in need of a tale full of twists, turns, randomness, and quirky hilarity, this episode is for you. From being in foster care to finding a supportive birth mom community, having a not-so-planned surprise at Disneyland, meeting young widow friends, and being asked to go look at ethical and sustainable diamonds made in the Pacific Northwest, Marilee's story has it all. You'll love this lady and will be rivete...

Mel has officially been widowed 8 years, some of Anita's kids want a new (alive) dad, grief dreams happen, Broadway and wayyyyyy off Broadway productions happen, and Anita finds herself considering joining the ranks of lighting directors everywhere. The question "would you get married again" also takes this duo down an interesting road of conversation. Join us for our online hangout this Friday - info in the Widow Wi...

Amber’s husband, a Gulf War veteran, died from adenocarcinoma caused by toxic exposure during his military service. Thirteen months into widowhood, Amber shares the realities of watching illness unfold, raising awareness about the long-term effects of service, and learning how to rebuild life after loss. She's even got some good widow-brain stories, plus a very lovely selection of favorite cheeses.  IYKYK.

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When 29-year old Skyler woke up one day seventeen months ago, she never would have imagined her world would change so drastically. Later that day, her husband was in a head-on collision while driving his big lowboy trailer, leaving Skyler with a lot of shock, grief, and a 2 year old. With their toddler to raise and a future she never imagined facing alone, she shares with Anita and Mel what it's like to face widowhood. And, if...

It's Halloween week, and that time of year where listeners write in to tell Anita and Mel of their personal paranormal experiences that have happened to them since their loved ones' passing. You won't want to miss this one!

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The story of how this interview came to be has something to do with Anita's exercise regimen, Hawaii 5-0, and little bit of woo woo. Meet Scott. Scott and his wife Donna built a life in Hawaii grounded in love, music, and the spirit of aloha. When Donna was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, everything changed — but her optimism, strength, and warmth continued to guide Scott long after she was gone. Join Anita and Mel d...

How and what are some of our former guests doing since their original interview? Today's the day to find out! Check out this episode to hear updates from:

Ep. 123 Trent Thompson

Ep. 125 Maya Glasser

Ep. 137 Jo Betz

Ep. 142 Teal Neil

Ep. 143 Connie Remetch

Ep. 157 Holly Wagg

Ep. 159 Michelle Paris

Ep. 163 Audry Henniger

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In this episode, Anita and Mel sit down with Shirley, a widow navigating life after losing her husband to addiction. She shares the raw challenges of grief, judgment, and anger—and how she’s transforming that pain into purpose.  This fierce lady is on a mission to break the stigma around addiction and create space for South African women to feel seen and supported. With honesty, resilience, and confidence, she reflects on her heali...

Scammers are everywhere these days—and they’re sneeeeaaaakkkky. In this episode, we’re spilling 10 of the biggest signs that something’s off. You know, the romantic “too good to be true” vibes, the weird pressure to act right now, and those messages that just don’t pass the vibe check.

Listen as Anita and Mel share stories, laugh a little at the ridiculousness, and give listeners simple tips to keep yourself (and your people) safe. ...

Meet our friend Judy.  She became a widow in 2020 after losing her husband, an anthropologist with whom she shared years of adventure, including time living in Brazil. Now an empty nester, Judy has also faced the heartbreaking loss of her newborn granddaughter and other close family members in the years since. Through the grief, she has discovered unexpected signs of connection—like finding pennies at just the right moments—that re...

In this episode, Anita and Mel sit down with widowed serial entrepreneur, event planner, and former naked podium dancer, Nicky Wake, whose journey through love, loss, addiction, and recovery inspired her to create dating platforms for overlooked communities. After losing her husband and battling alcoholism, Nicky embraced sobriety and launched Sober Love—a space for sober singles to connect without judgment. From building sites Wid...

When Aubrey Sirman lost her husband to the rare cancer Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE), her world changed forever. In this episode, she shares how grief reshaped her life—and how her passions have helped her move forward.

Join Anita and Mel as they talk with Aubrey about the healing power of birding and the joy (and obsession) of taking on a Big Year. Aubrey also introduces us to the worlds of Hurling and Camogie, exploring h...