Widow 180 The Podcast with Jen Zwinck

Jen Zwinck

When you become a widow, the heartache can be overwhelming. You feel lost. You feel broken. You feel alone. And you find yourself trying to pick up the pieces of your life and function. But I believe that every widow has the capacity to endure, that every widow has the power to overcome and the determination to create a new life filled with meaning and purpose. The Widow 180 Podcast is about turning tragedy, loss and fear into strength and creativity and a new passion for life. It's about self-reflection and realizing that we only have this one precious life to live and that a new life and a new you is achievable.Each week I will be interviewing widows, incredible survivors of loss. These women have taken the lessons they've learned and the insights they've gained and used them to grow and transform themselves. Some have started businesses, went back to school, run marathons, lost 100 pounds, and moved across the world! They made a choice not to be held down.How did they do it? How did they get through their grief? What's their secret? What lessons can we learn from them that will transform our own lives? How can we write our own story because our story isn't over yet? How can we begin our Chapter 2? I hope that you are as inspired by these women as I am. And maybe hearing even just one story will be life-changing for you.

  1. FEB 12

    259. A Crash Course In Dating As A Widow!

    Ready to dip your toes—or maybe just test the water—when it comes to dating after loss? Get ready for a heartfelt crash course in venturing back into the dating world as a widow! This solo episode is filled with honest advice& relatable stories as we cover the three essential things every widow should consider before dating:  timing, guilt, and redefining what you want in a new relationship. You'll hear real questions from listeners like Dan, discover how to navigate the complicated feelings of guilt and loyalty, and get empowered to honor your own timeline—no matter what those around you say. Whether you’re just starting to think about dating again or feeling overwhelmed by all the emotions that come with it, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable tips to help you move forward with confidence and compassion. Don’t forget to check out the Dating Again After Losing Your Spouse Workbook and a curated list of resources to support you along your journey. Tune in and let Jen remind you: you deserve joy, love, and maybe even some fun along the way! Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927 Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/ Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

    15 min
  2. JAN 27

    257. And She Got Up! - Transforming Widowhood Into Purpose, Hope, and Healing! (Part 2) Interview With Courtney Pray Duke

    In the final 35 minutes of this heartfelt Widow 180 episode, I continue my deep and honest conversation with Courtney Pray Duke as we explore how to move forward after loss.  Episode Highlights: Turning Pain Into Purpose: Courtney Pray Duke shares how her deepest wounds led her to discover her calling, emphasizing: "The thing that you thought was going to take you out might just be the very thing God uses to bring people all the way through their brokenness and into wholeness and victory."Insights from Her Book, "And She Got Up": Courtney unpacks her writing process, the dream that led to the book’s completion, and why sharing hope—especially for widows and those facing grief—is her motivation!Declarations in the Dark: Courtney explains the practice of speaking truth and hope over your life during the hardest, rock-bottom moments that we all encounter: The darkness wants to drown out your life and I was thinking, "You’re going to have to change what you’re declaring—that this is not the end of your life."Navigating the Messy Middle: Jen and Courtney discuss the slow, unpredictable shifts in grief and healing: Courtney encourages listeners not to rush this process!Life After Loss & Remarriage: Courtney opens up about remarriage, blending families, and letting herself experience joy again! And the addition of a new baby into the family! "A man isn’t the goal. A man isn’t going to fix our issues or save the day!"Listener Takeaways: Permission to grieve at your own pace and embrace each small shift toward healing.The importance of surrounding yourself with supportive community and allowing yourself to imagine future joy.That hope, beauty, and even laughter can re-emerge after the darkest nights.FREE Workshop for you! The "Where Can I Meet A New Partner?" Workshop, a 20 minute video that just might change your life! Watch it now: https://www.widow180.com/datingworkshop Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927 Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/ Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

    51 min
  3. JAN 20

    257. And She Got Up! - Transforming Widowhood Into Purpose, Hope, and Healing! (Part 1) Interview With Courtney Pray Duke

    Join us today for Part 1 of this heartfelt episode of Widow 180 as I sit down with guest Courtney Pray Duke for an incredibly raw and honest conversation about sudden loss, the journey through early widowhood, and finding faith in the darkest moments. Episode Highlights: Becoming a widow at just 29, Courtney was left to raise their kids alone.What the immediate aftermath of loss feels like. How  "there's no way to plan for" that moment.Facing birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas just weeks after Andrew's death. Courtney remembers her friend posting a note that read "just today" as a reminder to survive moment by moment.The struggle of parenting through personal heartbreak shines through: “Not only is your heart broken, but it’s broken for your children on a whole other level. And that is probably the worst pain in the world.”Key Takeaways: The trauma of sudden loss creates a world that is both foreign and disorienting—there is no preparation, no handbook, and few words of comfort in those first hours and days.Honest conversations about how to talk to children about tragedy, and the unique pain of not being able to protect or fix their heartbreak, are central to the episode.Gratitude for the community, even in chaos.Tune into these first 35 minutes of our interview for a touching, authentic look at grief, faith, and the power of vulnerability during life’s hardest seasons. This episode is filled with wisdom, empathy, and hope for anyone walking through loss or supporting someone who is. To be a guest on the podcast, email me! jen@widow180.com Find out about all of our Widow 180 Workbooks at https://www.widow180.com/workbooks Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927 Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/ Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

    43 min
  4. JAN 6

    255. A Guide To Fearless Widowhood And Living Boldy After Heartbreak! - Interview With Angela Enloe

    Angela Enloe, a true adventurer at heart, joins us on the podcast today to share her incredible journey through love, loss, and rebuilding her life. Tragedy struck when her husband Dan passed away unexpectedly, leaving Angela to face the unimaginable: grief, uncertainty, and starting over without her life partner or even a home base. Hear Angela’s wisdom on facing fear, creating a new identity beyond being a widow, and the importance of embracing adventure—even through heartache. This episode is packed with hope, actionable advice for widows and anyone facing a life-altering loss, and inspiration to step into what’s next—no matter how uncertain it may be. Angela also talks about her blog, “Adventures on Angelique,” and her upcoming book on embracing adventure and overcoming fear. Key topics covered: Choosing an adventurous, yacht-living lifestyle after retirementNavigating grief and shock after the sudden loss of a spouseRebuilding life and identity with no home or belongingsThe power of social support, travel, and trying new thingsPractical tips for moving forward while honoring your partner's memoryInsights on overcoming fear and living life nowDon't miss Angela’s touching stories, breakthrough moments, and practical wisdom for anyone seeking inspiration in tough transitions. Tune in and discover how to keep your adventurous spirit alive—even in the darkest moments. Read more about Angela’s adventures and healing journey at adventuresonangelique.com. If this episode resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who’s navigating grief, change, or reinvention. Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927 Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/ Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

    47 min
  5. 12/23/2025

    253. 3 Lessons Grief Teaches Us About The True Meaning Of Christmas!

    The holidays can feel especially heavy after the loss of a loved one, and in this heartfelt episode, Jen opens up about her own journey through grief during Christmas. She shares honest reflections and personal lessons learned from her first Christmas as a widow—how the holidays transformed from a source of pain to a season of deeper meaning. Whether you’re facing your first holiday without your spouse or are years into your healing, this episode is here to remind you that you’re not alone. 3 Key Takeaways: Love Outlasts Loss: how the love for those we've lost doesn't disappear—it deepens and remains a meaningful part of our holiday traditions.Light Exists Within Darkness: Grief and the holidays can feel overwhelming, but Jen explains how small acts—like lighting a candle or sharing a laugh—allow light and hope to gently coexist with sorrow.Self-Compassion is Essential: Christmas is not a test of strength. Jen encourages giving yourself permission to rest, set boundaries, and embrace new traditions. Treating yourself with kindness opens your heart to compassion for yourself and others.If you’re navigating grief this holiday season, tune in for comforting insights, practical tips, and the gentle reminder that—despite the pain—the heart of Christmas is still within reach. Only 3 more days to get the Widow 180 Workbook Series bundle on sale now. Get instant access to all 7 workbooks for one low price only until Christmas! Go to: https://widow180.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1189761/?action=signup Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927 Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/ Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

    15 min
4.9
out of 5
86 Ratings

About

When you become a widow, the heartache can be overwhelming. You feel lost. You feel broken. You feel alone. And you find yourself trying to pick up the pieces of your life and function. But I believe that every widow has the capacity to endure, that every widow has the power to overcome and the determination to create a new life filled with meaning and purpose. The Widow 180 Podcast is about turning tragedy, loss and fear into strength and creativity and a new passion for life. It's about self-reflection and realizing that we only have this one precious life to live and that a new life and a new you is achievable.Each week I will be interviewing widows, incredible survivors of loss. These women have taken the lessons they've learned and the insights they've gained and used them to grow and transform themselves. Some have started businesses, went back to school, run marathons, lost 100 pounds, and moved across the world! They made a choice not to be held down.How did they do it? How did they get through their grief? What's their secret? What lessons can we learn from them that will transform our own lives? How can we write our own story because our story isn't over yet? How can we begin our Chapter 2? I hope that you are as inspired by these women as I am. And maybe hearing even just one story will be life-changing for you.

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