The Dead Truth Podcast

Jen Salazar
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

The Dead Truth Podcast normalizes conversations around grief, widowhood, and identity after loss — bringing these conversations to the front of the room and giving a voice to what it really feels like to survive love and loss. Host, Jen Salazar, shares her lived experience as a widow for over 2 years—raw, real, and unfiltered—in hopes that it helps you feel seen, understood, and a little less alone. Through real -time experience, research, and podcast guests sharing their own truth, the podcast empowers listeners to find meaning, belonging, and resilience, one conversation at a time.💜

  1. Jul 15

    Grief Shifts: How Grief Changes Over Time

    So, how does grief in widowhood change over time?Surprisingly, it does.We call these “grief shifts." Grief shifts happen in subtle ways. It changes shape every time you do.It moves. It breathes. It circles back.Sometimes it softens. Sometimes it explodes.Sometimes you’re healing and hurting at the exact same time.And THAT is the part you are not prepared for. You don’t get over grief. You move through it — and it moves through you. Think of grief like the weather. You can’t stop the storm, but you can learn to read the forecast.Some days it’s a drizzle—you can still function. Other days, it’s a hurricane—you cancel everything.Then there are calm, sunny days where you almost forget the storm ever happened… until thunder rumbles again.Every shift tells you something about where you are now. But get ready, because it could change at any moment.If you're shaking your head yes at all of these things, you don't want to miss this episode.#grief #griefjourney #griefsupport #widow #widowhood #podcast #thedeadtruth #thedeadtruthpodcast

  2. Jul 8

    When Grief Revealed The Truth: The Dead Truth About Trusting Yourself Again With Stephanie Dana

    When Stephanie's husband died unexpectedly, she found herself navigating grief, loss, and the complicated reality of a relationship that wasn't always easy.In this powerful conversation, Stephanie shares her journey through widowhood, the challenges of loving someone struggling with mental health issues, the importance of trusting your intuition, and the lessons she learned about standing up for herself, seeking help, and telling the whole truth about her experience.This episode is not about judging the past.It's about understanding it.It's about healing.It's about self-trust.And it's about the courage it takes to stop questioning your own voice.Whether you're grieving a loss, navigating a difficult relationship, rebuilding after heartbreak, or simply learning to trust yourself again, this conversation offers honesty, hope, and an important reminder: You know more than you think you do.#grief #griefjourney #griefsupport #widow #widowhood #podcast #thedeadtruth #thedeadtruthpodcast

  3. Jul 1

    Widowhood: Is Grief a Walk Alone?

    I think one of the biggest shocks after loss… is realizing how lonely grief actually is. Not just physically lonely. Emotionally lonely. Because grief changes the way you experience the world. In this episode, I discuss the loneliness of grief. The invisible parts. The isolation. The disappearing people. The moments you feel emotionally abandoned. But I also talk about the unexpected people who show up. The strangers who become lifelines. The widows who speak your language before you even finish the sentence. Because maybe grief is a walk only you can take…but maybe you were never meant to walk it without witnesses. #grief #griefjourney #griefsupport #widow #widowhood #podcast #thedeadtruth #thedeadtruthpodcast

  4. Jun 24

    The Dead Truth Cup Series | The Truth About Your Cup: Why You’re Exhausted (And It’s Not Your Fault)

    Grief doesn’t just break your heart; it drains everything you have.And then the world looks at you like… why are you so tired? Why do you feel so exhausted in grief? And not just tired… like deep, bone-level exhaustion. The kind where even small things feel heavy.Because here’s the truth…Grief doesn’t just take your person. It takes your energy. Your focus. Your capacity to handle life the way you used to.And there is no way you can prepare for that part of grief.If you know exactly what I’m talking aboutYou don't want to miss this episode!#grief #griefsupport #griefjourney #widow #widowhood #podcast #selfcare #selfhelp

  5. Jun 17

    Grief Doesn't End - It Lives Alongside You: Long-term Widowhood Revealed

    This episode of The Dead Truth is a powerful conversation with a widow who lost her husband to cancer over 15 years ago.She raised four daughters on her own, never remarried, and has built a life that now includes grandchildren — all while carrying grief that never fully leaves.This is the side of widowhood we don’t talk about enough: 👉 Long-term grief👉 Raising children through loss👉 Identity after loss👉 Life 15–20 years laterIf you’ve ever wondered what life looks like beyond the first year… this episode is for you.Follow @thedeadtruthpodcastAvailable on all podcast platforms#grief #griefjourney #griefsupport #widow #widowhood #widowsupport #cancersucks #podcast #thedeadtruth #thedeadtruthpodcast

  6. Jun 10

    The Widowhood Effect: When Grief in Widowhood Could Actually Kill You

    What if losing your spouse didn’t just break your heart emotionally… but changed your body in ways no one warned you about? What if grief in widowhood could actually kill you? Because the dead truth is… for widows, there is a real, documented increase in mortality after losing a spouse and no one is talking about it enough. The Widowhood Effect is the very real phenomenon where a surviving spouse—especially in the first 3–6 months—has a significantly higher risk of illness and death. Let that sink in. The Widowhood Effect is the increased probability of a person dying shortly after a spouse has died. It has also been referred to as "dying of a broken heart." You may have heard someone say, 'She died of a broken heart,' after a person passes not long after their spouse has died. It’s not just a saying. It’s a very real thing. If you’ve been functioning, but barely, stay with me. This episode is for you.If you don't know me, I'm Jen. I’m a widow, speaking from lived experience, research, and real conversations. The topics I turn into episodes are my real life experiences with widowhood. If you are a recent widow or have been on your journey for a while, I hope what I speak about resonates with you and helps you feel a little less alone.💜#grief #griefandloss #griefsupport #griefcommunity #widow #widowhood #widowlife #widowhoodeffect #brokenheartsyndrome #grievingwidowsyndrome #podcast #selfcare #thedeadtruth #thedeadtruthpodcast

  7. Jun 3

    Love, Loss, + Pride: The Dead Truth About LGBTQ+ Grief 💜

    June is Pride Month - a time often associated with celebration, visibility, community, and love. But what happens when Pride arrives and the person you shared it with is gone?In this Pride Month episode of The Dead Truth, Jen explores the unique challenges LGBTQ+ individuals may face after losing a partner or spouse, including invisible grief, chosen family, end-of-life concerns religious trauma, identity, healing, and continuing bonds. This conversation creates space for love stories that deserve to be honored. Grief doesn't discriminate.Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community or simply want to better understand the many ways grief can show up, this episode is ultimately about something universal: Wanting the person you loved to be remembered. Wanting your grief to be seen. Wanting to know you don't have to carry it alone. Because there is no hierarchy of heartbreak. Because grief doesn't care who you love. And your grief belongs here.💜Follow @TheDeadTruthPodcast for more conversations about grief, widowhood, healing, survival and the truths people are often too uncomfortable to say out loud. #grief #griefjourney #griefsupport #widow #widowhood #loss #bereavement #lgbtq+ #partnerloss #pride #pridemonth #june #identity #chosenfamily #podcast #thedeadtruth #thedeadtruthpodcast

  8. May 27

    Emergency Preparedness in Widowhood (When You’re Doing Life Alone Now)

    What is one shift that happens when you become a widow that isn’t always talked about? In the “before” of your before and after… you didn’t have to think about everytYour spouse held part of the weight. And now? You’re the one thinking about: Safety, Finances, Emergencies, and “What if” scenarios. Before loss, safety was shared. But the part you weren't prepared for? It’s the moment you realize, you’re the plan now. You’re the one who must execute everything that needs to be done. It’s the invisible load that is now very visible. It’s the quiet awareness that there isn’t a backup person. It’s in the “no one else is here” moments when something happens and your first instinct is to look for them…and then you remember: it’s just you. So, here’s a reality check, without fear. As a widow, you must have some kind of preparedness plan. Let’s make this real… and doable together. I have some scenarios with suggestions. These are common scenarios; some are extreme situations and some are normal life moments that could feel very different when you’re the only one there to respond. What is the second shift you'll make once you have preparedness supplies and plans in place? You will start thinking a little differently. You move from “I hope I’ll be okay” in an emergency… to “I’ll make sure I am.” 💜 #grief #griefsupport #griefandloss #widow #widowhood #emergencypreparedness #emergencyprep #safety #podcast #thedeadtruth #thedeadtruthpodcast

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Dead Truth Podcast normalizes conversations around grief, widowhood, and identity after loss — bringing these conversations to the front of the room and giving a voice to what it really feels like to survive love and loss. Host, Jen Salazar, shares her lived experience as a widow for over 2 years—raw, real, and unfiltered—in hopes that it helps you feel seen, understood, and a little less alone. Through real -time experience, research, and podcast guests sharing their own truth, the podcast empowers listeners to find meaning, belonging, and resilience, one conversation at a time.💜

Information

  • Creator
    Jen Salazar
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jen Salazar
  • Show Website
    The Dead Truth Podcast

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