The Widow's Collective

Lauren Lentz
  • 5.0 (29)
  • EDUCATION

The Widow’s Collective is where grief meets hope, healing, and community. Hosted by grief coach and widow, Lauren Lentz, each episode offers tender reflections, real conversations, and practical tools to help you navigate life after loss. Whether you’re in the depths of early grief or learning to reimagine your life in the “after,” you’ll find a gentle space to land here — one that honors your story, your pace, and your humanity.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 28: If I Could Sit Beside The Version of Me That Was Newly Widowed… This Is What I Would Say

    In this deeply personal episode, I slow things down and return to the earliest version of myself: the one who had just lost Kevin, the one who didn’t know how she would survive. After sharing a post that resonated deeply within the widow community, I felt called to expand on those words… not just as reflections, but as lived experiences. This episode is an invitation to sit beside your own grief - gently, honestly, and without rushing. Together, we explore what it can actually feel like inside early loss… and what I would say now, with the perspective of time, to the version of me who was just beginning. In this episode, we talk about:  The physical reality of grief: when heartbreak feels like your body might not survive it  What’s happening when your nervous system goes into shock and survival mode The disorientation of losing not just your person… but your entire sense of self and future Why life can feel pointless, and how meaning begins to return  The deep loneliness of feeling misunderstood by others, and finding the right kind of support  The role of anger and rage in grief, and why they don’t need to be fixed  Navigating motherhood in grief and the fear of not being enough for your child The complicated relationship with love after loss - longing, guilt, fear, and possibility  Why joy can feel wrong at first, and how it slowly finds its way back  What it means to lean into grief, instead of running from it  Key reminders from this episode:  Your body is not failing you - it is responding to something overwhelming  You don’t have to figure out your life right now, just this moment  Not everyone will understand your grief and that’s okay  Some emotions don’t need to be fixed, they need to be honored  You are doing the best you can with what you have  Love does not leave your life - it changes form  Joy and grief can coexist  You don’t have to rush your healing For the woman in the early days: If everything feels shattered… If your body feels like it can’t hold what’s happening… If your mind is trying to make sense of something that makes no sense… You are not alone in this. You don’t have to have answers. You don’t have to know what comes next. Just stay. One breath. One moment. One step at a time. Mentioned in this episode:  “Grief is not an emergency, even though it feels that way.” – Marie-Claude GoudreauConnect with me: If this episode resonated with you, or you’re looking for support inside your grief journey:  Follow along on Instagram: @imsorrywerefriends Learn more about working together: laurenlentz.comLoved this episode? If this episode supported you in any way, I would be so grateful if you:  Shared it with another widow who may need it  Left a review  Or simply held a moment for yourself to acknowledge the strength it takes to keep going

    29 min

  2. APR 2

    Episode 27: When Grief Feels Like 10 Steps Forward… and 20 Steps Back

    In this episode of The Widow’s Collective Podcast, Lauren explores one of the most confusing and challenging aspects of grief: the feeling of taking steps forward only to be pulled back by unexpected waves of pain. If you’ve ever thought you were “healing” and then been hit with intense grief out of nowhere, this episode is for you. Lauren guides you through: The Moment It Hits – Recognizing the small triggers and unexpected waves that can bring grief rushing back. The Story We Tell Ourselves – How self-judgment can amplify grief and what it really means when we feel like we’re “regressing.” Grief Doesn’t Move in Straight Lines – Understanding the non-linear nature of grief and how waves of intensity are part of moving forward. Revisiting vs. Regression – Why revisiting old feelings doesn’t mean failure, and how to honor your progress. Why Grief Feels So Convincing – The physiological and emotional reasons grief hits hard, even after you’ve moved through earlier layers. The Reframe – Gentle questions and practices to respond to intense emotions with compassion rather than judgment. Progress in Grief – How to see progress in subtle, quiet ways rather than as a straight line. A Moment of Grounding – Practical exercises to pause, breathe, and reconnect with yourself when grief feels overwhelming. 💛 Key Takeaway: Grief isn’t a linear path, and every wave—gentle or fierce—is part of the process of moving forward. Feeling pulled back doesn’t erase your progress; it deepens your capacity to love, live, and carry your loss with presence and self-compassion. Whether you’re navigating daily grief, sudden triggers, or the ongoing tension of life after loss, this episode offers compassion, perspective, and practical guidance for moving forward—even when it feels like twenty steps back.

    23 min

  3. MAR 26

    Episode 26: Kevin's Birthday...And The Weight Milestones Still Carry

    In this episode of The Widow’s Collective Podcast, I share a personal reflection on Kevin’s birthday — what would have been his 43rd — and explore why certain milestone days in grief never quite lose their weight. Grief doesn’t follow a predictable timeline, and milestone days like birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or even ordinary Sundays can catch you off guard, stirring up emotions you might have thought you’d moved past. I talk about: Why milestone days carry a different kind of weight, even years after your loss.How anticipatory grief and the “before/after” contrast affect the way we experience significant dates.Why it’s normal for milestone days to hit differently each year — sometimes heavier, sometimes lighter, sometimes unexpectedly.The importance of letting these days meet you where you are instead of forcing them to feel a certain way.How to carry, rather than “get over,” milestone grief, and find the spaces in between the waves of emotion.Practical ways to honor yourself on milestone days without pressure, guilt, or expectation.Whether you’re approaching a milestone day or navigating one that’s already here, this episode is a gentle reminder that you are not alone. Your grief is valid. Your love is enduring. And your way of moving through it is enough. 🌿 Resources & Support Mentioned in This Episode Work With Me: If you’re looking for guidance on navigating milestone days and all the days in between, I offer one-on-one grief coaching. Details in the show notes.💌 Connect & Stay in Touch Website & Coaching Info: [laurenlentz.com]Instagram Account: [@imsorrywerefriends]Free Resource – Just Breathe: [Link to freebie]❤️ A Note to You Milestones don’t stop mattering just because time has passed. What you had… mattered. And it still does. And what could have been… matters too. Take a breath. Be gentle with yourself. You are doing enough.

    16 min

  4. MAR 19

    Episode 25: The Hard Truth About Grief and Life

    In today’s episode, we explore the often unspoken reality that both life and grief are not meant to feel effortless — even though we’re often told they should. This conversation gently challenges the idea that healing should feel good, easy, or resolved… and instead offers a more honest perspective on what it can actually look like to move with grief over time. Inside this episode, we talk about: Why discomfort doesn’t mean something is going wrongThe emotional weight that can come with doing real inner workThe fear many people feel around opening the door to griefCommon misunderstandings about what “healing” is supposed to feel likeWhat it means to redefine healing in the context of love and lossHow emotional capacity is built over time — slowly and quietlyThe difference between fear and capacity when it comes to seeking supportIf you are in a heavy season right now, or if you’ve been questioning whether you’re “doing grief right,” this episode is a reminder that you are not alone — and you are not doing this wrong. If this episode resonated… If something in this conversation spoke to you, you’re invited to take the next step in whatever way feels supportive for you. You can: Share this episode with someone who may need itReach out for supportOr simply sit with what came up for you todayIf you’re looking for a space to be held in your grief — one that honors both the pain and the possibility of what comes next — you can learn more about my offerings below.  www.laurenlentz.com Stay Connected If you’d like more support, reflections, and gentle reminders throughout your week, you can connect with me here: Instagram: @imsorrywerefriends

    18 min

  5. MAR 12

    Episode 24: Secondary Losses — The Death of the Life You Thought You’d Have

    When a partner dies, the loss extends far beyond their physical absence. In this episode, Lauren explores secondary losses — the often invisible grief that comes from losing the future you thought you were building together. These losses can include the dreams, plans, milestones, and identity that were intertwined with your partnership. They often surface slowly over time and can leave widows feeling disoriented, isolated, and unsure of how to move forward. Lauren shares why these layers of grief are so real, why they can feel so destabilizing, and how community can play a powerful role in helping widows navigate the life that remains. If you've ever found yourself grieving the life you thought you would have, this conversation is for you. In This Episode What secondary losses are and why they can feel so profoundThe grief of losing the future you believed you were buildingWhy reminders of other couples and milestones can bring unexpected waves of griefThe identity shifts that often happen after the death of a partnerNavigating the emotional tension between missing the life you imagined and continuing to live the life that remainsWhy connection with other widows can be deeply healingMentioned in This Episode Re-Imagine: A 12-Week Group Program for Widows Re-Imagine is a small, supportive group space for widows who are navigating the deeper layers of grief — including identity shifts, loneliness, and the question of how life begins to move forward again. Inside the program, we explore: Secondary lossesLoneliness in griefRebuilding identityCreating meaning in life after lossMoving forward without leaving love behindEnrollment for the upcoming round is currently open and will close by the end of this week.  Learn more here: [Re-Imagine Group Grief Support for Widows] Connect with Lauren If this episode resonated with you, please consider: Subscribing to the podcastSharing this episode with another widow who might need itLeaving a review to help more widows find this supportWebsite: laurenlentz.com Instagram: @imsorrywerefriends A Gentle Reminder Grieving the life you thought you’d have is a real and valid part of loss. You are not broken. You are not grieving “wrong.” You are someone who loves deeply — and is learning how to carry that love forward in a life that looks different than you once imagined. Big hugs and lots of love. 🤍

    16 min

  6. MAR 5

    Episode 23: “Who Am I Now That He's Gone?"

    In today’s episode, we explore a question that often surfaces in widowhood, whether weeks, months, or years after loss: Who am I now that he’s gone? This isn’t a question with a quick answer. It’s not something to solve. It’s something to inhabit. Inside this episode, we talk about: The identity shift that happens after losing a partnerWhy the nervous system feels unanchored in griefThe tension between longing and possibilityGuilt that can arise when you notice strength or curiosityWhat it means to carry love forward while standing on your ownYou’ll also be guided through a gentle reflection to help you notice who you are becoming — without pressure, without urgency. Redefining yourself after loss isn’t about erasing him.  It’s about discovering who you are now — carrying his love with you, but standing on your own two feet. And that is meaningful work. Reflection Prompt from This Episode When you have quiet time, ask yourself: Who am I imagining I am becoming without him here, while still carrying our love forward? You don’t need to answer it perfectly. Just notice what arises. Want Support in This Exploration? If this episode resonated, you don’t have to sit with these questions alone. Re-Imagine, my 12-week group experience for widows, is a space where we gently explore identity, grief, love, and rebuilding — together. Enrollment is now open and begins soon. Learn more here:  [Re-Imagine Online Group Support for Widows] If this episode spoke to you, I would be so grateful if you: Follow or subscribe to the podcastLeave a reviewShare it with another widow who may need these words todayUntil next time, big hugs and lots of love. 💛

    19 min

  7. MAR 3 ·  BONUS

    Episode 22: Wanting To Be Seen, Scared To Be Held

    There’s a quiet tension many widows carry: We long to be seen.  And we’re scared to be held. In this episode, I explore the vulnerability of being witnessed in grief — why it can feel threatening to let others see the depth of what we’re carrying, and how loss reshapes our nervous system’s relationship to attachment and support. We talk about: Why being seen after loss can feel like exposureThe protective role of fear and hesitationThe loneliness that lingers even when people are aroundThe nervous system’s response to attachment after lossThe quiet power of sitting in spaces where no one flinches at his nameWhy group support can feel both comforting and terrifyingIf you’ve ever found yourself craving connection but hesitating to step toward it, this conversation is for you. Reflection Questions You might gently ask yourself: Where am I craving to be seen… but holding myself back from being held?If I could be seen without consequence, what would I say?What part of me is tired of carrying this alone?Is my hesitation protection… or is it fear of something new?No fixing. No forcing. Just awareness. Re-Imagine: 12-Week Group Support for Widows Re-Imagine is a small, structured, and intentionally held 12-week online group experience for widows. This is not a drop-in space.  It’s a place where trust builds slowly — week by week, conversation by conversation. You are always encouraged to share, but never forced.  Listening counts.  Showing up quietly counts.  Your pace is honored. If you’d like to explore whether this space feels supportive for you, you can find more details here: Re-Imagine Group Support Enrollment is open now. And whether you ever join a group or not — I hope this episode reminds you: Wanting to be seen is human.  And being held does not diminish your strength. It deepens it.

    13 min

  8. FEB 26

    Episode 21: Reimagining Love and Life After Loss

    Episode 21: Reimagining Love and Life After Loss When a partner dies, it’s not only the past that breaks open — it’s the future you thought you were living toward. In this episode, Lauren gently explores what it means to reimagine love and life after loss — not as a betrayal of what was, but as a slow, internal permission to keep living while still carrying deep love and grief. This is a conversation about identity, fear, desire, and the quiet ways life begins to reshape itself after everything changes. In this episode, we explore: Why reimagining life can feel like replacing the person you lost — and why it isn’tThe unspoken identity shift that comes with becoming a widowCultural expectations that pressure widows to shrink, stay frozen, or “prove” their griefHow love continues — not by disappearing, but by transforming and integratingThe complicated terrain of new love: longing, resistance, guilt, and permissionExpanding the definition of love beyond romanceReimagining daily life, traditions, and the ordinary momentsHolding grief and possibility at the same time — without rushing or forcing growthThis episode is not about moving on. It’s about honoring what was and allowing space for what might still be possible. A gentle invitation: If this episode stirred something in you — curiosity, resistance, guilt, hope — know that all of it belongs. Lauren’s 12-week group grief support experience for widows, Re-Imagine, begins the week of March 15. It’s a space for women who are ready to explore what it means to move forward with their grief — supported, witnessed, and understood. Doors open next week. You can sign up on the Interest List HERE You don’t have to erase your past to expand your future. And you don’t have to figure this out alone.

    16 min
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5
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

The Widow’s Collective is where grief meets hope, healing, and community. Hosted by grief coach and widow, Lauren Lentz, each episode offers tender reflections, real conversations, and practical tools to help you navigate life after loss. Whether you’re in the depths of early grief or learning to reimagine your life in the “after,” you’ll find a gentle space to land here — one that honors your story, your pace, and your humanity.

Information

  • Creator
    Lauren Lentz
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Widow's Collective
  • Show Website
    The Widow's Collective

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