158 episodes

Experiencing the profound loss of a spouse while navigating the intricate realm of "only-parenting" is a challenge unlike any other.

Remember, though, you’re not journeying alone. Jenny Lisk, who stepped into solo parenting following the devastating loss of her husband to brain cancer, established the Widowed Parent Institute to shine a light, extend a hand, and share vital resources. The Widowed Parent Podcast embodies that commitment, providing a mix of hope, practical wisdom, and shared experiences.

On The Widowed Parent Podcast, listeners will find:

- Expert perspectives from the vanguard of grief and loss research, tailored distinctly for widowed parents.

- Heartfelt stories from those who walked through childhood after the death of a parent, granting unique perspective and hope.

- Candid conversations with widowed parents, unveiling both the strengths they've discovered and the hurdles they've faced.

Whether you're trying to connect with a young child's emotions, navigate the maze of teenage years, or simply seeking a community that truly understands, this podcast speaks directly to widowed parents of children at every stage, from infancy through college. Plug in during a peaceful walk, your daily commute, or in quiet reflection, and discover inspiration, empowerment, and a community that hears and understands.

Proudly presented by the Widowed Parent Institute, a beacon of practical guidance, invaluable resources, and steadfast support for mothers and fathers raising grieving children and teens.

The Widowed Parent Podcast Jenny Lisk

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.8 • 45 Ratings

Experiencing the profound loss of a spouse while navigating the intricate realm of "only-parenting" is a challenge unlike any other.

Remember, though, you’re not journeying alone. Jenny Lisk, who stepped into solo parenting following the devastating loss of her husband to brain cancer, established the Widowed Parent Institute to shine a light, extend a hand, and share vital resources. The Widowed Parent Podcast embodies that commitment, providing a mix of hope, practical wisdom, and shared experiences.

On The Widowed Parent Podcast, listeners will find:

- Expert perspectives from the vanguard of grief and loss research, tailored distinctly for widowed parents.

- Heartfelt stories from those who walked through childhood after the death of a parent, granting unique perspective and hope.

- Candid conversations with widowed parents, unveiling both the strengths they've discovered and the hurdles they've faced.

Whether you're trying to connect with a young child's emotions, navigate the maze of teenage years, or simply seeking a community that truly understands, this podcast speaks directly to widowed parents of children at every stage, from infancy through college. Plug in during a peaceful walk, your daily commute, or in quiet reflection, and discover inspiration, empowerment, and a community that hears and understands.

Proudly presented by the Widowed Parent Institute, a beacon of practical guidance, invaluable resources, and steadfast support for mothers and fathers raising grieving children and teens.

    Jordan Arogeti Has a New Tool for Supporting Grievers

    Jordan Arogeti Has a New Tool for Supporting Grievers

    I had such a great discussion with Jordan Arogeti for this episode.
    Jordan and her company have a new tool called Support Now. It’s a bit like a mashup of some tools you may be familiar with, such as CaringBridge, Go Fund Me, and online meal trains. But it’s SO much more than that.
    In preparing to speak with Jordan, I had an “Ah-Ha!” moment:
    Support for the newest grievers is all about ORGANIZING and ORIENTING a widowed parent’s own community.
    ORGANIZING: Support Now is a comprehensive tool that facilitates exactly this. Listen to my discussion with Jordan for a good overview.
    ORIENTING: I have LOTS of thoughts. Some of them you can find now at GriefAllies.com, where you can download my free tips & resources for supporting grieving people. (And stay tuned for more on this!)
    In the short term, a widowed parent’s own community is going to be best positioned to help them with urgent and immediate needs. I’m working on ways to make that easier and less awkward. And then, of course, to introduce resources, books, experts, and more who can help after those immediate-term needs have been tended to.
    -=-=-=-=-
    Thank you sponsors & partners:
    Help Texts - Grief support text messaging service. Tips and support delivered all year long, personalized based on your loss. Listeners get $10 off: https://helptexts.com/jennylisk
    BetterHelp - Talk with a licensed, professional therapist online. Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/widowedparent
    Support the show - Buy Me a Coffee
    -=-=-=-=-

    • 39 min
    Dr. Linda Shanti McCabe on the Art of Grief

    Dr. Linda Shanti McCabe on the Art of Grief

    I had such a great discussion with Dr. Linda Shanti McCabe for this episode. We haven’t tackled the topic of art and how it can help with grief on the show before, so I was excited to talk with Linda about that as well as her program called the Art of Grief which is starting soon. Linda is a widowed parent herself, and she’s also a licensed clinical psychologist. Listen, too, as she shares the major change she made shortly after her husband’s death, and what she’s planning as her son prepares for his 13th birthday.
    -=-=-=-=-
    Thank you sponsors & partners:
    Help Texts - Grief support text messaging service. Tips and support delivered all year long, personalized based on your loss. Listeners get $10 off: https://helptexts.com/jennylisk
    BetterHelp - Talk with a licensed, professional therapist online. Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/widowedparent
    Support the show - Buy Me a Coffee
    -=-=-=-=-

    • 51 min
    Child Life Specialist Jessica Correnti on Supporting Our Grieving Children

    Child Life Specialist Jessica Correnti on Supporting Our Grieving Children

    I had such a great discussion with child life specialist Jessica Correnti this week on the Widowed Parent Podcast. Jessica is the founder of a practice called Kids Grief Support. She is also the author of two picture books for young grievers, including her newest, The ABCs of Grief, which will be available in February 2024.
    In this discussion we dive deep on a number of topics, such as: the power of books to help kids see that they are not the only kid with a dead parent; the importance of being honest with kids; examples of clear language to help kids understand what it means when someone dies; what she looks for in a developmentally appropriate grief book for kids; and much more.
    So much of our focus at the Widowed Parent Institute is on helping parents learn about children’s grief and how to support their own grieving kids. Today’s guest has so much to share with us on this topic. Be sure to follow Jessica on Instagram, too, where she shares tips and resources about children’s grief.
    -=-=-=-=-
    Thank you sponsors & partners:
    Help Texts - Grief support text messaging service. Tips and support delivered all year long, personalized based on your loss. Listeners get $10 off: https://helptexts.com/jennylisk
    BetterHelp - Talk with a licensed, professional therapist online. Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/widowedparent
    Support the show - Buy Me a Coffee
    -=-=-=-=-

    • 51 min
    Dr. Katie Davis on Digital Media’s Role in Growing Up Today

    Dr. Katie Davis on Digital Media’s Role in Growing Up Today

    I had such a great discussion with Dr. Katie Davis for this episode. This week we tackle a thorny parenting topic: screens. The pandemic period of online school, work, play dates, happy hours, fitness classes, therapy sessions, music lessons, and so much more has taught us that asking whether screens and screen time are “good” or “bad” are not necessarily the right questions anymore. Technology has become too central to our lives. Katie is a researcher at the University of Washington who directs the UW Digital Youth Lab and has a new book for parents called “Technology’s Child: Digital Media’s Role in the Ages and Stages of Growing Up.” Plus, she answers that question everyone with young kids want to know: if young kids aren’t supposed to have screen time, what about facetime with grandparents who live 3,000 miles away?
    -=-=-=-=-
    Thank you sponsors & partners:
    Help Texts - Grief support text messaging service. Tips and support delivered all year long, personalized based on your loss. Listeners get $10 off: https://helptexts.com/jennylisk
    BetterHelp - Talk with a licensed, professional therapist online. Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/widowedparent
    Support the show - Buy Me a Coffee
    -=-=-=-=-

    • 1 hr
    Joanne Harpel’s New Film: Real Teens Talk About Their Suicide Losses

    Joanne Harpel’s New Film: Real Teens Talk About Their Suicide Losses

    Today’s discussion is such an important one. For families who have been touched by suicide losses, for sure – and also for any parents of grieving teens from any death losses. Joanne tells us today about her new film, “Talking Out Loud - Teens & Suicide Loss: A Conversation.” I’ve seen it, and I have to say it’s such a privilege to hear directly from teens about such a sensitive topic. They knew their parents were watching live during the filming, but they apparently all forgot about that and the cameras and they had a really honest, unfiltered discussion. I’d like to thank Joanne and her team for bringing us this incredible film, and also for coming here to speak with us about it this week.
    -=-=-=-=-
    Thank you sponsors & partners:
    Help Texts - Grief support text messaging service. Tips and support delivered all year long, personalized based on your loss. Listeners get $10 off: https://helptexts.com/jennylisk
    BetterHelp - Talk with a licensed, professional therapist online. Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/widowedparent
    Support the show - Buy Me a Coffee
    -=-=-=-=-

    • 55 min
    Laurel Braitman: What Looks Like Bravery

    Laurel Braitman: What Looks Like Bravery

    I can’t think of a better way to kick off Children’s Grief Awareness Month than to share my recent discussion with Laurel Braitman, author of the new memoir What Looks Like Bravery. Longtime listeners will recall that I’ve often mentioned what a privilege it is to speak with grown-up grieving kids, and to hear firsthand their experiences and reflections after losing a parent at a young age. What Laurel gives us in this book is an incredibly intimate portrait of her life. She lets us inside, and she allows us to see how grief has affected one now-grown-up grieving child over the decades. Her book and today’s discussion are full of beautiful insights - and I really can’t say enough about how incredible her book is. I don’t usually cry when reading books, but wow, I had a little trouble seeing the words on the last few pages through the tears that were welling up.
    -=-=-=-=-
    Thank you sponsors & partners:
    Help Texts - Grief support text messaging service. Tips and support delivered all year long, personalized based on your loss. Listeners get $10 off: https://helptexts.com/jennylisk
    BetterHelp - Talk with a licensed, professional therapist online. Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/widowedparent
    Support the show - Buy Me a Coffee
    -=-=-=-=-

    • 58 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
45 Ratings

45 Ratings

JulsMar1973 ,

Incredible Resource

I’m so very grateful for this podcast! When my husband was diagnosed with ALL I searched high and low for support and could not find. Now as a widowed mom of 3 I find every episode to be so incredibly relevant and have very specific advice and information that I need. Thank you for making us realize we are not alone!

KellyChaCha ,

Helpful resource for grieving

I cannot say enough about how much I love this podcast. As a recent widow, every episode is full of helpful resources for grieving, parenting and more!

Diane90999 ,

Wonderful resource

Jenny's approach is always genuine and supportive to widowed parents, children and other loved ones. I have gained several take aways from each of her podcasts. Thank you for all that you do!

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