Widow We Do Now?

Anita and Mel
  • 4.8 (355)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Widow We Do Now is a podcast created by two young widows, Anita and Mel. Through humor, authenticity, and empathy, they address topics related to grief, death, bereavement, and moving forward through the inescapable pitfalls of young widowhood. They also love cheese. 

  1. Aug 4

    Ep. 286 | A New Way To Remember: Cumulus

    What happens to all the stories, photos, memories, and little pieces of a person after they die? This week, Anita and Mel talk with Alex, the founder and architect of Cumulus, an online memorial platform created to give people a place to remember and celebrate the people they've lost. They talk about what memorializing someone can look like in the digital age, why the traditional obituary doesn't always tell the whole story, and how technology might help us preserve the parts of our people we never want to forget. Alex joins Anita and Mel to talk about the idea behind Cumulus, what inspired him to create it, and the ways an online memorial can become a living collection of memories rather than simply a marker of someone's death. Check out Cumulus for free at:  https://www.cumulus.world/ Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn You may also enjoy Krista St. Germain's podcast: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/new Support the show

  2. Jul 28

    Ep. 285 | Wrongful Death Widow: Deborah Westwood

    Meet Deborah Westwood, a widow whose life was forever changed by the wrongful death of her husband, Larry, following medical malpractice. Deborah shares the devastating reality of grieving a loss that never should have happened. She talks about the heartbreak of losing Larry, the anger and unanswered questions that come with preventable tragedy, and what it means to seek accountability while carrying unimaginable grief.  Anita and Mel learn from Deb about how the legal process complicates mourning, why justice doesn't erase loss, and the "should you or shouldn't you" part of a wrongful death lawsuit for widows. Find Deb, Larry's photography, and the document for those considering a wrongful death lawsuit "Widow 101" here: https://www.westwoodwanderlust.com Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn You may also enjoy Krista St. Germain's podcast: https://the-widowed-mom-podcast.captivate.fm/new Support the show

  3. Jul 13

    Ep. 284 | Five Stars, Would Grieve Again: Aaron Simmons

    Anita and Mel are joined by widower Aaron Simmons, who shares the story of losing his wife just six days after what was supposed to be a routine abdominoplasty, when she suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism. Aaron describes the surreal experience of grief, saying it felt like his entire life had been turned inside out "like a sock." He talks about learning to hold gratitude alongside grief, and how that journey led to an extraordinary project: Widow, Widower, Widowest. Created from his wife's journals, artwork, and creative voice, Aaron says he wrote the book with her after she died, weaving together her words with his own experience of becoming a widower. It's a conversation about devastating loss, enduring love, and the unexpected ways our people can continue to shape our lives after they're gone. Aaron's perspective is thoughtful, funny, and deeply moving—including his unforgettable review of grief: "Five stars. Would grieve again." Check out Aaron's book, Widow, Widower, Widowest: A Grief Mosaic at: https://www.widowest.com Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Support the show

  4. Jul 6

    Ep. 283 | Annnnnd They're Back!!

    Well, it hasn't quite been a relaxing summer, but Anita and Mel are back after life smacked both of them upside the head a few times (or knocked one of them right into the hospital). Check out this episode to get the scoop on what has happened - good, bad, and scammy! And speaking of scams, be sure to check out this episode for a quick update on current things to watch out for! Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Support the show Support the show

  5. Jun 15

    Ep. 282 | Summer News

    Anita and Mel have had some crazy things happen in the last little while, so new episodes will be back up in July!  Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Support the show

  6. Jun 1

    Ep. 281 | After John Jumped: Eileen Bellew

    Eileen Bellew joins Anita and Mel to talk about the sudden death of her husband, John, on January 23, 2005 also known as "Black Sunday," one of the deadliest days in FDNY history. Her husband, FDNY firefighter John Bellew, was one of six firefighters trapped in a Bronx apartment fire. The day became known as "Black Sunday" because three FDNY firefighters died in two separate fires that day. In the years that followed, Eileen found herself navigating not only grief but also civil and criminal court proceedings, raising four children, and trying to make sense of a tragedy that became front page news of the New York Times. She later wrote the memoir After John Jumped, chronicling the experience and everything that came after. Eileen speaks candidly about the debilitating anxiety that followed John's death and the feeling that if she could just stay vigilant enough, maybe she could prevent another disaster. As a parent, she struggled with the fear of being caught off guard again, always scanning the horizon for the next terrible thing. She also shares an observation that many widowed parents will recognize immediately: when her children lost their father, they lost parts of their mother, too. Grief changed her capacity, her energy, and her ability to show up in the ways she once had, adding another layer of loss for the entire family. For more info about Eileen, her book, and the future film based on John, visit: https://eileenbellew.com/ Support the show

  7. May 25

    Ep. 280 | Choosing to Live: Jess Anderson

    Anita found Jess Anderson completely by accident through a comment on Threads, and what followed was one of those instant connections that feels like it was meant to happen. Jess shares the story of loving her husband through cystic fibrosis, a double lung transplant, and the years of hope, fear, and resilience that came with chronic illness. After his death, life dealt another heartbreaking blow when her brother — also her best friend — died in a plane crash. Soon after, Jess found out she was pregnant. As heavy as that sounds, this episode is also full of warmth, humor, love, and the unexpected ways joy keeps showing up alongside grief. Jess talks about motherhood after loss, the people who carried her through impossible moments, and the conscious choice she makes to keep choosing life. Sponsored by: Bott Monument: http://www.bottmonument.com BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Need some Snarky Grief merch? http://shop.widowwedonow.com Wanna buy us tacos? http://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Follow our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@widowwedonow Support the show

  8. May 18

    Ep. 279 | Widows, Witches, and Wellness with Jennifer Newberg

    When you're a sober alcoholic, a divorcee, and a widow, you might know a thing or two about rebuilding your life. Jennifer Newberg joins Anita and Mel to chat about what all this looks like with honesty, humor, and zero interest in pretending healing is linear. After the death of her husband, Jennifer eventually created widow wellness retreats through building spaces where widows can reconnect with themselves outside of survival mode. She talks about grief, recovery, community, and what happens when you stop trying to fit the “inspirational widow” mold and start figuring out what actually feels meaningful. The conversation also takes a detour into the Salem witch trials, historical suspicion around widows, and the long history of society being uncomfortable with women who exist outside traditional roles. Turns out widows have been making people uneasy for centuries, something unfortunately still not uncommon in 2026. If you're gonna be a widow, you might as well find others who get it - check out the retreats and offerings Jennifer has at: http://www.itslifey.com Find her on IG at @itslifeyco Sponsored by: BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more! http://www.patreon.com/wwdn Need some Snarky Grief merch? http://shop.widowwedonow.com Wanna buy us tacos? http://www.buymeacoffee.com/widowwedonow Follow our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@widowwedonow Support the show

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4.8
out of 5
355 Ratings

About

Widow We Do Now is a podcast created by two young widows, Anita and Mel. Through humor, authenticity, and empathy, they address topics related to grief, death, bereavement, and moving forward through the inescapable pitfalls of young widowhood. They also love cheese. 

Information

  • Creator
    Anita and Mel
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    322
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Widow We Do Now?
  • Show Website
    Widow We Do Now?