Widowed AF

How do institutions handle personal tragedies? Rebecca describes routine responses from the ski resort and reflects on the overlooked impact of sibling loss. #WidowedAF #SiblingLoss

How do you navigate the immediate aftermath of a sudden loss? Rebecca shares the raw and unfiltered moments following the news of her husband's death. Tune in to hear her journey.

Unusual Tracking

Have you ever had a moment when technology showed you something unexpected? Rebecca shares the strange details of tracking her husband on the slopes using Find Friends.

Public Grief

What happens when personal grief becomes public news? Rebecca shares the experience of dealing with media attention after her husband's accident.

How do you cope with losing a loved one while they are doing what they love most? Listen to Rebecca's story of Kevin's final ski trip

The Impact of Losing a Loved One During Treatment

We had a call just a month before he died, feeling hopeful because the treatment seemed to be working. But then, his dad passed away suddenly in October 2021 while he was in the middle of chemo. It was a tough time, and he seemed to decline quickly after that. Have you or someone you know faced similar challenges during a family illness? How did you manage or support them?

When Friends Don't Understand: The Loneliness of Young Widows

Feeling isolated as a young widow can be incredibly tough, especially when friends don't understand the permanent changes in your life. Have you or someone you know experienced this kind of isolation? How did you cope or support them?

Managing Cancer During COVID-19

Jess Walton reflects on the additional challenges of managing her husband's cancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Love and Commitment Amidst Cancer

Jess Walton shares her and her husband's decision to marry despite his cancer diagnosis and their determination to celebrate as much of their lives together as they possibly could .

The Importance of Early Cancer Detection

Jess Walton discusses the significance of early cancer detection and how her late husband's persistence led to a crucial diagnosis. Being able to advocate for yourself is a huge ask when you are facing a scary diagnosis.

Another powerful moment from Widowed AF as Kirsty opens up about the deep bonds formed in times of crisis. "And the comfort that I get from the fact that he was with guys that loved him, guys that did their damndest to save him and they carry that with them. I don't like that bit. It hurts me to know that they carry the trauma of trying to save their friend and not being able to. Because that's got to affect..." This episode touches on the shared burdens and silent struggles of those who face loss together. It's a reminder of the unseen impacts on those left behind, the ones who stood together in the hardest times. Listen to the full episode to hear more about the strength and sacrifices that come with camaraderie in the face of adversity. #WidowedAF #MilitaryFamily #SharedGrief #UnseenBurdens #StrengthInUnity #PodcastClip

Choosing Resilience Over Grief: How We Keep Going | Widowed AF

New clip from this week's Widowed AF episode! Rosie talks tough choices and resilience in the face of grief. 🔊"I know that you are like, like every guest I have on here, and that you make the choice. Because you do, it's a choice, isn't it? You either lay down on the floor and cry for the rest of your life or you do a bit of that and then you dust yourself down and put your big girl pants on and keep f**king going... too stubborn to do the first one for long." 💪 It’s about the moments when you decide not just to survive, but to thrive. Tune in as we dive deep into the tough, yet transformative choices that shape our journeys through grief. 👉 Swipe up to listen to the full episode and join the conversation on how we pull ourselves up and push forward, even when it seems impossible. #WidowedAF #Resilience #LifeChoices #GriefJourney #KeepGoing #PodcastClip

The Hidden Costs of Being a Military Spouse | Widowed AF

From our recent Widowed AF episode, Kirsty Cluff shares candid insights into the sacrifices made by military spouses. "A lot of the time you'll have to put your own plans and your own needs second place, third place, fourth place, for the sake of their career. I gave up my whole career to follow him and I don't regret it. Not one single bit, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't really pissed off when he died because it was almost my turn to get my career back. We'd made this deal that, for the whole time he was going to have his career with the army, I would follow him and be a part of it. But then when it was time to transition to civilian life, that was supposed to be my time." 👉 Listen to the full episode to understand the deep personal costs and shifting dynamics within the lives of those who support their partners in the military. #WidowedAF #MilitarySpouse #CareerSacrifice #LifeChanges #PodcastClips #MilitaryFamily

Unmatched Bravery: Comrades' Heroic Efforts in a Critical Moment | Widowed AF

🎙️ In a revealing moment from the latest episode from Widowed AF, Kirsty Cluff discusses the intense efforts made by Pete’s comrades during a critical moment. 🔊 "Pete had never regained consciousness, but the lads that were with him did their best to save him and they ran a brilliant trauma response, you know, CPR and everything. And they got his heart started twice. But his heart just wasn't strong enough and later the coroner had said that even if he'd had a surgeon with him, right there next to him in a sterile environment, with all the equipment and bells and whistles that you would need, he couldn't have been saved." 👉 Hear the full story on how profound teamwork and quick response play out in real life, even when the outcome is beyond control. #WidowedAF #Teamwork #TraumaResponse #PodcastClips #RealLifeHeroes #MilitaryStories

In this clip from our latest episode of Widowed AF, Kirsty Cluff shares a memory of a conversation she had about her husband Pete's upcoming trip. It's a reminder of how ordinary moments suddenly take on new meanings. "We were just shooting the breeze, and I remember saying, 'Oh, you know, Pete's going away to Canada next month. And, you know, he's been home for a while, so I can't wait to get him out from under my feet.' Which is, in hindsight, you sit going, he was never, ever going to be back under my feet ever again." Tune in to hear more about how everyday conversations can unexpectedly resonate with us long after they're spoken. #WidowedAF #MilitaryLife #EverydayMoments #PodcastClips #LifeChanges

The damn burst. When a parent dies from an illness, the fear that any inherited mutations or conditions may have been passed to their children is terrifying. In this clip, Stacey Heale describes the emotional release when being told husband’s cancer was not caused by Lynch Syndrome, a genetic mutation, that could have been passed to their two daughters. Stacey describes her relief at the news they had hoped for, but how too it unlocked all that pain and fear that lurked just beneath the surface. Stacey’s book, Now Is Not The Time For Flowers, is available to buy now. 📖 #widow #widowedandyoung #widowedyoung #widowedparent #widowtowidow #widowedaf #nowisnotthetimeforflowers #lynchsyndrome #lynchsyndromeawareness #cancerawareness

It’s just a ‘thing’ but it’s an irreplaceable thing. A thing that symbolised our love, innocence and hope. 💍 💔

Swifty or not, (I am definitely the former) the lyrics to this song are pretty cool. For anyone who’s worried that they look to be having too much fun, or are told they don’t seem like a widow/er. A smile can hide so much sadness, and it’s also very much okay to actually feel okay. Sadness is going to be your constant companion, but there’s a lot of living to do too. Here’s some photos of me and the adventures we’ve had. over the last six years, and I did it all with my broken heart.

In this week’s episode , you will hear author, mum of two and widow, Stacey Heale open up to Rosie about losing her husband Greg to Bowel Cancer, receiving a late ADHD diagnosis and finding her identity all over again. In this clip Stacey describes the ‘out of body’ feeling she experienced as she realised, in real-time, that she was living through the absolute worst moment of her life. Throughout their conversation, Stacey’s honesty, self-awareness and determination to survive are palpable, bringing listeners further compelling insight into the complexities of our hidden Widowed World. Stacey’s book, Now Is Not The Time For Flowers, is available to buy now, and is a fascinating read 📖 🐛 ✨

#99 - Debbie Weiss - I have a choice

You have a choice. Even after devastating loss, you can find hope and move forward. In this powerful clip from the latest Widowed AF podcast episode, guest Debbie Weiss shares how, at age 50, she found herself a widow after losing her husband to cancer. Feeling like she was living in a 'hostile universe', Debbie realised that despite her grief and isolation, she still had a choice in how to live her life. Listen to Debbie's full story of finding hope after loss in episode 99 of Widowed AF, available now where ever you get your podcasts. #widowedaf #lifeafterloss #findinghope #griefsupport #widowpodcast