Widowhood Real Talk with Tina

About Widowhood Real Talk with Tina

Many people talk about the ups and downs of married life, but few prepare for the worst-case scenario when a spouse passes away. Marriage is a journey, a stage in life shared by two people on a path that is meant to be walked together. But what happens when you lose your partner? How does one deal with this permanent separation? Welcome to Dr. Tina's Widowhood Real Talk, a safe space for widows and widowers, as well as their loved ones, to talk and listen to stories of love and loss. Dr. Tina R. Fornwald's life was turned upside down when her husband Mark died suddenly of a massive heart attack while on vacation on March 11, 2017. His death was both tragic and unexpected. She had no idea how to survive without him or even if she could. They were married for 29 years, raised two wonderful children to adulthood, traveled the world together, and loved each other unconditionally. With a strong faith in God, countless therapy sessions, and the support of family and friends, she was able to keep living and develop a new life. She also started talking to other widows and widowers to gain insight, understanding, and a new perspective on this hard journey. This step was critical to her well-being, and those numerous conversations inspired the podcast. She felt called to turn her most dreadful experience into a place of healing and hope for others. The purpose of the show is to give a voice to what it's like to be a widow or widower. It's time to let people in the community—children, friends, family members, funeral directors, therapists, or clergy—know they can help in the healing process. Beyond that, the goal is to give children of widows and widowers a voice to speak about their experience and reach others who feel alone. There is hope and a group of caring individuals who want to lend a hand. Each episode features stories from Dr. Tina and her guests as they share their experiences, lessons learned, insights, and more. Let these honest conversations give you hope and comfort. Discover a wealth of resources and learn how to connect with others who are traveling the same path. Learn about the experiences of other widows and widowers, and how they are coping and healing in their own ways. No two experiences are alike, and no two stories are the same. Finding out how other people have handled—or are handling—this unfortunate event can help you feel more confident that, in your own time and at your own pace, you're handling it just fine. You are not alone on this journey. You shouldn't feel like you have to keep quiet about your feelings of loss and grief after a spouse dies. As you venture back into the world and into a new life, learn to be open with others and to express your true feelings. Experiencing grief after the death of a spouse merely demonstrates how much love there is in your heart. Join Dr. Tina on Widowhood Real Talk to talk about your experiences as a widow, both good and bad, and to find support in your journey. Visit https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/ (https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/) to join the community and access additional resources.

Publisher

Dr. Tina R. Fornwald

Category

business · education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Jan 2023

Latest episode

29 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

196 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Oct 2026

   Rebuilding Life And Choosing Love After Loss As A Two-Time Widower With Tim Holt

   Navigating deep loss reshapes your entire world, but rebuilding life after loss starts when you finally give yourself permission to feel. In this heartfelt conversation, host Dr. Tina Fornwald speaks with two-time widower Tim Holt about surviving heartbreak, letting go of emotional silence, and discovering true inner peace. Tim opens up about losing his first wife at twenty-two, walking through a difficult second marriage and loss, and learning how service to others helped heal his own grief. He shares why men struggle to put down their daily routines to process raw pain and how honest self-reflection changed his life. You'll learn why healing requires doing your own internal work before opening your heart to someone new. This raw dialogue offers practical encouragement for anyone ready to step out of survival mode and embrace a grounded life they love. I am sharing my experience of loving the same man for 32 years, a mother to two adult children, a retired military officer, a breast cancer survivor, and my connections with others. Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts should reach out to a suicide hotline or local emergency number in their country: (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/suicide/suicide-prevention-hotlines-resources-worldwide)Psychology Today Suicide Hotlines and Prevention Resources Around the World (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/suicide/suicide-prevention-hotlines-resources-worldwide). Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/ (https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/)

2. 

   25 Oct 2026

   Navigating Anticipatory Grief: Facing The Long Nightmare Of Dementia With J. Shannell Evans

   Watching someone you love slip away slowly brings a heavy burden known as anticipatory grief and dementia. In this moving conversation, host Dr. Tina Fornwald welcomes author Joan Shannell Evans (http://joanshannellevansbooks.com) to discuss her personal journey caring for family members living with memory loss. Joan shares what happened when her mother began declining after her father died suddenly, revealing how loss triggers deep emotional pain. You'll learn practical ways to ask for family support early, avoid severe caregiver burnout, and lean into personal faith during impossible seasons. Joan also shares insights from her book, The Long Nightmare: My Family's Journey with Dementia (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYZ97LC5?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback), offering comfort to anyone feeling completely isolated in their caregiving role. I am sharing my experience of loving the same man for 32 years, a mother to two adult children, a retired military officer, a breast cancer survivor, and my connections with others. Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts should reach out to a suicide hotline or local emergency number in their country: (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/suicide/suicide-prevention-hotlines-resources-worldwide)Psychology Today Suicide Hotlines and Prevention Resources Around the World (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/suicide/suicide-prevention-hotlines-resources-worldwide). Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/ (https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/)

3. 

   15 Oct 2026

   Finding Purpose In The Midst Of Grief With Eyum Ejiga

   Navigating the loss of a child reshapes every part of your world, but grief transformation shows us how love outlasts physical presence. In this heartfelt conversation, host Dr. Tina Fornwald speaks with inspirational author and grief-informed leadership coach Eyum Ejiga (https://mypainyourgainministries.com/about/) about honoring her late daughter Grace. Eyum explains why healing doesn't mean moving on or leaving your child behind. Instead, she shares how parents can move forward while carrying their loved one's legacy into new purpose. You'll hear practical wisdom on answering painful everyday questions, giving yourself permission to speak about your loss, and building community through advocacy. Eyum also shares how her daughter's journey inspired the Grace Miracle Foundation (https://gmefoundation.co.uk/), which provides mobility equipment to children with disabilities across Africa. I am sharing my experience of loving the same man for 32 years, a mother to two adult children, a retired military officer, a breast cancer survivor, and my connections with others. Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts should reach out to a suicide hotline or local emergency number in their country: Psychology Today Suicide Hotlines and Prevention Resources Around the World (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/suicide/suicide-prevention-hotlines-resources-worldwide). Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/ (https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/)

Who has been a guest on Widowhood Real Talk with Tina

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Eileen Bild
• Dr Maurice Ball
• Susan Peters
• Mike Bernhardt
• Shirley Billigmeier

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

301,521

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 79 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

94

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

77

Contact Widowhood Real Talk with Tina

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Widowhood Real Talk with Tina