The Widow's Walk

How does a widow navigate the painful first year after losing her husband? In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Connie welcomes back Scottsdale interior designer Barbara Kaplan, a returning guest on Dr. Connie’s House Calls and Widow’s Walk. Barbara, who once guided listeners on designing a new life after loss, now finds herself on that journey firsthand after the passing of her own husband. With wisdom and personal experience, she shares how creating a supportive and loving environment - both at home

The holidays are often called “the most wonderful time of the year.” But for widows, widowers, and anyone who has lost a loved one, they can bring a flood of memories - often accompanied with tears and sadness. In this heartfelt episode of Widow’s Walk, Dr. Connie is joined by her friend and fellow widow, Sandra Maki, as they return to share their wisdom and experiences on embracing both grief and joy during December and the new year.

Dr. Connie explores how widows can find healing through support groups in this insightful episode. Her special guest, Barbara Olson, leads Heart-to-Heart Grief Support classes at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, AZ (visit www.lacasadecristo.com for more information). After 25 years of marriage, Barbara experienced the loss of her beloved husband, Duke. Drawing from her background in advertising, board service, and volunteer work, she developed a remarkable grief support program t

Wives can often outlive their husbands by 10-15 years. But does this mean spending those years alone? In this inspiring episode of The Widow's Walk, Dr. Connie delves into the realities of love after loss with special guest Georgia Bunn, illuminating the seldom-discussed journey many women face in widowhood. With only 2% of widows over 65 remarrying (compared to over 20% of widowers), Georgia’s story of finding love again after a decade alone is both remarkable and hopeful. A successful business

After losing a loved one, will you ever truly find peace with their physical absence in this life? In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Connie welcomes back certified medium and spiritual coach, Michelle Clare, a familiar guest from House Calls and Widow’s Walk. Michelle intimately understands the journey of death and loss. Having personally lost her sweetheart to suicide a year ago, she offers powerful insights on how widows, widowers, and grieving parents can navigate the pain and find peace after s

Did you know that many widows outlive their husbands by 10 to 15 years, yet only 2% choose to remarry? So, what are the stories of the other 98%? In this engaging episode, Dr. Connie invites Linda Smith to share her journey over the past 18 years as a widow. Linda opens up about how she has remained active and fulfilled throughout widowhood. Tune in to hear Linda’s inspiring story and discover how she continues to live a vibrant and meaningful life, proving that life after loss can indeed be inc

Many widows and widowers sense the presence of their late spouses through dreams, butterflies, and special songs. While some skeptics view these moments as mere coincidences or serendipity, Dr. Connie and special guest Sandra Maki share heartfelt stories that highlight the deep, enduring connections with their loved ones. Tune in for an enlightening and touching discussion that offers comfort and insight to those on their grieving journey.

The loneliness of widowhood can be particularly painful and challenging for older widows. In the United States, 10% of widows live alone, 70% reside with adult children, and the remaining 20% are in home care facilities. What does this stage of life look like for widows, who often outlive their husbands by an average of 15 years? In this episode, we welcome Bonnie Shimko, a Certified Senior Advisor and advocate for seniors and individuals with special needs. As the co-founder and CEO of Arizona

How can losing your spouse lead to a new, fulfilling life? What does that new life look like? How can it become the best life we can create? Dr. Connie, five years into widowhood, is joined by Reverend Dr. Michele Whittington, a widow of six years and the first guest on the show in February 2023. Together, they share an update on how widowhood has changed their lives and offer practical advice for embracing a new chapter.

One of the most painful changes that happens to a widow is living alone after the death of her spouse. Barbara Kaplan is a sought-after interior designer in Phoenix, AZ, and is keenly aware of this transition for many of her widow clients. Barbara shares her expertise in helping widows shift from the shared existence of marriage to embracing solitude and independence. In this episode, she explains how to thoughtfully approach the reimagining of living spaces during the transition from we in a ma

Dr. Connie shines a light on a group sometimes overlooked: the 3.7 million husbands who lose their wives and become widowers in America. Departing from our usual focus on the journey of widows, this show extends a heartfelt exploration into the lives of men navigating the turbulent waters of loss. Our special guest, Tom Scaglione, a retired insurance executive, opens up about his personal voyage through grief after the passing of his beloved wife, Lecia, in June 2020. What challenges do widowers

Returning for Season 2 of The Widow's Walk, Dr. Connie celebrates with returning guest Nancy Piciucco, who has been a widow for nearly 8 years. How do the years of widowhood change a woman? Dr. Connie and Nancy explore the topic of transformation and how widows can grow emotionally, psychologically, and socially during their personal journey. Don't miss this impactful and encouraging discussion on resilience in the face of loss.