Episodes

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.

Widowhood is a lonely journey. It is often the friendship of fellow widows who give us the strength to keep walking one step at a time. Dr. Connie welcomes best friends and business associates, Marilyn Blattner and Kathy Rogers, to share their journey. Both women lost their husbands 3 months apart in 2016. Then, in 2023, Marilyn lost her son Scott. How did these two women recover in the aftermath of losing those dearest to them? Listen in to learn about their strength and resilience in the face ...

Sad statistics show that there are over 15 million widows and widowers in the United States. Of these, over 11.6 million are widows and 3.4 million are widowers. How many remarry? 61% of widowers remarry while 19% of widows remarry. Dr Connie’s special guests in studio are former White House Nurse and friend, Debbie Beatty Mraz and her husband Rick Mraz. Both lost their first spouses but went on to find new love and marriage with each other. This episode is a celebration of love's resilience and...

Exploring the sensitive question, What is left behind after our loved one has passed? Along with deep and sentimental memories, widows are often left with personal items such as clothes, jewelry, and photographs. What is a widow to do with those things? Dr. Connie engages in a thought-provoking discussion with wealth and financial advisor Andy Ferguson to hear the advice he offers to clients who have suffered the loss of their spouse. Tune in as Andy shares profound insights and practical guidan...

Losing a loved one dramatically changes the lives of the survivors. For children who lose their parents, this journey of grief is uniquely challenging and requires a special understanding and compassion. Dr. Connie is joined by Dr. Charles “Chip” Finch, an emergency medicine physician who founded Stepping Stones of Hope (www.steppingstonesofhope.org), a non-profit grief and bereavement organization that has served children, adults, families, and the community since 2003. Listen to his amazing st...

The most painful part of the journey of widowhood is facing the reality that your loved one is no longer physically in your life. But are they gone forever? Join Dr. Connie and her special guest, certified medium and spiritual coach, Michelle Clare, in a fascinating conversation. They delve into the belief that although we surrender our physical bodies to death, our souls continue to endure. This episode is about hope and the ongoing connection with our departed loved ones in the next life—somet...

After the funeral and celebration of life events, when friends and family say their goodbyes, what happens next in the life of a widow? Life goes on - caring for family, returning to work, and embracing a 'new' social life. Join Sandra Maki, a familiar guest on Dr. Connie's House Calls, and a fellow widow, as she tells her story of her nearly 3-year journey as a widow following her husband's long illness. Together with Dr. Connie, they venture into the world of widows, sharing how they lived aft...

While the days can be long, the years can feel short. In this upcoming episode, Dr. Connie takes a moment to pause and reflect on her transformative journey over the last four years. She talks openly about the challenges, profound connections, and enduring relationships she has formed along the way. Despite her grief, she has managed to discover meaningful lessons that have enriched her life and those around her. Tune in for this heartfelt episode, where Dr. Connie shares her personal insights a...

The widow's journey of grief and healing is often sadly shared by parents whose children have passed away. It can be one of the most painful life events imaginable. How do parents and families recover from such a devastating experience? In this episode, two mothers who have angel children, Erica Clifford and Elizabeth Boisson, share their stories of love, grief, and the ways they have learned to move forward in their lives. Whether you have personally endured the pain of losing someone close to ...

The journey of the Widow’s Walk is the transformation from “we” to “me.” Who is the new you after your life partner passes away? Dr. Connie and her special guest, a fellow widow of seven years, Nancy Piciucco discuss how losing your spouse changes your identity and your life forever. How do you become the best version of “me” in the aftermath of your spouse’s death? Tune in to find out.

One of the pains of widowhood is dealing with all the legal and financial aspects of settling a husband’s estate. Not everyone is prepared for that moment, or knows where to turn when the time comes. Dr. Connie interviews estate attorney Michael Murphy on how best to manage the difficulties involved with wills, trusts, and estates. Tune in for advice that every widow, or future widow, should know in order to sensibly navigate the aftermath of losing a husband.

After losing her husband, what does a widow do next? How does she go on in life to begin her personal journey of recovery, re-growth, and re-birth? One-step-at-a-time. One-day-at-a-time. And in some instances of sorrow, one second or minute or hour at a time. To help us on that walk, Dr. Connie invites her special guest in studio, Edie Yoder, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who has been instrumental in helping Dr. Connie and so many other widows along their journey. Edie’s experience and wisdom...

Dr. Connie Mariano launches her first episode of The Widow’s Walk, a new show that is dedicated to the journey of recovery and re-birth after losing one’s spouse. Dr Connie joined the over 11.8 million widows in America when she lost her husband John in July 2019. Through her journey from “we to me,” she believes widows can experience strength and new life in the aftermath of their loved one’s death. In her premiere episode of The Widow’s Walk, Dr Connie shares her experiences with fellow widow,...