The Widowed Parent Podcast:
Guiding the Journey of Solo Parenting After Loss

Experiencing the profound loss of a spouse while navigating the intricate realm of "only-parenting" is a challenge unlike any other.

Remember, though, you’re not journeying alone. Jenny Lisk, who stepped into solo parenting following the devastating loss of her husband to brain cancer, established the Widowed Parent Institute to shine a light, extend a hand, and share vital resources. The Widowed Parent Podcast embodies that commitment, providing a mix of hope, practical wisdom, and shared experiences.

On The Widowed Parent Podcast, listeners will find:

  • Expert perspectives from the vanguard of grief and loss research, tailored distinctly for widowed parents.

  • Heartfelt stories from those who walked through childhood after the death of a parent, granting unique perspective and hope.

  • Candid conversations with widowed parents, unveiling both the strengths they've discovered and the hurdles they've faced.

Whether you're trying to connect with a young child's emotions, navigate the maze of teenage years, or simply seeking a community that truly understands, this podcast speaks directly to widowed parents of children at every stage, from infancy through college. Plug in during a peaceful walk, your daily commute, or in quiet reflection, and discover inspiration, empowerment, and a community that hears and understands.

Proudly presented by the Widowed Parent Institute, a beacon of practical guidance, invaluable resources, and steadfast support for mothers and fathers raising grieving children and teens. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Jenny Lisk Jenny Lisk

Jordan Arogeti Has a New Tool for Supporting Grievers

I had such a great discussion with Jordan Arogeti for this episode.

Jordan and her company have a new tool called Support Now. It’s a bit like a mashup of some tools you may be familiar with, such as CaringBridge, Go Fund Me, and online meal trains. But it’s SO much more than that.

In preparing to speak with Jordan, I had an “Ah-Ha!” moment:

Support for the newest grievers is all about ORGANIZING and ORIENTING a widowed parent’s own community.

ORGANIZING: Support Now is a comprehensive tool that facilitates exactly this. Listen to my discussion with Jordan for a good overview.

ORIENTING: I have LOTS of thoughts. Some of them you can find now at GriefAllies.com, where you can download my free tips & resources for supporting grieving people. (And stay tuned for more on this!)

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Jenny Lisk Jenny Lisk

Dr. Linda Shanti McCabe on the Art of Grief

I had such a great discussion with Dr. Linda Shanti McCabe for this episode. We haven’t tackled the topic of art and how it can help with grief on the show before, so I was excited to talk with Linda about that as well as her program called the Art of Grief which is starting soon. Linda is a widowed parent herself, and she’s also a licensed clinical psychologist. Listen, too, as she shares the major change she made shortly after her husband’s death, and what she’s planning as her son prepares for his 13th birthday.

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Jenny Lisk Jenny Lisk

Dr. Katie Davis on Digital Media’s Role in Growing Up Today

I had such a great discussion with Dr. Katie Davis for this episode. This week we tackle a thorny parenting topic: screens. The pandemic period of online school, work, play dates, happy hours, fitness classes, therapy sessions, music lessons, and so much more has taught us that asking whether screens and screen time are “good” or “bad” are not necessarily the right questions anymore. Technology has become too central to our lives. Katie is a researcher at the University of Washington who directs the UW Digital Youth Lab and has a new book for parents called “Technology’s Child: Digital Media’s Role in the Ages and Stages of Growing Up.” Plus, she answers that question everyone with young kids want to know: if young kids aren’t supposed to have screen time, what about facetime with grandparents who live 3,000 miles away?

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Jenny Lisk Jenny Lisk

Joanne Harpel’s New Film: Real Teens Talk About Their Suicide Losses

Today’s discussion is such an important one. For families who have been touched by suicide losses, for sure – and also for any parents of grieving teens from any death losses. Joanne tells us today about her new film, “Talking Out Loud - Teens & Suicide Loss: A Conversation.” I’ve seen it, and I have to say it’s such a privilege to hear directly from teens about such a sensitive topic. They knew their parents were watching live during the filming, but they apparently all forgot about that and the cameras and they had a really honest, unfiltered discussion. I’d like to thank Joanne and her team for bringing us this incredible film, and also for coming here to speak with us about it this week.

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“I’ve listened to all of them and look forward to it each week. It’s real and relevant intermixed with a sense of hope for the future.”

-Listener on Instagram

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