Realities of Surviving Widowhood

Send a message direct to Emily

When your world ends in an instant, how do you begin again?

Emily sits down with fellow widow Leslie Harter-Berg to talk about sudden loss, love after loss, and building a life that honors the past while embracing the present. 

Leslie shares the heart-wrenching story of losing her husband Ryan unexpectedly, the surreal experience of becoming a single mom overnight, and the bittersweet beauty of raising her boys with Ryan’s memory woven into their lives.  

Together, Emily and Leslie explore the complexities of widowhood—jealousy toward other widows’ journeys, the awkwardness of dating again, navigating anniversaries, and the healing power of humor, community, and storytelling. 

Listen For:

5:05 The Day Everything Changed in Palm Springs

7:21 Wearing the Widow Label for the First Time

12:44 Sudden vs. Terminal Loss: The Unexpected Emotions

20:24 Dating Again: From Fantasy to Reality

25:06 Ryan’s Birthday Tradition: A Holiday of His Favorite Things

30:35 Love After Loss Begins

37:12 Balancing Two Loves in One Heart

CONNECT WITH GUEST: LESLIE HARTER-BERG

Website | Instagram | TikTok | Vimeo 

CONTACT EMILY:

Instagram | Website