In this week's episode, I'm joined by Phillipa and Hazel, the brilliant duo behind Music to Die For, a beautiful project exploring how music connects us to those we've lost.
Phillipa lost her husband Rob suddenly four and a half years ago. What's fascinating is that music - which had been her whole life as a musician and teacher - completely disappeared after Rob died. But it came back in the most powerful ways.
Hazel, a clinical psychologist with a deep love of music, met Phillipa at a grief and music think tank. Their instant connection sparked Music to Die For, where people share stories about pieces of music that connect them to someone they've lost.
This is such a beautiful conversation about how music supports us through grief and helps us stay connected to our loved ones.
In this episode we explore:
Why music either becomes our greatest comfort or completely disappears after loss
How grief is our brain learning to rewire without our person - and why it takes so much longer than society expects
The beautiful reframe: "grief has taught me how to live" rather than learning to live with grief
How Music to Die For creates a safe space for sharing stories and feeling less alone
Their plans for retreats, walking weekends, and a book of 365 musical stories
Why music helps us "time travel" to precious memories whilst building new ones
Resources mentioned:
Music to Die For: https://www.musictodiefor.co.uk/ (free to share your story)
Widowed and Walking UK Facebook group
"The Grieving Brain" by Mary Frances O'Connor
For More Support:
The Widows Membership: karensutton.co.uk/the-widow-membership
Coaching and retreats: karensutton.co.uk
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59:42
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59:42
Love After Loss: Becky and Matt’s Story
In this week's episode, I'm joined by Becky and Matt, a couple brave enough to share their story of finding love after loss.
Becky became a widow when her husband Steve died suddenly while they were on holiday. Steve's unexpected death left Becky heartbroken but determined not to let grief define her forever. Nearly two years later, she found herself ready to explore what came next, including the possibility of love again.
This episode is a lovely, thoughtful, and open conversation about the complexities of dating as a widow, and the courage it takes to open your heart again. Becky and Matt share their journey from a dating app match to moving in together, navigating everything from children's reactions to in-laws' acceptance. It's a story about resilience, hope, and the truth that love - even after devastating loss - is always worth the risk.
In this episode we talk about:
How Becky found her way from heartbreak to healing after Steve's sudden death
The moment she knew she was ready to date again - and why it felt like the right time
Practical wisdom about online dating as a widow, from profile tips to handling rejection
How Matt approached dating someone who had been widowed, and what he learned
The importance of keeping your deceased partner real - not putting them on a pedestal
How they navigated introducing children, meeting in-laws, and creating space for everyone
Why Matt chose to move into Becky's home, and what that gesture means
How grief and new love can coexist beautifully - "I am who I am because of Steve"
The gift of experiencing two great loves in one lifetime
Resources and Links
Join the Widows Membership: karensutton.co.uk/the-widow-membership
Explore my retreats and coaching: karensutton.co.uk
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1:03:40
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1:03:40
Living Fully Again: One Widow’s Journey of Healing and Growth
What does living fully again really look like after loss?
This week, I’m joined by someone really special. Lynne Atkin MBE is part of our community, and from the start, I was genuinely amazed by how she was navigating her grief. Not long after the first year of her widowhood, Lynne was making remarkable progress, showing up with strength, clarity and real purpose. And I remember thinking, how is she doing that?
Over time, I saw it wasn’t a fluke. Lynne kept showing up. She kept leaning into the process and doing the work, with such openness and intention. And she’s built something powerful: a life that holds both her love for Michael and her hope for what comes next.
In this conversation, Lynne shares what helped her move through the early pain and start building something new. It’s a reminder that healing doesn’t mean forgetting. It means learning how to live fully again.
In this episode, we talk about:
Rebuilding identity after a long marriage
What helped Lynne feel safe in her grief
Making peace with guilt and giving yourself permission to live
Creating a vision for your future when everything has changed
How community and coaching helped her move forward
Whether you’re newly widowed or further along, this is a powerful story of resilience, growth and hope. It’s one I know will stay with you.
Resources and links:
Join the Widow Membership: karensutton.co.uk/the-widow-membership
Explore retreats and coaching: karensutton.co.uk
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1:04:49
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1:04:49
Life After Loss: How Three Widows Rebuilt with Strength, Love, and Hope
In this special episode of The Widow Podcast, I’m sharing something really close to my heart.
Earlier this year, I invited three amazing women, Nikki, Becky and Wendy, into the Remember community to share their stories. Stories of love, of loss, of navigating life after the unthinkable. They spoke with such honesty and vulnerability, and it was one of the most powerful sessions we’ve had. I knew straight away I wanted more people to hear it.
What I love about this conversation is how different each of their experiences have been. It show us how there’s no right way to grieve, and hearing those contrasts side by side really brings that home.
They talk about what helped, what didn’t, the pain of parenting through grief, the shifts in friendships, the moments that caught them off guard, and the ways they’re slowly creating a new version of life.
In this episode, we explore:
• The very real, very messy early days of widowhood
• How grief affects identity and friendships
• The fear of forgetting and the ways we stay connected
• The little things that help, and the things that really don’t
• What it looks like to build a life around your loss
• Giving yourself permission to feel joy, without guilt
Resources and Links
Join the Widows Membership: karensutton.co.uk/the-widow-membership
Explore my retreats and coaching: karensutton.co.uk
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55:45
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55:45
From Widowhood to Vibrant Living: A New Season Begins
How I’ve Found Peace, Purpose and Possibility After Loss – And How You Can Too
Welcome back to Season Four of The Widow Podcast. It feels really good to be back.
Nearly nine years since Simon died, I’ve been reflecting on everything that’s changed, not just in my own life, but in the way I support other widows. Over the past year, I’ve gone through some huge shifts. I trained as a Master Intuitive Psychology Coach, ran retreats here in the UK and in the US, and launched a new programme called Vibrant Living, which is all about what comes next.
This episode is a bit of a catch-up, but also a conversation about growth. The kind that happens quietly, over time, as we keep showing up for ourselves. I’ll talk honestly about where I’ve been, how I’ve changed, and what I’ve learned about creating a life that feels full again, not in spite of the grief, but alongside it.
In this episode, I share:
What’s changed for me since the last season
How I think about grief now, and what peace looks like
The power of community when you’re rebuilding after loss
What led me to retrain and deepen the work I do
Why I created Vibrant Living for widows ready for something more
Resources and Links
Join the Widows Membership: karensutton.co.uk/the-widow-membership
Explore my retreats and coaching: karensutton.co.uk
The Widow Podcast is for people experiencing the loss of a life partner, who are looking for hope and support whilst navigating their way through this traumatic life event. If you're feeling stressed, anxious, confused, as if you're just existing day by day or you've felt isolated, disconnected and lonely in widowhood and want to find ways to manage your grief more positively, this podcast is for you.
Hosted by Karen Sutton, The Widow Coach, widow and mum. She'll share the emotional and practical ways to come through the trauma and take steps to begin to thrive. This is the show for you to learn how to accept your emotions, gain a sense of hope and give yourself permission to create a life of peace and balance. You'll discover coping strategies and personal development tools that take you from those dark places to much brighter days. We understand your grieving process and the pressures of bereavement here at The Widow Podcast.
South Africa