Okay, grab your comfiest blanket and a big ol' bowl of snacks, because the "Every Widow Thing" crew is spilling all their binge-watching addictions! Make sure to stick around until the end for some interesting new trends for those looking for love!

They discuss everything from the fun and fantasy of "Younger" to the dark humor in "Bad Sisters" and the emotional rollercoaster of the new Bridget Jones movie, "Mad About the Boy."

But it's not all fluff! We're also getting real about how shows like "Shrinking" and "Landman" tackle grief, and how those stories hit home for us.

Plus, you won't believe the wild TikTok trend we found about love at... Home Depot?! Seriously. And why the local grocery store soup station might also be worth a shot!

Whether you need a good laugh or something to make you think, this episode's got your back. So, hit play and join the pajama party!

TIME STAMPS:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Lighthearted Topics
00:00:20 - Current Shows and Recommendations
00:01:30 - Younger: A Fun Fantasy
00:02:39 - Schitt's Creek and Bad Sisters
00:03:27 - Soothing True Crime Shows
00:04:02 - Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
00:05:22 - Grief Themes in Movies
00:06:38 - Shrinking: A Grieving Perspective
00:08:00 - Handling Widowhood in TV Shows
00:10:42 - Cordially Invited: A Family Dynamic
00:12:02 - Landman: A Complex Narrative
00:15:25 - Virgin River: A Mixed Bag
00:16:10 - Home Depot Dating Trend
00:19:07 - Soup Flirting and Closing Thoughts

Every Widow Thing enjoyed a super staycation at the charming Poppy Round Top Airbnb, just an hour and a half from Austin, Texas. Over Valentine's Day weekend, they dove into Mel Robbins' inspiring new book, The Let Them Theory.

Listeners can expect a heartfelt and relatable discussion as the podcast explores how this book resonates with the widow community, tackling the pressures of people-pleasing and the importance of releasing control.

With personal stories and laughs, they share how embracing the "let them" mindset empowers them to reclaim their lives and pursue dreams without the weight of judgment. This episode offers a fun and uplifting conversation, reminding listeners to focus on their own happiness and let others do their thing!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Welcome to Poppy Round Top
Introduction to the staycation and the setting for the podcast episode.

00:00:21 - Mel Robbins' The Let Them Theory
Discussion about Mel Robbins' new book and its relevance to the hosts.

00:01:38 - Insights from the Book
Exploration of key insights from the book and their application in daily life.

00:02:55 - Vulnerability and Control
The impact of vulnerability on relationships and the desire for control, especially in the widow community.

00:03:47 - People-Pleasing Tendencies
Discussion on the tendency to please others and the stress it causes, particularly for women.

00:04:41 - Empowerment Through Letting Go
The empowering message of the book and the challenges of letting go of control.

00:05:56 - Navigating Widowhood
How the book's concepts apply to the experiences of widows and their journeys.

00:07:07 - Judgment from Others
Addressing the judgment widows face from others regarding their choices and timelines.

00:09:21 - Awareness of Control
The importance of recognizing what is within one's control and what is not.

00:10:30 - Expressing Feelings
The significance of expressing feelings rather than suppressing them to avoid resentment.

00:12:24 - Finding Balance
The need for balance in caring for oneself while supporting children through trauma.

00:14:59 - Friendship Dynamics
Reflections on friendships and feelings of exclusion after loss.

00:16:30 - Setting Boundaries
The importance of setting boundaries in relationships and personal well-being.

00:19:06 - The Role of Change
Understanding that change in others can only happen when they are ready.

00:20:38 - Parenting and Control
The struggle of controlling children's lives and the realization of their independence.

00:22:38 - Self-Confidence Through Responsibility
How allowing children to take responsibility fosters their self-confidence.

00:25:24 - The Power of Letting Go
The transformative power of letting go of control and expectations.

00:27:05 - Taking Back Power
The importance of reclaiming personal power after loss and trauma.

00:28:00 - Overcoming Fear of Judgment
The journey of overcoming the fear of what others think and pursuing personal dreams.

00:29:07 - Final Thoughts on Dreams
Encouragement to follow one's dreams and the freedom that comes from letting go of others' opinions.

Holly shares about a disappointing date with a man who drove a red Porsche. And, no, it wasn't Jake Ryan. ;) After the holidays, it appears that there are more men on the apps, but is the quality better? That remains to be seen. Hear the widows' take on their dating app experiences and dating overall. Keira met her fiancé on Hinge, so maybe there is hope. (We had a few technical difficulties with the microphones. We have addressed it going forward. Thanks for your patience.)

The widows come back from a holiday party to share some wisdom on the holidays, dating, and more.

"It's the most wonderful time to be widowed. NOT"

Topics discussed:

-How the holiday funk has changed over the years

-Taking a break from widowhood

-How Whitney gets dating advice from a reality show called Later Daters

-Is it stealing or sharing when you share your grief with those who are grieving?

-Advice from our present selves to our past selves

Join our insider's group on FB to connect with other widows and widowers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/523215036841828

Follow us on social media

https://www.instagram.com/everywidowthing/

https://www.facebook.com/everywidowthing

Whitney and Holly do an impromptu recording to discuss holiday cards, a Later Daters obsession and Whitney's boyfriend.

In part 2, Lacey, Keira, and Whitney continue their conversation about EMDR therapy with Katie Cummings, a renowned trauma therapist with advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Katie discusses the different techniques used in an EMDR session, such as tapping and buzzers, and explains how triggers and targets are an important part of the process.

Katie gives listeners tips on what to look for when choosing a therapist and how EMDR can specifically help people who have suffered loss.

https://www.katiecummingslpc.com/

Find us on Instagram and Facebook.

Join our Every Widow Thing Insiders Facebook group to connect with other widows and widowers.

What is EMDR? How does it work? Who does it help? On this episode Lacey, Keira and Whitney speak to EMDR specialist Katie Cummings. Katie is a renowned trauma therapist with advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a powerful approach to healing trauma.

In Part 1, you will observe Katie facilitating an EMDR session with Lacey to address her aviophobia (fear of flying.)

Keira will also discuss her profound experience with Emotion Efficacy Therapy (EET). A variety of therapeutic approaches can be effective in treating trauma, and EMDR is a proven method.

https://www.katiecummingslpc.com/

Find us on Facebook and Instagram.

Join our Every Widow Thing Insiders Facebook group to connect with other widows and widowers.

There's a new term for empty nesting! Holly and Whitney talk about their experience with "Free Birding" it now that their youngest kids have gone to college.

Whitney shares a helicopter parent fail story and both widows discuss how grief plays a part in this new chapter.

In the second half of the episode, the widows share tips on how to find your people. Do you think sitting at the bar in a restaurant is a good or bad idea? Holly just won't let it go.

Check out the new Facebook page Every Widow Thing Insiders and connect with other widows. https://www.facebook.com/groups/523215036841828

During this period of transition, the widows anticipate a less consistent release schedule for episodes. Feel free to connect with us on Instagram and or Facebook.

Survive and thrive!

www.everywidowthing.com