218-When a Child Loses a Parent: Halyey Bader’s Story of Grief and Hope

What if you didn't have to figure out the rest of your life today? What if all you needed to do was take the next small step? When you're grieving, even the simplest tasks can feel overwhelming. The future seems uncertain, the past can be painful, and just getting through the day can feel like an accomplishment. In this heartfelt solo episode of Widowed 2 Soon, Michelle Bader Ebersole, author of Widow Goals: Steps to Finding Peace When You Lose Your Spouse, continues her series exploring the lessons from her book. This episode focuses on Chapter 7, "Focus on Today," and the freedom that comes when we stop trying to figure out tomorrow and begin trusting God with what is right in front of us. Drawing from her personal journey through widowhood, Michelle shares how grief affects our ability to think clearly, make decisions, and manage everyday responsibilities. She introduces the power of micro goals—small, achievable steps that help us begin moving forward, even when life feels overwhelming. Through biblical encouragement, practical strategies, and personal reflections, Michelle reminds listeners that healing doesn't require having everything figured out. Sometimes, progress looks like getting out of bed, taking a walk, or simply making it through the next ten minutes. You don't have to rebuild your entire life today. You just have to take the next step. Instead of asking yourself, "How am I going to get through the rest of my life?" try asking: What is one small thing I can accomplish today?

Michelle Bader Ebersole shares a heartfelt recap of the fourth Widow Goals Retreat and reflects on why community matters so deeply after loss. From worship, small groups, breakout sessions, and meaningful conversations to the ropes course, zip lining, line dancing, and Widow’s Prom, the retreat was filled with connection, laughter, courage, and healing. Michelle shares some of the moments that stood out most, including the “You Are Chosen” crown ceremony and the joy of watching women arrive as strangers and leave with real friendships. She also talks about the unexpected ways women found Widow Goals through social media, the podcast, word of mouth, and conversations that seemed to happen at exactly the right time. This episode also gives a glimpse into what is next. Michelle introduces AGAIN, a new chapter focused on helping women rebuild after grief, loss, trauma, or major life change, and shares details about the first AGAIN Retreat coming August 19–22, 2027, near Portland, Oregon. At the heart of both Widow Goals and AGAIN is the same message: healing takes community, hope can return, and joy can exist alongside grief. You can’t go back, but you can live again. 🩵 Pictures from the recent WG retreat Information about the AGAIN retreat ⁠⁠Go here to see a list of all the areas we have Widow Goals Groups⁠⁠ Click HERE to apply to be a Widow Goals Group Leader⁠⁠ Connect with Michelle on Facebook Book a free coaching consultation call with Michelle ⁠HERE⁠ ⁠⁠Click HERE to learn about the Widow Goals Support Program ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Click HERE to order Michelle’s book Widow Goals: Steps to Finding Peace When You Lose Your Spouse⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook Leader Guide⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Click here to be sent an email on the anniversary of your spouse's passing, wedding anniversary, and more ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Michelle on TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michellebaderebersole See my videos on Youtube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this solo episode, Michelle Bader Ebersole shares a life update as she prepares to head to the Widow Goals Water Walking Faith Retreat—and gives a peek into what’s next for the podcast and the growing AGAIN mission. As life continues to change, Michelle reflects on entering a new season with her kids growing up, what God has been stirring in her heart, and why she feels more excited than ever about helping people rebuild after life doesn’t go according to plan. She also shares something she learned early in her own grief journey: healing became her job. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting, moving on, or pretending everything is okay. It means being willing to feel what you feel, ask for help, find safe people, learn about grief, and keep taking the next step—even when you would rather find a way around the pain. Because as much as we wish there were a shortcut through grief, there isn’t. A behind-the-scenes update as Michelle prepares for the Widow Goals Water Walking Faith Retreat

Sharmen McCollum lost her husband, Rob, and her mother on the same day. In this episode of Widowed 2 Soon, Michelle Bader Ebersole talks with Sharmen about the life she and Rob built together, the day everything changed, and the long road of healing that followed. Sharmen shares honestly about recovering from her own injuries while grieving, the people who showed up for her, and the loneliness and questions that came afterward. She also talks about how journaling, grief support, and Scripture have helped her take the next step. If you are wondering how to keep going when life changes in an instant, Sharmen’s story offers a reminder that you do not have to walk through grief alone. In this episode: The life Sharmen and Rob shared

Re-entering social spaces after losing your spouse can feel incredibly vulnerable. Places and gatherings that once felt completely normal can suddenly feel awkward, overwhelming, or even painful. In this mini-episode of Widowed 2 Soon, Michelle Bader Ebersole walks through Goal 6 from her book, Widow Goals: Steps to Finding Peace When You Lose Your Spouse: Re-enter Social Spaces with Confidence. Michelle shares honestly from her own experience of stepping back into the world after Luke died—from a large family gathering where she suddenly felt very aware of being “the widow,” to an everyday trip to Walmart, to a girls’ night that became unexpectedly painful. She also talks about something people who haven’t experienced deep loss may not understand: acknowledging someone’s grief is almost always better than pretending it isn’t there. And re-entering the world doesn’t mean your grief is over. Grief doesn’t disappear because time has passed, because you're smiling again, or even because you've begun a new relationship or remarried. The goal isn’t to force yourself to be “back to normal.” It’s to begin taking small, intentional steps toward community again.