What if losing everything was the beginning of becoming your best self?
When Lisa Woolery's husband Eric died suddenly at 53—after 36 years together—she never imagined grief would make her a better mother. But that's exactly what happened. Through frozen assets, angry tweens, spiritual warfare, and 20,000 daily steps of processing, Lisa discovered that leading from brokenness could heal generational wounds and transform everything.
Together, Brian and Lisa explore:
✨ How sudden widowhood at 50 forced her to "up her mom game" in unexpected ways
✨ Processing grief through the body—breaking furniture, walking miles, and tiring out angst
✨ Hearing God speak "with her whole body" during a year of desperate prayer
✨ The controversial decision to send her son to military boarding school (and why it worked)
✨ Healing 82-year-old generational patterns by learning to lead with kindness instead of control
This conversation is raw, honest, and filled with hard-won wisdom for anyone navigating loss while still showing up for the people who need them.
If you've ever asked:
"How do I parent when I'm barely surviving myself?"
"Will I ever feel normal again after losing my person?"
"Can something good actually come from the worst thing that's ever happened?"
You are not alone—and this episode is for you. 🌱
👉 After listening, continue the conversation at grief2growth.substack.com
Share your reflections, leave a comment, and connect with others who understand.
🎧 Guest resources:
Lisa Woolery — The Widow's Comeback (Facebook)
The Widow's Comeback: A Memoir
The Widow's Comeback 365-Day Grief Calendar
Guided Grief Journal (coming soon)
💬 If this episode speaks to you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need it today.
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[
CHAPTERS]
00:00 🌱 Opening: Planted, Not Buried
02:49 👋 Welcome & Introduction to Lisa Woolery
03:06 💑 Meeting Eric: Love at First Sight at 14
04:43 💔 The Day Everything Changed
06:30 ⏰ 36 Years Together, Then Sudden Loss
08:27 👨👩👧👦 Parenting Tweens Through Unimaginable Grief
12:00 😤 Getting Kicked Out of Grief Group
15:21 🎓 Military School: A Controversial Choice That Worked
17:10 😔 Feeling Conspicuous Without a Partner
18:27 ✨ How Grief Made Her a Better Mother
22:39 💪 Walking Around With Flaws on the Outside
24:41 👑 Becoming the Leader She Never Wanted to Be
27:19 💰 Staying Home: Financial Wisdom for Widows
31:39 ✈️ Discovering the Adventure Within
34:23 🚶 Taking One Step Forward Every Day
37:22 😭 When Faith Falls Apart
38:34 📖 "You Will Call Me Husband Instead of Master"
43:00 🙏 Praying for Liam: A Year-Long Transformation
45:30 ⚡ Hearing God With Her Whole Body
47:00 🧊 The Ice Storm: Trusting God as Provider
48:17 👵 Healing Generational Wounds With Mom
52:30 📚 The Widow's Comeback: Ministry & Resources
55:46 📖 Fiction Trilogy: Life Reinvention Stories
57:42 🌟 Your Life Is Not Over
