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In this episode:
What happens when life as you know it is shattered in an instant?
In this powerful episode, Dr. Liza Barros-Lane shares her deeply personal journey through young widowhood after the sudden loss of her husband, Brent Lane. Blending personal experience with professional insight as a social work professor and founder of The Young Widowhood Project, Dr. Liza exposes the hidden struggles young widows face — from grief and parenting through trauma to navigating new love while honoring past bonds.
We dive into intuitive premonitions, the complex emotions of “widow’s fire,” and the societal pressures to “move on” too soon. Through raw storytelling and heartfelt reflections, Dr. Liza reveals how love, loss, identity, and resilience intertwine — offering a profound reminder that healing isn’t about forgetting, but about carrying forward the love that remains.
This episode invites you to rethink everything you thought you knew about grief, resilience, and the lifelong journey of healing.
Guest Biography:
Dr. Liza Barros-Lane is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Houston-Downtown. Her life took a profound turn when, just six months into her tenure, her husband tragically drowned, leaving her a widow at 36 with a young son. This personal loss reshaped her career, inspiring her to focus her research on the emotional and social challenges faced by young widows.
Liza has published widely on the hidden struggles of premature widowhood in leading journals like Death Studies, OMEGA-Journal of Death and Dying, and the Journal of Loss and Trauma. She also founded The Young Widowhood Project, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and advancing research on this often-overlooked experience. Through her social media platform, @TheWidowedResearcher, Liza shares her work beyond academia, offering insight, connection, and hope to a broader audience.
📣Liza Barros-Lane’s Website:
➡️https://theyoungwidowhoodproject.org/
Episode Chapters with Short Key Points:
(0:00:01) – Young Widowhood
Dr. Liza Barros-Lane shares her personal and professional journey following the loss of her husband, highlighting the need for support for young widows.
(0:11:30) – Intuitive Premonitions Before Tragedy
Intuition, love, and loss are explored through cherished memories and vivid dreams after the unexpected passing of a loved one.
(0:20:23) – Navigating Grief and Loss
Therapist’s journey navigating grief and loss after colleague’s unexpected passing, and how it continues to influence approach to grief work.
(0:26:57) – Parenting Challenges After Loss
Exploring the challenges of communicating grief to a young child and the role of children’s books in navigating this journey.
(0:36:59) – Facing Disenfranchised Grief and Past Lives
Challenges faced by young widows in navigating new relationships while mourning, societal discomfort with grief, and using mediumship for healing.
(0:50:25) – Exploring Widowhood and Sexuality
Exploring the complexities of young widows’ sexuality, including “widow’s fire” and societal norms, through online communities.
(0:56:02) – Surviving Traumatic Bereavement and Financial Stress
Widowhood’s emotional complexities and lack of support systems are explored through a personal narrative of traumatic bereavement.
(1:02:36) – Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Bereavement
Traumatic grief can be disabling and prolonged, affecting physical and emotional well-being, but therapy can aid recovery.
(1:07:10) – Therapy for Traumatic Grief and Bereavement
Grief and trauma, prolonged grief treatment, facing and processing grief, and the need for understanding and support.
(1:17:54) – Navigating Love and Loss After Widowhood
Grief’s complexities, patience and acceptance, navigating new relationships while honoring the past, and the purpose of life.
Episode Transcript
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