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When Rachel Wall lost her husband Mike to suicide, her world changed in an instant. Left to raise three toddlers, she faced the unimaginable weight of grief while navigating the stigma of suicide loss and the hidden toll of chronic pain.

In this episode of She Diaries, Rachel shares her love story with Mike, their family’s journey through a miscarriage, adoption, and raising young children, and the heartbreaking reality of his struggles with traumatic brain injury and daily migraines. She reflects on the suddenness of loss, the challenges of single parenting, and how she struggles to grieve while continuing to move forward.

Rachel’s openness sheds light on widowhood, parenting after loss, and the importance of breaking silence around mental health and suicide.

Content Warning

This podcast includes real stories of suicide loss. Some episodes may reference the method of suicide and include emotionally intense or uncomfortable descriptions. We understand how sensitive this content is, and we carefully edit each episode to honor and respect both our guests and listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for free, 24/7 support. Please take care while listening—pause if you need to. You are not alone.

Takeaways

• Chronic pain can quietly erode hope.
• Life can change in an instant with suicide loss.
• Parenting through grief requires honesty with children.
• Talking about suicide reduces stigma, not increases it.
• Widowhood means learning to start over while honoring love.

About She Diaries

In She Diaries, women who have lost their husbands to suicide bravely share their stories of strength while navigating the unimaginable journey of widowhood. Through candid interviews, the podcast explores their lives before the tragedy, moments that changed everything, the web of grief, and the hard-earned lessons of overcoming deep loss. These powerful stories shed light on the strength and courage it takes to move forward.

Produced by Bright Sky House — bringing hidden stories to light.

Mental Health Resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support for mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress.
• Find a Therapist: Search for licensed therapists near you through directories like Psychology Today, TherapyDen, or Mental Health Match.
• Join a Support Group: Connect with others through peer-led or professionally facilitated support groups via NAMI or GriefShare.

Stay Connected with She Diaries

Instagram: @BrightSkyHouse
Facebook: Bright Sky House
YouTube: Bright Sky House Official
LinkedIn: Bright Sky House

If you have questions or would like to follow-up with any of our guests, reach out to Hello@BrightSkyHouse.com.

She Diaries is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Send us a text

In this deeply moving episode, Michelle Bray opens up about widowhood, what it means to grieve a spouse, and the burden of bereavement after losing her husband David to suicide. She courageously confronts addiction, mental health struggles, the stigma surrounding them, and the silence so often associated with loss.

Michelle shares how she found her own “story of resilience” through therapy, spiritual reflection, and community—ultimately starting over and rebuilding her life. As part of suicide prevention, her honesty encourages other women to speak up, seek support, and remember: even after the unthinkable, healing, resilience, and new beginnings are possible.

Content Warning

This podcast includes real stories of suicide loss. Some episodes may reference the method of suicide and include emotionally intense or uncomfortable descriptions. We understand how sensitive this content is, and we carefully edit each episode to honor and respect both our guests and listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for free, 24/7 support. Please take care while listening—pause if you need to. You are not alone.

Takeaways

• Stories of resilience emerge from deep grief and bereavement
• Understanding what it means to grieve a spouse
• Mental health openly addressed—beyond the broken silences
• Honest talk about addiction stigma and surviving its weight
• Illuminating suicide prevention through shared experience
• On starting over: healing, hope, and the possibility of joy again

About She Diaries

In She Diaries, women who have lost their husbands to suicide bravely share their stories of strength while navigating the unimaginable journey of widowhood. Through candid interviews, the podcast explores their lives before the tragedy, moments that changed everything, the web of grief, and the hard-earned lessons of overcoming deep loss. These powerful stories shed light on the strength and courage it takes to move forward.

Produced by Bright Sky House — bringing hidden stories to light.

Mental Health Resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support for mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress.
• Find a Therapist: Search for licensed therapists near you through directories like Psychology Today, TherapyDen, or Mental Health Match.
• Join a Support Group: Connect with others through peer-led or professionally facilitated support groups via NAMI or GriefShare.

Stay Connected with She Diaries

Instagram: @BrightSkyHouse
Facebook: Bright Sky House
YouTube: Bright Sky House Official
LinkedIn: Bright Sky House

If you have questions or would like to follow-up with any of our guests, reach out to Hello@BrightSkyHouse.com.

She Diaries is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Send us a text

In Part 2 of Kathryn Craft’s story, she shares an intense and transformative moment: the police standoff that ended with suicide loss. In those fragile hours—including waiting, hard decisions, and hearing the news—she understood what it means to grieve a spouse in real time.

Returning home with her children, Kathryn faced bereavement, emotional trauma, and financial secrets—all shadowed by unspoken stigma around mental health crises.

Yet, in the quiet aftermath, she forged a powerful mantra: “choose this day.” It’s one of those stories of resilience—a testament to how choosing life can lead to starting over, rebuilding even when everything feels broken.

By bravely sharing her journey, Kathryn contributes to suicide prevention, reminding us that connection, honesty, and mental health awareness can light a path through heartbreak.

Content Warning

This podcast includes real stories of suicide loss. Some episodes may reference the method of suicide and include emotionally intense or uncomfortable descriptions. We understand how sensitive this content is, and we carefully edit each episode to honor and respect both our guests and listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for free, 24/7 support. Please take care while listening—pause if you need to. You are not alone.

Takeaways

• The power of stories of resilience in the darkest hours
• Learning what it means to grieve a spouse—with raw honesty
• Navigating bereavement and haunting financial revelations
• Challenging the stigma around trauma and mental health
• Her quiet vow to “choose this day”—a step toward starting over
• How shared testimony can meaningfully support suicide prevention

About She Diaries

In She Diaries, women who have lost their husbands to suicide bravely share their stories of strength while navigating the unimaginable journey of widowhood. Through candid interviews, the podcast explores their lives before the tragedy, moments that changed everything, the web of grief, and the hard-earned lessons of overcoming deep loss. These powerful stories shed light on the strength and courage it takes to move forward.

Produced by Bright Sky House — bringing hidden stories to light.

Mental Health Resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support for mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress.
• Find a Therapist: Search for licensed therapists near you through directories like Psychology Today, TherapyDen, or Mental Health Match.
• Join a Support Group: Connect with others through peer-led or professionally facilitated support groups via NAMI or GriefShare.

Stay Connected with She Diaries

Instagram: @BrightSkyHouse
Facebook: Bright Sky House
YouTube: Bright Sky House Official
LinkedIn: Bright Sky House

If you have questions or would like to follow-up with any of our guests, reach out to Hello@BrightSkyHouse.com.

She Diaries is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Send us a text

In Part 1 of this powerful two-part episode, author Kathryn Craft shares the real-life events that inspired her novel The Far End of Happy. She unpacks the unseen cracks beneath a picture-perfect life—from emotional isolation to financial betrayal. As she discovered $100K in hidden debt and her husband’s secret alcoholism, Kathryn began to understand how painful truths can unmoor mental health and amplify the stigma of addiction.

Through journaling, she grappled with what it means to grieve a spouse before that grief could fully arrive. Her life-altering decision to call the police marked an unexpected starting over—a first step toward healing, resilience, and confronting the bereavement yet to come.

By openly sharing this journey, Kathryn contributes to suicide prevention, reminding us of the importance of talking about pain before it spirals into tragedy.

Content Warning

This podcast includes real stories of suicide loss. Some episodes may reference the method of suicide and include emotionally intense or uncomfortable descriptions. We understand how sensitive this content is, and we carefully edit each episode to honor and respect both our guests and listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for free, 24/7 support. Please take care while listening—pause if you need to. You are not alone.

Takeaways

• Unraveling the mask of a picture-perfect marriage
• Hidden addiction, deep emotional isolation, and financial betrayal
• The journal becomes a gateway to truth—and the question, “Have I married the right person?”
• A suicide note sparks a shift toward starting over
• Early steps toward resilience and emotional clarity
• Narratives like this bolster suicide prevention and de-stigmatize mental health struggles

About She Diaries

In She Diaries, women who have lost their husbands to suicide bravely share their stories of strength while navigating the unimaginable journey of widowhood. Through candid interviews, the podcast explores their lives before the tragedy, moments that changed everything, the web of grief, and the hard-earned lessons of overcoming deep loss. These powerful stories shed light on the strength and courage it takes to move forward.

Produced by Bri

Mental Health Resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support for mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress.
• Find a Therapist: Search for licensed therapists near you through directories like Psychology Today, TherapyDen, or Mental Health Match.
• Join a Support Group: Connect with others through peer-led or professionally facilitated support groups via NAMI or GriefShare.

Stay Connected with She Diaries

Instagram: @BrightSkyHouse
Facebook: Bright Sky House
YouTube: Bright Sky House Official
LinkedIn: Bright Sky House

If you have questions or would like to follow-up with any of our guests, reach out to Hello@BrightSkyHouse.com.

She Diaries is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Send us a text

In this heartfelt conversation, Kristy Steenhuis shares her journey of bereavement and resilience after the suicide loss of her husband, Matthew. She recounts the moments before tragedy—from warning signs to the day she found him—and the ripple effect on her family and mental well-being.

Kristy discusses the stigma and silence she encountered in a rural community, why postvention is a crucial act of suicide prevention, and how she channeled her pain into building national support networks for survivors. Through candid storytelling, she encourages open dialogue around mental health, models what it means to grieve a spouse, and shows that starting over is possible—even from the deepest grief.

Content Warning

This podcast includes real stories of suicide loss. Some episodes may reference the method of suicide and include emotionally intense or uncomfortable descriptions. We understand how sensitive this content is, and we carefully edit each episode to honor and respect both our guests and listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for free, 24/7 support. Please take care while listening—pause if you need to. You are not alone.

Takeaways

• What grief looked like as a 28-year-old widow with two young children
• The pivotal moment she recognized something was wrong
• How postvention is a form of suicide prevention
• Using honest metaphors to explain loss to children
• Confronting stigma, blame, and silence in her community
• How she built a supportive national movement—and stepped into advocacy for mental health
• Why lived experience must drive suicide prevention efforts
• The path from grief through bereavement toward resilience and starting over

About She Diaries

In She Diaries, women who have lost their husbands to suicide bravely share their stories of strength while navigating the unimaginable journey of widowhood. Through candid interviews, the podcast explores their lives before the tragedy, moments that changed everything, the web of grief, and the hard-earned lessons of overcoming deep loss. These powerful stories shed light on the strength and courage it takes to move forward.

Produced by Bright Sky House — bringing hidden stories to light.

Mental Health Resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support for mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress.
• Find a Therapist: Search for licensed therapists near you through directories like Psychology Today, TherapyDen, or Mental Health Match.
• Join a Support Group: Connect with others through peer-led or professionally facilitated support groups via NAMI or GriefShare.

Stay Connected with She Diaries

Instagram: @BrightSkyHouse
Facebook: Bright Sky House
YouTube: Bright Sky House Official
LinkedIn: Bright Sky House

If you have questions or would like to follow-up with any of our guests, reach out to Hello@BrightSkyHouse.com.

She Diaries is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Send us a text

In this powerful episode, Loz Antonenko shares her journey through bereavement and grief following the suicide loss of her husband. She walks us through the fractured years of grief and the mental health struggles that went largely unseen.

Loz found her footing by building stories of resilience through so-called “handbrake habits”—simple routines around movement, hydration, rest, nourishment, and breath—that became her anchors. These small, daily acts helped her start over, rebuild trust with herself, and ultimately write Get the F*ck Unstuck, her guide to healing.

By sharing her lived experience, Loz contributes to suicide prevention, modeling how openness, support systems, and dismantling the stigma around grief can help others walk through loss—and toward hope. This episode is a raw and real conversation about surviving heartbreak and reclaiming a life worth living.

Content Warning

This podcast includes real stories of suicide loss. Some episodes may reference the method of suicide and include emotionally intense or uncomfortable descriptions. We understand how sensitive this content is, and we carefully edit each episode to honor and respect both our guests and listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for free, 24/7 support. Please take care while listening—pause if you need to. You are not alone.

Takeaways

• What bereavement and what it means to grieve a spouse look like in real life
• Why support systems and small daily routines matter in healing
• How mental health and stigma shape the aftermath of loss
• Using “handbrake habits” as a foundation for starting over
• From grief to resilience—the making of a healing blueprint
• Sharing her story as a form of suicide prevention and hope for others

About She Diaries

In She Diaries, women who have lost their husbands to suicide bravely share their stories of strength while navigating the unimaginable journey of widowhood. Through candid interviews, the podcast explores their lives before the tragedy, moments that changed everything, the web of grief, and the hard-earned lessons of overcoming deep loss. These powerful stories shed light on the strength and courage it takes to move forward.

Produced by Bright Sky House

Mental Health Resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support for mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress.
• Find a Therapist: Search for licensed therapists near you through directories like Psychology Today, TherapyDen, or Mental Health Match.
• Join a Support Group: Connect with others through peer-led or professionally facilitated support groups via NAMI or GriefShare.

Stay Connected with She Diaries

Instagram: @BrightSkyHouse
Facebook: Bright Sky House
YouTube: Bright Sky House Official
LinkedIn: Bright Sky House

If you have questions or would like to follow-up with any of our guests, reach out to Hello@BrightSkyHouse.com.

She Diaries is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Send us a text

In this compassionate episode, Charlotte Maya shares what it truly means to grieve a spouse while raising two young sons after loss. From the haze of grief brain and physical repercussions like chronic pain, to the slow rebuilding of trust, community, and clarity, Charlotte maps her path toward resilience and starting over.

Charlotte’s experience introduces meaningful rituals—like her sacred Tuesdays and the 12 Days of Christmas—as lifelines of self-care. She emphasizes the importance of trusting instincts, honest communication with her children, and acknowledging how mental health and stigma shape healing. By openly telling her story, Charlotte strengthens suicide prevention, reminding mothers, families, and those in crisis: you’re not walking this road alone.

Content Warning

This podcast includes real stories of suicide loss. Some episodes may reference the method of suicide and include emotionally intense or uncomfortable descriptions. We understand how sensitive this content is, and we carefully edit each episode to honor and respect both our guests and listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for free, 24/7 support. Please take care while listening—pause if you need to. You are not alone.

Takeaways

• Pervasive grief brain and its emotional and physical toll
• Honest parenting through what it means to grieve a spouse
• How chronic pain and mental health weight the healing journey
• Intentional rituals—Tuesdays and community gestures—as anchors of
• resilience
• The importance of trusting instincts and supporting children who grieve differently
• Community as a lifeline, even through small expressions of care
• Reclaiming life as starting over, not "moving on"
• Sharing experience as a step toward suicide prevention and reducing stigma

See photos of Charlotte and Sam on on our episode blog post.

About She Diaries

In She Diaries, women who have lost their husbands to suicide bravely share their stories of strength while navigating the unimaginable journey of widowhood. Through candid interviews, the podcast explores their lives before the tragedy, moments that changed everythin

Mental Health Resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support for mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress.
• Find a Therapist: Search for licensed therapists near you through directories like Psychology Today, TherapyDen, or Mental Health Match.
• Join a Support Group: Connect with others through peer-led or professionally facilitated support groups via NAMI or GriefShare.

Stay Connected with She Diaries

Instagram: @BrightSkyHouse
Facebook: Bright Sky House
YouTube: Bright Sky House Official
LinkedIn: Bright Sky House

If you have questions or would like to follow-up with any of our guests, reach out to Hello@BrightSkyHouse.com.

She Diaries is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Send us a text

In this deeply human conversation, Alexandra Wyman shares her path through bereavement and what it truly means to grieve a spouse while navigating motherhood. She opens up about the stigma of loss, societal pressures on widows, and how she discovered stories of resilience in even the smallest acts of connection.

Alexandra emphasizes the critical role of mental health support, setting boundaries, and planning ahead to lighten the load for those left behind. Her honest reflections light the way for others — this episode is a testament to suicide prevention, showing how brave storytelling and supportive communities can spark healing, help people start over, and rediscover joy.

Content warning

This podcast includes real stories of suicide loss. Some episodes may reference the method of suicide and include emotionally intense or uncomfortable descriptions. We understand how sensitive this content is, and we carefully edit each episode to honor and respect both our guests and listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for free, 24/7 support. Please take care while listening—pause if you need to. You are not alone.

Takeaways

• Understanding what it means to grieve a spouse amid societal expectations
• Recognizing and combating the stigma around widowhood and mental health
• The indispensable role of mental health support and honest boundaries
• Finding stories of resilience through community and connection
• How planning ahead (e.g., writing a will) eases future emotional burdens
• The healing power of starting over and rediscovering joy after loss
• Sharing lived experience as a form of suicide prevention

See photos of Alexandra and Shawn on on our episode blog post.

About She Diaries

In She Diaries, women who have lost their husbands to suicide bravely share their stories of strength while navigating the unimaginable journey of widowhood. Through candid interviews, the podcast explores their lives before the tragedy, moments that changed everything, the web of grief, and the hard-earned lessons of overcoming deep loss. These powerful stories shed light on the strength and courage it takes to move

Mental Health Resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support for mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress.
• Find a Therapist: Search for licensed therapists near you through directories like Psychology Today, TherapyDen, or Mental Health Match.
• Join a Support Group: Connect with others through peer-led or professionally facilitated support groups via NAMI or GriefShare.

Stay Connected with She Diaries

Instagram: @BrightSkyHouse
Facebook: Bright Sky House
YouTube: Bright Sky House Official
LinkedIn: Bright Sky House

If you have questions or would like to follow-up with any of our guests, reach out to Hello@BrightSkyHouse.com.

She Diaries is available wherever you listen to podcasts.