Description What do you do when the life you built falls apart, and the future you expected is suddenly gone? In this episode, Jim sits down with Michelle Bader Ebersole, author, speaker, podcast host, and founder of Widow Goals, for a conversation about grief, healing, and what it looks like to rebuild after devastating loss. After losing her husband Luke in 2020 following a long battle with cancer, Michelle found herself navigating widowhood, parenting, faith, and the hard work of learning how to live again. Together, Jim and Michelle talk about the loneliness of grief, the phrases people say that are meant to help but often hurt, and why healing is not just about time passing. Michelle shares how God met her in her darkest season, how the idea of being “chosen” changed her perspective, and how that journey eventually gave birth to her podcast, nonprofit, retreats, books, and support programs for widows across the country. If you are carrying grief, walking through change, or trying to find your footing after life hit harder than expected, this conversation will remind you that pain is not the end of your story. In This Episode, You Will Learn Why grief is not only about death, but any major loss or life change What to say, and what not to say, to someone who is grieving Why healing is not about time alone, but what you do with the time How Michelle moved from widowhood into purpose-driven ministry The difference between stuffing grief and actually processing it Why faith does not erase pain, but can steady you through it How Widow Goals is helping widows survive, heal, and thrive Why churches need to do more to support widows and grieving families Time Stamps 00:00 Intro to grief, healing, and rebuilding life after loss 00:35 Michelle shares who she is and the mission behind Widow Goals 01:34 Michelle’s background in entrepreneurship and teaching 05:03 The emotional shift from a vibrant life into grief and loss 05:50 Luke’s cancer story, amputation, and the family’s long road through illness 08:13 Raising children while facing terminal cancer in the home 10:48 Jim asks about faith, bitterness, and blaming God 11:30 Michelle shares the moment God reframed her pain through the idea of being chosen 13:27 What not to say to someone who is grieving 16:38 Why grief support needs to be practical, specific, and present 18:32 The turning point from personal pain to serving other widows 19:03 How the Widowed Too Soon podcast and Widow Goals nonprofit began 21:29 Why grief does not heal just because time passes 22:12 What grief work actually looks like 23:36 Michelle explains her book, workbook, and church support program 25:10 A challenge to churches to better care for widows 26:20 Where to find Michelle, her books, podcast, and local groups Key Takeaways Grief changes your life, but it does not have to end your purpose Time by itself does not heal grief People need presence and practical help more than empty phrases Faith can hold you steady even when life makes no sense Healing requires honesty, not suppression What you feel, God can heal Widows need real community, not silence Pain can become ministry when it is surrendered and stewarded well Connect with Michelle Bader Ebersole 🌐 Website: WidowGoals.org 🎙️ Podcast: Widowed 2 Soon 📚 Book: Widow Goals 📱 Social: Facebook, Youtube, Tiktok, Instagram Connect with Jim 🌐 Website: www.leadwithjim.com 🎙️ Ask a Question: leadwithjim.com/ask 📱 Instagram: @leadwithjim ▶️ YouTube: Lead with Jim Facebook: @leadwithjim Support & Engage with the Show ✅ Subscribe to The Unshakable Life wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio ✅ Leave a 5-star review if this episode encouraged your faith. ✅ For more faith-driven leadership content, visit leadwithjim.com. Thanks for listening! Never miss an episode of The Unshakable Life. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app—and if this resonated, share it with a friend who needs the tools to develop an Unshakable Life! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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35 min
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