In this profound episode of the Widow Life and Money Podcast, join me, Daniel Kopp, as I have a heartfelt conversation with Jennifer Carazo. Jennifer opens up about her life-changing journey from being a Gold Star spouse following the tragic loss of her husband, Mario "Sugar Bear," to becoming a source of empowerment for other military families through the Sugar Bear Foundation.

Jennifer shares the emotional tale of her early experiences with military life, the deep bond she formed with Mario, and the challenges and resilience that came with his multiple deployments. She gives us a poignant look into the sharp reality of life after losing her husband and how her faith and the support of her community became her strongholds.

In her story, Jennifer reveals how she transformed her grief into impactful action by founding the Sugar Bear Foundation. With a focus on education, empowerment, and comprehensive support for Gold Star families, she explains how the foundation is making a tangible difference in the lives of military widows, spouses, and their children by offering unique programs aimed at alleviating financial and emotional burdens.

Listeners will be inspired by Jennifer's story of resilience and the legacy of love and service she continues to honor through her work. If you're navigating a similar path or seeking ways to support military families, this episode offers a wealth of wisdom and encouragement.

Join me, Daniel Kopp, on this powerful episode of the Widow Life and Money Podcast, as I welcome Taryn Davis, a remarkable individual who transformed personal tragedy into a source of community and hope. Taryn opens her heart to share the intimate journey of love, loss, and the creation of the American Widow Project.

Discover how Taryn took the lessons from her abrupt loss when her high school sweetheart and husband, Michael, was killed in action, and channeled them into a mission to support young widows like herself. With humor, honesty, and raw emotion, Taryn recounts her experiences of grief, the challenges of societal and personal expectations, and the turning points that led her to forge a path of resilience and healing.

In this episode, Taryn also delves into how financial resources such as SGLI and the death gratuity provided her the space to heal and build something meaningful. Her journey underscores the powerful idea of choosing growth and community over despair, and the special bond shared among those who've experienced profound loss.

Taryn's story reminds us that while the grief never fully disappears, life can grow beautifully around it. For anyone walking a similar path or wanting to support those who are, Taryn's story offers a beacon of hope and a testament to the enduring power of community and purpose.

Affiliated Links Mentioned During the Podcast:

Organizations/Clubs/Programs

• Modern Widows Club

• American Widow Project (AWP)

• Gold Star Wives of America

• TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program)

• Patriot Guard Riders (Motorcycle riders that escort service members who have passed on)

Books/Authors

• • The Promise of Pain, C.S. Lewis

Thank you for tuning in to this heartfelt and enlightening episode. We hope it provides comfort and encouragement. Remember, you don't have to walk this journey alone. Reach out through our platforms or leave a review to share your thoughts and experiences. Your feedback is invaluable to us.

Join me, Daniel Kopp, in this heartfelt episode of the Widow Life and Money Podcast as I welcome Kelli C. Goodnow to share her remarkable journey. It's a story of love, loss, overwhelming grief, and inspiring growth. Kelli opens up about her life with her late husband, Marine Corps pilot Sean Campbell, and the devastating helicopter crash that claimed his life along with eleven other Marines in 2016.

How does one navigate life after such a profound loss? Kelli recounts the challenges of suddenly becoming a widow with four young children in Hawaii and the subsequent transition to Kansas where she reconstructed her life. We delve into how Kelli's strong faith became her anchor, offering her peace and strength in the darkest of times. Her journey highlights the power of community, support, and faith in overcoming the unfathomable.

Listen to Kelli discuss the evolution of her grief, the spiritual foundations that sustained her, and the road to healing not just for herself but for her children. She candidly shares the difficulties and growth that accompanied their journey and the critical role supportive programs and communities played in their lives. Now, she helps others navigate similar paths through her work with Valor Partners.

This episode serves as a beacon of hope and a resource for anyone navigating the trials of loss. If you're seeking inspiration from someone who has walked a similar path and found light on the other side, Kelli's story will resonate deeply.

Affiliated Links Mentioned During the Podcast:

• Valor Partners

• Connect with Kelli on LinkedIn and follow her journey on Instagram

Thank you for listening to this episode. We hope you find comfort and strength through Kelli's story and encourage you to reach out if you or someone you know is navigating a similar journey. As always, please leave a review and connect with us on LinkedIn with your questions or feedback. We value hearing from our community.

In this solo episode of the Widow Life and Money Podcast, I discuss a transformative financial tool available to Gold Star Widows: the HEART Act. Enacted in 2008, this legislation provides a remarkable opportunity for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice through their spouse's military service.

As a Gold Star Widow, you have access to financial vehicles that can secure your future and honor your spouse's memory. I explain the intricacies of using Service Members Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and death gratuity benefits to fund a Roth IRA under the HEART Act. This episode guides you through the process of potentially investing up to $600,000 tax-free, securing growth over time and offering financial resilience for years to come.

Learn how to act within the 12-month deadline, choose a suitable financial institution, and craft the necessary correspondence to effectively initiate your contributions. This episode also explores the strategic benefits of keeping funds in a Roth IRA, offering untaxed growth and flexibility for withdrawals.

Drawing on my own experiences and those of the Gold Star Widows I've worked with, I talk about the importance of planning, professional help, and understanding your unique financial landscape. This episode is packed with valuable insights and resources to help navigate this significant financial decision.

Affiliated Links Mentioned During the Podcast:

• Wise Stewardship Financial Planning for Consultation

• IRS Publication on HEART Act

Thank you for tuning in to understand a powerful tool designed to offer security and honor loved ones' legacies. If this episode resonates with you or if you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out on LinkedIn or through our website for further discussions. Your feedback and engagement help us serve and share vital information in this journey together.

Welcome to another episode of the Widow Life and Money Podcast, hosted by me, Daniel Kopp. Today, I am thrilled to host Andi Wrenn, who shares her powerful journey of becoming a military widow and transforming her deep personal loss into a mission to aid other widows, particularly within the military community.

In this heartfelt episode, Andi opens up about her incredible journey from managing government contracts in personal finance to becoming a beacon of support for Gold Star Widows. She candidly shares her own experiences of grief following the untimely passing of her husband after his medical retirement from 27 years of active duty. Through Andi's story, we explore the financial and emotional challenges faced by widows, the overwhelming paperwork, and the importance of seeking professional help.

Andi also discusses the financial benefits available to Gold Star Widows, such as the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC), and education benefits like the Fry Scholarship. We dive deep into the nuances of these benefits, their implications, and how best to manage and optimize them with the help of financial professionals.

This episode is not just about benefits; it's about resilience, community, and the importance of finding your support network, whether through programs like TAPS or by leaning on veteran service organizations. Andi's insights into grief, brain fog, and the layers of challenges that come with losing a loved one offer invaluable perspectives for those navigating similar paths.

Links Mentioned During the Podcast:

- TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors)

- Andi Wrenn's Website (https://andiwrenn.com)

Full shownotes: https://wisestewardshipfp.com/wlm-ep7/

Thank you for joining us on this journey today. We hope this episode provides you the support and insights needed. If you'd like more guidance or have questions, don't hesitate to reach out through our website or send a message on LinkedIn. Please remember to leave a review if you found this episode helpful, and let us know your thoughts and experiences!

Join us to hear Daniel teach about what widows should know regarding Social Security. It's no secret that Social Security may be in trouble. That news can feel ominous to you as a widow, raising concerns about the reliability of survivor's benefits to help with childcare and retirement. What's more, the rules for social security benefits are complex. But as Daniel will explain, with a little planning, the future is not so bleak.

If you are a recent widow and don't know what to do next, we're here to help you draw a personal map toward making financial decisions that are best for you, organizing your way through the brain fog of grief, and seeking the relational support you need to heal at your own pace. You are not alone.

In this episode, Daniel shares:

• If Social Security is running out

• How Social Security works

• How Social Security benefits widows with children

• How to navigate tax considerations and employment

• Thinking through the best strategies when claiming Social Security

Selected Links from this episode

www.ssa.gov

Understanding how Social Security credits work

Who is entitled to benefits

https://wisestewardshipfp.com/what-widows-need-to-know-about-social-security

https://wisestewardshipfp.com/future-of-social-security

Schedule a Free Consultation

Join Daniel in a conversation with Emily Jones of Brave Widow, an organization where young widows can find healing, hope, and the courage to dream again. Emily lost her husband and best friend, Neal, one month before their 20th wedding anniversary in 2021. She was just 37 and the mother of four children, ages 12-21.

In this episode, Emily shares the difficulties of learning household maintenance and new routines while still working full-time and caring for her family. In addition to her own grief, Emily became aware of the different grief styles unique to her children and how family connection and open communication helped her keep them grounded and anchored in their faith in God.

In this episode:

• Emily's Story – If everything goes perfectly, will you marry me?

• Tragedy does not feel like God's plan

• New routines and how does the lawn mower work?

• Grieving as a family and helping our kids grieve well

• Finding Your Support Network and Learning how to ask for help

• New schedules, school activities, and downtime

Selected Links from his episode:

How to ask for help along with a checklist: https://www.bravewidow.com/free

Reach out for a free consultation to get your financial life in order: https://calendly.com/wisestewardshipfp/initialconsultation

Read the blog version of this episode here: https://wisestewardshipfp.com/helping-your-children-grieve-well-as-a-widow/