In today’s powerful episode of Grief 2 Growth, Brian sits down with Samina Bari — author of Don’t Call Me Widow and host of the Afterlife podcast — for a raw and insightful look at spousal loss, solo parenting, grief brain, and the quiet ways we can show up for those who are hurting most.
Samina lost her husband suddenly in 2023. What followed was a journey through shock, trauma, identity loss, and rebuilding life as a solo parent of twins. Her honesty brings comfort, clarity, and guidance to anyone walking beside someone who’s grieving — or navigating grief themselves.

🔑 In This Episode You’ll Discover

• What “grief brain” really feels like and why it affects memory, decisions, and daily functioning
• Why year two can feel harder than year one
• How solo parenting is different from single parenting
• Why the word “widow” is so emotionally charged — and why Samina rejects it
• How children grieve and what they need most
• What actually helps someone grieving (and what makes things worse)
• The unseen emotional and logistical weight after a spouse dies
• Why saying the loved one’s name matters more than you think
• How friends can become the lifeline a grieving person depends on
  

🌟 About Samina Bari

Website: https://saminabari.com
Books:

• I Can, I Will, and I Did
• Don’t Call Me Widow
  Podcast: Afterlife (available on all major platforms)

Samina blends lived experience with heartfelt advocacy, helping others understand the realities of spousal grief in a culture that’s deeply uncomfortable with loss.

🧠 Listener Takeaways

• Small acts of kindness matter far more than big gestures
• Children are not naturally resilient — they need support
• Grief changes identity, timelines, and the imagined future
• Community support can literally hold a grieving person together
• It’s never too late to reach out to someone who’s hurting
  

Visit the Grief 2 Growth store for FREE items as well as other tools to help you along your journey:

• Guided Meditations
• My book GEMS of Healing (signed copy)
• My Oracle deck to help you connect with your loved ones
• Mini-courses
• Mini-guides
  

Check it out at https://grief2growth.com/store

I'm excited to announce a new resource I'm very proud of. This guide outlines the four daily practices I discovered on my grief journey. These techniques have helped dozens of my clients. Get it free today.
GEMS- 4 Steps To Go From Grief To Joy

This deck is a labor of love. It's a 44 card oracle deck that's about connecting you to your loved one in spirit. The deck comes with a companion digital guide that gives you an affirmation, a reflection, and an activity for the day.
Check it out at https://stan.store/grief2growth/p/oracle-deck

Support the show

🧑🏿‍🤝‍🧑🏻 Join Facebook Group- Get Support and Education
👛 Subscribe to Grief 2 Growth Premium (bonus episodes)
📰 Get A Free Gift
📅 Book A Complimentary Discovery Call
📈 Leave A Review
Thanks so much for your support