Funeral Planning and Preparation with Licensed Funeral Director, Mike McDonald (Ep. 7)

~ The Widow Empowerment Project

End of life planning is a sensitive (and often uncomfortable) topic that is easy to avoid, yet it stands as one of the most profound gifts you can give to your loved ones. 

In this episode, Andy Dziedzic, MBA, is joined by co-host Megan LeBarron, Director of Financial Planning at Prepared Retirement Institute. Together they sit down with Mike McDonald, a licensed funeral director at Scanlin-McDonald Funeral Home with 25 years of experience, to discuss the significance of funeral pre-planning to alleviate the emotional and financial stress on families during their most vulnerable moments.

Mike, who has been dedicated to assisting families since the age of 14, sheds light on the critical services provided by funeral homes, including grief support, tribute planning, and handling essential legal paperwork like death certificates. He emphasizes the value of pre-planning your funeral—referred to as “pre-need” planning—as an integral part of your broader financial plan, recommending that individuals start considering these decisions in their mid-to-late 50s.

In this insightful conversation, Andy, Megan, and Mike explore:

  • The critical role of licensed funeral directors in supporting families and honoring final wishes
  • The importance of “pre-need” planning and options to pre-pay funeral expenses, reducing the emotional and financial burden on surviving loved ones
  • Approaching funeral planning as a vital component of estate planning
  • Tips for selecting the right funeral director and creating an accessible funeral plan document
  • Key differences between “pre-need” and “at-need” funeral services, and how to prepare for each
  • And much more!

 

Resources:

Get in Touch with the Widow Empowerment Project

Connect with Michael McDonald:

 

About Our Guest: 

Mike McDonald is a licensed funeral director with a rich history in the funeral services industry. As a trusted professional at Scanlin-McDonald Funeral Home in Chalfont, PA, Mike has dedicated his career to easing the burden on grieving families by guiding them through the complexities of funeral planning and honoring their loved ones’ final wishes. His deep understanding of the funeral process, combined with his commitment to ethical standards and compassionate service, makes him an invaluable resource for those looking to plan ahead with care and consideration.

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The Travis Manion Foundation – Finding Healing Through Service to Others (Ep. 6)

~ The Widow Empowerment Project

What if your deepest pain could be transformed into your life’s greatest purpose?

Losing a life partner is a profound and disorienting experience that can leave one grappling with feelings of intense anger and sadness.  Those emotions can create a paralysis that prevents us from moving forward or be the catalyst that forces us to reevaluate our entire lives.  

In this episode of the Widow Empowerment Project, host Andy Dziedzic welcomes Stephany Richards – a widow who found healing through volunteer service.  After losing her husband at age 24, Stephany made the decision to channel her anger and sadness into action by participating in an expedition to Alaska. This experience helped her connect with other members of the widowed community and became a turning point when she realized that beauty and loss could coexist together. This newfound clarity led her to engage with the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), a service-driven nonprofit focused on community improvement.

Through therapy and her volunteer work with Travis Manion Foundation, Stephany found a way to turn her grief into meaningful action. Her journey illustrates how serving others can transform pain into a powerful source of purpose and connection.

Andy and Stephany discuss:

  • The emotional aftermath of losing a spouse and its impact on one’s life and identity
  • Stephany’s personal journey from profound grief and anger to finding solace in community and service
  • How channeling anger and loss into community involvement aids in emotional recovery
  • The role of the Travis Manion Foundation in fostering healing through volunteer work
  • The foundation’s four major initiatives – Operation Legacy projects that support various national observances and community needs
  • Practical advice on finding a support system and the importance of taking control of one’s healing journey

 

Resources:

Get in Touch with the Travis Manion Foundation

Get in Touch with the Widow Empowerment Project

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An Unexpected Loss: Finding Support as a Gold Star Spouse, with Lauren Tella (Ep. 5)

~ The Widow Empowerment Project

The concept of widowhood seems like something only those in their twilight years should face. 

Whenever this unexpected change might happen – earlier in life, or later – it can leave a person feeling lost, shocked and without direction. Thankfully, guidance exists for those who need it and the loved ones who support them.

Join Andy Dziedzic as he sits down with Lauren Tella, Accredited Financial Counselor® and Gold Star Spouse, to explore the importance of logistical and financial preparedness for the possibility of losing a life partner. Lauren shares her personal journey as a military spouse who unexpectedly became a member of the widowed community at a very young age, and she offers practical guidance on how to best prepare for this life-changing event.  Join the conversation as Andy and Lauren strategize how to best self-advocate (amidst chaos) in the aftermath of becoming a widow.

Andy and Lauren discuss: 

  • The critical elements of effective estate planning and financial preparedness for married couples, elements which often apply to unmarried individuals, parents, and even children
  • Challenges and support systems available specifically to military spouses facing loss
  • Open financial communication and the importance of knowing where essential documents and credentials are stored
  • Personal experiences with navigating financial and legal aspects post-loss, and practical advice for being your own best advocate
  • And more

 

Resources

Connect With Us

 

About Lauren 

Lauren Tella has over 17 years of experience in nonprofit and government sectors, specializing in financial and work-life education for the military community.  Currently an Education Services Facilitator with , she collaborates with government partners, CNIC, and local military commands to deliver quality-of-life programs.

With credentials including a Master’s in Management & Leadership, Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC), and Syracuse University-certified Project Management professional, Lauren adeptly manages projects, resources, and budgets. Her effective communication skills, honed as a public speaker, allow her to deliver impactful messages to diverse audiences. 

 

The Widow Empowerment Project dedicates this episode to SSG James Christen

Born in Sacramento CA, James M. Christen enlisted in the Army at 17 after graduation from Del Oro High School in 2000. He completed basic training and airborne school  at Ft. Moore (formally Ft. Benning) and reported to 2/325th at Ft. Liberty (formerly Ft. Bragg). He deployed to Iraq in 2003 with 2/325, again with 11th ACR out of Ft. Irwin in 2005. James spent 15 months in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan with 2/503rd out of Vicenza IT in 2007 and returned to Afghanistan in 2011 with 2/27th out of Schofield Barracks. 

James is remembered for his cutting humor and quick wit. He could captivate a room with his vivid storytelling and musings. He had a knack for learning languages, picking up Italian quickly while living in Vicenza and was focused on learning Pashto to improve his interactions with the local population while deployed in Afghanistan. James had a deep love and respect for his country, his family, and his fellow brothers in uniform. He loved classic American muscle cars and rock & roll music. 

He died on July 19, 2011 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan after his vehicle was struck by an IED; he died instantly.

He is survived by his wife, Lauren. James was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

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Building Your Support Network with Crisis Navigation Partner, Debra Woog (Ep. 4)

~ The Widow Empowerment Project

Losing a loved one is a difficult milestone that often evolves into a crisis situation.  Frequently, many extremely important decisions need to be made quickly, under intense pressure and emotion.  Without an adequate support network of friends, family, and professionals, completing even simple tasks can seem insurmountable. 

Join Andy Dziedzic, MBA as he talks with Debra Woog, a Crisis Navigation Partner® with over 30 years of experience shepherding clients through crises and crossroads by creating and implementing a practical plan of action together.  Debra describes the critical steps to take in managing the loss of a spouse and how to confidently navigate the variety of decisions to be made, especially when there is little to no warning.  Together, Debra and Andy share valuable insights and best practices for civilians and business owners to best prepare for the unexpected upheaval of becoming a member of the widowed community.

Andy and Debra discuss: 

  • Building the skills to effectively navigate crisis management 
  • How to identify and assemble a rock-solid support network before a crisis happens
  • Preparing for difficult conversations with friends and loved ones in the wake of a loss, and the benefits of professional guidance when needed
  • The importance of community, communication, and capacity building during times of grief
  • How a Crisis Navigation Partner® can provide invaluable assistance during intense, decision-heavy life changes
  • And more…

 

Resources:

Get in Touch with the Widow Empowerment Project: 

Connect with Debra Woog:

About Our Guest: 

Debra Woog is a Crisis Navigation Partner® and founder of Connect2. She provides leaders with expertise, structure and empathy so they can process difficult situations, connect with necessary resources, communicate effectively, and lead with a clear mind and solid strategy. Having experienced her own crises and crossroads, Debra realizes the importance of an outside resource to provide perspective while navigating difficult circumstances, decisions, and conversations. 

For more than two decades, Debra Woog has guided professionals to accelerate their individual development and career growth with outstanding communications. Her career path includes conducting primary research at Harvard Business School for an award-winning book, directing admissions and career development for the MIT dual-Master’s program Leaders for Global Operations, and advising technology companies. 

The Boston Globe profiled Debra for her outstanding abilities to select talented candidates, motivate and develop employees, and resolve conflicts between people as well as between organizations. Her work has also been featured in Forbes, Inc., US News & World Report and more.

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From Loss to Legacy: Introducing Your Host, Andy Dziedzic (Ep. 3)

~ The Widow Empowerment Project

In the wake of losing a loved one, finding a path through the grief while managing financial responsibilities (among other estate complexities) can be overwhelmingly challenging. The Widow Empowerment Project aims to solve that problem.

In this episode, you’ll learn everything you need to know about your host, Andy Dziedzic and the inspiration behind the Widow Empowerment Project Podcast. You’ll hear about Andy’s profound journey overcoming personal and professional challenges while he shares the pivotal moments that led to a career in financial planning, and why his mission is focused on helping the widowed community navigate the terrain of their new reality.

Listen in as Andy discusses: 

  • The impact of crisis management and importance of relationship managers during periods of grief
  • Personal and professional experiences that motivated him to pursue a career in financial planning, his educational background and the path that led him to where he is today
  • Growing a thriving small business using a philosophy centered on the “four P’s”: protect, provide, prevent, and prepare
  • His team and the roles each individual plays in making client’s experiences as seamless as possible
  • Strategies for discussing and managing finances within families, focusing on the importance of preparation and education across generations
  • And more…

There is a delicate balance to strike between emotional healing and financial planning for those who are newly navigating widowhood, and this episode highlights the crucial role of preparedness for such a pivotal lifestyle change.

 

Get in Touch: 

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Grief and Trauma Therapy With Jennifer McCarron (Ep. 2)

~ The Widow Empowerment Project

Complex emotions often accompany grief, and therapy can provide a safe space to express feelings such as sadness, anger, guilt, and loneliness. A therapist acts as a strategic guide through the healing process, offering empathy, understanding, and validation. 

In this episode, Andy Dziedzic sits down with Jennifer McCarron, LMFT – a marriage and family therapist with over 30 years of experience to discuss effective coping strategies for grief and trauma after the loss of your life partner. 

Jennifer shares her expertise on therapeutic techniques like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and tapping, uncovering their profound potential to facilitate healing. This episode is packed with practical advice, compassionate insights, and essential resources for anyone navigating the complexities of grief.

Andy and Jennifer cover:

  • Unique benefits of therapy for managing grief and trauma
  • How EMDR therapy helps process traumatic memories
  • Effectiveness of tapping techniques in different settings
  • Physical manifestations of emotional trauma and the polyvagal nerve connection
  • Practical advice on EMDR therapy duration and timing
  • And more

 

Resources:

Get in Touch:

Connect with Jennifer McCarron:

 

About Our Guest: 

Jennifer McCarron, a marriage and family therapist with over 30 years of experience, specializes in using EMDR and tapping techniques to help individuals navigate grief and trauma. She advocates for seeking therapeutic help before crises arise and focuses on transforming clients from merely surviving to thriving. Jennifer employs the Gottman therapy approach to improve couple intimacy and conflict resolution. She offers compassionate, client-focused therapy, emphasizing each client’s true potential. Jennifer holds a BS from Penn State and a Master’s from Hahnemann University, along with certification in EMDR from the EMDR International Association.

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Building a Community with Michele Neff Hernandez (Ep. 1)

~ The Widow Empowerment Project

Navigating life after the loss of a life partner is full of challenges – emotional, practical, financial.  Facing those challenges while grieving can be overwhelming and finding practical support feels impossible. 

Join Andy Dziedzic as he sits down with Michele Neff Hernandez, the CEO of Soaring Spirits International, whose unique journey through widowhood after the tragic loss of her husband led her to create a beacon of hope for widowed individuals seeking connection and understanding.  Since it’s creation, Soaring Spirits has impacted nearly 5 million lives through innovative and empathetic programs.  If you’re newly widowed or years into your journey, this episode offers practical advice, deep empathy, and an invitation to a community that understands you.

Andy and Michele discuss: 

  • The creation of Soaring Spirits International and how finding other members of the widowed community can provide support and help ease the transition. 
  • One of the most impactful resources available at Soaring Spirits: a newly widowed packet and how it helps to serve as an initial path forward for those grappling with loss.
  • Camp Widow – a unique blend of a conference, retreat, and reunion that offers solace and empowerment to its attendees.
  • The significance of the Widowed Community Ally Program aimed at increasing grief awareness and literacy among myriad professionals in the community.
  • Michele’s book, Different after You: Rediscovering Yourself and Healing after Grief and Trauma
  • And much more.

 

Get in Touch:

Connect with Michele Neff Hernandez:

 

About Our Guest: 

Michele Neff Hernandez is a nonprofit leader, compelling speaker and dedicated advocate for the widowed community worldwide.  

She is the founder and Executive Director of Soaring Spirits International, a non-profit organization providing research-based programs and a community of peers for anyone who has experienced the death of a life partner.  Since its inception in 2008, Soaring Spirits has served over five million widowed people and continues to provide innovative grief support programs such as the Newly Widowed Program and Camp Widow®.

Michele is the author of Different After You: Rediscovering Yourself and Healing after Grief or Trauma, published by New World Library. Her passion for supporting widowed people, and the power of integration, fuels her presentations and her community activism.

Michele resides in Simi Valley, California and shares her life with her three amazing children, their awesome partners, her grand-cats, and one very Australian husband.

Note: The work of Soaring Spirits is dedicated to the memory of Michele’s late husband Phillip Hernandez, who was killed in a cycling accident in August of 2005. His fun-loving, loyal and energetic spirit infuses her passion for creating community for widowed people.

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The Widow Empowerment Project Coming Soon

~ TheWidowEmpowerment

Welcome to The Widow Empowerment Project, with CEO and Senior Wealth Planner for Prepared Retirement Institute, Andy Dziedzic. This podcast is committed to helping widows and widowers alike navigate the new complexities of their evolving financial journey with understanding, ease, and compassion. After the loss of his mother, Andy witnessed his step-father struggle to navigate the financial landscape, and he came to the stark realization that the quality of financial service available to the widow community is significantly lacking adequate representation and value. Seeing this frustration first-hand has inspired Andy to embark on a journey to improve the standards of the financial services industry, making it his mission to create an avenue for widows to manage their finances with an advisor who understands their unique and deeply personal situation. 

Listen in as Andy shares professional and actionable advice for dealing with finance after the loss of a loved one, along with best practices to keep your mind and money on the right path. Bringing years of experience and knowledge to the table, Andy shows up to the job every day knowing that he is striving to make someone’s financial life better for them and their family.

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