What if everything you thought you knew about grief wasn’t quite right?
In this week’s episode of The Secrets of Supermom Show, Lori Oberbroeckling sits down with Krista St-Germain, master certified life coach and host of The Widowed Mom Podcast, to talk about a topic we’ve never covered before on the show: grief and loss.
As moms, we juggle goals, productivity, and big dreams—but life doesn’t pause when we’re faced with loss. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, a divorce, job change, or even the loss of what we thought life “should” look like, grief touches every one of us.
This conversation is packed with insights about what grief really is, the myths that hold us back, and how moms can navigate loss—while still showing up for themselves and their families.
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Rather read? Check out the show notes and episode content right here!
Show Notes: Grief and Loss as an Ambitious Mom
Hey, hey friend! Welcome to Episode #256 of The Secrets of Supermom Show!
Who Is Krista St-Germain?
Krista didn’t set out to become a grief coach. But after losing her husband in a tragic accident, she quickly realized that most of what she’d been taught about grief wasn’t helpful—or even accurate.
She turned her pain into purpose, became a certified coach, and has spent the last seven years helping women—especially widows—learn to love life again after loss.
Why Talk About Grief on a Productivity Podcast?
At first glance, grief might not sound like a productivity topic. But if you’ve ever tried to keep up with schedules, work demands, or parenting while grieving, you know how much it affects your focus, motivation, and energy.
Many moms in The Supermom Society and podcast listeners have shared struggles with loss:
- A parent passing away
- A child’s diagnosis that changes family expectations
- A divorce or career shift
- Caring for aging parents
Grief doesn’t just “happen” in death—it shows up in many forms of unexpected change or loss.
Myths About Grief That Hold Us Back
Krista breaks down some of the most common (and harmful) myths about grief:
- The 5 Stages of Grief are the roadmap – They were never meant to define grief. In fact, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross originally described stages of terminal illness acceptance, not bereavement. Grief isn’t linear, and there’s no finish line.
- Time heals all wounds – Time alone doesn’t heal; it’s what you do with that time. Your brain simply learns to adapt to the new reality.
- You should be “over it” by now – There is no “over it.” Grief becomes part of us. Healing is about integration, not completion.
- Grief only looks like sadness – Relief, numbness, joy, laughter, anger—all are normal parts of grief. Feeling moments of happiness doesn’t mean you loved less.
The Dual Process Model: A Healthier Way to Think About Grief
One of Krista’s favorite grief theories is the Dual Process Model, which explains that we actually need two types of experiences after a loss:
- Loss-oriented: Facing the grief, remembering, feeling the emotions.
- Restoration-oriented: Taking a break—through hobbies, laughter, nature, or rest.
True healing happens in the oscillation between the two. Moms who only focus on productivity or only focus on sadness often struggle more. Giving yourself permission to move back and forth is key.
Parenting Through Grief
For moms raising children while grieving, the pressure to “be strong” can feel overwhelming. Krista emphasizes:
- The best gift we can give our kids is to model healthy coping, not hide our emotions.
- Every child processes grief differently—some talk, some create, some withdraw. All are valid.
- Supporting your own healing helps your children feel safe in theirs.
What Moms Need to Know About Grief in the Body
Grief isn’t just emotional—it’s physical. Common experiences include:
- Grief fog (trouble concentrating or remembering)
- Hormonal shifts and immune changes
- Sleep disturbances
- Emotional swings or numbness
Understanding this helps moms release self-judgment and recognize that their bodies are responding normally to loss.
Krista’s Biggest Message for Moms
“There is no possible way to do grief wrong. There is no right or wrong. If we can stop measuring success in grief, we suffer less.”
Pain is unavoidable—but suffering is optional when we let go of unrealistic expectations and allow our grief to unfold naturally.
Resources & Links Mentioned
- The Widowed Mom Podcast by Krista St-Germain
- Krista’s website: coachingwithkrista.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachingwithkrista/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachkrista/
- Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/158621428181414
Final Thoughts
Grief is universal. As moms, we may want to power through, achieve, and get it “right.” But Krista reminds us that grief isn’t something to conquer—it’s something to integrate.
Whether you’re facing a major loss now or simply want to be better prepared to support yourself and others in the future, this episode will bring clarity, compassion, and hope.—and a gentle invitation for you, mama, to slow down too.
About Our Guest: Krista St-Germain
Krista St-Germain is a Master Certified Life Coach, Post-Traumatic Growth and grief expert, widow, mom and host of The Widowed Mom Podcast, ranked in the top 1% of all podcasts. When her husband was killed by a drunk driver in 2016, Krista’s life was completely and unexpectedly flipped upside down. After therapy helped her uncurl from the fetal position, Krista discovered Life Coaching, Post Traumatic Growth and learned the tools she needed to move forward and create a future she could get excited about. Now she coaches and teaches other widows so they can love life again, too. Krista has been featured online and in print in Psychology Today, Psych Central, Bustle, Charlotte Parent, Medium and Parents Magazine and on select podcasts such as Grief 2 Growth, Seek The Joy, Life Check Yourself and You Need A Budget to name a few.
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About the Host: Lori Oberbroeckling
Lori Whitney Oberbroeckling is a mom of four, corporate leader, podcaster, productivity expert, and author of the book Secrets of Supermom: How Extraordinary Moms Succeed at Work and Home & How You Can Too!
She is passionate about helping parents who want fulfilling careers–or side hustles or passion projects–while also wanting to feel present and connected to their families.
