Guest:Donna Kendrick
Donna Jean Kendrick discovered her husband Greg had passed away suddenly in 2013 and found herself navigating widowhood with three young children. After settling into their new normal she went back to school to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner and made it her mission to support families in transition. She co-hosts the Widow, Wisdom and Wealth Podcast and is the author of the Life Stages Financial Guides series. Donna, along with her blended family of six kids, raise funds for causes such as Safe Harbor, a grief counseling program for children.
Website: Donna's Website
Connect with Donna Kendrick Here:
@donnajeankendrick on Instagram
Donna on YouTube
Donna's Facebook page
Reinventing Resilience: Donna Jean Kendrick's Journey Through Widowhood, Divorce, and Financial Empowerment
Discover how Donna Jean Kendrick transformed her life following tragedy into a mission to empower women navigating divorce and widowhood. This episode covers practical financial strategies, emotional resilience, and finding purpose through adversity.
In this episode:
- Donna shares her story of sudden widowhood at age 40, raising three young children, and rebuilding life financially and emotionally
- The importance of controlling what you can—organizing finances, creating roadmaps, and leaning into professionals
- How affirmations like "I can and I will" foster resilience during difficult transitions
- Practical steps for managing finances during divorce or widowhood, including pulling credit reports and interviewing financial advisors
- The concept of compartmentalizing emotions to function at high capacity while honoring white space for self-care
- The value of scenario planning with financial advisors to explore future options and reduce fear
- Donna’s book resources: A Guide to Widowhood, A Guide to Blended Families, and The Divorce Money Map
- The significance of community, support, and leaning in to kindness during personal upheavals
- How purpose and passion turn challenges into opportunities for impact
Timestamps:
00:00 - Welcome and episode overview
01:00 - Donna’s story of widowhood and detours
02:05 - The emotional and financial impact of sudden loss
03:15 - The mantra "I can and I will" for resilience
07:15 - Practical financial steps for those going through divorce and widowhood
10:08 - Building control through organization and professional support
15:37 - Reframing detours into opportunities with intentional planning
18:41 - Donna’s journey from emotional hardship to financial planning career
22:19 - The importance of purpose and passion in building a new life
26:08 - Living in the present minute and controlling what you can
30:20 - Supporting others with kindness and service
34:39 - Scenario planning and managing fear around financial futures
39:50 - Donna’s resourceful books for navigating grief and transition
43:21 - Connecting with Donna and her practice in 13 states
44:25 - Growing the Better Than Bitter community and moving forward with empowerment
Resources & Links:
Connect with Donna:
