Why We Are Here
Widowhood Real Talk With Dr. Tina #WRTWT is a Registered 501(c)3 organization that creates a safe space for candid discussions on the grief journey through our weekly podcast and daily social content. We also connect the widowhood community with an extensive range of professionals, materials, and support groups to foster encouragement, healing, and hope. We are on this grief journey with you to help develop a fantastic life you love and not just exist.
Our Founder, Tina, was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. After graduating high school, she enlisted in the United States Army and Retired in 2020 as Chief Warrant Officer Two. While in the army, she pursued higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree in Finance with a minor in Accounting. Tina was ordained into the ministry in August 2010 and provides Empowerment Life Coaching. While in the army, she met her late husband, Mark W. Fornwald. Tina and Mark married and had two adult children, Catherine and Alexander. Their children were and are the heartbeats of their cherished 32 years together.
In 2015, Tina was diagnosed with breast cancer. With the love of Mark, her children, family, friends, and faith, Tina survived several operations and cancer treatments. Then, in 2017, Mark and Tina were enjoying a weekend in Delaware when Mark had a massive heart attack, and the man she loved for 32 years died. The life Tina had come to love was suddenly turned upside down. She sought solace in God, family, friends, and therapy to figure out life without Mark in the following days, months, and years. Tina has learned to live again through healthy coping skills, the love and support of family, friends, and other widows/widowers, therapy, and her faith.
Tina began connecting with other widows and widowers to gain insight and understanding of this challenging journey, which became instrumental to her well-being. Over the years, Tina became the person other widows and widowers sought out for advice on navigating their grief. As Tina learned to find her way in life, love found her again in Fred M. Jackson, whom she wed in February of 2022.
Dr. Tina's Debut Novel Is Now Available
Mission Statement
Widowhood Real Talk With Dr. Tina (WRTWT) is dedicated to facilitating healing from grief by offering safe and supportive group opportunities for individuals to share their stories, challenges, and successes. We believe in the power of human connection as a vital pathway to reclaiming a fulfilling life after loss. Acknowledging the barriers that may hinder in-person engagement, we leverage the internet and social media to foster a global community within the widowhood experience. Through our free support groups, podcasts, and an extensive library of resources, we provide valuable insights on a wide range of experiences and challenges, empowering individuals to navigate their journey toward a meaningful life after loss.
Impact Statement
At Widowhood Real Talk With Dr. Tina, we transform the experience of widowhood by fostering healing, resilience, and empowerment. Through support groups, grief coaching, educational programs, and community initiatives, we equip widows and widowers with the tools they need to navigate loss and rediscover joy. Our impact extends beyond individuals, strengthening families and communities by breaking the silence around grief and ensuring that no widow or widower walks their journey alone.
Vision Statement
Widowhood Real Talk With Dr. Tina envisions a world where no widow or widower grieves alone. We strive to create a compassionate and inclusive community where those who have experienced loss are empowered to heal, rebuild, and thrive. Through education, advocacy, and meaningful connections, we aim to reshape the narrative of widowhood—turning pain into purpose and fostering a future filled with hope, support, and renewed strength.
Overarching Goals for Widowhood Real Talk With Dr. Tina
Provide Compassionate Support
Foster a safe, nurturing space where widows and widowers can openly share their grief journey without judgment, ensuring they feel heard, understood, and supported.
Offer Education & Resources
Develop grief coaching programs, workshops, and resource materials tailored to help individuals navigate life after loss with confidence and clarity.
Build a Strong Community
Strengthen connections through support groups, peer mentorship, and interactive discussions, both virtually and in-person, ensuring no widow or widower feels alone.
Empower Through Healing & Growth
Equip widows and widowers with practical tools to rebuild their lives, regain confidence, and discover renewed purpose through structured coaching, journaling, and self-care practices.
Break the Silence on Grief
Use social media, live discussions, and the Widowhood Real Talk With Dr. Tina podcast to amplify stories, challenge societal misconceptions, and foster a culture of empathy and understanding around widowhood.
Support Families & Future Generations
Provide guidance and resources for widowed parents raising children, helping them navigate grief as a family while ensuring emotional and financial well-being.
Expand Outreach & Accessibility
Leverage digital platforms, social media content, and virtual events to reach widows and widowers worldwide, offering accessible support regardless of location or background.
Facilitate Virtual & In-Person Connections
Host regular online and in-person gatherings, workshops, and retreats to create opportunities for healing, personal growth, and meaningful relationships.
Sustain Long-Term Impact
Establish partnerships, secure funding, and develop sustainable initiatives that allow Widowhood Real Talk With Dr. Tina to continue expanding its reach and making a lasting difference.
Become a Beta Reader
Be One of the First to Read My New Novel
The Five Widows Club is a novel born from pain, truth, and sisterhood. It follows the journey of five women—each navigating loss in her own way—who discover unexpected healing through connection, firelight, and fierce honesty.
I’m inviting a small group of trusted readers to be part of something special:
📖 Beta: Read this story before it’s officially released.
💬 Share your thoughts, impressions, and honest feedback.
📬 In return, you’ll get early access to the whole book and my heartfelt thanks.
What You’ll Receive:
– A digital Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of The Five Widows Club
– A chance to shape the final book with your voice
– Your name listed in the acknowledgments (optional)
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your feedback is a gift, and I’m so honored to share it with you.
With gratitude,
Dr. Tina Fornwald
Founder, Widowhood Real Talk™
The Best Love After Loss Tips For 2025
Welcome to “The Best Love After Loss Tips For 2025,” a weekly discussion exclusive to YouTube that benefits someone considering or currently dating a widow and the widow herself.
Please submit your questions in the comments below or email them to widowhoodrealtalk@gmail.com. Dr. Tina R. Fornwald, the host of our weekly discussion, is a woman on a mission to help and support others navigate through grief. She has been working in the grief community since 2017.
As a Grief Coach, she is on this grief journey with you in the hope of helping you develop a fantastic life you love and not just exist. In this weekly discussion, Tina leverages her 38 years of knowledge and experience from being with her late husband, raising two adult children, serving in the United States Army, providing marriage counseling, working in the grief community, dating at fifty-one, and marrying her current husband.
Navigating The Rollercoaster Of Grief: How To Cope With Emotional Triggers in Four Par
Unveiling The Emotional Triggers Of 2024: The Epic Beginning Part 1 of 4
Discover Your Emotional Triggers For Ultimate Self-care Part 2 of 4
The Most Emotional Triggers & How Grief Changes You Part 3 of 4
Unlock The Full Potential Of Emotional Triggers In 2024: Empower Humanity! - Part 4 of 4
Donations
Thank you for being a part of hope and healing. Your donation to #WRTWT is greatly appreciated. Widowhood Real Talk with Dr. Tina is a registered 501(c)3.
100% of all donations go to supporting the mission of #WRTWT
