Relentlessly Resilient Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Jen Zwinck Part Two: Widow 180 podcast host on taking the time to heal after losing her husband to an act of violence Apr 07, 2023

Show notes

In this second part of a three-part series (see part 1 here), Widow 180 podcast host and Widow Squad founder Jen Zwinck continues her life-altering story of losing her husband to a random act of violence, the four-year legal battle to prosecute the murderer, her time of healing in the Caribbean, and her journey into re-marriage. Now years later, she invites others to share their story of widowhood, creating a community of strong women who support and comfort each other. Relentlessly Resilient host Michelle Scharf has already joined the podcast, with Jennie Taylor planning on joining soon.

Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward.

Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Jen Zwinck Part One: Widow 180 podcast host on seeking support after losing her husband to an act of violence Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

In the first part of this three-part series, Widow 180 podcast host and Widow Squad founder Jen Zwinck shares the life-altering experiences of losing her husband to a random act of violence. Now years later, she invites others to share their story of widowhood, creating a community of strong women who support and comfort each other. Relentlessly Resilient host Michelle Scharf has already joined the podcast, with Jennie Taylor planning on joining soon. What tools of resilience can we learn from another podcast host’s experience exploring similar stories?

Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

“What Next?” Life Coaching with Tawnya Kirkland Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

We have spoken often about life coaching on Relentlessley Resilient, particularly with our host Michelle Scharf so close to finishing her courses on coaching. In this episode, we are joined by Life Couch Tawnya Kirkland, who shares about her calling to help others as she helps them explore “What is next for you.” Together Tawyna and Michelle discuss what life coaching actually is, how it works, and what training is required to become one.

Dance Instructor Jake Trembath on the power of dance therapy on relationships and in everyday life Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

In our Host Michelle Scharf's continual journey of self-improvement, she has discovered a surprisingly fun and poignant therapy; dance! In this episode of Relentlessly Resilient, we are joined by her Dance instructor Jake Trembath, who shares how dance helped him heal after a broken relationship. While trust is an important aspect of any partnered dance, Jake dives deeper into how trust, vulnerability, play, and the framework of boundaries not only help us to become better dancers, but to become better at our relationships. Join Jake’s classes along the Wasatch Front, or follow him on TickTock @funkycowboy to learn more about his “Duality of Dance” techniques.

Widow Kimberly Kemp Montierth Part 2: Healing by connecting and conferencing with other widows and widowers Mar 03, 2023

Show notes

In our first episode with Kimberly Reeder Kemp Montieth, she spoke about losing her first husband, Chris, to cancer at an early age. And how choosing to live each day to the fullest helped her whole family find hope and gratitude during that hard time. Now, in this second episode, she shares how she has used her experience to connect with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who also lost their spouses online and in person. While she is now remarried, she continues to connect with fellow widowers and widowers, creating conferences and events to give others the opportunity to socialize and lift one another.

The next Latter-day Saints Widows and Widowers Conference will be held in Salt Lake City; on March 9 – 11, 202 3. Our own Relentlessly Resilient host Jennie Taylor is hosting a workshop at the conference on Saturday. Registration is open online at LDSWidowsAndWidowers.com, where you can find other helpful links and other regional conference information.

Widow Kimberly Kemp Montierth Part 1: Learning to ‘live with cancer’ and hope Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

Kimberly Reeder Kemp Montieth did not know she would become a widow so early in life when she married her husband, Chris, by the age of 19 years old. But she will forever be grateful for having as much time possible with the kind man, husband, and father before he passed away from colon cancer after a four-year battle. They choose to continue to “live with cancer” by living each day to their fullest with hope, and gratitude, accepting help and prayers from their loved ones. In this first part of a two-part series, Kimberly shares the story of hopeful resilience in the shadow of looming widowhood. In the next episode, she follows up with how she used her experience to connect with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who also lost their spouses.

Utah Refugee Connection’s Amy Dott Harmer on serving some of the most resilient people you will ever meet Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

We have found time and time again on this podcast that the opposite of grief is connection. This principle of connection is embodied in the work of the Utah Refugee Connection, which helps create meaningful links between refugees, communities, and public and private organizations to support refugees in developing self-sufficient and fulfilling lives. On this episode of Relentlessly Resilient Utah Refugee Connections’ Executive Director Amy Dott Harmer joins to share the story of her engagement with the refugee community in Utah; and how we can learn, serve, and give back to these communities. She shares some of the lessons of resilience she has learned from some of the most resilient people you would ever meet.

You can help connect and support Utah’s refugee communities all year round. Visit serve ServeRefugees.org for details on upcoming drives, events, quarterly cultural nights, service project ideas, their Amazon wishlist, and more! You can also follow Utah Refugee Connection on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Des Willard on preparing to enjoy Valentine's Day no matter your romantic relationship status Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

Valentine’s Day is often a day of too much pressure for couples and a day of loneliness for singles. But no matter what your romantic relationship is or is not, we can prepare ourselves to enjoy it! Our host Michelle Scharf brings on her good friend Des Willard to offer tips to face February 14th with gratitude, self-care and giving space for others to show appreciation. It might not be our goal to be single, but you can choose to be comfortable with your singleness; that is very liberating.

Listener Leticia Upton on finding miracles and humor in life Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

2020 was a hard year for most people as it marked the start of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, but for listener Leticia Upton the difficulties of 2020 marked it as a year of death and sorrow. In that year, she lost her husband Thomas unexpectedly early in life to Lung Cancer caused by Radon gas exposure. Now, as a widow, she raises their twin boys with resilient poise and determination to find the miracles and humor in life. She joins this episode of the Relentlessly Resilient podcast to share her heartfelt journey of seeking hope amid loss and sorrow.

Transitionally Speaking: Kim Weinreb on helping her fellow parents of special needs children navigate the bureaucracy and bumps in the road Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

Parenting always has inevitable bumps in the road, but when you are a parent of a special needs child, those numerous bumps can feel even more aggravated by bureaucracy, systematic educational insufficiency, and, hardest of all, burn-out of all sorts. This is what mother Kim Weinreb discovered when her son was diagnosed with a pre-natal stroke while in the womb, and the subsequent difficulties of his developmental delays and a social system, frankly, not set up to easily assist his needs. Now, as her son is transitioning into an adapted adult life, she is sharing her experience and well-earned expertise with other parents of special needs children of all ages. Recently she founded Transitionally Speaking, a counseling service to help guardians navigate the transition from child to adult services and support. She joins this episode of Relentlessly Resilient to share her experiences, brag about her son's accomplishments, and encourage others in similar situations to advocate for disability rights, navigate red tape, and, importantly, seek help and self-care.