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Widow, Wisdom & Wealth: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After LossAuthor: Donna Kendrick Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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What Your Next Best Minute Can Do When Disaster Hits with Erika Andresen
Episode 27
Tuesday, 28 April, 2026
In this episode of Widow Wisdom and Wealth, we dive deep into resilience, life pivots, and practical strategies for navigating business and personal challenges after loss. Erika Andresen shares her inspiring journey from military service and law to becoming a business continuity expert, emphasizing the importance of planning, action, and living in alignment with your passions. Key Topics The parallels between business continuity planning and handling life's disruptions Erika's personal story of evolving careers and overcoming hardships How resilience builds through proactive planning and practice Practical steps to increase your resilience, including estate and business succession planning The emotional aspects of managing relationships and assets after loss The importance of testing your plans regularly for preparedness Aligning your life and business with your purpose and passions Strategies for widows and widowers to support their mental health and community connections Erika's insights on making sense of big life changes and trusting your intuition Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to Erika Andresen and episode overview 02:32 - Erika's background in law, military, and disaster preparedness 04:47 - Drawing parallels between business resilience and widowhood challenges 06:40 - Erika's personal journey of career pivots and overcoming loss 08:33 - How her military and emergency management experience inform her current work 09:54 - The impact of unexpected life changes and the importance of adaptability 12:23 - Moving from military service to entrepreneurship amid personal upheaval 14:26 - Pivoting after personal loss and managing family estate issues 16:11 - Explaining risk management and probability in disaster preparedness 17:25 - Supporting aging parents with estate planning and emotional resilience 19:27 - The significance of planning, testing, and practicing for crises 21:14 - Practical advice on creating and maintaining resilient personal and business plans 22:12 - The difference between recovery and thriving after disruptions 23:22 - How to test and improve continuity plans regularly 24:46 - Building stronger relationships through shared planning and communication 26:39 - The importance of documenting plans and addressing emotional barriers 28:04 - Erika's advice on authentic career pivots and trusting your intuition 29:30 - How finances and lifestyle adjustments support reinvention 31:01 - The power of reflection and celebrating progress in resilience journeys 31:43 - Resources available through Erika's website for ongoing support Resources & Links Erica Andresen's Website: http://www.eaask.com













