Grief doesn't just change our hearts—it changes the way we see our future.

Learning to navigate money after loss isn't about replacing the life you had. It's about building the confidence to care for yourself, honor your loved one, and move forward with hope, one decision at a time.

In this episode of Tendrils of Grief, I sit down with Daniel Kopp, a fee-only financial planner, financial therapist, Air Force veteran, widower, and founder of Wise Stewardship Financial Planning, for a conversation that every grieving spouse needs to hear.

After losing his wife, Sarah, Daniel experienced firsthand how grief can impact every financial decision. Simple tasks suddenly became overwhelming, and the emotional weight of loss made it difficult to think clearly about money, planning, and the future. That experience ultimately led him to combine financial planning with financial therapy, helping widows and widowers navigate not only the practical side of finances but also the emotional side of financial decision-making.

Together, we explore why money is often one of the biggest sources of stress after the death of a spouse and why it's completely normal to feel anxious, overwhelmed, or afraid of making the "wrong" decision. Daniel explains how grief changes the way our brains process information, why it's important to slow down before making major financial choices, and how financial healing begins by addressing both our emotions and our financial reality.

We also discuss financial therapy, survivor's guilt around money, creating a new financial identity, and practical steps widows and widowers can take to regain confidence while honoring their loved one's legacy.

Whether you're newly widowed, supporting someone through loss, or simply looking to build a healthier relationship with money after a major life change, this conversation offers both practical guidance and compassionate encouragement.

🔑 What We Talk About

Daniel's personal journey through widowhood
How grief affects financial decision-making
What financial therapy is—and why it matters
Managing financial anxiety after losing a spouse
Common financial mistakes people make while grieving
Rebuilding confidence around money
Creating a new financial identity after loss
Practical guidance for widows and widowers
Finding hope and stability one decision at a time

🔗 Resources

Daniel Kopp Fee-Only Financial Planner | Financial Therapist | Founder, Wise Stewardship Financial Planning

🌐 https://wisestewardshipfp.com/ 🎙️ Widow Life and Money Podcast: https://widowlifemoney.libsyn.com/ 💜 Financial Therapy Association: https://financialtherapyassociation.org/ 💜 Wings for Widows: https://www.wingsforwidows.org/ 💜 Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/

🌿 Continue Your Healing Journey

Grief changes every part of life—including the relationship we have with our bodies, our minds, and ourselves.

If you're looking for another way to reconnect through movement, mindfulness, and community, I invite you to explore New Ways Barre.

Proudly serving the Kentlands, Gaithersburg, Maryland, and surrounding Montgomery County.

📅 Book a class: https://classpass.com/studios/new-ways-barre-gaithersburg
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sueways
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/New-Ways-Barre-61570706490968/

Join me on the path toward healing, hope, and moving forward—one breath, one step, and one day at a time.