Upcoming Events

Camp Widow Buffalo 2026

Featured Presenter

October 10, 2026 | Buffalo, New York

Dr. Tina R. Fornwald is honored to serve as a featured presenter at Camp Widow Buffalo 2026, a program of Soaring Spirits International and one of the nation's most recognized gatherings for widowed individuals seeking connection, education, and hope. Register at https://campwidow.org/register

Drawing from both lived experience and professional insight, Dr. Tina will present:

Where Grief Gets Stuck™: The Five Survival Patterns™

This signature presentation helps participants recognize common patterns that can hinder healing and offers practical tools for moving forward with compassion, understanding, and hope.

As the founder of Widowhood Real Talk with Tina, Amazon bestselling author of The Five Widows Club, and a fellow widow, Dr. Tina is grateful for the opportunity to join widowed individuals and presenters from across the country in this meaningful space of support and community. Education. Connection. Hope.

Where Grief Gets Stuck — Eleanor’s Norfolk, October 16, 2026

Where Grief Gets Stuck™: A Community Conversation on Grief, Resilience & Belonging

Friday, October 16, 2026 | 6:30 PM

Eleanor’s Norfolk | Norfolk, Virginia

Dr. Tina R. Fornwald will join the community at Eleanor’s Norfolk for an open and inclusive conversation exploring Where Grief Gets Stuck™ and The Five Survival Patterns™.

What happens when grief doesn’t seem to move?

This facilitated conversation will explore five survival patterns that can emerge after profound loss: Self-Blame, Spiritual Betrayal, Isolation, Numbing Through Extremes, and Emotional Suppression—and how compassion, meaning, connection, emotional awareness, and authenticity can help restore movement and belonging.

Rather than prescribing what healing should look like or offering a single pathway through grief, Dr. Tina creates space for people to explore their own experiences, beliefs, questions, and responses to loss.

The evening reflects Dr. Tina’s signature approach to grief education: moving beyond the expectation that people simply progress through stages and asking a different question: what happens when movement in grief stops?

Location: Eleanor’s Norfolk, 801 Boush Street, Unit B, Norfolk, VA 23510.

Learn more about Eleanor’s Norfolk and upcoming events

REAL Widowhood Weekend: #NextYou Experience

Exclusive Widow Retreat

December 3–6, 2026 | Virginia Beach, Virginia

After months or years of being the strong one, making decisions alone, and carrying the weight of widowhood, you deserve time to exhale.

The REAL Widowhood Weekend: #NextYou Experience is an intimate retreat created exclusively for widows who are ready to step out of survival mode and into restoration. Set in a beautiful Virginia Beach home, this special weekend includes chef-prepared meals, meaningful conversations, self-care experiences, laughter, encouragement, and connection with women who truly understand the journey.

As the holiday season approaches and another New Year begins without the love of your life, give yourself the gift of being cared for, nourished, and supported. Because grief changes you, community carries you.

Experience Includes

Indoor pool & hot tub
Rooftop sunrise and sunset views
Chef-prepared meals
Beach access and relaxation
Small, intimate group experience

Submit your interest form today: https://bit.ly/nextyou-experience-interestform

Ask questions and discover if The Next You Experience is right for you by emailing wrtwtevents@gmail.com.

Widowed After 29 Years: Dr. Tina’s Raw Journey Through Loss, Faith & Finding Purpose Again

In today's episode, I'm joined by Dr. Tina Fornwald: retired Army officer, breast cancer survivor, and widow after a 29-year marriage...

...We talk honestly about stacked suffering, listening to God's promptings, surviving those first months when simply bathing feels impossible, and how she slowly rebuilt a life that now includes a nonprofit, a Secret Santa program for widowed families, a memorial garden, and her new novel, The Five Widows Club.

Join the discussion at https://bit.ly/BraveWidow-DrTina

The Lost Love Stories with Dr. Tina Fornwald: Love, Loss, Purpose, and Permission to Thrive

In this heartfelt episode of The Lost Love Stories, Pam sits down with friend, author, podcast host, Army veteran, and widow advocate Dr. Tina Fornwald for a powerful conversation about love, grief, healing, and the unexpected beauty that can emerge after devastating loss.

Dr. Tina shares the story of meeting her late husband, Mark, in the Army, their whirlwind romance, and the profound blessing of being by his side when he unexpectedly passed away. Nearly ten years later, she reflects on what it means to carry grief while also embracing joy, purpose, and a life still worth living.

Previous Events

Graduate 2026: Building Your Team

Panelist • August 1, 2026 • Norfolk, Virginia

Dr. Tina R. Fornwald has been invited to serve as a panelist for Graduate 2026: Building Your Team, a networking and leadership event designed to connect new and developing entrepreneurs with experienced leaders from the business and nonprofit communities.

Drawing on her experience as the founder and Executive Director of Widowhood Real Talk with Tina, Dr. Tina will share insights into building meaningful relationships, cultivating partnerships, and growing mission-driven organizations.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from leaders across multiple sectors and gain practical strategies for collaboration, connection, and sustainable growth.

Dr. Tina is honored to contribute to this event and support emerging entrepreneurs as they build organizations that make a lasting impact. Register to attend at https://bit.ly/graduate-2026-team