When Grief & Betrayal Collide: Jessica Waite’s Story

When Jessica Waite's husband, Sean, died suddenly, she knew him as a dedicated father to their young son and a loving, engaged spouse. In her book, The Widow’s Guide to Dead Bastards, Jessica reveals the shock and heartbreak of discovering Sean's double life. What began as a devastating loss quickly became even more complex as she uncovered the many secrets he had kept—hidden debt, drug use, and infidelity.

Jessica talks about the rage, confusion, and emotional turmoil of grieving someone you love while simultaneously reckoning with the truth of who they really were. She reflects on anger as a catalyst for change, what she learned about parenting her son through his grief, and how ultimately she found a way back to herself.

We disuss:

• The shock of uncovering a Sean's secrets after his death
• The role of anger in grief
• Navigating single parenthood while managing the weight of betrayal
• The complexity of holding both love and hurt for Sean
• The social pressures to maintain the image of someone who has died
• How humor and writing helped Jessica process her experience

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Jessica Waite on Substack: The Widow’s Guide To
• Purchase The Widow’s Guide to Dead Bastards online
• Learn more about grief support at Dougy Center

Support Grief Out Loud: Grief Out Loud is produced by the Dougy Center, the National Grief Center for Children and Families. This podcast is sponsored in part by the Chester Stephan Endowment Fund. For more grief resources, visit dougy.org.

Join the Conversation: Have thoughts on this episode? Email us at griefoutloud@dougy.org. Thank you for being part of our community!