Amanda Kloots opens up about losing her husband, Broadway actor Nick Cordero, to COVID-19, navigating widowhood, dating after loss, and finding joy while still mourning. In the premiere episode of On Being Human with Dr. Zelana Montminy, the television personality, bestselling author, and host of Good Grief shares what she has learned about grief, healing, love, and rebuilding her life after loss. When Nick Cordero died at age 41 following 95 days in the hospital, Amanda became a widow and single mother at 38, raising their 1-year-old son, Elvis. Years later, she reflects on how grief doesn't disappear, but how her relationship with it has transformed. Amanda candidly discusses depression, loneliness, how single motherhood reshaped her sense of femininity, and the daily practices that brought light during her darkest days. She also shares her honest perspective on dating after losing a spouse, why loving someone new doesn't mean letting go of Nick, how his passing altered her faith, and how she keeps Nick's memory alive for Elvis. What you’ll learn: Why Amanda Kloots believes we never truly "get over" grief, and what healing actually looks like How to find moments of joy when you're experiencing profound sadness or depression The surprising ways grief changed Amanda's identity, femininity, and sense of self Why dating after losing a spouse doesn't mean letting go of the person you loved What people get wrong about supporting grieving friends and family How Amanda talks to her son Elvis about his late father Why community, therapy, movement, and small daily commitments helped her through her darkest moments How losing Nick transformed Amanda's relationship with faith, gratitude, and the value of time By the end of this conversation, you may think differently about grief, love, and what it means to heal. Because as Amanda has discovered, moving forward doesn't require leaving someone behind. Sometimes, learning to live with loss means making room for sadness and joy, gratitude and heartbreak, and the possibility of loving life again. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction & What It Means to Be Human 01:58 - Who is Amanda Kloots? 03:24 - How Grief Changes 6 Years Later 06:30 - Is Grief an Emotion or a Journey? 08:06 - Rebuilding Identity & Going Inward After Loss 10:19 - Loss of Femininity & Finding Balance as a Single Mom 12:56 - Reconnecting With Femininity Through Dance 14:58 - What People Misunderstand About Grief 17:13 - How to Support Someone Who is Grieving (Why Simply Showing Up Matters) 20:02 - How Motherhood & Son Elvis Helped Amanda Heal 21:28 - Facing Public Judgment & Finding Joy While Mourning 24:20 - The Importance of Community & Daily Commitments to Joy 26:22 - How Grief Physically Lives in the Body 28:34 - Dating After Widowhood & The Stigma of "Moving On" 32:25 - How Losing Nick Changed Amanda's Faith & Relationship with God 35:53 - Changing Perspectives on Death 37:22 - What to Say to Someone Facing Recent Loss 39:33 - What "Live Your Life" Means Today 42:25 - Ketamine Therapy & Awakening After Trauma 44:05 - Practical Steps to Force Joy During Dark Days 48:09 - Why Grief and Happiness Can Coexist 49:53 - How Amanda Talks to Son Elvis About Death & Nick Cordero Check out On Being Human with Dr. Zelana Montminy for more honest, thought-provoking conversations about the experiences that shape us, the challenges that connect us, and what it really means to be human. #AmandaKloots #NickCordero #OnBeingHuman #Grief #GriefAndLoss #Healing #MentalHealth #FindingJoy
Amanda Kloots opens up about losing her husband, Broadway actor Nick Cordero, to COVID-19, navigating widowhood, dating after loss, and finding joy while still mourning.
In the premiere episode of On Being Human with Dr. Zelana Montminy, the television personality, bestselling author, and host of Good Grief shares what she has learned about grief, healing, love, and rebuilding her life after loss.
When Nick Cordero died at age 41 following 95 days in the hospital, Amanda became a widow and single mother at 38, raising their 1-year-old son, Elvis. Years later, she reflects on how grief doesn't disappear, but how her relationship with it has transformed. Amanda candidly discusses depression, loneliness, how single motherhood reshaped her sense of femininity, and the daily practices that brought light during her darkest days.
She also shares her honest perspective on dating after losing a spouse, why loving someone new doesn't mean letting go of Nick, how his passing altered her faith, and how she keeps Nick's memory alive for Elvis.
What you’ll learn:
By the end of this conversation, you may think differently about grief, love, and what it means to heal. Because as Amanda has discovered, moving forward doesn't require leaving someone behind. Sometimes, learning to live with loss means making room for sadness and joy, gratitude and heartbreak, and the possibility of loving life again.
00:00 - Introduction & What It Means to Be Human
01:58 - Who is Amanda Kloots?
03:24 - How Grief Changes 6 Years Later
06:30 - Is Grief an Emotion or a Journey?
08:06 - Rebuilding Identity & Going Inward After Loss
10:19 - Loss of Femininity & Finding Balance as a Single Mom
12:56 - Reconnecting With Femininity Through Dance
14:58 - What People Misunderstand About Grief
17:13 - How to Support Someone Who is Grieving (Why Simply Showing Up Matters)
20:02 - How Motherhood & Son Elvis Helped Amanda Heal 21:28 - Facing Public Judgment & Finding Joy While Mourning
24:20 - The Importance of Community & Daily Commitments to Joy
26:22 - How Grief Physically Lives in the Body
28:34 - Dating After Widowhood & The Stigma of "Moving On"
32:25 - How Losing Nick Changed Amanda's Faith & Relationship with God
35:53 - Changing Perspectives on Death
37:22 - What to Say to Someone Facing Recent Loss
39:33 - What "Live Your Life" Means Today
42:25 - Ketamine Therapy & Awakening After Trauma
44:05 - Practical Steps to Force Joy During Dark Days
48:09 - Why Grief and Happiness Can Coexist
49:53 - How Amanda Talks to Son Elvis About Death & Nick Cordero
Check out On Being Human with Dr. Zelana Montminy for more honest, thought-provoking conversations about the experiences that shape us, the challenges that connect us, and what it really means to be human.
#AmandaKloots #NickCordero #OnBeingHuman #Grief #GriefAndLoss #Healing #MentalHealth #FindingJoy