In this deeply human and beautifully raw episode, Rosie Moss sits down with Aimie Strachan, a widow and mother of two whose husband John died suddenly from an undiagnosed aortic dissection. What unfolds is a conversation full of love, shock, courage, and the fierce tenderness of solo parenting after loss.
Aimie traces their story from meeting as young teachers in Dubai to the ease and joy of their marriage, and then to the night everything changed. With heartbreaking clarity she describes the medical crisis that unfolded, the impossible decisions she faced, and the moment she had to tell her children that their dad had died.
Rosie and Aimie explore the messy truth of grief. The anger. The bitterness. The lonely practicalities. The way it lands differently on children. And the exhaustion of trying to access the right support. Amid the devastation there is also movement. Aimie talks about how community, creativity, the outdoors, and connection with other widows helped her find her footing again. She has since launched a Whitley Bay brand in John’s honour and is determined to live with more urgency and intention. Life is so short. Just do the thing.
This conversation offers space for heartbreak, softness, rage, growth, and the small quiet moments of hope that show up when you least expect them.
Show Notes
In this episode Rosie and Aimie talk about
• How Aimie met her husband John in Dubai and how quickly and naturally their relationship grew
• Building a life together, marrying, and welcoming their two children
• The sudden onset of John’s symptoms and the unfolding of a rare aortic dissection
• The confusion, urgency and helplessness of those final hours in hospital
• The emotional and practical reality of end of life decisions
• The moment Aimie told her children their dad had died and the ongoing impact on them
• How grief shows up in children in unexpected ways and why childhood bereavement needs more awareness and support
• The anger, bitterness and sheer exhaustion of grieving inside a broken mental health system
• Finding comfort in nature, forest school sessions and small grounding routines
• The power of community and widowed friendship in the early stages of loss
• Launching a heartfelt Whitley Bay brand in John’s honour and rediscovering purpose
• Why Aimie now leans into life’s brevity and pushes herself to do the things she once hesitated over
• Navigating difficult seasons like Christmas with honesty and gentleness