What Happens When Grief Drives Us to Take Control?

After losing two spouses before 31, Rachel Fulton O’Brien recalls the moment she threw away the Dave Ramsey envelopes the day after her first husband died. She says the act was a desperate attempt to regain agency in a life that suddenly felt unmoored.

How Does Grief Turn Us Into Impulsive Decision‑Makers?

Rachel shares a story from 2008 when a financial planner urged her to invest during a market downturn. She listened to her intuition, delayed the investment, and avoided losing half of her portfolio when the market bottomed out. The episode illustrates how grief can make every choice feel urgent.

Why Is a Support Circle Essential After Loss?

She explains that after her first husband’s death she had no passwords or knowledge of their finances. With the help of two close friends, she compiled a “massive notebook” of all accounts and built a team—financial advisor, therapist, and other trusted people—to keep her from feeling overwhelmed.

What Happens When a Trusted Friend Turns Out to Be a Ponzi Scheme?

Rachel recounts how a church friend led her into a $28 million Ponzi scheme. The loss taught her that money is not truly ours until we lose it, and that stewardship is about flow rather than possession. She reflects on how this experience deepened her trust in God’s provision.

How Does Scripture Shape a Widow’s View of Money?

She points to Matthew 6, where Jesus says not to worry about daily needs but to seek first the kingdom. Rachel says the passage reshaped her thinking, moving her focus from self‑control to divine trust and from personal gain to honoring God with her resources.

To hear how Rachel’s journey of grief, decision‑making, support, and faith unfolds, listen to the full Faith & Finance episode.