Afleveringen
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This week, Iâm joined by Janel St. Peterâan incredible woman whose story is as heartbreaking as it is powerful. Janel opens up about her long and emotional journey through PCOS, ectopic pregnancies, and failed rounds of IVF. With raw honesty, she shares the grief, frustration, and isolation that can come with trying to conceive in a body that doesnât follow the rules.
But Janelâs story doesnât end with lossâit grows into advocacy. Fueled by her own experiences, she has become a fierce voice for womenâs reproductive rights and the right to be heard, supported, and believed.
If youâve ever felt alone in your fertility struggles, or if you care about the future of reproductive healthcare, this conversation will move you, validate you, and maybe even light a fire in you.
This episode is sponosred by Downtown Charcuterie.
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Motherâs Day is a beautiful celebration â but for many, itâs also a day heavy with grief. In this special episode, we hold space for loss moms who carry motherhood in their hearts rather than their arms. These brave mothers read letters written to their babies who have died â letters full of love, longing, and the kind of strength that only comes from living with unimaginable loss. This episode is a tribute to the babies who are forever missed, and to the moms who never stop loving them.
You are not alone and your grief deserves a voice.
This episode is sponosred by Breezy Photography.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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This week, we're joined by award-winning author and psychologist Dr. Jessica Zucker, whose groundbreaking book "I Had a Miscarriage" sparked a global conversation around pregnancy loss and grief.
Jessica joins me on the podcast to share insights from her powerful new release, "Normalize It!" â a bold call to break the silence, challenge stigma, and embrace honest conversations about reproductive experiences.
Tune in as we talk healing, storytelling, and how vulnerability can lead to profound connection and cultural change. You wonât want to miss this one.
This episode is sponsored by Breezy Photography.
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This week on the podcast, weâre joined by the deeply compassionate Lolo Paz, founder of A Soulful Sorrow. In this conversation, we walk through her powerful Instagram post, â5 Ways to Take Care of Yourself After Pregnancy Loss,âand unpack each of the five practices that can offer real comfort and healing after loss.
From resting without guilt to honoring your loss in meaningful ways, Lauren shares wise, grounded, and deeply practical insights that every grieving parent deserves to hear. This episode is an invitation to give yourself the space, support, and care you need â and a reminder that you donât have to do it alone.
Take a deep breath, press play, and let this be one small step toward tending to your heart. You are so worthy of that care.
A Soulful Sorrow can be found here -- https://www.asoulfulsorrow.com.
This episode is sponosred by Breezy Photography. https://www.breezy-photography.com/packages/
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In this deeply personal and emotional episode, Kelly bravely shares her journey through recurrent pregnancy loss, experiencing the heartbreak of five miscarriages. She opens up about the physical and emotional toll, the hope that carried her forward, and the grief that often felt impossible to navigate. She describes the rollercoaster of emotionsâthe soaring hope with each positive test, the anxiety that crept in, and the devastating crashes that followed. The constant cycle of excitement, fear, and grief took a toll, leaving her wondering if she had the strength to keep going.
Together, we talk about the ways loss reshapes us, the struggle of feeling out of control of our own lives, and the search for answers in a world that doesnât always have them. Kellyâs honesty is raw and real, offering comfort to those who have walked a similar path and shedding light for those who are lost in the darkness of recurrent pregnancy loss grief.
This episode is sponosored by Crossfit Bangor.
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In this powerful episode, Kelly shares her heartbreaking journey of losing her 4th pregnancy, a baby boy named Jonah, at 16 weeks. At a routine appointment, Kelly was told there was no heartbeat, shattering her world. But amidst the devastation, she found strength, healing, and meaningful ways to honor Jonahâs life. Keeping Jonah's memory alive, both for herself and for her four living sons and husband, has become a huge piece of her healing journey. Kelly shares with us many ways in which she continues to honor his life.
Shortly after her loss, Kelly courageously became pregnant again with another baby boy, and today she holds him in her arms. This episode is about the courage it takes to carry again after loss, the heartbreak when life doesnât go as planned, and the incredible grit and determination to keep moving forward even in the darkest of times. Join us for an inspiring conversation about hope, healing, and the power of perseverance.
This episode is sponsored by Farmhouse Coffee Roasters.
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In this powerful episode, I sit down with my dear friend and fellow board membe Jenna, a mother who knows the depths of unimaginable loss. Jennaâs son, Tripp, was born after a terrifying delivery and spent ten days in the NICU before she faced the unthinkableâleaving the hospital without him. She shares how that moment went against everything biological in her body, how the weight of grief felt impossible to survive, and how she didnât just lose a babyâshe lost an entire lifetime she had envisioned.
But Jennaâs story is also one of transformation. Ten years later, she continues to honor Trippâs memory through Trippâs 10 Days of Giving, sponsoring a classroom each year to represent the grade he would be in. She speaks about turning her grief into passion, using his name for good, and ensuring his legacy lives on. And in the most heartfelt ending, she shares the one thing she would tell Tripp if she couldâ"I would find you and choose you in every lifetime."
This is an episode about grief, resilience, and love that never fades. Tune in for a conversation that will stay with you long after it ends. đ§đ #TrippsLegacy #GriefToPassion #InfantLossAwareness
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In this podcast episode, Deana shares her heartbreaking journey of losing her son Rett to cancer at just 10 months old. Everett âRettâ Cavan was diagnosed with a Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor at six months old. This aggressive cancer would take Rettâs life in less than four monthsâdespite having access to the best doctors and treatment plans available. She reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of receiving Rett's cancer diagnosis, navigating through his treatment, as well as the profound challenge of accepting that her son was not going to survive.
In the nine years since Rett's passing, Deana and her husband have channeled their grief into creating a non-profit organization. The non-profit offers holistic retreats and meaningful gatherings that foster connection, honor the grieving process, and emphasize the healing power of love. Deana's story is one of resilience, profound loss, and the transformative journey of turning grief into something that supports others.
This episode is sponsored by Rett's Roost. https://rettsroost.org
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In this episode, I sit down with Lindsay Dolloff, an OB nurse whose journey through loss has reshaped her perspective both personally and professionally. Diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis, Lindsay was encouraged to start trying for a baby right away. She and her husband were thrilled to conceive quickly, but their joy was short-lived. Lindsay experienced a partial molar pregnancy, an incredibly rare and devastating complication, which resulted in a miscarriage at 12 weeks. Her loss was compounded by months of regular blood work and followup care.
Through it all, Lindsay found a way to channel her pain into purpose. She shares how her loss has made her a more empathetic OB nurse, allowing her to connect deeply with her patients. As a passionate member of Empty Arms, Lindsay has not only shared her story but has also played a pivotal role in creating a TTC (Trying to Conceive) support group, offering hope and guidance to others navigating similar struggles.
In this episode, we explore the courage it takes to live your loss out loud. Lindsay delves into how openly sharing her journey has been an act of courage, allowing her to reclaim her story and find meaning in her pain. By speaking about her experience, she not only fosters healing for herself but also creates space for others to feel seen and understood. Living your loss out loud is about breaking the silence around grief, embracing vulnerability, and finding strength in community. Lindsayâs story is a testament to the power of shared experiences and the hope that can emerge when we allow ourselves to be truly seen.
This episode is sponosred by First National Wealth Management.
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In this moving episode the love stays, Sara Rian shares her journey of navigating grief and transforming it into art and healing. A grief poet and therapist, Sara turned to poetry after the traumatic suicide of her mother, channeling her pain into words that resonate with countless others experiencing loss. Through her work, she highlights how grief, no matter its origin, connects us through shared emotions and the longing for what could have been. Sara also reflects on her role as a sister and an aunt, deeply affected by the loss of her niece, Sahara, who passed at 17 weeks. The parallels between these lossesâthough vastly different in circumstanceâreveal the universal truths of grief: love, longing, and the need for community and remembrance.
The episode explores how grief doesnât adhere to hierarchies or comparisons; instead, it carves a unique yet familiar path for each person. Whether mourning a parent, a child, or anyone in between, Sara emphasizes that the rawness of loss carries common threads: a yearning for connection, the challenge of finding meaning, and the power of honoring memories through creative expression. By sharing her poetry, her personal story, and the lessons grief has taught her, Sara invites listeners to see grief as both deeply personal and profoundly unifyingâa space where we can all find connection and hope. The love stays is about exactly that; though the person you loved is gone, the love you shared always stays.
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In this episode, we sit down with Emily Long, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, author, and fierce advocate for grieving parents, as she shares her story of unimaginable loss and the journey toward healing. Emilyâs life has been marked by deep sorrow, from the passing of her fiancĂ© and their unborn child to the struggles sheâs faced with depression and grief. Yet through the darkest times, she discovered a powerful truth: speaking the unspeakableâthe heartbreak we often bury deep withinâcan be a catalyst for healing.
This episode is a heartfelt invitation to release the weight of silent sorrow and find strength through vulnerability. Whether youâre grieving or supporting someone who is, join us as we explore the courage it takes to honor our losses out loudâand the unbreakable hope that comes when we do.
This episode is sponosred by True North Chiropractic.
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In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with two remarkable women who share an unimaginable bond. One day, co-coworkers. The next, loss moms walking this journey alongside of eachother. Just 12 days apart, they each lost their daughters in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Together, we explore their individual journeys of grief and how losing their daughters changed their lives forever. Their vulnerability shines through as they share the heart-wrenching moments of their losses and the strength they found in one another. This episode is a testament to the unbreakable connection that can form through shared experiences, no matter how painful.
We also discuss the critical role community plays in grief, and how, by sharing the weight of their sorrow, they were able to heal just a little bit more. Their story is a reminder that while grief may feel isolating, finding someone who truly understands can be the first step towards light.
This is a conversation about grief, connection, and the incredible strength found in the most unexpected of places.
This episode is sponsored by Snowman Printing Group.
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In this episode, I had the profound honor of sitting down with Jaime and Gina, two incredible sonographers and loss moms who serve as a vital lifeline for grieving parents in our community. As professionals who work closely with bereaved families, they open up about the deeply emotional nature of their work and how their personal experiences as loss moms shape the care and compassion they bring to each family they support.
Jaime and Gina provide powerful insights into the heartache of their professionâbeing with parents at the most devastating moments of their livesâwhile also sharing how, through their partnership with Empty Arms, they are able to offer hope and healing. They speak about the delicate balance between their own grief and the strength they find to help others, all while acknowledging the profound impact that loss has on the families they work with and on themselves as caregivers.
Throughout the conversation, we explore how Empty Arms has been a key resource, allowing them to not only offer clinical care but also emotional and spiritual support to those navigating pregnancy and infant loss. Their stories are a testament to the importance of empathy, community, and shared understanding in the grieving process.
This episode is sponosred by Downeast OBGYN.
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In this deeply moving episode of "Unbreakable Hope," we delve into the extraordinary journey of one remarkable mother who faced unimaginable heartbreak and yet remained steadfast in her hope for the future. Our guest Alicia, a mother who has navigated the tumultuous waters of seven heartbreaking losses and three adoptions, shares her poignant story of grief, faith, and unbreakable hope.
From the very beginning, her story captures the raw essence of what it means to endure profound sorrow. Each loss was a deep, personal tragedy, yet through the tears and despair, she found solace and strength in her faith. This episode paints a vivid picture of a woman who, despite the crushing weight of her experiences, never lost sight of the light that guided herâher hope in God and her belief in a future filled with promise.
The journey through adoption added a new layer of complexity and beauty to her narrative. Each adoption was not just a new beginning but a profound act of love and faithâa way of embracing the future despite the shadows of the past. The way she describes these moments of joy interspersed with her ongoing sorrow offers a powerful reminder that the human spirit can find light even when surrounded by darkness.
This episode is sponsored by The Learning Garden.
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Amber joins the podcast to talk about her daughter Nash, the precious one she lost at birth. Amber talks with me about her pregnancy, the devastating diagnosis Nash received while in utero, the ways she coped with navigating the grief that news brought as well as her experience delivering and ultimately saying goodbye to the daughter her heart longed to keep. Amber bravely talks about how her and her family continue to keep her late daughter's legacy alive in all the places her absence is felt so profoundly.
This episode is generously sponosored by Maguire Carpentry & Roofing.
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Jenny Davidson joins me on the podcast. In addition to making BBC's 100 Women in 2018, Jenny is a fierce advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and aged-out foster youth. This passion for making the world a better place for the children that get to stay comes deep from within her own heart and soul as she too carries several babies in her heart and not her arms.
Through her experience of traveling the path of loss, Jenny openly shares with us the heartache she experienced through her sons Trisomy 18 diagnosis, the joy in his birth and the devastation she felt after he lived just 32 hours and 7 minutes. Her heartache didn't stop there as she continued on to have several miscarriages after the loss of her son. Through it all, Jenny clung to the hope that she could use her own tragic experience to make this world a better place for so many.
Jenny is the founder and current CEO of AcademySTAY, a non-profit dedicated to helping 18-24 year old aged-out foster youth who are trying to pursue a secondary education. Prior to this, Jenny was the CEO/ Executive Director at Stand Up Placer, an organzation committed to standing up and education communities against domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Jenny is a remarkable woman and I am so thrilled to have her on the podcast.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-46225037
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennydavidsonmba/
https://www.academystay.org
https://standupplacer.org
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Misha is no stranger to the havoc pregnancy loss and infertility can wrek on a woman and a marriage. Misha joins me on the podcast to share her own experience of walking through storm after storm as her and her partner began the process of starting their family. After years of unsuccessfully getting pregnant on her own, she began walking through IVF, a decision that came with many reservations and lots of cultural shame.
Through it all, Misha clung to the hope that one day, her rainbow baby would be in her arms. As a hispanic woman, Misha found that throughout her journey, she longed for women's voices like hers to speak into the most dark corners of her journey. When she continually came up short and was unable to find those voices, Misha found her own and decided to write a book to both inspire and encourage the women of her culture and beyond.
During her years' long period of treatments to face infertility and pregnancy loss, Vargas wrote letters to capture her memories and deal with her intense emotions. Cartas A Mi Hijo No Nacido (Letters to my Unborn Son) reveals the vulnerability and complexity of experiences that are often hidden in public conversations about motherhood. This is the story of a young womanâs unforgettable journey from desperation to hope, and âultimately â to joy. https://www.penbaypilot.com/article/author-misha-vargas-discuss-cartas-mi-hijo-no-nacido-march-10/183664
Misha's book can be purcahsed here. https://a.co/d/0gG0u3W9
The episode is sponosored by Holly No. 7 Birthing Center in Bangor, Maine.
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Though Ryan came into this world at a mere 2 lbs, he sure took up a tremendous amount of space in his families heart. Deb Dilworth, a fellow loss mom and current board member of Empty Arms of Greater Bangor comes on the podcast and shares her story of navigating the birth of a child with Trisomy 18. Ryan lived 5 weeks and in that time, changed the course of Deb and her husbands life. Deb shares with us the joy in his birth, the heartache in his loss and the ways in which her family have navigated loss in the decades that have passed since his death. Clinging to her strong faith, Deb beautifully recounts Ryan's life and shares with us how her sons Trisomy 18 diagnosis impacted not just her but her husband and her living children. A beautiful conversation about life, loss, love and everything in-between.
This episode is sponsored by Ski Rack Sports in Bangor, Maine.
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This week, for a special Father's Day episode, I chat with Rob, Chris & Jay. These guys are the founders and the heart and soul of The Sad Dad's Club. The Sad Dad's club is a non-profit based out of Southern Maine that helps fellow bereaved fathers navigate life after loss by nurturing a supportive community and providing access to mental health services.
We talk about each of these guys' respective losses, gain insight as to the father's perspective through the grieving process as well as talk about the importance of access to mens mental health services through and after the loss of a child.
If you are a dad that has experienced loss at any point in your journey and wish to connect with Sad Dad's club, you can visit them on the web at https://saddadsclub.com or send them an email at [email protected].
This epsisode is in loving memory of Bella, Lila & Izzy. You girls are deeply loved and greatly missed. While you cannot be here in your families arms, your legacy continues to create profound ripples throughout the loss community.
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From the beginning of her career, Elise has been drawn to families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss. Her innate ability to nurture and comfort others in their grief has guided Elise through many different positions in the nursing field, including postpartum labor and delivery as well as working in the NICU. On this episode, Elise opens up about her experience with helping families navigate loss. She also talks about the sacredness and connection she feels when sharing the loss experience with bereaved parents. While always making sure her patients physical needs are met, Elise hones in on the emotional needs that arise when meeting families who have had to say goodbye too soon. With professionalism and a tender heart, Elise details beautifully her love for loss families and gives our listeners hope that healthcare for bereaved parents is improving because of loving and compassionate nurses like herself.
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