Love & Loss

Mary Toland Shaw: Michael John's Story

Mary Toland Shaw is a certified Spiritual Life Coach, a HeartMath Resilience Mentor, a Healing Touch Practitioner, a Life-Cycle Celebrant, and soon to be ordained Interfaith Minister. Her second son, Michael John, transitioned from life, 38 weeks in the womb in July of 1991. Mary also experienced 3 miscarriages at between 3-4 months in the womb. Mary has 3 wonderful adult living children, and a stepdaughter. No stranger to the pain experienced by infant losses, Mary’s passion is to help ot...

Melinda Peterson: Oak's Story

Melinda is an Intuitive Health Practitioner, bereaved mother, maternal death survivor, registered nurse (RN), adoptive mother, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Scarlit Coaching, a integrative health movement for women to find joy and true healing through reconnecting to the wisdom of our bodies. Despite adequate prenatal care, Melinda lost her son Oak and almost her life in 2014 at 25 weeks due to a missed ectopic pregnancy. Through her journey of regaining strength and channeling grie...

Kirsten Hopfensperger: Theo's Story

Growing up in a family that had a passion for writing and drawing, Kirsten was influenced by generation after generation of writers and artists. She has shared these passions since childhood, but did not self-publish her first book, rearranged, until her late twenties. She was moved to share her work after going through loss, grief and healing. In writing, she experienced light after loss. Her first book, rearranged, encompasses her journey to healing and was the winner of the Indies Today’s ...

RTZ Hope

RTZ HOPE is a national non-profit organization that provides holistic support, resources, and community for all people who have experienced unimaginable loss during the journey to parenthood. No matter if your loss is recent or in the past, RTZ HOPE is dedicated to empowering parents to seek whatever paths to healing are right for you. We come alongside anyone who would otherwise suffer in silence. As impossible as it may feel right now, we want you to know there is hope. You will never for...

Natasha de Sousa: Leo's Story

Natasha de Sousa is a mother, wife, avid reader, and aspiring author. In 2013, she lost her son Leo at 23 weeks of gestation. Since Leo's passing, she has been actively involved in the pregnancy and infant loss community by volunteering for various organizations. She is currently the Board Chair for RTZ Hope (@rtzhope), a national non-profit organization that provides holistic support, resources, and community for all people who have experienced a loss during the journey to parenthood. Origin...

Hadeer El-Hinddawi: Bereavement Doula

Hadeer is a certified doula in infertility and infant and pregnancy loss. She has helped many people pass through the grief. She herself experienced 6 losses back-to-back. After her Termination for Medical Reason (TFMR), she couldn't navigate the grief alone. She took up the doula course to help her understand what she's experiencing. She has had multiple miscarriages and a late-term missed miscarriage at 38 weeks when she delivered a stillborn boy. With her wealth of knowledge and empathy, s...

Hadeer El-Hindawi: Multiple Losses

Hadeer is a certified doula in infertility and infant and pregnancy loss. She has helped many people pass through the grief. She herself experienced 6 losses back-to-back. After her Termination for Medical Reason (TFMR), she couldn't navigate the grief alone. She took up the doula course to help her understand what she's experiencing. She has had multiple miscarriages and a late-term missed miscarriage at 38 weeks when she delivered a stillborn boy. With her wealth of knowledge and empathy, s...

Michele Benyo: Good Grief Parenting

Michele Benyo is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®, early childhood parent coach, and the founder of Good Grief Parenting. After her 6-year-old son died of cancer, her 3-year-old daughter said, “Mommy, half of me is gone.” This heartbreaking statement focused Michele’s career as an early childhood parenting expert on the impact of grief on young children, particularly after child loss. Michele equips parents and other caring adults to recognize young children’s grief and to provide the s...

Amy Watson: Smooth Stones Coaching

Amy is a certified life and grief coach. She combines her own experiences with stillbirth, miscarriage and pregnancy after loss with powerful mindset tools to help moms find themselves again after baby loss. She is the host of the Smooth Stones podcast. Along with helping her clients she loves her family, her faith and being in the mountains. https://smoothstonescoaching.com/ https://www.instagram.com/amy.smoothstonescoaching/ https://www.facebook.com/smoothstonescoaching

Amy Watson: Lauren & River's Story

Amy is a certified life and grief coach. She combines her own experiences with stillbirth, miscarriage and pregnancy after loss with powerful mindset tools to help moms find themselves again after baby loss.  She is the host of the Smooth Stones podcast. Along with helping her clients she loves her family, her faith and being in the mountains.  

Josephine Atluri- Multiple Losses

Josephine Atluri is a certified life coach and an expert in meditation and mindfulness, helping thousands of people overcome adversity to find joy. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Josephine followed her passion for total wellness and supports and empowers organizations and individuals. Plus, her experience creating her modern day family of seven children via In Vitro fertilization, international adoption and surrogacy inspires her work as a highly sought-after fertility, pregnancy, a...

Scott Huffaker- Adult Child Loss

Scott (S.E.)Huffaker is a diverse businessman who is an entrepreneur, banker, investor, musician and now an author. Scott, his wife Tammy and two youngest children live on the Gulf Coast. He is the father of six children and three dogs. Scott is truly just an ordinary guy who has had some extraordinary experiences that have allowed him to have insight into the subject matter of his recently released book, Lost Arrows - Coping With the Death of a Child. The book is available on Amazon. The net...

Carmen Grover- Multiple Losses

Carmen Grover is a mother, nurse, yogi, farmer, and journal-keeper turned writer. She lives for her family, adventure, spiritual moments, and lakes. Carmen has chronicled one of her biggest adventures—that of growing her family—through the diaries she wrote to each of her babies. She is passionate about sharing her voice and comforting other families who have been down the difficult road of pregnancy loss, and feels that she has found her purpose, one given to her by all her babies. Carmen cu...

Allie Felker: Henry's Story

Allie Felker is a hairdresser from the San Francisco Bay Area. Her son Henry (Hank) died by cord compressions at 31 weeks and was born still on July 1st 2020. She and her husband have a living daughter named Octavia (Tavie) who is 8 months old and a husky/malamute mix named Chaos. She works with PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy in stillbirth prevention legislation. Allie loves connecting with other loss families and especially chatting with anyone pregnant after loss.

Samuel Martin: Miscarriage and Infant Loss

Samuel Martin was born in England and is the youngest child of Dr. Ernest L. and Helen R. Martin, who are both Americans. He lived in the UK for the first 7 years of his life before moving to the USA with his family at age 7. He lived in the USA until 2001 when he married a native Israeli and relocated to live in Jerusalem. He and his wife, Sonia, have 2 daughters. His experience with biblical scholarship began at an early age. His father initiated a program in conjunction with Hebrew Univ. a...

Tracy Shawn: Floating Underwater

Floating Underwater was inspired by Tracy’s own personal history, past work experience, and sheer imagination. Having suffered through two miscarriages herself, Tracy wanted to write about how a character deals with that particular loss. Motivated from her past work as an intern at a psychiatric center, she also wanted to explore what it’s like for a daughter when her beloved mother has severe schizophrenia. She added in the narrative element of magical realism and otherworldly events because...

Sheri McClure: Triplet Loss

In this episode Sheri mentions a podcast called From Tree to Shining Tree.  You can listen to it here: https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/articles/from-tree-to-shining-tree

David Gonzalez Guajardo: Chaplaincy and Loss

David Gonzalez Guajardo is a clinical medical Chaplain and holds a Master of Science in Jewish Studies with a concentration in Pastoral Counseling from Spertus Institute in Chicago. He currently works as a Chaplain for Houston Hospice and works in pediatrics and adult home care. He supports families through their anticipatory grief and during their bereavement at this organization. David is originally from Mexico and learned English on his own while working his way through University and his ...

Lauren Perry- Andi's Story

Lauren is a mama of three girls, two earth side and one angel in Heaven. She and her husband have been together almost 11 years. Their middle daughter, Andi, passed away at 11 weeks old to a rare genetic disorder called Tuberous Sclerosis. Each year as a family, they work towards keeping Andi's memory alive through the TSC Alliance. Their goal is to keep her memory alive in their everyday for as long as they live. They recently moved to Nashville, continue to volunteer with the TSC Alliance, ...

Jane Armstrong: TFMR Social Worker

Jane Armstrong, LCSW-S, PMH-C, is a TFMR (termination for medical reasons) mom, Texan, and clinical social worker certified in perinatal mental health. Following the birth and death of her first child, Frankie, through TFMR in February 2021, Jane is opening a private practice aimed at supporting other TFMR parents through the unique barriers and grief of ending a wanted pregnancy in the state of Texas where such care is no longer accessible. She’s passionate about building community, eliminat...

Jane Armstrong: Frankie's Story

Jane Armstrong, LCSW-S, PMH-C, is a TFMR (termination for medical reasons) mom, Texan, and clinical social worker certified in perinatal mental health. Following the birth and death of her first child, Frankie, through TFMR in February 2021, Jane is opening a private practice aimed at supporting other TFMR parents through the unique barriers and grief of ending a wanted pregnancy in the state of Texas where such care is no longer accessible. She’s passionate about building community, eliminat...

Julia Brown Book

Julia Brown is a dedicated wife, momma, and worker bee. In the summer of 2020, she suffered a miscarriage which inspired her to author the children’s picture book, “Marshmallow’s Gift Garden”. Through this book, her child lives on and she can provide support and comfort to other parents and siblings experiencing loss. Julia can be reached at: [email protected] and on Instagram @authorjuliabrown. You can buy her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Marshmallows-Gift-Garden-sufferi...

Julia Brown: Early Pregnancy Loss

Julia Brown is a dedicated wife, momma, and worker bee. In the summer of 2020, she suffered a miscarriage which inspired her to author the children’s picture book, “Marshmallow’s Gift Garden”. Through this book, her child lives on and she can provide support and comfort to other parents and siblings experiencing loss. Julia can be contacted at [email protected] and on Instagram @authorjuliabrown. The book can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Marshmallows-Gift-Garden-su...

Heather Frick: Bereaved Dad’s Research

Heather Frick is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #116509) in California and a doctoral candidate at Alliant International University, pursuing a PsyD in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is passionate about increasing awareness about miscarriage and pregnancy loss, and is currently doing research for her doctoral dissertation on how spiritual coping and social support influence the dad's experience of grief after miscarriage. She has been married to her husband Brian for alm...

Melissa Zelek

Melissa is a mom to a three year old girl in northern Connecticut. She sadly lost her son, Zachary, at 21 weeks pregnant in September of 2020 due to preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). After her loss, she started writing to help with her PTSD. She then turned her journal into a blog in order to help others in a similar situation to not feel so alone.

Will & Joanne Zerdy: Inviting Abundance

Following the death of their first child Finlay, Will Daddario, PhD and Joanne Zerdy, PhD left their university teaching positions in the performing arts and began Inviting Abundance. Through their current work, they facilitate a range of offerings, including a Grief Immersion for Death Workers course, Creative Approaches to Grief Workshop, Grief Pen Pal Network, and self-paced online classes. Additionally, Will offers Reiki healing sessions and classes and Joanne teaches Perinatal Loss train...

Will & Joanne Zerdy: Finlay’s Story

Following the death of their first child Finlay, Will Daddario, PhD and Joanne Zerdy, PhD left their university teaching positions in the performing arts and began Inviting Abundance. Through their current work, they facilitate a range of offerings, including a Grief Immersion for Death Workers course, Creative Approaches to Grief Workshop, Grief Pen Pal Network, and self-paced online classes. Additionally, Will offers Reiki healing sessions and classes and Joanne teaches Perinatal Loss train...

Arielle Arbushites: Send Me a Song

Arielle is an MSW, LSW (licensed master social worker), CPLC specializing in the field of grief and loss. She has a certification In perinatal loss. Her first husband died by suicide in 2014 and she also experienced 3 perinatal losses, so she is no stranger to loss (especially disenfranchised grief!). Arielle is a hospice social worker who has done a lot of grief counseling and is now a manager in her profession. She is also a writer (grief and life blogger as well as author of a new book on ...

Arielle Arbushites: Hospice Social Worker

Arielle is an MSW, LSW (licensed master social worker), CPLC specializing in the field of grief and loss. She has a certification In perinatal loss. Her first husband died by suicide in 2014 and she also experienced 3 perinatal losses, so she is no stranger to loss (especially disenfranchised grief!). Arielle is a hospice social worker who has done a lot of grief counseling and is now a manager in her profession. She is also a writer (grief and life blogger as well as author of a new book on ...

Arielle Arbushites: Recurrent Loss

Arielle is an MSW, LSW (licensed master social worker), CPLC specializing in the field of grief and loss. She has a certification In perinatal loss. Her first husband died by suicide in 2014 and she also experienced 3 perinatal losses, so she is no stranger to loss (especially disenfranchised grief!). Arielle is a hospice social worker who has done a lot of grief counseling and is now a manager in her profession. She is also a writer (grief and life blogger as well as author of a new book on ...

Wave of Light 2021

Instagrm Voices

So many grieving parents have found healing by sharing their children on Instagram. A beautiful community has been formed. Hear more about this incredible community today!

Bex Gunn: Early Pregnancy Loss

Bex was a photographer and was a mother of three when, in May 2020, during lockdown she attended the 12 week scan for her fourth baby to be told there was no heartbeat and that her baby had died two weeks earlier. Bex couldn’t bear the thought of other women suffering this pain with no one to talk to, so she started to write about it – to share her story in the hope of making others feel less isolated and alone. She met Laura - her partner in crime, online and together they formed ‘The Wor...

Laura Buckingham: Recurrent Loss

Laura and her husband Scoop started TTC in 2012. They endured 7 pregnancy losses prior to having son Bertie in 2019 and unfortunately went on to have another 2 losses since his birth. They say 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss. But for Laura and Scoop it is 9 in 10. 
 Laura experiences missed miscarriages, chemicals, partial molar, ectopics and was diagnosed with a heart-shaped womb and autoimmune problems. She has a slightly blasé attitude about things, it’s a self preservation thing- the only ...

Kelley Elmore: Sawyer's Story

Kelley is a 34 year old working mom of three who lost her middle son, Sawyer to stillbirth. She is married to her high school sweetheart and currently works as a practice manager for an anesthesia group. When not at work, she can usually be found covered in paint or sawdust working on her next DIY project. She also runs a blog all about her budget-friendly home improvement projects.

Caroline Weaver- Secondary Grief

Caroline Weaver lives is a North Carolinian who works full time and is a single mom to 3 year old daughter Charlotte. Caroline is our host's younger sister. In this episode she recalls Joy's experience with pregnancy loss and shares her feelings as a grieving aunt.

Emily Keller: Dreams, Intuition, and Love

Dr. Emily Keller is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. She has experience working with children and families processing trauma and grief. Dr. Keller lives in California with her husband of 21 years and their four boys.

Emily Keller: Siblings and Grief

Dr. Emily Keller is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. She has experience working with children and families processing trauma and grief. Dr. Keller lives in California with her husband of 21 years and their four boys.

Jessica Bucklew Sosa: Adoption Loss

Jessica Bucklew Sosa is a full-time mom and business owner. She spends her spare time being as active in her hometown as possible. She always knew her road to parenthood would look different than everyone else’s. She shares with us her experience of adoption loss and the hard lessons she and her husband, Logan, learned along the way.

Louise O'Donnell

Louise is from Manchester UK. She is 32 years old and married with 2 girls aged 3yrs and 9 months. Her first pregnancy was in 2017 with identical twins, with problems consistently from the 12 week scan around uneven growth and fluid. She sadly lost one baby in pregnancy at 27+4, then underwent an emergency section at 28+6 where the surviving baby was taken to NICU for a 9 week stay before coming home. Louise has an unconventional approach to grief. She has set up an Instagram and blog to...

Amie Stewart

Amie Stewart is a mom, wife, and pastor in Apex, North Carolina. She’s been in the ministry for 9 years, serving in the local church and within the Conference office. Amie helps to recruit and form candidates for licensed or ordained ministry. Amie and her husband, Michael, have two young girls who love to swing, ride bikes, and eat chicken nuggets.

Aviva Solson

Aviva Solson is a Rapid Transformational Therapist, Coach, and Speaker. Her clients are men, women, and children alike, but she particularly enjoys working with women to help them overcome challenges on their way to motherhood - including infertility and pregnancy loss. Her mission is to help women revive their joy, inner peace, and confidence in their dreams. Her passion to serve and her life-transforming work with clients stem from her own life experiences, her personal journey, and her tri...

Vicki Renz: Resources

Vicki Renz went through miscarriage five times and is mother to two boys. After healing and processing the grief herself, she made it her mission to help other women going through this sad and traumatic experience. Vicki created a platform for women called Oh My Mama Body which includes a website, YouTube channel, healing and coaching courses and private Facebook groups. She has recently published a beautiful book of poems "Healing After Miscarriage" to bring much empathy and solace when it ...

Vicki Renz: Recurrent Loss

Vicki Renz went through miscarriage five times and is mother to two boys. After healing and processing the grief herself, she made it her mission to help other women going through this sad and traumatic experience. Vicki created a platform for women called Oh My Mama Body which includes a website, YouTube channel, healing and coaching courses and private Facebook groups. She has recently published a beautiful book of poems "Healing After Miscarriage" to bring much empathy and solace when it ...

Megan Maynard: Parenting After Loss

Megan Maynard is a 30 something mother of three, learning to navigate life and parenting after loss, following the stillbirth of her second daughter Violet in June of 2017. Megan is raising two children alongside her Husband Jay and works as a licensed mental health counselor in the New England area.

Megan Maynard: Healing Through Writing

Megan Maynard is a 30 something mother of three, learning to navigate life and parenting after loss, following the stillbirth of her second daughter Violet in June of 2017. Megan is raising two children alongside her Husband Jay and works as a licensed mental health counselor in the New England area. In this episode Megan and Joy discuss healing through writing.

Megan Maynard: Violet's Story

Megan Maynard is a 30 something mother of three, learning to navigate life and parenting after loss, following the stillbirth of her second daughter Violet in June of 2017. Megan is raising two children alongside her Husband Jay and works as a licensed mental health counselor in the New England area. In this episode, Megan shares her precious daughter Violet.

Michelle Fulton: Cole's Story

Michelle Fulton was born in Vancouver, Canada. She is a musician and author but most importantly, she is a mother to her daughter, Bella Soleil, her son, Turner, and her forever-baby boy, Cole Vaughn Taylor, who passed away just days before his due date in February 2020. The experience drove her to speak out to promote awareness about pregnancy loss, not only to help herself cope, but to aid those who have experienced such loss in the past as well as those who will in the future, and to highl...

Raquel DeLeon: Dominic's Story

Raquel DeLeon is 27 years old and Married. She resides in Kalispell, MT and is currently a full-time student in her first year of a PhD program in technical communication. She started 2 months after Dominic passed away and it’s been a blessing by allowing her to pour her grief into something productive. She will honor his life with research. Regarding her PhD program, as a first-generation Latina, Raquel has dedicated herself to finding alternative ways of empowering marginalized groups to fi...

Sarah Shaw: Multiple Miscarriages

Sarah lives in Georgia and is married to her high school sweetheart. She has a degree in Psychology and works in the special needs field, currently as a Deafblind Intervener who facilitates communication with her student. She also worked at Disney World briefly after college in the Disney College Program. She enjoys going on hikes or walking in the park in her free time. Experiencing a miscarriage made Sarah want to share her story to know that women don't have to feel alone if they experien...