Explore every episode of the podcast Confessions of a Grieving Mother

Throughout the month of October, Confessions of a Grieving Mother is honoring Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month with a special five-part panel series exploring the many different parts of grief, healing, and remembering our babies.

This week, we are pausing to remember our babies and celebrate the lives they lived, no matter how short their time with us may have been.

In this special Wave of Light episode, we talk about Remembering Our Babies: Honoring Their Lives and Their Legacy.

We explore the different ways families continue to honor their babies, from saying their names and creating traditions to remembering important dates and including them in their family’s story. We also talk about what it means to be a parent after loss and the lasting impact our babies can have on our lives.

During Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we hope this conversation serves as a gentle reminder that our babies are worth remembering, their lives matter, and their stories deserve to be told.

Throughout the month of October, Confessions of a Grieving Mother is honoring Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month with a special five-part panel series exploring the many different parts of grief, healing, and remembering our babies.

This week, we are talking about The Loneliness of Loss: Finding Connection After Baby Loss.

Pregnancy and infant loss can leave parents feeling incredibly alone. Sometimes it can feel like the world keeps moving while you are trying to find your way through a loss that changed everything.

If you have ever felt alone in your grief, we hope this episode reminds you that your feelings are valid, your story matters, and there are people who understand.

Throughout the month of October, Confessions of a Grieving Mother is honoring Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month with a special five-part panel series exploring the many different parts of grief, healing, and remembering our babies.

We begin our series with Making Space for Grief.

After losing a baby, grief can take up more space than we ever expected. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to give ourselves permission to grieve, especially in a world that often encourages us to return to “normal” before we are ready.

If you are grieving the loss of a baby, we hope this conversation reminds you that there is no right timeline for grief and that you deserve the space to grieve in whatever way you need.

Type of loss: SIDS

More about this story: In this episode, we talk with Kristen Payne and Spencer Johnston to hear the story of their son, Derrik.

Derrik was born happy and healthy on June 1. Then, in the early morning hours of June 7, everything changed. Kristen woke to feed her baby and realized he wasn’t responding. In a moment of unimaginable fear, she called 911 while Spencer began CPR. Despite their efforts, Derrik was pronounced dead in the emergency room at 4:30 a.m.

Kristen and Spencer open up about the devastating loss of their son and the profound impact it had on their lives and their relationship. Their grief ultimately changed the course of their partnership, and they now navigate life separately while continuing to co-parent their living child.

Type of loss: Neonatal loss

More about this story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, we talk with Kim Setterlund to hear the story of her son, Dylan, who was born at 22 weeks and 5 days.

Kim shares the unexpected circumstances that led to her premature labor after a placental abruption while she was working at a daycare. Dylan fought bravely during his time in the NICU. Despite his strength, Dylan developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal condition that ultimately left his doctors with no surgical option that could save his life. Kim and her family were faced with the heartbreaking decision to remove Dylan from life support.

More about this story: In this episode, we talk with Tabbitha Swisher about her journey to becoming a surrogate after experiencing the loss of her son, Rosco.

After walking through the unimaginable grief of losing her baby, Tabbitha found herself facing a very different kind of pregnancy journey: carrying a baby for another family. She opens up about the complicated emotions that came with making the decision to become a surrogate, including the joy of helping another family grow alongside the fears, triggers, and grief that can accompany pregnancy after loss.

Type of Loss: Neonatal Loss

More about this story: In this episode, we talk with Tabbitha as she shares the story of her son, Rosco Mack, and the unimaginable loss that forever changed her family's life.

After a healthy pregnancy and normal delivery, Rosco was born on June 28, 2019. Just moments after his birth, complications from meconium aspiration led to a heartbreaking fight for his life. Despite the tireless efforts of the medical team, Rosco died just one hour after he was born.

Tabbitha courageously reflects on those first devastating days, the loneliness that followed, and how the well-intentioned words of others often couldn't reach the depth of her grief. It wasn't until she connected with another bereaved parent and found the support of Emma's Footprints that she began to realize she didn't have to carry her loss alone.

Type of loss: Second trimester loss

More about Jenna's Story: In this episode, we talk with Jenna Lotti as she shares the story of pregnancy loss and the profound grief that followed.

In July 2025, at approximately 16 weeks pregnant, Jenna experienced light spotting and reached out to her doctor, hoping for reassurance. Instead, an ultrasound revealed the heartbreaking news that her baby's heart had stopped beating, and that the loss had likely occurred about a week earlier. The following day, Jenna underwent a D&E, beginning a journey through grief that no parent ever expects to face.

Type of loss: stillbirth

More about this story: In this episode, we talk with Kaitlynn Tempalski as she shares the story of her daughter Gianna Lynn.

At 19 weeks pregnant, Kaitlynn began to wonder why she hadn't felt her baby move. Hoping for reassurance, she looked ahead to her upcoming anatomy scan, never imagining what was to come. Within moments of the ultrasound beginning, she and her husband were met with the words no parent is ever prepared to hear: "I'm sorry... there's no heartbeat."

Kaitlynn opens up about the shock of receiving the diagnosis, the difficult experience of navigating a loss without an on-site physician, and the heartbreaking hours that followed as she prepared to deliver her daughter.

Type of loss: Infant loss

More about this story: In this episode, we talk with Olivia Hodge about the story of her daughter, Camila.

Olivia's journey into motherhood began with a traumatic pregnancy after experiencing PPROM at 23.5 weeks. Following weeks of hospitalization and strict bed rest, she and her husband, Armondo, welcomed Camila at 34 weeks. After spending 22 days in the NICU, Camila came home and thrived.

Olivia shares what it was like to care for Camila while Armondo was deployed, the joy of watching her daughter grow, and the memories they built together as a family.

In September 2025, everything changed. After a sudden medical emergency at daycare, Camila was rushed to the hospital and placed on life support. Olivia and Armondo were faced with the devastating reality that Camila had no signs of brain activity and said goodbye to their daughter while holding her in their arms.

More about Emma's Footprints:

• www.EmmasFootprints.com

Type of loss: Life-limiting diagnosis, infant loss, twin loss

More about this story: In this episode, we are honored to share the story of Emily Riggi and her beloved daughter, Abigail.

Emily delivered her identical twin girls at 32 weeks and quickly realized that something was different. While one daughter continued to grow stronger, Abigail faced challenge after challenge. After countless tests and a brain MRI, Emily and her family received the devastating news that Abigail’s condition was not sustainable. Surrounded by love and held tightly in the arms of her family, Abigail passed away just six days after birth.

In this heartfelt conversation, Emily reflects on navigating the joy and complexity of welcoming twins while simultaneously facing unimaginable grief. She shares what it was like to parent both daughters, to say goodbye to Abigail, and to continue honoring her life while raising her sister.

Type of loss: Stillbirth

More about this story: In this episode, we talk with Kira Tietje as she shares the story of her daughter, Olivia.

During what should have been a routine 26-week appointment, Kira’s world changed forever when no heartbeat could be found. Although Olivia had a healthy anatomy scan and a heartbeat at 22 weeks, it was discovered that she had stopped growing around 19 weeks and 5 days. As a first-time mom with an anterior placenta, Kira struggled with questions and uncertainties that many grieving parents know all too well.

Type of loss: Early-term losses, Ectopic Pregnancy, Chemical Pregnancy, Blighted Ovum

More about this story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Julie talks with Heather to share a story that spans infertility, pregnancy loss, medical trauma, and the complicated, enduring hope that lives alongside grief.

Heather and her husband Brian were first diagnosed with unexplained infertility at age 30, beginning a journey where grief arrived long before any loss—grief over the inability to conceive freely, over the uncertainty of waiting, and over watching others experience pregnancies that felt out of reach. After multiple rounds of treatment, they finally conceived, only to experience an ectopic pregnancy and the devastating loss of their baby, Thistle, in a medical emergency that turned joy into trauma in an instant.

What followed was a long and complicated path through IVF, embryo transfers, and repeated heartbreak. Heather shares the story of their embryos, their “double rainbow” boys born after loss, and the fragile hope that came with each attempt to grow their family. Along the way, she experienced multiple miscarriages—including the losses of Rowan, Hazel, Willow, and Sage—each one carrying its own weight of grief, questions, and longing.

Through it all, Heather speaks honestly about the emotional toll of repeated loss, the strain on her body and spirit, and the moments where she questioned whether she would ever be able to bring a baby safely into her arms again.

In this Father’s Day episode, Tracy and Julie hold space for a side of grief that is often quiet, private, and deeply felt—fatherhood after loss.

Through a series of heartfelt letters written by loss dads, they read words addressed to their babies and to their grief itself. These letters are tender, honest, and unfiltered—offering glimpses into love that has no physical place to land, and the ongoing relationship fathers continue to have with their children who are no longer here.

In this episode, Julie and Falon explore one of the most tender and complicated parts of grief: identity after loss.

Through honest reflection and shared lived experience, they talk about what changes when loss becomes part of your story and how it reshapes everything from how you see yourself to how you move through the world. They reflect on the moment it becomes clear you are no longer the person you were before, and what it means to carry both who you were and who you are becoming.

This conversation holds space for anyone who has ever wondered, “Who am I now?” after loss and reminds us that identity is not erased by grief, but deeply transformed by it.

Type of Loss: Early-term loss

More about this episode: In this episode, we talk with Laura Moore as she shares her journey through pregnancy loss, infertility, and unexpected hope.

After welcoming her son Carson, Laura experienced two early pregnancy losses just months apart. What followed was a long and painful road marked by infertility, unanswered questions, countless tests, and the heartbreaking realization that there seemed to be no explanation for why she and her husband could not grow their family. After years of trying, multiple fertility treatments, and being told they would likely never become pregnant again, Laura and her husband began praying about adoption and what the future might hold.

Then, in the most unexpected way, they received the news they had been hoping for—a positive pregnancy test. As excitement slowly began to replace fear, Laura and her family allowed themselves to dream again. But just weeks later, those dreams were shattered when they learned their baby's heart had stopped beating.

In this special birthday episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Tracy and Julie are joined by a very special guest — Tracy’s mom, Jodi — as they come together to remember and celebrate Emma.

Through stories, memories, laughter, and honest conversation, they reflect on Emma, the lasting impact she continues to have on their family, and what it means to carry love and grief side by side through the years. This heartfelt episode offers a deeply personal glimpse into the way remembrance lives on across generations and how birthdays can hold both joy and sorrow after loss.

Whether you are honoring your own baby's birthday in heaven or simply looking for connection and understanding, we hope this conversation reminds you that your child will always be remembered.

In this special Mother’s Day episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Tracy and Julie once again hold space for the voices of bereaved mothers by reading deeply personal letters written to their babies. Through words filled with love, longing, heartbreak, and remembrance, these mothers share the realities of carrying their children in their hearts while navigating life without them in their arms.

Each letter is a powerful reminder that motherhood does not end with loss. This episode honors the enduring bond between mother and baby, the milestones imagined, the memories treasured, and the love that continues, especially on Mother’s Day.

Type of loss: TFMR, Life-limiting diagnosis

More about this episode: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, we talk with Lucy Livesey, a mother whose love for her daughter continues to ripple across the world.

In 2017, Lucy and her family faced the unthinkable—making the heartbreaking decision to terminate their much-wanted daughter, Ellie, after a devastating heart abnormality was discovered. What followed was a birth filled with intention, tenderness, and love. Through hypnobirthing, Lucy created a peaceful and sacred space to welcome Ellie into the world, honoring her life in the most beautiful way she could.

Out of that loss, Lucy found purpose.

Drawing on her background in mental health nursing and her lived experience, she created Ellie’s Gift—the world’s first hypnobirthing app designed specifically to support families preparing to birth a baby who has died. What began as a way to honor Ellie’s life has grown into a global resource, now used across the UK within NHS trusts and in over 37 countries—offering comfort, guidance, and compassion to grieving families, completely free of charge.

Lucy also shares about Ellie’s Rainbow, a platform offering support for families navigating pregnancy after loss, and her mindfulness-based grief book that is helping individuals around the world process loss with gentleness and intention.

This conversation is a powerful testament to the ways grief and love can coexist—and how one mother’s devotion to her daughter is changing the way loss is held and supported for others.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• https://www.ellies.gift

• Ellie's Gift: A Mindful Approach to Grief and Baby Loss: 8 Week Self-Help Guide 

Type of loss: Stillbirth

More about this story: In this episode we chat down with David Corvi as he shares the story of his son, Charles Martin Corvi.

What begins as a beautiful, ordinary autumn weekend—family hikes through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, laughter at home, and the quiet anticipation of welcoming a new baby—turns into a moment that would forever change their lives. Just days before his due date, David and his wife Katherine are faced with the unimaginable: the sudden loss of their son.

David walks us through the joy, the shock, and the lasting imprint of that day—the moments captured on video, and the one that lives only in memory. He shares openly about fatherhood in grief, the weight of unanswered questions, and the love that continues for Charlie.

Charles’ life, though brief, was full of meaning. And his story is one that will stay with you.

• Learn more about The Charles Martin Corvi Fund here.
• Purchase a copy of David's book "Dear Charlie...Letters to My Son: A Father's Journey of Loss, Grief, and Remembrance"

Grief has a way of changing everything, but within that change, there can also be space for growth.

In this episode, we talk with one of our favorite guests Pamela Presler, to explore how grief, while deeply painful and complex, can also open the door to self-discovery and transformation. Together, we unpack what it means to navigate loss while continuing to grow, and how honoring your grief can coexist with finding meaning, purpose, and even strength along the way.

All in for Allegheny is a special campaign dedicated to supporting families in our local community who have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss.

Our goal is to raise $10,000 to provide emotional support, compassionate guidance, and financial assistance for burial, cremation, memorialization, and counseling services— helping families feel supported and less alone as they navigate their grief.

We are inviting 100 families to give $100 or more in support of this effort. While this campaign focuses on families in Allegheny County, you do not need to live locally to participate. Families and supporters from anywhere who feel called to honor their baby’s life in this way are welcome to join us.

Families and babies memorialized through this campaign will be lovingly honored at our Pittsburgh Memorial Walk this September, a time to gather, remember, and hold space together.

Support this campaign here.

In this episode Julie and Khristina talk about what real support looks like after the loss of a baby. Drawing from their own experiences and the countless stories shared with Emma’s Footprints over the years, they unpack the practical, emotional, and deeply human ways people can show up for grieving parents—and the ways support can sometimes miss the mark.

This episode is a compassionate guide for anyone wanting to support loved ones through pregnancy or infant loss, and an affirming reminder to grieving parents that their needs are valid, their feelings matter, and they are not alone.

Type of loss: Early term loss, life-limiting diagnosis, multiple losses

More about this story: Tabby shares the story of her two precious babies, Elias Matthew Barton and Eden Marie Barton.

Tabby’s journey to motherhood began with many challenges. Diagnosed with uterus didelphys, diminished ovarian reserve, and fallopian tubes that never attached to her ovaries, natural conception was not possible. IVF became the only path forward. After multiple rounds, Tabby and her husband welcomed three embryos. One resulted in an early term loss, another didn’t implant, and their final embryo became their daughter, Eden Marie.

Eden’s story is extraordinary from the very beginning. Born at 32 weeks and 3 days, she entered the world with multiple rare and complex diagnoses, including Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Pulmonary Hypertension, ALCAPA, and PAPVR. Despite arriving two months early and facing overwhelming odds, Eden surprised her medical team again and again. She was strong, spirited, and wonderfully unique—known for her sass, her bows, her blankets, and her love of mirrors, mobiles, and snuggles.

Tabby shares the emotional journey of advocating for Eden across eight renowned children’s hospitals, hoping for a surgical path forward. Each declined, acknowledging the complexity of Eden’s anatomy and the low chance of survival. Yet Eden continued to shine. She fought with a fierce, radiant strength for 105 days in the NICU before going to her heavenly home.

Type of loss: Life limiting diagnosis, Infant loss

More about Sarah's story: Josie’s story is one of unimaginable strength, resilience, and love. From a prenatal diagnosis of a congenital heart defect and Down syndrome, to navigating a pregnancy with little support, Sarah opens up about the challenges she faced long before Josie entered the world. Born three months early at just 1 lb 14 oz, doctors warned she likely wouldn’t survive—but Josie had other plans.

Over the course of six months, Josie defied the odds time and time again. Sarah shares of the three months they spent in a step-down unit, the hope surrounding Josie’s heart procedure, and the devastating complications that followed—including blood clots, strokes, infections, and ultimately cardiac arrest. Even after being placed on ECMO and fighting her way off, Josie’s body had endured more than most ever will. She passed peacefully in her mother’s arms, leaving behind a legacy far greater than her time on earth.

Sarah honors Josie through two nonprofits: The Threefold Cord Project, which provides comfort boxes to NICU and pediatric cardiac ICU families, and Josie’s Wind Chimes of Hope, which gifts wind chimes to loss families within the Down syndrome community.

Learn more about The Threefold Cord Project here.

Type of loss: Stillbirth, Delayed twin interval birth

More about Kara's Story: In this episode, Kara Catalano shares her journey through infertility, enduring seven unsuccessful rounds of IVF after being told she had less than a 1% chance of conceiving with her own eggs. On the eighth round, she finally received the news she had been praying for — she was pregnant with twins.

But at her first ultrasound, the joy quickly turned to fear when she was told she should terminate one of the babies within 24–48 hours due to concerns about fluid levels. Kara opens up about the complex pregnancy that followed, including multiple losses and the experience of delayed twin interval birth, as she honors the love she has for each of her babies.

Trusting her instincts, Kara chose to wait.

A week later, a new doctor confirmed that both babies were doing well and there was no longer any need to consider termination. For a moment, hope returned. But at 17 weeks and 5 days, Kara went into spontaneous labor and delivered her daughter stillborn. In the midst of that devastating loss, something extraordinary happened — her son remained safely in the womb.

What followed was a rare and complex medical situation known as a delayed twin interval birth. Kara carried her son for another 12 weeks before delivering him prematurely.

Type of Loss: Twin loss, stillbirth

More about this story: Cheyanne Horne shares the story of her twins, Mila and Maverick.

Cheyanne’s journey to her babies was layered and complex — marked by infertility, medical complications, and the emotional weight that comes with fighting so hard to grow your family. After experiencing two previous pregnancies that resulted in her living children, this pregnancy carried both hope and history. But this chapter would unfold differently.

Type of loss: Stillbirth

More about Lauren's story: Join us as we talk with with Lauren Cicero as she shares the story of her son, Joseph Anthony, Jr.

Nearly halfway through her pregnancy, Lauren experienced a catastrophic uterine rupture caused by undiagnosed placenta percreta — a life-threatening condition where the placenta grows through the uterine wall. What followed was an emergency surgery to stop severe internal bleeding. Her son, Joseph Anthony, Jr., was stillborn. Lauren nearly lost her own life.

In order to save her, doctors performed a full hysterectomy. She received 16 blood transfusions. At just 33 years old, Lauren awoke not only to the devastating loss of her baby boy, but also to the sudden loss of her fertility.

Type of loss: TMFR, Life-limiting diagnosis

More about Elizabeth's story: In this episode, Elizabeth Beadle shares the story of her son, Weston Arthur Beadle.

Elizabeth and her husband were overjoyed to learn they were expecting their first baby boy. But at their anatomy scan, they received devastating news — doctors identified concerning markers suggesting Weston may have had a severe genetic condition causing shortened limbs and likely complications incompatible with life.

In the face of unimaginable heartbreak, Elizabeth and her husband made the loving and agonizing decision to terminate the pregnancy for medical reasons (TFMR), knowing their son would likely pass before, during, or shortly after birth. At 24 weeks and 3 days, Elizabeth delivered Weston vaginally.

In this conversation, Elizabeth shares her experience in her own words — the shock, the decision-making process, the grief, and the enduring love she carries for her son. This episode holds space for the complexity of TFMR, honoring the parents who make impossible choices rooted in profound love.

Not every episode has to hold tears, sometimes, it’s about laughter, connection, and getting to know the hearts behind the mission.

In this lighthearted episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, we’re welcoming our newest team member, Lauren Kraynik, Executive Assistant at Emma’s Footprints, to the podcast! Lauren gives us a glimpse into her life behind the scenes — from her role supporting our team and keeping everything running smoothly, to her life as a wife to John and mom to Bradley and Henry.

Type of Loss: Stillbirth, Multiple Losses

More about Jade's Story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Jade Buckley shares the story of her children, Arlo and Emmie, and the profound losses her family has endured.

After welcoming her son Lucas in 2020, Jade and her partner decided to grow their family again, knowing pregnancy is physically challenging for her. Her pregnancy with Arlo was complicated, and at 37 weeks, Jade went to the hospital expecting monitoring and answers. Instead, she learned that Arlo no longer had a heartbeat. He was stillborn in February 2024 due to a true knot in his umbilical cord.

Still longing to add to their family, Jade became pregnant again with Emmie. During an 18-week appointment, Emmie’s heartbeat could not be found, and Jade later learned her daughter died of heart failure.

In this fun and relaxed episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Julie, Tracy, and Falon step away from the heavy topics and invite listeners into a lighthearted “get to know us” conversation.

From favorite snacks to go-to activities and small joys that brighten their days, this episode gives you a chance to hear the voices behind the mic in a more personal way. It’s an opportunity to laugh with us, learn something new, and feel a little more connected to the women who show up each week to hold space for grieving families.

Whether you’re a longtime listener or tuning in for the first time, this episode offers a sweet glimpse into who we are beyond our roles and our stories. Grab a snack of your own and join us for something a little lighter.

Type of loss: Twin loss, TTTS Stage 4

More about this episode: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, we talk with Rachel Badalamenti as she shares the incredible, emotional, and deeply complex journey that brought her both her sons...Dean and Robbie.

After years of infertility, multiple failed IUIs and IVF cycles, and finally finding the right doctor, Rachel learned she was pregnant with twins. What began as overwhelming joy quickly shifted when, at 23 weeks, she was diagnosed with Stage 2 Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). Despite the fear and uncertainty, Rachel and her husband chose laser surgery in hopes of saving both babies.

When Rachel woke from surgery, she learned that her son Dean had passed away due to heart failure. She carried him with his brother, Robbie, all the way to 35 weeks, a gift she calls nothing short of a miracle. On Easter Sunday, Rachel delivered both of her boys, holding the heartbreak of losing Dean alongside the profound gratitude of welcoming her surviving son, Robbie.

Rachel opens up about the grief that resurfaces as Robbie reaches milestones, the strength she found through hope, and the vulnerability she brings in sharing both her love and her loss. Her story is a powerful reminder that no parent walks this journey alone.

Type of Loss: Stillbirth

More about Maggie & Dave's Story:In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Maggie and Dave Geier share the heartbreaking story of their daughter, Hannah Marie.

After a long journey through infertility and surgeries to restore Maggie’s ability to carry a pregnancy, the couple was overjoyed to be expecting their second child. But at just over 17 weeks, Maggie’s water unexpectedly broke, and their world changed in an instant. Despite their prayers and the small hope that Hannah might survive, Maggie went into labor the following day and delivered their precious daughter.

Maggie opens up about the trauma of her medical experiences, the compassion and challenges they faced in the hospital, and the deep ache of leaving the hospital without their baby. Together, she and Dave share how they’re navigating the grief that comes after such a devastating and complex loss.

Type of Loss: Stillbirth, Life-limiting diagnosis, Multiple losses

More about Michael Ann's story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, we talk with Michael Ann Thomas as she shares the story of her daughter, Amelia.

After experiencing an early miscarriage, Michael Ann and her husband were thrilled to be expecting their baby girl. Everything appeared normal until their 20-week anatomy scan revealed anomalies consistent with a lethal form of skeletal dysplasia. Amelia’s diagnosis meant her chest and limbs were too small to support life outside the womb. At 21 weeks and 5 days, Michael Ann was induced and surrounded by family as they welcomed and said goodbye to their daughter.

Michael Ann also reflects on her ongoing journey, now pregnant with a healthy baby boy, and the complex emotions of carrying new life while holding space for grief. Her story is one of love, loss, and the courage to find hope again.

For the month of October, in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we will be sharing special interviews with Pamela Presler, LCSW, CPLC.

In this episode, Pam shares an interesting phrase with us 𝙂𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙛 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚. She shares what it is and how you can have Grief Confidence.

For the month of October, in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we will be sharing special interviews with Pamela Presler, LCSW, CPLC.

In this episode, Pam shares how to parent your baby after loss. It may seem like a confusing concept, but she shares ways to do it and the importance of it for your healing journey.

For the month of October, in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we will be sharing special interviews with Pamela Presler, LCSW, CPLC.

In this episode, Pam shares the importance of naming your baby and how helpful it can be to your grief journey.

For the month of October, in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we will be sharing special interviews with Pamela Presler, LCSW, CPLC.

In this episode, we ask Pam all the questions we've heard loss parents ask the most.

For the month of October, in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we will be sharing special interviews with Pamela Presler, LCSW, CPLC.

In this episode, we introduce Pam, how we met Pam and what she provides the Emma's Footprints community.

Type of Loss: Stillbirth, Abortion

More about this episode: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Cara Postma shares the painful and complex journey of losing both her son and her daughter in very different circumstances.

Cara speaks bravely about the forced abortion of her son, a loss she was told to keep secret for nearly 20 years, and the deep grief of carrying that silence for so long. She also opens up about the stillbirth of her daughter, a devastating loss compounded by medical negligence.

Her story is one of heartbreak, resilience, and the courage it takes to bring hidden grief into the light. Through sharing her journey, Cara reminds us of the importance of giving voice to every loss, no matter how long it has been silenced.

Type of Loss: Stillbirth

More about this story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Brittney Dunphy shares the heartbreaking story of her son, Garth. After a long and healthy pregnancy, Brittney went into her 38-week appointment expecting to hear her baby boy’s heartbeat—but instead learned the unimaginable: Garth had passed away.

He was stillborn after tying a true knot in his umbilical cord, a tragic and rare event that forever changed Brittney’s life. She opens up about the shock, the grief, and the love she carries for her son.

Join us as we honor Garth’s memory and hold space for Brittney’s journey through loss and healing.

Grief doesn’t follow a straight line and triggers can show up anywhere, anytime. In this episode, we talk with Pamela Presler, about what grief triggers really are, why they can feel so overwhelming, and how to navigate them with compassion and care.

Pam shares practical strategies for recognizing your own triggers, responding in ways that honor both your grief and your healing, and creating space for growth along the way. Whether it’s a date on the calendar, a place you visit, or an unexpected reminder, this conversation offers hope and tools to walk through those difficult moments.

Type of Loss: Infant loss

More about this episode: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, we hear from Emily as she shares the story of her son, Charlie. From the very beginning, Charlie’s journey was filled with uncertainty. He was expected not to survive pregnancy and faced a 95% chance of having Down syndrome. Against all odds, he was born and continued to defy expectations.

At just five months old, Charlie went into cardiac arrest, leaving lasting neurological impacts. Despite ongoing medical challenges, he lived at home surrounded by love until pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension became too much for his little body to fight.

Emily opens up about the many layers of grief she and her family have faced from grieving during pregnancy, through medical crises, and finally in saying goodbye. She shares honestly about the anger, the heartbreak, and the tension between faith and human limitation when it comes to caring for medically complex children.

Type of loss: Stillbirth

More about Christina’s story: In this episode, we talk with Christina Fitting as she shares the heartbreaking story of losing her daughter, Julia. At 38 and a half weeks pregnant, Christina went in for what was supposed to be a routine appointment—only to be told that her baby girl’s heartbeat had stopped.

Christina opens up about the shock of hearing those words, the moments that followed, and the lifelong impact of carrying both love and grief for Julia. Through her story, she reminds us that behind every stillbirth statistic is a family forever changed.

More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: @EmmasFootprints

Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

In this episode, Tracy and Julie share everything you need to know about our upcoming Emma’s Footprints Memorial Walks. These special gatherings are a time to say your baby’s name out loud, walk beside others who truly understand, and honor where you are in your grief journey.

Whether this will be your very first walk or it has become a yearly tradition, we invite you to join us in remembrance, healing, and connection.

Save the dates:

🧡 Pittsburgh, PA – September 13 at Robert Morris University Island Sports Center

🩷 Erie, PA – September 21 at Penn State Behrend

💙 Melbourne, FL – November 15 at Wickham Park

Your baby’s life matters, and we are here to walk beside you.

Type of loss: Incompetent Cervix, Stillbirth

More about Michaela’s story: In this episode, Tracy and Julie talk with Michaela about the loss of her son, Jackson James. Late in her pregnancy, Michaela received a diagnosis of incompetent cervix (IC), but only after her high-risk specialist caught it during an ultrasound that was performed just a few days too late for an emergency cerclage, and a few days too early for Jackson to be saved in the NICU.

Michaela shares the shock of learning about IC so late in her pregnancy and the devastation of realizing how narrow the window was to save her baby boy. She opens up about the silence surrounding IC losses, the emotional toll of feeling overlooked by the healthcare system, and the grief journey she has walked since saying goodbye to Jackson.

In Jackson’s memory, Michaela is passionate about raising awareness for incompetent cervix losses, advocating for earlier detection and proactive care so other families don’t experience the same heartache.

More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @EmmasFootprintsInstagram: @EmmasFootprints

Type of loss: SIDS, Infant Loss

More about Rebecca’s story: In this episode, Tracy and Julie talk with Rebecca Toohey about the life and sudden passing of her son, Bodie. Just two days into starting childcare, Bodie tragically passed away due to unsafe sleep practices and lack of supervision. He was just shy of 3 months old.

Rebecca shares the devastating moment she learned of Bodie’s passing and the waves of grief that followed. She opens up about the trauma of losing him in a space meant to be safe, the guilt and anger that surfaced in the early days, and how their family is navigating life without their baby boy.

In Bodie’s memory, Rebecca and her loved ones created Bodie's Buddies , a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the silence around baby loss and spreading awareness about safe sleep practices. She also reflects on the life-changing support she received from Emma’s Footprints early in her grief, and the continued healing her husband has found through Sad Dads Club.

More about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

More about this episode: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Tracy and Julie take a pause from storytelling to reflect on the heart of Emma’s Footprints and the families we’ve served so far this year. The numbers may seem like data, but each one represents a baby loved and missed, and parents navigating life after unimaginable loss.

Together, they discuss the emotional weight behind these statistics and the sacred work of showing up with compassionate guidance, financial support, and a listening ear. From helping cover burial and cremation costs to providing counseling and memorial items, this episode offers a glimpse into the day-to-day impact of Emma’s mission.

If this work speaks to your heart, we invite you to join us in making a difference on Erie Gives Day, Tuesday, August 12. Visit www.ErieGives.org to donate and honor the families we serve—because every number has a name, and every name matters.

More about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

Type of loss: Stillbirth

More about Stephanie’s story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Tracy and Julie sit down with Stephanie Casey to talk about the loss of her daughter, Ava. At her 20-week anatomy scan, Stephanie heard the words no parent ever expects: "There's no heartbeat." Based on Ava's size, doctors estimated she passed around 17 weeks gestation. Stephanie was induced and delivered Ava the following day. Later, they learned that Ava had passed away due to cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Stephanie shares her journey through pregnancy, fear, and postpartum anxiety—beginning with complications in her daughter Kaylee’s birth, and continuing into Ava’s pregnancy. She opens up about the trauma surrounding Ava’s delivery, the fear she felt during her D&C procedure, and the intense grief that followed. Stephanie also reflects on the emotional complexities of introducing Ava to her living daughter, the pain of regret, and the impact of delayed fetal demise on her ability to hold and connect with Ava after birth.

Now in trauma therapy, Stephanie shares how she’s learning to say “I’m not okay” and searching for purpose in her pain. Her story is a raw and powerful reminder that no one should walk this road alone.

More about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints