Confessions of a Grieving Mother

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 w...

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 pregnan...

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, M...

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...

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...

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 u...

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...

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 j...

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 mome...

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, he...

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...

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...

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 beh...

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 induce...

In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Tracy and Julie talk with Pamela Presler, LCSW, about the complex journey of pregnancy after loss. Pam shares her insight from years of walking alongside grieving parents and dives deep into the emotional rollercoaster that comes with hoping for new life after heartbreak. From navigating fear and anxiety to holding space for both grief and joy,...

Type of loss: Infant loss after life-limiting diagnosis (HLHS, heterotaxy syndrome) More about Jenelle’s story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother , Tracy and Julie talk with Jenelle Romo about the life and loss of her son, Mateo. Diagnosed in utero with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and heterotaxy syndrome with polysplenia, Mateo was born on July 20, 2023, and spent his entire...

More about this episode: In this episode, Julie is joined by special co-host Khristina for a conversation with Kathy, a first-time participant in the Emma’s Footprints Memorial Walk. Kathy shares her emotional journey walking in memory of her son, Jonathan, and reflects on what the experience meant to her as a grieving mom. From putting together her team to honoring her son’s memory in a public sp...

In this special episode, Tracy and Julie talk with Carol Cacchione, the nurse who walked into Tracy's hospital room the night Emma was born. Their conversation is a moving reflection on the sacred moments of that night, the lifelong impact Carol had on Tracy in the darkest hours of her life, and the unexpected bond that was formed in the midst of devastating loss. This episode is a heartfelt t...

Type of loss: Life-limiting diagnosis, stillborn More about Brittany's story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother , Tracy and Julie talk with Brittany Crawford about the loss of her daughter, Norah. At 12 weeks gestation, Brittany learned that Norah had a rare genetic condition called Arthrogryposis. After weeks of seeing specialists, she was told at 18 weeks that Norah would not s...

Type of loss: PPROM, Infant loss More about Sam's story: Sam Yanes shares the incredible story of her son, Antonio "Tony". From the early weeks of pregnancy filled with bleeding and uncertainty to a courageous NICU journey that spanned eight months, Sam walks us through every heartbreaking and hope-filled moment. Tony was born at just 25 weeks, weighing 1lb 15oz, and immediately faced a mountain o...