Today, I'm excited to talk about a crucial yet often overlooked topic: celebrating yourself. Inspired by my own birthday celebration, this episode dives deep into understanding how to honor and appreciate yourself through milestones big and small, especially after experiencing baby loss, miscarriage, or stillbirth. We explore why it’s challenging for many of us to celebrate ourselves and discuss ways to shift our perspective to find joy and meaning in our journey of growth and healing. Additionally, practical ways to celebrate survival, effort, achievements, failures, and progress are covered to help you cultivate self-love and resilience. Tune in for actionable tips and heartfelt advice on making self-celebration a part of your healing process. 00:00 Introduction and Celebrating Yourself 02:07 The Challenge of Self-Celebration 08:03 Surviving: Finding Celebration in Tough Times 11:31 Trying: The Power of Effort 14:34 Achieving: Recognizing Your Wins 17:46 Failing: Embracing and Learning from Mistakes 20:33 Progress: Celebrating Growth and Change 24:54 How to Celebrate Yourself 29:36 Conclusion and Encouragement  

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In episode 189 of the Smooth Stones Podcast, I share a powerful tool that I regularly use with my clients - the check-in. I'll guide you on how to perform your own daily or weekly check-ins to assess both your physical and emotional well-being. This involves scanning your body, evaluating your nervous system, and reflecting on your recent experiences. We'll explore essential questions like 'What are your wins?', 'What's working and what's not?', and 'What support do I need?' These steps help you understand your needs and make the necessary changes to aid your healing journey. It's important to recognize that listening to a podcast is helpful, but taking the additional step of working with a coach can provide tailored support. I encourage you to take advantage of my free mini-course on how to stop blaming yourself, especially if you've experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or baby loss. By performing these intentional check-ins, you empower yourself to better navigate grief and create positive shifts in your life. Reach out through my website or Instagram for further support, and remember you are not alone in this journey. 00:00 Welcome to Smooth Stones Podcast 00:24 The Power of Coaching 01:04 Programs and Support 02:23 Daily Check-In Practice 04:38 Body Scan Techniques 09:28 Evaluating Your Wins 10:56 Identifying Challenges 12:49 Seeking Support 16:24 Conclusion and Contact Information

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Today's Episode is a fiery one where I hold nothing back. A grief hot take if you will.  We explore the deeply personal journey through grief and the belief that healing is possible. I share my personal story of baby loss, including the hurdles faced during the mourning period, and offer a passionate counterview to the notion that grief remains static. By using relatable analogies and real-life examples, I emphasize the importance of holding onto hope and the idea that while grief never fully disappears, it becomes more manageable over time. This episode is a heartfelt message to anyone grappling with miscarriage, stillbirth, or baby loss, encouraging them to find strength and embrace the journey towards better days. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:45 The Myth: It Never Gets Better 02:55 Personal Struggles and Hope 05:10 The Grief Ball Theory 06:11 Disagreeing with the Grief Ball Theory 07:41 A Personal Story of Pain and Healing 12:31 The Journey of Healing 13:15 A Story of a Broken Leg 19:11 Phases of Healing 27:11 The Importance of Hope and Faith 33:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In today's episode, I delve into three powerful strategies to help you stop overreacting, especially during times of grief. We'll explore understanding defensiveness, getting to know your grief, and recognizing that it's often not about you. These insights aim to provide practical steps to manage emotional responses, particularly for those dealing with the loss of a baby and the raw emotions that come with it. I'll also share personal analogies related to allergies and defensiveness, drawing a parallel to how our bodies sometimes overreact to harmless triggers, just like our emotions. Tune in to learn how to interrupt this cycle and gain tools to manage your reactions effectively. By the end, you'll have concrete ideas and examples to start thinking about and implementing in your journey through grief. Join me and let's navigate this path together. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:09 Springtime and Allergies 01:45 Understanding Overreactions 03:41 Watch Out for Defensiveness 07:25 Get to Know Your Grief 11:29 It's Not About You 18:59 Embracing the Full Human Experience 23:44 Conclusion and Invitation to Join the Challenge   Embrace Mother's Day starts April 12, 2025 Click HERE to join!

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In today's episode, I dive into how you can give back in honor of your baby and discuss the upcoming Embracing Mother's Day Challenge. I provide tips on how to give back and honor your baby, focusing on keeping it simple, listening to your heart, networking, and being unique. Whether you want to start a support group, organize a fundraiser, or create care packages, these tips will help you move forward and make a difference. I share personal stories and examples to inspire you to take action and bring your ideas to life. Listen in for practical advice and heartfelt encouragement on giving back in a meaningful way.   As Mother's Day approaches, many women dread it due to complicated relationships, baby loss, or other emotional reasons. I share my experiences with free Mother's Day coaching and the powerful impact it has had. This year, I am launching an email challenge to help you embrace Mother's Day with actionable steps and group coaching calls to support you through this emotional time. Join the challenge for just $25 and let's make this Mother's Day a positive experience together.   00:00 Introduction and Upcoming Events 02:30 Mother's Day Challenge Announcement 05:41 Starting a Support Group 06:32 Tips for Giving Back in Honor of Your Baby 31:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In today's episode we"re going to dive deep into the topic of self-validation, offering practical tips on how to better understand and accept your emotions. From increasing your emotional vocabulary to letting yourself be human, I discuss the importance of not judging your feelings and learning to talk to yourself kindly. By becoming more confident in your grief and emotional state, you can improve your relationships and feel more connected. If you'd like personalized help navigating your emotions, please feel free to reach out and join my coaching sessions. Plus I have an exciting new program for you: a 30-day Embracing Mother's Day challenge. This challenge is designed to help more people navigate the emotional complexities surrounding Mother's Day. Alongside self-care activities, emotional intelligence exercises, and practical planning tips, this challenge aims to support various forms of mourning, including bereavement. I explain how the challenge can serve as a solution for those with limited access to one-on-one coaching due to my packed schedule. Tune in to discover how you can make Mother's Day a less daunting experience for just $25. You won't want to miss the exclusive bonuses included! 00:00 Introduction and Exciting Announcement 03:21 Understanding Validation 04:33 Challenges in Self-Validation 09:38 Learning to Validate Yourself 11:41 Practical Steps for Self-Validation 15:02 Embracing Your Emotions 23:53 Communicating Your Needs 32:08 Final Thoughts and Resources  

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In this episode I reflect on my journey of rebuilding self-trust following the loss of my daughter Lauren, who would have turned 12 today. I share personal stories about the grief milestones I've encountered and how embracing these experiences has helped me grow stronger. I talk about engaging in meaningful activities, such as service projects, that have provided solace and connection throughout my grieving process. I emphasize the importance of recognizing and celebrating the small wins, loving yourself where you are, and allowing moments of hardship to build character and resilience. Whether you've recently experienced a miscarriage or have been navigating grief for years, this episode offers actionable steps for nurturing self-trust and finding peace in your unique journey. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Story 02:46 Reflecting on Milestones and Grief 09:19 Planning a Special Day for Lauren 12:55 Main Topic: Trusting Yourself Again 22:39 Actionable Tips for Building Self-Trust 30:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts  

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In this episode, I talk about how life has been really busy, but I'm excited to be back with new content. Today, I'm sharing 10 ways to keep going despite dealing with grief, particularly related to miscarriage, stillbirth, and other forms of loss. We discuss the importance of just getting through the day, and learning continuously. We'll explore how keeping a compelling reason in mind, such as living children, can help you push forward, and the joy found in serving others and building a community. I also touch upon the unexpected benefits of unhealthy coping mechanisms and the healing power of nature. These tips are designed to help you find the motivation and strength to keep moving forward, even when life feels overwhelmingly difficult. I encourage you to apply these suggestions at your own pace and find what resonates with you most. Tune in for a heartfelt discussion and practical tips that can make a significant difference in your journey. 00:00 Welcome Back! 00:54 Jumping into Today's Episode 03:52 10 Tips to Keep Going 05:15 Tip 1: Just Do It 06:17 Tip 2: Keep Learning 08:13 Tip 3: Find Your Motivation 10:20 Tip 4: Get Busy Living 11:49 Tip 5: Serve Others 12:56 Tip 6: Walk with Friends 16:12 Tip 7: Invite Children into Your Life 18:51 Tip 8: Dig Deep into Your Beliefs 20:17 Tip 9: Use Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms 23:20 Tip 10: Connect with Nature 25:22 Bonus Tip: Get Expert Help 27:15 Final Thoughts and Recap

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In this heartfelt episode, Amy sits down with her client, Summer, to discuss the profound journey they've shared through multiple miscarriages. Summer reflects on her experiences of loss, the lessons she learned from her three angel babies, and the impact of her recurrent miscarriages on her emotional and physical well-being. From navigating deep grief and depression to finding solace in coaching and the decision to seek help from a fertility clinic, Summer's story is a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the importance of giving oneself grace and understanding during times of profound loss and uncertainty. Join Summer and Amy as they delve into the highs and lows of pregnancy after loss, the emotional hurdles of trying again, and the compassionate strategies that helped Summer cope and find hope. Through honest and raw conversation, they explore themes of empathy, self-trust, the importance of knowing when to take a break, and creating a supportive environment to process grief and prepare for new beginnings. This episode is a poignant reminder that even in the darkest times, there is potential for healing, connection, and ultimately, a renewed sense of hope and purpose.  

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  00:00 Introduction and Client Praise 02:21 Summer's Angel Babies 05:27 Lessons from Loss 09:27 Struggles and Seeking Support 14:20 Finding Hope Through Podcasts 18:59 The Value of Coaching 22:25 Trusting Yourself and Taking Care 26:40 Navigating Social Expectations 29:31 Balancing Self-Care and Compassion 30:31 Facing Judgment and Letting Go 32:39 Pregnancy After Loss: A Personal Journey 36:27 Navigating Medical Advice and Personal Choices 41:07 Emotional Hibernation and Finding Clarity 49:02 Current Pregnancy and Managing Anxiety 55:02 Message of Hope and Conclusion

Secondhand Anxiety: Navigating Others' Pregnancies After Loss In this heartfelt podcast episode, Amy delves into the complexities of caring deeply for someone who is pregnant, especially when one has experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or losses themselves. Through personal anecdotes about her daughter's pregnancy and professional insights, she explores the emotions of worry, fear, and hope, offering practical advice on how to manage these feelings. Listeners are encouraged to normalize their anxiety, practice self-care, and find ways to support their loved ones without being consumed by fear. Tune in for a meaningful discussion on secondhand pregnancy after loss and how to embrace both the joy and challenges it brings.   00:00 Introduction and Construction Woes 00:24 Discussing Pregnancy and Personal Experiences 01:31 Exciting News: My Daughter's Pregnancy 02:11 Navigating Worries and Support 03:38 Normalizing Concerns and Offering Tips 05:11 Managing Fear and Anxiety 06:35 Balancing Advice and Support 09:39 Reflecting on Personal Experiences 16:14 Trusting Yourself and Letting Go 23:25 Embracing Joy and Miracles 24:24 Conclusion and Support Resources

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https://www.pushpregnancy.org/ Stillbirth prevention advocacy

https://countthekicks.org/ app for third trimester

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Music by ZingDog on Pond5