The Joyful Mourning - A Podcast for Women Who Have Experienced Pregnancy or Infant Loss

Listen in as I spend some time with Elizabeth Bloomquist who's daughter, Isabelle was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 after early prenatal testing around 11 weeks. Elizabeth shares very helpful and practical wisdom in this episode about Trisomy 18, what it is and how you can advocate for your baby if you have been given a similar diagnosis. She talks very practically about who you will need on your care team, the decisions you will need to make, why creating a birth plan was helpful and resources she used to make sure all of those things were in place. And while those things are incredibly necessary and I am so grateful for the tangible help this episode will provide for women facing a trisomy diagnosis, the most beautiful part of this episode was hearing Elizabeth talk about her daughter -- how much she loves her and how because of her, everything has changed -- in the best kind of way. Elizabeth speaks with a deep-rooted joy and a confident hope that is sure to encourage anyone listening who has received a life-limiting diagnosis for their baby. If that's you today, I pray this episode is a gentle reminder that you are not alone. There are women who have walked this road and who want to help you. YOU ARE NOT ALONE If you are feeling alone today and are looking for a safe place to share what you are going through, a place where you will be understood in this season of loss -- come join our free online community, The Joyful Mourning Community. A place where you will find women who have been through loss and understand. A place where you can share honestly about how you are doing and ask questions to women who can give practical wisdom because they have been there too. To join this free community, simply head to thejoyfulmourningcommunity.com -- all the details for how to join are right there. We would love to have you join us, we would love to remind you that you are not alone. -- EPISODE 049 SHOW NOTES: www.themorning.com/episode049 THE JOYFUL MOURNING COMMUNITY: www.thejoyfulmourningcommunity.com GIFT SHOP FOR GRIEVING MOTHERS: www.themorning.com/giftshop THE JOYFUL MORNING INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thejoyfulmorning

Listen in as I spend some time with Kathryn Ann Casey -- a mom to 4 children here and 3 in heaven, a woman who's journey to motherhood and in motherhood has been full of heartache and loss and grief. And yet, after experiencing so much suffering she speaks with such tenderness and peace and reminds listeners of the joy that can be had even in the midst of suffering. Kathryn experienced 2 miscarriages, her son, Peter, has a rare and life-threatening genetic condition called SPINT2 and her daughter Celeste died during birth at 37 weeks from anencephaly. In our time together Kathryn shares wisdom specifically for women who have received a life-limiting diagnosis for their baby (she even explains why she prefers that term over terminal or fatal), she shares with her why she made the decision to carry her daughter to term but she also helps us understand the struggle she had with making that decision. She gives helpful wisdom to those who may love someone who is grieving and very tangible advice on how to walk older siblings through the death of a baby. And her answer to "is there anything you would do differently" may surprise you -- but it is honest and helpful and full of much wisdom. Listen for that around the 38-39 minute mark. This episode is full of practical wisdom, but more than that it is a reminder that joy can be had even amidst the worst of circumstances. That we can find the good, even in the pain. And most of all, I pray this episode reminds you that you are not alone in your grief and that you are more loved than you can ever imagine. YOU ARE NOT ALONE If you are feeling alone today and are looking for a safe place to share what you are going through, a place where you will be understood in this season of loss -- come join our free online community, The Joyful Mourning Community. A place where you will find women who have been through loss and understand. A place where you can share honestly about how you are doing and ask questions to women who can give practical wisdom because they have been there too. To join this free community, simply head to thejoyfulmourningcommunity.com -- all the details for how to join are right there. We would love to have you join us, we would love to remind you that you are not alone. -- EPISODE 048 SHOW NOTES: www.themorning.com/episode048 THE JOYFUL MOURNING COMMUNITY: www.thejoyfulmourningcommunity.com GIFT SHOP FOR GRIEVING MOTHERS: www.themorning.com/giftshop THE JOYFUL MORNING INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thejoyfulmorning

Listen in as I chat with Laura Moore -- a mama who endured the heartbreaking journey of knowing the baby she carried would most likely not live more than a few hours, days at the most, after birth. Laura's son Hudson was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 and in this episode she shares honestly about her pregnancy, what it was like to prepare for his birth and the tangible ways she did so, how she celebrated his life while he was alive and why maternity photos were incredibly meaningful to her. Laura also talks very specifically about the resources that were most helpful to her as she planned for Hudson's birth as well as how she went about planning a funeral for her son and the role her friends and family played in that process. Laura spends some time recounting the day her son was born and marvels at what a beautiful day that was. If you or someone you love is walking the journey of carrying a baby that will not live beyond birth -- this episode is both practically helpful and honestly hopeful. I pray that no matter what brought you here today, this episode would serve as a reminder that you are never, ever alone in this journey and that you are more loved than you could ever imagine. -- Thank you to Cultivate What Matters for supporting The Joyful Mourning Podcast. Cultivate What Matters are the creators of the PowerSheets Intentional Goal Planner as well as the Write the Word Journals -- two of my most favorite tools for intentional, purposeful living. For the grieving mama who may find opening the Bible to be too difficult in this season, The Write the Word Journals are a perfect solution. This tool takes the overwhelm out of opening the Bible and provides a simple way to consistently spend time reading God's Word -- where I believe true healing can be found. The Cultivate team is offering Joyful Mourning listeners an exclusive discount. Head to www.cultivatewhatmatters.com/JoyfulMourning to order your Write the Word journal today and receive 10% off with the code JOYFULMOURNING. -- EPISODE 047 SHOW NOTES: www.themorning.com/episode047 THE JOYFUL MOURNING COMMUNITY: www.thejoyfulmourningcommunity.com GIFT SHOP FOR GRIEVING MOTHERS: www.themorning.com/giftshop THE JOYFUL MORNING INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thejoyfulmorning

Listen in as I chat with Natalie Sanders, a mama who experienced pre-term labor, delivered her baby boy Axel at 24 weeks and said goodbye after he lived for just 24 days. Natalie and I talk about everything from marriage to friendship and the very beautiful but feasible and practical ways her family is honoring and remembering Axel in their every day life. Natalie also shares how she has grown as and is growing still as a result of Axel's life and death. I think what she has to say about finding purpose in the loss will encourage anyone listening who is new to this grief journey. This episode is full of very practical wisdom and just genuine honest conversation from two moms who have had to bury their sons. I pray that even more than practical advice or honest conversation, this episode would serve as a reminder that you are never, ever alone in this grief journey and that you truly are more loved than you could ever imagine. -- Thank you to Cultivate What Matters for supporting The Joyful Mourning Podcast. Cultivate What Matters are the creators of the PowerSheets Intentional Goal Planner as well as the Write the Word Journals -- two of my most favorite tools for intentional, purposeful living. For the grieving mama who may find opening the Bible to be too difficult in this season, The Write the Word Journals are a perfect solution. This tool takes the overwhelm out of opening the Bible and provides a simple way to consistently spend time reading God's Word -- where I believe true healing can be found. The Cultivate team is offering Joyful Mourning listeners an exclusive discount. Head to www.cultivatewhatmatters.com/JoyfulMourning to order your Write the Word journal today and receive 10% off with the code JOYFULMOURNING. -- EPISODE 046 SHOW NOTES: www.themorning.com/episode046 THE JOYFUL MOURNING COMMUNITY: www.thejoyfulmourningcommunity.com GIFT SHOP FOR GRIEVING MOTHERS: www.themorning.com/giftshop THE JOYFUL MORNING INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thejoyfulmorning

If you are anything like me, you have wrestled with fear this week. Fear is a monster that wreaks havoc on a grieving heart. Keeping you up at night. Keeping you from finding rest. Keeping you from enjoying the gifts right in front of you. It can paralyze and debilitate and cause you to question everything that is good. In today's episode I wanted to share 5 things I learned from Psalm 23 that remind me that this monster of fear actually has no control or power over me or you. I pray this episode reminds you that you are never, ever alone and that you truly are more loved than you could ever imagine. -- Thank you to Cultivate What Matters for supporting The Joyful Mourning Podcast. Cultivate What Matters are the creators of the PowerSheets Intentional Goal Planner as well as the Write the Word Journals -- two of my most favorite tools for intentional, purposeful living. For the grieving mama who may find opening the Bible to be too difficult in this season, The Write the Word Journals are a perfect solution. This tool takes the overwhelm out of opening the Bible and provides a simple way to consistently spend time reading God's Word -- where I believe true healing can be found. The Cultivate team is offering Joyful Mourning listeners an exclusive discount. Head to www.cultivatewhatmatters.com/JoyfulMourning to order your Write the Word journal today and receive 10% off with the code JOYFULMOURNING. -- EPISODE 044 SHOW NOTES: www.themorning.com/episode044 THE JOYFUL MOURNING COMMUNITY: www.thejoyfulmourningcommunity.com GIFT SHOP FOR GRIEVING MOTHERS: www.themorning.com/giftshop THE JOYFUL MORNING INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thejoyfulmorning

This is a very special episode as it marks the 1 year birthday of this podcast. Exactly 1 year ago I launched this podcast out into the world. And while this endeavor has been one of the hardest things I have ever done, I am so grateful for the opportunity to do so -- to bring you a tangible reminder that you are not alone in your grief and that you are loved deeply by a God who has not forgotten you or left you, a God who is working to bring about healing to your broken heart. Today I want to spend a few minutes sharing why I started this podcast, the same why that kept me going when producing and publishing yet another episode felt nearly impossible, and 3 very specific hopes and prayers I have for you, my joyful mourner listeners, as we move forward into year 2 of this podcast. I pray this episode does what each episode before it did, reminds you that you are not alone in your grief and you are more loved than you could ever imagine. -- Thank you to Cultivate What Matters for supporting The Joyful Mourning Podcast. Cultivate What Matters are the creators of the PowerSheets Intentional Goal Planner as well as the Write the Word Journals -- two of my most favorite tools for intentional, purposeful living. For the grieving mama who may find opening the Bible to be too difficult in this season, The Write the Word Journals are a perfect solution. This tool takes the overwhelm out of opening the Bible and provides a simple way to consistently spend time reading God's Word -- where I believe true healing can be found. The Cultivate team is offering Joyful Mourning listeners an exclusive discount. Head to www.cultivatewhatmatters.com/JoyfulMourning to order your Write the Word journal today and receive 10% off with the code JOYFULMOURNING. -- EPISODE 043 SHOW NOTES: www.themorning.com/episode043 THE JOYFUL MOURNING COMMUNITY: www.thejoyfulmourningcommunity.com GIFT SHOP FOR GRIEVING MOTHERS: www.themorning.com/giftshop THE JOYFUL MORNING INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thejoyfulmorning

Listen in as I spend time with Megan Hillukka. She shares the story of her daughter Aria and the subsequent trauma she faced as a mother whose 15 month old daughter had died in her sleep. Megan shares her journey with PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder, and gives invaluable wisdom about getting help and the specific therapy that has brought her healing. We also spend some time talking about how you can love and support someone who is walking through trauma as well as what it practically looked like for Megan to help her older children work through the grief of losing their baby sister. Anyone who has suffered loss has experienced trauma and yet we rarely associate post traumatic stress disorder with the loss of a baby so I am incredibly grateful for Megan sharing her experience and wisdom with us in this episode. I pray this episode provides freedom in your grief journey as you are reminded that it is both helpful and important to get the help you need when you are grieving. -- Thank you to Cultivate What Matters for supporting The Joyful Mourning Podcast. Cultivate What Matters are the creators of the PowerSheets Intentional Goal Planner as well as the Write the Word Journals -- two of my most favorite tools for intentional, purposeful living. For the grieving mama who may find opening the Bible to be too difficult in this season, The Write the Word Journals are a perfect solution. This tool takes the overwhelm out of opening the Bible and provides a simple way to consistently spend time reading God's Word -- where I believe true healing can be found. To check out all the details about the Write the Word Journals, as well as a generous 10% coupon code, head to www.themorning.com/cwm -- EPISODE 042 SHOW NOTES: www.themorning.com/episode042 THE JOYFUL MOURNING COMMUNITY: www.thejoyfulmourningcommunity.com GIFT SHOP FOR GRIEVING MOTHERS: www.themorning.com/giftshop THE JOYFUL MORNING INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thejoyfulmorning

Listen in as Lindsey Dennis shares honestly about what it was like to receive a fatal diagnosis for her daughter Sophia, to choose to carry her to term, and the ways she celebrated and cherished Sophia's life in the days she did have with her. Lindsey's story of loss and grief did not end with Sophia and she would go on to receive a second fatal prenatal diagnosis with her second daughter Dasah. This episode is real and and raw and hearing Lindsey's story flooded my heart with familiar questions about God's goodness and kindness and purpose for such loss. Lindsey redirected my heart and she will redirect yours too as she shared hope-filled truth that is helpful to any woman walking through loss and grief. While I cannot begin to understand God's purposes for such pain I am grateful for the wisdom that Lindsey has gained through her suffering and for her graciously sharing it with us in this episode. I promise that this episode will leave you changed for the better friend -- reminding you that you have not been forgotten by God and you are never alone in this grief journey. -- Thank you to Cultivate What Matters for supporting The Joyful Mourning Podcast. Cultivate What Matters are the creators of the PowerSheets Intentional Goal Planner as well as the Write the Word Journals -- two of my most favorite tools for intentional, purposeful living. For the grieving mama who may find opening the Bible to be too difficult in this season, The Write the Word Journals are a perfect solution. This tool takes the overwhelm out of opening the Bible and provides a simple way to consistently spend time reading God's Word -- where I believe true healing can be found. To check out all the details about the Write the Word Journals, as well as a generous 10% coupon code, head to www.themorning.com/cwm -- EPISODE 041 SHOW NOTES: www.themorning.com/episode041 THE JOYFUL MOURNING COMMUNITY: www.thejoyfulmourningcommunity.com GIFT SHOP FOR GRIEVING MOTHERS: www.themorning.com/giftshop THE JOYFUL MORNING INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thejoyfulmorning

Listen in as my special guest Aubrey Tollefson shares her story of loss after loss after loss but the remarkable way she found hope and healing through intentionally choosing gratitude amidst an unbelievable amount of grief. During our time together Aubrey and I talk about what pregnancy after recurrent loss is like, why she couldn't even bring herself to buy maternity pants and why she hates the phrase 'pregnancy is a natural thing.' Aubrey also gets really honest about the complex nature of experiencing both joy and loss all at the same time and what she would say to another mom who is walking through such a dichotomy. And make sure to listen all the way to the end when she shares a piece of absolutely invaluable wisdom. No matter what has brought you here today, I am sure that this interview will resonate with you as it did with me. -- EPISODE 040 SHOW NOTES: www.themorning.com/episode040 THE JOYFUL MOURNING COMMUNITY: www.thejoyfulmourningcommunity.com GIFT SHOP FOR GRIEVING MOTHERS: www.themorning.com/giftshop THE JOYFUL MORNING INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thejoyfulmorning