The Silent Footprints | Stillbirth, Miscarriage, SIDS, Stigma, Baby Loss, Grief, SHINE for Autumn Act, Advocate, Legislation,
Lisa Rowell
68 episodes
10 hours ago
Send us a text Brianna Sistrunk, Mrs. Alabama America 2025, is the perfect example of beauty, strength, and purpose. At first glance, you might assume her journey has been easy—but behind the crown is a story of unimaginable loss and unwavering faith. In 2015, Brianna faced the heartbreak of losing her daughter, Madison Reign, who was born still at 19 weeks gestation. She has also endured an ectopic pregnancy. Out of that pain, Brianna found her purpose—using her platform to advocate for wome...
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Send us a text Brianna Sistrunk, Mrs. Alabama America 2025, is the perfect example of beauty, strength, and purpose. At first glance, you might assume her journey has been easy—but behind the crown is a story of unimaginable loss and unwavering faith. In 2015, Brianna faced the heartbreak of losing her daughter, Madison Reign, who was born still at 19 weeks gestation. She has also endured an ectopic pregnancy. Out of that pain, Brianna found her purpose—using her platform to advocate for wome...
Send us a text Brianna Sistrunk, Mrs. Alabama America 2025, is the perfect example of beauty, strength, and purpose. At first glance, you might assume her journey has been easy—but behind the crown is a story of unimaginable loss and unwavering faith. In 2015, Brianna faced the heartbreak of losing her daughter, Madison Reign, who was born still at 19 weeks gestation. She has also endured an ectopic pregnancy. Out of that pain, Brianna found her purpose—using her platform to advocate for wome...
Send us a text Finally, more organizations are beginning to acknowledge the deep pain and grief families experience when they lose a baby within the first three months of pregnancy. Since launching the Juliana Grace Ministry, I’ve heard countless stories from mothers who feel isolated after a miscarriage—a word I absolutely hate. Too often, doctors and hospital staff make insensitive comments, leaving families feeling dismissed in their pain. That’s why creating the Miscarried Child Certifica...
Send us a text As we close out the month of October—an especially meaningful time as it marks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month—I want to take a moment to share a few words of encouragement and some exciting news from Senator Kennedy’s office. After attending the Wave of Light event hosted by my friend Samantha at LSU St. Mary’s Hospital, I was reminded of how deeply God loves you. In this episode, I want to encourage you to share your story—with your legislators, your frie...
Send us a text I first met Jen at a celebration dinner in Washington, D.C. Her joyful spirit immediately stood out—but like so many of us, her advocacy for Stillbirth Awareness comes from a deeply personal place. In April 2023, Jen lost her son at 37 weeks and 5 days gestation. Feeling isolated in her grief, she turned to Google and discovered Empty Arms Bereavement Support, where she found community and renewed purpose. In today’s episode, Jen shares her journey through loss and healing, and...
Send us a text I’ve been following Sarah Lingle on Instagram since 2024, drawn to her faith-filled encouragement for mothers like me who have experienced the loss of a baby. Sarah’s story began while she was already serving as a doula. In January 2021, she faced unimaginable heartbreak when she lost her first baby, lovingly named Peanut. In this episode, Sarah shares the deeply personal story of her pregnancy, the day she was rushed to the hospital, and the shocking encounter with a nurse mor...
Send us a text Today’s episode wraps up my trip to Washington, D.C. from last month — and what an incredible finish it was! I had two days left, and it began with the SHINE for Autumn Act being introduced on the House side. I spent the day meeting with several Louisiana leaders — congressmen, congresswomen, and senators — and to my surprise, Congressman Cleo Fields signed on to the bill right in front of us. I felt so favored by the Lord and deeply privileged to be part of this important work...
Send us a text In this episode, I share about my recent advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., where I joined Healthy Birth Day, Debbie Haine Vijayvergiya—the founder of SHINE for Autumn—and fellow Count the Kicks advocates to talk about preventable stillbirth and the importance of passing the SHINE for Autumn Act. I walk you through my first day on Capitol Hill, giving insight into what the process of advocating for a bill can look like. Along the way, I share how God orchestrated some inc...
Send us a text In this powerful and moving episode, we sit down with Monica Kelsey, the founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, to hear her extraordinary testimony. Monica boldly and unapologetically shares her personal story—one that begins in August 1972, when her 17-year-old birth mother survived a brutal assault and faced an unplanned pregnancy. Against all odds, she chose life, abandoned Monica safely at a hospital just hours after birth, and unknowingly set the course for a mission that would...
Send us a text In this episode, we share the story behind Miles' Mission — a powerful movement born from the heartbreak of losing Miles Owen Moore, who was stillborn on October 11, 2021. His passing forever changed his family, inspiring them to take their pain and turn it into purpose. Join Jennifer and Dr. Michael Bullock as they open up about their journey through grief and the many challenges they discovered along the way — gaps in hospital care, legislation, and resources that left ...
Send us a text When Buddy Shuh stepped onto the set of The Biggest Loser in 2012, millions of viewers saw a man determined to reclaim his health. What they didn’t see was the deeper story—the heartbreak that had quietly shaped his life for years. Back in 2006, Buddy and his wife were joyfully preparing to welcome their baby girl when a routine prenatal appointment turned their world upside down. Doctors discovered their daughter was missing several vital organs and diagnosed her with spina bi...
Send us a text Today, I open up and share a story I have never spoken about publicly before—the story of my brother’s death. While it was ruled as SIDS, I’ve carried the belief in my heart that his life was taken for monetary gain. My biological father had a desire to profit from the twins—or even through my death—and that shadow has followed me for decades. In this episode, I share the details and events that unfolded both before and after my brother’s passing, moments that have weighed heav...
Send us a text In this episode, Luis Melara, the son of Rosie Melara, opens up about the heartbreaking loss of his sister, Ana Mary, in 2010. What began as a season of hope, joy, and anticipation quickly turned into grief and heartache. Luis shares how, as a young child, he learned to grieve openly alongside his family, discovering the power of walking through sorrow together. Through their journey, his family found meaningful ways to honor Ana Mary’s life, and in the process, Luis developed ...
Send us a text In this heartfelt episode, Lisa opens up about a story she has never shared publicly—the story of her baby brother who passed away in 1992. For decades, his life has been hidden in silence, but Lisa feels compelled to finally tell it from her own perspective. With raw honesty, she invites you into the pain, the questions, and the journey of faith that followed his death. As Lisa prepares for an upcoming trip to Washington, D.C., she asks for prayer—both for strength and for cou...
Send us a text Just after the one-year anniversary of Rebecca Mitchell’s son Jonathan’s stillbirth, she came across a baby’s obituary in the Dallas newspaper and felt compelled to send the grieving mother a sympathy card. That simple act sparked a powerful friendship rooted in shared sorrow. Within weeks, they connected with two other mothers who had also experienced the unimaginable loss of a baby. What began as a few phone calls, emails, and meetups soon blossomed into something more — a co...
Send us a text In this powerful and emotional episode, I’m joined by Linda Znachko, founder of He Knows Your Name ministry and author of the award-winning book He Knows Your Name: How One Abandoned Baby Inspired Me to Say YES to God. What began as heartbreak over a baby abandoned in a dumpster became a calling that reshaped Linda’s life. She couldn’t bear the thought of a child leaving this world without dignity—and so began her mission to ensure that every life, no matter how short, is seen,...
Send us a text In this short but powerful episode, I’m joined by Jen Rowray of Healthy Birth Day, Inc. and Count the Kicks to talk about an important cause—stillbirth prevention. I share my plans to travel to Washington, D.C. from September 17–19 to advocate for legislative change and life-saving awareness. One of the key efforts we’re supporting is the Shine for Autumn Act, which seeks to improve stillbirth data collection—something critically needed, as many stillbirths go unrecorded, hinde...
Send us a text Have you ever felt stuck after trauma—trapped in panic, fear, or constant survival mode? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Meg Roland, a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor with Clint Davis Counseling, to unpack what’s really happening in our brains after trauma—and why it can feel impossible to move forward. Meg shares the same insight that brought me peace at a women’s retreat and helped me understand the deep effects of losing my daughter, Julianna Grace. For...
Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with my new friend and fellow homeschooling mom, Candace MacDaniels. Candace’s story is one of control, surrender, and challenging faith. After receiving a kidney transplant 25 years ago, she became immunocompromised and later developed autonomic dysfunction. Convinced that motherhood wasn’t in the cards due to her health, she set out to chase her dreams—until she met her husband. What followed was a painful journey of losing 7 precious babies and wr...
Send us a text In this powerful second part of a two-part series, I sit down with Jamie Strahl—a grieving mother turned passionate advocate—who shares the heartbreaking yet hope-filled story of her daughter, Heidi. What began as a routine delivery quickly turned into tragedy due to the negligence of a nurse and medical malpractice that forever changed Jamie’s life. Jamie opens up about the moments leading up to Heidi’s birth, the unsettling behavior of the nurse on duty, and the haunting sil...
Send us a text In this powerful first part of a two-part series, I sit down with Jamie Strahl—a grieving mother turned passionate advocate—who shares the heartbreaking yet hope-filled story of her daughter, Heidi. What began as a routine delivery quickly turned into tragedy due to the negligence of a nurse and medical malpractice that forever changed Jamie’s life. Jamie opens up about the moments leading up to Heidi’s birth, the unsettling behavior of the nurse on duty, and the haunting silen...
The Silent Footprints | Stillbirth, Miscarriage, SIDS, Stigma, Baby Loss, Grief, SHINE for Autumn Act, Advocate, Legislation,
Send us a text Brianna Sistrunk, Mrs. Alabama America 2025, is the perfect example of beauty, strength, and purpose. At first glance, you might assume her journey has been easy—but behind the crown is a story of unimaginable loss and unwavering faith. In 2015, Brianna faced the heartbreak of losing her daughter, Madison Reign, who was born still at 19 weeks gestation. She has also endured an ectopic pregnancy. Out of that pain, Brianna found her purpose—using her platform to advocate for wome...
