Welcome to The Empty Arms Podcast, a compassionate space dedicated to supporting loss parents through the profound experience of pregnancy and infant loss. We u...
Ep. 030 - The Courage to Keep Going: Kelly's Journey After Loss.
In this powerful episode, Kelly shares her heartbreaking journey of losing her 4th pregnancy, a baby boy named Jonah, at 16 weeks. At a routine appointment, Kelly was told there was no heartbeat, shattering her world. But amidst the devastation, she found strength, healing, and meaningful ways to honor Jonah’s life. Keeping Jonah's memory alive, both for herself and for her four living sons and husband, has become a huge piece of her healing journey. Kelly shares with us many ways in which she continues to honor his life. Shortly after her loss, Kelly courageously became pregnant again with another baby boy, and today she holds him in her arms. This episode is about the courage it takes to carry again after loss, the heartbreak when life doesn’t go as planned, and the incredible grit and determination to keep moving forward even in the darkest of times. Join us for an inspiring conversation about hope, healing, and the power of perseverance. This episode is sponsored by Farmhouse Coffee Roasters.
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Ep. 029 - When I say your name: Finding purpose and healing in remembering.
In this powerful episode, I sit down with my dear friend and fellow board membe Jenna, a mother who knows the depths of unimaginable loss. Jenna’s son, Tripp, was born after a terrifying delivery and spent ten days in the NICU before she faced the unthinkable—leaving the hospital without him. She shares how that moment went against everything biological in her body, how the weight of grief felt impossible to survive, and how she didn’t just lose a baby—she lost an entire lifetime she had envisioned. But Jenna’s story is also one of transformation. Ten years later, she continues to honor Tripp’s memory through Tripp’s 10 Days of Giving, sponsoring a classroom each year to represent the grade he would be in. She speaks about turning her grief into passion, using his name for good, and ensuring his legacy lives on. And in the most heartfelt ending, she shares the one thing she would tell Tripp if she could—"I would find you and choose you in every lifetime." This is an episode about grief, resilience, and love that never fades. Tune in for a conversation that will stay with you long after it ends. 🎧💙 #TrippsLegacy #GriefToPassion #InfantLossAwareness
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Ep. 028 - Honoring Rett: Deana's Mission to Help Families Impacted by Childhood Cancer
In this podcast episode, Deana shares her heartbreaking journey of losing her son Rett to cancer at just 10 months old. Everett ‘Rett’ Cavan was diagnosed with a Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor at six months old. This aggressive cancer would take Rett’s life in less than four months—despite having access to the best doctors and treatment plans available. She reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of receiving Rett's cancer diagnosis, navigating through his treatment, as well as the profound challenge of accepting that her son was not going to survive. In the nine years since Rett's passing, Deana and her husband have channeled their grief into creating a non-profit organization. The non-profit offers holistic retreats and meaningful gatherings that foster connection, honor the grieving process, and emphasize the healing power of love. Deana's story is one of resilience, profound loss, and the transformative journey of turning grief into something that supports others. This episode is sponsored by Rett's Roost. https://rettsroost.org
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Ep. 27- Lindsay Dolloff - Living loss out loud.
In this episode, I sit down with Lindsay Dolloff, an OB nurse whose journey through loss has reshaped her perspective both personally and professionally. Diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis, Lindsay was encouraged to start trying for a baby right away. She and her husband were thrilled to conceive quickly, but their joy was short-lived. Lindsay experienced a partial molar pregnancy, an incredibly rare and devastating complication, which resulted in a miscarriage at 12 weeks. Her loss was compounded by months of regular blood work and followup care. Through it all, Lindsay found a way to channel her pain into purpose. She shares how her loss has made her a more empathetic OB nurse, allowing her to connect deeply with her patients. As a passionate member of Empty Arms, Lindsay has not only shared her story but has also played a pivotal role in creating a TTC (Trying to Conceive) support group, offering hope and guidance to others navigating similar struggles. In this episode, we explore the courage it takes to live your loss out loud. Lindsay delves into how openly sharing her journey has been an act of courage, allowing her to reclaim her story and find meaning in her pain. By speaking about her experience, she not only fosters healing for herself but also creates space for others to feel seen and understood. Living your loss out loud is about breaking the silence around grief, embracing vulnerability, and finding strength in community. Lindsay’s story is a testament to the power of shared experiences and the hope that can emerge when we allow ourselves to be truly seen. This episode is sponosred by First National Wealth Management.
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Ep. 026 - Sara Rian - The Love Stays.
In this moving episode the love stays, Sara Rian shares her journey of navigating grief and transforming it into art and healing. A grief poet and therapist, Sara turned to poetry after the traumatic suicide of her mother, channeling her pain into words that resonate with countless others experiencing loss. Through her work, she highlights how grief, no matter its origin, connects us through shared emotions and the longing for what could have been. Sara also reflects on her role as a sister and an aunt, deeply affected by the loss of her niece, Sahara, who passed at 17 weeks. The parallels between these losses—though vastly different in circumstance—reveal the universal truths of grief: love, longing, and the need for community and remembrance. The episode explores how grief doesn’t adhere to hierarchies or comparisons; instead, it carves a unique yet familiar path for each person. Whether mourning a parent, a child, or anyone in between, Sara emphasizes that the rawness of loss carries common threads: a yearning for connection, the challenge of finding meaning, and the power of honoring memories through creative expression. By sharing her poetry, her personal story, and the lessons grief has taught her, Sara invites listeners to see grief as both deeply personal and profoundly unifying—a space where we can all find connection and hope. The love stays is about exactly that; though the person you loved is gone, the love you shared always stays.
Welcome to The Empty Arms Podcast, a compassionate space dedicated to supporting loss parents through the profound experience of pregnancy and infant loss. We understand the deep complexities of grief and the wide spectrum of emotions that come with it—sadness, hope, joy, and everything in between. In each episode, we offer heartfelt conversations, personal stories, and expert insights to help parents navigate the difficult terrain of loss, healing, and remembrance.
This podcast is a platform for parents to explore their own experiences, share their stories, and connect with others who understand their pain and resilience. Whether you're in the midst of grief or finding ways to move forward, we are here to offer support, validation, and a reminder that you're never alone on this path.
Ireland