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

Latest Episodes:

144. Parenting Amidst Grief & Helping Young Children Grieve in a Healthy Way with Early Childhood Grief Specialist Michele Benyo Jan 06, 2022

Show notes

In this week's episode I have the honor of interviewing Michele Benyo. Michele is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®, an early childhood parent coach, and the founder of Good Grief Parenting. After her 6-year-old son died of cancer, her 3-year-old daughter said, "Mommy, half of me is gone." This heartbreaking statement defined Michele's life purpose. Her mission is twofold: to help parents through the unimaginable challenges of parenting while grieving the death of a child, and to help parents meet the unique needs of a child who has lost a sibling in the early childhood years. The desire of Michele's heart is to see families live forward after loss toward a future bright with possibilities and even joy.

The immense practical wisdom Michele shares during our time together is invaluable and I just know you are going to love Michele.

FREE RESOURCE BUNDLEOver the past 5 years we have helped thousands of women navigate life after the loss of a baby and we pulled our best and most helpful resources all into one easy to access resource. There is a separate bundle for miscarriage, infant loss and life-limiting diagnosis so the resources are very specific, tailored to you and your grief journey. To get your free resource bundle head to themorning.com/resourcebundle

SHOW NOTESwww.themorning.com/blog/episode144

FREE ONLINE COMMUNITY www.themorning.com/community

RATE, REVIEW & FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

143. Hopes & Prayers for a New Year with Ashlee Proffitt, Meg Walker & Mary Margaret Powitz Dec 30, 2021

Show notes

Today's special episode is all about the end of a year and the beginning of a new one. And you are going to hear from all three members of The Morning team in this special episode, Meg Walker is going to share with you thoughts about last year, Mary Margaret Powitz is going to share with you 3 hopes for the new year and I am going to finish our time with 3 prayers I have for you as we end 2021 and enter 2022.

Before we jump into that I want you to hear me say: You made it through the holidays friends — I am so proud of you. I wish I could give you a hug and look you in the eyes and say "You did it. You made it through one of the toughest seasons a grieving mother has to walk through."

I would love to encourage you to spend some time today or tomorrow, just a few minutes, reflecting on this past year, on this moment right now, and on the holiday season. We created a simple workbook for you with questions and prompts to help you reflect on the year as we move into a new year, head to themorning.com/newyear to download yours.

The purpose of writing out your thoughts is not to come up with perfect words but to get all that's in your head out -- to remember things you don't want to forget; to reflect, to pause, to ponder, and to process.

You have been through so much this year, it will be an incredibly helpful exercise to take a few minutes to sit in it, reflect on it, learn from it -- before diving into a new year. Download that free workbook at themorning.com/newyear and then head over to our free community to share with us what you discovered during your time of reflection.

New Year Reflection Workbook www.themorning.com/newyear

Show Notes www.themorning.com/blog/episode143

Free Community www.themorning.com/community

Bonus. Christmas Promise for the Grieving Mother | Revelation 21:4 Dec 24, 2021

Show notes

Bonus Episode from the Christmas Promises for the Grieving Heart Daily Devotional

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4

He will wipe away every tear

At Christmas we celebrate Jesus' first coming as a baby, when He came to be our Rescuer and Redeemer, our Healer and our Comforter. But we also anticipate His second coming, when He will wipe away all the tears, all the sadness, all the pain, all the brokenness, and all the death.

HOLIDAY WORKBOOK & RESOURCE BUNDLE for the grieving mother www.themorning.com/holidays

FREE COMMUNITY www.themorning.com/community

Bonus. Christmas Promise for the Grieving Mother | Isaiah 61:1-3 Dec 23, 2021

Show notes

Bonus Episode from the Christmas Promises for the Grieving Heart Daily Devotional

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. Isaiah 61:1-3

Our Healer, Our Comforter

The baby we celebrate at Christmas, that baby in a manger, He is our good news, our hope. He is good news because He came to bring freedom, to set us free. Freedom from death and sin and all that is broken. Jesus came to bring life. And He came to bring healing and comfort.

HOLIDAY WORKBOOK & RESOURCE BUNDLE for the grieving mother www.themorning.com/holidays

FREE COMMUNITY www.themorning.com/community

142. Cuddle Cots: What They Are & How They Might Help You with Kristyn Szala Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

This week on the podcast Kristyn Szala joins me back on the podcast to talk about Cuddle Cots – what they are, why a mom who has received a life-limiting diagnosis should know about these, how to learn more about them and how to get one for yourself or for someone you love.

Kristyn shared her full story with us in Episode 134 but is joining us this week to talk specifically about Cuddle Cots and the role this resource played in her bereavement care. Kristyn says over and over during our time together what a blessing Cuddle Cots were to her after her son Asher was born still due to complications from a life-limiting diagnosis of Trisomy 18. Cuddle Cots gave her, and give moms like her, the gift of time. This amazing resource gives parents, as well as friends and family, the ability to spend time with their baby that they wouldn't really be able to otherwise.

Cuddle cots are not widely known about in the US but they are gaining traction as a very helpful resource in bereavement care for families who have experienced the loss of a baby and Kristyn shares all about that in this episode.

If you have been given a life-limiting diagnosis or knows someone who has this episode is going to be very helpful. And if you are a grieving mom, looking for a way to bless other moms I would listen in – knowing about Cuddle Cots and helping to raise awareness about this unique and helpful resource might be the very thing someone you know and love will need in the future.

Like I shared last week in Episode 141 with Gina Harris, CEO of Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, as we near the end of the year, if you are looking for year end giving opportunities this would be a really, really great opportunity to give to in honor of your baby this Christmas. To find out more about how to connect with Kristyn and give a donation head to www.facebook.com/AshersHope. Or reach out to your local hospital and give a donation for them to begin raising the funds necessary to purchase their own Cuddle Cot!

FREE RESOURCE FOR LIFE-LIMITING DIAGNOSIS & LIFE AFTER BABY LOSS

Over the past 5 years we have helped thousands of women navigate life after the loss of a baby and we pulled our best and most helpful resources all into one easy to access resource. There is a separate bundle for miscarriage, infant loss and life-limiting diagnosis so the resources are very specific, tailored to you and your grief journey. To get your free resource bundle head to themorning.com/resourcebundle

SHOW NOTESwww.themorning.com/blog/episode142

FREE ONLINE COMMUNITY www.themorning.com/community

141. A Grieving Mother's Most Prized Possession + Her Story of Motherhood + The Value of Photographs with Gina Harris, CEO of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Dec 09, 2021

Show notes

This week I have the honor and privilege of interviewing Gina Harris, a mom who has experienced devastating loss with two sons diagnosed with life-limiting diagnosis as well as the immense pain of two subsequent miscarriages. Gina understands this journey well and is here today to share with us not only as a mother who has experienced the loss of a baby but also as the CEO of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is an organization that provides the gift of remembrance portraits to parents experiencing the death of a baby. Gina is passionate about the value of photographs for families like us and I was so grateful for this conversation. I especially loved when she said:

"the photographs of our son David, are our most prized and cherished possession. They are everything to us still to this day. 14 years later… these photographs document the existence of our precious babies."

I can't wait for you to hear more about Gina's story, the role that remembrance photography played in her story as well as Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. Gina shares with us how we can help spread the news about the services they offer, both for moms and for medical professionals, and how you can get connected and learn more about their volunteer opportunities. As a side note they need more than just photographers as volunteers, so don't dismiss those volunteer opportunities until you hear Gina share a little more about ways you can serve.

Also, I wanted to mention that as we near the end of the year, if you are looking for year end giving opportunities this would be a really, really great organization to give towards and you could even do so in honor of your baby this Christmas. To find out more about how to give a donation head to nowilaymedowntosleep.org, that's nowilaymedowntosleep.org.

HOLIDAY RESOURCESAlong with this podcast episode we have pulled together all of our best and most helpful resources for navigating the holidays, into our Holiday Workbook & Resource Bundle.

This resource is going to include quick access to all of our holiday material, including links to our holiday interviews and posts like how to handle Christmas Cards as well as a workbook that gives you space to prepare your mind and heart for the holiday season -- you can find that free download at www.themorning.com/holidays

FREE COMMUNITYwww.themorning.com/community

SHOW NOTES www.themorning.com/blog/episode141

140. 5 Simple Christmas Traditions for the Grieving Mom with Ashlee Proffitt Dec 02, 2021

Show notes

Today we are talking about Christmas traditions for the grieving mom. I want to share a few things I've learned about traditions over the years, how they might be helpful to you, as well as a few traditions you may want to incorporate into your Christmas season and a few tips for navigating traditions in general.

HOLIDAY RESOURCESAlong with this podcast episode we have pulled together all of our best and most helpful resources for navigating the holidays, into our Holiday Workbook & Resource Bundle.

FREE COMMUNITYwww.themorning.com/community

SHOW NOTES www.themorning.com/blog/episode140

Bonus. A Thanksgiving Letter to the Grieving Mom with Ashlee Proffitt Nov 25, 2021

Show notes

To my grieving friends on this Thanksgiving Day.

I wish I could pull up a chair beside you and sit with you in person. To give you a look of understanding when someone you love says a hurtful thing or squeeze your hand under the table to remind you that you aren't alone. Or cover for you when you need to hide away for a bit. To tangibly remind you that you're not alone.

Even if I can't be there with you in person, I want you to know that you are loved today and not alone. I thought you might need to hear from someone who understands first hand how hard today really is, so I wrote you a short letter and wanted to read it to you.

today is hard. And that's ok.

I know how seemingly impossible it feels to be thankful and how the idea of celebrating feels like a contradiction and how maybe the only emotion you are experiencing is rage.

And I know how all of that makes you feel guilty and full of shame.

This is me, a mama who has been there, telling you it is hard. Holidays are hard. And feeling grateful when your heart is broken and your arms are empty -- when a life is missing -- is really, really hard.

NAVIGATING THE HOLIDAYS AFTER BABY LOSS

www.themorning.com/holidays2020

139. Practical & Helpful Advice from 6 Women About Facing the Holidays After Baby Loss Nov 18, 2021

Show notes

A very special episode as the holiday season is upon us. I asked a handful of previous guests on the episodes who have experienced different types of loss to share their best wisdom and advice for navigating the holidays. Listen into this very very special episode, made up of 6 women sharing incredible wisdom from their experience of walking through the holidays as grieving mothers.

If you are a grieving mom this episode will make you feel less alone this holiday season and equip you with tangible ways to face the holidays.

If you love a grieving mom this episode will help you love and understand her better this holiday season.

I am incredibly thankful to the women who so beautifully shared their wisdom on this episode, Kristin Hernandez, Aimee Jones, Mary Margaret Powitz, Kelly Griffin, Sarah Sandel and Carolyn Keller . Thank you, thank you thank you. It was my joy to listen and learn from you and it is my honor to walk alongside you in your grief.

HOLIDAY RESOURCES

Along with this podcast episode we have pulled together all of our best and most helpful resources for navigating the holidays, into our Holiday Workbook & Resource Bundle. This resource is going to include quick access to all of our holiday material, including links to our holiday interviews and posts like how to handle Christmas Cards as well as a workbook that gives you space to prepare your mind and heart for the holiday season -- you can find that free download at www.themorning.com/holidays

Also, join us for a free live event: Hope for the Holidays, happening on November 21, where we will be sharing all of this wisdom about navigating the holidays live -- you can register for this live event in our free private community; if you aren't a member of our community yet, now is a great time to join -- you can find more information about how to join over at www.themorning.com/community.

138. 5 Tips for Navigating the Holidays When Grieving with Ashlee Proffitt Nov 11, 2021

Show notes

As we near Thanksgiving and move into the Christmas season I thought it would be helpful to share a few simple tips for navigating the holidays as a grieving mom. I know first hand the difficulty and sorrow and deep longing that accompanies a broken heart as it enters the holidays and I want to share a few things that may ease the pain of it all just a bit.

HOLIDAY RESOURCES

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