Sisters in Loss Podcast: Miscarriage, Pregnancy Loss, & Infertility Stories

Episodi

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  Finding hope when grief and health battles collide 16.09.2026 47min

  Tiana's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the power of advocacy, and what it truly means to hold onto faith when your body and your plans are tested on every level. In this intimate and courageous conversation, Tiana opens up about: The devastation of ectopic pregnancy: Navigating the sudden loss, the emergency medical interventions, and the quiet heartbreak of an unexpected reproductive crisis. Facing a breast cancer diagnosis: Processing the shock of a cancer diagnosis while still grieving the loss of a pregnancy—and confronting the intersection of maternal health, oncology, and fertility preservation. Self-advocacy in medical spaces: How she found her voice as a Black woman navigating complex healthcare systems, asking hard questions, and demanding compassionate, comprehensive care. Cultivating "Mended Hope": What emotional and spiritual healing looks like when grief isn't erased, but gently mended through faith, sisterhood, and intentional restoration. "Hope doesn't mean the cracks disappear; it means love and purpose have mended the broken pieces back together." Why This Episode Matters Black women navigate disproportionate maternal health risks and breast cancer mortality rates, often carrying the emotional burden of both in isolation. Tiana's transparency breaks the silence surrounding concurrent health battles and pregnancy loss. Her journey reminds us that even when our bodies feel betrayed and our grief feels overwhelming, our stories are sacred, our pain deserves witness, and mended hope is always within reach. Whether you are healing from an ectopic pregnancy, walking through a serious health diagnosis, or companioning someone through deep trials, Tiana's story will leave you feeling seen, fortified, and embraced by sisterhood. 🔗 Important Links: Learn more about Sisters in Loss and our Doula Training: sistersinloss.com/course Take the Healing Archetypes Quiz:  HAQuiz.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @sistersinloss Join the private Sisters in Loss Facebook community: Join Us
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  How to Advocate for your Womb Health after Pregnancy Loss and Infertility with Dr. Kemi Doll 09.09.2026 51min

  In today's podcast episode, Dr. Kemi Doll, a 43-year-old double board-certified gynecologic oncologist and OBGYN, uterine cancer scientist at the University of Washington, coach for women of color in academic medicine, nonprofit founder supporting Black women with womb cancers, and author of A Terrible Strength, discusses Black womb health and the "terrible strength" that leads Black women to normalize heavy bleeding and pain, endure gynecologic disease, and delay care. She shares her personal history of lifelong painful, heavy periods, infertility labeled "unexplained," and a first endometriosis diagnosis during a C-section despite being a board-certified OBGYN, linking endurance to cognitive load and worsened outcomes. She addresses gynecology's history of experimentation on enslaved Black women and ongoing pain dismissal, and offers steps for healing and advocacy: making space for grief, learning family "womb stories," clarifying medical and physical goals, and bringing a "womb sister" to appointments, plus defining medically and spiritually safe support.    Steps for Healing & Medical Advocacy Dr. Doll outlines actionable strategies for Black women to navigate the healthcare system safely and advocate for their reproductive well-being: Strategy Actionable Step Make Space for Grief Allow yourself to grieve the time, fertility, or bodily peace lost to undiagnosed or dismissed pain. Learn "Womb Stories" Talk to maternal relatives to uncover family histories of fibroids, heavy bleeding, infertility, or gynecologic cancers. Clarify Your Goals Determine both your medical goals (e.g., pain management, fertility preservation) and your physical goals (e.g., daily energy, comfort). Bring a "Womb Sister" Never go to critical appointments alone. Bring a trusted friend, family member, or doula to act as your advocate and take notes. Define Safe Support Actively seek out healthcare providers who offer both medically safe clinical care and spiritually safe emotional support.   🔗 Important Links: Learn more about Sisters in Loss and our Doula Training: sistersinloss.com/course Take the Healing Archetypes Quiz:  HAQuiz.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @sistersinloss Join the private Sisters in Loss Facebook community: Join Us   Timestamps 00:00 Meet Dr. Kemi Doll 02:11 Book Praise And Chapter Nine 05:18 Why She Told Her Story 08:14 Infertility And Endometriosis 11:41 Defining Terrible Strength 17:02 Medicine And Black Pain History 22:00 Puberty Pain And Grief Space 26:24 Survival Guide To Healing 27:17 Grief And Emotions 28:03 Family Womb Stories 30:03 Medical Goals And Questions 32:19 Define How You Want Feel 33:21 Bring A Womb Sister 36:08 Building A Safe Village 37:05 Medical Trust And Expertise 39:44 Spiritual Safety And Support 41:47 Her Own Village 44:28 Encouragement And Next Steps 46:44 Where To Find Dr Kemi 48:36 Final Book Recommendations
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  Tending to Your Womb: Pelvic Floor Therapy, Grief in the Body, and Pregnancy After Loss with Anietie Tia Ukpe-Wallace 02.09.2026 1h 4min

  In today's episode, Anietie Tia Ukpe-Wallace, a pelvic health physical therapist and author of Tending to Your Womb, shares how relocating from Northern California to Lisbon, Portugal will shape her continued work virtually and internationally. She recounts chronic infections and pelvic pain that led her to pelvic health, then details her first pregnancy in 2011 complicated by fibroids and ending in a 20-week loss, followed by a second loss six months later. She explains how grief can manifest physically through posture, breathing, reduced movement, nervous system effects, and pelvic floor tension, and defines pelvic floor therapy's functions and common symptoms. Wallace describes how pelvic therapy after loss may begin with external work (breath, abdominal touch/massage, education) before any internal exam, emphasizes finding therapists comfortable with loss, and discusses surgery, therapy, and practices that supported her later pregnancy and ongoing anxiety. She highlights body literacy as a core takeaway from her book and shares where to buy it and how to connect with her and her retreats.   Key Takeaway: Body Literacy The core mission of her book, Tending to Your Womb, is to cultivate body literacy—empowering individuals to deeply understand, listen to, and advocate for their own reproductive and pelvic health. Connect & Learn More: Listeners can purchase Tending to Your Womb through major book retailers and connect with Anietie online to learn more about her virtual pelvic health consulting and upcoming international wellness retreats. 🔗 Important Links: Learn more about Sisters in Loss and our Doula Training: sistersinloss.com/course Take the Healing Archetypes Quiz:  HAQuiz.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @sistersinloss Join the private Sisters in Loss Facebook community: Join Us Time Stamps 00:00 Meet Tia Wallace 01:00 Yoga to Pelvic Health 04:26 Loss and Fibroids Story 06:47 Grief Becomes Pelvic Pain 08:44 Books That Changed Everything 13:50 What Pelvic Floor Therapy Is 18:54 How Grief Lives in the Body 25:59 When to Seek Pelvic PT 29:21 First Visit What to Expect 32:58 Belly Work First 33:51 Pain Without Aggravation 35:30 Cranial Nerve Connection 36:42 Book And Body Betrayal 38:24 Touch And Pleasure Practices 42:22 Trying Again After Loss 43:15 Her Loss And Surgery Story 47:38 Readiness And Anxiety Tools 50:09 Body Literacy Takeaways 54:59 Where To Buy And Work 57:56 Rapid Fire Reflections 01:00:39 Connect And Closing
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  Can you imagine getting pregnant while on birth control? Surviving IUD Infection & Pregnancy After Loss with Jordan Johnson 26.08.2026 29min

  Can you imagine getting pregnant while on birth control? For United States Naval Officer Jordan Johnson, this rare surprise became a reality when she beat the statistical odds and conceived while her IUD was still in place.   What started as a journey of unexpected joy—complete with a cross-country military relocation and a beautiful baby shower—tragically shifted just two weeks later. At 29 weeks, Jordan rushed to the hospital only to learn her son no longer had a heartbeat. 💔 In our latest episode, Jordan bravely opens up about the traumatic reality of delivering her son breech, the severe PTSD she experienced in the delivery room, and the shocking clinical discovery that followed. Doctors found that her IUD had caused a silent infection in her womb, leading to a fatal hemorrhage around her son's umbilical cord. 🎙️ Key Themes in Today's Episode Topic What You Will Learn IUD Complications The hidden risks of silent womb infections caused by intrauterine devices. Delivery Room Trauma Navigating the physical and emotional PTSD of a late-term stillbirth and breech delivery. Pregnancy After Loss The proactive, high-risk medical strategies doctors used to ensure the safety of Jordan and her daughter in a subsequent pregnancy.   🔗 Important Links: Learn more about Sisters in Loss and our Doula Training: sistersinloss.com/course Take the Healing Archetypes Quiz:  HAQuiz.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @sistersinloss Join the private Sisters in Loss Facebook community: Join Us
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  The Raw Reality of Loss and Medical Trauma with Kennedy Marie 19.08.2026 36min

  In this deeply emotional and urgent episode of Sisters in Loss, we sit down with Kennedy Marie, a 26-year-old yogini, doula, and artist from Houston, TX. Kennedy shares her story from the absolute center of her grief—just one month after the devastating loss of her twins. Kennedy's pregnancy was beautiful until her water broke prematurely at 20 weeks. She bravely walks us through the trauma that followed: being placed on hospital bedrest, delivering and losing her daughter a week later, and the harrowing delivery of her son just days after that due to suspected infection. Kennedy sheds light on the horrific medical negligence she endured, from delivering her son completely unassisted on a hospital table, to facing overt racial slurs from nursing staff on the darkest night of her life. There is no neatly packaged healing journey in this episode. Instead, Kennedy offers a profoundly honest look at the raw, immediate aftermath of loss, the glaring disparities Black women face in maternal healthcare, and the exhausting reality of having to advocate for your basic humanity while saying goodbye to your children. Episode Takeaways The Rawness of Early Grief An honest look at what it means to just survive the first 30 days after unimaginable loss, without the pressure of "healing" yet. Systemic Medical Negligence Kennedy's firsthand account of being neglected by hospital staff during a traumatic, premature delivery. Maternal Healthcare Disparities The horrifying reality of facing overt racism and administrative incompetence (including major HIPAA violations) while in active mourning. The Strength to Speak How Kennedy found the strength to report her experiences to hospital administration the very next morning before discharging herself. 🔗 Important Links: Learn more about Sisters in Loss and our Doula Training: sistersinloss.com/course Take the Healing Archetypes Quiz:  HAQuiz.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @sistersinloss Join the private Sisters in Loss Facebook community: Join Us
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  Turning Pain into Poetry: Navigating Premature Ovarian Failure with Melissa Felix 12.08.2026 59min

  In this inspiring episode of Sisters in Loss, we are honored to speak with Melissa Felix, an author, poet, storyteller, and the founder of Rhoyal Scribe, LLC. Melissa opens up about her unexpected diagnosis of Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) and the profound emotional challenge of grieving a future she always envisioned. For 13 years, she served as a dedicated educator and beloved "school mom," pouring her heart into her students while silently carrying the weight of her own reproductive loss. Melissa shares how she transformed her silent struggle into a powerful voice through writing, ultimately giving birth to her debut poetry collection, Silence Speaks. As a Black woman navigating infertility, she is on a mission to break the stigma, increase awareness, and create safe spaces for honest conversations within Black and Brown communities. Tune in to hear how therapy, online support systems, and the power of the pen helped Melissa find purpose beyond the pain, proving that grief does not have to be the final chapter. 📌 Episode Takeaways Navigating the Dual Reality How Melissa balanced the joy of being a "school mom" for 13 years while privately grieving her infertility diagnosis. Healing Through Art The ways poetry and creative writing can serve as a refuge and a practical tool for processing complex grief. Breaking the Stigma The critical importance of shattering the silence surrounding reproductive loss in Black and Brown communities. Building Support Systems How therapy, online communities, and non-judgmental loved ones can provide a safe space for healing. 🔗 Important Links: Learn more about Sisters in Loss and our Doula Training: sistersinloss.com/course Take the Healing Archetypes Quiz:  HAQuiz.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @sistersinloss Join the private Sisters in Loss Facebook community: Join Us
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  9 Years of Sisters in Loss – Replacing Silence with Storytelling 05.08.2026 20min

   Today is an incredibly special episode because we are celebrating our 9-Year Anniversary! 🎉 Nine years ago, I took my pain and turned it into purpose, launching this platform to highlight the stories of Black mothers navigating pregnancy loss, infant loss, and infertility. In this milestone episode, I'm taking a look back at the origins of Sisters in Loss, the defining moments that shaped our community, and how our mission has expanded into training the next generation of bereavement doulas. In this episode, we cover: The Origin Story: Why I started Sisters in Loss in 2017 and the early days of the podcast. Community Impact: How storytelling has helped thousands of Black women heal and break the stigma surrounding maternal loss. The Evolution: Expanding from a podcast to an educational platform and doula training program. What's Next: A sneak peek into the future of Sisters in Loss, including details about my upcoming book, Never Healing Alone. Thank you for being part of this journey for the last 9 years. If this podcast has touched your life, please take a moment to celebrate with us by sharing this episode with a sister who needs it, leaving a review, or tagging us on social media! 🔗 Important Links: Learn more about Sisters in Loss and our Doula Training: sistersinloss.com/course Take the Healing Archetypes Quiz:  HAQuiz.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @sistersinloss Join the private Sisters in Loss Facebook community: Join Us
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  Stillbirth, Postpartum Depression, Preeclampsia, and Serving in Pregnancy After Loss with Shanna Williams 29.07.2026 47min

  Do you know what Stillbirth is? A stillbirth is the death or loss of a baby before or during delivery. Both miscarriage and stillbirth describe pregnancy loss, but they differ according to when the loss occurs. Today's guest experienced a stillbirth at 21 weeks followed by a missed miscarriage at 9 weeks.  She became pregnant again and experienced anxiety, had an upsetting birth experience with her son and developed postpartum depression.  Shanna Williams continued to grow her family by having another baby while her son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder at age 2.  During that birth she secured a doula and midwife in an attempt to have a home birth, but had to be transferred to hospital care due to preeclampsia.  Shanna focused on therapy work on maternal health and became a Doula and Lactation consultant to serve families in pregnancy and parenting after loss.  In this episode, she takes us back to that moment when she heard her son didn't have a heartbeat and what inspired her PhD studies focusing on Historical trauma, Black Maternal Health Outcomes and Pregnancy after loss. This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, postpartum depression, pre-eclampisa, or any trauma during childbirth. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook
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  Finding Joy and Strength through Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Therapy with Dr. Loree Johnson 22.07.2026 41min

  Have you heard of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss? Recurrent pregnancy loss is historically defined as 3 or more consecutive pregnancy losses prior to 20 weeks. Today's guest has experienced 4 pregnancy losses including losing a son at 15 weeks due to chromosomal abnormalities. Dr. Loree Johnson, a licensed marriage and family therapist, shares her loss story and journey to motherhood. In this episode you will hear Dr. Loree's story of strength and perseverance and how she found joy and peace in the uncertainty of this journey. We all could use more joy and peace as we navigate the current uncertain times. This episode is for you to listen to if you are seeking a story of finding joy and strength after recurrent pregnancy loss. Dr. Loree Johnson's Bio I'm Dr. Loree Johnson, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with more than 25 years of experience as a clinician, educator, and clinical supervisor. I help my clients navigate uncertainty in their relationships, overcome the emotional challenges that come with infertility and the loss of a pregnancy, and strengthen their relationships. By combining my licensed clinical background and personal experience into a holistic and therapeutic approach, I support women and couples on their path to parenthood. I'm a clinical fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and I've also served on the state and national boards. I live in Hermosa Beach, CA with my husband and pampered pooch. In my spare time, I enjoy salsa dancing, traveling, reading, and riding my motorcycle. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook
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  Diagnosed at 13 - Navigating Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, Bonus Motherhood, and IVF Hope with DaMarra King 15.07.2026 56min

  Imagine being diagnosed with infertility before you even finish middle school. For DaMarra King, this isn't a hypothetical—it has been her reality since age 13. In this episode, we are joined by DaMarra King—a wife, bonus mom, grants manager, and the voice behind the Suddenly Infertile podcast. DaMarra opens up about her lifelong journey to motherhood, which began when her period stopped at 13 and she was diagnosed with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). Growing up without seeing Black women talking about infertility, she had to unlearn the shame surrounding her diagnosis and choose to speak openly. DaMarra keeps it incredibly real about the highs and lows of trying to conceive. She shares the realities of starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) late, navigating impatient medical professionals, and often feeling more like a "science experiment" than a patient due to her unique story. She also discusses the heartache of betrayal in her first marriage, the complexities of dating with an infertility diagnosis, and the nuanced, beautiful, yet challenging experience of being a bonus mom while longing for a biological child with her husband. But DaMarra's story is also one of immense faith and hope. She shares the exciting news that she was recently awarded a grant for a full IVF cycle and will be beginning her treatment this July! In this episode, we discuss: Processing an infertility (POI) diagnosis at just 13 years old. Advocating for your body in the medical system and the challenges of HRT. Navigating the dating world, divorce, and finding true love after betrayal. The emotional complexities of bonus motherhood while battling primary infertility. The process of receiving a fertility grant and preparing for IVF. Why DaMarra launched the Suddenly Infertile podcast to be the representation for Black women that she didn't have growing up. Listen to DaMarra's podcast: Suddenly Infertile (available on all major platforms) Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook
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  The Sacred Pause: Knowing When to Step Away - Never Healing Alone Updates 08.07.2026 17min

  We often mistake productivity for healing, but true self-care is knowing exactly when to close the laptop and walk away.  In this intimate solo episode, Erica pulls back the curtain on the final editing stages of her upcoming book, *Never Healing Alone* (coming April 2027). After returning from vacation and facing the heavy emotional labor of reviewing her July edits, Erica hit a wall of secondary "grief fatigue." Instead of pushing through, she decided to practice exactly what she preaches in Chapter 8: she chose the Sacred Pause. Tune in as Erica shares the raw reality of editing trauma, how to recognize when your body is screaming for rest, and why protecting your peace is a radical act of rebellion against the "Strong Black Woman" schema. Key Takeaways From This Episode: * Why writing, speaking, and editing your trauma requires a secondary level of emotional labor. * How to identify the difference between "pushing through" and self-gaslighting. * Practical ways to put up your "Boundary Shield" when you are simply "over it". 📓 Journal Prompt of the Week: *Where in your life do you need to take a sacred pause right now? What are you over-carrying, and what would happen if you simply set it down today? Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook
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  Fertile Ground: Navigating Secondary Infertility, Surrogacy, and a Natural Miracle with Quisha Umemba 01.07.2026 54min

  "Just when I thought I had exhausted every medical, financial, and emotional option, a miracle took root." In this week's jaw-dropping episode of the Sisters in Loss podcast, we are joined by the remarkable Quisha Umemba. Quisha is a Registered Nurse, Community Health Worker, and a Fertility Doula in training who knows the clinical side of reproductive health inside and out. But today, she is sharing her deeply personal, heavily tested journey to motherhood—a story of cultivating "Fertile Ground" even when all hope seemed lost. Quisha opens up about her grueling five-year battle with secondary infertility. She holds nothing back as she discusses the immense physical, emotional, and financial toll of her journey, which included multiple intense medical procedures and spending close to $100,000. Seeking every available avenue to grow her family, Quisha even navigated the complex processes of utilizing an egg donor and a gestational surrogate. During this exhausting waiting season, Quisha admits she nearly lost her faith entirely. But then, the unimaginable happened: after years of intense medical intervention, she miraculously became pregnant naturally. In this episode, we discuss: The heavy, often silent emotional and financial weight of secondary infertility. Quisha's experience navigating the complex world of egg donation and gestational surrogacy. The profound crisis of faith that can accompany a prolonged season of waiting and loss. The jaw-dropping story of her natural, miraculous pregnancy. How her lived experience is shaping her new path as a Fertility Doula. The profound impact the book Supernatural Childbirth had on restoring her spiritual foundation. If you are currently feeling financially drained, spiritually exhausted, or just need a reminder that miracles still happen when we least expect them, this episode is exactly what you need to hear. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook
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  Cultivating Community Bump & Beyond: Maternal Advocacy and Doula Sustainability with Alexia Doumbouya 24.06.2026 42min

  "We are cultivating community to support moms Bump & Beyond!" In this week's episode of the Sisters in Loss podcast, we are sitting down with the phenomenal Alexia Doumbouya (pronounced uh-LEK-see-uh DOOM-boy-yah). Alexia is the Founder and President of CocoLife (cocolife.black), an award-winning international speaker, certified Doula, and Childbirth Educator. With a Master's in Organizational Leadership and over 20 years of experience in Healthcare Administration and Public Health, Alexia is a true powerhouse and a leading voice in maternal health advocacy and doula workforce sustainability. Her life-changing work has been recognized by the CDC, March of Dimes, and CVS Health, and she has featured on major platforms including CNN, iHeart Media, and the US Department of Health and Human Services. Alexia's own path to motherhood with her two "Jr. Interns" (ages 14 and 6) was the catalyst for her life's work. Her eldest child was the exact reason she became a doula, and the heavy stories of maternal loss, mental health struggles, and obstetric systemic barriers she witnessed in her community became the driving force behind launching CocoLife. In this episode, Alexia shares how building a strong, faith-based village and growing in community allowed her to boldly walk into the purpose God called on her life. We discuss how she is actively bridging the gap between clinical healthcare and community-based doula support to save lives. In this episode, we discuss: Alexia's transition from public health administration to hands-on doula advocacy. How her 14-year-old inspired her to step into birth work. The birth of CocoLife and how it supports mothers from the "Bump & Beyond." The critical need for maternal health equity and sustainable doula workforces. The resources that keep her anchored, including Dr. Anita Phillips' The Garden Within, Dr. Cindy Trimm's Command Your Morning, and her indispensable village. If you are a birth worker, an advocate, or a mother looking to build a stronger village, Alexia's words will ignite your spirit and inspire you to walk boldly in your own calling. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook
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  Embracing the "No" That Saved My Life: Infertility, IVF, and the Grace of Adoption with Angie Booker 17.06.2026 33min

  "What if the 'no' you've been mourning was actually a shield of protection?" In this week's episode of the Sisters in Loss podcast, we sit down with Angie Booker—an incredibly gifted writer, marketing strategist, and public advocate for infertility whose work masterfully bridges professional storytelling with raw, lived experience. Angie's path to motherhood began nearly a decade ago and was defined by years of silent unraveling. She navigated the heartbreak of infertility, failed IVF cycles, and the heavy grief of a life she imagined slowly slipping away. But then, her story took an unexpected and life-altering turn. A delayed medical diagnosis revealed that pregnancy would have been highly unsafe for Angie. Suddenly, the "no" she had spent years grieving took on a completely different shape. She began to see that her closed womb was not a failure, but a form of divine protection. Angie eventually became a mother through the beautiful, grounding path of adoption. Today, she speaks out to help other women and families not just survive infertility, but make sense of it. She shares how she learned to live inside a story that held both heartbreak and grace, and how she allowed motherhood to expand her heart, rather than letting it be defined by how she got there. In this episode, we discuss: Angie's decade-long journey navigating infertility, failed IVF, and the silent grief of waiting. How a delayed medical diagnosis reframed her perspective on infertility as a form of physical protection. The transition from mourning a biological story to finding grounding joy in adoption. Integrating faith and identity when your life's script goes completely off-course. The resources that kept her anchored, including Therapy for Black Girls, Fertility Ain't Fair, and the books that guided her adoption journey. Angie's story is a powerful, comforting reminder for anyone sitting in a season of waiting or dealing with a closed door. It reminds us that our stories can be beautiful, even when they don't look the way we planned. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook
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  Surviving Trauma and Miscarriage with Dr. Shayla Élise Walker 10.06.2026 34min

  "How do we hold space for the miracle of survival while grieving the loss of a dream?" In this week's episode of the Sisters in Loss podcast, we sit down with the incredible Dr. Shayla Élise Walker, PhD, LCSW. Dr. Walker is a licensed clinical social worker, professor, and public speaker with over a decade of experience addressing mental health, racial justice, and restorative healing. But beyond her impressive credentials, she joins us today as a sister in loss, blending her profound scholarship with her own raw, lived experience. Dr. Walker shares one of the most unique and harrowing pregnancy journeys we have ever heard on this platform. After surviving a life-threatening car accident, she was hospitalized in the trauma ICU, where she discovered she was 3.5 weeks pregnant. In the midst of severe physical trauma, this baby felt like an added, beautiful miracle. Tragically, just five weeks later at her first OB appointment, she and her partner learned the pregnancy was non-viable. Dr. Walker takes us into the unspeakable heartbreak of surviving a near-fatal accident, only to lose her miracle baby a month later. As an expert who actively works to redefine what it means to be a "Strong Black Woman," Dr. Walker opens up about her biggest obstacles during this time: navigating the intense societal pressure to "be strong," keep hope, and distract herself by pouring her energy into work. Instead, she advocates for a different path—one that allows us to hold the complex, messy truth of grief, fear of the future, and gratitude for survival, all at the same time. In this episode, we discuss: Dr. Walker's life-threatening car accident and discovering her pregnancy in the trauma ICU. The devastating transition from surviving physical trauma to navigating perinatal loss. Redefining the "Strong Black Woman" trope and resisting the pressure to heal on anyone else's timeline. The complexity of holding grief, fear of future miscarriages, and gratitude simultaneously. The healing power of connecting with other "heavenly baby" mothers and finding community with Sisters in Loss. This is a masterclass in healing, vulnerability, and maternal mental health. Please tune in, grab your tissue, and let Dr. Walker's wisdom wrap around you. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook
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  Faces of H.O.P.E.: Surviving PPROM, NICU, and Pregnancy After Loss with Nekia Mba 03.06.2026 30min

   "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." In this week's deeply moving episode of the Sisters in Loss podcast, we are welcoming back a familiar voice to our community. The incredible Nekia Mba returns to share her ongoing journey as one of our "Faces of H.O.P.E." Nekia is a military spouse, a devoted mother to two living children and three angel babies, the founder of a maternal health advocacy and education nonprofit, and the owner of a strategic advisory firm for women in leadership. She is the true definition of turning pain into purpose. Since her last interview with us in June 2023, Nekia's path to growing her family has been a rollercoaster of heartbreak and miracles. She bravely opens up about experiencing an interstitial pregnancy, followed by a subsequent pregnancy that resulted in PPROM (preterm premature rupture of the membranes) at 29 weeks. Nekia walks us through the terrifying reality of an unexpected early delivery, the 50 grueling days she spent by her son's side in the NICU, and the absolute joy of watching him thrive today at 15 months old. In this episode, we discuss: Nekia's emotional updates and health journey since June 2023. Navigating the trauma of an interstitial pregnancy. Surviving PPROM, an early delivery, and a 50-day NICU stay. Balancing life as a military spouse, CEO, and mother to both living and deceased children. The resources that kept her grounded: Stillbirthday education, Mamma's Voice, the Sisters in Loss community, and the healing power of sharing your story with other mothers. If you are currently navigating pregnancy after loss, facing a NICU stay, or just need a powerful reminder that joy can follow grief, this episode is for you. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook
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  The Oak of Justice: Stepping Out of Silence with Bertha Mowelle 27.05.2026 23min

  Have you ever felt like you had to stand as strong as an oak tree in the midst of your grief? In this week's episode of the Sisters in Loss podcast, we are taking our community global! We are joined by the incredible Bertha Mowelle, joining us all the way from Berlin. Known to many as "The Oak of Justice," Bertha is a fierce advocate and a pillar of strength who is deeply rooted in building and uplifting a powerful community of women. In our conversation, Bertha opens up about her complex and deeply personal journey to motherhood. She holds nothing back as we discuss the many challenges and heavy obstacles she had to overcome to find her footing again after loss. One of the most beautiful and relatable moments in this episode is when Bertha shares the specific resource that helped her heal. It wasn't a clinical textbook or a step-by-step guide. Instead, it was the raw, vulnerable testimony of another woman grieving the loss of her husband. Hearing another sister speak her truth gave Bertha the courage to finally "step out," break her own silence, and walk into her purpose. In this episode, we discuss: Bertha's journey to motherhood and overcoming profound challenges. What it means to be an "Oak of Justice" in your community. The life-changing power of hearing another woman's testimony. How shared grief can give us the courage to step out of the shadows. 🎧 Listen to the full episode now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! Click the link in our bio to tune in. Question for the community: Has hearing someone else's story of grief ever given you the courage to share your own? Let me know in the comments below! 👇🏾 #SistersInLoss #PregnancyLoss #InfantLoss #GriefJourney #TheOakOfJustice #BlackMaternalHealth #MiscarriageSupport #StillbirthAwareness #MotherhoodJourney #GriefSupport #HealingCommunity Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook
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  Fibroids, Infertility and Mommy in Waiting with Shana-Lee Scott 20.05.2026 40min

  In today's episode, Author, Shana-Lee Scott, vulnerably shares her ongoing journey through infertility after being diagnosed with 33 uterine fibroids following her 2017 marriage. After three doctors recommended a hysterectomy, Shannon's faith and persistence led her to a surgeon in Florida who successfully removed all 33 fibroids — saving her womb.  Years of trying to conceive, a 2023 fertility clinic visit recommending surrogacy, and seasons of wrestling with God have shaped Shannon into a voice of hope for women in the waiting. She discusses her 40-day devotional Mommy In Waiting, her work with a fertility doula, and the importance of building the right care team and faith community while surrendering the timeline to God. Shana-Lee Scott Bio Shana-Lee Scott is ready to add author to her list of titles. She is the CEO and founder of Breathe & Exhale 360, a certified life coach, and now, a published author. With over twenty years of personal self-care practice, she is passionate about encouraging her family, friends, and audience to take meaningful moments for themselves. Mommy in Waiting: A 40-Day Devotional is a deeply personal exploration of the emotional journey experienced during seasons of waiting. Through heartfelt devotionals, she shares her own experience of longing for a child and the faith it requires. She offers comfort and reassurance to others walking a similar path, reminding them that if it's taking longer than expected to have a child, there is nothing wrong with them. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook
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  Highlight your Healing with Shannon Roane 13.05.2026 30min

  In this episode, certified grief coach and podcast host Shannon Roane, shares her raw journey through an ectopic pregnancy that resulted in emergency surgery and the removal of her left fallopian tube, followed by a second miscarriage just months later. Despite these back-to-back losses, Shannon went on to conceive two children naturally — a miraculous outcome with only one fallopian tube. She opens up about suffering in silence, finding healing through journaling and therapy, and how a divine message on the side of a tractor trailer restored her faith. Shannon also shares how her losses shaped her into a fierce "mama bear" parent and ultimately inspired her to launch J&J Journals and the Highlight Your Healing podcast to support other women navigating grief with faith. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook
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  Journey to Never Healing Alone - Introduction 06.05.2026 17min

  This week, I'm doing something a little different. A little vulnerable. My debut book, Never Healing Alone: How to Navigate Grief and Find Community After Pregnancy and Infant Loss, comes out next year (April 6, 2027), and you, this community, are the reason it exists. You are my "why." So, before anyone else in the world hears it, I want to share it with you. In this week's special episode of the Sisters in Loss podcast, I am sitting down and reading the entire, final introduction to the book, out loud. This is the heart of the book. It's the story of my own losses, the "Great Disappearance" of care, the systemic failures, and the birth of the Healing Archetypes™. It sets the stage for everything we are going to heal together in these pages. And because you are my most trusted community, I would be so honored to hear your feedback. As you listen, I want you to consider: ✨ Does this sound like your story? When you hear me talk about the "Strong Black Woman" armor or feeling dismissed by doctors, do you feel seen? ✨ What part hits you the hardest? Is there a specific sentence or story that lands in your spirit and makes you say, "That's it. That's the feeling."? ✨ Who would you send this to? When you hear these words, who immediately comes to mind? A friend? A family member? Your therapist? This is more than just an audiobook preview; it's an invitation. I want you to feel like you are part of this book's journey from my heart into the world. After you listen, please send me a DM on Instagram (@sistersinloss) or reply directly to this email and let me know your thoughts. Your feedback is invaluable as we prepare to share this medicine with the world. 🎧 Listen now to this exclusive first read of the Introduction to Never Healing Alone on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. #NeverHealingAlone #SistersInLoss #BookLaunch #GriefSupport #Miscarriage #Stillbirth #AuthorReadAloud #TheHealingArchetypes #BlackMaternalHealth   Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook