DiscoverThe Silent Footprints | Stillbirth, Miscarriage, SIDS, Stigma, Baby Loss, Grief, SHINE for Autumn Act, Advocate, Legislation, Infant Loss, Pregnancy Loss, Maternity
The Silent Footprints | Stillbirth, Miscarriage, SIDS, Stigma, Baby Loss, Grief, SHINE for Autumn Act, Advocate, Legislation, Infant Loss, Pregnancy Loss, Maternity
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The Silent Footprints | Stillbirth, Miscarriage, SIDS, Stigma, Baby Loss, Grief, SHINE for Autumn Act, Advocate, Legislation, Infant Loss, Pregnancy Loss, Maternity

Author: Lisa Rowell

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Have you lost a baby to miscarriage, stillbirth, or SIDS? Do you feel like no one understands the depth of your grief? Maybe you’re angry, bitter, depressed—or drowning in a sea of emotions that feel impossible to name, let alone explain. Perhaps you’ve heard well-meaning but hurtful comments or received advice that made you feel even more isolated. You might be wondering, Where is God in all of this? Or why our country hasn’t done more to prevent stillbirths and support grieving families.

You are not alone. And this podcast is for you.

I’m Lisa Rowell. In 2013, I gave birth to my stillborn daughter, Julianna Grace. That moment shattered my world. I didn’t know how to survive the pain. I wrestled with God, with grief, with questions no one seemed to want to answer. Ten years ago, I found myself on the edge of despair, holding a bottle of liquor and a handful of pills, ready to give up—until God stepped in and changed everything.

From the ashes of that heartbreak, a calling was born.

Through The Silent Footprints, I invite you into a space that is real, raw, and unapologetically honest about infant loss. Here, we break the silence and stigma around miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, and early infant death. We talk about what it's like to grieve in a world that doesn’t know what to say—and how to heal when your heart feels shattered.

My Christian faith has been the foundation of my journey, and it’s through God’s strength that I found purpose in my pain. I started the Julianna Grace Ministry by creating grieving baskets for parents like me. That effort grew into funding cuddle cots and caring cradles for local hospitals—tools that allow families precious time with their babies. Later, God opened the door for me to help pass legislation in Louisiana, offering tax credits to families of stillborn babies and giving dignity through certificates of miscarriage.

This podcast isn’t just about healing—it's about action. I believe we can change the way our nation handles stillbirth and miscarriage. I believe grieving families deserve recognition, support, and resources. You’ll hear about efforts to pass laws across the country, tools like fetal monitoring apps, and ways you can advocate in your own state or even at the national level.

Through heartfelt stories, faith-filled encouragement, and practical advocacy tips, The Silent Footprints empowers grieving parents to honor their babies and reclaim their voices. Whether you're freshly grieving or years down the road, this podcast will walk with you through the valleys and help you find purpose on the other side of pain.

You may feel broken right now, but God is not finished with your story. You are not alone. Your baby’s life mattered. And your life still holds meaning.

As Psalm 27:13 says, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” I never thought I’d feel joy again—but God made a way. Now I want to share that hope with you.

So, if you're tired of suffering in silence, if you're ready to heal, speak out, and even create change—subscribe and join me. Let’s walk this road together, one step, one story, one prayer at a time.

“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord.” – Psalm 27:14


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Send a text Cory Sims, player #191 on Beast Games, made it all the way to the final round—standing just one step away from the $5 million grand prize. To many, walking away without the money might look like defeat. But for Cory, it wasn’t. After watching Beast Games, I felt a strong nudge to reach out to him through social media. I had a feeling Cory and his wife might have one to share. Knowing that 1 in 4 women experience pregnancy or infant loss, I wondered if their journey might include b...
Send a text Last July, I had the honor of speaking with Jamie Strahl about her heartbreaking loss and the story of her daughter, Heidi Saint James. Since that conversation, so much has changed. During our first conversation, I shared some advice with Jamie about how families can help advocate for change in laws surrounding stillbirth and infant loss. Since then, Jamie has turned her grief into action by launching a nonprofit in honor of Heidi Saint James, ensuring her daughter’s life continue...
Send a text Have you ever met someone you had been praying for… without even knowing who they were yet? After nearly 13 years of my personal prayer, God raised up Kristi Lamarque-Bordelon — a compassionate registered nurse with years of experience in bereavement care — to help change the way families are supported after the loss of a baby. Kristi is the face behind Senators proposed Senate Bill 32 known as Angel's Law. Kristi’s journey began in the place of grief. After the loss of her ...
Send a text Stevie is back on the podcast, and this time we’re going even deeper. In this episode, I’m joined again by Stevie Dowd, Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, as she walks us through the heart of managing blood sugar: nutrition, movement, and insulin. With her signature compassion and clarity, Stevie explains how everyday choices around food and activity truly impact the body—and removes the fear and confusion that often surround insulin. Whether yo...
Send a text In today’s episode, Ashley Opliger of Bridget’s Cradles shares the powerful story behind her ministry and the life of her daughter, Bridget Faith. Ashley lives in Wichita, Kansas, with her family, and her journey began in 2014 when Bridget was born still at just 24 weeks and 5 days after a pregnancy filled with complications, including a subchorionic hemorrhage, 11 weeks of bed rest, and ultimately a placental abruption. As Ashley’s mother lovingly prepared for her granddaughter’s...
Send a text Today on the podcast, I’m joined by my dear friend Stevie Dowd, RN, CDCES. Stevie is a wife, mother of two, Registered Nurse, and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist with over a decade of nursing experience. More than seven of those years have been devoted specifically to working with thousands of patients managing various forms of diabetes. Her heart for education and patient care is evident in everything she does. Stevie’s nursing journey began on an inpatient pedia...
Send a text Today’s episode is a short update in light of the winter storm. I want to ask you to join me in praying for expecting mothers and fathers who may be feeling anxious, especially with concerns about getting to the emergency room. Please remember—emergency rooms are still open and available if you need them. Stay safe, and listen in as I share a few encouraging scriptures to bring comfort and peace during this time. LETS STAY CONNECTED: Link Tree Instagram Facebook Twitt...
Send a text In today’s episode, I talk about an important bill currently sitting on Capitol Hill—H.R. 570—introduced by Representative Morgan H. Griffith of Virginia’s 9th District. In 2018, Rep. Griffith heard from a constituent about the unfair financial burden that stillbirth places on mothers, fathers, and families. Unlike many lawmakers, he was deeply moved by their story and began working to change this injustice. I urge you to contact your members of Congress and ask them to cosp...
Send a text It never gets old. While scrolling Instagram, I came across Janelle Batucan's page and watched a video of her grieving so deeply that it took me right back to my own journey of loss. My heart ached for her, and I felt led to reach out and ask if she would be willing to share her story. Even with grief still fresh, Janelle courageously said yes. So often we see “picture-perfect” moments on social media, but we never truly know the heartbreak someone is carrying behind the smiles. J...
Send a text Happy Gentle New Year. As we begin 2026, I wanted to slow down and revisit the heart behind Silent Footprints. This podcast was created to honor the precious little lives that were with us for only a moment, yet changed us forever. My hope has always been to walk beside families on the quiet and often unseen road of pregnancy and infant loss — offering comfort, support, and faith-filled encouragement. Here, we remember that our babies matter, our stories deserve to be told, and no...
Send a text In today’s episode, Ashley Waters bravely steps out of her comfort zone to share the deeply personal story of her son, Daniel. Daniel was Ashley’s second child — a little boy eagerly anticipated and expected to arrive in April 2023. But just one week before his due date, during a routine appointment, Ashley and her family received devastating news: Daniel’s heart had stopped beating. Ashley recounts the shock, the trauma, and the indescribable pain of saying goodbye far too soon —...
Send a text This Christmas, we reflect on Luke 2:1–20 and the miraculous story of Jesus’ birth. Join us online on Christmas Eve as Pastor Dan Gillman from Calvary Chapel Shreveport shares a powerful message filled with hope, truth, and encouragement. The holidays can be incredibly hard, especially for those walking through grief and loss. This message is a reminder that you are deeply loved and seen by God. He knows your pain. He sees every tear. Luke 2 reminds us that Jesus came for all—the ...
Send a text Today, Lisa Rowell reflects on Luke 1 and the deep, overwhelming love God has for us. She shares how the Christmas story can feel very different after the loss of a baby—how familiar verses take on new meaning when viewed through the lens of grief. In this episode, Lisa talks about the birth of Jesus and how much God loves us as He willingly gave His own Son so we could have direct access to Him. For grieving parents, this truth can bring both ache and comfort, holding space for...
Send a text Three years ago, I met Nina Doherty in Washington, D.C., where we were both advocating for the SHINE for Autumn Act and the Stillbirth Prevention Act. Today, Nina opens up about the heartbreaking loss of her grandbaby, Stella Joy — a tragedy that brought a double portion of grief as she mourned both her grandchild and the pain her daughter was enduring. Nina, a mother of three with healthy pregnancies of her own, was shocked when her oldest daughter lost her baby at the end of wha...
Send a text In today’s episode, Lisa Rowell offers heartfelt encouragement for anyone navigating grief during the holiday season. Whether your loss is recent or many years have passed, the holidays can stir deep emotions. Lisa shares simple, compassionate suggestions to help you cope, create space for your feelings, and care for yourself during this time. Most importantly, she reminds you that you are not alone—and that you can make it through this holiday season with hope and gentlenes...
Send a text In this episode, I share a deeply meaningful moment—watching a longtime friend of mine, Robin Kent, officially be sworn in as a CASA worker. As a former foster child who once had my own CASA advocate, a kind woman from England named Mrs. Shirley Williams, this experience felt incredibly full-circle. During the ceremony, I also met my friend’s supervisor, Bersheika Player-Harris. She is the CASA Outreach and Training Coordinator in Shreveport and works for the Volunteers for Youth ...
Send a text I first met Dr. Kerri Aronson in 2024 when she was pregnant and advocating in Washington, D.C. — like so many of us there, determined to get the attention of our legislators and bring awareness to the heartbreak of preventable stillbirth. Our hope was simple: to show why bills like the SHINE for Autumn Act (H.R. 5469/S. 2858) are so desperately needed. Kerri’s story began as she prepared for her scheduled C-section to welcome her daughter. But when her baby’s movements suddenly ch...
Send 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 women w...
Send 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 Certificate ...
Send 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 friends...
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