The Rainbow Connection

Kristin Mundy
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THE RAINBOW CONNECTION is a podcast for mothers navigating the sacred, often silent path of pregnancy after loss. Each episode holds space for real, vulnerable birth stories—from women who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, TFMR, or infant loss. Some are holding their rainbow babies now. Some are pregnant again, and others are still trying to conceive after loss. All are sharing the truth of what it means to keep going after life-shattering grief.Here, you’ll hear stories that aren’t often told—the ones full of fear, strength, heartbreak, and hope. These are not your typical blissful birth stories. They are stories of angel babies and rainbow babies. Of cesareans and unmedicated births. Of belly births, vaginal births, and everything in between. Most importantly, they are stories of resilience. Of courage. Of a love that endures.We believe a rainbow isn’t just a baby born after loss—it’s a bridge: a connection between what was lost and what may still come. A symbol of strength, love, and healing.If you’re pregnant after loss, trying to conceive, or searching for hope after pregnancy loss, this podcast is for you. You’ll walk away feeling less alone, more seen, and deeply validated in your experience.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    “I Needed to Be a Mother” — Laurel Schaffman on NICU Loss, Fetal Growth Restriction, and Pregnancy After Loss

    Send us a text In this tender episode of The Rainbow Connection, Laurel Schaffman shares the heartbreaking and beautiful story of her son Miles, born at 24 weeks after severe fetal growth restriction and complications that led to his passing just two days later. Laurel speaks honestly about their NICU time, navigating grief, and the overwhelming return home to a quiet nursery. She also invites us into the truth of pregnancy after loss, the fear that surfaced when she conceived again, and the careful, monitored journey that brought her rainbow baby Theo safely into her arms. Through her story, Laurel reflects on motherhood after loss, honoring Miles, and learning to live in the present with her son on earth. We talk about: The whirlwind beginning of her first pregnancy and the first signs of concern.Receiving devastating news at 24 weeks and the decision to deliver early.The two precious days Laurel and Josh spent with Miles in the NICU.The disorienting early grief, funeral arrangements, and advocating for her son even after his passing.The longing to try again and the emotional complexity of pregnancy after loss.Navigating fear, frequent monitoring, and finding the right support team.Setting boundaries during PAL and choosing who to tell — and how.The redemptive, carefully planned C-section that brought Theo safely into the world.How motherhood after loss reshapes everything: language, presence, gratitude, and identity.Honoring Miles while raising Theo, and learning to mother both her boys in different ways.This episode is a tender, powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that birth, even in loss, can absolutely be sacred. Get to Know Laurel: Laurel Schaffman is an elementary school teacher and mother from West Hartford, Connecticut. She is the mom of two beautiful boys — her angel baby, Miles, and her rainbow baby, Theo. Typically a private person, Laurel found that walking through pregnancy loss, NICU loss, and pregnancy after loss opened her heart in new ways. She now shares her story so other women walking this path know they are not alone, and so Miles’ life continues to be honored through the ways she mothers. Guest Links: Instagram: @lshaff13   Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories into the hands of the women who need them most. And feel free to share this with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much.

    1h 15m

  2. 23/12/2025

    “Heaven Felt So Close” — Julie Wells on Losing Her Son Gabriel and Navigating Pregnancy After Loss

    Send us a text In this tender and faith-rooted episode, Julie Wells shares the story of her son Gabriel, who she lost at 14 weeks after a traumatic and mishandled ER experience. She walks us through the early joy of his pregnancy, the sudden shift into contractions, her water breaking in the hospital hallway, and the heartbreaking moment she delivered him after a sneeze. Julie speaks vulnerably about holding Gabriel, naming him through tears, and navigating the deep grief that followed — as well as the regret and acceptance that came with his burial. She also opens her heart about pregnancy after loss, fearfully approaching the 14-week mark again, and the miraculous, spiritually-charged birth of her rainbow baby girl, Amayah, born after a fast labor while her husband was sick with norovirus. This is a story of grief, motherhood, faith, and the thin places between earth and heaven. We talk about: The early symptoms, sickness, and intuition Julie had during Gabriel’s pregnancyThe ER experience where her concerns were dismissed and minimizedThe moment her water broke, the instant grief, and giving birth in the hallway Holding Gabriel, naming him, and finding meaning in the sacredness of his lifeNavigating postpartum grief without a baby in her armsWanting to conceive again and becoming pregnant a month laterThe fear of reaching (and passing) 14 weeks in her rainbow pregnancyThe powerful birth of her daughter Ameya and the “veil” feeling thin between worldsHow she honors Gabriel today — scones, ducks, keepsakes, and connectionWalking alongside other loss moms as a way of honoring her son’s lifeThis episode is a tender, powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that birth, even in loss, can absolutely be sacred. Get to know Julie: Julie Wells is a Minnesota-based mama to three: her toddler son, her angel baby Gabriel, and her rainbow baby girl, Ameya. A former certified midwife for developing nations and a full-time mother, Julie carries a deep passion for maternal health, faith, and creating everyday adventures with her little ones. Her heart for loss families shines through everything she does — honoring Gabriel by supporting other mothers walking through pregnancy after loss.  Instagram: @mrs.juwells Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much.

    1h 1m

  3. 16/12/2025

    “She Was Loved Every Second” — Kristine McNeil on the Loss of Her Daughter Banks and the Path to Her Rainbow Baby

    Send us a text In this tender and courageous episode of The Rainbow Connection, Kristine McNeil shares the story of her daughter Banks, the profound loss that reshaped her life, and the emotional landscape of navigating miscarriage, trying to conceive after loss, and pregnancy after loss. Kristine opens up about the early signs she tried to ignore, the intuition she wishes had been heard, and the grief that followed the moment everything changed. She also reflects on the journey toward her rainbow baby—what it meant to carry both fear and hope, how she rebuilt trust in her body, and the ways she continues to honour Banks in her motherhood today. This episode holds space for the complexity of stillbirth, pregnancy loss, healing after miscarriage, and the transformative path of motherhood after loss. We talk about: - The early signs and intuition that something wasn’t right - The devastating moment of losing Banks - Navigating grief, trauma, and the unraveling that followed - The fear and emotional weight of trying to conceive after loss - How pregnancy after loss changed the way she trusted her body - Rebuilding connection with herself while honouring her baby - The birth of her rainbow baby and the emotions that came with it - Motherhood after loss and living with both grief and gratitude - The ways Banks continues to shape her life - What healing now looks like for Kristine This episode is a tender, powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist—and that birth, even in loss, can be sacred. Get to Know Kristine: Kristine McNeil lives in Greenville, South Carolina with her husband, Shawn, and their three beautiful children Earthside—Cadence, Sutler, and Cash. She also carries the love of her daughter, Banks, who lives forever in her heart. Kristine is a devoted mother, a lover of home decorating, and someone who finds joy in cheering her kids on from the sidelines and spending time with the people she loves most. Having walked through profound grief, she approaches life with gratitude, tenderness, and a commitment to finding beauty and purpose in every moment. Instagram: @kristineemcneil Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And feel free to share this episode with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much.

    1h 7m

  4. 09/12/2025

    “He’s Still Here” — Shelby Corallo on Grief, Signs, and the Journey to Hope

    Send us a text Shelby Corallo shares the story of her son, Luke, born at 22 weeks after a long and deeply hoped-for pregnancy following two years of IVF. In this episode, Shelby invites us into the joy of finally becoming pregnant, the sudden and traumatic turn that led to preterm labor, and the sacred hours she and her husband spent holding their baby boy. She reflects on grief, signs, and the ongoing journey of healing as she navigates life, motherhood, and pregnancy after loss with courage and honesty. We talk about: Two years of IVF and the joy of finally seeing a positive pregnancy testA sudden hospital visit and the shock of preterm labor at 22 weeksGiving birth to Luke and the sacred hours spent holding himLeaving the hospital without a baby and the layers of early griefLearning to say her son’s name and claim her motherhood after lossFinding comfort in signs like rainbows and cardinalsHow grief shows up differently for partnersTherapy, coping, and caring for yourself after lossNavigating the fear and hope of trying to conceive again after pregnancy lossThis episode is a tender, powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that birth, even in loss, can absolutely be sacred. Get to Know Shelby: Shelby Corallo lives in Peterborough, Ontario, and works as a resource consultant in Durham Region. She is a wife, a dog mama, and the loving mother of her son, Luke. Shelby shares openly about loss, healing, and the quiet ways her baby continues to be part of her life. When she’s not lakeside soaking up the views, she finds comfort in cooking, cozy TV shows, and moments that help her feel close to her son. Instagram: @shelbycorallo Connect with Kristin 📍 Website: https://www.thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: https://www.thedoulalife.ca/haven 🕊 RECLAIM — The PAL Birth Course: https://www.thedoulalife.ca/reclaim 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: https://www.thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much.

    55 min

  5. 02/12/2025

    “The Wisdom in the Waiting” — Tallia Deljou on Grief, Healing, and the Path to Her Baby

    Send us a text Tallia Deljou shares the story of her son, born at 22 weeks, and the transformative journey that followed — through miscarriage, grief, and the slow reimagining of what motherhood could look like after loss. In this heartfelt conversation, Tallia opens up about rebuilding trust in her body, choosing not to become pregnant again, and finding peace and purpose in the waiting as she prepares to grow her family through surrogacy. We talk about: - Navigating multiple pregnancy losses and a 22-week delivery - The shock, grief, and meaning-making that followed loss - Rebuilding trust in her body and marriage after trauma - Choosing not to get pregnant again and honoring her boundaries - Exploring surrogacy and learning to wait with hope - The spiritual and emotional lessons of loss and surrender - Creating Mothers Rising, a space for moms-in-waiting - Healing through community, reflection, and inner work - Learning to give hope a place to live again This episode is a tender, powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that birth, even in loss, can absolutely be sacred. Get to know Tallia: Tallia Deljou is a life coach and writer on emotional health. Grounded in positive psychology and Internal Family Systems, her work offers insight, frameworks, and tools to help people navigate their inner landscapes, heal emotional wounds, and find their way forward. As a loss mom, she brings a deep understanding of grief, resilience, and the courage it takes to rebuild— weaving her lived experience into everything she teaches and creates. Instagram: @talliadeljou Website: talliadeljou.com/workshop-library Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much.

    59 min

  6. 25/11/2025

    “Loving Him Meant Letting Him Go” — Sue Balaz on Adoption, Reunion, and Becoming a Mother Again After Loss

    Send us a text Sue shares the extraordinary and deeply human story of becoming a mother at just 17, and the impossible, selfless choice she was forced to make — to give her baby up for adoption. From the isolation of a maternity home in the 1980s to the moment she held her son again 18 years later, Sue reflects on the heartbreak of loving from afar, and the profound healing that reunion brought. Her path to motherhood took many winding turns. After reconnecting with her firstborn, she experienced a miscarriage — a loss she didn’t have the opportunity to process until many years later, something so many women quietly carry. Eventually, Sue welcomed her rainbow baby, and found redemption and fullness in a chapter she had once feared she’d never reach. In this conversation, Sue opens up about grief, forgiveness, adoption, reunion, miscarriage, and the love that asked her to let go… only to find its way back home. We talk about:  - Becoming pregnant at 17 and being sent to a maternity home  - The emotional weight of giving her baby up for adoption  - Writing letters to her son during pregnancy  - Reuniting with him 18 years later  - Meeting his adoptive mother and finding unexpected connection  - Experiencing miscarriage years later and grieving it in hindsight  - Welcoming her rainbow baby Nick  - How her story shapes the way she now supports families through loss Sue’s story is a powerful reminder that motherhood is not defined by proximity, timing, or circumstance — but by love, in every form it takes. 🕊 This one is for the mothers who’ve had to love from afar, and for the love that always finds its way home. Get to Know Sue: Sue lives in Burlington, Ontario with her husband Joe and their two spoiled cats. She is the proud mother of two young adults, Nick and Hailey, who are both emerging artists in the film and musical theatre industries. Sue is a doula specializing in surrogacy births and pregnancy & infant loss, a certified Grief & Loss Coach, and a long-time facilitator of grief support groups. When she’s not supporting families or working as an Executive Assistant, she can be found long-distance cycling with Joe.  📧 Email: sue@jsbalaz.com Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven – Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌿 Mother Like No Other – Loss Mom Community: www.thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life and @therainbowconnectionpodcast If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review — your support helps this show reach more families who need it.

    1h 26m

  7. 11/11/2025

    “You’re Not Doing It Wrong” — Rachael Shepard-Ohta on Postpartum Anxiety, Sleep, and Reclaiming Rest After Loss

    Send us a text Rachael Shepard-Ohta, the founder of Hey Sleepy Baby, joins me for an honest and deeply validating conversation about postpartum anxiety, sleep after loss, and what it means to create safety — for both yourself and your baby — in those sleepless early months. Rachael shares her own experience with postpartum anxiety, how it shaped the work she does now, and why so many mothers silently struggle with sleep. Together, we talk about the myths that make mothers feel like they’re “doing it wrong,” the pressure to sleep train, and how to tune out the noise and listen to your own instincts again. We talk about: 🌙 The link between postpartum anxiety and sleep deprivation 🌙 Why mothers after loss often struggle with hypervigilance and safety fears 🌙 The science behind co-regulation and why closeness matters 🌙 Safe sleep setups — from bedside bassinets to the safe sleep 7 🌙 How to navigate online overwhelm and conflicting advice 🌙 The role of temperament in baby sleep (and why it’s not your fault) 🌙 Simple, realistic ways to reclaim rest and reduce nighttime anxiety 🌙 Letting go of guilt, bad-habit fears, and the myth that you’ll “spoil” your baby This episode is a balm for every mother who has ever questioned if she’s doing it wrong. It’s a gentle reminder that there’s no one right way to sleep, to parent, or to heal — and that both you and your baby are wired for connection, not perfection. 🤍 Get to Know Rachael Rachael Shepard-Ohta is an Infant-Parent Mental Health Specialist, Certified Sleep Consultant, and former Educator. She founded Hey Sleepy Baby in 2020 and hosts two podcasts — No One Told Us and You’re So Right. Rachael lives in San Francisco with her husband and their three young children. 📸 Instagram: @heysleepybaby 🌐 Website: heysleepybaby.com Resources Mentioned in This Episode Articles & Guides: The Safe Sleep Seven — La Leche League InternationalIs Bed Sharing Dangerous?BabyBay Bedside Sleeper Book: Safe Infant Sleep by Dr. James McKenna Podcast Episodes: Bed Sharing & SIDS — The Science and the MythsSleep Training + Bed Sharing — What the Research Actually SaysConnect with Kristin 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌷 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌙 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram:

    46 min

  8. 04/11/2025

    “Grief Is Just the Other Side of Love” — Simona on Losing Her Son Saul, Healing, and Breaking Generational Silence

    Send us a text Simona shares the story of her son, Saul, born still at 19 weeks, and the deep unraveling that followed. From the early days of IVF and endometriosis to the heartbreak of stillbirth and the silence that came after, she invites us into the complexity of love, loss, and lineage. We talk about: Navigating endometriosis and IVF before pregnancyThe day she learned Saul’s heart had stoppedGrieving far from family and finding support onlineDiscovering her mother’s own unspoken stillbirthBreaking generational silence around griefThe power of embodiment, yoga, and breathwork in healingLearning to mother herself and honor her inner landscapeThe compassion she found — and the care she wished she’d receivedThe friendships that deepened and those that fell awayWhat it means to hold hope for her future rainbow babyThis episode is a tender, powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that love, even in loss, continues to grow. Saul, this one is for you 🕊 Get to Know Simona: Simona lives in Berlin, Germany with her husband. Originally from Romania, she works as a user experience designer and is deeply devoted to her healing journey — attending an online Sangha (meditation community) and being an active member of the Healthy Grieving group for nearly two years. When she isn’t tending to her adult responsibilities, you’ll find her wandering the streets of Berlin, practicing yoga, exploring somatics, or rating ramen restaurants and ice-cream shops across the city. She proudly holds a 2,758-day (and counting!) Duolingo streak in German and Portuguese — and humbly admits that English is not her first language. Losing her baby boy, Saul, in the summer of 2023 opened a portal into the world of grief. Her path since has been tender and transformative, as she continues to hold hope for her rainbow baby. Through this experience, she’s learned not to hide her inner landscape, to honor her loss out loud, and to be steadfast in calling herself a mother — even when the world doesn’t always recognize it. Simona is slowly becoming a student and advocate of grief, devoted to practicing this sacred, embodied way of healing. 📸 Instagram: @simona.cilliers Connect with Kristin 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. your support means so much. 🌷

    1h 5m
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About

THE RAINBOW CONNECTION is a podcast for mothers navigating the sacred, often silent path of pregnancy after loss. Each episode holds space for real, vulnerable birth stories—from women who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, TFMR, or infant loss. Some are holding their rainbow babies now. Some are pregnant again, and others are still trying to conceive after loss. All are sharing the truth of what it means to keep going after life-shattering grief.Here, you’ll hear stories that aren’t often told—the ones full of fear, strength, heartbreak, and hope. These are not your typical blissful birth stories. They are stories of angel babies and rainbow babies. Of cesareans and unmedicated births. Of belly births, vaginal births, and everything in between. Most importantly, they are stories of resilience. Of courage. Of a love that endures.We believe a rainbow isn’t just a baby born after loss—it’s a bridge: a connection between what was lost and what may still come. A symbol of strength, love, and healing.If you’re pregnant after loss, trying to conceive, or searching for hope after pregnancy loss, this podcast is for you. You’ll walk away feeling less alone, more seen, and deeply validated in your experience.

Information

  • Creator
    Kristin Mundy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Rainbow Connection
  • Show Website
    The Rainbow Connection

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