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

Erica M. Freeman

Sisters in Loss podcast spotlights faith filled black women who share their grief and loss stories and testimonies. Black women experience miscarriage and stillbirth four times more than white women according to the NIH and CDC. Whether you have experienced a miscarriage, infant loss, stillbirth, are trying to conceive or have an infertility diagnosis, you will learn about resources and strategies to heal, gain clarity, peace, hope, and find an empowering path forward after loss. Join Erica M. Freeman weekly as she interviews Sisters in Loss who have healed from such a painful and traumatic experience by sharing their testimonies to inspire and help others to turn their pain into their purpose.

  1. 5d ago

    440 - Embracing the "No" That Saved My Life: Infertility, IVF, and the Grace of Adoption with Angie Booker

    "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

    33 min
  2. 5d ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    Introducing Sophie Chen Keller: "Little Wonder" | Oprah's Book Club from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast Oprah’s Book Club 124th selection is Little Wonder by author Sophie Chen Keller. Oprah and Sophie sit down with an enthusiastic audience of readers to discuss Sophie's childhood spent both in the USA and China and how that experience impacted her writing. She also shares how becoming a mother for the first time was the inspiration for Little Wonder. The story is about a profound bond of love that connects a mother, Song, to her son, named River. A cataclysmic roller coaster of events is set in motion when Song loses hold of River’s hand in the teeming crowds at a Beijing train station. Throughout this story of love, perseverance and hope mother and son desperately seek to find their way back to each other. Readers share that the climactic end had them in tears. Audience members also share the passages that moved them the most and ask questions of Sophie. BUY THE BOOK! https://www.amazon.com/Little-Wonder-Novel-Thousand-Voices/dp/B0G5X5Z5R9 00:00:00 - Welcome Sophie Chen Keller, author of “Little Wonder” 00:06:05 - Writing ‘Little Wonder’ 00:09:40 - How Sophie found her title 00:12:32 - Her writing process 00:14:05 - Characters and plot 00:16:10 - Writing from a boy’s perspective 00:18:00 - Sophie’s love of piano 00:19:00 - The bumpy road to ‘Little Wonder’ 00:23:50 - Why the novel was set in 2016 00:25:45 - Rewriting the book 3-4 times 00:29:50 - Motherhood in the novel 00:32:30 - Class in the novel 00:35:00 - Purpose and motherhood 00:37:50 - How Sophie relates to music 00:41:00 - Song’s grief 00:43:20 - Tchaikovsky and the story 00:45:30 - How Sophie knew the ending Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: Instagram Facebook TikTok Listen to the full podcast: Spotify Apple Podcasts #oprahsbookclub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. Jun 10

    439 - Surviving Trauma and Miscarriage with Dr. Shayla Élise Walker

    "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

    35 min
  4. Jun 3

    438 - Faces of H.O.P.E.: Surviving PPROM, NICU, and Pregnancy After Loss with Nekia Mba

    "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

    30 min
  5. May 27

    437 - The Oak of Justice: Stepping Out of Silence with Bertha Mowelle

    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

    23 min
  6. May 20

    436 - Fibroids, Infertility and Mommy in Waiting with Shana-Lee Scott

    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

    41 min
  7. May 6

    434 - Journey to Never Healing Alone - Introduction

    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

    17 min
4.8
out of 5
95 Ratings

About

Sisters in Loss podcast spotlights faith filled black women who share their grief and loss stories and testimonies. Black women experience miscarriage and stillbirth four times more than white women according to the NIH and CDC. Whether you have experienced a miscarriage, infant loss, stillbirth, are trying to conceive or have an infertility diagnosis, you will learn about resources and strategies to heal, gain clarity, peace, hope, and find an empowering path forward after loss. Join Erica M. Freeman weekly as she interviews Sisters in Loss who have healed from such a painful and traumatic experience by sharing their testimonies to inspire and help others to turn their pain into their purpose.

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