The Miscarriage Rebellion

The Pink Elephants Support Network

In this podcast, hosts Sam Payne, CEO and Co-Founder of Pink Elephants, and Stacey June Lewis, a seasoned counsellor, psychotherapist, and broadcaster, create a safe space for everyday Australians to share their stories of pregnancy loss. Their conversations provide a platform to candidly discuss many women’s experiences, helping to dismantle the layers of shame, blame, and stigma that frequently surround miscarriage and early pregnancy loss. The Miscarriage Rebellion strives to break down societal taboos surrounding pregnancy loss, offering empathy and validation to those who have suffered this heartbreaking experience. Join them in these raw and honest conversations, as they embark on a mission to create a more supportive and empathetic world for those affected by pregnancy loss. The pervasive silence ends here.

  1. 6d ago ·  Video

    S3 E7: Shattering the On-Air Silence with Christie Hayes

    For radio presenter Christie Hayes and her husband Justin, the road to building a family was a deeply personal path marked by long periods of trying to conceive. Ready to take the next step and begin IVF treatment, they were filled with absolute delight when they discovered they had fallen pregnant naturally. Tragically, that soaring joy was met with devastating heartbreak when they suffered a miscarriage. In the quiet weeks and months that followed, Christie made the conscious, heavy choice to stay deeply connected to her tears and her pain. Rather than rushing past the trauma, she allowed herself to fully endure the grief, recognising that her sorrow represented an enduring, loving connection to the baby they had lost—whom they have since beautifully and lovingly named Sunflower. Believing that parental grief should never be carried as a hidden burden, Christie was determined to utilise her public platform as a radio presenter to open up a raw, unfiltered conversation about miscarriage. She set out to lift the veil of isolation, wanting women and families navigating similar losses to feel intensely less alone. Carrying the Legacy Forward: Hopes for the FutureToday, Christie and Justin joyfully celebrate the birth of their baby girl, Marigold. Yet, Christie fiercely emphasises a truth known by so many in the loss community: the arrival of a "rainbow baby" never erases or replaces the memory of the baby who came before. Holding Marigold earthside doesn't diminish the love for the child they lost; instead, it binds their family's story together. Looking to the future, Christie hopes to see a world where communities seamlessly wrap their arms around grieving parents, ensuring that every loss is validated, every story is heard, and every baby is remembered. Help us Celebrate 10 Years & Donate: Help us show up for the next decade. Your donation ensures we can continue providing a circle of support for families impacted by early pregnancy loss. Donate here. EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS SUPPORTIf you or someone you know has experienced miscarriage or early pregnancy loss, please know you are not alone. Connect with our services: Live Chat with Peer Support Online Communities Pregnancy Loss helpline delivered by PANDA Circle of support Follow @pinkelephantssupport on instagram. For crisis support, please call Lifeline - 13 11 14.

    S3 E7: Shattering the On-Air Silence with Christie Hayes
  2. Jul 23 ·  Video

    S3 E6: The Architecture of Change: How Julian and Maddy Simmonds

    For driven professionals in corporate and public life, fertility challenges and early pregnancy loss are frequently treated as private battles. Grieving under the pressure of high-performance careers often leaves parents feeling forced to carry on without pausing to process their trauma. When Maddy and Julian Simmonds chose to break their silence after enduring nine rounds of IVF and three consecutive miscarriages, they didn't just share a story—they opened the doors of Federal Parliament. In this episode, Maddy and Julian join us to discuss the exhaustive spectrum of reproductive grief they experienced firsthand while balancing intense, public-facing roles. We explore how Julian utilised his platform as a Federal MP to champion Pink Elephants' "Leave for Loss" campaign, ultimately helping secure a historic amendment to the Fair Work Act that changed Australian workplace protections forever. Key Takeaways From This Episode: Grieving in High-Performance Roles: Maddy opens up about the reality of pushing through nine rounds of IVF and three miscarriages without taking the time off to properly process the grief. The "Leave for Loss" Campaign: A look behind the scenes of how Julian navigated intense political roadblocks and secured critical small business polling to prove corporate Australia was ready for structural empathy. Changing the Fair Work Act: How Maddy and Julian's combined bravery helped Pink Elephants secure the historic 2021 amendment, guaranteeing two days of paid bereavement leave for all Australians experiencing early loss. Dmantling the 12-Week Silence: The couple’s vision for a compassionate society where talking about early pregnancy loss is entirely normalised, and where workplaces automatically wrap grieving parents in support.Read more on the Leave for loss campaign here Help us Celebrate 10 Years & Donate: Help us show up for the next decade. Your donation ensures we can continue providing a circle of support for families impacted by early pregnancy loss. Donate here. EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS SUPPORTIf you or someone you know has experienced miscarriage or early pregnancy loss, please know you are not alone. Connect with our services: Live Chat with Peer Support Online Communities Pregnancy Loss helpline delivered by PANDA Circle of support Follow @pinkelephantssupport on instagram. For crisis support, please call Lifeline - 13 11 14.

  3. Jul 16 ·  Video

    S3 E5: Keira Rumble - Bound by Love

    Keira Rumble is a mother and entrepreneur who has used her platform to share her raw lived experience with multiple miscarriages, a life-threatening heterotopic pregnancy, and the realities of medical gaslighting. By stepping into the spotlight, Keira has worked tirelessly to shatter the structural silence that leaves thousands of women feeling entirely invisible in their darkest moments. In this episode, we unpack Keira’s experience navigating a healthcare system that frequently dismisses maternal pain. We dive into the secondary trauma of medical misogyny, the history-making premiere of The Miscarriage Rebellion, and how she channeled personal heartbreak into  action by spearheading the groundbreaking Bound by Love campaign—ultimately raising a massive $140,000 donated to Pink Elephants and Bears of Hope.  Key Takeaways From This Episode: Confronting Medical Gaslighting: Keira lays bare the reality of having her physical symptoms downplayed by clinical professionals, driving her to loudly advocate for an urgent, empathy-led evolution in frontline medical care. The Bound by Love Movement: Inside the historic campaign that sought to honour every single baby lost across the reproductive spectrum, proving that parental grief should never be carried as a silent burden. Expanding the Circle of Support: How the portion of the $140,000 raised by Keira's initiative which was allocated to Pink Elephants directly funded two additional specialist counsellors for Pink Elephants' Pregnancy Loss Circle, building the vital operational capacity needed to provide immediate mental health sanctuary. Hope for the Future: Keira’s vision for a complete dismantling of clinical gaslighting, ensuring every hospital and GP clinic across Australia is automatically integrated with peer support networks so validation and love are guaranteed from the first moment of loss.Help us Celebrate 10 Years & Donate: Help us show up for the next decade. Your donation ensures we can continue providing a circle of support for families impacted by early pregnancy loss. Donate here. EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS SUPPORTIf you or someone you know has experienced miscarriage or early pregnancy loss, please know you are not alone. Connect with our services: Emotional support resources Live Chat with Peer Support Online Communities Pregnancy Loss helpline delivered by PANDA Circle of support Follow @pinkelephantssupport on instagram. For crisis support, please call Lifeline - 13 11 14.

    S3 E5: Keira Rumble - Bound by Love
  4. Jul 9 ·  Video

    S3: E4: Arty and Will: Marathons of the Heart

    In this incredibly raw and beautiful episode of The Miscarriage Rebellion, host Sam Payne brings listeners a vital, deep-dive discussion around the realities of compound grief, partner dynamics, and true community action. Guests Arty and Will join the show to share their profound journey of enduring five consecutive early pregnancy losses—including a deeply isolating termination for medical reasons during the height of pandemic lockdowns—before ultimately welcoming their daughters, Poppy and Chloe. Will and Arty break down the unique complexities of navigating different grieving styles under one roof, highlighting the delicate balance between Will’s quiet internal processing and Arty's need for outward verbal expression. The conversation takes a powerful look at how early pregnancy loss acts as a major catalyst for mental health outcomes, with Will sharing his decision to walk away from a high-stress corporate career after experiencing severe panic attacks. This episode is an essential celebration of how the couple transformed their private heartache into a visible beacon of hope. They reflect on the legacy of Will’s extraordinary endurance fundraiser, 3 Rowing Marathons for 3 Miscarriages/Early Pregnancy Losses, which raised an astounding $20,000 for Pink Elephants during a critical time. It is a must-listen for anyone seeking a true reflection of partner support, parenting after loss, and the power of rewriting your own story. Together, they discuss: The Compound Toll: Navigating the physical, psychological, and emotional exhaustion of five back-to-back pregnancy losses. Opposites in Grief: How an extroverted partner and an introverted partner learn to communicate when processing the exact same tragedy. The Corporate Perspective Shift: Will’s decision to leave the corporate space after severe anxiety attacks to prioritise a simpler life with his family. Rowing in the Dark: The grueling physical and emotional reality of completing 42km rowing marathons from home during isolation. Schoolroom Conversations: Arty and Will’s distinct hopes for introducing reproductive health and pregnancy loss into school curriculums to eliminate future shock.Help us Celebrate 10 Years & Donate: Help us show up for the next decade. Your donation ensures we can continue providing a circle of support for families impacted by early pregnancy loss. Donate here. EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS SUPPORTIf you or someone you know has experienced miscarriage or early pregnancy loss, please know you are not alone. Connect with our services: Live Chat with Peer Support Online Communities Pregnancy Loss helpline delivered by PANDA Circle of support Follow @pinkelephantssupport on instagram. For crisis support, please call Lifeline - 13 11 14.

    S3: E4: Arty and Will: Marathons of the Heart
  5. Jul 3 ·  Video

    S3 E3 Prof Bill Ledger - The gap in clinical care

    Reflecting on a distinguished career at the forefront of reproductive medicine, Professor Bill Ledger—former Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick—has witnessed a profound cultural shift. Early in his career, the grief of early pregnancy loss was routinely pushed into the shadows. Today, while he acknowledges a welcome, hard-won openness in public conversation, Bill remains fiercely realistic about a critical gap: how this public openness translates into frontline clinical practice. In this powerful episode, Prof Bill Ledger joins Sam to discuss why institutional healthcare settings still too often default to clinical detachment, leaving vulnerable families to navigate reproductive trauma wrapped in cold, sterile language. He shares the definitive moment of connection when he met Pink Elephants co-founder Sam, and why he pioneered a new approach to professional development by inviting her lived experience directly into the lecture halls of his senior medical and midwifery staff. Key Takeaways from This Episode: Breaking the Silence: Bill’s reflections on moving away from a time when pregnancy loss was shrouded in societal discomfort to an era where families find the courage to speak their babies' names. The Structural Gap in Care: Why medical compliance isn't enough, and how clinical settings can unintentionally isolate families using detached or abrasive language. Textbooks vs. Lived Experience: Inside Bill’s decision to bridge the gap between clinical excellence and deep human empathy by bringing Sam’s voice directly to his senior obstetricians and gynaecologists. Compassionate language: Bill’s vision for the next decade—formalising soft communication skills across the Australian healthcare system so that medical responses shift seamlessly from clinical management to an intuitive circle of support.Help us Celebrate 10 Years & Donate: Help us show up for the next decade. Your donation ensures we can continue providing a circle of support for families who experience early pregnancy loss.. Donate here EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS SUPPORTIf you or someone you know has experienced miscarriage or early pregnancy loss, please know you are not alone. Connect with our services: Live Chat with Peer Support Online Communities Pregnancy Loss helpline delivered by PANDA Circle of support Follow @pinkelephantssupport on Instagram. For crisis support, please call Lifeline - 13 11 14.

    S3 E3 Prof Bill Ledger - The gap in clinical care
  6. Jun 25 ·  Video

    S3 E2: Natalie Khoury - A sanctuary shared in stories

    In this incredibly special, celebratory season of The Miscarriage Rebellion, host Sam Payne welcomes Natalie Khoury to share a story that beautifully illustrates a decade of Pink Elephants' community impact. Nat opens her heart about her deeply personal journey through recurring early pregnancy loss—experiencing three heartbreaking losses in quick succession after her marriage in 2024. With immense vulnerability, Nat takes us through the invisible trauma of navigating silent losses, the grief of packed-away memories, and the unique, high-anxiety reality of pregnancy after loss. But this is also a story of immense celebration and hope. Nat shares the joy of welcoming her "magic" baby boy. This conversation is a testament to the power of breaking the silence and a celebration of the strength found in community. Whether you are walking through your own valley of grief or are here to learn how to better support a loved one, Nat’s story offers a gentle reminder that you are never truly alone. Together, they discuss: The Invisible Trauma: Navigating hospital systems that lack empathy and leaving without follow-ups or checks. The Grieving Process: The visceral experience of early loss and the pain of "packing it away" only to find it is always with you. A Bridge to Understanding: How Nat used the podcast to help her husband, family, and friends understand the deep depths of her grief. Pregnancy After Loss: Validating the anxiety, fear, and hyper-vigilance that doesn't simply disappear after a positive test. A Future of Compassion: Nat’s heartfelt hopes for a world with better language, open conversations, and deeper education around miscarriage.Help us Celebrate 10 Years & Donate: Help us show up for the next decade. Your donation ensures we can continue providing a circle of support for families just like Nat's. Donate here EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS SUPPORTIf you or someone you know has experienced miscarriage or early pregnancy loss, please know you are not alone. Connect with our services: Live Chat with Peer Support Online Communities Pregnancy Loss helpline delivered by PANDA Circle of support Follow @pinkelephantssupport on instagram. For crisis support, please call Lifeline - 13 11 14.

    S3 E2: Natalie Khoury - A sanctuary shared in stories
  7. Jun 18 ·  Video

    S3: E1: Gabbi Armstrong - The Grassroots Revolution

    Ten years ago, The Pink Elephants Support Network wasn’t born in a corporate boardroom—it started over a single, pivotal cup of coffee between co-founders Sam and Gabbi. Brought together by a shared understanding of reproductive trauma and loss, they recognised a devastatingly ignored systemic void in the Australian healthcare model. In this episode, Sam sits down with co-founder Gabbi to look back on a decade of advocacy, validation, and system change. Gabbi opens up about the raw power of peer support, the early days of building a registered charity from the ground up, and how they turned big-picture visions into the evidence-based emotional frameworks that protect thousands of Australian families today. Key Takeaways From This Episode: The Power of "You are not alone": How a shared experience of loss sparked a movement to ensure no one has to experience the journey of early pregnancy loss alone. From The Kitchen Table: A look behind the scenes at how Gabbi helped translated grassroots community needs into structured, empathetic, and evidence-based support resources. The Perfect Harmony: How Sam’s visionary, media-ready energy paired with Gabbi’s methodical, structural precision to build an unshakeable foundation. A Vision for the Future: Gabbi’s hope for the next decade—eliminating the clinical coldness of lonely hospital releases and ensuring that postcode or location never dictates the quality of care.Help us Celebrate 10 Years & Donate: Help us show up for the next decade. Your donation ensures we can continue providing a circle of support for families impacted by early pregnancy loss. Donate here. EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS SUPPORTIf you or someone you know has experienced miscarriage or early pregnancy loss, please know you are not alone. Connect with our services: Emotional support resources Live Chat with Peer Support Online Communities Pregnancy Loss helpline delivered by PANDA Circle of support Follow @pinkelephantssupport on instagram. For crisis support, please call Lifeline - 13 11 14.

    S3: E1: Gabbi Armstrong - The Grassroots Revolution
  8. 12/22/2025 ·  Video

    S2 E14: The Trifecta of Silence: Breaking Shame and Stigma in Pregnancy Loss

    In the final episode of Season 2 of the podcast , our host Sam is joined by the phenomenal Dr. Jessica Zucker a Los Angeles-based psychologist specialising in women's reproductive and maternal mental health, and the author of I Had a Miscarriage and Normalize It. Dr. Jessica shares her personal and professional worlds colliding after her own devastating loss, including the traumatic experience of an unmedicated D&C. As a seasoned professional, she was shocked to realise she did not have the necessary tools to navigate her own profound grief and isolation. This conversation delves into the heart of the movement Dr. Jessica started to dismantle the pervasive silence, stigma, and shame surrounding pregnancy loss. It is a critical discussion for anyone who has experienced loss, those supporting them, and anyone interested in improving women's health outcomes. Together they discuss: The Power of Professional Vulnerability. The Trifecta of Shame The Antidote is Storytelling Toxic Platitudes Systemic Change Therapy's Crucial RoleConnect with Dr. Jessica @Ihadamiscarriage Jessica Zucker, Ph.D. I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, a Movement: Excellent for those who have recently experienced a loss. Normalize It: Upending the Silent Stigma and Shame that Shape Women's Lives: Broadens the lens to discuss the power of storytelling across many aspects of women's lives.EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS SUPPORTIf you or someone you know has experienced miscarriage or early pregnancy loss, please know you are not alone. For crisis support, please call Lifeline - 13 11 14. Access all our support Connect through Live Chat with Peer Support Join Online Communities Call out Pregnancy Loss helpline delivered by PANDA Join the Circle of support Follow @pinkelephantssupport on instagram.

    S2 E14: The Trifecta of Silence: Breaking Shame and Stigma in Pregnancy Loss

About

In this podcast, hosts Sam Payne, CEO and Co-Founder of Pink Elephants, and Stacey June Lewis, a seasoned counsellor, psychotherapist, and broadcaster, create a safe space for everyday Australians to share their stories of pregnancy loss. Their conversations provide a platform to candidly discuss many women’s experiences, helping to dismantle the layers of shame, blame, and stigma that frequently surround miscarriage and early pregnancy loss. The Miscarriage Rebellion strives to break down societal taboos surrounding pregnancy loss, offering empathy and validation to those who have suffered this heartbreaking experience. Join them in these raw and honest conversations, as they embark on a mission to create a more supportive and empathetic world for those affected by pregnancy loss. The pervasive silence ends here.

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