Fifteen years ago, Chris lost his daughter Madison, a loss that seemed unbearable yet quietly simmered beneath the surface of his life. For years, he felt the pressure of grief's unrelenting voice that told him he didn't suffer enough. That he hadn't truly faced the depth of his pain and that he should feel guilty for not being there when Madison died. He wrestled with shame, guilt, and the sense that he was "doing grief wrong."

Over time, though, Chris discovered that grief is not a measure of suffering, it's a journey, unique to each person, shaped by perspective, patience, and self-compassion. He shares how the slow passage of time, the courage to feel, and the practice of honoring his emotions transformed his relationship with loss. What once felt like a relentless judgment became a teacher, guiding him toward healing, acceptance, and a deeper understanding of love and memory.

Now, through his writing and work supporting others, Chris encourages those navigating grief to trust their own process, to feel what they need to feel, and to recognize that suffering is not a failure, but that it's part of a path that can ultimately lead to meaning, growth, and connection.

This episode is sponsored by Bould Point Lakehouse. Check out their AirBNB here. Modern Lakehouse on Quiet Peninsula - Houses for Rent in Lakeville, Maine, United States - Airbnb

What does it really look like to survive the first year after losing your baby?

In this deeply honest and tender conversation, Emlee shares the story of her son, Theo, who was stillborn at full term, a loss that shattered the world she and her husband knew. Together, they were forced to navigate not only unimaginable grief, but also the strain it placed on their relationship, their identities, and their mental health.

Emlee opens up about the quiet, often unseen battles of that first year—the weight of each milestone, the loneliness, the questions, and the ways grief can seep into every corner of life. She speaks candidly about her mental health struggles, the moments she didn't think she'd make it through, and the slow, fragile process of finding her footing again.

This episode is raw, real, and deeply validating for anyone walking through life after loss. It's about survival, love, and what it means to keep going when everything in you has been forever changed.

This episode was sponosored by an annonymous donor.

In this episode of The Empty Arms Podcast, I sit down with Emily Souder, LCSW-C, PMH-C and Mahaley Patel, LMFT, PMH-C, co-creators of Your NICU Story, a powerful journal to help families process their NICU stay. Together, we explore the power of storytelling in grief, the importance of naming experiences that often feel unspeakable, and how words can become a lifeline for families navigating loss.

Mahaley shares the story of her daughter, who died in the NICU, and the profound heartbreak of loving a child in a space filled with machines, uncertainty, hope, and fear. We talk about what it means to parent in the NICU, to grieve within it, and to carry that experience long after leaving its walls.

We are also incredibly lucky to have Emily's perspective. She is certified in Perinatal Mental Health and brings to the conversation a wealth of theraputic knowledge. Her professional insight on grief adds depth and understanding to the conversation, helping guide listeners through the emotional terrain of NICU loss and remembrance.

Additionally, we dive into Emily's book, Birth Story Held for Loss, discussing how writing can provide a path toward healing and the importance of honoring every story, no matter how painful.

This episode holds space for NICU parents, loss parents, and anyone who has been changed by a beginning that didn't go as planned, offering compassion, understanding, and the reminder that every story matters.

You can find the books here!

Your NICU Story: Reflecting on Your Family's Experience: Patel, Mahaley H., Souder, Emily E.: 9781734630930: Amazon.com: Books

Birth Story Held for Loss: A Guide for Reflecting on Your Fertility Experience, Miscarriage, Abortion, TFMR, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss: Souder, Emily, Brandon, Jodi: 9781734630923: Amazon.com: Books