Send us a text

In this episode, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Dr. Lindsey Wimmer, founder and executive director of the Star Legacy Foundation—a non‑profit on a mission to reduce pregnancy loss and neonatal death while elevating the standard of care for grieving families. With more than 20 chapters nationwide, the Foundation not only promotes, supports, and conducts groundbreaking research into stillbirth and perinatal loss, but also curates the world’s largest pregnancy registry—our Pregnancy Research Project—making vital data available to researchers who share their passion for prevention. This Foundation was born out of Dr. Wimmers own loss when her son Garrett was born still at term in 2004.

Dr. Wimmer walks us through how the Star Legacy Foundation equips healthcare organizations and expectant families with patient‑education materials to identify and manage risk, hosts multi‑day Stillbirth Summits that unite researchers, clinicians, advocates, and bereaved families around the latest evidence in prevention and care, and offers compassionate support services and resources for those navigating loss. They advocate at the state and federal levels, where they fight for legislation that bolsters stillbirth prevention and enhances perinatal bereavement care, as well as their speaker programs that bring awareness and emerging research to academic institutions, professional conferences, and public forums. Tune in to learn how one organization is transforming loss into hope and driving real change for families everywhere.

Sign up for the Summit for Perinatal Excellence 2025.

LETS STAY CONNECTED:

Link Tree
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Website

Give if you feel led. All donations will go to the Julianna Grace Ministry. Click on general then the Julianna Grace Ministry.

Send us a text

Today on the podcast, we’re honored to share the story of Brenda Dalton — a former NICU and OB nurse since 1982, who turned a deeply personal experience into a mission to serve others. After receiving poor medical advice about nursing her own child, Brenda realized something bigger: if someone with her background could be misinformed, what kind of support was the wider community missing?

That realization led her to become a certified lactation consultant. Now, she helps mothers understand their options — whether that’s when to start nursing, how to do it in a way that works for them, or even when and how to stop. Brenda empowers families with both knowledge and compassion — a voice so needed in this space.

She also provides support during heartbreaking moments, like when milk comes in after the loss of a child. Brenda gently helps mothers navigate what to do with that milk, and how to ease the physical and emotional pain that comes with it.

But her care doesn’t stop there. Brenda also sews handmade gowns for premature babies and those in the NICU through a national nonprofit called Threads of Love. Her heart was drawn to this work after witnessing how a grieving family was handed their baby’s belongings. She went home that day, sewed a beautiful fabric envelope, and gave those items back in a way that felt tender and dignified.

Brenda’s story is one of compassion, advocacy, and showing up for others in moments that matter most.

Brenda can be found here and her Threads of Love Chapter can be found here.

Useful Links mentioned in podcast:

Mothers' Milk Bank of Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist

Cabo Cream

Rapid Weaning helps reduce milk

LETS STAY CONNECTED:

Link Tree
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Website

Give if you feel led. All donations will go to the Julianna Grace Ministry. Click on general then the Julianna Grace Ministry.

Send us a text

September 2013, I received a phone call from a stranger, Jennifer Campbell. I was about to head to the hospital to deliver my baby who died. I didn't know what to expect and was completely terrified. Jennifer would give me information that forever held close to my heart. "Lisa you can do this and you will survive this." I remember her telling me over and over I could do this. She began preparing me on what to expect and how my baby may look. She told me the importance of carrying Julianna in my arms and taking pictures. I was beside myself and couldn't imagine everything she was telling me to expect. We both cried and she prayed right before we hung up. Jennifer would later send me a basket filled with books and letters from other mothers who also lost their babies. She is one of many reasons why I started the Julianna Grace Ministry.

Jennifer Campbell runs the Heart of Grace Ministry out of the First Baptist Church in Minden, Louisiana. Even though it is a quiet ministry, this ministry has reached so many who are grieving the loss of a baby. This ministry was born out of her own grief. She decided to break the silence in her own community. This was a topic she had to get out of the darkness. Listen in as Jennifer passionately tells her story of her own loss and how God led her to start a ministry that would change mine and so many others lives.

LETS STAY CONNECTED:

Link Tree
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Website

Give if you feel led. All donations will go to the Julianna Grace Ministry. Click on general then the Julianna Grace Ministry.

Send us a text

Brittany Oaks called me last year as I was traveling to Washington, D.C. At that moment, I could hear her passion and commitment to a cause very close to her heart. We have reconnected, and she shared some incredible news. Brittany has started a new chapter for Now We Lay Me Down, focusing on stillbirth photography. Her journey in this field began with her successful photography business in Arkansas and her involvement with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS), where she captured precious memories for grieving families.

Upon moving to Bossier City, Louisiana, Brittany didn't hesitate to establish this chapter. She recognized a significant need for a dedicated NILMDTS photographer in our area. This initiative is not just about photography; it's about providing families with a way to capture their beautiful photos of their baby. Brittany's insight into the healing power of these images reveals how crucial it is to honor and remember. Yet, she understands that this type of work is sensitive and requires a compassionate touch.

Brittany’s determination and empathy make her an incredible resource for families dealing with loss. Through her photography, she helps people process their grief while celebrating the beauty of each life. As she shares her experiences and the role of stillbirth photography, it becomes clear that this service is a vital support for those navigating the most heartbreaking moments. Listening to her talk about this work encourages a deeper understanding of the impact that these captured memories can have on families in their healing journey.

Since 2005, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS) has gifted more than 75,000 complimentary portrait sessions (about 8,000 in the last two years) to families experiencing the loss of a baby. Through our volunteer photographers, NILMDTS has reached every state in the United States and has been present in 40 countries worldwide. (taken from the NILMDTS website)

LETS STAY CONNECTED:

Link Tree
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Website

Give if you feel led. All donations will go to the Julianna Grace Ministry. Click on general then the Julianna Grace Ministry.

Send us a text

Cayse Holland Cunningham carries a story etched in resilience and faith. Her journey to motherhood was fraught with challenges, enduring ten years of waiting and ultimately turning to IVF to conceive. They named her baby Hope, a name that would touch many lives. Yet, at 20 weeks, Hope's life was threatened when Cayse's water broke prematurely. Rushed to the hospital, she received the diagnosis of PPROM, placing her on strict bed rest with the aim of reaching 30 weeks for a planned C-section. The onset of the Covid pandemic amplified the stress, culminating in an emergency C-section at just 26 weeks. Although Hope initially showed promise, connected to a breathing monitor, hope soon turned to heartbreak.

Cayse's narrative extends beyond this loss, overcoming divorce and unexpectantly finding love again. It's a testament to the unwavering hope she finds in Christ, a hope she now shares through Hope Journals, a ministry dedicated to providing scriptures of hope to those in need. Her journey is a powerful reminder of the possibility of finding light even in the darkest of times.

From Cayse: Hope Journals is a ministry founded after the passing of my infant daughter, Hope. In my grief, I needed a tangible reminder of God’s promises and goodness. I needed something to help me focus my eyes on Jesus. This led me to create Hope Journals, which are pocket size journals filled with handwritten Scripture.

Hope Journals can be found on Instagram, Facebook and you can order a Hope Journal here.

LETS STAY CONNECTED:

Link Tree
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Website

Give if you feel led. All donations will go to the Julianna Grace Ministry. Click on general then the Julianna Grace Ministry.

Send us a text

Rhonda Barnes carries a pain that no grandparent should ever know – the loss of her beloved grandson, Dominic, who passed away in her arms on July 29th, 2015. The devastation threatened to consume her, but as a mother, grandmother, and a registered nurse, Rhonda instinctively shifted into caretaker mode. A natural fixer, she desperately sought to understand the 'why' behind Dominic's passing, while simultaneously striving to be a pillar of strength for her grieving family.

In her role as a New Parent Support Program (NPSP) visitor and registered nurse, Rhonda dedicates her life to supporting families during the crucial early years of parenthood. She visits homes of expectant parents and those with children under 36 months, providing education and guidance on a wide range of topics, from the initial homecoming to the challenges of feeding solids, potty training, and discipline. Listen in as Rhonda shares how a simple, yet profound, statement from a social worker gave her the permission she needed to truly grieve.

She can be found on the Fort Bragg ACS New Parent Support Program or you can email her here: rhondabarnes.rb@gmail.com

LETS STAY CONNECTED:

Link Tree
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Website

Give if you feel led. All donations will go to the Julianna Grace Ministry. Click on general then the Julianna Grace Ministry.

Send us a text

In 2023, our paths crossed in Washington D.C., both of us at the beginning stages of our advocacy for change surrounding stillbirth. It was there I met Meghan Stevenot, a devoted wife, loving mother, and now, a passionate advocate for preventable stillbirth. Today, Meghan courageously shares her personal story of losing her son, Charlie, at 30 weeks gestation in 2020. She recounts the subtle yet significant changes she observed in Charlie's fetal movements, a warning sign tragically overlooked by many mothers. She retells her story on the days leading up to and following Charlie's passing, a story she shares with unwavering strength in the hope of preventing similar tragedies.

Listen in as she shares her grief journey while pouring into many nonprofits and organization that continues to help her heal.

Here are some links she mentioned during this podcast:

Forget-Me-Not Baskets

Milk Bank

Lydie's Loop

Shine for Autumn

LETS STAY CONNECTED:

Link Tree
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Website

Give if you feel led. All donations will go to the Julianna Grace Ministry. Click on general then the Julianna Grace Ministry.

Send us a text

In the midst of grief following Julianna's death, the concept of lament, a common thread woven throughout the scriptures, began to resonate deeply. Seeking understanding and comfort, I turned to the familiar comfort of my bible-teaching church and the wisdom of the older women within the congregation. I asked them questions, desperately trying to reconcile my faith with the seemingly senseless loss, striving to truly understand the character of this Christian God. It was through their guidance and the scriptures themselves that I began to see lament not as a sign of weakness, but as a powerful way to pour out my anguish before the Lord. I hope that sharing this bittersweet journey encourages you to embrace your own moments of lament. I pray you see the freedom and healing that can be found in honestly expressing grief to God.

LETS STAY CONNECTED:

Link Tree
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Website

Give if you feel led. All donations will go to the Julianna Grace Ministry. Click on general then the Julianna Grace Ministry.