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The Silent Footprints | Stillbirth, Miscarriage, SIDS, Stigma, Baby Loss, Grief, SHINE for Autumn Act, Advocate, Legislation, Infant Loss, Pregnancy Loss, Maternity
Have you lost a baby to miscarriage, stillbirth, or SIDS? Do you feel like no one understands the depth of your grief? Maybe you’re angry, bitter, depressed—or drowning in a sea of emotions that feel impossible to name, let alone explain. Perhaps you’ve heard well-meaning but hurtful comments or received advice that made you feel even more isolated. You might be wondering, Where is God in all of this? Or why our country hasn’t done more to prevent stillbirths and support grieving families.
You are not alone. And this podcast is for you.
I’m Lisa Rowell. In 2013, I gave birth to my stillborn daughter, Julianna Grace. That moment shattered my world. I didn’t know how to survive the pain. I wrestled with God, with grief, with questions no one seemed to want to answer. Ten years ago, I found myself on the edge of despair, holding a bottle of liquor and a handful of pills, ready to give up—until God stepped in and changed everything.
From the ashes of that heartbreak, a calling was born.
Through The Silent Footprints, I invite you into a space that is real, raw, and unapologetically honest about infant loss. Here, we break the silence and stigma around miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, and early infant death. We talk about what it's like to grieve in a world that doesn’t know what to say—and how to heal when your heart feels shattered.
My Christian faith has been the foundation of my journey, and it’s through God’s strength that I found purpose in my pain. I started the Julianna Grace Ministry by creating grieving baskets for parents like me. That effort grew into funding cuddle cots and caring cradles for local hospitals—tools that allow families precious time with their babies. Later, God opened the door for me to help pass legislation in Louisiana, offering tax credits to families of stillborn babies and giving dignity through certificates of miscarriage.
This podcast isn’t just about healing—it's about action. I believe we can change the way our nation handles stillbirth and miscarriage. I believe grieving families deserve recognition, support, and resources. You’ll hear about efforts to pass laws across the country, tools like fetal monitoring apps, and ways you can advocate in your own state or even at the national level.
Through heartfelt stories, faith-filled encouragement, and practical advocacy tips, The Silent Footprints empowers grieving parents to honor their babies and reclaim their voices. Whether you're freshly grieving or years down the road, this podcast will walk with you through the valleys and help you find purpose on the other side of pain.
You may feel broken right now, but God is not finished with your story. You are not alone. Your baby’s life mattered. And your life still holds meaning.
As Psalm 27:13 says, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” I never thought I’d feel joy again—but God made a way. Now I want to share that hope with you.
So, if you're tired of suffering in silence, if you're ready to heal, speak out, and even create change—subscribe and join me. Let’s walk this road together, one step, one story, one prayer at a time.
“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord.” – Psalm 27:14
The Silent Footprints | Stillbirth, Miscarriage, SIDS, Stigma, Baby Loss, Grief, SHINE for Autumn Act, Advocate, Legislation, Infant Loss, Pregnancy Loss, Maternity
58 | From The Biggest Loser to the Biggest Mission: Buddy Shuh’s Story of Loss and Hope | The Tears Foundation
When Buddy Shuh stepped onto the set of The Biggest Loser in 2012, millions of viewers saw a man determined to reclaim his health. What they didn’t see was the deeper story—the heartbreak that had quietly shaped his life for years.
Back in 2006, Buddy and his wife were joyfully preparing to welcome their baby girl when a routine prenatal appointment turned their world upside down. Doctors discovered their daughter was missing several vital organs and diagnosed her with spina bifida, leaving only a slim chance of survival. Against all odds, she was born with a cry that filled the room and lived for five and a half precious months before passing away on March 8, 2006.
Buddy opens up about those raw days: the bittersweet moments holding his daughter, the calls no parent ever wants to make, and the heartbreak of meeting a funeral director just hours after her passing. Financially unprepared, he wrestled with guilt and self-doubt, carrying both emotional and physical weight as the years passed.
A simple phone call from his brother in 2011 changed everything. Together, they auditioned for The Biggest Loser—and to Buddy’s shock, he was chosen from hundreds of thousands of hopefuls. On Season 13, he shared his daughter’s story with more than ten million viewers, transforming his grief into testimony.
That visibility led to a life-changing invitation from The Tears Foundation, an organization founded by Sarah Slack after the loss of her son Jesse. What began as Sarah’s mission to help one family afford a headstone has grown into an international movement—offering financial help for funeral expenses, emotional support, and a community of love and healing for grieving families.
In this episode, Buddy reflects on the road from loss to purpose: how The Biggest Loser gave him a platform, how TEARS gave him a mission, and how even in the darkest chapters, hope can emerge.
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Give if you feel led. All donations will go to the Julianna Grace Ministry. Click on general then the Julianna Grace Ministry.
