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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
94 | Lisa… He’s Gone: Eli’s Story and the Fight to Save Babies with Haley McDougle
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“Lisa… he’s gone.”
Those are the words I will never forget—the moment grief and anger collided when my sister, Haley McDougle, called just one week before her baby shower… and just days before I was set to travel to Washington, D.C. to advocate for the Shine for Autumn Act and the Stillbirth Prevention Act—legislation that would later become law.
Today, I have the profound honor of sitting down with my sister to share the story of her son, Eli—a life that forever changed our family in the deepest and most lasting ways.
Haley was 36 weeks pregnant, and everything had been progressing normally. There were no warning signs, no reason to fear. Our family was full of anticipation and joy. But on a Sunday, Haley began experiencing stomach pain and noticed Eli wasn’t moving. After calling her doctor, she was advised to drink juice—guidance we now understand could have had devastating consequences. Planning to be seen the next day, she held onto hope.
At her appointment, during what should have been a routine ultrasound, her worst nightmare was confirmed—Eli had passed.
In this episode, we share not only Eli’s story, but the heartbreaking reality that loss has touched our family more than once. We also talk about how his life ignited a passion in me to fight for change—advocating for updated prenatal education, pushing for local and federal legislation, and raising awareness about preventable stillbirths.
Eli’s life matters. His story continues to move hearts, inspire action, and remind us that even the shortest lives can leave the deepest impact.
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