Advertise on podcast: Beyond The Silent Stars

Trauma-informed care is more than a healthcare buzzword—it's a mindset that can transform the birth experience. Mandy Irby discusses how providers can build trust, support patient autonomy, and create psychologically safe care environments, especially for families navigating pregnancy after loss, birth trauma, or perinatal loss. This episode offers actionable insights for every perinatal healthcare professional.

Fathers grieve deeply after the loss of a baby, yet their experiences are often overlooked. Join Dr. Mark Terjessen as he shares personal insights, professional expertise, and practical strategies for navigating grief, finding support, and honoring your baby's memory.

What happens when pregnancy and infant loss intersects with military life? In this heartfelt Memorial Day episode, Dr. Lakeatta Tong reflects on her 24 years in the United States Air Force, the creation of Airman’s Angels, and the unique challenges military families face while navigating grief, infertility, pregnancy after loss, and postpartum mental health. This conversation is a moving reminder of the importance of showing up, holding space, and ensuring no family grieves alone.

After experiencing six pregnancy losses, Megan Hanson turned her grief into action—co-founding the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association to support families and push for better answers. In this episode, she shares her story, the gaps in care, and why no one should have to navigate recurrent loss alone.

“Pregnancy is inherently risky — and modern medicine has made it far safer. My job is to give patients the information, the risks, the benefits, and the alternatives — and then let them decide what’s right for them.” – Dr. Franziska Haydanek

David Corvi, father and author, shares his journey through loss after the stillbirth of his son, Charlie. He discusses grief, supporting his living children, and how writing Dear Charlie: Letters to My Son helped him honor Charlie’s memory.

In this moving episode, Sad Dads Club co-founder Rob Reider opens up about the often-unseen grief fathers carry after pregnancy or infant loss. Rob shares his personal journey and how it inspired the creation of a community where men can grieve openly, connect with others, and finally feel acknowledged. This conversation shines a light on the importance of recognizing and supporting dads in their healing.

In this heartfelt episode of the Star Legacy Foundation podcast, Rachell Dumas, founder of A Light After Nine, shares her journey through nine pregnancy losses and how she turned her grief into a mission of hope. Hear how she honors her children by supporting other families through loss -offering light, comfort, and community in their darkest moments.

Miss Alabama Brianna Sistrunk shares her journey through pregnancy loss, healing in grief, and transforming her pain into purpose as a source of hope and support for others.

Dr. Barbara Toppin is an obstetrician, author, and fierce advocate for families. She is not afraid to think outside the box to help families have successful and healthy pregnancies. As the new Board Chair for Star Legacy Foundation, she brings leadership, strength, compassion, and ideas that are critical to making progress toward the prevention and improved care of perinatal loss.

Dr. Elizabeth Minton is a researcher, marketing professor, and bereaved mother. In this episode, she describes how these roles have inspired her recent work looking into how social norms and activities play a role in perinatal bereavement.

In her role as a Family Support Specialist for Star Legacy Foundation, Denise Nelsen speaks with hundreds of families who are impacted by pregnancy loss and infant death. Her training in social work, plus her own experience as a bereaved grandmother, helped shape her unique approach to ensuring families have the support they need along their grief journeys. In this episode, we learn more about Denise and what she has learned about working with these families.

Read Ms. Thorwick’s Guest Blog In this episode of Stillbirth Matters, Executive Director Lindsey Wimmer visits with Clare Thorwick. Now in her 90s, Clare’s passion for mothers and their babies […]

In this episode, Lindsey Wimmer visits with Dr. Mana Parast regarding placental research including COVID and placental findings . Dr. Parast is a perinatal pathologist and placental researcher at the […]

In this episode, Lindsey Wimmer visits with Dr. Kristin Sharp from Madison Wisconsin. In 2017 Dr. Sharp attended the Stillbirth Summit in Minneapolis and heard Dr. Alexander Heazell of the […]