Shows
Film OptimistsStar Wars ft. Allie FelkerOur good friend Allie Felker joins us to discuss one of the most popular movies of all time: Star Wars! The original film was released in 1977, and the world has never been the same ever since. Everyone knows the film was written and directed by George Lucas, but who are some the unsung heroes that made Star Wars so successful? How political is Star Wars and how has our perspective of that changed since its release? Why did Lucas keep re-editing the movie to make it look worse? Hear us discuss all this and more!2025-04-111h 23
United SHE StandsPUSHing for Change: Stillbirth Awareness & Prevention with PUSH for Empowered PregnancyIn episode 49, we sit down with two members of PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, Allie Felker and Ana Lepe Vick. These ladies share their personal stories of losing their babies to stillbirth, how this can happen to anyone, and what drove them to join PUSH to raise awareness and fight for change. We also discuss two very important Federal Bills that would help prevent stillbirths. We need you to call your Representatives and ask them to support the Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act and the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act...2023-09-1956 min
The Mourning DoveErica’s Story | Purpose through ActivismI so enjoyed chatting with Erica McAfee founder and podcast host at Sisters in Loss. Our conversation explores the racial disparities in our healthcare system that lead to vastly disproportionate rates of stillbirth and maternal mortality. To learn more about Erica’s work and the Sister’s in Loss podcast visit them on Instagram @sistersinloss2022-04-2041 min
Film OptimistsMoonstruck ft. Allie FelkerThis episode we are thrilled to have Allie Felker on the podcast! Allie Felker is an activist and podcaster who joins us to talk about the 1987 classic, Moonstruck starring Cher and Nicholas Cage. Be sure to check out the links below for Allie’s podcast The Mourning Dove as well as to follow her work with Push for Empowered Pregnancy.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mourning-dove/id1562508342
https://www.pushpregnancy.org/
Got questions or comments for us? You can email them to filmoptimists@gmail.com or DM us on twitter @filmoptimists. Follow us...2022-04-0757 min
The Mourning DoveReid Peterson | Refuge in GriefWe are starting off Season Three of the Mourning Dove with a conversation with App creator Reid Peterson! Reid discovered that nature and meditation helped him find comfort while grieving. These discoveries led Reid to create the App “Grief Refuge”.
In this episode, we chat about Reid’s grief journey as well as his insights on surviving great loss. I highly encourage listeners to check out the beautiful Grief Refuge app as well as their Instagram @griefrefugeapp www.instagram.com/griefrefugeapp/ you can also visit their website www.griefrefuge.com
To share your story and engage...2022-04-0634 minThe Mourning DoveHighlights from Season 2I have been honored to host so many beautiful and heartbreaking stories this Season. To all my guests thank you so much for sharing your heart, your loved one and your insights on grief.2022-02-0253 minThe Mourning DoveClaudia’s Story | Faith and LossToday I am honored to share my conversation with Claudia mother to Andrew whose precious life was only with us for 3 weeks.
Claudia’s faith and spirituality has played a big role in her grieving, and despite the tragedy of losing her son she still holds a space for hope. You can learn more about Claudia and connect with her on Instagram @claudiavilla102022-01-241h 30The Mourning DoveMichelle’s Story | Identity in GriefI am honored to share my conversation with Michelle Vande Hey creator of Light of Love Coaching. Michelle’s grief journey began in her teenage years when she learned she would not be able to have biological children. Michelle went on to adopt two babies and learned that her second child had a brain injury at birth. James died very suddenly in infancy.
Michelle’s grief journey led her to pursue health and coaching and she eventually became a life coach. In our conversation, we chat about the identity shifts that often occur in grief. We also discu...2022-01-171h 09The Mourning DoveJulie’s Story | True AcceptanceDr Julie Shaw is the creator of Hello I’m Grieving, a grief visibility and awareness brand. Julie’s sister died from complications with lupus in 2020. In our conversation Julie shares her grief journey and insights surrounding grief. I know our conversation will bring hope and encouragement as we talk about what it really means to find acceptance and the importance of self love.2022-01-1053 minThe Mourning DoveAnother Year of Grief | Affirmations, Goals, and ConnectionAs the year comes to a close I want you to congratulate yourself on surviving year of grief. Maybe you lost your person this year. Maybe you are processing multiple losses. Maybe you are feeling the weight of another year missing your person. Wherever you are at I want to encourage you. You have made it through the year and though you may not feel like it, you are standing strong. Let’s finish out this year together and connect with our person as we set intentions for 2022 while affirming ourselves for 2021.2021-12-2714 minThe Mourning DoveAmy’s Story | Loving Yourself After LossSelf Care and Self Love after loss can be so difficult to achieve and yet it is such an important part of the healing process. In order to love and accept ourselves, we need to give ourselves grace. Amy's story and her mission to help women in life after loss is a beautiful example of making friends with grief, and living in self-acceptance.
Amy is a grief and pregnancy after loss coach. She is a mother to six living children and two angel babies; Lauren and River. I am delighted to share Amy's Insights on grief and I know that o...2021-12-181h 11The Mourning DoveEileen’s Story | Time to FlyEileen Robertson Hamra is the Author of Time to Fly, a memoir in which Eileen shares her journey mourning the loss of her husband Brian. I know our conversation will bring encouragement and hope as we chat about parenting after loss, grief in children, and other insights in mourning.
Reality, as Eileen Robertson Hamra perceived it, instantaneously altered the moment authorities confirmed that the plane her husband was piloting had crashed, and he had not survived. In the process of mourning her loss, with three young children in tow, where Eileen wandered and landed was nothing short o...2021-12-1753 minThe Mourning DoveAmy's Story | Loving Yourself After LossSelf Care and Self Love after loss can be so difficult to achieve and yet it is such an important part of the healing process. In order to love and accept ourselves, we need to give ourselves grace. Amy's story and her mission to help women in life after loss is a beautiful example of making friends with grief, and living in self-acceptance.
Amy is a grief and pregnancy after loss coach. She is a mother to six living children and two angel babies; Lauren and River. I am delighted to share Amy's Insights on grief...2021-12-131h 11The Mourning DoveReyna’s Story | De-stigmatizing Baby LossI am honored to share my conversation with Reyna about the loss of her son Weston. Reyna and I share many similarities in our stories and our grief journeys. Reyna shares her experience in her blog and has connected with other loss moms on Instagram. Her work aims at de-stigmatizing baby loss and helping other women feel less alone.
To learn more about Reyna visit her blog www.thebabylossdiary.com/home and on Instagram @reyyy____
To learn more about the Mourning Dove and engage with our grief community add us on Instagram @mourningdovepod2021-12-061h 06The Mourning DoveMichelle’s Story | Feel to HealToday I am honored to share my conversation with Michelle Ann Collins co-author of Phoenix Rising, Awakening the Divine Feminine, and You Can’t Make This St*ry Up.
In this episode, Michelle shares her belief “you have to feel it to heal it!” After experiencing multiple losses Michelle found herself numbing the pain with drugs and alcohol. A meditation and yoga practice taught Michelle how to heal from past traumas. She now helps others through her writings and coaching.
You can learn more about Michelle and her work by visiting her website InhabitJoy.com https...2021-11-301h 06The Mourning DoveNavigating Holiday Grief | With Aimee WingenOn today’s episode my friend Aimee and I chat about grieving through the holidays. Thank you to everyone who submitted your advice and insights on how you love and incorporate your person, set boundaries, and grieve during this time.2021-11-2246 minThe Mourning DoveAllison’s Story | Grief and Self LoveAllison found that she could not hide from her grief after two ectopic pregnancies, the loss of her grandparents, and the end of her marriage. Her grief led her to pursue therapy, teaching her to love and accept herself. To learn more about Allison and to follow her fertility journey find her on Instagram @ivfcouldonlyhaveyou and personally @_a.renee24
To learn more about the Mourning Dove Podcast and to join our grief community, follow us @mourningdovepod2021-11-151h 19The Mourning DoveChristine’s Story | Navigating HopeToday I am honored to share the story of Harlan's life as told by his mama Christine.
Harlan was diagnosed with a Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction when Christine was just 19 weeks pregnant. His parents fought to give him the best quality of life and though he only lived for four days, he made a huge impact.
To learn more about Christine and Harlan's story you can follow her on Instagram @christineeee_andreaaaa
To join our grief community and engage with the podcast, follow us @mourningdovepod2021-11-081h 26The Mourning DoveHeidi’s Story | Honoring AlisonHeidi Low shares her story of losing her daughter Alison at just five years old. Heidi’s perspective on her grief journey is unique and helpful as Alison passed away 17 years ago. In honor of Alison, Heidi created Ohana Oasis, a nonprofit that serves grieving parents and helps them on this journey.
I really enjoyed my conversation with Heidi as she provided so many helpful insights on grief and child loss. I know that anyone who is processing their grief, or simply curious about the journey, will benefit from this episode.
Heidi is also active on I...2021-11-0156 minThe Mourning DoveVicki’s Story | Dissociation and GriefToday I chat with Vicki the creator of @mama_grow_home on Instagram. Vicki began sharing her motherhood journey after experiencing recurrent losses. Her posts help normalize pregnancy loss, grief, and all forms of motherhood. Our conversation touches on some common but unspoken symptoms of grief including dissociation and hallucinations.
To learn more about Vicki and read her work visit @mama_grow_home on Instagram and www.mamagrowhome.com. To join our grief community and engage with the podcast add us on Instagram @mourningdovepod
If you have a story or an insight to share, email...2021-10-251h 08The Mourning DoveSarah and Jared | Part 2 | Grieving Our Lost LovesIn this episode, we continue my conversation with Sarah with the addition of her boyfriend Jared. Both Sarah and Jared have suffered terrible losses which has also enabled them to support each other. Sarah and Jared share their grief journeys and offer insight into the experience of mourning the death of a spouse.
To learn more about Sarah and read her writings on grief visit her website www.sacredunraveling.com and Instagram @sacredunraveling
To engage with our grief community join us on Instagram @mourningdovepod2021-10-181h 09