As the holiday season approaches, many families feel the growing tension between the world’s sparkle and their own heartbreak. In this tender and grounded conversation, host Jackie Celske is joined by author, spiritual director, and caregiver coach Sherah-Leigh Gerber, whose Advent devotional Unhappy Holidays offers honest words, gentle practices, and blessings for anyone carrying grief into a season that’s “supposed” to feel joyful.
Together, Jackie and Sherah-Leigh explore what it means to face Christmas with sorrow, longing, or unanswered prayers — and how to honor both grief and hope without forcing either one. Drawing from her own family’s story, her pastoral work, and her training in spiritual care, Sherah-Leigh offers language, perspective, and permission for those navigating infertility, loss, loneliness, or major life transitions this time of year.
🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear:
• Why holidays often intensify grief, longing, and emotional fatigue
• How Advent gives us a framework to name pain and look for hope
• What “marking time” and creating simple rituals can offer your heart
• How to set boundaries, honor your needs, and release unrealistic holiday expectations
• Blessings and practices for families navigating pregnancy and infant loss
Whether this season feels heavy, tender, or complicated, this conversation offers comfort, language, and light for the journey.
📚 Purchase Unhappy Holidays: https://a.co/d/cDVcXyK
🤍 Connect with Sherah-Leigh Gerber: https://shergerber.com/ or @SherGerber
🫶 Join our community: nofoottoosmall.org/families
📲 Sponsor an episode: jackie@nofoottoosmall.org
🔗 Donate to support the mission: nofoottoosmall.org/donate
Special thanks to Storyline Multimedia for helping us hold space for these conversations.Guest Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed by guests on the No Foot Too Small Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization.
Medical Disclaimer:
No Foot Too Small (NFTS) does not provide medical/health advice. Any information provided by NFTS is for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Personal use or reliance on information from NFTS or its associated activities, including peer interactions, is strictly at your own risk. We strongly encourage you to consult with healthcare professionals regarding your individual situation and needs.

In this powerful conversation, host Jackie Celske is joined by Dr. Kristen Sharp, OB-GYN at the University of Wisconsin and founder of the Hope After Loss Clinic — a groundbreaking model offering both medical and emotional care to families navigating pregnancy and infant loss.
A loss mom herself, Dr. Sharp shares the story of her son Caleb, how his brief life forever changed the way she practices medicine, and why she believes compassionate, individualized care should be the standard for every family experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, or pregnancy after loss.
🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Dr. Sharp’s personal journey from heartbreak to hope
• How the Hope After Loss Clinic is redefining care for bereaved families
• The emotional and physical realities of pregnancy after loss and why every parent deserves space to grieve and heal
• A message of hope for the future of compassionate healthcare

🤍 Learn more about the Hope After Loss Clinic: Hope After Loss Clinic | UW Health
💬 Connect with No Foot Too Small families: nofoottoosmall.org/families
📲 Interested in sponsoring an episode? Email jackie@nofoottoosmall.org
🔗 Donate to support the mission: nofoottoosmall.org/donate
Special thanks to Storyline Multimedia for helping us hold space for these stories.Guest Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on the No Foot Too Small Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization. Medical Disclaimer: No Foot Too Small (NFTS) does not provide medical/health advice. Any information provided by NFTS is for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Personal use or reliance on information from NFTS or its associated activities, including peer interactions, is strictly at your own risk. We strongly encourage you to consult with healthcare professionals regarding your individual situation and needs.

As Halloween approaches, homes across the country begin to glow with orange — but among them, one color carries a different kind of meaning. In this special Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month episode, host Jackie Celske sits down with Jennifer Giles, author of the viral poem “The White Pumpkin,” who found her words turning into an international tradition of remembrance and awareness.

Jennifer shares the story of her daughter Madelyn Grace, how one late-night moment of inspiration became a global movement, and how families everywhere now use a single white pumpkin to honor their angels each October. Together, Jennifer and Jessica reflect on friendship, faith, creativity, and how one act of love can connect thousands of families walking through loss.🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The story behind The White Pumpkin poem and how it became a symbol of remembrance
• How Jennifer has partnered with others to help families honor their babies in beautiful, tangible ways
• Creative ideas for raising awareness during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and beyond
• How faith, friendship, and storytelling can help turn grief into connection

🕯 Learn more about Jennifer’s work: ⁠⁠jennifergilesmusic.com⁠⁠🎃

Explore Jessica’s shop: ⁠⁠https://www.jessicawatt.com/product/white-pumpkin/⁠⁠🤍

Order a White Pumpkin on Etsy: ⁠⁠https://knitknotsbyjulieco.etsy.com/⁠⁠

🩷 Connect with NFTS families: ⁠⁠nofoottoosmall.org/families⁠⁠

🎧 Watch or listen now: ⁠⁠nofoottoosmall.org/podcast⁠⁠

📲 Sponsor an episode: ⁠⁠jackie@nofoottoosmall.org⁠⁠

🔗 Donate to support the mission: ⁠⁠nofoottoosmall.org/donate⁠⁠S

pecial thanks to Storyline Multimedia for helping us hold space for these stories.

The views and opinions expressed by guests on the No Foot Too Small Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization. Medical Disclaimer: No Foot Too Small (NFTS) does not provide medical/health advice. Any information provided by NFTS is for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Personal use or reliance on information from NFTS or its associated activities, including peer interactions, is strictly at your own risk. We strongly encourage you to consult with healthcare professionals regarding your individual situation and needs.