Ep. 041 - Co-Authors Speak: NICU loss and how to journey through it.
Tue Dec 16 2025
In this episode of The Empty Arms Podcast, I sit down with Emily Souder, LCSW-C, PMH-C and Mahaley Patel, LMFT, PMH-C, co-creators of Your NICU Story, a powerful journal to help families process their NICU stay. Together, we explore the power of storytelling in grief, the importance of naming experiences that often feel unspeakable, and how words can become a lifeline for families navigating loss.
Mahaley shares the story of her daughter, who died in the NICU, and the profound heartbreak of loving a child in a space filled with machines, uncertainty, hope, and fear. We talk about what it means to parent in the NICU, to grieve within it, and to carry that experience long after leaving its walls.
We are also incredibly lucky to have Emily's perspective. She is certified in Perinatal Mental Health and brings to the conversation a wealth of theraputic knowledge. Her professional insight on grief adds depth and understanding to the conversation, helping guide listeners through the emotional terrain of NICU loss and remembrance.
Additionally, we dive into Emily's book, Birth Story Held for Loss, discussing how writing can provide a path toward healing and the importance of honoring every story, no matter how painful.
This episode holds space for NICU parents, loss parents, and anyone who has been changed by a beginning that didn't go as planned, offering compassion, understanding, and the reminder that every story matters.
You can find the books here!
Your NICU Story: Reflecting on Your Family's Experience: Patel, Mahaley H., Souder, Emily E.: 9781734630930: Amazon.com: Books
Birth Story Held for Loss: A Guide for Reflecting on Your Fertility Experience, Miscarriage, Abortion, TFMR, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss: Souder, Emily, Brandon, Jodi: 9781734630923: Amazon.com: Books
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In this episode of The Empty Arms Podcast, I sit down with Emily Souder, LCSW-C, PMH-C and Mahaley Patel, LMFT, PMH-C, co-creators of Your NICU Story, a powerful journal to help families process their NICU stay. Together, we explore the power of storytelling in grief, the importance of naming experiences that often feel unspeakable, and how words can become a lifeline for families navigating loss. Mahaley shares the story of her daughter, who died in the NICU, and the profound heartbreak of loving a child in a space filled with machines, uncertainty, hope, and fear. We talk about what it means to parent in the NICU, to grieve within it, and to carry that experience long after leaving its walls. We are also incredibly lucky to have Emily's perspective. She is certified in Perinatal Mental Health and brings to the conversation a wealth of theraputic knowledge. Her professional insight on grief adds depth and understanding to the conversation, helping guide listeners through the emotional terrain of NICU loss and remembrance. Additionally, we dive into Emily's book, Birth Story Held for Loss, discussing how writing can provide a path toward healing and the importance of honoring every story, no matter how painful. This episode holds space for NICU parents, loss parents, and anyone who has been changed by a beginning that didn't go as planned, offering compassion, understanding, and the reminder that every story matters. You can find the books here! Your NICU Story: Reflecting on Your Family's Experience: Patel, Mahaley H., Souder, Emily E.: 9781734630930: Amazon.com: Books Birth Story Held for Loss: A Guide for Reflecting on Your Fertility Experience, Miscarriage, Abortion, TFMR, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss: Souder, Emily, Brandon, Jodi: 9781734630923: Amazon.com: Books