Hannah's Heart

Hannah Meador comes on to share about her very recent loss. She opens up about feeling like she doesn’t deserve to grieve for this baby because she was “so early” and she already has one healthy baby. If you’ve walked through loss at any point you know this is not the case. One early loss is a life that was loss way too soon.

Walk with you advocates for families navigating the death of a child to ensure families can honor their child’s life in a way that leave no room for regrets.

AFA’s own Ed and Dianne Vitagliano come on to share their story of loss. Dianne experienced loss many years ago, however, she was willing to share how that loss still affects her today. Ed mentions how one thing he would change in his life would be to have more children and wonders who that little baby would be today. Ed and Dianne walked through loss when it was not a popular subject to bring up at the dinner table. She shares how that impacted her and how she was able to grieve the life of her unborn baby.

Ashley O joins us for a second time to tell more about her book, Cradled and Hope, that was recently released. It is a book written in memory of her sweet baby Bridget, who passed away in 2014. Ashley desires to encourage other loss moms to clean to Jesus as they walk through the unimaginable loss of a child.

The doctors warned Ashley her baby may be stillborn. Ashley's mother responded to God's prompting and turned a knit baby blanket into a tiny crib for baby Bridgette. Even though the baby went to Heaven before she was born, the crib added some dignity to a tragic situation. Now, hospitals everywhere are requesting knit cribs for premature and stillborn babies, and Bridgette's memory lives on.

Jackie Gibson returns for a part two of her story to continue her story of child loss. She shares about special ways she remembers her sweet Leila and encourages others to make ways to remember their babies in heaven. Jackie’s husband has also authored a childrens’ book to help siblings after loss. The Moon is Always Round is a precious book to honor Leila and also help children understand that God is always good even when life doesn’t feel too good.

Author and mother, Jackie Gibson comes on to share her personal story of loss. She knows all too well what tragedy looks like when it comes to losing a baby. She honors her sweet baby girl, Leila’s, story throughout her interview. In her book, Jackie invites women to cling to the Lord as they walk through the hardest days of their life. She is an inspiration to anyone who knows what it’s like to say goodbye to their baby before they ever get to say “Hello.”

Mary Todd Gordon continues her story of God's grace after her reality was shaken by postpartum psychosis.

We have touched on the subject of postpartum depression from time to time. This discussion deals with the very real issue of postpartum psychosis. Our guest Mary Todd Gordon shares how God intervened after this issue strained her marriage and threatened her family's wellbeing.

Women waiting to be moms may idealize motherhood in their imaginations. But, new mothers may be surprised to find that, in reality, children are sinners, just like the rest of us. It seems they have an in-born capacity for naughtiness. Kendra and Anne discuss the patience, creativity and prayer required to deal with their children's sin nature.

Nothing could prepare Rebecca Davis for the moment they couldn't find a heartbeat on the ultrasound. But one sweet couple who acknowledged their loss brought encouragement and kindness in an unexpected and small way. This powerful episode explores Rebecca's story as she reflects on her miscarriage from many years ago.

Pastor Andrew Maddox gives some helpful hints to churches which would like to help local foster care workers, parents and children. Pastor Andrew found and excellent use for spare space in the church and now the entire foster care community in his area is benefitting from the Wrap Closet of Giles County.

Lindsey Chaney tells her story

Natalie Ritchie

Anne and Kendra welcome guests Emily Brooks and Lauren Watson into the studio and discuss emotions of moms or people hoping to become moms as Mothers Day approaches.

Adopting or fostering older children can be intimidating but oh it can be so rewarding! Dave White is a licensed therapist who adopted three older children. He shares practical tips from his own journey and encourages others to consider this important kingdom work.

Adopting or fostering older children can be intimidating but oh it can be so rewarding! Dave White is a licensed therapist who adopted three older children. He shares practical tips from his own journey and encourages others to consider this important kingdom work.

Christian singer/song writer, Phil King, comes on to talk about his brand new single called “Miscarriages.” Phil shares his heart behind the song and, although, miscarriage is not part of his or his wife’s story he knew there was a need to minister to those who have walked through miscarriages. After a friend lost their baby, Phil wrote this song as a tribute to that sweet life that was gone too soon.

Ryan and Kelsi tell the rest of the story of their tragic loss and then talk about the ministry that resulted from that loss.

In this episode Anne and her husband Will discuss child loss with a couple who know the feelings all too well. Ryan and Kelsi Cole share intimate details of what they walked through as a couple and as individuals after their son, Witson, passed away at 38 weeks. Ryan gives a unique and needed view of what loss is like from a father’s and husband’s perspective. So much attention is placed on the mother of the baby who passed (and that is so needed) however, the dads grieve as well. Ryan shares how he felt the need to be completely available to his wife, but wondered how he was supposed to grieve the loss of their sweet baby also.

This episode we continue the Carters’ story of loss but learn just how God can redeem our losses in this world if we let him. We learned about the ministries that were started after their daughter, Katie Beth, unexpectedly passed away. The Carters now travel to many states to offer hope through Jesus and walk with other parents who have experienced a child passing away. We also learned about a ministry that was founded in memory of KB in Nicaragua and how many children receive their education through that ministry.

Jason and Amy Carter come on to share their tragic story of loss and how the Lord has never their side through it all. We talk about their book which was inspired by their daughter, Katie Beth and discuss what inspired the cover of their book- smashed bricks and an acorn. We learn about their sweet KB who is remembered most for how she “Lived and loved well.” Ministries mentioned in the show: www.liveandloveministries.com www.whilewerewaiting.org www.lb4c.org

After having one miracle baby through minimal stimulation ivf, Kendra immediately knew she wanted to have another. But trusting God through the details is hard! In this episode, kendra discusses her fertility treatments to expand her family, her difficult pregnancy and all the "God winks" she experienced along the way. ”

This is the story of Pastor Andrew who's creative use of available space grew into a ministry with multiple churches helping several foster care agencies. It's another beautiful example of the difference one man can make.

This week we continue our discussion of human trafficking with Colleen Fabling who is the safe house ministry director with Eight Days of Hope. She shares how the church can get involved with their ministry of building and maintaining safe houses for women and children who have been rescued. https://eightdaysofhope.com/what-we-do/safe-house-ministry/

Colleen Fabling comes on to speak with Anne and Kendra about the fastest growing crime in America- Human Trafficking. If we say we care about the sanctity of human life, then we must care about the horrific cases of Human trafficking. We know that it is hard to listen to and to think about, but extremely needed. She shares unbelievable statistics and how we as the Body of Christ can get involved and what signs to look for.

We continue this week with Emily Burns' story of infertility which led to two wonderful adoptions that made her family whole. She discusses what those adoptions looked like for her family and how the Lord was in every single detail. As we see over and over, the Lord is always there to heal the broken (and infertile) heart.

Emily Burns shares her story of what it was like to become a stepmom and how that little girl became a little girl she loved like her own. However, Emily still desired to carry a baby of her own. Unfortunately, a few years after becoming a stepmom she was given the news no woman wants to hear. Infertility made its way into her story, but that’s not where her story ends.

Ricky and Cathy Cockrell (Anne’s in-laws) come on to discuss what loosing a grandchild was like. They share the grief that they-as grandparents of the baby who passed away- still struggle with but also what it was like to watch their son walk through such awful loss. They recount what that day was like for them and give a little advice to grandparents who may, unfortunately, experience this same situation one day. They also share how they as a family remember John-Micah and keep his memory alive.

Anne Cockrell and her husband, Will, recount what walking through infertility was like for Will. What it looks like for a husband to support his wife during such rough times. How husbands just want to “fix it” and what that looks like when you can’t immediately give your wife the baby she’s desiring. How a husband’s desire for a baby may look different than his wife’s desire.

Following an appearance by our host, Anne, on Jeff Chamblee's radio show, The Stand, in a blatant act of cross promotion (lol), Jeff agreed to be a guest on Hannah's Heart. Actually, Jeff and his wife also have an interesting story of reproductive challenges.

After experiencing a stillbirth or other gestational loss, a mother may not be emotionally equipped to plan a memorial ceremony or funeral for that precious baby. Suzane Walker volunteered to help Anne and her family and did a masterful job at honoring the short life of John Micah Cockerell.

Anne continues her conversation with Dani Cap as Dani tells her story of loss and God's role in their journey.

Dani and her husband have walked through infertility for eight years now. Multiple surgeries, adoption, a surprise pregnancy, and then a loss are just a few things they have walked through together. They have grown closer to the Lord and closer to each other even though they’ve walked through such hard things. She continues to lead others to the Lord by her blog and instagram, as_im_waiting

Kendra returns briefly from maternity leave to discuss with Anne the challenges a couple dealing with loss or infertility may deal with especially at Christmas time.

Sharon Aikmen continues her story and shares about her children she has adopted through foster care. She also shares about her new book that tells her wonderful God-filled story.

Years and years passed with what felt like no answered prayers and the Lord being silent to Sharon. However, the Lord is always working things out for our good. Sharon shares how through heartache she grew closer to the Lord and has now been able to mother 19 children and even to adopt 9. What a testimony Sharon shares with us.

The holidays are a difficult time when you are struggling to conceive, and when Thanksgiving rolls around the enemy can make you feel like you don’t have anything to be thankful for!

Join the Morgans as they share their journey with infertility — multiple IUIs, applying for foster care starting on the road to NaPro (Natural Procreative Technology) and ultimately conceiving naturally without intervention. And how prayer has held them together through it all!

Emmie Chavers continues to share about her little guy with disabilities and shares how those disabilities led to her seeking out help from a ministry a few states away. While she was there the Lord spoke to her, and now that same type of ministry is just a few miles away.

Infertility doesn’t play a part in Emmie’s story, but lots of challenges have come her way through rare diagnosis in her youngest son. She and her family have had to lean on the Lord and each other as they have had to be advocates for this little boy. Not many specialists even knew how to diagnose such a rare condition. Emmie shares some of her everyday struggles of parenting a little with disabilities and also shares how that same little guy is one of her biggest blessings.

In 1 Samuel we meet a woman named Hannah who struggled with infertility. She poured her heart out to God in prayer and God heard her! The Hannah’s Heart show and podcast was named after this amazing woman and was launched three years ago. In today’s episode Anne and Kendra share deeper insights into Hannah’s story and also talk about how hosting the show has forever impacted their lives.

Did you know that EVERY major diaper company is pro choice and supports the abortion industry either financially or ideologically? It makes no sense that they would want to kill their clientele but sadly it’s true. Society acts like children are a huge burden and that it is almost shameful to want them! This can be particularly upsetting for godly Christian couples struggling to conceive. The good news is….someone is doing something about it! Don’t miss this eye-opening interview with Sarah Gabel Seifert, the president and co-founder of Everylife- the only prolife diaper company around!

Marie isn’t just a licensed counselor. She has also personally experienced the stress and anxiety of infertility. She now owns her own practice and helps others everyday. In this episode she shares several practical grounding techniques and tips for stress management to help couples deal with the pressures surrounding infertility. Oh and did I mention that she loves Jesus with all her heart? Every tip and trick is based in research and built on a Biblical worldview.

Marie was desperate to have a baby. It was all she could think about. Even when an emergency medical situation landed her in the hospital, she wasn’t worried about living–just whether or not she could still have a child after the procedure. Chaos and anxiety ruled in her mind…. until one day God captured her heart and filled her with a genuine joy and contentment that cannot be explained. Don’t miss her powerful story!

After 13 years of infertility and multiple rounds of fertility treatments, Allyn Ann was blessed with two precious children of her own. Now she has started a non profit to help other families afford treatments that help build families. To find out more about the grant process, visit defiantlyhopeful.org

Infertility and child loss never seems to stop affecting you. It even impacts the way we mother! Host Anne Cockrell returns from maternity leave to discuss having another baby after infant loss and some of the beautiful “God winks” that helped heal her heart as she welcomed baby Nora into the family.

Having medical problems or a disability not only makes trying to conceive difficult, it can also fill couples with a lot of fear about parenting. Kendra and her husband Eric discuss Eric’s disability and how God has used it to make him more like Jesus. They also discuss how they have overcome many parenting obstacles through God’s power and grace.

“When I thought I would be chained to my grief the rest of my life and I would just be "stuck" forever, our good God broke those chains and gave me true freedom in my grief.” These are powerful words from Stephanie Moeknkoff who lost her precious baby girl at just 32 weeks. Listen as she tells the powerful story of God rescuing her from the shell of a person she had become and allowing her to find freedom in the middle of her grief.

Beckett’s Blessing Box is a nonprofit organization that supports families who’ve lost a baby or child. It was founded in 2021 after Taylor and Linlee Morton lost their first son, Beckett to a placental abruption. Their mission and prayer is that these boxes provide comfort and tangible resources to help families grieve well while pointing them to Jesus in the midst of their heartbreak.