Podcast Summary: The Viall Files – Episode E875 "Going Deeper - Our Miscarriage Story"

Introduction In Episode E875 of The Viall Files, host Nick Viall and his partner Natalie Joy courageously open up about their deeply personal experience with miscarriage. This episode, released on January 29, 2025, marks a significant departure from their usual content, delving into the raw emotions and challenges they faced during this heartbreaking time. The discussion aims to provide solace and connection to listeners who have undergone similar experiences, fostering a sense of community and understanding.

1. Setting the Stage: A Vulnerable Conversation ([07:19] - [08:36])

Nick begins the episode by acknowledging the departure from their typical format, emphasizing the importance of sharing their miscarriage journey as a form of therapy and a way to connect with their audience on a more profound level.

• Nick: "We've made this show into a family show... sometimes, when we deal with something traumatic or personal, we will sometimes talk about whether we should or shouldn't share it."

Natalie expresses her uncertainty about how to broach the subject, highlighting the difficulty in finding the right words to convey such a painful experience.

• Natalie: "It was extremely hard. It's still extremely hard... I don't know the right way to talk about it."

2. The Emotional Toll of Miscarriage ([08:54] - [15:48])

Natalie delves into the profound sorrow and emptiness she felt after the miscarriage, sharing intimate details about her emotional state.

• Natalie: "I just feel dead inside. And it sucks because I have to be so alive for River."

She discusses the societal disconnect surrounding miscarriage, noting the lack of understanding and empathy from others, even those close to her.

• Natalie: "I was so mad at my body... I was so mad at myself."

Nick reflects on his own feelings of helplessness and the difficulty in fully empathizing with Natalie's experience as a father.

• Nick: "There's a bit of a disconnect between... what I was trying to empathize to, and the sadness I felt..."

3. The Physical Experience and Trauma ([21:03] - [27:09])

Natalie recounts the physical ordeal of the miscarriage, detailing the sudden and traumatic nature of the event.

• Natalie: "It was like I gave birth. ... I was screaming and crying, and Nick ran into the bathroom."

She shares the immediate aftermath and the emotional struggle of dealing with the loss while trying to maintain normalcy for their daughter, River.

Nick provides additional context by recounting his own experience and the efforts to support Natalie during this time.

• Nick: "We were able to set it aside so that we could mourn the loss. And we want to bury our baby in a place that we can always connect with."

4. Navigating Grief and Seeking Support ([27:25] - [35:58])

The conversation turns to the ongoing process of healing and the complexities of grief. Natalie speaks about the guilt and anger she felt towards herself and her body.

• Natalie: "Why couldn't you just hold on to it? Why did you have to let it go?"

Nick emphasizes the importance of medical support and understanding in navigating such a traumatic experience.

• Nick: "Our doctor was able to say, like, there was... it was unviable... it gives you some hope."

They discuss the concept of "rainbow babies" and the hope it represents for the future, despite the current darkness.

• Nick: "Something that she feels very grateful to be able to do in her profession is to help women deliver what she referred to as rainbow babies."

5. Social Media and External Pressures ([35:29] - [42:37])

Natalie addresses the challenges of engaging with social media during her grieving process, expressing frustration and anger upon seeing others' pregnancies.

• Natalie: "Every time I get on, I see a friend or someone I follow or a stranger who's pregnant... it was just like a punch in the gut."

She acknowledges the complexity of feeling happiness for others while simultaneously grappling with her own loss.

• Natalie: "I have my beautiful baby at home, and I'm so happy these people get to experience that. But I'm just so mad that it's not me."

6. Moving Forward and Finding Hope ([42:37] - [45:19])

Despite the lingering pain, both Nick and Natalie express a desire to move forward and find hope amidst their grief. Natalie shares her determination to remember and honor their lost child.

• Natalie: "I'm doing this so that I can look back and I can remember the love and the feelings that I have for this baby that I lost."

Nick echoes this sentiment, highlighting the strength they draw from each other and the love they have for their existing family.

• Nick: "The silver lining of just knowing you can get through stuff... is a much better feeling than wondering if you'll ever get through something."

7. Conclusion: A Message of Solidarity and Healing ([45:19] - [43:42])

In the closing moments, Nick and Natalie reiterate their intent to offer support to listeners who have experienced similar losses. They emphasize the importance of acknowledging such experiences and fostering a supportive community.

• Nick: "Our hope for this is to more than anything, for the women out there who have experienced something similar... we know what you're feeling."

Natalie concludes with a heartfelt acknowledgment of her current state and a message of love and gratitude.

• Natalie: "I'm just here to say, like, first and foremost, like, I'm a shell of a human being. Currently, I've never been more heartbroken or sad."

Key Takeaways:

• Emotional Honesty: Nick and Natalie provide an unfiltered look into the emotional turmoil following a miscarriage, offering listeners a genuine portrayal of their struggles.

• Breaking the Silence: By sharing their story, they aim to break the stigma surrounding miscarriage, encouraging others to speak openly about their experiences.

• Community and Support: The episode underscores the importance of support systems and understanding from loved ones during such challenging times.

• Hope for the Future: Despite the pain, there is an underlying message of hope and the possibility of healing and growing their family in the future.

Notable Quotes:

• Natalie at [10:06]: "My sister has had 12 miscarriages... you don't really know the loss that they feel until you go through it yourself."

• Nick at [15:48]: "The silver lining of just knowing you can get through stuff... is a much better feeling than wondering if you'll ever get through something."

• Natalie at [42:11]: "I'm doing this so that I can look back and I can remember the love and the feelings that I have for this baby that I lost."

Closing Thoughts Episode E875 of The Viall Files is a profound exploration of love, loss, and resilience. Through their heartfelt narrative, Nick and Natalie offer a beacon of hope and understanding to those navigating similar paths. This episode stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of familial bonds.