2023 was filled with a plethora of amazing guests and topics. So many exciting things are in store for the podcast in 2024!
In this episode, I share:
Highlight some of our guests and topics.
How listeners can share their feedback on next year’s seasons, by sending us a DM on social media or emailing us at podcast@handtohold.org
Take a quick 30-seconds and review, rate and subscribe to our podcasts. It’s how more people find us.
Kathryn Whitaker is the author of Live Big, Love Bigger, an award-winning book about living an intentional life and how her NICU baby helped her get there. She's a sixth-generation Texan who loves queso, cowboy boots and southern hospitality. On social media and her blog, Kathryn shares her honest take on family life and living in the chaos, all while drinking Dr Pepper and cheering on the Texas A&M Aggies. She has appeared in USA Today, radio and TV stations around the country and is a frequent guest/sometimes host on SiriusXM Radio. Kathryn and her husband, Scott, live with their six children in Austin, Texas.
Connect with Kathryn:
Instagram: @kathrynwhitakertx
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathrynwhitakertx/
Websites: https://kathrynwhitaker.net/
Buy her book:
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Technology and gadgets, when used with purpose and discernment, can be a true aid to a NICU family’s life. In this episode Emmy-winning tech expert, Katie Linendoll, shares her go-to products for moms and NICU families, all at varying price points.
In this episode, we chat about:
How did you get interested in the field of technology and coding as a woman?
What do you hope people take away by utilizing new gadgets or participating in new technology?
Let's chat about your best ideas for tech with newborns, babies and toddlers.
What's your best advice to a parent who wants to use technology to aid in their child's development rather than interfering with it?
Katie Linendoll is an Emmy Award-winning TV personality, consumer technology expert, and one of the leading women in the field of technology. Katie has hosted numerous TV and digital series and special events. She has contributed hundreds of print and online written pieces for top outlets, and can regularly be seen on TV and digital segments and series such as the TODAY Show, The Rachael Ray Show, The Weather Channel and CBS Sports Radio, just to name a few. Katie has been named a Silicon Valley Visionary and leads a faith-filled, active lifestyle while also devoting a large percentage of her time to select philanthropic causes in healthcare, retired K9s, and US veterans. Katie is also passionate about music and her songs and music videos in the country music genre have hit the charts.
Shop Katie's recommendations:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/
Connect with Katie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katielinendoll/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katielinendollmusic/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katie.linendoll
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/katielinendoll
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw-APg2HrgO8LkJ-gBpx6ww
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katielinendoll
Website: https://katielinendoll.com/
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
We all have preconceived ideas about what a hospital chaplain is, or isn’t. So, in this conversation with author and chaplain J.S. Park, we discuss how families might utilize their services, receive an advocate and find someone to hold space in a difficult moment.
In this episode, we chat about:
What led you to pursue a career as a hospital chaplain?
When we hear the word "chaplain" that may conjure up many things for many people. What's your primary role as a hospital chaplain?
Do chaplains go through training and if so, what does that look like?
When are some reasons a chaplain may come into your hospital room?
What can patients ask of a hospital chaplain?
Can you explain how the role of chaplain differs from, say, someone's pastor or leader figure at their place of worship?
How do you recover from the hard days as a hospital chaplain so you can be present to the next family in their time of need?
I think chaplains are often an underutilized resource for patients in a hospital setting. What's your best advice to a family struggling through a hard day and how can a chaplain help?
J.S. Park is a hospital chaplain, published author, and viral blogger. For eight years he has been an interfaith chaplain at a 1000+ bed hospital that is designated a Level 1 Trauma Center. His role includes grief counseling, attending every death, every trauma and Code Blue, staff care, and supporting end-of-life care. He also served for three years as a chaplain at one of the largest nonprofit charities for the homeless on the east coast. J.S. has a MDiv completed in 2010 and a BA in Psychology. He also has a sixth-degree black belt. He is the author of The Voices We Carry: Finding Your One True Voice in a World of Clamor and Noise (published by Northfield). His next book, on grief, released May 2024. J.S. currently lives in Tampa, Florida with his wife, a nurse practitioner, and his three year old daughter and adopted dog.
Read the CNN article:
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/09/18/health/hospital-chaplain-lessons-wellness-cec/index.html
Connect with J.S.:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jspark3000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jsparkblog
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jsparkblog
Website: https://jsparkblog.com/
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Food and the holidays go hand-in-hand, but when there is an allergy or restriction they can often be stressful and full of anxiety. Cottage bakery owner and food allergy mama, Vanessa Gonzalez Kraft, walks you through what an allergy might look like, ways to be a hospitable host and tips for adjusting to an allergy-free kitchen.
In this episode, we chat about:
Tell me a little bit about your NICU stay with your twins.
When did you first notice food allergies in your children?
How did you go about introducing new foods to them?
When did you seek the advice or intervention from a specialist?
What was the toll on that experience like for your family?
How did you respond?
What surprised you the most about your new-found love for baking?
As families enter into the holidays, the dinner table can often be a source of stress if your child has food allergies. What are some tips you have to make it less stressful and more manageable?
What's your best advice to a NICU mom who just learned her child has a food allergy and she's feeling overwhelmed?
Vanessa Kraft is a mom of six daughters. One daughter has multiple food allergies and Vanessa’s twins were preemies that spent time in the NICU. Because of her daughter's food allergies she started Que Bueno Bakery, one that is safe for people with food allergies and dietary restrictions, but also delicious because everyone should get to be in on the fun of celebrations!
Connect with Vanessa:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quebuenobakery/
Website: https://quebuenobakery.com/
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
As we continue to share stories In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, mom of 5 (including a son with DS) Allison Sullivan shares how she uses TikTok to normalize family life. And, with more than 1.2M followers, we say she might be onto something.
In this episode, we chat about:
Tell us a little about your family.
When and why did you decide to launch a TikTok account?
What’s your primary content on your account?
One of your children has Down Syndrome. Did you ever worry that sharing about him on your social media accounts might elicit negative reactions?
Best part about having a child with DS? Most challenging?
During Down Syndrome Awareness Month, what do you want another DS mom to know?
Allison Sullivan is married to Seth and a mom of five. She believes in playing her part in the renewal and transformation of communities through walking humbly, acting justly and loving mercy. She is a writer and podcaster, loves good hospitality and meaningful service and is active in social justice causes to cultivate love and hope. Allison is a trauma-informed yoga instructor. For fun, she enjoys creating wholesome content through a family lens for over 1.2 million TikTok fans, long road trips with her family, girls’ nights out with her friends, thrifting, reading, and spending time at the beach. To relax, Allison watches Modern Family on the couch with her dogs.
Connect with Allison:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sullivanfamilytiktok
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonmsully
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/allisonsullivan
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sinner-saint-sister/id1234435619
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, we shed some light on life with a DS child with PICU mom, Stephanie Weinert. She shares how she received the diagnosis and how Beckett’s entrance into the world changed her life. In this episode we briefly discuss death, dying and grief.
In this episode, we chat about:
The day she learned her son was diagnosed with Down Syndrome.
What were some of the things you had to re-learn as a mom after Beckett's diagnosis?
What were some of Beckett's challenges and how did those affect your family?
What are some of the greatest things Beckett brought to your family?
Often, we fear what we do not know. What's something you feared that either never came to fruition or was less stressful than you imagined it might be?
What are some ways you honor Beckett's life and how are you managing your grief particularly during anniversaries or the holidays?
What's something you want people to know about Down Syndrome?
What would you tell old Stephanie, knowing what you know now, about having a child with DS?
Stephanie Weinert is a wife, mother, writer and media personality. She served as a radio host before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Stephanie has spoken nationally and internationally on topics related to faith, family life, homeschooling, motherhood, and the suffering path to salvation. She and her husband Peter share openly about their youngest son, Beckett, who was born in 2019 with a surprise diagnosis of Down Syndrome and a serious heart defect. Beckett’s short life of 18 months changed the Weinert family forever. Caring for a special needs child and walking through grief and child loss helped Stephanie see motherhood through a new lens..
Connect with Stephanie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanieweinert
Website: https://www.motherandhome.co/
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
The NICU often leaves caregivers, and babies, with anxiety and overwhelm and sometimes something more complex, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Tiffany Gladdis shares the difference between anxiety and PTSD and what parents can do to address their triggers and receive treatment.
In this episode, we chat about:
How did you get interested in clinical psychology, specifically focusing on the NICU?
What's the difference between anxiety and PTSD?
What are some symptoms/markers of PTSD and how does a parent receive that diagnosis?
What are the treatment options?
A new term and diagnosis people are starting to hear is C-PTSD (complex PTSD). What's the difference between the two and might a NICU parent experience one or the other?
Can a baby experience PTSD? If so, symptoms? Treatment?
What's your best advice to a parent who's feeling overwhelmed, triggered or otherwise feeling like they need professional help to manage everything?
Dr. Tiffany Gladdis is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Neonatology and the Medical Director of the Office of Equity and Diversity at Children’s Mercy Hospital, as well as an Associate Professor at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Dr. Gladdis provides therapy and support to families in the Fetal Health Center, NICU, and NICU follow-up clinic and her clinical interests include attachment and bonding, trauma, infant and perinatal mental health, and BIPOC populations. Dr. Gladdis also serves on the board of Hand To Hold.
Connect with Dr. Gladdis:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tiffany-gladdis-willis-214ba1107
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope.love.heal/
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Did your baby just get admitted to the NICU? Feeling overwhelmed? Scared? Frustrated? Tired? Kathryn Whitaker, mom of six (including her own NICU baby), shares the things she wishes someone had told her upon admission. If you want to be seen in your NICU experience, this episode is for you.
In this episode, Kathryn shares:
A letter to NICU moms
How to advocate for your baby
Finding resources for your mental health
How to accept help and what to ask for
Kathryn Whitaker is the author of Live Big, Love Bigger, an award-winning book about living an intentional life and how her NICU baby helped her get there. She's a sixth-generation Texan who loves queso, cowboy boots and southern hospitality. On social media and her blog, Kathryn shares her honest take on family life and living in the chaos, all while drinking Dr Pepper and cheering on the Texas A&M Aggies. She has appeared in USA Today, radio and TV stations around the country and is a frequent guest/sometimes host on SiriusXM Radio. Kathryn and her husband, Scott, live with their six children in Austin, Texas.
Connect with Kathryn:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathrynwhitakertx
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathrynwhitakertx/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kathrynwhitakertx
Websites: https://kathrynwhitaker.net/
Read her letter, Dear NICU Momma:
https://kathrynwhitaker.net/2013/11/dear-nicu-momma/
Buy her book:
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
The person that spends the most time with your child is likely a NICU nurse. NICU parent, former NICU nurse and current director of NICU nursing, Dr. Lisa Davenport, and I have an honest conversation about the highs and lows of nursing, what things have changed and how parents can have the best relationship possible with their baby’s NICU nurse.
In this episode, we chat about:
Of all the professions, why nursing and why NICU nursing?
What differentiates a NICU nurse from a pediatric or ICU nurse?
What are some of the first things a family can expect from their NICU nurse?
Can you explain a "primary nurse" and what that means to a family?
Share a bit about the family's access to their NICU nurses.
If a family has a difficult relationship with their NICU nurse, what should they do?
What are some of the key things NICU nurses do to be more effective in the NICU environment?
What's something that we're doing now in NICUs that we weren't when you first started? How has it changed the outcomes?
Let's talk about this "golden hour" you championed.
What's the best part about your job? Most challenging?
Dr. Lisa Davenport is a former NICU parent and the Director of Nursing for Texas Children’s NICU in Houston, Tex. Lisa’s experience as a NICU bedside nurse for 9 years fueled her passion for becoming a quality driven and people centric nursing leader. Additionally, Lisa serves as faculty for Texas Tech Health Science Center School of Nursing.
Connect with Dr. Davenport:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-davenport-dnp-rn-rnc-nic-5363b075
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Your child’s pediatrician is likely one of their most important; it’s where all things begin. Author of the “411” series and revered pediatrician, Dr. Ari Brown, gives great insight on traits you should look for in your own pediatrician, vaccine schedules and resources to help you be the best advocate for your NICU baby.
In this episode, we chat about:
After receiving your degree in child development, what made you pursue a career in pediatrics?
What are things your pediatrician should be looking at and considering if your child is a NICU graduate? What traits should you consider in your pediatrician to best serve your child?
When should a parent consult a pediatrician and when should they seek counsel from an additional specialist for their child?
What should the relationship look like between a child’s pediatrician and their other specialists?
In an age of digital medicine, i.e. Dr. Google, how do you counsel your parents on when to seek medical care and when to treat things at home?
Describe the ideal pediatrician-patient relationship.
Let’s talk about delayed vaccination schedules for medically fragile children.
Tell us about your books: Baby, Expecting and Toddler 411. What can reader’s expect?
For a NICU parent who feels hyper-sensitive to every symptom their child presents, what’s your best advice?
Ari Brown, MD is a practicing pediatrician in Austin, Texas, for over 25 years after completing her pediatric residency and fellowship in developmental/behavioral pediatrics at Harvard Medical School/Children's Hospital Boston. Her passion to advocate for children and educate families extends beyond the office setting. She is the author of the bestselling "411" parent education book series including Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Baby's First Year with the new 20th anniversary/10th edition out this year, Toddler 411, and Expecting 411 available where books are sold and on Amazon. She also hosts online courses on newborn care and sleeping through the night. She has appeared on numerous national news and talk shows including NBC's Today Show, Dr. Phil, and CNN. She is a trusted voice for children's health, serving as a spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Dr. Brown has received the American Academy of Pediatrics Lifetime Achievement Award for child health advocacy.
Connect with Dr. Brown:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/baby411
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/expecting411
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aribrownmd
Website: https://baby411.com/
Buy Dr. Brown’s books:
Learn about Dr. Brown’s online newborn care and sleeping courses:
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Women often hear that breastfeeding is natural, but many encounter challenges or hurdles. Neonatologist and breastfeeding advocate, Dr. Leah Jordan, shares tips on establishing a good milk supply, finding good lactation support and advice on managing stress when nursing your NICU baby doesn’t go as planned.
In this episode, we chat about:
What led you to pursue a career in neonatology?
Why are you so passionate about breastfeeding and health equity?
What should a new mom know about breastfeeding if she's expecting a NICU stay?
Establishing milk supply, particularly for a NICU mom, can often be highly stressful. Tips and suggestions? What's safe and what isn't?
How can a mom advocate for getting good lactation support?
Once she leaves the NICU with her baby how can she get support if she runs into challenges or subsequent hospital stays?
If your baby is NPO (Latin nil per os) "nothing by mouth", what support can the hospital provide for storing your pumped milk?
What's your best advice to a NICU mom who is stressed about nursing her new baby?
Dr. Leah Jordan is a board certified pediatrician from Minnesota who loves supporting NICU moms in reaching their breastfeeding goals. She recently completed her fellowship and joined Children’s Minnesota as a neonatologist. Her research centers on the use of quality improvement methodology to promote breastfeeding in the NICU and beyond.
Learn more about breastfeeding:
https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
When formula or breastfeeding isn’t a viable option for your NICU baby, donor milk may be the next best alternative. Former Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin Board Member and NICU mom, Veronica Cogwin, shares about her daughter’s personal experience as a donor milk recipient.
In this episode, we chat about:
Tell us about Victoria’s birth.
What did your breastfeeding journey look like with your micropreemie?
When did donor milk become a viable possibility for your daughter?
What were some of the risks Victoria faced without donor milk?
How long did she receive donor milk?
How is your daughter doing now, nearly eight years later? What role did donor milk play in her early development?
Explain your role advocating for donor milk.
How can a mom donate her milk to a local milk bank?
What is the screening process like?
What's your best advice to a parent considering utilizing donor milk for her NICU baby?
Veronica Cogwin is the mom of five children, including a micropreemie, Victoria, born at 24 weeks. Veronica is a strong advocate of donor milk after it played a major role in helping her daughter grow and thrive in the NICU. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin.
Connect with Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin:
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
IEPs! 504s! Sometimes those services provided by the school can feel overwhelming, even when know they can benefit our child. School Board Trustee and NICU mom, Amber Feller, breaks it all down into practical steps, with action items to help you focus so you can assist your child in receiving the services he or she needs.
In this episode, we chat about:
What led you to pursue a fulfilling, but sometimes contentious, spot on the local school board?
You have both school board and parent experience with services provided by the public school system. Biggest take home lesson from both experiences?
Some parents may be familiar with early intervention (looks different in every state), but what is an IEP and how does it differ from a 504?
When a child graduates from high school, how do they get help in college?
How does a parent begin the process of asking for help for their child from PK-12?
What questions should they ask and how do they know their rights?
Does the school district make a diagnosis based on testing they do or is that up to the parent and an outside medical professional?
What do you think parents should know about IEPs?
Sometimes there's a negative stigma with receiving help through special services. How can a parent (and a child) overcome that stigma?
What's your best advice to a parent seeking an IEP for his/her child?
Amber Feller has been actively involved in Round Rock ISD schools since 2008 serving in various volunteer roles and she currently serves as a Trustee on the School Board. Amber has also been very active in the community while serving through Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, her church and her children’s extracurricular activities. Amber earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology, with a Minor in Math, from Texas A&M University and her Master’s of Education in Counseling from the University of North Texas. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as a Nationally Board Certified Counselor.
Connect with Amber:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmberFellerForRRISDSchoolBoard/
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Just when you find your rhythm, something like school bullying enters the picture and it can often feel overwhelming and frustrating. Sr. Josephine Garrett, a licensed mental health school counselor talks strategies, perspective and encouragement in dealing with bullying.
In this episode, we chat about:
How and why did you pursue counseling?
You serve both a school and have a private practice. What are the similarities and differences in serving those two populations?
Some NICU babies have challenges that are easily detected once they leave the hospital, but sometimes parents find themselves encountering hard things as their babies become older and enter school. How do you, as a counselor and mental health professional, advocate for students differently than other school staff?
What's an ideal student to counselor ratio?
Often, a NICU baby becomes a target, if you will, for school bullies. Maybe they have a device, a physical challenge or their size makes them vulnerable. How can the family work with the school counselor to address that?
What are some things you do with your students to help them process trauma, work through hard emotions or feel comfortable in who they are?
When should a parent be concerned?
What's your best advice to a parent who has a child struggling in school, academically, socially or emotionally?
Sr. Josephine is a native Texan born and raised in Houston. She completed a BA in Politics with a Business concentration at the University of Dallas. Following graduation she began a 10-year career in banking, serving as Vice President in the Home Loans division of Bank of America. In 2011, she shifted her focus and began formation to be a Religious Sister with the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. She is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor for her local school and she also serves children in private practice.
Connect with Sr. Josephine:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sr_josephine
Website: https://nazarethretreats.org/people/sister-josephine-garrett
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Today, you get the trifecta! Doula, birth photographer and breastfeeding advocate Leilani Rogers shares about her breastfeeding awareness passion project, which was an outgrowth of her work as a birth photographer. Those two passions then led her to obtain her doula certification. Her knowledge and experience in all three is certainly a gift!
In this episode, we chat about:
How did you find your calling in birth photography?
Your birth photography accolades are many! You even hosted the public breastfeeding awareness project for five years. What was the purpose of that project and why were you inspired to create it?
How did birth photography lead you to pursue certification as a doula?
What does a doula do, particularly in the case of a high-risk pregnancy?
What is a "doulatog" as you share on your website?
Women and their partners might be apprehensive about hiring a birth photographer, a doula or both, what would you say to alleviate some of those fears?
When you're considering hiring a photographer or a doula, what are some questions you should ask to ensure it's a good fit?
Do all doctors/hospitals allow for a photographer or a doula? What questions should a new mom ask?
How can a NICU mom benefit from services like birth photography or a doula?
What's your best advice to a parent who wants to hire a photographer or a doula?
Leilani Rogers became interested in birth as a young mom with preterm labor with all four of her children. She became more empowered and informed with each pregnancy, and when she documented her first birth in 2011 her life as an artist intersected with her love for and knowledge of birth perfectly. She is also a trained doula and a mentor to budding young photographers worldwide.
Connect with Leilani:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photosbylei
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PhotosbyleilaniRogers
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leilani.rogers.photographer
Website: https://PhotosByLei.com
Learn more about the Public Breastfeeding Awareness Project:
https://www.photosbylei.com/2014/07/29/public-breastfeeding-awareness-project/
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Trigger warning: In this episode we talk about death and dying.
Not every baby leaves the NICU but it has been Dr. Elvira Parravicini’s passion to serve those families with infants who have life-limited or life-threatening illnesses. The Neonatal Comfort Care Program seeks to address those needs and support those families from diagnosis, to delivery and beyond.
In this episode, we chat about:
How were you led from your specialty of perinatology and neonatology to your work in palliative care?
Can you define what palliative care means?
What is the Neonatal Comfort Care Program and how does it assist parents?
If a parent has a baby who has a life-limiting or life-threatening condition, what can they expect in a neonatal program and how does that differ from adult palliative care?
End of life issues are complicated and very personal, how do you accompany a family through an extraordinarily difficult experience while respecting their wishes?
If a hospital does not have a service similar to yours, what are some things a parent can do, or people they can reach out, to assist them in giving honor to their baby's life?
What's one myth you'd like to confront when it comes to palliative care?
What's your best advice to a parent who has a child who won't be leaving the NICU?
Dr. Elvira Parravicini is an attending neonatologist at NewYork Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, the Director of the Neonatal Comfort Care Program and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University Medical Center. She obtained a certification in palliative medicine from Harvard University. She was born, raised and went to school in Milan, Italy, and moved to the United States in 1994. Her passion for helping the most fragile patients in the neonatal population inspired Dr. Parravicini to create a unique and innovative program for infants affected by life-limiting or Life-threatening conditions. The Neonatal Comfort Care Program addresses the complex medical and non-medical needs of infants and their families. The interdisciplinary Neonatal Comfort Care team supports expectant mothers of babies diagnosed with a life-limiting condition during the perinatal journey, from diagnosis to delivery and beyond.
Palliative Care Training Course:
Connect with Dr. Parravicini:
Website: www.neonatalcomfortcare.com
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Trigger warning: In this episode we talk about death and dying.
Sometimes, families leave the hospital without their NICU baby. Misti Staley shares about the beautiful life of her son and how the challenges they encountered during his care inspired her to honor his memory after his passing. That outgrowth of generosity is now blessing NICUs and their families around the world.
In this episode, we chat about:
Freeman’s birth.
What devices/assistance came home with him and how did you adapt to those changes?
What is the Freearm and how did the idea of it come about?
What were some of the challenges (design or otherwise) you encountered when designing and marketing it?
How do you think this device can honor Freeman's memory?
What's your best advice to a NICU mom who is stressed about the devices or assistance her baby is discharged with?
Misti Staley's son Freeman was born in 2015 after a healthy pregnancy, but after birth, Misti learned of his many medical complexities. Freeman spent 3.5 months in the NICU, was home for 5 weeks and then spent 5 long months in the PICU, before sadly losing his battle with pulmonary hypertension at 10 months old. After Freeman's passing, Misti built Freeman Playground in Helena, Arkansas; an ADA playground with ramps and a poured in place rubber surface. Through all that Misti learned through Freeman's tube feeding journey, Misti also created the FreeArm- a tube feeding device that holds gravity syringe feeds, pump feeds and infusions at the hospital home and on-the-go. Freeman's legacy of love continues through Freeman Playground and the FreeArm.
Connect with Misti:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/freemanplayground/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FreeArm
Instagram: www.instagram.com/freearm.tube.feeding.assistant/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/staley-house-llc-creator-of-the-freearm/
LinkedIn: /www.linkedin.com/in/mististaley/
Learn more about FreeArm:
Find additional “fun” products to help your medically fragile child:
https://freearmcare.com/friends
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
NICU baby skin is sensitive and often requires proper wound care, either from a lack of development or other treatments required by the NICU staff. Media Esser, a board-certified wound nurse shares common causes of skin damage, suggestions on making wound care easier and tried and true rules of thumb when caring for damaged neonate skin.
In this episode, we chat about:
What is a wound care specialist?
What is it that makes NICU/micropreemie babies’ skin so sensitive?
What are some common causes of skin damage in the NICU?
What are some questions parents or caregivers should ask to ensure they understand wound care treatment and techniques?
How do you know when what you’re doing is hurting, or helping, your baby’s skin?
What are some rules of thumb you use as a wound care specialist when working with NICU skin?
What is your best advice to a parent who is feeling overwhelmed by their baby’s wound care treatment or care?
Media Esser is a nurse scientist, neonatal nurse practitioner and board-certified wound nurse, currently in a Level II NICU in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Dr. Esser also holds the position of Assistant Professor and Neonatal NP Program Chair at Alverno College in Milwaukee. She is a consultant for evidence-based practice, a NICU review course content, quality improvement, skincare research, and she presents on all those topics on a local and national level. Dr. Esser is passionate about neonatal skincare, specifically diaper dermatitis in the NICU, and has published many manuscripts and chapters on the topic.
Links to Media’s research:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Media-Esser
Connect with Media:
National Association of Neonatal Nurses: https://my.nann.org/myprofile/profile?UserKey=a5ab1838-c37d-4dfe-8ed1-7de4d8c12dca
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
So, your baby is having surgery. Whether it’s acute, routine or planned, pediatric surgeon Dr. Tory Meyer, shares what parents can expect, what questions to ask and how to approach the procedure with the best possible information.
In this episode, we chat about:
What led you to pursue a career in pediatric surgery?
What are the most common surgeries you perform?
For planned surgeries, parents have time to prepare their child for the procedure. What can a parent expect at the appointments leading up to the surgery?
What kinds of questions should a parent be asking of the surgeon and the surgical team?
In your opinion, what makes for a successful surgical experience for both the child and the parent?
For emergency surgeries it can often feel overwhelming and chaotic for both the child and the parent. How can a parent make the best decision with limited time? What questions should they be asking?
Sometimes there is a clear answer for a family when making a surgical decision and other times, it's not as easy. How do you help families decide the right course for their situation?
What's the best part about being a pediatric surgeon? Most challenging?
What's your best advice to a parent who has an upcoming surgery and feels scared and overwhelmed?
Tory Meyer is a Pediatric Surgeon at Austin Pediatric Surgery. He is the past Chief of Staff and past Chairman of the Pediatric Leadership Board at Dell Children’s Medical Center and is Clinical Affiliate Faculty at the Dell Medical School. Dr. Meyer is co-founding member of Operation KidDocs, a surgical mission group, and the present Vice Chairman of Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center.
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Our NICU adolescents and teens sometimes find themselves trying to cope with a difficult medical diagnosis or a major life change. Dina O’Brien, a pediatric psychologist and NICU mom speaks from experience, on both sides, on how a parent can help their child.
In this episode, we chat about:
Why did you pursue a career in pediatric psychology?
What is the primary purpose of a pediatric psychologist?
How did your background as a pediatric psychologist help or hinder your experience as a NICU mom with your fourth child?
For parents, how do you know when your child may benefit from psychology and what are the things they might look for, or assess?
How do you find a good pediatric psychologist?
Some children don't exhibit effects of a NICU stay until they are well into their early adolescent years? How do you differentiate their challenges from NICU vs regular development?
How would you define a successful outcome of a child who has undergone pediatric psychology?
What's your best advice to a parent seeking psychological help for his/her child?
Dr. O'Brien is a licensed pediatric clinical psychologist currently working with Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and Harbor Pediatrics in Gig Harbor WA. She has over 25 years of experience working with the mental health needs of children and teens. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 4 boys, and spotting orcas across the PNW!
Connect with Dr. O’Brien:
Website: www.drdinaobrien.com
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
A NICU stay, and subsequent surgeries, can put extreme strain on a relationship. Scott and Kathryn Whitaker share why they sought out help from a licensed marriage counselor, their barriers to get there and how it changed their relationship.
In this episode, we chat about:
What led them to the counseling door?
What were some of their reservations about going to counseling?
Strategies learned in counseling that benefited their marriage?
How did they overcome the stigma of needing help?
What's your best advice for a couple that’s reluctant to go to therapy?
Scott and Kathryn Whitaker, both Texas natives, are the parents of six children, college to elementary, and have been married 27 years. Kathryn is the author of Live Big, Love Bigger, an award-winning book. Scott is the director of stewardship and development for the Catholic Diocese of Austin. On social media, they each share their honest take on family life and marriage, all while eating BBQ, cheering on the Texas Aggies and hiking national parks.
Connect with Scott and Kathryn:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottwhitaker95
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/scottwhitaker95
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathrynwhitakertx
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathrynwhitakertx
Website: www.kathrynwhitaker.net
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Our NICU babies grow up and sometimes find themselves struggling to manage stress, anxiety, depression or navigating a disorder. Dr. Mitnaul, a child psychiatrist, shares how a child or adolescent may benefit from some extra assistance navigating those challenges.
In this episode, we chat about:
How did you get from a biology degree to a child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist?
What is a child psychiatrist?
How is that different from a child psychologist?
Often, parents of NICU babies don't uncover other challenges in their children until they enter a school environment, or go through puberty. What are some things they should look for that might need to be addressed by a child or adolescent psychiatrist?
How can parents find a psychiatrist and what questions should they ask to ensure it's a good fit for their child?
Sometimes there's a stigma when a child is seeing a psychiatrist. What myths do you want to bust on that?
What types of encouragement and information can people find on your TikTok account or other social media, as well as your PBS Show, Cause for Hope?
What's your best advice to a parent seeking psychiatry for their child?
Dr. Mitnaul has quickly become a trusted voice in both the parenting and mental health space. When he’s not at the clinic, he’s engaging with his community on socials or on his PBS Show, “Cause for Hope” by helping families navigate parenting in the digital age.
Connect with Dr. Mitnaul:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctormitnaul
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/doctormitnaul
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/doctormitnaul
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctormitnaul/
Website: www.bewellacademy.org/
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Parents of NICU babies often find themselves struggling in relationships or facing difficult feelings. Licensed therapist Regina Boyd shares how to determine if, and when, therapy can help.
In this episode, we chat about:
What does a therapist do / not do?
What's the difference between a therapist and a licensed therapist?
What are some signs you might benefit from seeing a therapist?
How do you find a good therapist?
The NICU often leaves parents with PTSD, anxiety, depression and unresolved grief, how can a therapist help?
Should you do individual or couples therapy?
If your spouse doesn't want to go, or is reluctant, how do you work through that?
How often should you go?
How do you know if therapy is hurting or helping your healing?
How does someone deal with the stigma from friends or family that sometimes surrounds therapy?
What's your best advice for someone considering therapy?
Regina Boyd is the Founder of Boyd Counseling Services, a mental health & coaching practice that provides in-person and virtual services for couples and individuals. She works with clients who are experiencing stress, life changes, desire healthy emotional connection, and seek to develop problem solving strategies within their relationships. Regina is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She is also a featured contributor to the Hallow app, and lives in Orlando, Florida with her husband and their beautiful daughter.
Connect with Regina:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boydcounselingservices
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reginaboydLHMC/
Website: www.reginaboyd.com
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Traveling with a medically-complex child can be stressful, overwhelming and daunting. Christy Wilkens, a mom of six, including a special needs child, shares how her family has conquered plane trips overseas and domestically, as well as road trips with their children in tow.
In this episode, we chat about:
When did you feel safe and secure enough to embark on travel with a special needs child?
What things did you do, or specialists did you consult to make you feel that way?
How do you balance safety for your child with the well-being of your family to travel?
Airplane or car tips you use to make travel easier?
For flying, what are things you communicate to the gate agent and flight attendants to ensure a smooth flight?
What helped make your overseas trip with a special needs child a positive, less stressful experience?
What are your must-have travel items?
For those traveling this summer who see a family with a special needs child, is there anything they can do to encourage that family, or something that might be of assistance?
What’s your best advice to a parent wanting to travel with their medically complex child?
Christy Wilkens is a mom to medically complex kids and a NICU nurse in training. She is the author of Awakening at Lourdes: How an Unanswered Prayer Healed Our Family and Restored Our Faith and writes and speaks about disability, faith, and the power of community. She lives near Austin, Texas with her husband Todd and their six children.
Helpful products:
Safe Place Travel Bed. Inflatable bed for kids who have outgrown portable cribs. Can use it on top of a bed, but we use it on the floor with a foam mattress topper, or an inflatable mattress pad for airplane trips. Super affordable (by special needs equipment standards). Ours is four years old and going strong.
Special Tomato EIO Pushchair or Jogger. Foldable stroller with extra positioning support (for kids up to 90 pounds/50 inches).
CARES Child Aviation Restraint System. Provides additional chest harness to be used in-flight, in addition to the lap belt. Designed for kids 22-44 pounds but can be approved for larger children, with prior FAA notice. (This link includes info about how to get approval, and example letter templates to file your request.)
Ride Safer Travel Vest. For kids who need mild to moderate support, this wearable child restraint system can take the place of a car seat. Harness connects directly to the car's seat belt and provides additional security.
Seat Belt Medical Alert. Has a pocket inside to tuck a one-page document offering EMS (or anyone else!) a quick reference about identifying info, diagnoses, medical needs, and providers.
Medication Organizer. Keeps pills in their original containers which can help smooth things over through TSA security.
Connect with Christy:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/csawilkens
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithfulnotsuccessful
Website: https://www.christywilkens.com
Buy her book:
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Your diagnosis doesn’t have to determine your outcome. As we conclude our four-part series on pre-eclampsia, Parijat Deshpande, a somatic trauma professional, shares how to heal from trauma.
In this episode, we chat about:
What is a somatic trauma professional and what led you to that profession?
How does your book, Pregnancy Brain, empower parents, especially those who are high-risk or find themselves in the NICU?
If a woman finds herself in a high-risk pregnancy, is there anything she can do to minimize the trauma she may endure either during delivery, or post-birth?
Why are you so passionate about serving the BIPOC community?
You've said you want pregnant women to know they aren't at the mercy of statistics. Those statistics can often feel overwhelming and limiting to a NICU mom, particularly one who has been diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. How can a mom process those emotions, address them and move forward in her pregnancy?
If a woman suspects she has pre-eclampsia or is diagnosed with it, what should she be asking her doctor?
Many women fear a pregnancy post- pre-eclampsia. Two part question: 1) if she chooses not to have another baby, how can she heal from the trauma her first pregnancy may have triggered? and 2) if she chooses to move forward with another pregnancy how does she do it without being debilitated by fear and anxiety?
What's your best advice to a woman diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy, like pre-eclampsia?
Parijat Deshpande is an author, speaker and the CEO of a global, boutique company dedicated to reducing pregnancy complications and ending preterm birth. On a mission to end the high-risk pregnancy crisis, she has served and supported hundreds of women through her programs, one-on-one work and bestselling book, Pregnancy Brain: A Mind-Body Approach to Stress Management During a High-Risk Pregnancy.
Buy Parijat’s book:
https://parijatdeshpande.lpages.co/pregnancybrain/
Connect with Parijat:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthy.highriskpregnancy/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParijatDesh/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/parijatdesh
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCS-y3p6DfELaZd3Fp7nYtA
Website: https://www.parijatdeshpande.com/
The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.
Connect with Hand to Hold:
Learn more or get support at handtohold.org
Follow Hand to Hold on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license