Inside the Children's Hospital

Latest Episodes:

Episode 173 | Dr. Korie Leigh - What Does Grief Feel Like? Jun 07, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Korie Leigh is our guest today on the podcast, sharing with our listeners what grief feels like. Dr. Leigh is a Child Life Specialist, Thanatologist, Associate Professor, and most recently a Children's Book Author. Katie and Dr. Leigh have an essential conversation surrounding grief and what it feels like and how her new book, "What does grief feel like?" can guide parents and professionals to navigate the questions that come with talking about grief with children.

[3:55] Dr. Leigh introduces herself

[5:00] Sharing her why

[6:24] Growth in grief

[7:49] Dr. Leigh's new book launched

[9:33] Helping children navigating grief

[11:02] Reflecting on the grief process

[12:47] Conversations about grief take place over time

[13:42] How grief is felt in the body

[15:51] Asking for feedback and input to expose pre-teens and teens

[17:43] Dr. Leigh's new book

Connect with Korie

Bookshop link: https://bookshop.org/a/85078/9781631987069

Publisher link -the 20% off code is A23LEIGH

https://www.teachercreatedmaterials.com/free-spirit-publishing/p/what-does-grief-feel-like/899857/

Amazon link https://www.amazon.com/What-Does-Grief-Feel-Like/dp/1631987062

My website: www.korieleighphd.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkorieleigh/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drkorieleigh

Twitter: https://twitter.com/drkorieleigh

Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Parents, download our free parent starter kit.

When you download our starter kit, you'll learn how to:

Give medicine to your child without it becoming a wrestling match
Prepare your child (and yourself) for a shot so they can feel less anxious
Create and use a coping plan for any medical appointment or procedure

The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn't send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you're facing.

Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here.

Shop for your CLOC gear here.

Episode 172 | Rylee's Story - A child life specialist with Tetralogy of Fallot May 31, 2023

Show notes

On today's episode of the podcast, Katie interviews Rylee Neal who decided to become a Child Life Specialist from her past experiences being hospitalized with a heart condition called tetralogy of fallot. An experience with a Child Life Specialist during one of her hospital stays lead her to pursue the field of Child Life. Katie and Rylee have some great conversation about scars, our feelings and how as Child Life Specialists or parents we constantly are looking to better ourselves. You will leave this episode with a heartfelt perspective from Rylee as she shares pieces of her journey as patient and clinician.

[3:23] Rylee introduces herself

[4:41] First memory of her diagnosis

[5:45] Realizing her diagnosis was serious at age 13

[6:45] Aversion to medical care

[8:01] Reading consent forms at a young age

[10:00] How preparing ahead would have helped Rylee

[12:07] Wanting to know more the Child Life Specialist who helped her

[14:30] How she fell in love with the Child Life field

[16:50] How her parents get sappy hearing about her work

[19:00] Rylee shares about her scars

[21:18] Kids say what they feel

[22:26] Being able to relate with the children

[24:07] Not letting worse case scenarios creep into personal thoughts

[26:33] Feeling your feelings and decompressing

[28:42] Continual betterment

[30:35] Creating a virtual diversion wall

[33:01] Getting patients out of bed

Connect with Rylee by sending her a message here! Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Parents, download our free parent starter kit.

When you download our starter kit, you'll learn how to:

Give medicine to your child without it becoming a wrestling match
Prepare your child (and yourself) for a shot so they can feel less anxious
Create and use a coping plan for any medical appointment or procedure

The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn't send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you're facing.

Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here.

Shop for your CLOC gear here.

Episode 171 | Dr. Kate Lund - Growing up with Hydrocephalus May 24, 2023

Show notes

Katie along with co-host Mijha from Jambo books interview Dr. Kate Lund, TedEx speaker, clinical psychologist and hydrocephalus warrior. She brings an incredibly important perspective as provider, patient and parent. Dr. Lund shares with us how the support she received throughout her childhood had a positive impact on her life and journey with hydrocephalus. From her wise words and experiences, you will leave this episode feeling empowered with actionable things you can do today. This message is so inspiring.

[4:00] Mihja shares about her daughter

[5:44] Dr. Kate introduces her self

[8:05] Wally, the Facility Dog

[9:36] Discussing support she received as a child

[11:24] Working hard put her ahead of the game

[13:00] Focusing on what you can do

[14:19] Diagnosed with hydrocephalus when she was 4

[15:53] Finding out she had 2 different kinds of tumors

[17:15] A Child Life Specialist became her friend during a hospitalization

[20:50] Katie shares how it is a choice who is in your room

[23:12] Modeling interactions for our children

[25:54] Understanding and appreciating differences

[27:46] The stakes are high with parenting

[29:19] Be open to connecting with your child's experiences

[31:25] Watching your child's passions emerge

[34:30] Helping your children find their happy place

[35:50] Communicating your child's needs

[38:24] Finding her voice

[40:00] Sitting with you reality

Connect with Dr. Lund

Website

Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Parents, download our free parent starter kit.

When you download our starter kit, you'll learn how to:

Give medicine to your child without it becoming a wrestling match
Prepare your child (and yourself) for a shot so they can feel less anxious
Create and use a coping plan for any medical appointment or procedure

The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn't send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you're facing.

Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here.

Shop for your CLOC gear here.

[Child Life 101] How to Support Kids in Pain May 22, 2023

Show notes

[Child Life 101] How to Support Kids in Pain

As a child life specialist, I know that pain can significantly impact children. It can affect them physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively. Research has shown that uncontrolled pain can lead to long-term effects such as stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as changes in brain function and delayed recovery. Helping children cope with pain can be particularly challenging as they may not be able to articulate what they're feeling or understand what's happening to them. That's where child life specialists come in.

What we cover in this episode:

Pain can have a significant impact on children, both physically and emotionally.
Child life specialists play an essential role in assessing kids in pain and determining what they need to feel better.
Child life specialists use a combination of observation, conversation, and other techniques to understand a child's pain experience.
Child life specialists work closely with healthcare providers and other professionals to ensure that children's pain is being managed effectively.
By providing a supportive and compassionate presence, child life specialists help children and families navigate the often-challenging world of healthcare with greater ease and confidence.

By the way, my favorite resources for anything pain related are over at Meg Foundation for Pain.

Whether you're a parent, healthcare professional, or simply interested in learning more about child life, this podcast is for you.

Learn 6 Positions to Help Kids Feel Comfortable and Safe

Here are some of our favorite affiliates that help promote positive coping for kids:

10% off Coping Kits and other select merchandise at Present Over Perfect

Meet the host:

Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.

Instagram.com/childlifeoncall

Facebook.com/childlifeoncall

linkedin.com/in/kfdonovan

Episode 170 | Courtney's Story - A daughter with Trisomy 21, AVSD and Pulmonary Hypertension May 17, 2023

Show notes

On today's episode of the podcast, Katie interviews Courtney Morey, Mother to Annie who was diagnosed with Trisomy 21, AVSD and Pulmonary Hypertension. Katie and Courtney have such great dialogue and raw conversation in this episode. Courtney shares the positive impacts on her marriage and the questions that arise when receiving a life altering diagnosis. Sharing about her journey of self discovery along the way and how it has changed her view on life, this episode will leave you feeling validated and inspired by Courtney's strength.

[4:00] Introducing her family

[6:00] Receiving a life changing phone call

[8:24] Misconceptions about Trisomy 21

[8:59] Spencer having experience working with children who had Trisomy 21

[10:20] Learning Annie had AVSD

[12:00] Being asked if you are a medical professional

[12:50] Coping by learning about Annie's diagnosis's

[15:25] Learning how to ask the right questions

[16:55] Annie's birth

[18:40] Annie's first heart surgery at 4 months old

[20:40] Refusing to google and reaching out to other parents

[22:04] Friendships carried her through difficult times

[23:03] Annie coded post surgery

[23:35] Starting ECMO

[26:20] Caring for Annie while on ECMO

[28:42] Pulling them closer together

[30:30] Sharing updates about Annie's health helped her have a better grasp on the situation

[30:04] How Annie's story impacted other people's lives through social media

[32:49] Self care in the hard moments

[35:34] Speaking up about the language we use

[37:41] Giving feedback that is humbling and gracious

[40:08] Receiving feedback from parents

[42:00] Wrestling with the why

[45:40] Meaning in being Annie's Mother

[47:12] Starting a foundation Annie's honor

[48:20] Resource hub to help families

[50:10] Singing more alike than different

[52:31] Annie's perspective keeps things real

Connect with Courtney

Instagram

Shop for Spoonie Threads here! Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Parents, download our free parent starter kit.

When you download our starter kit, you'll learn how to:

Give medicine to your child without it becoming a wrestling match
Prepare your child (and yourself) for a shot so they can feel less anxious
Create and use a coping plan for any medical appointment or procedure

The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn't send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you're facing.

Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here.

Shop for your CLOC gear here

[Child Life 101] What is Child Life? May 15, 2023

Show notes

Today in [Child Life 101] we are answering the question we get ALL THE TIME:

WHAT IS CHILD LIFE?!

You've asked and now we're answering.

Did you know that SO many of the parents on our podcast haven't ever even met a child life specialist before our interview?!

Our goal during this series is to help people understand what child life is all about by getting rid of any misunderstandings or roadblocks.

What do child life specialists do?
Why is play an essential component of child life services?
Family Centered Care and Child Life Services
How do you become a Child Life Specialist?
Where do child life specialists work?
Why Should Hospitals invest in Child Life Services?
Challenges and Barriers in the Field
Wrapping it Up

Whether you're a parent, healthcare professional, or simply interested in learning more about child life, this podcast is for you.

Learn 6 Positions to Help Kids Feel Comfortable and Safe

Here are some of our favorite affiliates that help promote positive coping for kids:

10% off Coping Kits and other select merchandise at Present Over Perfect

Meet the host:

Instagram.com/childlifeoncall

Facebook.com/childlifeoncall

linkedin.com/in/kfdonovan

Episode 169 | Dr. Kelly Fradin - Building Trusted Relationships with your child's Pediatrician May 10, 2023

Show notes

On this week's episode, Katie and Co-Host Serheen Noor Ali from Hello Sleuth interview Dr. Kelly Fradin about building trusted relationships with your child's pediatrician. Dr. Fradin shines a light on parent and patient experiences through being a physician in public health and in private practice. She touches on ways to have productive conversations with your child's pediatrician to create a lasting and effective relationship.

[4:00] Introductions

[6:45] Barriers her patients were experiencing

[9:00] Information to create independence and confidence

[9:24] Reading your audience as a Pediatrician

[11:00] Dr. Fradin's book on Advanced Parenting

[13:00] Choosing a Pediatrician

[14:54] Finding a new Pediatrician first

[16:41] Who to share feedback with

[18:36] Finding different Pediatricians for different age groups

[20:04] Listening to your adolescent about doctor preferences

[22:30] Atria Institue

[25:30] The power parents have

[27:30] Developmental screenings from the pediatrician's office

[31:06] Judgement free zone

[32:00] Preparation tools

[34:32] Preparing for lab draws

[37:38] The positive difference that Child Life makes

[39:10] Making a plan

Connect with Dr. Kelly Fradin

Website

Instagram

Order Dr. Fradin's book HERE

Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Parents, download our free parent starter kit.

When you download our starter kit, you'll learn how to:

Give medicine to your child without it becoming a wrestling match
Prepare your child (and yourself) for a shot so they can feel less anxious
Create and use a coping plan for any medical appointment or procedure

The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn't send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you're facing.

Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here.

Shop for your CLOC gear here

[Child Life 101] Series Preview May 08, 2023

Show notes

I'm SO excited to share a new podcast series we are starting at Child Life On Call!

[You can watch this via a screencast on YouTube here]

Child Life 101 is a new 10-week podcast series dedicated to all things related to all things child life specialists and the important role they play in the lives of children and families.

This series was born from some of the questions I've gotten over the past 6 (almost 7!) years that we've been producing Child Life On Call.

Each week we will cover a new topic:

Child Life 101: What is Child Life
Child Life 101: Kids in Pain and Procedure Support
Child Life 101: Difficult Conversations with Kids
Child Life 101: Preparing Kids for Procedures
Child Life 101: Empowering Parents
Child Life 101: Digital Resources in Hospitals
Child Life 101: Child Life Entrepreneurship & Private Practice
Child Life 101: Family-Centered Care
Child Life 101: Child Life Tips
Child Life 101: How to Support Child Life Programs

I promise to keep it awkward (like always) and fumble over my words in the most Katie-way possible.

Join us as we explore topics such as pain management, coping strategies, therapeutic play, and much more.

Whether you're a parent, healthcare professional, or simply interested in learning more about child life, this podcast is for you.

Learn 6 Positions to Help Kids Feel Comfortable and Safe

Here are some of our favorite affiliates that help promote positive coping for kids:

10% off Coping Kits and other select merchandise at Present Over Perfect

Episode 168 | Olivier's Story - A Film Inspired by A son with Down Syndrome May 03, 2023

Show notes

Today we have another Dad on the podcast. Katie interviews Oliver Bernier, father of Emilio and filmmaker, about his son's unexpected diagnosis of down syndrome. You will learn what inspired Oliver to create a film to educate and empower parents of children with Down syndrome how to navigate the school system and be the best advocate for their child. Oliver's passion to educate parents about the importance of inclusivity will shine through as he shares an inspiring message.

[3:45] Introductions

[5:10] Forever connection to New York

[6:22] Filming the moments

[7:12] Misconceptions about Down syndrome

[9:28] Giving Emilio the world

[10:22] Building the bridge to understanding living with disabilities

[12:17] An atmosphere of acceptance

[15:01] Putting a dent the world to raise awareness

[17:20] Sharing other families stories on the film, giving him hope

[19:28] Living in the moment

[21:34] Universal design for learning

[23:18] Empathy taught by practice

[24:53] All parents advocating to be in classes with differently abled child

[26:45] NICU is a mirror of an inclusive classroom

Connect with Oliver

Forget Me Not Documentary

Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Parents, download our free parent starter kit.

When you download our starter kit, you'll learn how to:

Give medicine to your child without it becoming a wrestling match
Prepare your child (and yourself) for a shot so they can feel less anxious
Create and use a coping plan for any medical appointment or procedure

The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn't send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you're facing.

Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here.

Shop for your CLOC gear here.

Episode 167 | Leah's Story - A son with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

Katie and Cortney Given, host of the Mindset for Medical Moms Podcast, interview Leah Ward about her son Jackson and his journey with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS.) Leah shares the ups and downs of being a heart mom. Jackson received the gift of life through a Heart Transplant after he went into heart failure and was placed on the Berlin Heart for several months. Leah and Cortney's conversation (Cortney is a heart Mom too!) with Katie will leave you feeling inspired to live in each moment. You will not want to miss this episode of the podcast.

[6:50] Introductions

[8:40] 20 week ultrasound and subsequent echocardiograms

[9:57] The unimaginable grief of losing her older son months ago

[11:29] First surgery at 4 days old

[12:05] After Fontan surgery, Jackson developed a lung condition

[12:50] Rhinovirus caused Jackson to go into heart failure

[13:32] Jackson was put on a Berlin heart

[14:00] 15 month hospital stay

[15:14] Explaining to Jackson about his heart transplant

[16:00] Jackson's will to fight

[17:45] A sequence to to build up to the question

[19:00] Accepting reality that all life will end

[20:27] Advances in the medical field with the best quality of life

[22:11] How Leah supported Mae

[24:35] Grappling with the concept of finality

[27:14] Staying in the present

[29:35] It's ok to grieve the dreams you had for your children

[31:28] Letting yourself feel the feelings

[35:15] Taking things day by day

[36:31] Someone has lived through my worst fear

[38:30] You have be stronger than the diagnosis

[40:15] Advocate for your child

[43:00] Not having an end date

[48:33] Simple moments with family

Connect with Leah Connect with Cortney Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Parents, download our free parent starter kit.

When you download our starter kit, you'll learn how to:

Give medicine to your child without it becoming a wrestling match
Prepare your child (and yourself) for a shot so they can feel less anxious
Create and use a coping plan for any medical appointment or procedure

The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn't send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you're facing.

Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here.

Shop for your CLOC gear here.

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