Medical Insights Episodes

Child Life Specialist Secrets: Flu Shot Prep Strategies Every Parent Should Know Thank you to the sponsor of today's podcast: Begin Health In this episode of the Child Life On Call Podcast, hosts Katie Taylor and Emily Martinec, both certified child life specialists, discuss strategies for preparing, supporting, and responding to children during flu shots. The conversation extends to other medical experiences, offering developmentally appropriate ways to engage children. They emphasize collabo...

"Combining my personal experiences as a mom with my professional role has given me a unique perspective on the challenges families face and the solutions they need." - Jaclyn Pederson In this insightful episode, host Katie Taylor speaks with Jaclyn Pederson, CEO of Feeding Matters and mother, and Athena Flicek, a dedicated mother of a child with feeding difficulties, about the complexities of pediatric feeding disorders. Jaclyn and Athena share their personal and professional experiences, empha...

Episode Description: In this special impromptu episode, Katie Taylor, Certified Child Life Specialist and CEO of Child Life On Call, shares some exciting news! We're rebranding our beloved Child Life On Call app to SupportSpot. Tune in to hear why we made this change and what it means for you and your family. Plus, get a sneak peek into the new features and benefits you can expect from SupportSpot. This is an announcement you won't want to miss! Show Notes: [00:00] Introduction Welcome from Ka...

On today's episode, Katie had the privilege of speaking with Annie Gunning, a Certified Child Life Specialist and Grief Counselor, and Haley Thomas, a Licensed Master Social Worker, on their collaborative efforts to support families at Hope for HIE. Annie and Haley tailor their support to each family's unique needs, dedicating time to assess and implement the most effective strategies. Under the visionary leadership of Betsy Pilon, Executive Director of Hope for HIE, Annie and Haley are setting ...

Episode Description: Join Katie Taylor, CCLS in this episode as she talks with Dr. Michael Pitt the founder of Q-Rounds and a compassionate pediatrician (and magician!) dedicated to enhancing doctor-patient communication. As a child life specialist, Katie understands how crucial it is for families to not only be present during rounds but also to feel empowered and actively engaged in discussing the care plan with their team. When she learned about Q-Rounds, she knew she had to share this innova...

"We, we weren't letting those people push us around because, believe it or not, living with us 24 hours a day, we knew more than some of the doctors." - Skip Vilas In this heartfelt episode of the Child Life On Call podcast, host and CCLS Katie Taylor interviews Deb Vilas, an expert child life specialist, alongside her parents, Skip and Joyce Vilas. They share their story spanning over 60 years, recounting the challenges and triumphs of raising Deb, who was born with ichthyosis, a rare skin con...

Today's guest is Erin Prosser, an IEP expert consultant and a mom of a daughter diagnosed with STXBP1. "You don't see it coming. Being a rare disease parent hits you like a ton of bricks." In today's episode Katie Taylor had the chance to speak with Erin Prosser, an IEP expert consultant and a mom navigating the complex world of pediatric healthcare due to her daughter Lucy's rare neurodevelopmental disorder. Erin shares her profound journey from a second-time, confident mom to a whole new role...

"I've learned so much in this whole process. It's like you have a depth inside of you that resurrects as an advocate and high alert, and it lives inside of you when you need it." -Aspen, Willa's Mom In this episode of Child Life On Call, host Katie Taylor and guest Aspen share an intense and educational journey through pediatric appendicitis. Aspen recounts her daughter Willa's sudden illness, misdiagnosis, and the emotional rollercoaster of a ruptured appendix leading to urgent surgery. This ...

"Love is the most powerful force in the universe, and the invisible string is a testament to the connections that bind us all." - Patrice Karst In this special Child Life Month episode, Katie Taylor sits down with Patrice Karst, the beloved author of "The Invisible String" and several other impactful books. They explore Patrice's journey from personal challenges to becoming a source of comfort and connection for families worldwide. This conversation delves into the power of storytelling in addr...

Advocacy, Compassion, Innovation: Elise's Child Life Journey "Working with children with medical complexity and developmental differences isn't just a job; it's rooted in who I am." - Elise Cofer, CCLS Research Article: Fitting the Pieces Together Lead Researcher: Elise Cofer In this captivating episode of Child Life On Call, Katie Taylor sits down with Elise, a Nashville-born child life specialist who brings her passion and dedication to the hematology oncology unit at Vanderbilt. Elise's jou...

In this profound episode, we join Katie Taylor as she delves into the inspiring journey of a military family navigating pediatric healthcare for their two medically complex children. Through the voice of the remarkable mother, Kat, we explore the unique challenges and triumphs of securing continuous, specialized care amidst the frequent relocations and complexities inherent to military life. Kat shares her experiences with advocacy, the importance of resilience, and the deep bonds forged through...

What if we could prevent more kids from having to have invasive surgery? During this episode, we are joined by Katie Corrado, who invented a product that works as an alternative to surgery for babies and children. Tune in to hear how her first-hand experience of watching her child struggle with an umbilical hernia led her to an innovative solution that she now offers to other families facing the same challenge. You'll also learn why Katie is an advocate for proactive rather than reactive medical...

In this special episode of Child Life On Call, we flip the script as Emily Martinec interviews our very own founder, Katie Taylor. Dive into Katie's journey from child life specialist to tech entrepreneur, exploring the roots of Child Life On Call, the challenges and triumphs of building a company, and how her upbringing shaped her mission to support families and healthcare professionals alike. "Child Life On Call is not a technology replacement for child life specialists... It's a tool to enha...

"If you have a question, ask it. You are the parent, you need to know" - Jessica Siddi-Sewart How can medical parents use their experiences to promote action and advocacy? As a child life specialist, I know that there is not one "normal" or "best" reaction for a parent when their child receives a medical diagnosis. Today's guest, Jessica Siddi-Sewart and she helps us reflect on the different stages parents go through when facing a medical diagnosis for their child. She is also a mother of three...

In this episode about parenting a child with infantile spasms, Katie Taylor, a certified child life specialist, has a profound conversation with Hailey, a resilient mother navigating the complexities of raising a child with a disability. Join us as we delve into Hailey's journey, exploring the challenges and triumphs of parenting under extraordinary circumstances. "It's not always about thriving in the traditional sense; sometimes it's about finding small victories in our daily struggles and em...

I'm his mom, and I carried him for almost nine months, and no one loved him more than me. I'm his expert, and I'm going to own that. - Kathryn Whitaker Have you ever found yourself amazed at the strength people find in the toughest of times? Well, on today's podcast, we're talking about one of the common themes we've seen over the past 200 episodes of Child Life On Call and something I consistently see parents share on social media. We're talking about the incredible phenomenon of PTG, or post...

In this milestone 200th episode, Katie delves into a unique mix of content, answering insightful questions from Instagram, sharing a personal story about her daughter Cameron's burn accident, and reflecting on the impactful moments of 2023. The episode features discussions on a variety of books Katie read throughout the year, the best toys of 2023, and tackles the challenging aspects of balancing work and personal life as a child life specialist. Katie's candid sharing of Cameron's experience p...

Join me for an emotional and insightful conversation as I sit down with Kate Kostolansky in this episode of Child Life On Call. Kate, a dedicated mother and advocate, shares her touching journey of raising her daughter, Charlotte, who battles infantile spasms. In this heartfelt discussion, Kate sheds light on the challenges faced by families dealing with rare medical conditions, emphasizing the importance of parental instincts and advocating for timely medical attention. Discover Kate's inspirin...

It's a solo episode this week and our host, Katie Taylor, CCLS, dives in to what she experienced at the American Academy of Pediatrics Conference. Katie talks about her travels to Chicago to train a group of clinicians in Chicago, and then her trip to DC where she had hundreds of conversations with pediatricians from across the globe. What was the overwhelming takeaway? PEDIATRICIANS LOVE CHILD LIFE, y'all! Listen to hear more about what Katie learned as a child life specialist exhibiting at...

My special guest is Ryan Sheedy Meet Ryan Sheedy, an incredible father who, much to his own surprise, found himself immersed in the delightful chaos of caring for twin boys. His world drastically transformed ten years ago, when he moved from Pennsylvania to Bentonville, Arkansas. Not only has Ryan navigated the unexpected challenges of parenting twins, but he has also bravely navigated his son's Costello Syndrome diagnosis. Through it all, he's embraced being a stay-at-home dad, constantly lear...

My special guest is Rhandyl Vinyard, Deonna Wade Rhandyl Vinyard and Deonna Wade are two phenomenal mothers from Texas, each raising disabled children. Drawn together by shared circumstances, their friendship continues to strengthen others walking a similar path. Rhandyl, a physical therapist assistant, is the mother to Remy, who has required intensive medical care from an early age. Her background in healthcare provides a unique perspective into the challenges of raising a disabled child. Deon...

Meet J.R., a parent on a challenging journey. From aggressive behaviors to sensory challenges, she shares her struggles of raising a child with severe special needs. But just when things start to improve, an event occurs which leaves her questioning everything. You will not want to miss this story of resilience and uncertainty. In this episode, you will be able to: Gain insights into the journey of raising a child with significant special needs, and learn how to turn these experiences into gro...

In the world of healthcare, where hope often intertwines with despair, one woman's accidental encounter sparked a revolution of compassion. Casey Baynes, driven by a single twist of fate, unlocked the power of providing support and joy to critically ill children and their families. The story unravels in unexpected ways, leading us down a path where ordinary logistics transformed into extraordinary healing. Brace yourself for a tale that will leave your heart racing and your soul yearning for mor...

In a world turned upside down by the pandemic, one Child Life Specialist found herself on a journey she never could have anticipated. But little did she know, a twist of fate was about to lead her down an unexpected path. This story is the catalyst for a groundbreaking virtual Child Life Specialist program. Stay tuned to discover how her resilience and determination transformed the healthcare experience for children and their families, forever changing the landscape of pediatric care. In this e...