Episodes

"What started as a terrifying diagnosis became a mission to help other families feel seen, supported, and brave." – Kate, founder of Brave Bears ClubIn this reposted and newly updated episode, we revisit Kate's emotional and empowering story as she shares her daughter Charlotte's unexpected diagnosis of infantile spasms (IS) at 22 months old. What began as a terrifying medical journey transformed into an advocacy movement—Brave Bears Club—that now supports children with pediatric epilepsy arou...

"The tears legitimately just turned to curiosity—and she wanted to play." – Mary Jenner, BSN and Founder of the Butterfly PigMeet Mary, a former pediatric oncology nurse turned full-time entrepreneur and founder of The Butterfly Pig. In this heartfelt episode, Mary opens up about how play transformed her bedside care, her daughter's unexpected NICU stay due to HIE, and how she's now helping families and clinicians reduce pediatric medical trauma through imaginative medical play tools. Listen i...

"I was pumping in the NICU, feeling completely disconnected—and my husband looked at me and said, 'Can you invite her in?' That moment changed everything. A nurse handed me a swab, I gave my baby colostrum for the first time, and I thought, 'I'm a mommy.'" – TanishaNICU mom and advocate Tanisha shares her deeply moving journey through an unexpected fetal diagnosis, a 157-day NICU stay, and the powerful moments that helped her reconnect with motherhood. Diagnosed at 20 weeks with Lower Urinary ...

In the wake of recent flooding in Central Texas, Katie Taylor—child life specialist and mom—pauses the regularly scheduled episode to speak directly to parents navigating uncertainty and grief. Whether you're facing a natural disaster, a scary news event, illness, or another tough moment, Katie offers a compassionate and practical framework to help guide difficult conversations with your child.Drawing from both her professional experience and personal moments with her own daughter, Katie walks...

When Laura's daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, her world stopped. What followed was a powerful journey through fear, resilience, and fierce advocacy. In this episode, Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree—a lifelong educator and now author of The Cancer Parent's Handbook—opens up about the most terrifying day of her life, how she transformed pain into purpose, and why parent-to-parent support is critical in the childhood cancer community. Her reflections are raw, heartfelt, and offer wisdom for every pare...

This episode is dedicated to Katie's dear friend Joe, who recently passed away, leaving behind his wife and two young sons. Joe's story reminds us to live in alignment with our purpose and to cherish the people we love.In this heartfelt episode of the Child Life On Call podcast, Katie Taylor speaks with B.R. Duray, an author, filmmaker, and storyteller whose debut children's book, The Mood Swing, is rooted in his experience of losing his father at the age of 10. With it being Father's Day this...

We'd like to extend our sincere thanks to our episode sponsor, reStickity®. Their innovative, mess-free reusable sticker sets allow families to personalize hospital spaces with familiar photos and comforting images, helping bring a sense of home to the hospital. To learn more, visit their website and use code CLOC10 for an exclusive discount available to our listeners.In this inspiring episode, we meet Sarah Michelle Boes—nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, and mom to Meadow, who was diagnosed in...

What happens when your world changes with a single phone call? In this powerful reposted episode, NICU dad and advocate Alex Zavala shares his emotional journey of fatherhood after his daughter was born at just 27 weeks. From the emergency C-section and NICU stay to the emotional toll of the "NICU dad shuffle," Alex opens up about the lesser-heard experience of dads navigating medical trauma, guilt, and resilience.As the host of the NICU Dad Podcast, Alex continues to amplify the voices of fath...

Learning to swallow pills can be a major milestone—and a big challenge—for many kids. In this episode, certified child life specialist Adina Levitan joins host Katie Taylor to break down the myths, fears, and best practices behind teaching children how to confidently swallow pills.From her clinical expertise to creative solutions like affirmations, games, and candy "pill" practice, Adina walks us through her unique approach to supporting kids and parents through this skill-building process. Wh...

"You make the best decision for yourself and your family—and you stick with it."- Kim PenaWhat happens when you're handed unexpected news at your child's birth—and there's no clear roadmap ahead? In this reposted episode, educator and mom Kim Pena shares her powerful journey as the parent of a child born with Microtia Atresia, a rare congenital condition affecting the ear. Kim was one of Katie's very first guests on the Child Life On Call podcast, and her story is still a listener favorite to t...

What if blending real food could transform your child's tube feeding experience—and your entire family's daily routine? In this inspiring episode, registered dietitian and new mom Hilarie shares how her career in pediatric nutrition led her to create Blended Tube Feeding, a platform and supportive community designed to help families explore real food options for children with feeding tubes.Hilarie and Katie have an insightful conversation about doing what works best for your family and how it ...

📢 This is a special repost of one of our most heartfelt and insightful episodes. Whether this is your first time hearing Jessica's story or a revisit, her perspective as a mom of a child with Prader-Willi Syndrome will stick with you. This month is also Prader- Willi Syndrome awareness month.What happens when a diagnosis changes everything you expected about motherhood? For Jessica Patay, it sparked a journey through fear, resilience, advocacy, and ultimately, the founding of an incredible non...

What would you do if both of your children were diagnosed with a life-threatening genetic disease—and there was no support system in place for parents like you?In this inspiring episode, Katie interviews Laura Bonnell, a former Detroit news reporter turned full-time advocate and nonprofit founder. After both of her daughters were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF), Laura transformed her grief and determination into the Bonnell Foundation, providing real-time support to families across the U.S...

📢 This is a special repost of one of our most impactful and heartfelt episodes. Whether you're hearing Ashley O'Neill's story for the first time or revisiting it, her journey continues to resonate deeply with NICU families, pediatric providers, and anyone who has faced unimaginable loss and found strength in the aftermath.What happens when your personal and professional worlds collide in the NICU? For family nurse practitioner Ashley O'Neill, the journey into motherhood brought profound loss, ...

What if every milestone your child was supposed to reach came with countless curve balls? For Alexis Kaplan, motherhood quickly turned into a journey of advocacy, strength, and unwavering love as she navigated her daughter Gabby's complex and rare health conditions.In this moving episode, Alexis shares:✅ The moment her newborn was rushed to the NICU with a collapsed lung✅ How her daughter's recurring infections led to a diagnosis of immunodeficiency and collagenous gastritis✅ The emotional...

Knowing how to talk to kids about child abuse can feel overwhelming—but it doesn't have to be. In this impactful episode of Child Life On Call, host Katie Taylor interviews child abuse prevention advocate Jane Donovan—who also happens to be her mom.Jane shares her personal journey, sparked by a tragic event, that led to a decades-long mission to protect children and educate communities. From creating a long-running puppet program for abuse prevention to empowering kids with body safety tools, ...

"We followed Dahlia's lead—and Dahlia was not going to let this stop her." — Jessica FeinWhat happens when your child's diagnosis is so rare that no one—including your doctors—knows how to help? For Jessica Fein, navigating life with her daughter Dahlia's MERRF Syndrome meant redefining motherhood, finding joy in unexpected places, and transforming grief into connection and advocacy.In this honest and deeply moving episode, we explore:✅ What it's like to go on a diagnostic odyssey, and fina...

"It wasn't any kind of strength within myself that helped me get through the NICU. It was the strength they had—they gave it to me."- Savannah O'MalleyWe extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this product, and we invite you to learn more by visiting their website.What happens when your birth plan is shattered in an instant? For Savannah, the unexpected arrival of her micropreemie twins at just 24 weeks ...

"What we realized was that rare isn't as rare as we think—there are so many of us out here searching for answers, fighting for our kids, and trying to make a difference."- Maria GranadosWe extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this product, and we invite you to learn more by visiting their website.What if a simple miscommunication in the hospital could have cost your child their life? For Maria and Matt...

"I remember sitting in the NICU thinking, 'Am I going to lose my baby? Is this the best outcome for him? What will his life look like?' And then I realized—I wasn't alone in these thoughts. Other parents had been here before, and they found a way forward. That's when I knew we needed a community like Hope for HIE." — Betsy Pilon, Founder Hope for HIEWe extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this product, ...

"I thought my job was to save my daughter, but I realized my job was to show her how to live with strength and resilience." – Dr. Maggie KangWe extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this product, and we invite you to learn more by visiting their website.In this powerful episode, Dr. Maggie Kang shares her deeply personal journey as a physician and a mother navigating her daughter's rare disease diagnos...

"If something doesn't feel right, don't ignore it. Keep asking questions. You know your child better than anyone."-Jessica Baird, CCLSWe extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this product, and we invite you to learn more by visiting their website.What do you do when doctors keep telling you nothing is wrong—but your child is in pain every single day? For Jessica, a child life specialist and mom, that an...

"I had to teach myself to advocate – no one should leave a hospital with more trauma than they came with."- Julie WaltersWe extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this product, and we invite you to learn more by visiting their website.In this episode, Katie speaks with Julie Walters, a mom of two neurodivergent children, entrepreneur, and fierce advocate for inclusion and health equity.Julie shares her d...

"Our goal wasn't to build something huge overnight – it was to listen to families, fill the gaps, and take that first step." – Cheryl WhittyWe extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this product, and we invite you to learn more by visiting their website.In this heartfelt episode, Katie sits down with mother-daughter duo, Cheryl Witty and Kimmy Witty to hear the inspiring story of how their family journey...