New Episodes Every Wednesday

Episodes

A Rare Diagnosis Journey: Collagenous Gastritis and IGG deficiency (250)- Alexis' Story
April 15, 2025

A Rare Diagnosis Journey: Collagenous Gastritis and IGG deficiency (2…

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 Ga...

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How to Talk With Children About Child Abuse [REPOST] (249)- Jane's Story
April 8, 2025

How to Talk With Children About Child Abuse [REPOST] (249)- Jane's St…

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 a...

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MERRF Syndrome and Motherhood: Raising and Remembering Dahlia - Jessica's Story (248)
April 1, 2025

MERRF Syndrome and Motherhood: Raising and Remembering Dahlia - Jessi…

"We followed Dahlia's lead—and Dahlia was not going to let this stop her." — Jessica Fein What happens when your child's diagnosis is so rare that no one—including your doctors—knows how to help? For Jessica Fein, navigating ...

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A Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis: Traumatic Birth, Micropreemie Twins & the Power of Hope {REPOST}- Savannah's Story (247)
March 25, 2025

A Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis: Traumatic Birth, Micropreemie Twins & the…

"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'Malley We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer ...

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Pyroxd1 and the Path Forward: A Rare Disease, a Life-Saving Lesson & a Mission to Help Others- Maria + Matt's Story (246)
March 18, 2025

Pyroxd1 and the Path Forward: A Rare Disease, a Life-Saving Lesson & …

"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 Granados We extend our sincere gratitude to our...

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Navigating HIE: Hope for Families, and Life Beyond the NICU [REPOST]- Betsy's Story (245)
March 12, 2025

Navigating HIE: Hope for Families, and Life Beyond the NICU [REPOST]-…

"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,...

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A Mother and a Physician: Navigating Her Daughter's NMOSD Diagnosis – Maggie's Story (244)
March 4, 2025

A Mother and a Physician: Navigating Her Daughter's NMOSD Diagnosis –…

"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 Kang We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®....

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A Child Life Specialist's Search for Answers: A Long COVID Diagnosis (243)
Feb. 18, 2025

A Child Life Specialist's Search for Answers: A Long COVID Diagnosis …

"If something doesn't feel right, don't ignore it. Keep asking questions. You know your child better than anyone."-Jessica Baird, CCLS We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are...

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PCHD19, Autism + Epilepsy Diagnosis: The Motivation Behind a Caregiver Community
Feb. 4, 2025

PCHD19, Autism + Epilepsy Diagnosis: The Motivation Behind a Caregive…

"I had to teach myself to advocate – no one should leave a hospital with more trauma than they came with."- Julie Walters We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to p...

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Pediatric Kidney Transplant and a Mission to Help Others (241)
Jan. 21, 2025

Pediatric Kidney Transplant and a Mission to Help Others (241)

"Our goal wasn't to build something huge overnight – it was to listen to families, fill the gaps, and take that first step." – Cheryl Whitty We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. ...

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How Parents Can Stay Calm During Medical Procedures
Jan. 12, 2025

How Parents Can Stay Calm During Medical Procedures

In this episode of Child Life On Call, host Katie Taylor, a certified child life specialist, shares personal experiences and practical advice on maintaining calm during your child's medical procedures. Katie recounts a trauma...

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A Child's Near Drowning Accident: Finding Hope with Advocacy Abby
Jan. 7, 2025

A Child's Near Drowning Accident: Finding Hope with Advocacy Abby

"Hope doesn't take away the darkness, but it shines some light in it."- Abby Zachritz We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this p...

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How Parents Can Collaborate in Rounds in the Hospital
Jan. 5, 2025

How Parents Can Collaborate in Rounds in the Hospital

Navigating Medical Rounds: Tips for Parents from a Child Life Specialist In this episode, Katie Taylor, a certified child life specialist, offers critical insights and tips for parents navigating medical rounds with their hos...

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Holding Space for Hope as a Parent in Pediatric Healthcare
Dec. 17, 2024

Holding Space for Hope as a Parent in Pediatric Healthcare

"Hope isn't about avoiding the hard truths. It's about staying grounded in them and still believing that something good is possible."- Katie Taylor In this final episode of 2024, Katie dives deep into the meaning of hope, exp...

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Lissencephaly, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, and Autism: Joy & Grief Through Medical Parenting
Dec. 3, 2024

Lissencephaly, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, and Autism: Joy & Grief Throu…

"Life is always in the mix of joy and grief, and those things coexist. But this is how I'm going to deal with it." - Joanne De Simone In this episode of the Child Life On Call Podcast, Joanne De Simone shares her journey as a...

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235: A Mother's Journey of Love, Loss, and Resilience (crohn's and ulcerative colitis) - Kathy's Story
Nov. 19, 2024

235: A Mother's Journey of Love, Loss, and Resilience (crohn's and ul…

"If anybody was to ask me what is one of my biggest strengths, I have to tell them it's resilience… You can throw almost anything at me and I can handle it. I mean, there isn't anything any bigger in this world than losing a ...

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234: Expert Child Life Tips for Supporting Children Through an Upper GI Procedure
Nov. 12, 2024

234: Expert Child Life Tips for Supporting Children Through an Upper …

Today's episode is dedicated to the loving memory of Dr. Meredith Hitch, a cherished pediatric gastroenterologist at Ochsner Baton Rouge. "You want to make sure that you are ready to be able to prepare not only yourself but y...

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233: From NICU Nurse to NICU Mom: Premature Twins born at 33 weeks - Brittney's Story
Oct. 29, 2024

233: From NICU Nurse to NICU Mom: Premature Twins born at 33 weeks - …

A huge thank you to our sponsor of today's podcast, Begin Health. - Use code CHILDLIFEONCALL for 25% off 30% of children struggle with constipation and it can feel impossible trying to find a solution for your child. Especia...

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232: Preparing and Supporting your child: A son with Breath Holding Spells-Alessandra's Story
Oct. 15, 2024

232: Preparing and Supporting your child: A son with Breath Holding S…

A huge thank you to our sponsor of today's podcast, Begin Health. - Use code CHILDLIFEONCALL for 25% off 30% of children struggle with constipation and it can feel impossible trying to find a solution for your child. Especia...

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231: Child Life Specialist Secrets: Flu Shot Prep Strategies Every Parent Should Know
Oct. 6, 2024

231: Child Life Specialist Secrets: Flu Shot Prep Strategies Every Pa…

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 Martin...

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230: Navigating Childhood Cancer: Supporting families through her own experience - Heather's Story
Sept. 24, 2024

230: Navigating Childhood Cancer: Supporting families through her own…

230: Navigating Childhood Cancer: Supporting families through her own experience - Heather's Story "We've joined a club that nobody wants to be a part of, but the good part is we have the best members." A huge thank you to ou...

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229: Trusting your parental Instincts when addressing your child's chronic pain- A son with Juvenile Arthritis- Kim's Story
Sept. 17, 2024

229: Trusting your parental Instincts when addressing your child's ch…

"Trust your gut. If your parent radar comes up and says this is not right, keep pushing." – Kim In this episode, Katie Taylor speaks with Kim Miller, a mother whose journey navigating her son Grant's diagnoses of juvenile art...

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228: Early Diagnosis, Advocacy and Equity: A daughter with Cystic Fibrosis- Nikki's Story
Sept. 3, 2024

228: Early Diagnosis, Advocacy and Equity: A daughter with Cystic Fib…

"We are the experts on our daughter and we deserve a say, and we deserve to be given the time to ask questions." – Nikki DeLeo We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased...

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227: Searching for a Diagnosis: A Rare Disease Mom and Advocate's Journey - ADCY5 Gay's Story
Aug. 20, 2024

227: Searching for a Diagnosis: A Rare Disease Mom and Advocate's Jou…

"If you have a doubt about something with your child or a family member, it's just really important to keep pushing through and get to the answers." – Gay Grossman In this episode, host Katie Taylor speaks with Gay Grossman, ...

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