Episodes

April is Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. We have reposted this episode to bring awareness and give you tangible tools to speak with your kids about child abuse.Today's guest expert is Jane Donovan, who is a child abuse prevention advocate."And like we say in child life, you have to prepare. So you know what to expect and you know how to cope with what's going to happen next." - Katie Taylor, CLOCIn this crucial episode, Katie Taylor is joined by a child abuse prevention advocate, Jan...

"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 MomIn 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 ...

"Sometimes it's really therapeutic though to remember all that you have gone through because I feel like there are times when we look at each other and I'm like how did we get here?" -Tayler RansomeWe're grateful for our sponsor for this episode, Nestle Health Science, and are thrilled to share their incredible MyTubeFeeding.com/ChildLifeOnCall website, your go-to online resource for valuable information and support.In this episode, Katie Taylor welcomes the Ransome family, known to many as t...

In This Episode:Katie Taylor goes off the beaten path in this special episode to share a profound moment of inspiration that struck her. This episode is a heartfelt message to child life specialists, students, and parents, emphasizing the importance of showing up as you are, without the burden of imposter syndrome.Key Highlights:A Different Kind of Episode: Katie shares her spontaneous thoughts that came from a moment of inspiration, promising that the usual stories from the field and pare...

"As a child life specialist, watching my tiniest patients grow and accomplish so many things is my favorite part of the job." - Julie, Certified Child Life SpecialistEpisode Summary:In this heartfelt episode of Child Life On Call, we celebrate Child Life Month by diving deep into the dedicated world of child life specialists and the resilient families they support. Host Katie Taylor talks to Julie, a remarkable child life specialist with 18 years of experience in the renal service at Texas Ch...

"Having a medically complex child, it's like everything's fine. And then, you know, we have a morning where we've thrown up a lot or our blood pressure is too low, and it just doesn't look good. You just never know what you're going to get." - Lyndsey, Episode 211In this deeply moving episode, we are joined by Lyndsey, who shares the compelling journey of her son James's battle with post-urethral valves before birth, leading to kidney issues and eventually a kidney transplant. Through her narr...

"Love is the most powerful force in the universe, and the invisible string is a testament to the connections that bind us all." - Patrice KarstIn 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, CCLSResearch Article: Fitting the Pieces TogetherLead Researcher: Elise CoferIn 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...

In this episode, we're honored to have Jessica Correnti, a certified child life specialist and a bereaved mother, share her profound insights on grief. Jessica's dual perspective offers a rich understanding of the multifaceted nature of grief beyond the loss of a loved one. She discusses her personal journey, the importance of recognizing and naming grief in children, and how this awareness can empower kids to navigate their emotions.Key Highlights:Jessica's background as a child life specia...

"Millie's journey has taken me to the end of myself, but it's been the most beautiful beginning of understanding humanness and how to be compassionate and how to really be kind to other people and take notice that the story that is their life may not be what you see."How does trauma affect the whole family, and how can we show compassion to adults with special needs?One thing I have learned about throughout my career as a child life specialist and have heard from many families on this podcast...

"If you have a question, ask it. You are the parent, you need to know" - Jessica Siddi-SewartHow 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 WhitakerHave 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...

In this episode of Child Life On Call, we are honored to host Jennifer Canvasser, the driving force behind the NEC Society, as she shares her poignant journey and advocacy for Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) awareness in the NICU. Join us as Jennifer unveils her personal story and how she transformed her loss into a powerful force for supporting families grappling with NEC. Gain valuable insights into the pivotal role of human milk and early intervention in mitigating the risk of NEC, and the vi...

In this episode, our guest James Robinson will share the keys to living life to its fullest, both inside and outside of the hospital, so that you can provide the result of bringing joy and happiness to your child's life, despite their medical condition.James Robinson, the author of the book "More Than We Expected: 5 Years with A Remarkable Son." On today's episode, he shares his personal experience as a parent of a child with a congenital heart defect.Living in Brooklyn, New York, James and ...

In this episode, you will be able to:Discover the untold journey of NICU parents, gaining insights and understanding into their unique experiences.Uncover the challenges of medically complex pregnancies, and learn strategies for navigating this complex journey with support and resilience.Explore the support systems available for medical motherhood, and find out how to build a network of understanding and empowerment.Gain invaluable insights and practical tips for navigating the complexit...

Join Katie Taylor in an emotional conversation with Mackenzie Carolin as they discuss the unexpected medical journey she faced with her daughter. Learn how Mackenzie navigated the complexities of her child's healthcare needs and discover the importance of trust and human connections during challenging times. This episode of Child Life On Call provides valuable insights and support for parents who find themselves in similar situations. Don't miss this heartwarming and inspiring discussion that hi...

Are you a parent of a child with a medical condition? Join me, Katie Taylor, as I chat with Keeley Machen Schares, a Child Life Specialist, in this special episode of Child Life On Call. Keeley takes us through her incredible journey as a mother to a premature baby with hydrops fetalis and profound hearing loss. From routine ultrasounds to a life-saving diagnosis, Keeley's story will captivate you. Learn about the challenges she faced, the importance of finding the right medical team, and the po...

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...