Episodes

Welcome to the ChildLife On Call podcast, where I, Katie Taylor, sit down with Kayleigh Koehler, a certified child life specialist, to discuss her journey as a medical mom and a child life specialist in a cardiac ICU. Join us...

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 whic...

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 suppo...

Have you ever heard these myths about preparing children for ambulance rides and hospital transfers? Myth 1: Children don't need any special preparation for medical transportation. Myth 2: It's best to keep children in the da...

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. Thi...

A mother fights against time and navigates the emotional rollercoaster of her daughter's lung transplant, as she strives to fulfill her promise while facing the heart-wrenching challenges of the organ transplant process in a ...

[ Child Life 101] How to Prepare Children for Medical Procedures Does this sound familiar? You try to prepare children for medical procedures, but no matter what you do, they still end up feeling stressed and anxious. You've ...

If you're feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and powerless as you try to address your child's unresolved behavioral issues, only to see them persist and worsen, then you are not alone! Despite your best efforts, the actions you...

Attention, parents! Have you ever come across these myths while seeking ways to support your child's emotional well-being during healthcare experiences? Myth #1: Children are too young to understand and process their emotions...

If you're feeling overwhelmed and powerless as you watch your teenager's health concerns worsen, despite your efforts to find solutions, then you are not alone! In this episode, you will be able to: Discover why your innate p...

Empowering NICU Parents: Kimberly Reyes Shares Her Advocacy Journey If you're feeling helpless and overwhelmed in your NICU journey, despite trying to be involved and advocate for your baby, then you are not alone! It can be ...

Do you want to feel empowered and confident in advocating for your child's healthcare needs? Are you searching for a solution that will help you effectively speak up for your child in healthcare settings? In this episode, I w...

Today's guest on the podcast is Dr. Barbara Hecht, National Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships at Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech. She shares with us how to support Deaf, Deaf +, and Hard of Hearing stud...

Going to the emergency room with your child for any reason is never an occasion you plan on. Today, Sam Kraewic and Jessica Baird, Child Life Specialists working in the Emergency Room empower and equip us on how to be the bes...

"What we can do as parents and professionals is look past the behavior." Helping Hands: Resources for Parents Supporting Siblings in Healthcare Situations I remember the first time I saw the impact of a sibling's illness on a...

Dr. Maureen Michele brings such a valuable perspective to the podcast with her experience being a pediatrician and mother to a medically complex child. Maureen shares with us how to become an advocate and what inspired her to...

So happy to share this "child life insight" with parents and professionals, but first let's answer the question: What are child life specialists? Child life specialists are trained professionals who provide emotional support ...

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...

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 ...

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...

[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 uncon...

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 ...

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 lif...

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 exp...