Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

In this moving and hope-filled episode, mother-daughter duo Quinn Wyatt and Kirby Larson share the deeply personal story behind their middle grade novel, Gut Reaction. Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease as a teen after years of being dismissed, Quinn opens up about her experience living with a misunderstood chronic illness. Kirby, an acclaimed author, reveals what i...

“What started as a terrifying diagnosis became a mission to help other families feel seen, supported, and brave.” – Kate, founder of Brave Bears Club

In this reposted and newly updated episode, we revisit Kate’s emotional and empowering story as she shares her daughter Charlotte’s unexpected diagnosis of ...

 “The tears legitimately just turned to curiosity—and she wanted to play.” – Mary Jenner, BSN and Founder of the Butterfly Pig

Meet 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...

“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.’” – Tanisha

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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.

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 ...

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 roote...

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.

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, a...

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.

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.

📢 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 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?

📢 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 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.

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.

"We followed Dahlia’s lead—and Dahlia was not going to let this stop her.” — Jessica Fein

“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