Care OutLoud

Summary:
In this soul-stirring second episode of Womb to World, Mary Coughlin explores what it means to hold constitutional rights in the earliest moments of life. From the incubator to the delivery room, from presence to policy, this episode challenges us to reimagine justice, dignity, and voice—not as abstract ideals, but as birthrights. Through a trauma-informed, developmental care lens, Mary draws parallels between the NICU ...

What does a U.S.-funded foreign prison have to do with your work in the NICU?
In this solo Care OUTLOUD reflection, Mary walks with us—literally and metaphorically—through the story of the CECOT prison in El Salvador, exploring how systems of harm are mirrored in the ways we care (or fail to care) for families here at home.

This isn’t about politics.
This is about presence.
About remembering that trauma-informed developmental care is n...

What does it mean to really care out loud? In this specialextended episode, I sit down with the incomparable Mia Malcolm—NICU parent, fierce advocate, and truth-teller. Mia shares her family's 268-day NICU journey, the generational trauma that shaped her perspective, and what healthcareproviders must understand if we ever hope to show up with true compassion, equity, and humility.

We talk about systemic racism in medicine, trauma-in...

In this episode, Mary sits down with Jennifer Bernardo, a mother of twins born at 26 weeks gestation, who shares her challenging and inspirational journey through the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Jennifer discusses the unexpected birth, the four-and-a-half-month NICU stay, and the emotional and physical challenges faced by her family. She explains how this experience inspired her to write the book 'Week 26,' detaili...

In thisepisode, we explore the profound journey of Dr. Natalie Duffy, a neonatologistwhose career began in Glasgow, Scotland, and has since evolved in Melbourne,Australia. Dr. Duffy shares insights from her 14 years of experience,emphasizing the importance of viewing infants as complex, communicative beings.Her work with neonatal care includes a fascinating blend of biomedicalknowledge and the Newborn Behavioral Observation (NBO) s...

In thisepisode, Mary welcomes Dr. Zina Yudina, a PhD with a background in biology,chemistry, pharmacology, and translational medicine, currently living inSwitzerland. Dr. Yudina shares her journey from a protein biochemist to aspecialist in human milk, driven by her own experiences of motherhood andrecognizing the underappreciated value of breast milk. She introduces hergroundbreaking invention, BabyLAT—a device designed to concent...

In this episode of the Care OutLoud podcast, host MaryCoughlin explores life after the NICU with Stephanie Woortman, a speech andlanguage pathologist. They delve into the challenges and triumphs of post-NICUlife for babies and their families, emphasizing resilience and the ongoingimpact of trauma. Stephanie shares her approach to fostering communication andfeeding skills, informed by neurodivergent affirming practices, and discusse...

In this remastered episode from January 2023 of the Care Out Loud podcast, host Mary Coughlin interviews Dr. Livio Provenzi, an assistant professor at the University of Pavia, Italy. They delve into Dr. Provenzi's extensive research in the fields of epigenetics and neuroscience, specifically focusing on the neuropsychobiological aspects of early human development. Dr. Provenzi discusses the impact of early parent-child inte...

In this enlightening conversation, Mary and the distinguished Nicola Doherty PhD from Northern Ireland delve into the profound impact of compassionate relationships in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). They discuss the importance of trauma-informed care, the role of parents in the healing process, and the transformative power of small interventions in neonatal care. With scientific insights and touching real-life anecdotes, ...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Sandra Sullivan, a dedicated neonatologist based in Gainesville, Florida. Sandra shares her journey into the field of neonatology, her unique educational background in classics and humanities, and how these experiences shaped her career in medicine. She emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed and developmental care in the NICU, highlighting the need for empathy, active listening, and minim...

In this episode, Mary Coughlin speaks with Bobbi Pineda, an expert in infant sensory development and an occupational therapist. Bobbi shares her journey from practicing as a clinician in pediatric settings to becoming a researcher focused on NICU care and the sensory needs of infants. She discusses her personal experiences as a mother of premature babies, which inspired her to delve into research to improve NICU practices. Bobbi hi...

In this heartfelt episode, Mary welcomes Morgan Kowalski, whose path to becoming a passionate advocate for Family Centered Care (FCC) was deeply influenced by the premature birth of her son, Thomas. Morgan shares her journey from navigating the NICU as a parent to assuming a pivotal role in the FCC Task Force. Their conversation delves into the impact of personal experiences on patient care, the importance of trauma-informed ca...

In this heartfelt episode, Mary interviews Daniela Machado, a neonatal nurse originally from Portugal, now practicing in the UK. Dani shares her incredible journey from adult cardiology nursing to neonatal care, fueled by her personal experience as an intensive care patient. She delves into her passion for developmental and trauma-informed care, discussing her current role in the West Midlands and the challenges and triumphs she's ...

In this episode of CARE OUTLOUD, Mary Coughlin welcomes the deeply compassionate and inspiring Melinda Chacon. Melinda shares her journey from working as a CNA with Alzheimer's patients to becoming a dedicated NICU nurse. She reflects on the impact of transparency, vulnerability, and compassionate care—not only for patients but also for her fellow healthcare team members. Melinda opens up about the challenges of working in trauma-r...

In this episode of the Care Out Loud podcast, seasoned nurses Jodi Mullen and Missy Reynolds share their profound experiences and insights from working in pediatric and newborn intensive care units. The conversation covers the implementation of a bereavement support program for families coping with the loss of a child, striking a balance between empathy and professionalism, and the long-term impact of compassionate care. Key topic...

In this podcast episode, Mary interviews Andrea Hickson, founder of NICU Alumni. Andrea shares her deeply personal story of giving birth to her two daughters, both of whom required NICU stays due to extreme prematurity. Her experiences and the challenges she faced during and after their NICU stays inspired her to create NICU Alumni, an organization designed to support families navigating the post-NICU journey. Andrea discusses the ...

In this episode, we dive into the inspirational journey of Sharon Ragone, founder of the Small Beginnings company. Sharon recounts her unexpected path to entrepreneurship, starting from her early ambitions to become an RN, to her accidental love for NICU care, and eventually inventing essential products for neonatal care. She shares her struggles and triumphs in developing innovative solutions that transformed neonatal care, such a...

In this episode of the Care Out Loud podcast, host Mary Coughlin explores the profound impact of words on our lives and relationships. She discusses how the words we choose, whether spoken out loud or within our inner dialogue, carry significant weight. Words can inspire, comfort, and build bridges, but they can also wound and divide. Mary emphasizes the biological effects of positive and negative words and shares insights into the...

In this inspiring podcast episode, we dive deep with Jenna Lammers, a pioneering research clinician with 24 years of experience in pediatric physical therapy. Jenna shares her incredible journey of developing the GiggleFit Therapeutic Play Gym, an innovative solution aimed at improving mobility and bringing joy to children with severe mobility impairments.

From her early days in NICU, PICU, and other clinical settings, to founding...