Heart to Heart with Anna
Revitalize your spirit and connect with the vibrant congenital heart defect (CHD) community through 'Heart to Heart with Anna,' the pioneering podcast that has been inspiring and informing listeners for years. Join us as we dive deep into the personal journeys, triumphs, and challenges of Survivors, their loved ones, esteemed medical professionals, and other remarkable individuals within the CHD community. With unwavering dedication, our heartfelt conversations bring to light the stories that need to be heard. Gain invaluable insights, expert advice, and a sense of empowerment as we explore the multifaceted world of CHD. Our mission is to uplift, educate, and enrich the lives of every member of this incredible community. Embark on a transformative listening experience where compassion and understanding thrive. Discover the resilience and unwavering spirit that reside within each person touched by CHD. Together, let's build a community where support and knowledge flourish, bringing hope to the forefront. Tune in to 'Heart to Heart with Anna' and embark on a remarkable journey that will leave you inspired, enlightened, and connected to the beating heart of the CHD community. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heart-to-heart-with-anna--1256958/support.
Episodes
December 28, 2025 • 42 mins
(00:00:00) Introduction and Welcome
(00:00:50) Heartfelt Holiday Wishes and Personal Announcement
(00:02:34) CHD News: Neurodevelopment and Congenital Heart Disease
(00:04:28) Introducing Dr. Dawn Ilardi
(00:05:54) Dr. Ilardi's Work with the Adult CHD Community
(00:07:23) Challenges and Variability in CHD
(00:08:28) Parenting Kids with CHD: New Online Program
(00:12:41) The Importance of Family-Centered Care
(00:15:20) Supporting P...
(00:00:50) Heartfelt Holiday Wishes and Personal Announcement
(00:02:34) CHD News: Neurodevelopment and Congenital Heart Disease
(00:04:28) Introducing Dr. Dawn Ilardi
(00:05:54) Dr. Ilardi's Work with the Adult CHD Community
(00:07:23) Challenges and Variability in CHD
(00:08:28) Parenting Kids with CHD: New Online Program
(00:12:41) The Importance of Family-Centered Care
(00:15:20) Supporting P...
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December 1, 2025 • 43 mins
(00:00:00) Introduction to Heart Innovations
(00:00:24) Welcome and Personal Reflections
(00:01:31) November Adventures and Connections
(00:04:35) CHD News: Groundbreaking Genome Sequencing Study
(00:06:28) Interview with Nanotechnology Pioneer Tom Webster
(00:09:02) Exploring Nanotechnology in Medicine
(00:18:28) Combining Stem Cells and Nanotechnology
(00:28:30) Preventing Infections with Nanotechnology
(00:37:06) Future of Heart...
(00:00:24) Welcome and Personal Reflections
(00:01:31) November Adventures and Connections
(00:04:35) CHD News: Groundbreaking Genome Sequencing Study
(00:06:28) Interview with Nanotechnology Pioneer Tom Webster
(00:09:02) Exploring Nanotechnology in Medicine
(00:18:28) Combining Stem Cells and Nanotechnology
(00:28:30) Preventing Infections with Nanotechnology
(00:37:06) Future of Heart...
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November 8, 2025 • 40 mins
(00:00:00) From Arrest To Ironman
(00:02:14) Anna's Story and Season Reflections
(00:05:29) Creativity, Crocheting, And New Books
(00:06:43) SV-ONE Conference And Inclusion Plans
(00:07:46) Patron Thanks And Disclaimers
(00:09:53) Meet Elmar Sprink
(00:12:26) Collapse, Diagnosis, And Transplant Path
(00:15:42) Learning To Move Again
(00:18:21) Training Safely Post-Transplant
(00:20:26) Medications And Health Management
(00:24:05)...
(00:02:14) Anna's Story and Season Reflections
(00:05:29) Creativity, Crocheting, And New Books
(00:06:43) SV-ONE Conference And Inclusion Plans
(00:07:46) Patron Thanks And Disclaimers
(00:09:53) Meet Elmar Sprink
(00:12:26) Collapse, Diagnosis, And Transplant Path
(00:15:42) Learning To Move Again
(00:18:21) Training Safely Post-Transplant
(00:20:26) Medications And Health Management
(00:24:05)...
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October 21, 2025 • 36 mins
We share community updates and new events, then sit down with Ayrton Beatty to unpack how an antidepressant triggered Long QT syndrome, what symptoms to watch for, and the everyday tactics that keep them safe while honoring Edward’s memory. The conversation blends hard science, lived experience, and practical steps anyone can use to advocate with confidence.
• Red Hat Society join and conference highlights
• Down syndrome and CHD awa...
• Red Hat Society join and conference highlights
• Down syndrome and CHD awa...
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September 26, 2025 • 46 mins
What happens when a grandmother's love collides with a broken system? When Christy Pace's grandson Hunter was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome before birth, she found herself thrust into an unexpected role – not just as a supportive grandmother, but eventually as a visionary determined to transform how the CHD community connects.
Our conversation pulls back the curtain on the rarely discussed perspective of grandparent...
Our conversation pulls back the curtain on the rarely discussed perspective of grandparent...
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September 10, 2025 • 47 mins
Steven Hutchison has defied expectations his entire life. Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) nearly four decades ago, he is now a 38-year-old husband, father of three, and full-time worker who approaches each day with remarkable perspective and gratitude.
Diagnosed at two weeks old, Steven underwent staged surgeries including the Glenn and Fontan procedures, and now lives with Fontan-associated liver disease, one of t...
Diagnosed at two weeks old, Steven underwent staged surgeries including the Glenn and Fontan procedures, and now lives with Fontan-associated liver disease, one of t...
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August 28, 2025 • 45 mins
Tyler Šajdák wasn't supposed to grow up. Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome in 1993, he was part of a generation receiving experimental surgeries with uncertain outcomes. Today, at 31, he works as an academic advisor, pursues a master's degree, and serves as a powerful advocate for the adult congenital heart defect community.
"I've been told by people that just by looking at me, they wouldn't know that I had a heart defect," ...
"I've been told by people that just by looking at me, they wouldn't know that I had a heart defect," ...
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August 1, 2025 • 46 mins
What happens when a tiny heart warrior inspires a movement of love and advocacy? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Haley Graham, whose daughter Emberly Dawn was born with multiple heart defects, including a rare Taussig-Bing anomaly. Haley takes us through the emotional journey from that first concerning ultrasound to the founding of Embers of Love, a nonprofit that's changing lives across Manitoba.
Haley shares the raw...
Haley shares the raw...
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July 30, 2025 • 34 mins
What happens when your child needs heart surgery, but the operation keeps getting postponed? How do you navigate a complex healthcare system while still supporting other families going through similar struggles? Candice Swartland takes us deep into this reality from Cape Town, South Africa.
Candice's journey began when her son Riley was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot shortly after birth—despite monthly ultrasounds during pregnan...
Candice's journey began when her son Riley was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot shortly after birth—despite monthly ultrasounds during pregnan...
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July 1, 2025 • 34 mins
Monique Kemp's world turned upside down when her unborn son was diagnosed with an interrupted aortic arch at seven months of pregnancy. What followed was a harrowing journey through six open-heart surgeries, months of hospitalization, and the birth of something unexpected – a powerful vision for supporting other families facing similar challenges.
From those early days sitting beside her newborn's hospital bed to founding Heart of H...
From those early days sitting beside her newborn's hospital bed to founding Heart of H...
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June 23, 2025 • 36 mins
(00:00:00) A Brother's Unexpected Diagnosis
(00:04:41) Introduction and Anne-Marie's Legacy
(00:09:55) Dr. Novick's Global Cardiac Alliance
(00:14:57) Ana's Brother Daniel and His Condition
(00:24:56) The Search for a Heart Transplant
(00:30:41) Creating Heart for Daniel Foundation
(00:35:15) Building Pakistan's First Children's Heart Hospital
From a family vacation that turned tragic to the creation of Pakistan's first specialize...
(00:04:41) Introduction and Anne-Marie's Legacy
(00:09:55) Dr. Novick's Global Cardiac Alliance
(00:14:57) Ana's Brother Daniel and His Condition
(00:24:56) The Search for a Heart Transplant
(00:30:41) Creating Heart for Daniel Foundation
(00:35:15) Building Pakistan's First Children's Heart Hospital
From a family vacation that turned tragic to the creation of Pakistan's first specialize...
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May 31, 2025 • 54 mins
What happens when you've spent your whole life thinking your heart condition was "fixed," only to discover it's actually a lifelong journey? Elle Pendrick shares this profound revelation that came after her fourth open-heart surgery, forever changing how she understood her congenital heart disease.
Born in 1983 with complex CHD in rural Australia, Elle's early years were defined by long journeys to Sydney for medical care. Growing u...
Born in 1983 with complex CHD in rural Australia, Elle's early years were defined by long journeys to Sydney for medical care. Growing u...
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May 11, 2025 • 37 mins
(00:00:00) Anna's Wrist Injury Journey
(00:01:59) Anna's Wrist Injury Journey
(00:04:19) Introducing Amy Erhart
(00:05:46) Fundraising for the CHD Community
(00:12:27) Putt Around Kaleida Fundraiser
(00:20:34) Amy's Podcast Journey
(00:26:56) The Power of Shared Stories
(00:34:11) Family Support and Legacy
A broken wrist serves as an unexpected metaphor for the heart warrior's journey in this illuminating conversation with fundrai...
(00:01:59) Anna's Wrist Injury Journey
(00:04:19) Introducing Amy Erhart
(00:05:46) Fundraising for the CHD Community
(00:12:27) Putt Around Kaleida Fundraiser
(00:20:34) Amy's Podcast Journey
(00:26:56) The Power of Shared Stories
(00:34:11) Family Support and Legacy
A broken wrist serves as an unexpected metaphor for the heart warrior's journey in this illuminating conversation with fundrai...
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April 30, 2025 • 26 mins
In dieser speziellen deutschsprachigen Episode von 'Herz zu Herz mit Anna' spricht Jodi Alderfel mit Marina Lohri, die mit Trikuspidalatresie, ASD und VSD geboren wurde und eine modifizierte Fontan-Operation überlebte. Marina teilt ihre lebenslange Reise, von ihrer Herzoperation als Baby bis hin zu ihrer Karriere bei atHeart Medical, einem Unternehmen, das Geräte zur Behandlung von ASD entwickelt. Die Episode erörtert auch Marinas ...
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April 1, 2025 • 56 mins
The journey of raising a child with a critical congenital heart defect (CCHD) involves navigating far more than just medical challenges. Behind every heart surgery and cardiology appointment lies a complex web of developmental considerations that can profoundly shape a child's future.
Dr. Dawn Ilardi, a clinical neuropsychologist with over 16 years of experience in cardiac neurodevelopment, brings clarity to this often-overlooked as...
Dr. Dawn Ilardi, a clinical neuropsychologist with over 16 years of experience in cardiac neurodevelopment, brings clarity to this often-overlooked as...
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March 19, 2025 • 45 mins
When Sara Bonneau's newborn son was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, she had no roadmap for the journey ahead. In this raw and powerful conversation, she takes us through the evolution of parenting a child with a serious heart defect—from the terrifying early days without social media support groups to watching her son become a competitive high school basketball player.
Sara's candor about her mental health struggles resonates de...
Sara's candor about her mental health struggles resonates de...
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February 27, 2025 • 61 mins
In this engaging episode of Heart to Heart with Anna, we dive into the significant strides made in pediatric cardiology, focusing on hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and the inspiring journey of dedicated professionals like Dr. Paul Grossfeld. This episode highlights the complex nature of congenital heart disease, exploring not just the technical advancements in surgical techniques and post-operative care, but also the emotio...
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February 5, 2025 • 43 mins
Emily Falcon's journey with a rare heart condition is nothing short of inspiring. After multiple heart surgeries, she defied the odds and became a dedicated 5K athlete, showcasing resilience that many find empowering. Joined by Jenn Dimas from the Fort Worth Public Library, Emily shares how literature has been a powerful companion in navigating her chronic illness. This episode also shines a light on Heart Month, weaving in persona...
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January 24, 2025 • 34 mins
After facing the heart-wrenching loss of a beloved family matriarch to a once-benign heart condition, I am reminded of the fragile nature of life and the critical importance of heart health. Join me as we explore these deeply personal connections to heart disease and the heartfelt stories of families who navigate these challenges with resilience and love. This episode kicks off with a touching account of a family who urged me to sh...
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January 8, 2025 • 21 mins
Can an unexpected adventure in Kraków teach you about resilience and support? Join me, Anna Jaworski, as I recount a thrilling axe-throwing escapade with my husband, Frank, which became an unexpected metaphor for our family's journey with our courageous daughter, Hope, who battles a congenital heart defect. In this episode of Heart to Heart with Anna, we spotlight the power of belief and community support, drawing parallels between...
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