210: Connection, Healing, and Love: Insights from Patrice Karst, Author of The Invisible String
Release Date: 03/13/2024
237: Holding Space for Hope : The Final Episode of 2024
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
"Hope isn't about avoiding the hard truths. It's about staying grounded in them and still believing that something good is possible."- Katie Taylor In this final episode of 2024, Katie dives deep into the meaning of hope, exploring its role in navigating challenges for parents, children and Child Life Specialists. Reflecting on personal experiences and heartfelt conversations with families, this episode unpacks how hope isn’t blind optimism but a source of strength that coexists with pain and uncertainty. With stories, reflections, and an invitation to carry hope into the new year,...
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236: The Mix of Joy & Grief through Medical Parenting (autism, lissencephaly and lennox gastaut syndrome) – Joanne's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
"Life is always in the mix of joy and grief, and those things coexist. But this is how I’m going to deal with it." - Joanne De Simone In this episode of the Child Life On Call Podcast, Joanne De Simone shares her journey as a parent raising two sons with disabilities. From navigating her eldest son Benjamin’s rare brain malformation, lissencephaly and complex medical needs to supporting her younger son Sebastian, who is on the autism spectrum. Joanne discusses the challenges, victories, and personal growth she’s experienced. As a mother and special education teacher, and now an...
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235: A Mother’s Journey of Love, Loss, and Resilience (crohn's and ulcerative colitis) - Kathy's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
“If anybody was to ask me what is one of my biggest strengths, I have to tell them it's resilience… You can throw almost anything at me and I can handle it. I mean, there isn't anything any bigger in this world than losing a child.”-Kathy In this heartfelt episode, Katie Taylor sits down with Kathy, a mother who shares her journey of raising and caring for her daughter Lauren through multiple medical challenges and eventual passing. Kathy’s story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Kathy reflects on the emotional, physical, and logistical challenges of managing long hospital...
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234: Expert Child Life Tips for Supporting Children Through an Upper GI Procedure
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
Today's episode is dedicated to the loving memory of Dr. Meredith Hitch, a cherished pediatric gastroenterologist at Ochsner Baton Rouge. “You want to make sure that you are ready to be able to prepare not only yourself but your kiddo.” - Emily Martinec, CCLS In this episode host Katie Taylor chats with Emily Martinec, another experienced Child Life Specialist. These two dive into the complexities of preparing children for an upper GI procedure. They provide valuable insights and practical tips for both parents and fellow specialists, sharing lessons learned from their...
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233: From NICU Nurse to NICU Mom: Premature Twins born at 33 weeks - Brittney’s Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
A huge thank you to our sponsor of today's podcast, 30% of children struggle with constipation and it can feel impossible trying to find a solution for your child. Especially if your child has food allergies or has a condition or illness, you want to feel good about the products you are selecting for your child. To me, finding a company whose products have the highest quality and natural ingredients is really important. Begin Health®’s flagship product, Growing Up Prebiotics, is a tasteless, textureless fine powder that easily mixes into water, juice, or smoothies. This...
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232: Preparing and Supporting your child: A son with Breath Holding Spells-Alessandra's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
A huge thank you to our sponsor of today's podcast, 30% of children struggle with constipation and it can feel impossible trying to find a solution for your child. Especially if your child has food allergies or has a condition or illness, you want to feel good about the products you are selecting for your child. To me, finding a company whose products have the highest quality and natural ingredients is really important. Begin Health®’s flagship product, Growing Up Prebiotics, is a tasteless, textureless fine powder that easily mixes into water, juice, or smoothies. This makes...
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231: Child Life Specialist Secrets: Flu Shot Prep Strategies Every Parent Should Know
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
Child Life Specialist Secrets: Flu Shot Prep Strategies Every Parent Should Know Thank you to the sponsor of today's podcast: In this episode of the Child Life On Call Podcast, hosts Katie Taylor and Emily Martinec, both certified child life specialists, discuss strategies for preparing, supporting, and responding to children during flu shots. The conversation extends to other medical experiences, offering developmentally appropriate ways to engage children. They emphasize collaboration with medical professionals, highlight coping techniques, and provide resources like the Support Spot app...
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230: Navigating Childhood Cancer: Supporting families through her own experience - Heather's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
230: Navigating Childhood Cancer: Supporting families through her own experience - Heather's Story "We’ve joined a club that nobody wants to be a part of, but the good part is we have the best members." A huge thank you to our sponsor of today's podcast, 30% of children struggle with constipation and it can feel impossible trying to find a solution for your child. Especially if your child has food allergies or has a condition or illness, you want to feel good about the products you are selecting for your child. To me, finding a company whose products have the highest quality and...
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229: Trusting your parental Instincts when addressing your child's chronic pain- A son with Juvenile Arthritis- Kim’s Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
"Trust your gut. If your parent radar comes up and says this is not right, keep pushing." – Kim In this episode, Katie Taylor speaks with Kim Miller, a mother whose journey navigating her son Grant’s diagnoses of juvenile arthritis reshaped her life. Kim shares how her relentless advocacy led her family through unimaginable challenges, including managing chronic pain and finding the right medical care. Her inspiring story unfolds from the hardships of watching her son struggle to walk, to his incredible transformation into an NFL player. The episode highlights the critical role of...
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228: Early Diagnosis, Advocacy and Equity: A daughter with Cystic Fibrosis- Nikki's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
"We are the experts on our daughter and we deserve a say, and we deserve to be given the time to ask questions." – Nikki DeLeo We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this product, and we invite you to learn more by visiting their website. In this heartfelt episode, host and Certified Child Life Specialist Katie Taylor speaks with Nikki DeLeo, a mother of Taylor, her daughter who has Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Katie and Nikki discuss Nikki’s journey navigating her daughter Taylor's...
info_outline"Love is the most powerful force in the universe, and the invisible string is a testament to the connections that bind us all." - Patrice Karst
In 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 addressing themes of separation, loss, and the enduring strength of love. Patrice shares her inspiration behind "The Invisible String" and its profound impact on both children and adults, emphasizing our universal connectedness and the healing power of love.
"The messages of love and connection I write about are not just for children; they resonate with the inner child in all of us." - Patrice Karst
Key Insights or Lessons Learned:
- The concept of "the invisible string" as a universal metaphor for love and connection that transcends physical presence and even loss.
- The importance of acknowledging and discussing feelings of loneliness and the power of finding one's inner best friend, as explored in "Ruby and Lonely."
- How creativity and storytelling can be therapeutic, providing solace and understanding in times of grief and separation.
- The role of child life specialists in utilizing literature like Patrice's to foster emotional safety and understanding among families facing medical challenges.
"Every letter I receive is a reminder of the profound impact stories can have on healing and connection." - Patrice Karst
Resources and Tips Shared in the Episode:
- "The Invisible String" by Patrice Karst: A must-read for anyone seeking to understand and teach about the bonds of love.
- Other books by Patrice Karst
- Child Life On Call App: Explore this invaluable tool for additional support and resources for navigating pediatric healthcare challenges. Request a Demo.
Whether you're a parent, healthcare professional, or simply interested in learning more about child life, this podcast is for you.
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Meet the host:
Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.