How to Talk With Children About Child Abuse [REPOST] (249)- Jane's Story
Release Date: 04/09/2025
Autism, Advocacy and the Power of a Medical ID: Tara's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
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Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
“My baby went from fussy to lifeless in hours—by the time we reached the PICU, they said he might have had six hours to live.” In this episode, TikTok Influencer and Medical Mom , a pediatric speech-language pathologist turned full-time mom, shares the whirlwind diagnosis of her 12-month-old son Bain with Type 1 diabetes and severe DKA, the traumatic hospital stay, and the everyday advocacy that followed. Raw, practical, and deeply hopeful. Why this episode matters Emotional clarity: what a Type 1 diagnosis really feels like in infancy Practical advocacy: scripts, choices, and...
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Join us for an incredibly candid and informative conversation with Audrey Vernick, a passionate advocate and the Director of Patient and Family Advocacy for the Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance. Audrey shares the powerful 21-year journey of her son, Bennett, who suffered a stroke in utero and was later diagnosed with the catastrophic epilepsy known as Infantile Spasms. Audrey recounts the emotional process from the difficult labor and early concerns dismissed as normal reflexes, to the terrifying moment she saw his MRI and realized half of his brain was black due to a massive stroke. This...
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"The excitement that the kids feel when they are seeing you... and they know today's session with Ms. Luba and they can't wait to see you." - Luba Kaplan When a child enters the medical system, parents often meet many specialists beyond doctors and nurses, including Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP). These professionals are vital members of the healthcare team, doing more than just helping with speech. SLPs, as Luba Kaplan explains, also explains how they look at every area of the child's development to ensure children are being fully supported. In this episode, we introduce Luba Kaplan, a...
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From Early Diagnosis to the Power of Community and Humor in Type 1 Diabetes (276)- Stacey's Story
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When Stacey’s toddler was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, her family’s world turned upside down. In this episode, she shares the early warning signs, the struggle of those first two weeks of injections, and how humor and community turned fear into resilience. Parents will gain hope, advocacy tips, and coping strategies for managing a chronic illness diagnosis. What You’ll Hear How Stacey recognized the 4 Ts of diabetes: Thirsty, Tired, Thinner, Toilet The reality of hospitalization, finger sticks, and injections with a toddler Coping strategies: medical play, humor, and...
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Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
In this incredibly personal and moving episode, we sit down with Teejay and Jon, the authors of the gentle children's book , to share the full, raw story of their daughter, Nadiya. Their journey began with an unexpected connection—a transatlantic online romance between Teejay in Australia and Jon in Canada—that quickly turned into a marriage grounded in a shared life and purpose. With Teejay's extensive background in early childhood development and their experience fostering a young man with Down syndrome, they felt prepared when Nadiya was diagnosed with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) early...
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US News Children's Hospital Rankings 2025: Why the BEST Outcomes Demand the Human Touch (with Ben Harder)
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Psychologist and heart-transplant recipient Dr. Brittany Clayborne shares how her own medical journey prepared her to guide her son Micah through sudden heart failure, an LVAD, and a life-saving transplant. She unpacks the family’s rare Danon’s disease diagnosis, post-transplant cancer (PTLD), and the everyday realities after transplant—meds, setbacks, and hope. You’ll learn Dr. Brittany’s BRAVE framework for hard moments, how rituals sustain connection during long hospital stays, and how Micah turned his experience into action with Transplant Teens and My Brave Journal. This...
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How a Bone Marrow Transplant Cured her daugther’s Sickle Cell Anemia (272)-Maite's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
In this episode of Child Life On Call, guest Maite Rodriguez shares her daughter Alessia’s inspiring journey with sickle cell disease (SCD)—from diagnosis at birth and painful crises to finding a cure through a pediatric bone marrow transplant at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Maite discusses the challenges of long-term treatments like hydroxyurea, the emotional toll of hospitalizations, and her family’s decision to pursue IVF to create a genetic match. She also introduces her bilingual children’s book, , which helps families explain sickle cell to children, siblings, and communities....
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Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
From “colic” that never eased to four pages of confirmed allergens, Susanna Peace Lovell recounts the first years of parenting her daughter, Arizona—years marked by nonstop crying, full-body eczema, and relentless advocacy. When a hypoallergenic formula finally brought relief around 18–19 months, Susanna could breathe—and begin reframing motherhood with compassion for her child and herself. She shares practical allergy survival tips (from table toppers to EpiPens), how autism diagnosis informed self-advocacy, and why community through We Are Brave Together mattered. This conversation...
info_outlineKnowing 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.
Jane shares her personal journey, sparked by a tragic event, that led to a decades-long mission to protect children and educate communities. From creating a long-running puppet program for abuse prevention to empowering kids with body safety tools, this conversation is full of actionable advice for parents, caregivers, educators, and child life specialists.
This is a special repost of one of our most important and requested episodes. Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting it, this conversation remains just as powerful and relevant today.
In this episode, you'll learn:
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How to talk to kids about child abuse in age-appropriate, non-scary ways
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The importance of ongoing conversations about personal safety
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How tools like puppets, music, and hula hoops teach children about personal boundaries
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What parents should know about mandated reporting and how to act on their instincts
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How to evaluate youth-serving organizations for child safety protocols
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Why Children’s Advocacy Centers are essential for abuse investigation and healing
Whether you're a parent, educator, or healthcare provider, this episode provides the tools and confidence you need to start meaningful conversations that protect kids and empower them.
Timestamps & Key Topics
⏱️ [00:00] – Introduction: Meet Jane Donovan
Katie introduces her guest (and mom), a lifelong child advocate
Learn how the Child Life On Call app empowers families
⏱️ [03:00] – A Personal Story That Inspired a Mission
How a child’s abduction changed Jane’s life
Why she dedicated her career to child abuse prevention
⏱️ [06:00] – What Are Children’s Advocacy Centers?
A child-friendly space for reporting, healing, and justice
How they support kids through forensic interviews and therapy
⏱️ [09:00] – Making Conversations About Abuse Less Scary
Why it’s not “the talk”—it’s ongoing, age-appropriate education
Teaching safety in everyday moments without fear
⏱️ [11:00] – Teaching Kids About Boundaries with Puppets
Introducing the “Kids Count Players” puppet show for elementary students
Using storytelling and music to make serious topics approachable
⏱️ [15:00] – Personal Space for Children: Hula Hoops & “Uh-oh” Feelings
How to use visual tools to teach kids about body autonomy and boundaries
The difference between “good touch” and “confusing touch”
⏱️ [22:00] – Real Impact in Schools
How the puppet show helped children disclose abuse
Why teachers and counselors praise the program
⏱️ [23:00] – The Adult’s Role in Protecting Children
Tips for keeping kids safe at camp, church, and extracurriculars
How to ask youth-serving organizations about their safety policies
⏱️ [25:00] – Understanding Mandated Reporting
Why professionals and caregivers must report suspected abuse
How to file a report, even if you're unsure
⏱️ [29:00] – Practical Safety Tips for Parents
Teach proper names for body parts
Encourage privacy and reinforce their right to say “no” to unwanted contact
⏱️ [31:00] – Easy Tools & Takeaways
How to start the conversation—and keep it going
Resources & Links
📌 Learn about Children’s Advocacy Centers: www.cactexas.org
📺 Watch the Kids Count Players on YouTube
🎧 More podcast episodes: childlifepodcast.com
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The Child Life On Call Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The content shared in each episode, including stories, discussions, and interviews, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast. The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Child Life On Call Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Child Life On Call. Child Life On Call does not endorse any specific medical treatments, procedures, or opinions shared in the podcast. If you or your child are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that Child Life On Call and its affiliates are not responsible for any decisions made based on the information provided.