Born For This Stories
Born for This Stories is a healing-centered podcast for parents navigating the unthinkable — from rare birth diagnoses and NICU trauma to holistic recovery and emotional resilience. Rooted in our own family's journey through our son's birth defect, we created this space to tell the stories we couldn't find when we were searching for hope. Each episode offers raw conversations, gentle truths, and holistic insights for families walking medically complex paths — because you deserve to feel seen, supported, and held. This isn't just about trauma. It's about transformation. Welcome to the place where healing begins — and where you'll always remember: You were born for this.
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Broghan’s Story: Clubfoot, NICU Days, and Finding Grace in the Unknown
11/10/2025
Broghan’s Story: Clubfoot, NICU Days, and Finding Grace in the Unknown
What happens when your first ultrasound becomes the moment everything changes? In this heartfelt episode, Johanna and Peter sit down with Broghan, a pediatric nurse and mom of three whose oldest son, Theo, was diagnosed in utero with bilateral clubfoot during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic. What followed was a NICU stay, weeks of early-morning castings, and a terrifying post-surgical complication that nearly turned tragic. Through tears, humor, and hard-earned perspective, Broghan shares what it’s like to live both sides of the medical system as the caregiver and as the mom. She opens up about the guilt, fear, and resilience that shaped her journey, and why she now tells other parents, “Whatever pops into your head, ask it. It’s not stupid.” This episode is an honest reminder that whether your child’s diagnosis is rare or common, the emotional toll and the love are universal. In this episode: The 20-week ultrasound that revealed Theo’s clubfoot diagnosis Navigating a NICU stay as a first-time mom The day a simple tendon surgery took a turn for the worse How motherhood changed her empathy as a nurse The moment she found peace through the poem Welcome to Holland The advice she wants every parent to hear: “Don't be afraid to ask the question. Don't be afraid to sound dumb. You're not wasting anybody's time. This is your kid. This is your ability to understand and best advocate." 💬 “It wasn’t shame and it wasn’t embarrassment, it was an uncomfortability of the unknown.” Resources from this episode: 👣 Learn more or share your story at 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 Subscribe, rate, and share to help more parents feel seen and supported
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Dylan’s Story: A Mother’s Journey Through Limb Difference and Self-Compassion
11/03/2025
Dylan’s Story: A Mother’s Journey Through Limb Difference and Self-Compassion
Season 2 begins with a story that will stay with you. Today, Johanna and Peter sit down with Dylan, a first-time mom whose daughter, Freya, was born with a congenital limb difference called longitudinal radial deficiency—a rare condition where the forearm bones don’t fully develop. From the shock of her diagnosis at the 20-week ultrasound to finding healing through therapy, family support, and the Lucky Fin Project, Dylan’s story is one of raw honesty, fierce love, and learning to give yourself grace in the midst of uncertainty. Dylan shares the moment a doctor called her baby’s missing forearm “a cosmetic issue”, the heartbreak of watching her newborn strapped to a medical table, and the relief of discovering she wasn’t alone. Through every twist, Dylan’s voice reminds parents everywhere that compassion for ourselves and for one another is an essential part of the healing process. In this episode: The day Dylan learned her baby would be born without her left forearm The frustration of medical providers minimizing this life-changing news The power of family support, therapy, and community How the Lucky Fin Project and Camp No Limits changed their outlook Why “self-compassion” and “grace” became Dylan’s mantras Building local connection for families navigating limb differences Resources from this episode: Visit the Lucky Fin Project at their website, luckyfinproject.org, and on Facebook and Instagram @lucky_fin_project Visit Camp No Limits at their website, nolimitsfoundation.org, on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Instagram @campnolimits 👣 Learn more or share your story at 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 Subscribe, rate, and share to help other families feel seen and supported
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The End of the Beginning: Season One Finale
10/30/2025
The End of the Beginning: Season One Finale
“We created the thing we felt would have helped us, and now it's grown into something bigger than us.” Today, we close the chapter on Season One — and open the door to something even bigger. In this heartfelt finale, Johanna and Peter sit down together to reflect on how Born For This Stories began, the families it’s reached around the world, and the moments that changed everything. From the early episodes on their son’s diagnosis and surgeries to the powerful guest stories that followed, they revisit the raw, beautiful, and healing journey that built this community. What started as one family’s search for connection has become a global movement for parents navigating pediatric diagnoses, birth differences, and medical unknowns. A space where fear and faith, grief and gratitude, medicine and holistic healing can coexist. In this episode: Reflections on Season One’s most powerful moments The impact of hearing from parents around the world who said, “I thought I was the only one.” Why Born For This Stories is “a mirror, not a megaphone” What’s coming next: stories of limb differences, Down syndrome, heart conditions, and more The mission that guides it all: to make sure no parent ever feels alone in the waiting room again 💬 “Healing doesn’t happen when we hide the hard parts. It happens when we speak them—when someone says, ‘me too.’” 👣 Stay connected at 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode to help us grow the movement
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Dr. Tarek’s Story: Thriving Beyond Hypospadias
10/27/2025
Dr. Tarek’s Story: Thriving Beyond Hypospadias
Today, we hear a different perspective — one rarely shared. In this deeply moving episode of Born For This Stories, Johanna and Peter sit down with Dr. Tarek, a physiotherapist, osteopathic specialist, and founder of the Thrive Beyond the Diagnosis Foundation. Born with a rare and severe form of epispadias that evolved into hypospadias after multiple surgeries, Dr. Tarek opens up about surviving trauma, navigating stigma, and transforming his pain into purpose. From enduring more than 13 surgeries to pioneering research on pelvic rehabilitation and neuromodulation therapy, his story reveals what true resilience and advocacy look like. He shares how childhood shame and isolation became the foundation for his life’s work: helping children and families heal physically, emotionally, and socially after diagnosis. In this episode: How growing up with hypospadias shaped Dr. Tarek’s mission to help others The emotional and social challenges of childhood in a culture of silence How neurodynamic and biofeedback therapies can improve bladder and pelvic function Why psychological healing is just as critical as physical recovery The importance of empowering siblings, peers, and families to respond with empathy The creation of the Thrive Beyond Diagnosis Foundation—and how it’s giving a voice to patients and parents worldwide 💬 “We have to make the child know that beyond this diagnosis, it's not the end of the day… It's not the end of time.” 👣 Share your story at 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 Subscribe, rate, and share this episode to help us reach more families and advocates worldwide
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A Letter to My Past Self - and to You, Mama
10/20/2025
A Letter to My Past Self - and to You, Mama
What would you say to the version of yourself who just got the diagnosis? In this deeply personal solo episode, Johanna shares a letter she wishes she could have handed to herself the day her son was born and everything changed. Speaking directly to the parent lying awake tonight wondering if they failed their child, Johanna offers words of comfort, truth, and strength for the days that feel impossible. Through raw storytelling and hard-earned wisdom, she reminds every mother that guilt is not love, healing is not linear, and you are never walking this road alone. In this episode: The moment everything changed after her son’s birth at home The spiral of guilt that every medical parent knows too well “Your body did not fail your child. Your love did not fail your child.” How to bridge holistic beliefs with medical decisions without losing yourself The 3 questions every parent should ask their child’s surgeon A simple 5-minute nervous system reset for hospital rooms or sleepless nights Permission to put down guilt and pick up healing Why you are still worthy, still seen, and still held—even here 💬 “You can be terrified and brave in the same breath. You can be grateful and grieving in the same hour.” 👣 Write your own letter, share your story at 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 Subscribe and share this episode with a parent who just got the diagnosis—they might need these words tonight
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Caroline's Story: "Simple Fix" Turned Multi-Stage Repair
10/13/2025
Caroline's Story: "Simple Fix" Turned Multi-Stage Repair
When a doctor says, “It’s a simple fix,” most parents want to believe them. But what happens when it isn’t? In this powerful episode of Born For This Stories, Johanna and Peter speak with Caroline, a UK-born lawyer and mom of four now living in Pennsylvania, whose son Jude was diagnosed with hypospadias at birth. What she was told would be a “minor surgery” turned into three operations over the course of years. Through confusion, conflicting opinions, and an emotional rollercoaster, Caroline found her way to trusted experts, community support, and hard-won wisdom she now shares to help other families feel less alone. From the moment her son’s OB said “He’s got a birth defect” to the relief of finally finding compassionate, specialized care, Caroline’s story sheds light on what it means to advocate for your child when you don’t even speak the language of the medical system. In this episode: The shock of hearing “he’s got a birth defect” seconds after birth The difference between a “simple fix” and a multi-stage repair How Caroline’s legal background helped her navigate research and red flags Why she says “Give yourself some grace” after years of surgeries The role of faith, family, and community in getting through medical parenting The importance of asking questions and why choosing the right surgeon changes everything 💬 “I really want to encourage parents that no matter how bad the diagnosis is, normalcy is possible.” 👣 Share your story at 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 Please subscribe, rate, and share this episode to help more families find hope and clarity
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Kylie’s Story: Prematurity, Hypospadias, and the Power of Second Opinions
10/06/2025
Kylie’s Story: Prematurity, Hypospadias, and the Power of Second Opinions
Have you ever gotten a second opinion that was the complete opposite of what you were initially told? Imagine that, plus you've just given birth, and your baby’s future is hanging in the balance. That was the reality of today's guest. In this powerful episode, Johanna and Peter sit down with Kylie, a mom from South Carolina whose son Aiden was born at just 31 weeks and weighing under three pounds. Diagnosed with hypospadias and chordee shortly after birth, Kylie and her husband were thrust into a whirlwind of mixed messages, surgical complications, and hard decisions that no parent feels prepared to make. From the NICU’s conflicting neonatologists — one raising alarms about “ambiguous genitalia” and another saying “he’s peeing, so things are working” — to navigating multiple failed surgeries and finally advocating for a world-renowned specialist, Kylie shares her journey with honesty, grit, and hope. This is an unfiltered look at what it means to trust your gut, demand better for your child, and keep fighting until you find the right care. In this episode: What it’s like to give birth at 31 weeks with preeclampsia and a 2 lb 15 oz preemie How a hypospadias diagnosis unfolded in the NICU with confusing, conflicting provider opinions The challenges of hypospadias repair and surgical complications Why Kylie says “who’s the top penis surgeon?” became her nightly research project The emotional toll of seeing your toddler face multiple operations and preparing for more The importance of second (and third) opinions when local surgeons dismiss parent concerns 💬 “We made the decision that we had to make with the information that we had. Now we’re making a different decision because we have it.” 👣 Share your story at 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 Please subscribe, rate, and share this episode to help us reach more families
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Sarah’s Story: A Canadian Mom’s Journey Through Hypospadias and More
09/29/2025
Sarah’s Story: A Canadian Mom’s Journey Through Hypospadias and More
A story of unexpected diagnosis followed by years of waiting and choices no parent feels prepared to make. In this episode of Born For This Stories, Johanna and Peter sit down with Sarah, a mom from Canada whose son was diagnosed with severe hypospadias at birth. From being told “it’s an easy fix” to learning it would require multiple surgeries, Sarah shares the raw truth of navigating children’s hospitals, long waitlists, and the weight of parenting decisions that carry lifelong impact. Her story also reveals what it’s like to parent through more than one medical crisis. On top of one son's hypospasias journey, her younger son was hospitalized at just five weeks old with RSV and intubated for seven days. Through it all, Sarah and her family leaned on community to find resilience and were reminded that there are "happy stories" that come from the darkest of days. Whether you’re a parent walking through hypospadias, another congenital condition, or simply searching for solidarity in the unknowns of pediatric care, we hope this episode reminds you that you are not alone. In this episode: How Sarah’s son’s diagnosis unfolded at birth Choosing between world-renowned hospitals in Canada Why waitlists and COVID delayed surgery until age three How she prepared her toddler for surgery with doctor play kits and “magic popsicles” Parenting through RSV, intubation, and the perspective it gave The role of family support and community connection in healing 💬 “Some of them go right. Some of them go great. It’s not a situation you ever want to find yourself in, but, you know, there’s happy stories to it too.” 👣 Share your story at 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 Please subscribe, rate, and share this episode to help us reach more families
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What No One Tells You About Pediatric Surgery Recovery
09/22/2025
What No One Tells You About Pediatric Surgery Recovery
The surgery might be over, but the hardest part often begins once you get home. In this episode of Born For This Stories, Johanna and Peter share the raw truth about pediatric surgery recovery - the sleepless nights, the emotional whiplash, and the gut-wrenching moments parents are rarely warned about. From the first 48 hours post-op to juggling pain management, catheters, regressions, and lingering caregiver PTSD, they open up about what it really looks like to walk your child through healing. This conversation isn’t about fear; it’s about validation. Because if you’ve ever sat awake at 2 a.m. wondering if your child’s cry means pain or panic, or questioned whether you’re “doing it right,” you’re not alone. In this episode: Why the first 48 hours post-op can feel overwhelming The emotional toll on caregivers (and how to breathe through it) Managing pain, anesthesia concerns, and post-op instructions at home The importance of trusting your gut when something doesn’t feel right How recovery impacts siblings, routines, and family life Why healing is never linear—for kids or parents 👣 Share your story at 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 Please subscribe, rate, and share this episode to support other families
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Choosing the Right Surgeon & The Future of Hypospadias Care (Part 2 with Dr. Bush & Dr. Snodgrass)
09/15/2025
Choosing the Right Surgeon & The Future of Hypospadias Care (Part 2 with Dr. Bush & Dr. Snodgrass)
What questions should you really ask before choosing a surgeon for your child? In this powerful continuation of our conversation with Dr. Nicol Corbin Bush and Dr. Warren Snodgrass, two of the world’s leading pediatric urologists, we go deeper into what parents need to know about hypospadias repair. From asking about surgical success rates and reviewing before-and-after photos, to understanding why multiple surgeries are sometimes the best path forward, this episode offers parents both clarity and compassion. Dr. Bush and Dr. Snodgrass also share how they’re preparing the next generation of surgeons, building global training models, and expanding their nonprofit Operation Happenis to provide better community support for families navigating this diagnosis. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, dismissed, or unsure of where to turn, this conversation is a reminder that expert, heart-led care does exist, and it’s changing lives around the world. In this episode: The most important questions to ask when choosing a surgeon Why “good enough” should never be the standard for your child’s outcome How surgical success rates vary widely (and why parents should know this) Why multiple-stage repairs can mean better long-term results The role of mental health and therapy in supporting families How Dr. Bush and Dr. Snodgrass are training future surgeons and expanding Operation Happiness ✨ Learn more about today’s guests and their work: 👣 Share your story at 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 Please subscribe, rate, and share this episode to help us reach more families
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A Conversation with the World’s Leading Hypospadias Surgeons (part 1)
09/08/2025
A Conversation with the World’s Leading Hypospadias Surgeons (part 1)
What happens when you have the opportunity to interview the surgeon who changed the future of not only your own child's life, but thousands of others? In this special episode, Johanna and Peter speak with Dr. Warren Snodgrass and Dr. Nicol Corbin Bush — leading pediatric urologists specializing in hypospadias repair, co-directors of the Hypospadias Specialty Center, and Founders of Operation Happenis, a non-profit dedicated to education and awareness of penile birth defects. But this isn’t just about surgical techniques. It’s about hope, trust, and the human side of medicine when your child’s diagnosis feels overwhelming. They discuss why they left traditional hospital settings to create a specialty center, the truth about how “common” hypospadias really is, and why parents deserve more transparency, compassion, and clarity than they often receive. Whether you’re just beginning your child’s medical journey or searching for the best path forward, this episode offers expert insight and the reassurance that you are not alone. In this episode: How Dr. Snodgrass pioneered techniques that reshaped hypospadias repair worldwide Why most pediatric urologists only see a handful of cases each year The critical difference between “common” and “rare” in pediatric diagnoses Why choosing a surgeon who specializes matters more than most families realize How compassionate care can ease the fear of surgery days Learn more about Dr. Snodgrass and Dr. Bush and their work: 💬 “No birth defect is common when it’s your child.” 👣 Share your story at 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 Please subscribe, rate, and share this episode to help us reach more families
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What About Our Other Son?
09/01/2025
What About Our Other Son?
A diagnosis rarely impacts just one person. It can ripple through an entire family and take a toll on everyone. In this episode, Johanna and Peter open up about one of the unseen sides of medical parenting that many face: the impact on siblings. From juggling travel for surgeries to trying to keep routines normal, they share the highs and lows of raising one child with medical needs while protecting the heart of their older son. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance being fully present for one child in crisis without losing connection to the others, this episode will meet you there with honesty, hope, and solidarity. In this episode: How medical needs affect siblings and family dynamics Why support systems (grandparents, friends, childcare) are essential The emotional pull of protecting two children in different ways Creating normalcy for siblings through routines and rituals Reflections on what they’d do differently and what they wouldn’t change 💬 “To every parent living with their heart in two places at once - you are doing enough.” 👣 Share your story at 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 If this episode resonates, please subscribe + leave a review
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Bigger Than One Diagnosis: Why This Podcast Exists
08/25/2025
Bigger Than One Diagnosis: Why This Podcast Exists
Born for This Stories started with one diagnosis, but this movement is about so much more. In this heartfelt episode, Johanna and Peter pull back the curtain on the why behind the podcast. What began as a story about their son’s rare condition has quickly evolved into a mission to support all parents navigating unexpected diagnoses, medical systems, and the silent grief no one prepares you for. Whether your child’s journey has a name or you're still searching for answers, this episode is for every parent who’s ever felt alone, overwhelmed, or dismissed in the process of advocating for their child. In this episode: The bigger mission behind Born for This Stories Why we’re not just talking about hypospadias Common threads across rare conditions, delays, and birth trauma Why asking more questions doesn’t make you difficult, it makes you a strong parent How to share your story (even anonymously) and help someone else process and heal 💬 “Maybe your trauma doesn’t have a diagnosis. But if you’ve ever Googled in the dark or felt unseen in a doctor’s office, this space is for you.” 👣 Submit your story at 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 Please subscribe, rate, and share this episode to help us grow this movement
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Surgery, Sterile Rooms, and Sleepless Nights
08/18/2025
Surgery, Sterile Rooms, and Sleepless Nights
Handing your baby over to a surgical team is not in the parenting handbooks. In this powerful episode, Johanna and Peter take you inside one of the hardest days of their lives — the day of their son’s first surgery. From managing a fasting six-month-old, to sitting in the waiting room desperately trying not to think the worst, to holding him again once he woke up from anesthesia, this is a glimpse into what it’s like to parent through the unimaginable. If you’re facing a pediatric surgery or supporting someone who is, this episode offers honesty, hope, and the reminder that you're not alone. In this episode: Preparing a baby (and yourself) for major surgery What it’s like to wait while your child is under anesthesia The emotional weight of seeing your child post-op Why support systems are everything How healing begins for both the child and the caregiver 💬 “You will get through it. One breath, one moment at a time.” 👣 Share your story at 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 If this episode resonates, please subscribe + leave a review
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When Holistic Meets Hospital: Choosing Both Worlds
08/11/2025
When Holistic Meets Hospital: Choosing Both Worlds
What happens when your holistic lifestyle collides with a medical reality you can’t ignore? In this vulnerable episode, parents Johanna and Peter share what it was like to step into a world they had spent years intentionally avoiding. After a lifetime of natural remedies, chiropractic care, and avoiding unnecessary interventions, their son's diagnosis forced them to make impossible choices and find a way to merge their values with the care he needed. Whether you're a holistic parent feeling blindsided by a medical diagnosis or searching for ways to support your child through surgery without losing your values in the system, this episode offers hope, solidarity, and practical tools. In this episode: The internal conflict of choosing surgery in a holistic home How Johanna's childhood shaped her path toward natural healing What they did to support their son through anesthesia and recovery Hyperbaric oxygen, red light therapy, and other natural healing tools 💬 “Trust yourself to find the path that feels right for your family. Keep questioning, keep learning, and know that choosing both worlds doesn't mean compromising who you are.” 👣 Share your story at 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 If this episode resonates, please subscribe + leave a review
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The Day Everything Changed
08/04/2025
The Day Everything Changed
When Johanna and Peter’s son was born, they were immediately met with the unexpected: a rare congenital diagnosis they had never heard of. This is the raw, vulnerable story of what came next. From a home birth to navigating dismissive doctors, terrifying decisions, and finding their voice as holistic-minded parents, this episode lays the foundation for the entire Born for This Stories movement. Whether you’re parenting through the unimaginable or searching for a sign that you're not alone, you’ve found it. In this episode: Their son being diagnosed and what came next Why they chose the long road over the "easy" one The emotional toll of medical decision-making Building a supportive space for families like yours 💬 “You were never meant to carry this alone. You were born for this.” 👣 Share your story at 💛 Follow us on Instagram @bornforthestories 🙏 If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe and leave a review
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Welcome to Born For This Stories [Trailer]
06/26/2025
Welcome to Born For This Stories [Trailer]
This is Born For This Stories — the podcast for parents who never thought they'd be medical advocates, but became experts by necessity. Each week, we share raw, real stories from families navigating rare diagnoses, surgeries, and healing — blending holistic hope with practical insight. You're not alone. Whether you're in the hospital, researching at 3 a.m., or just trying to hold it together, you were born for this. Subscribe now to join the movement.
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