In This Episode:

Katie Taylor goes off the beaten path in this special episode to share a profound moment of inspiration that struck her. This episode is a heartfelt message to child life specialists, students, and parents, emphasizing the importance of showing up as you are, without the burden of imposter syndrome.

Key Highlights:

• A Different Kind of Episode: Katie shares her spontaneous thoughts that came from a moment of inspiration, promising that the usual stories from the field and parental perspectives will return in future episodes.
• Message of Empowerment: The core message is about overcoming the misconception of imposter syndrome. It’s about recognizing that being in the room is an acknowledgment of one’s worth and contributions.
• Inspirational Source: Katie discusses insights gained from listening to Reshma Saujani, CEO of Girls Who Code, and her philosophy of bravery over perfection, which struck a chord with Katie in relation to the child life profession and parental involvement in healthcare.
• For Child Life Specialists: A call to recognize the value they bring to healthcare settings, emphasizing that healthcare teams are fortunate to have them participate.
• For Students: Encouragement to embrace their internships and opportunities without doubting their deservedness or capability.
• For Parents: An affirmation of the crucial role parents play when involved in their child’s care, emphasizing that their presence inherently improves the healthcare experience for their child.

Katie wraps up with a reminder of the importance of showing up authentically in every room you find yourself in, celebrating Child Life Month, and expressing gratitude to her listeners.

Resources and Next Steps:

• Visit Child Life On Call for resources tailored to parents, professionals, and healthcare providers.
• Explore opportunities for Child Life Specialists, including PDUs and support through the Child Life Circle.
• Parents can find a starter kit to navigate their child's healthcare journey.
• Healthcare professionals are invited to take a clinician course to enhance pediatric care skills.

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.

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