Joy In The Journey

When our children are experiencing big feelings, it can be very tempting as a parent to try to do everything in our power to make our children feel better. But what if the best thing we could do for them is actually help them experience their emotions with confidence, rather than running away from them?

That is what Taes Leavitt, my guest on today's episode, has dedicated her life to: helping parents and children navigate their big feelings. Taes has been called the "new age Mr. Rogers" for her extensive work in children's entertainment, for which she has earned two Juno Awards (the Canadian version of the Grammys).

She has spent the last 15 years creating empowering television and stage content for kids and in more recent years she has shifted all of that research and experience to inspiring kids and parents through a project called the Big Heart Journey.

Her research has revealed that the biggest thing that holds people back is not knowing how to navigate big feelings such as bullying, failure, guilt, sadness, and heartbreak. And today, she shares valuable resources on how to identify and cope with those emotions, and how we can help our children navigate difficulties like medical journeys with confidence.

She also provides some great tools such as meditation videos for children you can start implementing with your kiddos today that have been shown to boost resilience and confidence, as well as reduce anxiety. And the best part, these tools are available for FREE! 😍

Key Takeaways with Taes Leavitt

• How Taes creates safe spaces for children and parents to address big feelings.
• Empowering kids to move confidently through their biggest feelings.
• Identifying the difficult feelings (guilt, shame, sadness) that may be holding you back and how to deal with them.
• How mindfulness practices can help boost resilience and reduce anxiety.
• Ideas for strengthening relationships between children and caregivers.
• Tools to help kids navigate difficult journeys.
• How unaddressed feelings can lead to disconnection.
• Strategies to help children regulate before medical treatments.
• Finding new roles in a community for children who feel like they don't fit in, or are getting bullied.

Show Notes:

Get Full Access to the Show Notes by visiting: MatteasJoy.org/53.

If you enjoyed today's episode of The Joy In The Journey, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device.

You can also help by providing an honest rating & review over on Apple Podcasts. Reviews go a long way in helping us build awareness so that we can impact even more people. THANK YOU!

Caring for a hospitalized child or teenager can feel like a scary and overwhelming experience, but being the hospitalized child or teenager can truly make you feel like you're missing out on real-world experiences.

Thankfully, there are wonderful people who are making a difference to create fun experiences for these families. I'm thrilled to introduce you to today's guest, George Hardin, as he shares all the wonderful work he does with hospitalized children and teenagers.

From hosting music festivals to bringing in therapy dogs, making stuffed animals, discussing sneaker styles, and much more, George truly exudes care, compassion, and joy in his work.

George is currently the manager of volunteer services and in-kind donations at La Rabida Children's Hospital in Chicago and has previously worked at Lurie Children's Hospital in a similar role. He has extensive experience in bringing joy and comprehensive family care to families all over Chicago and to his two little girls.

George shares some wonderful tips on supporting the patient and the family as they navigate hospitalizations. He offers advice on how to be of service to a family in need, and he brings a new perspective to asking doctors questions and staying informed. He also reminds us that supporting children goes beyond medical support, as the social and emotional aspects are just as important.

George's work is an excellent example of how easy it can be to bring a much-needed smile to someone's face and how giving back, and volunteering can be a powerful and gratifying experience. I hope this episode brings you joy, inspiration, and motivation to make a difference to those who need it in your community.

Key Takeaways with George Hardin

• The power of volunteer work and how you can make a difference.
• How George brings joy into the lives of hospitalized children.
• Providing mental health resources for children, teens, and young adults as outpatients.
• Comprehensive family care that also supports siblings and parents of hospitalized children.
• How to support as a family member: asking what the family needs and how to help.
• George's perspective on how to ask your doctors questions when you feel unsure or unclear.
• The importance of talking to hospitalized children about their interests, as they can get tired of only dealing with medical staff.

Show Notes:

Get Full Access to the Show Notes by visiting: MatteasJoy.org/52.

If you enjoyed today's episode of The Joy In The Journey, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device.

You can also help by providing an honest rating & review over on Apple Podcasts. Reviews go a long way in helping us build awareness so that we can impact even more people. THANK YOU!

After the lessons and connections my family experienced during our journey in the NICU with our daughter Mattea, I knew I wanted to be a part of the moving force that helps so many families in the NICU find their own strength and support.

Today's guest is Theresa Schreiber. Theresa also knows what it's like to spend time in the NICU and lose a baby, and she talks about how she transformed that loss in a beautiful way to give back to the NICU community.

For those that don't know, Theresa was a teacher for 15 years. She talks about how her experiences with the NICU staff would inspire her to become Family Support Program Coordinator through the March of Dimes, where she helps educate parents on their NICU journeys.

She shares many different resources available to parents as well as some of the areas of concern and how to address them. She reminds us of the importance of self-care as NICU parents and how finding connections within the NICU community can make the experience feel less daunting and intimidating.

You'll also hear great advice on celebrating milestones, overcoming setbacks, joining classes to get more information on how to care for your NICU baby, and dealing with the parental guilt of feeling joy and pain simultaneously throughout your journey.

Key Takeaways with Theresa Schreiber

• The best ways to support NICU parents during setbacks and heartbreak.
• Celebrate milestones, no matter how small, to help keep a positive outlook.
• How former NICU parents can offer support to current NICU parents.
• Family Support Programs and other helpful resources parents can use.
• The benefits of Kangaroo Time, Skin-To-Skin Bonding, and understanding the baby's development.
• How holidays look different while in the NICU and easy ways to celebrate them.
• The power of community and connection with other NICU parents.
• Dealing of the parental guilt of feeling joy and pain at the same time.

Show Notes:

Get Full Access to the Show Notes by visiting: MatteasJoy.org/51.

If you enjoyed today's episode of The Joy In The Journey, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device.

You can also help by providing an honest rating & review over on Apple Podcasts. Reviews go a long way in helping us build awareness so that we can impact even more people. THANK YOU!

There are very few things as powerful as the strength, courage, and resilience parents find when caring for their sick children. As Dr. Patrick Myers puts it, it is "mind-blowing" what families can do when thinking about their kids.

I thought a beautiful way to kick off 2023 would be to celebrate this bond that unites NICU families by inviting Dr. Patrick to share with us the biggest lessons he has learned and teaches, to help families navigate the NICU journey.

This episode is especially helpful for those of you currently in the NICU, or for extended family and friends who want to know how to best support their loved ones during this difficult journey.

Dr. Patrick Myers is the Fellowship Director of Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine at Lurie Children's Hospital at Northwestern University. I've known him since our daughter Mattea was born and I can tell you that his passion for nurturing the next generation of physicians to be caring, compassionate, and connected to their families is truly heartwarming.

Dr. Myers shares excellent advice on how to advocate for your children during their NICU stay, what he has learned from both parents and the babies he works with, and advice on how best to support each other through difficult times.

I have no doubt that his work will certainly lead to a new generation of doctors that are not just excellent practitioners, but also indispensable emotional support for families. I hope you find this episode as inspiring as I did, and that hearing his advice will help you and your family feel more confident during your NICU stay.

Key Takeaways with Dr. Patrick Myers

• What you can expect from an unexpected stay at the NICU.
• How families find resilience and strength during difficult life changes.
• The miraculous adaptability and strength of NICU babies.
• No two NICU experiences are the same, but connecting with families in the NICU can make you feel less alone.
• Advice for family members & friends wanting to support their loved ones.
• The importance of rest and tag-teaming your NICU stay whenever possible.
• Tools to lessen the emotional burden of your stay.
• How to create a positive relationship with your medical team.
• How he's training the next generation of physicians to be better emotionally equipped.

Show Notes:

Get Full Access to the Show Notes by visiting: MatteasJoy.org/50.

If you enjoyed today's episode of The Joy In The Journey, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device.

You can also help by providing an honest rating & review over on Apple Podcasts. Reviews go a long way in helping us build awareness so that we can impact even more people. THANK YOU!

It's a new year and I thought there'd be no better way to start off 2023 than to introduce you to my good friend, Sarah Hemenover. Sarah and her family are such a breath of fresh air and a beautiful reminder that NICU experiences, while sometimes difficult, can have incredibly happy endings.

Sarah and her husband Matthew are the parents to three beautiful children, and I'm so grateful to have them in our community. Today, Sarah candidly talks about their NICU journey with their youngest daughter, Ava Jane. Ava Jane was born full term but due to complications at birth she had to be rushed to the NICU, where she spent the first two months of her life.

This unexpected medical emergency forced Sarah and her family to slow down and truly reevaluate their priorities. The experience taught them the power of relying on your community, letting others show up for your family, and spending time with "your humans''.

Her beautiful story has the happiest of endings because Ava Jane is a happy and healthy little girl who you'd never believe was once a miracle NICU baby.

Sarah shares incredibly helpful coping strategies for parents in the NICU, which include journaling in order to help you celebrate the little wins and put into perspective how far you've come. I hope this episode inspires you to look out for the small wins this new year!

Key Takeaways with Sarah Hemenover

• Reminders that while the NICU journey can be long and hard, it can also be beautiful and worthwhile.
• How hard challenges force us to stop, slow down, and reevaluate our priorities.
• Opening yourself up to help and support from your community.
• Coping strategies for sudden and unexpected medical emergencies.
• Journaling as a way to celebrate little wins and put hard moments into perspective.
• Taking the time to nourish your life and relationships outside of the hospital during your NICU stay.
• Managing the isolation that comes from being a (NICU) parent.

Show Notes:

Get Full Access to the Show Notes by visiting: MatteasJoy.org/49.

If you enjoyed today's episode of The Joy In The Journey, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device.

You can also help by providing an honest rating & review over on Apple Podcasts. Reviews go a long way in helping us build awareness so that we can impact even more people. THANK YOU!

The holiday season is always an incredible time to make wishes come true, but for Gina Cordes and Lisa Holt, it's their full-time job. I invited these wonderful ladies because they are real-life Fairy Godmothers. Together, they have granted 40 wishes for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with no plans of stopping anytime soon.

When we think of serving others, it's easy to focus on how it will benefit them and make their lives a little better. But as Gina and Lisa's stories will show you, helping our local communities can have an incredible impact and bring joy to everyone involved.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as they share how they became Wish Granters for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, what the process looks like, and how they help connect children and their families to their wishes. They also remind us that while medical teams typically refer children to Make-A-Wish, anyone can refer a child for a wish if they meet the requirements.

From making Disney trips come true, to connecting a child with their favorite YouTuber or giving a little girl a real ballerina experience, the stories these ladies share today are pretty tender and will pull at your heartstrings. But they are also extremely moving examples of how easy it can be to change the life of a local family simply by showing up and being there for them.

I hope you'll enjoy this episode as they have some great advice on ways to show up for anyone in need and spread some holiday spirit as we head into the new year.

Key Takeaways with Gina Cordes & Lisa Holt

• How serving others brings joy to everyone involved.
• How anyone can become a Make A Wish volunteer, and how the process works.
• Some of the inspiring stories of the beautiful wishes Gina & Lisa have granted.
• The magic of coming together as a community to support a family in need.
• Advice on how to support families during difficult times.
• Reasons not to sweat the small things in life, and truly appreciate what you have.

Show Notes:

Get Full Access to the Show Notes by visiting: MatteasJoy.org/48.

If you enjoyed today's episode of The Joy In The Journey, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device.

You can also help by providing an honest rating & review over on Apple Podcasts. Reviews go a long way in helping us build awareness so that we can impact even more people. THANK YOU!

Dave Blanchard, the Founder and CEO of the Og Mandino Group, has delivered over 500 powerful speeches everywhere from Boston to Budapest. And through them, he's made a rather heartbreaking discovery: everytime he asks his audience if they can remember the last time they truly felt heard and understood, only a few people actually raise their hand.

And the few people that did could vividly remember when that occasion was, even when it had already happened several years ago. But often, we forget how powerful it can be to listen to others, and in return truly feel heard.

I'm grateful to have this conversation with Dave so that he could provide valuable wisdom on how pain and suffering can be a gateway to being a gift in the lives of others, and help us navigate the hard challenges that can be thrown our way.

Through his work and three books, Dave helps people improve the neural pathways in their brains by creating new habits that will support them in the journey they desire. He reminds us that pain and suffering connects people, and that embracing it can help anyone, including parents navigating a journey with a sick child, feel less alone.

His best advice is that having empathy can truly set you free. He encourages those he works with to take feelings like pain, shame, or guilt, and use them to serve others.

Key Takeaways with Dave Blanchard

• How painful experiences can give you a unique ability to serve others.
• Embracing empathy and understanding as a tool for healing.
• Valuable techniques to change your negative thought patterns and habits.
• The powerful impact of listening to others.
• How helping others process their feelings can help us process our own.
• The effect of traumatic experiences on our ability to catastrophize and how to fix it.
• The importance of finding joy in the present moment.
• Letting your faith guide you in moments of adversity.
• Letting go of expectations in order to find true happiness.

Show Notes:

Get Full Access to the Show Notes by visiting: MatteasJoy.org/47.

If you enjoyed today's episode of The Joy In The Journey, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device.

You can also help by providing an honest rating & review over on Apple Podcasts. Reviews go a long way in helping us build awareness so that we can impact even more people. THANK YOU!

When the Bruno family was in the thick of it with their daughter Holly fighting through the final stages of her battle with cancer, their community wanted to help.

When Heidi was asked how they could help, she mentioned that they could help take care of some yard work that needed a little TLC as they were spending a lot of time at the hospital for Holly's treatments. What happened next was incredibly heartwarming and beautiful.

A few days later, 50 to 100 people showed up to their front yard and completely transformed it, going above and beyond anything that Heidi or her family could have ever imagined.

But this work was about so much more than their yard: it was an incredible outpouring of love from a community that just wanted to help and serve a family going through incredible hardship.

Since then, Holly's beautiful and brave spirit has been kept alive by her family, who have done everything to spread the message that "love is everywhere." This message, their battle cry, was created by Holly herself during one of her hospital stays. Despite everything she was going through, their little girl couldn't help but see the love and joy that surrounded her.

Creating space for parents who have lost a child to share their stories on this podcast has been the most fulfilling part of this project. And even though today's story is emotional, I hope this conversation will fill your cup with hope and gratitude. Heidi shares lessons about the power of serving others and letting others serve you.

I hope you'll enjoy hearing the beautiful story of Holly Bruno. The energetic, adventure-loving, and fiercely loyal little girl who lost her battle with a rare soft tissue tumor but started an incredible movement that has helped others see the joy in their journey.

Key Takeaways with Heidi Bruno

• Finding courage in listening to other people's medical journeys.
• How to cope when you receive heart-shattering news.
• Choosing to see that love is everywhere, even in the hardest moments.
• Learning to let people serve you during hard moments & the joy and love you receive from it.
• Rediscovering faith after going through a traumatic experience.
• Processing grief and helping siblings manage their emotions and feelings of loss.
• Creating space to remember the loved ones we've lost.
• How giving back and serving others can help you heal.

Show Notes:

Get Full Access to the Show Notes by visiting: MatteasJoy.org/46.

If you enjoyed today's episode of The Joy In The Journey, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device.

You can also help by providing an honest rating & review over on Apple Podcasts. Reviews go a long way in helping us build awareness so that we can impact even more people. THANK YOU!

In 2010, Banah left Syria with her 5 year old daughter Rama, and her 9 month old baby boy. Rama was diagnosed with Goldenhar Syndrome, and coming to the US for medical care was one of her only options.

But just a few months later a war broke out in Syria making it impossible for Banah and her children to her homeland. As a result, they started from scratch and have been in the US ever since.

The ability to introduce Banah and her daughter to each of you is one of the most beautiful privileges I've had on this show. Their story is one of resilience, positivity, strength, and an impressively unbreakable spirit.

Goldenhar Syndrome is a rare congenital condition characterized by abnormal development of the eye, and ear, which in Rama's case required jaw surgery. I first met them while volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House, when Rama had just had her first surgery.

One of the things that has remained in my heart, even after 12 years, is Banah's beautiful smile and incredible ability to always see the good in things. Even throughout Rama's multiple interventions and Banah herself getting diagnosed with cancer, they found the strength and resilience to keep going and get better.

Banah has since become an art teacher and a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, and has refused to let difficulties such as language barriers stop her from building a new life for her family.

In today's episode she shares her best advice on how to keep going when you run into a problem you can't solve, how giving back to the community helped her find joy and purpose, and how to support a child going through a difficult medical journey.

She reminds us that looking for happiness in the small things is always an option, and can truly help us stay strong and inspire our children to do the same. She chooses to take her life step-by-step, and I invite you to come listen to her inspiring story that will certainly leave you with a warm heart and a smile.

Key Takeaways with Banah Abourobeieh

• Banah's advice for staying positive and resilient through life's adversities.
• Finding the strength to rebuild a life from scratch in a new country.
• Advice on helping your child through their medical journey.
• How the Ronald McDonald House Charities help families in need.
• Giving back to the community as a source of inner strength and purpose.
• How staying in action can help you find solutions to your problems.
• How connecting with others going through a similar medical journey can inspire you to keep going.
• Using art and other forms of self-expression as an outlet for self-care.

Show Notes:

Get Full Access to the Show Notes by visiting: MatteasJoy.org/45.

If you enjoyed today's episode of The Joy In The Journey, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device.

You can also help by providing an honest rating & review over on Apple Podcasts. Reviews go a long way in helping us build awareness so that we can impact even more people. THANK YOU!

As parents, we try to shelter our children from as much pain and danger as possible. But for a parent of a child with Brittle Bone Disease (Osteogenesis Imperfecta), even something as soft as a carpet can lead to a broken bone.

Rachel Glad's son, Nathan, was diagnosed at birth with a severe form of this disease, which causes him to break a bone on a monthly basis (if not more) due to his bones being extremely fragile. But his family refused to let this diagnosis stop him from finding joy in his journey. Nathan has even started a TikTok account and is a source of inspiration for thousands of people.

Nathan doesn't let himself be defined by his disability. Instead, he lives every day like it's the best day ever. This family's unbreakable spirit is an excellent example of courage, gratitude, hope, and perseverance. In this episode, Rachel shares wonderful advice on how to face the challenges life can throw at you.

She talks about finding the courage to accept the things you cannot change, balancing a careful life with an adventurous one, helping your child heal, and finding community when challenges get too overwhelming.

Rachel also shares great advice on educating our children and addressing those with disabilities to promote curiosity instead of avoidance.

Her family went from being the ones asking the questions to becoming advocates and helpers for others with a disability, and Rachel is now a Parent Consultant at the Utah Parent Center (a country-wide resource designed to help parents navigate disabilities).

Rachel's family, especially her son Nathan, is a true testament to what it is like to have a brave heart while dealing with a difficult medical challenge like Brittle Bones Disease.

Key Takeaways with Rachel Glad

• How to keep a positive attitude through life's hardest challenges.
• The power of gratitude and appreciation for what we do have in life.
• Finding the courage to accept the things you cannot change.
• Strategies for finding community in support groups such as churches, charities, and other families.
• Educating children on how to ask questions and address someone in a wheelchair or with a disability.
• Becoming an ambassador and giving back to the community that helped you.
• Remembering that your child can also teach you a lot of lessons on resilience, gratitude, and strength.
• Filling your own cup as a caregiver, so that you have more to give to others.
• Nathan's formula to feeling better:
  • Be grateful for what you have
  • Focus on what you can do
  • Serve others in whatever way you can
  • Believe that today will be the best day ever

Show Notes:

Get Full Access to the Show Notes by visiting: MatteasJoy.org/44.

If you enjoyed today's episode of The Joy In The Journey, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device.

You can also help by providing an honest rating & review over on Apple Podcasts. Reviews go a long way in helping us build awareness so that we can impact even more people. THANK YOU!