Special needs mom, Kelly Mantoan, a mother of five and advocate for families raising children with disabilities, gives some solid advice to parents. Two of her children have spinal muscular atrophy and she candidly shares the challenges, surprises, and moments of grace from her early NICU and diagnosis days, offering wisdom on friendship, confidence, faith, and what she wishes she'd known at the start.

💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker

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💚 Connect with the guest, Kelly Mantoan

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Music

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by a medical bill, this episode is for you. Jules Nowak—NICU parent and founder of The Medical Bill Academy—talks about the often-overlooked financial side of a NICU stay. From surprise bills to navigating insurance denials, Jules shares her personal journey through a 73-day NICU experience and the lessons that inspired her to help other families protect their financial health.

💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker

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💚 Connect with the guest, Jules Nowak

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🔗 to resources

4 Simple Steps to Save on Medical Bills

Dollar For

Episode 97: What you Need to Know about Medical Billing & Insurance ft. Kelley Coleman

Episode 98: Should I Pay that Medical Bill? ft. Marshall Allen

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Music

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this deeply moving episode, Amber Smith, wife to Granger Smith, shares her journey through unimaginable loss after the passing of her son River and how she found light in the midst of profound grief. We talk about honoring River's memory, navigating marriage and parenting through sorrow, and what healing really looks like—beyond clichés and expectations. Amber's honesty offers comfort, perspective, and hope to anyone walking through grief or supporting someone who is.

💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker

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💚 Connect with the guest, Amber Smith

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🔗to resources

Book: "The Girl on the Bathroom Floor"

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Music

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

NICU nurse and content creator Tori Meskin (aka Nurse Tori) sheds light on the unique role of NICU nurses and what families should really know during their baby's NICU journey. We talk about building trust in high-stress moments, common parent fears, and how nurses support both tiny patients and their loved ones through it all. Whether you're a current NICU parent or just want to understand more, this conversation offers honesty, insight, and hope.

💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker

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💚 Connect with the guest, Nurse Tori

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📺Socials 📺

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Music

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Twin and special needs mom Missy Haughery shares her journey of raising twins—one with Down syndrome—and the lessons she wishes she'd known from the start. She is as candid about the struggles, in parenthood and marriage, as she is about the lessons and the joy. It all helped shape the family she loves. If you've ever gotten a diagnosis that feels overwhelming, you'll be empowered by Missy's story of encouragement, perspective, and practical advice for parents navigating a similar path.

💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker

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💚 Connect with the guest, Missy Haughery

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🔗Links to resources

Do Right movie

The Bell Center of Alabama

Down Syndrome Alabama

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Music

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

The NICU and the military share common feelings of isolation, mental health challenges like PTSD, and dependence upon friends and co-workers for support. In this week's episode, NICU military mom Taneisha Stamps shares her experience of being in the NICU with her son while their family was on a military base, far from home and family. She tenderly shares her struggles, how they faced them and when she knew they needed to reach out for assistance and help. It's a powerful episode and an especially poignant one for every NICU military family.

💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker:

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📺Socials 📺

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Music:

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Professional photo organizer Miss Freddy addresses the emotional and logistical challenges of capturing and storing photos during a NICU stay. In this episode, we discuss what we wish we had known earlier—from organizing photos of hard days, how albums can minimize the trauma and magnify the good days so it feels manageable, not overwhelming. Miss Freddy shares how photos can be both a healing tool and a powerful way to honor a NICU journey.

💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker:

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💚 Connect with the guest, Miss Freddy:

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📺Socials 📺

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Music:

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Season 10 is here! What I Wish I Knew dives deep into the wisdom and hard-won life lessons parents and experts learned and now want to pass along to you. Our guest lineup includes a diverse group including a NICU nurse, pediatrician, special needs mom, bereaved mom, billing expert, birth trauma expert, twin mom, military NICU mom, and a professional photo organizer. Each episode highlights practical tips, emotional wisdom, and critical support for navigating life during and after a NICU stay. From understanding hospital bills to processing grief and trauma, season 10 brings honesty, empowerment and hope to NICU families. The guidance you wish you had from the start, is here.

💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker:

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📺Socials 📺

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Music:

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

As NICU parents, we're all healing from a trauma. So when today's guest, Savannah O'Malley, sought her own healing she found it in a beautiful place, her art. And that healing didn't just benefit her own stories but the stories of thousands more NICU families. Listen in as Savannah shared how her gift is helping other families feel seen, and loved.

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💚 Connect with the guest, Savannah O'Malley:

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📺Socials 📺

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Music:

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this episode, we sit down with Candace Blair Cronin, Ph.D.—a full-time working mom of four and a passionate advocate for children in the foster care system. From fostering and adopting to mentoring families and serving as a CASA, Candace shares her deeply personal journey and the many ways she's working to support vulnerable children and the families who care for them.

💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker:

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💚 Connect with the guest, Candace Cronin:

Instagram

📺Socials 📺

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Music:

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license