(00:00:00) A Lifelong Patient’s Reality

(00:01:16) What Triggers Pre-Op Anxiety

(00:04:10) Frank’s OR Calm And Clear Words

(00:09:05) Hypnotic Rapport And Familiar Voices

(00:14:45) Music Therapy Tools That Work

(00:24:25) Therapy Dogs And Instant Relief

(00:31:05) Regulation Biology Oxytocin And Stress

(00:38:35) Breathing Cues Control And Consent

(00:45:00) Listener Stories Trauma And Agency

(00:54:45) Producer Takeaways Everyday Calm Skills

(00:57:05) Resources Next Topic And Community

The moments before anesthesia can feel like your body is betraying you: racing heart, shaky hands, spiralling thoughts, and that terrible sense that you’ve lost control. We want to change what those minutes feel like. Anna Jaworski and Nicholle Bilodeau sit down with a panel that understands both the science and the lived reality of medical fear, especially for people who face repeat procedures through congenital heart disease and other chronic conditions.

Frank Jaworski, a nurse anesthetist with hypnotherapy training and the parent of a CHD patient, explains how calm starts with communication. He talks about choosing the right level of detail, avoiding frightening language, and using voice, eye contact, and orientation, so waking up is less disorienting.

Kathleen Brown, a board-certified music therapist, breaks down what music therapy actually does neurologically and emotionally, from regulating breathing tempo to engaging memory and attention in ways that reduce anxiety.

Dr .Kate Lund, a clinical psychologist, shares how therapy dog visits with Wally at Seattle Children’s Hospital can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, spark connection, and bring real relief to patients, families, and even hospital staff.

We also open the floor to listener stories about medical trauma, PTSD, and the power of agency, whether that looks like singing along to music during a procedure or asking a clinician to change positioning so you can see what’s happening. If you’re searching for pre-op anxiety tips, coping skills before surgery, or compassionate tools for patients and caregivers, this conversation offers options you can actually use. Subscribe, share with someone facing a procedure, and leave a review with your go-to calming strategy.






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(00:00:00) Welcome!

(00:02:06) A Heart Dad Chooses Hope

(00:04:14) Demi's Miracle Through Music

(00:08:23) Coping with Trauma Through Faith

(00:11:48) Why Men's Mental Health Matters

(00:15:11) CHD Resources and Listener Email

(00:16:02) Community Questions on Resilience

(00:18:58) Parenting From Across the Country

(00:26:04) Gratitude Survivor Guilt Therapy

(00:31:15) How to Support "Tested Love"

(00:34:20) Panel Reactions from CHD Community

(00:41:37) Siblings and the Hidden Grief

(00:48:45) Connection as the Core Takeaway

(00:53:59) Closing and Where to Find Us

Three days to live is the kind of sentence that splits life into before and after. Heart dad Danny Espinoza takes us back to the fear of an in utero diagnosis, the pressure to give up, and the choice to keep going anyway. Fifteen years later, his daughter Demi is still here after tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia, MAPCAs, 13 open heart surgeries, ECMO, and a level of medical trauma that most families can barely imagine.

Filmmaker Sara-Jane Walsh joins us to share why she’s making Tested Love, a short documentary that focuses on fatherhood, faith, and mental health in the congenital heart disease community. We talk about how music can become a lifeline, how community support turns isolation into connection, and why honest storytelling can reach far beyond the hospital walls.

We also name what often stays unspoken: depression, anxiety, PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and the stigma around men seeking help. Danny shares what therapy changed for him, how he learned to advocate by asking hard medical questions, and what it means to show your kids that it’s okay to cry while still refusing to quit.

If you’ve ever lived through the cardiac ICU, supported someone with CHD, or wondered how families rebuild after crisis, this conversation is for you. Subscribe for more congenital heart conversations, share this with a heart family who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

Link to Here's Heart Hope Project: https://bit.ly/47Kf7q0

Here's Hope Project Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/hereshopeproject

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In the first episode of Season 4, Anna Jaworski announces that The CHC Podcast: Congenital Heart Conversations has been reintroduced as Congenital Heart Chronicles after listener voting. This reflects the show’s focus on lived-experience stories and improved discoverability. Anna is joined on video by core volunteers Annie Ulchak (hypoplastic left heart syndrome Fontan patient), Ayrton Beatty (bereaved sibling with drug-induced long QT syndrome), and Nicholle Bilodeau (bicuspid aortic valve diagnosed at 44 with surgery a week later) to discuss the rebrand’s goals, risks, and minimal changes to content and format. They preview 2026 episodes on menopause, gratitude, CHD documentary “Tested Love,” dog therapy, music therapy, hypnotherapy, stroke awareness, emotional transitions, caregiving, World Heart Day, and nonprofits, and share ways to volunteer, sponsor, or join the Hearts Unite the Globe community.



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(00:00:00) Introduction and Episode Overview

(00:00:17) Meet the Hosts and Co-Producer

(00:01:04) Introducing Today's Guests

(00:03:34) Misconceptions About Hospice Care

(00:06:14) Psychological Perspectives on Hospice

(00:09:32) Palliative Care for Children

(00:17:59) Communicating with Children About Death

(00:22:19) Balancing Emotional, Spiritual, and Physical Needs

(00:24:30) Changing Society's Approach to Death

(00:31:46) Navigating Uncertainty with Congenital Heart Defects

(00:35:05) Small Acts of Kindness

(00:35:49) Learning from Life's Experiences

(00:36:04) Hope and Quality of Life

(00:36:34) Acknowledging Life's Realities

(00:37:26) Panelists' Closing Remarks

(00:38:09) Heartwarming Stories and Resources

(00:39:01) End of Life Care Discussion

(00:39:50) Importance of Acceptance and Preparation

(00:40:59) Personal Experiences with End of Life

(00:44:34) Role of Medical Professionals

(00:53:08) Children and End of Life Conversations

(00:58:37) Final Thoughts and Takeaways

(01:03:10) Upcoming Changes and Farewell

In this heartfelt episode of The CHC Podcast: Congenital Heart Conversations, hosts Anna Jaworski and Annie Ulchak, both deeply connected to the congenital heart defect community, delve into the sensitive topic of end-of-life care. Joined by expert panelists, including pre-planning specialist Rosa Hernandez, mental health professional Dr. Michael Groat, and palliative care nurse Maureen Groden, they explore misconceptions about hospice care, the psychological and emotional aspects of end-of-life discussions, and the importance of normalizing conversations about death. Personal stories, practical advice, and a focus on honest communication provide listeners with valuable insights into navigating these challenging times.

Maureen Groden's book is entitled, When a Loved One is Dying: Conversations about Care, Connection, and Coping. Available at Amazon, Bookshop, and Barnes & Noble.



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In this powerful episode of The CHC Podcast: Congenital Heart Conversations, host Anna Jaworski and co-host Ayrton Beatty honor Trans Awareness Month by delving into the intersection of congenital heart defects (CHD) and trans identities. Featuring heartfelt discussions with three unique guests—Hope Jaworski, Helen, and Kai Ayscue—the episode sheds light on the challenges faced by those living with CHD while navigating their gender identities. The episode also highlights the emotional and psychological impacts, including medical trauma, and the importance of support from both family and healthcare providers. With raw and inspiring stories, this episode aims to foster greater understanding and awareness within the CHD and broader communities.



Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-chc-podcast-congenital-heart-chronicles--5779157/support.

In the 10th episode of season three of The CHC Podcast: Congenital Heart Conversations, host Anna Jaworski and co-host Ayrton Beatty discuss the importance of understanding CPR and sudden cardiac arrest.

Guests Ben Weisbuch, a survivor of 135 sudden cardiac arrests and founder of the Heart Hope Foundation, and Dr. John Rogers, a cardiologist specializing in heart rhythm disorders and advocate for CPR and AED education, join them.

The episode explores Ben's astonishing survival story, the genetic discovery linked to his condition, the latest advances in prevention and treatment, and the critical role of community awareness and education in saving lives.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-chc-podcast-congenital-heart-chronicles--5779157/support.

In this episode of The CHC Podcast: Congenital Heart Conversations, co-hosts Annie Ulchak and Ayrton Beatty discuss the significance of World Heart Day for the congenital heart defect (CHD) community. Featuring inspiring interviews with Raadhiyah Matthews and Belen Blanton, founders of Brave Little Hearts South Africa and Little Star of Bethlehem respectively, the episode explores their life's work in advocacy, support programs, and the unique challenges they face. From educational initiatives for children to critical care in resource-limited settings, tune in to learn about the global efforts to raise awareness and support for those affected by CHD.

Facebook: BraveLittleHeartsSAhttps://web.facebook.com/BraveLittleHeartsSA
LinkedIn: Brave Little Hearts South Africa
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brave-little-hearts-south-africa-611b35b9/?originalSubdomain=za
YouTube: Brave Little Hearts S. A.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqfb7gcR5ofGH-G7i4M1w5wEmail: [email protected]

Fundacion Estrellita de Belen: https://www.fedbhearts.org
Instagram @estrellitadbelen

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In this episode of 'The CHC Podcast Congenital Heart Conversations,' host Anna Jaworski, a heart mom to an adult with a single ventricle heart, is joined by her co-host Nicholle Bilodeau, who was born with a bicuspid aortic valve. The episode explores the unique challenges faced by individuals living with congenital heart disease (CHD) who are also married.
 
Two couples, Jason and Jen Crutchley, as well as Mark and Michelle DeRoo, share their stories of navigating marriage, medical uncertainties, and daily routines while dealing with CHD. They discuss how communication, mutual support, and understanding have helped them succeed as a couple. The episode also touches on the emotional and logistical aspects of living with CHD and provides strategies for maintaining intimacy and partnership during difficult times. Both couples offer insights and advice for newlyweds or couples beginning their journey together in the CHD community.

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Heart Stories: Triumphs and Trials of Multiple Transplants -- https://www.spreaker.com/episode/heart-stories-triumphs-and-trials-of-multiple-transplants--65819796 (featuring Jason Crutchley as a Co-Host)

Voices of Victory: Overcoming Congenital Heart Challenges -- https://www.spreaker.com/episode/voices-of-victory-overcoming-congenital-heart-challenges--58745010 (featuring Michelle DeRoo as a Guest)

Nurturing the Nurturers: Insights into CHD Caregiving -- https://www.spreaker.com/episode/nurturing-the-nurturers-insights-into-chd-caregiving--62573179 (featuring Mark DeRoo as a Guest)

The Pulse of Perseverance: Unveiling the Heart Transplant Experience -- https://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-pulse-of-perseverance-unveiling-the-heart-transplant-experience--59714311 (featuring Jason Crutchley as a Co-Host)

Transplantation in the CHD Community -- https://www.spreaker.com/episode/transplantation-in-the-chd-community--57464324 (featuring Jason Crutchley as a Co-Host)

Town Hall Meeting: Feeling Different -- https://www.spreaker.com/episode/town-hall-meeting-feeling-different--53698411 (featuring Jason Crutchley as a Guest)

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-chc-podcast-congenital-heart-chronicles--5779157/support.

In this episode of The CHC Podcast: Congenital Heart Conversations, co-hosts Annie Ulchak and Ayrton Beatty tackle the complexities of living with congenital heart disease combined with other rare conditions.

Special guests Hope Simmons, Scott Salvaggio, and Julia Mayfield share their personal stories and the unique challenges they face, from hospitalizations and multiple diagnoses to self-advocacy and forming supportive communities. The episode highlights the importance of understanding your own health conditions, advocating for proper care, and finding a supportive network.

The discussion also addresses common issues like ADHD, autism, and mental health, offering practical advice for navigating these layered health challenges. Join us for an enlightening conversation that aims to bring awareness and hope to those living with multiple rare conditions.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-chc-podcast-congenital-heart-chronicles--5779157/support.

(00:00:00) How Fathers Navigate the World of Congenital Heart Defects

(00:10:58) Advice for CHD Fathers

Fatherhood transforms when your child has a congenital heart defect—or when you're a heart warrior becoming a dad yourself. This powerful episode brings together fathers from across the CHD spectrum to share their journeys of strength, vulnerability, and unexpected wisdom.

Shaun Jones takes us through the harrowing early days with his son Ledger, who underwent his first open-heart surgery at just two weeks old. "I honestly feel incredibly blessed that I even get to celebrate Father's Day," he shares, describing how each milestone carries profound meaning in their household. His approach of taking "one day at a time" offers a blueprint for managing overwhelming uncertainty.

Joe Flowers provides the unique perspective of someone born with tricuspid atresia who became a father himself. Now facing heart failure at 44, he offers raw insights about emotional vulnerability: "I learned from a very early age to tough things out... and I just learned to shove that emotion down." His journey through addiction recovery has taught him the importance of allowing children to express their fears openly—something he wishes he'd experienced himself.

Frank Jaworski, father to 30-year-old Hope who was born with a single ventricle heart, shares how parenting a heart warrior reshaped his perspective: "When things happen that drive me crazy... I try to put them in perspective and say they're not in the hospital, they're not having open-heart surgery." As both a healthcare professional and a CHD dad, he emphasizes the value of understanding both the technical and emotional sides of your child's condition.

Throughout these conversations emerges a portrait of fatherhood marked by profound gratitude, unexpected strength, and the discovery that sometimes our greatest teachers are our children themselves. As Shaun poignantly observes about his son: "If my child can go through two open heart surgeries, he can do anything... I'm actually learning from him."

Listen now for insights that will transform how you think about fatherhood, resilience, and what it means to parent with your whole heart.






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