In this conversation, Katelyn McMahan speaks with Amelia Woods, a fellow heart mom and founder of Heart Like a Mother. They discuss Amelia's son Henderson's journey with congenital heart defects, the importance of community support for parents navigating medical motherhood, and the creation of her children's book, 'A Boy Born Brave.' Amelia shares her mission to advocate for families facing similar challenges living in locations where you have to travel for surgical intervention. She talks about the significance of emotional and financial support during difficult times, which led to her mission in creating the Heart Like a Mother Foundation, that provides resources for families in their surrounding area and community to help cover gift cards for travel expenses, food or other resources for families in similar situations. 

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In this conversation, host Katelyn McMahan speaks with Dr. Jennifer Cropp about her personal journey with her son's heart condition and the importance of building connections in pediatric care. They discuss navigating the complexities of healthcare for medically complex children, the significance of continuity of care, and the need for parents to advocate for their child's health. Dr. Cropp shares insights on preparing for school, fostering independence in children, and the mental health challenges faced by caregivers. They conclude the episode talking about the importance of finding respite to avoid burnout.

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Cactus Bloom Pediatrics Website

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In this conversation, Katelyn sits down with Hannah Keime from HeartCharged. Hannah Keime was unexpectedly diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) her first month of high school. A year later, she received an implanted defibrillator due to the severity of her condition. Within months, it saved her life when she went into sudden cardiac arrest in her sleep. Hannah created the organization HeartCharged with her sister, Bethany, who also has HCM and an ICD. They have won a number of awards and international recognition in pursuit of their mission to offer patient-to-patient support and end preventable deaths. They discuss the realities of life with 

Follow Hannah on Instagram @HeartCharged which is their welcoming and responsive hub. You will find a real and raw look at life with cardiomyopathy. 

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In this  episode, Katelyn McMahan and her husband recount their transformative journey to Boston Children's Hospital for a life-saving in utero procedure for their daughter Goldie, who was diagnosed with congenital heart defects. They share the emotional rollercoaster of preparing for the procedure, the chaos of travel logistics, and the overwhelming support from family and the CHD community. The couple reflects on the significance of their experience, the medical advancements that made it possible, and the hope it brings for Goldie's future.

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In this conversation, Katelyn McMahan sits down with Mary Jenner, a former pediatric oncology nurse and the owner of The Butterfly Pig, a company dedicated to creating medical toys that make healthcare more child-friendly. They discuss the importance of play in pediatric healthcare, the journey that led Mary to starting this business, and the various ways The Butterfly Pig supports families and healthcare systems. The conversation highlights the significance of representation in medical play and the role of community in navigating medical journeys. 

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In this episode, host Katelyn McMahan interviews her father, Steve, about his experiences growing up with congenital heart defects (CHD). They discuss the medical challenges he faced, the advancements in cardiac care over the years, and the emotional impact of living with a chronic condition. The conversation also touches on the generational aspects of CHD, the importance of advocacy for patients, and the role of faith and family support in navigating these challenges. Steve shares his reflections on his childhood, the bond he shares with his granddaughter Goldie, who also has CHD< and offers advice to parents and caregivers of children with similar conditions. 

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In this conversation, Lauren Celeskey Bednarz shares her journey living with a congenital heart defect, specifically a single ventricle condition. She discusses her early diagnosis, the challenges of growing up with a heart condition, the dynamics with her siblings, and the importance of mental health advocacy. Lauren emphasizes the need for support within the CHD community and how she finds hope despite the challenges she faces. Her story serves as an inspiration for others navigating similar journeys.

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In this conversation, Katelyn sits down with Sarah Michelle Boes, who shares her journey as a mother of a child with congenital heart defects. Sarah discusses the unexpected diagnosis of her daughter, the emotional and psychological challenges she faced, including grief and guilt, and the complexities of navigating the healthcare system as both a parent and a medical professional. 

The conversation highlights the importance of advocacy, the realities of living with a heart condition, and the balance between being a caregiver and a healthcare provider. In this conversation, Sarah and Katelyn discuss the complexities of navigating congenital heart disease (CHD) as parents. They emphasize the importance of collaboration with medical teams, the balance between hope and realism, and the emotional challenges faced by families. They also highlight the significance of advocacy and community support in improving outcomes for children with CHD, sharing personal experiences and insights on mental health and resilience.

Conquering CHD Website

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In this episode, host Katelyn McMahan shares her personal journey as a mother to Goldie, who was diagnosed with congenital heart defects during pregnancy. She discusses the emotional impact of the diagnosis, the medical complexities involved, and the various surgical pathways available. Katelyn emphasizes the importance of community support and the need for open conversations about the challenges faced by families with medically complex children. The episode aims to provide hope and resources for those navigating similar journeys.

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This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

This podcast is about Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), complex medical journeys, parenting through uncertainty and the deep resilience of walking through big life changes. 

Hosted by Katelyn McMahan, a mom to three girls whose life was changed in an instant when she found out her youngest daughter had complex cardiac abnormalities. She went searching to hear about kids with a similar diagnosis and wanted to see the life they were living. She didn’t want the curated, polished stories so she could prepare her heart for the good, bad and ugly. 

This podcast does just that and highlights conversations from individuals, parents, medical providers, and others navigating the very real and overwhelming world of congenital heart defects and other medical complexities. You’ll hear honest conversations, practical advice and space to feel seen and understood.