Empowering NICU Parents' Podcast

The Presence Study Toolkit is here—and it's more than a resource. It's a roadmap for transforming family-centered care in the NICU. In this episode of the Empowering NICU Parents Podcast, Nicole Nyberg is joined by Fabiana Bacchini, Executive Director of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation and internationally recognized family advocate, to share the remarkable story behind the Presence Study...

Beyond the NICU: How Small Moments Shape a Developing Brain How early experiences and neuroprotective care shape brain development and long-term outcomes What happens in the NICU does not end at discharge. In this episode, we take a deeper look at the lasting impact of NICU care and how early experiences shape a child’s brain development and long-term outcomes. While many are familiar with the maj...

In this episode, the roles are reversed. Nicole Nyberg steps out from behind the microphone and into the guest seat as she joins Martha Sharkey on the NICU Today Podcast to share the story behind Empowering NICU Parents — and the why that continues to guide her work. What begins as a conversation about Nicole’s journey into nursing and the NICU evolves into a deeply personal reflection on what hap...

An unexpected delivery at 23 weeks turned Martha Sharkey into a NICU parent overnight when her identical twin daughters were born far too soon. What followed was a journey through extreme prematurity, devastating loss, and the long road of uncertainty that reshaped her family forever. In this deeply moving episode, Martha shares key takeaways from their NICU journey and from building Today Is a Go...

Premature infants are incredibly resilient—but their journey can involve long-term health, developmental, and behavioral challenges that many parents aren’t told about. This episode explores these realities in depth, from respiratory and neurological risks to sensory and emotional impacts, along with the lasting effects the NICU can have on families. It’s a compassionate, empowering look at what l...

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month — a time to remember and honor the babies gone too soon and the families who carry their memory every day. The loss of a child changes everything — the world feels darker, and healing can feel impossible. But with time, love, and support, light begins to return. In this moving episode, Nicole sits down with her dear friend and fellow Neonatal Nu...

Born at 21 0/7 weeks’ gestation, Nash Keen is recognized as the youngest infant ever to survive. In this powerful follow-up to Episode 74, where his mother, Mollie, shared their family’s journey, listeners now hear from two of the neonatologists who cared for Nash at the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital—Dr. Patrick McNamara and Dr. Amy Stanford. The conversation explores what...

Born at just 21 0/7 weeks and weighing only 285 grams, Nash Keen entered the world with odds that were essentially nonexistent. Yet from his very first breath, he showed a will to live that defied every expectation. Refusing to give up on their son, Mollie Keen and her husband, Randall, made a life-changing decision to transfer to University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital—where an extrao...

In this episode of Empowering NICU Parents' Podcast, Elisa Doherty and Lisa Kleinz share practical strategies that care teams can use to promote breastfeeding during the “breastfeeding window”—along with ideas any hospital can adopt to better support families, even if they have not implemented  the Infant-Driven Feeding™ (IDF) Program. We then explore the powerful role of the Infant-Driven Feeding...

In this episode of Empowering NICU Parents, we dive into the critical role of infant feeding with Elisa Doherty and Lisa Kleinz. We explore the importance of truly listening to families about their feeding goals and the challenges of breastfeeding—even with healthy, full-term infants. Hear how Elisa’s innovative work led to the creation of a successful Infant Feeding Clinic, bridging the gap betwe...

What if one conversation could completely change how you advocate for your baby in the NICU?   In this episode of the Empowering NICU Parents Podcast , NICU mom and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Nicole Nyberg is joined by Dr. Melinda Elliott, neonatologist and Chief Medical Officer at Prolacta Bioscience. Together, they dive deep into the emotional and clinical realities of life in the NICU—highlig...

What happens when the person trained to understand trauma suddenly becomes the one living it? In this powerful episode, Dr. Michael Hynan—clinical psychologist, author, and NICU father—shares his personal story of his son’s premature birth and NICU stay, and how that experience forever changed his life and professional path. With honesty and insight, he reflects on what it truly means to be a NICU...

What does intentional care really look like in the NICU—and how does it shape outcomes for both infants and families? In this episode, we explore the importance of safe feeding practices, trauma-informed communication, and consistent caregiver support with Casey Lewis, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CNT, CLC, NTMTC, and Lisa Klein, MS, CCC-SLP, Director of Education at Dr. Brown’s Medical. Together, we unpac...

In this powerful episode honoring HIE Awareness Month, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Jessica Fulton shares the raw and emotional story of her son Bo’s birth — a delivery marked by unexpected complications that led to a diagnosis of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE).   Jessica opens up about what it was like to watch her own son become a critical patient in the very NICU where she had worked for...

A Cerebral Palsy diagnosis can bring a wave of emotions—especially for families who have already been through the NICU. In honor of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, this episode is dedicated to helping NICU parents feel more informed, supported, and empowered as they navigate the possibility or reality of CP. In this episode, we’ll talk through the different types of Cerebral Palsy, what can cause...

Jodie and Steve’s world shattered when they lost their son, Henry, while his twin, Adam, fought for survival in the NICU. Grieving in isolation due to COVID-19 restrictions, Jodie was separated from her husband, denied the comfort of loved ones, and forced to navigate unimaginable pain alone. In this raw and unfiltered episode, Jodie shares the agony of losing a child, the trauma of the NICU, and...

Torn apart by hospital restrictions, a family faced the unthinkable—choosing which baby to stay with, while knowing one might not survive. When Jodie and Steve Marks welcomed their twin boys in March 2020, they never imagined that hospital restrictions and a devastating diagnosis would force them to make an unthinkable choice—which baby they would each "choose" to stay with. What should have been...

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of the Empowering NICU Parents Podcast, host Nicole Nyberg dives deep into the profound and often unspoken challenges of prematurity. From the critical moments in the NICU to the lasting physical, emotional, and developmental impacts on children and their families, this episode sheds light on the full scope of the prematurity journey. Discover how preterm...

I’m honored to share a replay of my guest appearance on Mary Coughlin’s Care Outloud Podcast. Together, we dive deep into the personal and professional impact of my journey as a NICU parent after the premature birth of my son William at 23 weeks. We explore how that experience transformed my life, inspiring my dedication to family-centered care, trauma-informed care, and mental health support for...

In this episode, we sit down with Edward Steinhauser to discuss his son Cooper's 82-day journey in the NICU and how that experience inspired the creation of the Cooper Steinhauser Foundation. Edward shares the emotional challenges of NICU life, the importance of fathers taking an active role, and how he and his wife, Haley, turned their grief into a mission to support other NICU families. Discover...

Join us for a deeply moving and heartfelt episode as we welcome Edward Steinhauser to share his extraordinary journey of parenthood. Edward and his wife Haley, are the proud parents of their daughter Scotty and their son Cooper. Their path to parenthood has been marked by immense love, resilience, and profound loss. In this episode, Edward opens up about the challenges they faced, from multiple ro...

Listen to the Empowering NICU Parents' Podcast as we dive into the emotional challenges of having a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This episode explores the profound feelings of guilt, anxiety, and trauma that NICU parents face, and emphasizes the importance of seeking support. You will learn practical self-care strategies, hear expert insights, and find comfort in knowing you're...

Dive into the inspiring journey of Deidre, a mom of twins, on the latest episode of the Empowering NICU Parents’ Podcast! 🎙️ Join us as we explore her path through infertility, the emotional highs and lows of carrying twins, and the challenges of the NICU journey. As we celebrate National Multiple Birth Awareness Month, Deidre's story shines a light on the resilience and strength of families facin...

On the Empowering NICU Parents' Podcast, we are dedicated to supporting you through every step of your NICU journey. Hosted by NICU parent Nicole Nyberg, this episode is packed with essential tips and insights to ensure you're prepared each time you head into the NICU to spend time with your baby!   Drawing from her own experience of spending three months in the NICU, Nicole shares a comprehensive...

In this insightful podcast episode, we explore the challenges faced by families with infants in the NICU. Your host, Nicole Nyberg is an experienced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner and NICU parent, who shares insights from her personal experience along with anecdotes from other NICU parents. Join us as we explore ways to offer unwavering support through practical gestures of kindness, from meal trains...