From The Heart: The HeartKids Podcast

Welcome to From the Heart: 2024 Wrapped! As we close off the end of this year, we're bringing you some fan favourite episodes of From the Heart, season 3. Here is Encore #2 - Kate Strickland, Child Life Therapist. Kate is a Child Life Therapist, who works in the community with children - one of the first Child Life Therapists to work outside of a hospital framework. Sami and Kate chat about h...

Welcome to From the Heart: 2024 Wrapped! As we close off the end of this year, we're bringing you some fan favourite episodes of From the Heart, season 3. Here is Encore #1 - Elijah's Story Elijah, a proud Kamilaroi/Wiradjuri man, shares his remarkable journey living with childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD) with our host, Tahnee Jash. Elijah works as an Indigenous Liaison Officer for th...

In this episode of "From the Heart," join our host, Sami, for a catch-up conversation with podcast producer,  Mel. Mel and Sami chat about Sami's current pathway to seeking a diagnosis for her daughter, as well as updates from all the incredible events and outcomes from HeartKids for the year. HEARTKIDS From The Heart is brought to you by HeartKids, the only national not-for-profit...

In this episode of "From the Heart," join our host, Sami, for a conversation with Amy Heafield. Many families who have spent time at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne will have crossed paths with Amy; Amy is a Support Coordinator with HeartKids, and a parent to a heart teen. Amy and Sami chat about what HeartKids Support looks like, the joys of supporting teens on teen camp...

In this episode of "From the Heart," join our host, Rachael, for a conversation with Jaden Dixon. Jaden is a 29-year-old from Brisbane who was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). Jaden studied social work and now works for Queensland Health.  Listen in as Rachael and Jaden discuss their heart journeys, Jaden's involvement with HeartKids, the importance of connecting wi...

In this episode of "From the Heart," join our host, Sami, for a conversation with Wes McDougall. Wes is a heart adult, who has a stunning career as a racing engineer – now working with Supercheap Auto as chief engineer, as well as an instructional coach for his own business, the Complete Race Driver. Wes and Sami connect about his experiences growing up as a heart kid, surgery as an adul...

In this episode of "From the Heart," join our host, Rachael, for a conversation with Audrey Keillor. Audrey is a 19-year-old heart adult, who was born with Tetralogy of Fallot.  Audrey and Rachael connect over their experiences as young adults with CHD, transitioning to adult care, and the importance of community and connecting with peers. HEARTKIDS From The Heart is brought to you by He...

In this episode of "From the Heart," join our host, Sami, for a conversation with Danielle Green. Danielle is a mother to two children, Sonny and Airlie, who have both passed away due to a rare genetic condition known only as PPA2. Sami and Danielle chat about Danielle and her husband Leon's journey with this extremely rare condition, advocating for genetic testing and counselling,...

In this episode of "From the Heart," join our host, Sami, for a conversation with Kate Strickland. Kate is a Child Life Therapist, who works in the community with children - one of the first Child Life Therapists to work outside of a hospital framework. Sami and Kate chat about how to prepare a child for surgery, what to expect, and how to process the event after families return home. Ka...

In this episode of From the Heart , host Rachael chats with Emma Psaros, a 25-year-old who has grown up with congenital heart disease (CHD). Emma shares her journey of managing her heart condition while leading a balanced and full life. Emma discusses her transition from paediatric to adult care, the importance of open communication with healthcare professionals, and the support she receives from...

In this episode of From the Heart, Rachael sits down with Laura Achilles, a heart adult living with congenital heart disease (CHD). Laura, an actor in her 30s, shares her journey of growing up with CHD, moving from the UK to Australia, and navigating a new healthcare system on her own. She opens up about the challenges and triumphs of managing her mental health, dealing with grief after losing a f...

Join our host Rachael Knowles as she chats with Jeremy Richardson, an adventurous adult in his 30s living with truncus arteriosus. Jeremy leads an active life filled with travel, a passion for the snow fields, and has a family history connected to the origins of HeartKids. Tune in to hear about Jeremy's journey from growing up in South Australia to moving overseas to pursue a videography care...

In this episode of From the Heart, Elijah, a proud Kamilaroi/Wiradjuri man, shares his remarkable journey living with childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD) with our host, Tahnee Jash. Elijah, now 24, works as an Indigenous Liaison Officer for the Department of Infrastructure in Meanjin (Brisbane). Diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with VSD at birth, Elijah has faced numerous challenges and undergone...

In this episode of From the Heart, Tahnee Jash is joined by Erin Ferguson, a dedicated paediatric Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) clinical nurse consultant from the Happy Heart Clinic in Far North Queensland. Erin discusses her team's efforts to improve healthcare experiences for young patients with RHD, focusing on their practical and supportive approaches. Learn about the strategies that are...

In this episode, Rachael chats to Sarah Purdom, a wonderful heart adult who is not only navigating life with a heart condition (Transposition of the Great Arteries (DTGA) and pulmonary stenosis) but is also excelling in her academic and personal pursuits. Sarah is currently in her Honours year in Geology at the University of Tasmania, where she has been exploring the origins of gold within granite...

In this episode, meet CJ , a 17-year-old from Melbourne, Victoria, who shares his experiences of growing up with bicuspid aortic valve. Tune in to hear CJ's story, how he managed his surgeries, and finds positivity through art and support through friends and community. CREDITS Host: Rachael Knowles Guest: CJ Gagliardi Producer:  Becky Oakley HEARTKIDS From The Heart is brought to you by Heart...

Welcome to a very special episode of the HeartKids From The Heart. n this episode Rachael chats with Amber Adamson, a dedicated Clinical Nurse Consultant at Prince Charles Hospital, who specialises in Adult Congenital Heart Disease. Before the episode was recorded, we put out a call on social media for young people and adults to submit questions to be answered on air, and you responded with though...

In this episode of "From the Heart," join our host, Sami, for a conversation with Matt Tognini. Matt is the father of a heart kid, Alessandra, who was born with a complex congenital heart condition. Sami and Matt chat about the impacts of flying across the country for heart surgery, the parent perspective of the process of transition from paediatric care to adult care, and supporting his...

In this episode of "From the Heart," join our host, Sami, for a conversation with Missing School CEO Megan Gilmour. Sami and Megan chat about the impact of periods of absence from school, for those with critical health concerns. Megan takes us through initiatives that Missing School can put in place, or connections to additional supports, that assist kids who are experiencing loneliness,...

In this episode of "From the Heart," join our host, Sami, for a conversation with HeartKids CEO Lesley Jordan. Sami and Lesley chat about congenital heart disease, as well as the term Childhood-onset Heart Disease (CoHD) and what this means. Lesley gives us a quick catch-up on all things CoHD for new listeners, and takes us through some exciting upcoming events. Be sure to stick around a...

This summer (in Australia!), we're bringing you some fan favourite episodes of From the Heart Season 2, 2023! Here is Encore #3 - Genetic Counselling with Laura Yeates. Laura is a cardiac genetic counsellor and current PhD candidate with research projects focusing on inherited cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia. In this episode, Laura talks about what genetic counselling is, who can access it, and...

This summer (in Australia!), we're bringing you some fan favourite episodes of From the Heart Season 2, 2023! Here is Encore #2 - Matt Nelson's Story Matt has been touched by childhood heart disease (CHD) as both a husband and a father. Matt’s first wife Tina passed away in 2013 due to complications from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Two of Matt’s sons also live with this condition.  In t...

This summer (in Australia!), we're bringing you some fan favourite episodes of From the Heart Season 2, 2023! Here is Encore #1 - Eve's Story Eve is a 23-year-old from Melbourne who lives with a congenital heart condition. Eve is a keen skier, ice hockey player and cold water swimmer! In this episode, Eve talks about how having a heart condition has impacted her body image and relationsh...

In this episode of "From the Heart," join our host, Rachel, for a special conversation with Jaidyn Stephenson, North Melbourne AFL Player, and dedicated HeartKids Ambassador. Rachel and Jaidyn discuss navigating his heart condition and achieving success in his AFL career. Tune in as Jaidyn shares insights into the special bond he has forged with HeartKids. HEARTKIDS From The Heart is bro...

On this episode of From The Heart, we’re getting to know Monica Tolic – a heart teen from Adelaide who recently finished her last day of high school! With big goals in sight for her future, Rachael chats to Monica about growing up with a heart condition and managing through the highs chool years. Monica shares her thoughts on mental health, creating balance and becoming independent with her heart...