Nola Hawts

Happy Mardi Gras! Sue and Lana sat down to chat with their very own "heart mom squad crew" about how important it is to connect with other people who have been through what you have. All past podcast guests, Abigail , Ami & Caroline made for a fun episode full of laughs, tears and mom jokes.

Lana & Susan enjoyed talked with Letitia about her journey as a single ventricle patient, her journey into adulthood and how her faith has carried her through her CHD life.

Susan and Lana loved sitting around the table to chat with good friends, Abigail and Aaron Reller about their experience as CHD parents over the last 6 months. Abigail was interviewed in episode 38 about her experience as a pregnant CHD mom. We are happy to hear from dad  in this episode as well and learn how life has changed for them.  Abigail wants to share a great resource that helped her as we...

Lana and Susan eat, drink and chat about all of their amazing guests in 2022 on location at the Ruby Slipper in Old Metairie. As you know, "There's no judgement here...it's all about survival...CHEERS!" Thanks for another great year, y'all!

We loved chatting with Stephanie Fried, a 33 year "seasoned" CVICU nurse with Ochsner . She shared why she's so passionate in her role as a nurse.

Lana & Sue learned lots about anesthesiology in pediatric patients from our friend, Dr. Dominic Carollo with Ochsner. Check it out. 

Susan and Lana sat down to chat with Susan Timmins, a volunteer and board member of the Adult Congenital Heart Association . She shares with us, her experience as a CHD mom as well as the work she does with the ACHA. 

Janelle Foligno sat down to chat with us about her CHD warrior, Milana. Married to Nick Foligno , professional hockey player with the Boston Bruins, the couple started a foundation to raise funds and awareness of CHD. Janelle talks about her book, The Hearts Playbook and how to purchase it so other CHD kids can benefit from it. 

We sat down to chat with Kate Hecker Coreil about her role as a Jefferson Parish Public School Early Interventionalist  with Early Steps of Louisiana . Plenty of resources out there to offer to CHD or any special needs kids if they qualify for services. 

We had a great conversation with David Hebert, ECMO Coordinator at  Children’s Hospital of New Orleans.  We learned all about ECMO and he answered questions that many of us have probably never thought of.  Check it out. 

Laura Ogden share her family's CHD story and how her son Nash's diagnosis led her to her outreach role with Conquering CHD Louisiana. 

Jon Pierre & Ami Pastorek sat down with us to talk about what it's like being heart parents to 1 year old, August. Jon Pierre also shares his experience as a CHD patient as well and what that's meant for him as August's dad.

Sue and Lana sat down with Dana Kimble of SCRATCHgolf where they learned about an amazing program being offered to local CHD patients. Learn more about this program and how you can get your CHD child involved.

Sue & Lana sat down with heart & ninja warrior, Chris O'Connell to learn about life as a CHD patient, a CHD dad and what being on American Ninja Warrior has meant for him. 

CHD and Heart transplant survivor, Hailey Steimel sat down to chat with us about her journey as a CHD kid, teen and adult as well as life after heart transplant. With a second chance at life, she wrote a children's book called A Heart on Valentine's Day.

In this episode, we spoke to Brian Smith, Director of Communications and Marketing for Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana Chapter.  We learn about all of wonderful things that the Make-A-Wish organization does for CHD families and so many other families. 

In this episode we chat with Meredith Knauer, MS, CACP of NeuroDivergent Coaching.  Meredith discusses the benefits of ADHD coaching.  

We loved talking to Ellen Boyer, mom to CHD angel, Brett. Ellen and her husband, Bo, began the Brett Boyer Foundation in loving memory and in honor of their beloved daughter Sadie Brett. Learn all about what this foundation does to help the CHD community with both research and awareness, along with awareness for Down Syndrome.

With Father's Day this weekend, what better CHD dad to talk to than one who performs surgery on the tiniest of CHD patients. Dr. Dennis Mello of Connecticut Children's Hospital spoke with us about his experience as a heart dad and what it has meant for him in his career. 

May was the month of the Mom! Alex Dishon, mom to CHD hero, Dylan, joined us this week. We enjoyed wrapping up the month of May with another amazing mom. Alex sits on the CHNOLA PFAC board and shares a few of her feelings as a CHD mom with us. 

We LOVED chatting with our new "hawt mom" friend & local artist, Abigail Reller . With a different perspective than most moms on our podcast, her CHD baby hasn't arrived yet. Learn how she's felt navigating this new world. 

In this episode, we are joined by Caroline Robinson, mom to Henry.  Caroline shares all that she's been through as a heart mom over the last year or so as well as her perspective as a heart momma.

We had a nice chat with HLHS patient, heart recipient & Tulane student, Blake Babin and his mom, Jennifer. We learned all about what it was like for Jennifer to experience becoming a CHD mom & transplant mom in a matter of two short weeks! Blake shares many words of inspiration for CHD & transplant patients.  

Susan & Lana had the honor and privilege to sit down and chat with Paul Cardall , award winning pianist and composer about his life as a CHD patient. Paul shared his transplant experience with us as well as what he does to give back to the CHD community.  

In this episode we learn about what one heart mom did to gave back to the CHD community and the hospital that saved her son's life after his open heart surgery.  Lovies for Bravehearts in 2014 and has been able to donate over 2000 lovies to CHD babies to date.