The Glennon Factor

In this episode, listeners follow Emily and Paul Cullmann’s journey after learning during pregnancy that they are both carriers of Cystic Fibrosis, giving their daughter Clara a 25% chance of having the disease. Referred to the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, they were guided by experts including Katie Francis, program coordinator of the St. Louis Fetal Care...

How would you feel if you received a scary diagnosis for your unborn child? Emily Cullmann shares her emotions after receiving news of her unborn daughter, Clara before being referred to the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon St. Louis Fetal Care Institute - The team she would later come to know as a "family" to her as she navigates the unknown.

Barb Kountzman - RN believes Cardinal Glennon fosters trust through personalized care, beginning in fetal care and pre-op, where staff build genuine relationships with families. She emphasizes their excellent surgical outcomes, but also highlights the compassionate support they provide, acting as a comforting presence for families navigating challenging times. Barb's honesty and transparency, coup...

Dr. Joshua Arthur explains that the Danis CARES Program addresses the profound social needs many pediatric patients face, such as food insecurity, which he describes as both tragic and motivating for continued intervention. He reflects that routinely asking families about their social challenges has significantly deepened trust and transformed his long‑term relationships with patients. When the in...

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital President, Hossain Marandi, MD performs a blind taste test of his favorite food - hash browns - from four different establishments (one of them being the Cardinal Glennon cafeteria).

In this episode of The Glennon Factor, we explore the Danis CARES program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital and how it’s redefining pediatric care at the Danis Pediatrics Center. CARES — Connection and Resource Equity Services — was created after research revealed that a significant number of families were facing challenges like food insecurity, housing instability, and transporta...

Fatima Negron-Krauss, the office lead of the Danis CARES Program in the Danis Pediatrics Center, tells a story of a new mother of a one‑week‑old baby called to cancel a bilirubin redraw because she had no transportation to the hospital. After the appointment staff alerted Fatima, she arranged a ride for the family and also helped secure transportation for the baby’s upcoming weight‑check appointme...

Adam Brandt, a teenage oncology patient at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital,, finds strength and escape through dirt bike racing, which gives him an adrenaline rush and a sense of normalcy. “Adam’s Pit Crew” represents the close group of family and friends who support him at races, fueling his bike and cheering him on. But it's also the same people supporting him through his cancer journey. Fo...

Dr. Maggie Cupit-Link reflects on her friendship with a 13-year-old fellow cancer patient she met during treatment when she was 19. He became like a younger brother to her. Despite knowing he would die, he showed remarkable wisdom and encouraged Maggie, even telling her their friendship made his cancer journey worthwhile. In a final hospital visit before he went home on hospice, he reassured Maggi...

Dr. Maggie Cupit-Link was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma at 19, just as she had been selected for a prestigious cancer research position at St. Jude, forcing her to put her dreams on hold. During a difficult year of treatment, the resilience and hope she witnessed in other children inspired her to survive and dedicate her life to helping patients. Today, she feels blessed not only to have overcome c...

This episode of The Glennon Factor explores the deeply personal and intertwined cancer journeys of Dr. Maggie Cupit-Link, a pediatric oncologist and cancer survivor, and Adam, her teenage patient currently undergoing leukemia treatment. The conversation highlights how unexpected diagnoses disrupt identity, friendships, and life plans, while also forging profound connections between patients, famil...

In this highlight, Dr. Maggie Cupit-Link and Adam, introduce themselves to The Glennon Factor Podcast. The full episode explores the unique, deeply personal and intertwined cancer journeys of Dr. Maggie, who is both a pediatric oncologist and cancer survivor, and Adam, her teenage patient currently undergoing leukemia treatment.

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital President, Hossain Marandi, MD gives us his take on what “The Glennon Factor” is.   From Episode 6 - The American Dream

Sophie gives her advice to another patient that would have a similar diagnosis. It’s hard to think of any words that would be more wise than what she has to say.   From Episode 1 - The Tumor Funeral

Matt Holliday explains how his work with Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is his greatest achievement.   From Episode 05 - The Hollidays

Dr. Andrew White, Chief of Medicine at Cardinal Glennon, shares how augmented reality is transforming neurosurgical planning. Physicians can now visualize and interact with a patient’s brain and vascular system in 3D using VR headsets, allowing for precise mapping and simulation of surgical procedures. This cutting-edge technology is already being used in real cases to improve outcomes and decisio...

Dr. Charles Huddleston asks Jim and Shana a difficult question. As they wait for a donor for their son, they are praying for a miracle. This means, though, another family will experience tragedy. How do they cope with this?   From Episode 03 - The Transplant

Music Therapist, Scott Duell, describes the profound impact of heartbeat recordings at Cardinal Glennon, highlighting the gratitude expressed by families who receive them, emphasizing it as a cherished moment captured in time. Music therapists also create personalized songs, incorporating the patient's heartbeat as the song's foundation, using meaningful melodies to provide comfort and remembrance...

Jeff Windmiller, EMT recounts a challenging transport mission undertaken by a Cardinal Glennon transport team. They transported a critically ill child from another country back to his homeland of Antigua, as his father was unable to travel with him. The long journey, spanning multiple flights, required dedication and resilience from the transport team. Despite the emotional challenges, the success...

Our channel may have been a bit quiet lately, but we've sure been busy. Our podcast will be going through some changes - spoiler alert, no more seasons! We will be publishing all year round starting in 2026. For those of you who are loyal listeners, thank you so much! We can't thank you enough for all your support. And if you are new, we can't wait to share our next story with you!

In this episode of The Glennon Factor, we look ahead to what the future holds—not just for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, but for medicine as a whole. Join us for a fascinating conversation with three of the hospital’s top leaders: Dr. Hossain Marandi, President; Dr. Andrew White, Chief Medical Officer; and Michelle Romano, RN, Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer. T...

A handheld device that reads vital signs, no blood draws or wires required? It might sound like Star Trek, but we're closer than you think. In the full episode we are sitting down to talk all things about the future of medicine!

In this episode of The Glennon Factor, we celebrate the evolution of neonatal intensive care through the eyes of two extraordinary clinicians. Join us as we sit down with Dr. Robert Fleming, a neonatologist with more than 40 years of experience at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, and Dr. Lottchen Wider, a long-term critical care nurse, and Professor Emeritus, who still volunteers weekly in our NICU. T...

You know those days when you're doing everything you can.. and still wondering if it's enough? This week on the Glennon Factor, our guest shares what it's like to care deeply in the face of constant uncertainty -- and why "the plan is to be flexible" is more than just a saying.

Most people are familiar with the old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But what about an entire children’s hospital? That requires an entire community of support! In this episode of The Glennon Factor podcast we are joined by President of McKelvey Homes and former Cardinal Glennon board president, Jim Brennan, Director of Marketing for 4 Hands Brewing Company, Liz Swyer, Cardinal Gle...