The Hope and Courage Podcast for CHD Parents

In this episode, we talk to our friend Dr. Jonny Byrnes, a cardiologist in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Children's of Alabama. He is a humble hero not only to our family, but to the numerous families he serves everyday. Dr. Byrnes played a pivotal role in our family's CHD story. You will love hearing from Dr. Byrnes about the important of relational connection in CHD Families, incredible inn...

In this episode, we talk to heart warrior, author, and CHD advocate Tori Geiger and her father Bob Schroeder. It was so special to hear from them both, and getting their perspective on how CHD shaped their lives. Bob and his wife did an amazing job changing their family's perspective on Tori's CHD, and help her view it as something that could give her purpose and valuable life skills. Tori is a li...

In this episode we chat with our son's previous cardiologist, and new Chief of Cardiology at Children's Health Dallas, Dr. Nicolas Madsen. He shares his insights on the bright future of pediatric cardiology and what innovations we as CHD Parents can be excited to see come to fruition. We also discuss the nuances of the CHD Parent - Cardiologist relationship and how to build one that is most benefi...

We’ve compiled and discuss your answers to the very important question, “How can friends and family support CHD families in the midst of their hardships?” We're so appreciative of any help friends and family offer, but they are also always asking us this question. We want to provide them with a guide map that will help meet the needs of the CHD family they love. You all had wonderful tips to share...

This episode features CHD Parent Brita Marcy from Happy Heart Mama (@britamarcy) on Instagram. She is an amazing CHD advocate, and we discuss what drew her to advocating for Heart Mamas & CHD. We spend time chatting about the affect of CHD on siblings, how important it is to practice self-care as a CHD Parent, and she tells us all about her Heart Warrior Jack.  Brita's new website is www....

This episode features our conversation with Amelia Woods from @heartlikeamother and @heartlikeamother.shop on Instagram. She's our first interview with a CHD Parent on our podcast, and we loved her! We discuss her platform and store that supports CHD Parents, her heart warrior Henderson, and what it was like to not only have to give birth to a CHD baby during the pandemic, but also travel far away...

In this special episode we continue telling our family's CHD story. In the telling the hard but happy story of Harding's birth, we also cover, and give tips for, navigating the complex and confusing healthcare system. We also give you a list of items to bring to the hospital both for your CHD baby and yourself. Lastly, we talking about the importance of taking opportunities to find the joy in your...

Join our incredible conversation with Alicia Wilmoth . As a Physicians Assistant, CHD Survivor, wife, and mother she is an inspiration to us to allow CHD children to live a life without restrictions, and to appreciate the goodness of life. In this episode, we discuss Alicia's life with CHD, how much she appreciates her siblings and their support, what she considered when starting her own family, a...

We're back with Part 2 of our fantastic conversation with Richard Schwindt MSW, RSW! We cover how self-knowledge gives CHD children and survivors more freedom to be adventurous, CHD Parents making decisions out of love instead of fear, and the 4 important questions for health assessment and discernment that help both CHD children, survivors, and their caregivers.  You can find Richard on Twit...

This interview was so good we had to split it into two parts! In this episode, we talk to CHD survivor, counselor & psychotherapist, and author of the award-winning book Emotional Recovery from Congenital Heart Disease , Richard Schwindt MSW, RSW. In Part 1 of this episode, we hear a bit about Richard's CHD story, and we discuss the importance of learning how to take risks and manage anxiety,...

In this episode we chat with Laurel Stein, the Care Manager of the Single Ventricle Clinic at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC). We discuss the importance of empathy in the CHD world, and empowering parents in the medical care of their CHD child.   Sign up to be notified when our book Hope and Courage: Real-Life Lessons from the Parents of a Child with Congenital Hear...

In this episode Tom and Kat Hansen tell the story of their son Harding's CHD diagnosis, and how they struggled, but ultimately found peace, in the following months leading up to Harding's birth. Sign up to be notified with the Hansen's book Hope and Courage: Real-Life Lessons from the Parents of a Child with Congenital Heart Disease releases at tomandkathansen.com ! Follow us @tomandkathansen on F...