Upopolis: The Podcast

What school will look like...who knows! What can you do to set yourself up for success and to cope with your new schedule- GET ORGANIZED! In this episode, Krista offers some tips to help you get organized and to cope with whatever your school year looks like, maybe it is from home, from the hospital, or at school. It doesn't matter where, it matters that you have a plan to cope and adjust as...

Join Upopolis podcast host Krista as she interviews Maggie M, a young lady now studying respiratory therapy who spent over 10  years on Upopolis. Maggie and her friendship with another user named Katrina inspired an annual award for Upopolis users called the Upopolis Connection Award. To learn more about Maggie, their friendship and the Upopolis Connection Award listen to this latest episode. Yout...

Summer is upon us and Krista, Upopolis's National Program Manager sat down with Jenn Ross, Director of Operations at Brigadoon Village to talk about camp. Jenn offered some tips for parents who are preparing their children to head off to camp. Plus she shared how the team at Brigadoon Village made camp happen in 2020 and 2021. Tune in to hear all the deets!

This has been a very different year with COVID and all the restrictions. With the vaccine becoming available to youth in most places across Canada this week, the Upopolis team wanted to show their excitement by sharing some tips to help you and your child get prepared.  Krista the Upopolis podcast host is a child life specialist with over 25 years of experience preparing youth and their families f...

Learning how to do injections is BIG! For some, it will come easy and others will need a plan. Check out this episode of the Upopolis podcast as Krita, our host and Upopolis's National Program Manager talks about allergies, anaphylaxis, and injections.  Krista talks about her experience as a mom with a teen daughter who has known anaphylaxis, their learning curve, an observation about others&...

Did you know that April 27th was national tell a story day? It was! So the host of Upopolis sat down with Ella Sofie to hear about her journey follow an AVM at fourteen years of age. Get cozy and enjoy taking in Ella's story. Ella Sofia is a habit coach and content creator at  www.retrainyourbrain.ca .  After sustaining a brain injury at 14 years old, Ella learned how to harness the power of...

The three of us have been given the unique opportunity to practice child life solely online. From programming within Upopolis, adding value through the Upopolis blog, podcast, website, and social channels, plus providing resources and educational opportunities with both Upedia and Upopolis our team is expanding how we deliver services by meeting our community where they are at. Most importantly, w...

March included a very special day, International Women's Day. This day inspired our host Krista Naugler to sit down with one of Canada's very own women of impact in the world of Child Life, Linda Skinner. Linda's career in Child Life began when the profession of child life and the role of the "play lady" was new and spanned over four decades.  In this episode, Linda shares...

Do you work with youth with a mental health diagnosis or the children of parents with a mental illness? Yes,  then this episode is for you. Child life specialist,  Jane Marchildon joins our host Krista Naugler to chat about her top three child life-based interventions for this population, Bonus, Jane and Krista actually cover seven interventions including ones that Krista has done with youth navig...

Did you know that up to one-third of the population report having issues taking pills? In this episode of the Upopolis podcast, Krista covers some of the research and offers some tips to help set you and your child/ teen up for success when it comes to taking pills and liquid medication.  Remember, mindset is very important and so be sure the child/ youth is willing to learn and that it is low str...

Inspired by another podcast, our host Krista Naugler is sharing her favorite things. In episode 11,  she shares her five favorite distraction items or strategies. Child Life Specialists are often known in the hospitals for their bags of goodies and their distraction practices that support children and youth in having a positive experience. 

You asked and we are delivering! In the feedback following our Tools of The Trade workshop series, CCLS asked for more content and sessions on child life-based interventions for teens. Join Krista Naugler, host of the Upopolis podcast for a NYE count down of five technology-based ( and nontech alternatives) interventions that she has used in her Child Life career working with teens. 

With the COVID-19 vaccine being released this week, this is the perfect time to share some of our team's expertise in preparing children and parents for medical procedures. In this episode, the Upopolis team will share their tips on preparing yourself (the parent) and your child for getting a vaccination.  From finding opportunities for control to distraction plans this episode is full of hel...

Join Krista Naugler the host of the Upopolis podcast as she shares about the exercise the team created to help youth navigate 2020 and the world pandemic. This episode explores what the word cope means,  how to sort out a coping plan, and some strategy examples. Worksheet Video lesson with Jessica, Upopolis Program Coordinator

Join Amiah, our intern, as she does a podcast takeover speaking with Rebecca and Meghan, two incredible youth who share their perspectives about living with Crohn's. These youth speak candidly about the reality of living with an invisible disability and how it impacts every aspect of their life. We cover everything from what it was like to be diagnosed to coping with tube feeds and medication...

Join Krista Naugler host of the Upopolis podcast for a look at schedules and how 2020 has us finding new ways to make things show up in our day. Be sure to check out the other episodes highlighting exercises from the U Got This Challenge Brain vs Mind, Feelings, Coping and Goals) Worksheets Exercise Video Lesson

Join the Upopolis podcast host Krista as she discusses the activities that were offered to youth by the child life team via the U Got This! Challenge in March to help them identify and navigate all feelings. These activities and worksheets offer a nice way for families and groups to break the ice and start hard or uncomfortable conversations. The yoga session pairs with Day 4 but the link is share...

When the pandemic hit Canada our Upopolis Child Life team quickly pivoted to create a tool to support youth as they navigate the restrictions and all the feelings that came along with it. We called this tool  U Got This! It is a five-day challenge that the youth received from our team via email. Each day, there was a video lesson, a worksheet, and an activity. We invite you to take a few minutes e...

Join host and child life specialist Krista Naugler as she interviews fellow CCLS Shaindy Alexander about her experiences parenting youth through a world pandemic. You will love her use of the 3W's (wants, wishes, and worries) and checklists to cope with the unexpected, be sure to listen so that you can use her strategies in your practice or home.

Join host Krista Naugler as she chats with child life specialists Laura McGrath and Morgan Livingstone about their experience parenting youth during the COVID-19 world pandemic. Parenting at the best of times can be challenging, add a world pandemic to the mix and you will see parents pulling out their work skills and strategies to help them and their families cope. 

Join Upopolis podcast host Krista Naugler for a conversation with three fellow child life specialists, who also happen to be the parents of youth ages 6-17 years. These four mothers share their experiences parenting during a world pandemic (aka COVID-19) with the unique lens of being a child life specialist. The interview covers tips, strategies, temperament, grief, and more. Thank you to Sarah Pa...

In this episode of the Upopolis Podcast, our host Krista Naugler is joined by Christina Papaevangelou, Co-founder of Kids' Health Links Foundation. Learn about the backstory of Upopolis and how the experience of two teenagers (one being herself) inspired Christina and her family to advocate for a safe place for youth to connect and partner with TELUS to make it happen. The episode will give y...

Join the Upopolis podcast host Krista Naugler, CCLS as she spends some time chatting with two youth from Upopolis Samantha and Kendall, the recipients of the 2020 Upopolis Connection Awards. Upopolis is all about giving youth the opportunity to connect with peers with similar experiences and these two have done just that. 

Krista Naugler the host of the Upopolis podcast shares a bit about Upopolis and what you can expect from the podcast launching September 2020. Join Krista every second Tuesday as she interviews youth and professionals who will share their experiences, expertise, research, and resources to support you in your journey as a youth, parent, or professional.