We Saved You a Seat

We are very thankful for moms like Erin Hartzell, who share their story and help us gain perspective into the world of congenital heart disease. Those who have never walked in CHD shoes, will never fully understand all of the emotion and trauma associated with diagnosis, surgery, recovery, and strength required by these amazing families.   Today you hear Erin share her 13-year-old daughter's journ...

Excited to have you join us for part two of our "Pregnancy and Addiction" podcast. Today Traci addresses Liam’s birth and some of the things she did and has done to help her maintain sobriety.    Traci gives us a glimpse into what it’s like to live with an addiction and pregnancy as she attempts to permanently conquer the addiction, which has controlled her for so long.   Please continue to listen...

On today's podcast we discuss pregnancy and addiction with our guest Traci Cates, who is a mother living sober, who survived a life of addiction and has the incredible desire to help others understand addiction. She wants to help young women experiencing addiction and pregnancy find hope, support, and share more about her sweet baby boy who helped her find strength to seek sobriety and maintain it...

Today, we have saved you a seat, to hear how Amy LaRue's faith and support from others played an impactful role, as she has dealt with addiction in her home and how gathering the right tools and support united her family.   Amy now works for Hope is Alive as the Finding Hope Coordinator and we are excited for you to hear more about how you can get involved and find support, if someone in your fami...

February 7th-14th is Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week... Go Red Day is February 4th, 2022 and the entire month of February has been designated as American Heart Month.   Today, we are excited to introduce you to Nanna Leaper, her amazing children and the impact of congenital heart disease (CHD) has on their life.  You will learn about Parker's prenatal diagnosis, his journey through multipl...

Today we welcome Melanie Hollins to the podcast as she discusses her delivery at just 25 weeks gestation.  You will hear her story and how she processed the birth of her beautiful daughter Emily.  She also speaks to the things she did that helped her survive mentally and physically, 156 days in NICU, not knowing from day to day what the outcome might be, but believing the truths she spoke out loud...

Welcome back to Part Two of our conversation with Mandi and Cristina.     Today's podcast takes us further and deeper into the journey after Laurel was discharged from NICU and how they worked to obtain answers that might explain some unique attributes, as well as, bring closure to "momma gut" questions.   Positive attitudes, kindness in inquiry, surgeries, IEPs, cochlear implants, and so much mor...

We are excited to introduce you to Laurel O'Connor and her Moms today!!   Carrying a baby to term is one incredible experience, and when a mother reaches 40 weeks gestation, one often thinks, nothing can go wrong now.  Today you will hear Mandi and Cristina describe Laurel's delivery and NICU experience.  You will hear how their excitement transitioned quickly; their hope turns to unbearable grief...

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Evan!!!   Join us today and on Evan's birthday!!  You'll hear about his celebration of life and hear how his parents are processing each day without him here; moving forward, choosing joy!!   Jump in and hear how Lauren works hard to choose joy every day, about the trips they've squeezed in as they learn to move forward with Evan, and hear how Lauren anticipated and proce...

"NICU Moms are my Heroes" - Quote from Cheryl Coleman as we discuss breastfeeding and pumping while in the NICU.   Today you will hear a beautiful and candid conversation with a Coalition of Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates Board Member and IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) Cheryl Coleman on the tough topic of breastfeeding our baby while in the Neonatal Intensive Care Uni...

Sixteen years ago today (10/7/2005) JB and Melanie Edwards endured a loss no young family ever thinks will happen to them.  Their sweet girl, K.J., (born still), would help them create the organization we know and love, Kids Joining Eternity.     Today, you'll hear Melanie share her story and the reason they pour their heart and soul into supporting families across the state who have lost a child...

Today, We Saved You A Seat beside Tracy Whitaker for the second half of our conversation.   While Tracy has previously worked in education and is a certified Occupational Therapist, she currently works at the Toby Keith Foundation as the Guest Relations and Volunteer Coordinator for the OK Kids Korral.  Her work supporting families experiencing a Childhood Cancer diagnosis is impactful and meaning...

Fourteen years ago today, (September 27th) a 10 year old little boy left this world and went to be with Jesus, because of Childhood Cancer.  Today you will hear Mitchell's story, through his Mom, Tracy Whitaker.   This month our podcast series has focused on childhood cancer awareness and we released three incredible family stories, each with  a different diagnosis and each with some really incred...

Relapse... Her AML is back... now what?    In part two of Michelle's podcast release today, you will hear what steps they had to take when Abby's AML returned.  You will hear today how they balanced life and responsibilities and found the right resources at the right time.   The Gamble family works hard to celebrate and bring awareness to the important topic of childhood cancer and today you'll he...

Today, through the podcast, you will meet Michelle Gamble and her incredible family who walked together through a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Michelle shares with us the step by step process they experienced to try and find answers for their daughter's (Abby) health concerns.   Abby's health concerns began in 2013 and they worked hard to find the answers. Their answers came in 2014 when t...

We continue our Go Gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month podcast series, and You will not want to miss part two of Neil's family story and experience with his son's diagnosis of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, at just three years old.   Today you'll learn how Neil and Conner got involved with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and how Conner and Neil continue their fight against Childhood Cancer and wh...

We are excited to introduce Neil Lloyd and his precious family!  Today, Neil shares with us how he was thrown into a world he knew nothing about, Childhood Cancer!!     Neil shares about his son, Conner, and their journey with him through and with the diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, at just three years old. Neil speaks to the impact it had on his family, the need for supports, and how h...

Meet Jared and Tammy Cox.  They are the parents to three amazing boys and today you will hear why Childhood Cancer Awareness Month has such a special place in their hearts!   Jared and Tammy sat down and shared their family's journey through diagnosis, supports, resources, and perspective.  Their desire to bring conversation and awareness to the hard topic of Childhood Cancer is a mission they hol...

Today we kick off Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by welcoming Dr. Pokala to the podcast.   You will walk away from this podcast with a better understanding of pediatric cancer and hear how Dr. Pokala personally serves families in Oklahoma with children who are experiencing pediatric cancer!!   Thankful for Dr. Pokala and so many other physicians and team members who serve families who are walkin...

Our fourth and final released tied to the same conversation we recorded on August 27th.

Welcome to the third episode tied to the conversation we recorded with Sam and Lauren on August 27th.  If you have not heard the previous conversations tied to this recording date, I hope you will look back and download the previous episodes.   At one point in the conversation with Sam and Lauren, I asked if they might share how they handle or process conversation which comes out wrong from people...

Welcome to the second episode which is a continuation of the conversation with we with Sam and Lauren on August 27th.   If you missed the first piece of the conversation please go back and download the episode just prior to this one (A Cooper Penny For Your Thoughts: Episode 13).

Welcome to the the first podcast with Sam and Lauren since Evan passed away.  Sam and Lauren are the face and voice behind A Copper Penny For Your Thoughts and how incredibly honored we are that they share Evan and their journey with us, even in their grief.   Our conversation was heartfelt and emotional.  Lauren and Sam wished to bring the raw and real to their community who love them.  They wish...

Several weeks prior to Evan's passing away, Lauren had sat down with us to discuss something near and dear to her heart, Evan's Private Duty Nursing.  She shares how the nurses are extensions of their family and how they allow her to wear a mom-hat for Evan when they are there, and not just his care takers.    Our conversation about private duty nursing expanded into the subtopic of TEFRA and Laur...

“Grief is the price we pay for love.” - Queen Elizabeth II   “Grief is not a disorder, a disease, or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity; the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve.” – Dr. Earl A. Grollman   Having friends and family who you can process the hard with can make all the difference.  This family spoke of and provided us a glim...