Shows
Ready Set ReikiEpisode #182 Nicole B. Gebhardt MS, CCLS, CECP From Rock Bottom To Guiding Light Through Energy HealingA single word—courage—sets the tone for a raw, hopeful conversation with author and coach Nicole Gebhart about healing after pregnancy and infant loss. We open the door to her story of rock bottom, sobriety, and the moment energy work finally created space for relief when nothing else did. Nicole walks us through how Reiki eased anxiety and PTSD, why Holy Fire practices became daily anchors, and how faith and Reiki can coexist without conflict. She unpacks the biggest misconceptions she hears, then gets practical about what readiness looks like when change has to stick.From ther...
2025-12-1531 min
Child Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of The Best Moments in the Child Life Profession narrated by Alexx Friesen and Jessica LewinCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, hosts this final episode of The Child Life Wild Life Podcast with Alexx Friesen to celebrate the profound impact child life specialists make in pediatric healthcare through a collection of heartfelt stories sent in by specialists across the field. What unfolds is a tapestry of remarkable moments that showcase exactly why child life work matters.From the specialist who calmed a screaming child in the ER—causing their blood pressure to visibly drop on the monitor—to another who taught American Sign Language to a nonverbal hospitalized child, these stories reveal the...
2025-06-091h 07Child Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Being a Neurodivergent CCLS with Ellen PalmerCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Ellen Palmer, about her journey as a dyslexic and ADHD-diagnosed child life specialist, sharing how these differences have become her "superpowers" in the emergency department.What if your neurodivergence wasn't just something to overcome, but actually your greatest professional asset? Ellen's story begins with her early diagnosis of dyslexia and later discovery of ADHD as an adult professional. With refreshing honesty, she walks us through the challenges of navigating education with learning differences – from qualifying for accommodations to masking during school days – before tackling the p...
2025-06-0234 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Being a Child Life Student with Anisha Reza [A student’s honest perspective for how CCLSs can better support, mentor, and teach students entering the field]Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and new CCLS, Anisha Reza, about her journey as a second-generation immigrant and career-changer who brings a unique lens to our field. Having previously pursued medical school before finding her true calling in child life, Anisha offers invaluable insights on the challenges students face—particularly those from diverse backgrounds.When was the last time you truly listened to a student's perspective on the child life profession? The statistics are striking: our profession remains approximately 93-95% white female, creating tangible impacts for students of color navigating spaces whe...
2025-05-2658 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Sitting Comfortably in Silence in the PICU with Kelley GavelCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Kelley Gavel, about her journey through the challenges and profound rewards of supporting children and families in critical care settings. With dual master's degrees in Developmental Psychology and Clinical Counseling, Kelley brings a uniquely holistic perspective to her work in a bustling 36-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).The conversation delves into the unexpected ways child life extends beyond hospital walls—like coordinating with schools to help classmates process a friend's absence or arranging virtual reading sessions between hospitalized children and their classes. Kelley shares touching st...
2025-05-1946 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Family-Centered Care and Sibling Support with Caitlin WolfCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Caitlin Wolf, about her work in pediatric hematology/oncology, and how she prioritizes siblings through thoughtful interventions and family-centered care practices. With passion and creativity, she shares practical strategies for maintaining crucial connections between patients and siblings during lengthy hospital stays or repeated admissions.From digital picture frames that allow photo sharing between hospital and home, to decorated name letters that give siblings ownership over a piece of the hospital environment, Caitlin demonstrates how even simple interventions can profoundly impact family cohesion. Her approach to recordable...
2025-05-1228 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Building Rapport When You Don’t Speak the Same Language with Morgan LivingstoneCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Morgan Livingstone, about her understanding that effective support doesn't require special equipment—it requires presence, creativity, and genuine connection through play, regardless of what language you may speak.Morgan's 28-year journey as a Certified Child Life Specialist has taken her from oncology units in Canada to remote Indigenous communities, and across continents to Kenya, Colombia, Botswana, and beyond. Her pioneering work establishing a private practice offering home-based child life services challenged traditional hospital-only models and created pathways for specialists to meet families where they are—phys...
2025-05-0548 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Being Dual-Certified as a CCLS and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) with Katie LavalleeCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Katie Lavallee, about the powerful synergy between recreational therapy and child life. As a dual-certified professional with a decade of recreational therapy experience and seven years as a child life specialist, Katie offers unique insights into how these complementary fields enhance patient care.Katie's journey began at age 12 when a compassionate child life specialist transformed her emergency department experience. Though initially pursuing recreational therapy, she never abandoned her child life dreams, eventually completing her internship years later. Her varied professional background spans community-based programs for individuals...
2025-04-2829 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life Of Leaving the Child Life Profession and Not Feeling Guilty About It with Caelin Hallgren and Ramonna DatuinCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friends and CCLSs, Caelin Hallgren and Ramonna Datuin, about their newly found work/life balance as they have recently stepped away from the child life profession.The moment of reckoning came differently for each – for Ramonna, it was realizing her entire identity had become wrapped up in her clinical role, while Caelin found herself wishing for anything (even a car accident) just to avoid another workday. Their stories reflect a growing reality in the helping professions: burnout doesn't discriminate, and sometimes the most dedicated professionals need to make difficult ch...
2025-04-211h 23Child Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Using Your Child Life Skills as a Postpartum Doula with Veronica BurnsCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Veronica Burns, about her pivotal career shift to become a thriving postpartum doula and infant mental health specialist. Veronica's journey reflects what many professionals experience—the desire to apply specialized healthcare knowledge in settings that better honor their unique strengths and circumstances. After becoming certified in 2018 and briefly working in child advocacy, health challenges and insufficient workplace accommodations prompted her to explore alternatives. Rather than abandoning her training, Veronica discovered postpartum doula work perfectly complemented her child life foundation.The parallels between these fields are...
2025-04-1444 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Child Life in the Camp Setting with Allison MesserlyCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Allison Messerly, about taking child life to camp!What happens when you take a child life specialist out of the hospital and place them in a summer camp setting for kids with cancer? Magic, advocacy, and a whole new world of psychological support.Allison Messerly shares her journey from hospital-based child life to creating a comprehensive support system at a day camp for children with cancer and their siblings. Throughout this deeply insightful conversation, Allison reveals how she's adapted traditional clinical skills to serve...
2025-04-0743 min
New Mom Talk: A Resource for Pregnant, Expecting Moms & New Moms & PregnancyNavigating Acute and Chronic Illnesses in Kids: Expert Insights for Parents with Alyssa Pettingill, CCLS E 96How can parents best support their children through medical challenges, whether they’re facing a short-term illness or a long-term condition? In this episode, we’re joined by Alyssa Pettingill, a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) and founder of EmpoweringKidz, with over a decade of experience helping children and teens develop coping strategies for medical and life challenges.Alyssa breaks down the key differences between acute and chronic illnesses, providing practical tips and emotional guidance for parents to help their children thrive despite difficult circumstances. Learn how to create a su...
2024-12-1824 min
Recursos de BienestarCCLS Abogado para la JuventudEn este episodio de Recursos de Bienestar, Armando conversa con Jorge A. Alvarado, Presidente de la Junta y Director Ejecutivo de Canyon Children's Legal Services (CCLS). Jorge comparte su experiencia de más de 40 años como abogado y su dedicación a la defensa de los derechos de los niños, especialmente aquellos que enfrentan situaciones difíciles como víctimas de delitos o conflictos en el ámbito escolar. A través de CCLS, Jorge trabaja incansablemente para asegurar que los niños tengan acceso a una representación legal justa y que se les brinde la oportunidad de un futu...
2024-08-2229 min
The Power of Love Show‘All About the Intensive Care Unit’ With Author, Alexx Friesen, BA, CCLS, CTPOn this episode of The Power of Love Show we welcome special guest, Alexx Friesen, BA, CCLS, CTP.
Alexx Friesen is a Certified Child Life Specialist providing support to children with a family member on hospice or facing end of life.
She also works in private practice, supporting infants, children and youth in her community who are facing medical challenges, end of life, grief and bereavement.
With nearly 10 years of experience, Alexx’s passions lie in the areas of pediatric oncology, palliative care as well as death, dying and grief.
Alexx is a published children’s book author who hopes to p...
2024-05-0151 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Working on the Burn Unit with Kate HamelinCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Kate Hamelin, about her 20 years of experience working on the burn unit. Starting her career as a social worker working within the child welfare arena, she pivoted unexpectedly into child life and has never left. Throughout this episode, we take a peek into the burn ICU's complexities, discussing the delicate balance of providing care and preparing young patients for the stark realities they may face. Kate's expertise shines as she shares the strategies for explaining the ICU's intricacies to children and the therapeutic methods th...
2024-03-0438 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Teaching the Next Generation (Professor Panel)Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, sits down with three child life professors to see what the world of academics looks like. Please welcome Cara Smith, Savannah Kelly, and Amanda Butler to the podcast. Learn about the ways in which these three have kept things interesting in the classroom throughout the pandemic, and kept the key skills of child life at the forefront of their careers as professors through assessment, building rapport, advocacy for the field and their students, coping support and more. Join us in appreciating the profound role these specialists play in shaping li...
2024-02-2640 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Using your Passions with Erin TukuaCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Erin Tukua, about utilizing her previous job experience as a professional photographer to elevate her techniques she uses with patients and families in the child life profession. Inside this creative episode, we spotlight Erin's innovative practice of using photography as an intervention to help families navigate their child's hospital stay. She opens up about her experiences during her practicum and internship, and how she uses her camera lens to capture moments of joy and coping, essentially turning the hospital into a canvas brimming with resilience and h...
2024-02-1929 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Supporting Children of Adult Patients with Shira MillerCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Shira Miller, about her almost 2 decades of experience working within the same hospital, moving up the clinical ladder and creating the COAST (Children of Adults Support Team) Program.COAST program and the ways in which child life services have evolved to support not just end-of-life situations but the entire spectrum of a parent's health challenges is a remarkable example of how child life can expand within the hospital setting.Shira takes us through the development of a dedicated team to address the emotional demands...
2024-02-1245 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Palliative Care/Legacy Building with Melissa SchmautzCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Melissa Schmautz, about her 17 years of experience, wisdom, and compassionate practices in child life and palliative care. Melissa tells stories about helping families navigate the heartbreak of acknowledging death with their young ones, offering a rare glimpse into the delicate art of conveying the incomprehensible to the most innocent among us. As we unravel Melissa's professional work, she casts light upon the nuanced complexities of teaching child life courses alongside her poignant firsthand experiences in various hospital units. Her journey—punctuated by the establishment of youth adv...
2024-02-0544 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Navigating Autoimmune Diseases as a CCLS with Maddie BozikisCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Maddie Bozikis, about her experience navigating autoimmune diseases as a student and professional. Having battled with autoimmune diseases since high school, Maddie takes us through a profound journey of courage and resilience in the face of persistent health challenges. As Maddie unveils her experiences, we explore the unique hurdles she has encountered while balancing the demanding child life profession and personal health. This episode offers enlightening insights and practical advice on advocating for oneself, particularly in a challenging career environment, making it a must-listen for anyone f...
2024-01-2924 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of ED/Trauma Bay Experiences with Kelsey ChampionCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Kelsey Champion, about her almost decade experience working in the Emergency Department; a department she wasn't quite sure she'd land in originally, but has really found her calm in the chaos. Navigating the high-stakes world of an emergency department requires a special blend of skills and heart, something Kelsey Champion possesses in abundance. As she shares her behind-the-scenes stories from the trauma bay, you'll be captivated by her ability to swiftly forge connections with young patients in crisis. Amidst the urgency of alarms and th...
2024-01-2235 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Navigating Grief and Private Practice with Jessica CorrentiCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Jessica Correnti, about her personal experience with grief and how that has shaped her in her private practice providing support to grieving siblings and families.With an extensive background in ICU settings and grief support, Jessica joins us to illuminate the intricacies of supporting children and families through some their darkest moments. Her narrative, woven from both personal heartache and professional triumphs, reveals the profound impact of community engagement for specialists in private practice and the delicate dance of offering solace to those in the midst...
2024-01-1540 minThe Power of Love Show‘What Does Grief Feel Like?’ With Author, Dr. Korie Leigh, Ph.D., CCLS, CTOn this episode of The Power of Love Show, we have a special guest, Dr. Korie Leigh, Ph.D, CCLS, CT.
Dr. Korie Leigh is a Santa Fe, New Mexico-based published children’s book author, university professor, child life specialist, and grief counselor who has spent 20 years working with children and families experiencing grief and loss.
As an Associate Professor and Program Director of the Thanatology program at Marian University she teaches graduate courses on child development, death, dying, and bereavement.
Dr. Leigh obtained her Ph.D. in transpersonal psychology, where she wrote her dissertation on the lived experiences of ber...
2024-01-1059 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Navigating Toxic Positivity in Child Life with Shani ThorntonCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and seasoned CCLS, Shani Thornton, about how child life specialists can understand the differences between toxic positivity, burnout, and compassion fatigue.Together, Shani and Jessica peel back the curtain on the child life profession's hidden struggle with toxic positivity. Shani, with her 16 years of experience, offers a wealth of knowledge, encouraging a shift from a culture of false cheerfulness to one that embraces genuine emotion and fosters deep, empathetic connections with both children and their families.The reality of burnout and compassion fatigue in our field...
2024-01-0839 min
JOWMA (Jewish Orthodox Women's Medical Association) PodcastCrying IS Coping and Other Tips from a Certified Child Life Specialist with Adina Levitan, MS, CCLSAdina Levitan, MS, CCLS is a certified child life specialist with a Master’s degree in Child Life, Administration and Family Professional Collaboration from Towson University. To become a certified child life specialist Adina volunteered at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital and Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital. Following the completion of her Master’s degree, Adina went on to complete three child life practicums at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, University of Maryland in Baltimore and Children’s National Medical Center in Washington DC. She completed her child life internship at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, NY in the Ped...
2023-12-2841 min
Raising JoyGrief and the Holidays with Hannah Boyd, CCLS, and Jennifer Hayes, MDiv, BCCWhen we think of the holidays, most of us think of good food, family gatherings and beautiful holiday decorations. For many, it’s the happiest time of the year; but for others it’s a very different story. The holiday season can be a difficult time for many, especially those grieving the death of a loved one. On this episode of the Raising Joy podcast, we're joined by Hannah Boyd, CCLS, a child life specialist, and Jennifer Hayes, MDiv, BCC, Director of Spiritual Care at Cook Children’s. They share their insights...
2023-12-0539 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Radiology and Pain Management with Kat AttermeierCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Kat Attermeier, about utilizing pain management tools through her work in the radiology department. Today, Kat finds herself at home in the radiology department, a place where she once felt intimidated. She has grown to embrace the pace and challenges that come with building quick rapport with patients. Kat educates many staff on atraumatic care, child life principles like how to use play, and pain management. She has a unique perspective on leadership skills and the importance of dialogue between staff, nursing leadership, and doctors in t...
2023-11-2738 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Compassionate Care in the NICU with Meredith MurrayCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Meredith Murray, about how her lifelong magnetism towards babies led her to a career in the NICU. Meredith shares her journey, from finding her calling in the challenging environment of the NICU, to becoming an essential support system for families and their newborns in critical care.We take an in-depth look at the nuances of working in the NICU, and Meredith shines a light on the strategies she uses to support babies effectively - like containment, positive touch, positioning and sound control - to r...
2023-11-2043 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of an Independent Contractor/One Person Program with Caitlyn MortonCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Caitlyn Morton, about what her experience has been like as a one-person program (and also an independent contractor!)Reflecting on her experiences as a former patient, Caitlyn delves into how she had to differentiate her experiences from her patients' and the pivotal role her mentors played in navigating this change. Caitlyn also brings her perspective of operating a one-person program. Not only does she manage patient care, but she also handles donations and various other admin tasks, emphasizing the critical importance of time management and prioritization.
2023-11-1319 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Child Life as a Second Career with Samantha KrawiecCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Samantha Krawiec, about what her experience transitioning from teacher to child life specialist.From managing a classroom to navigating the hospital environment, Samantha's journey from a burnt-out kindergarten and third-grade teacher to a fulfilled child life specialist is sure to inspire you.Samantha shares her experiences, describing a typical day in her new role, where she works in two distinct units (ED and Psychiatric Unit) in a hospital lacking a child life department. She touches on the parallels between teaching and child life, demonstrating how...
2023-11-0637 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Service Line Child Life Care with Andrea LerudeCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Andrea Lerude, about her experience being a "service line" child life specialist and all that her role entails. Andrea fosters open communication with her colleagues, juggles patient care, and maneuvers the delicate art of cold calling patient's families in an effort to advocate for child life preparation and support.Providing continuity of care in various neuro clinics, including neurosurgery, physical medicine, and rehabilitation, Andrea deals with a wide array of patient conditions. She assesses the daily clinic schedule, offers critical handoff information to child li...
2023-10-3041 minThe Power of Love Show‘The ABCs of Grief’ With Certified Child Life Specialist & Author, Jessica Correnti, MS, CCLSOn this episode of The Power of Love Show we welcome special guest, Jessica Correnti, MS, CCLS.
Jessica Correnti is a Certified Child Life Specialist with more than 15 years’ experience. She spent the first 14 years of her career in the hospital setting in Pediatric ICUs, the Emergency Department, Inpatient Units, and Surgical Centers.
Jessica has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education of Young Children, a minor in Psychology and a Master of Science degree in Healthcare Administration and Community Health.
She is the founder and owner of ‘Kids Grief Support’, a private practice that provides virtual and in-person sessions to gri...
2023-10-2646 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Being a CCLS and OT with Madeha AyubCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, sits down with friend and CCLS, Madeha Ayub for a conversation surrounding advocacy and empathy. Madeha is a strong advocate for the special needs and autistic communities with her dual credentials as an Emergency Department Certified Child Life Specialist and Pediatric Occupational Therapist.Join us as we unravel the critical aspects of working with special needs children, and the importance of understanding their preferred communication styles. Madeha emphasizes the importance of creating a calming environment, and interestingly, it's more about what you take out than what you add in.
2023-10-2335 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Supporting Dental Patients with Stephanie BartaCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Stephanie Barta, about how she has navigated a spectrum of unique environments from community hospice to gender diversity clinics, and most notably, dental clinics.How does child development education shape a dental clinic? What's it like being the solitary child life figure in a pediatric hospice? Prepare to be enlightened as Stephanie unravels the triumphs and trials of these diverse roles throughout our conversation.Stephanie's journey is punctuated with riveting stories of collaboration with speech and occupational therapists in the dental world, using play...
2023-10-1650 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Working with Adolescents with Raquel CooperCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Raquel Cooper, about her experience working on an adolescent unit. She highlights all of her unique techniques in creating meaningful bonds with teenagers.Raquel unveils the importance of not only engaging with young patients but also communicating effectively with their parents and siblings. She also shares the joy she experiences in connecting with teen patients and the activities that are most popular amongst adolescents. Raquel enlightens us on the power of peer-to-peer interaction and how it can foster comfort and support. As we go d...
2023-10-0932 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Year One as a CCLS with Cami SchaferCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and first-year CCLS, Cami Schafer, about what her experience has been like during the first 6 months of working as a Certified Child Life Specialist.In this episode, Cami bravely shares her journey, starting from her practicum, through her internship experiences, to her current position in a level one trauma center's emergency department. We delve into the challenges she faced during the pandemic, her fight against imposter syndrome, and her relentless prioritization of mental health. Cami doesn't stop there, she shares the nitty-gritty details of her current...
2023-10-0232 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Labor and Delivery with Aimee KarasCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Aimee Karas, about her experience working in labor and delivery and an outpatient fetal center.Ever wonder what it's like to be a child life specialist in an environment dominated by adults? Aimee details her journey, from working in inpatient hematology/oncology, radiology, and postpartum to the creation of new child life roles that better serve patients. She generously shares insights on grief and bereavement in labor and delivery/postpartum, and her essential role as part of the psychosocial team.She talks beautifully about...
2023-09-2549 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Child Life in a Middle-High School with Cassie WilkeCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and fellow school child life specialist, Cassie Wilke, about her experience working in a middle-high school for her first school year (2022-2023).Cassie passionately demonstrates the value a child life specialist brings to a school environment, despite the intricate licensing requirements in Minnesota. She shares her unique insights into staff retention difficulties in schools and the impact on students. Listen in as we discover the pivotal role an empathetic and understanding child life specialist can play in fostering partnerships between teachers, parents, and students.In the...
2023-09-181h 07Child Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Mastering Salary Negotiations and Self-Advocacy with Rachel Calvert and Nicole BoikCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friends and CCLSs, Rachel Calvert and Nicole Boik, about navigating salary discussions, counter-offering, and gauging organization's culture in order to be navigate compensationAre you ready to master the art of salary negotiations and self-advocacy in the child life profession? Nicole Boik and Rachel Calvert, both seasoned child life specialists, join us to shed light on this essential topic. They share their unique experiences and perspectives on navigating salary discussions, counter-offering, and gauging an organization's culture. You can expect to gain practical strategies that will empower you to tackle...
2023-09-111h 07Child Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Being a CCLS and Licensed Clinical Therapist with Kelsey MoraCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and seasoned CCLS, Kelsey Mora, about being a dual Certified Child Life Specialist and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor as well as her unique work in a non-profit setting.Kelsey discovered her passion for child life profession after losing her friend, Ben, to Leukemia. Her journey took her from working in a hospital setting from 2012-2021, to transitioning into private practice, and ultimately spearheading a non-profit organization (Pickles Group) catering to the needs of children and teens affected by a parent's cancer. Kelsey is the chief clinical officer for...
2023-09-0436 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of UK Play SpecialistsCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friends across the pond - Cath Hubbock, Deanna Kenward, and Katie Lane - three UK-based Play Specialists. Together, we unravel the intricacies of child healthcare in the UK, a unique perspective that has transformed over the years.This conversation unveils the hurdles and opportunities related to Play Specialist training--from recruiting mentors in the healthcare system to the significance of trust-building when handling sick children. We also probe the complexities of recognizing the value of play in a healthcare setting and introducing oneself as the "Play Specialist" in trauma situations.
2023-08-281h 14Child Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Working on an Eating Disorder Unit with Abby TigchelaarCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and Canadian CCLS, Abby Tigchelaar, about her experience working with patients who are being treated for eating disorders. Abby's experience is unlike any other, working in a unique unit dedicated to children battling eating disorders. She paints a vivid picture of her journey, conveying both the challenges and rewards she encounters, while providing a deeper understanding of family-centered care, therapeutic interventions, and the importance of normalization and distraction on the unit.Abby's work is truly inspiring, and she shares the intricate process of using Dialectical Behavior T...
2023-08-2153 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Wild Life of Navigating Identity and Career with Kizzy Marco and Cara GranetoCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friends and seasoned CCLSs, Kizzy Marco and Cara Graneto, about stepping out of the field after 10+ years. Have you ever found yourself questioning your career path and how it’s interwoven with your identity? This is the crossroads both Kizzy and Cara have experienced and courageously navigated. After 10+ years, they decided to step away from the field.Cara and Kizzy outline the challenges and struggles they faced during this shift in careers, including anxiety, depression, and identity issues. They recount how their identity was significantly tied to the...
2023-08-1457 minChild Life Wild LifeStudent Panel Series: The Wild Life of the Certification ExamCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, sits down with three students who have gone through the process to becoming a child life specialist and successfully achieved their final step -- passing their certification exams. Please welcome Olivia Stephan, Tara Mullin, and Sophie Schuller to the podcast. Olivia completed her internship in fall 2022. She is a new CCLS in pre-op/ED and passionate about trauma-informed and family-centered care. Tara has her B.S. in Applied Health Science, M.A. in Higher Education, and currently wrapping up her ED.D. in Executive Leadership for Mental Health and Human Services. Sh...
2023-08-1137 minChild Life Wild LifeStudent Panel Series: The Wild Life of InternshipsCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, sits down with four students who have completed or are currently completing their internships - Regan Corsi, Maureen Pushea, Olivia Horn, and Catarina Benninghoven.Regan and Maureen are both completing their internships during the summer of 2023 and provide insight and knowledge about what it's like in-real-time being an intern. Olivia Horn completed her internship this past spring and is now working as a child life specialist in the Emergency Department. During this interview, she had received her offer for this position but wasn't starting until the following week. Catarina completed her...
2023-08-1049 minChild Life Wild LifeStudent Panel Series: The Wild Life of PracticumsCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, sits down with four students who have completed practicums - Haley Alexander, Jenny Cazares, Aislinn DiRito, and Connor Jensen.Haley is currently a Patient Care Tech in an outpatient pediatric hematology/oncology clinic but will be transitioning back into a student role as a child life intern in August 2023. She holds a B.S. in Psychology, an M.S. in Child Life, and a BLS certification. Haley completed an accelerated 7-week practicum. Jenny Cazares has completed her undergrad in Psychology and is currently pursuing an M.S. in Child Life. She w...
2023-08-0953 minChild Life Wild LifeStudent Panel Series: The Wild Life of Graduate SchoolCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, sits down with four graduate students - Casey Campo, Lindsey Lightfoot, Caleb Shannon, and Caitlin Breen.Casey is already certified as a child life specialist, currently working in a float position. She is obtaining her Master's in Child Life Studies. Lindsey is obtaining her Master's in Child Development with a Child Life Concentration in a 3 year in-person program. Caleb is graduate student studying Child Life while also working as a Child Life Assistant. Caitlin is completing her Master's in Child Life while simultaneously working at a children's hospital and completing her...
2023-08-0856 minChild Life Wild LifeStudent Panel Series: The Wild Life of UndergradCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, sits down with several undergraduate students - Mollie Wolf, Olivia Karson, and Maddie Sassa. Mollie is a senior in her child life program and is about to start her internship. Olivia is a senior majoring in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Youth and Society. Maddie has an Associate of Applied Science in Human Services with a concentration in Child, Youth, and Families and is currently obtaining her BA online in Child Life & Health and Social Services & Community Programming with a minor in disability studies. She currently works a...
2023-08-0733 minChild Life Wild LifeStudent Panel Series Teaser TrailerStarting this week, enjoy 5 days straight of student panels that will walk you through the big key areas of pursuing child life (undergraduate education, master's degrees, practicums, internships, and certification exam tips) by panels of child life students and specialists who have recently completed each step!
2023-08-0602 minChild Life Wild LifeThe Child Life Wild Life Season 3 Podcast TrailerWelcome back to The Child Life Wild Life Podcast with your host, Jessica Lewin, CCLS, The Child Life Mentor.Season 3 will officially drop Monday, August 7, 2023- starting with a week of Student Series Panels that will walk you through the big key areas of pursuing child life (undergraduate education, master's degrees, practicums, internships, and certification exam tips) by panels of child life students and specialists who have recently completed each step!After launch day, every new podcast episode will be released once per week on Mondays to get you started for the week!
2023-07-2702 min