Katie Taylor CCLS - Podcast Details

Shows

Couch Time With Cat When Your Child Faces Medical Challenges: Finding the Right Words with Katie TaylorTo connect with Catia and become a client, visit- catiaholm.comConnect on Instagram, Facebook, and to leave an anonymous question for Catia call or text 956-249-7930--Katie Taylor, Certified Child Life Specialist, shares strategies for talking to children about medical procedures in ways that reduce anxiety and build trust.• Children pick up on our non-verbal cues during difficult times and may imagine scenarios worse than reality• Research shows children who receive preparation before medical procedures exhibit less anxiety and recover faster• Using concrete, age-appropriate language helps childr...

2025-09-0831 min

Couch Time With Cat Child Life Specialists: The Unsung Heroes of Pediatric Care with Katie TaylorTo connect with Catia and become a client, visit- catiaholm.comConnect on Instagram, Facebook, and to leave an anonymous question for Catia call or text 956-249-7930--Katie Taylor opens our eyes to the transformative role of child life specialists - healthcare professionals who use play, preparation, and child-friendly language to turn potentially traumatic medical experiences into manageable, even empowering ones for children and families.With over 15 years of experience as a certified child life specialist and as CEO of Child Life On Call, Katie shares how these professionals...

2025-09-0137 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support Talking to Kids About Disasters and Illness: Child Life Expert GuidanceIn the wake of recent flooding in Central Texas, Katie Taylor—child life specialist and mom—pauses the regularly scheduled episode to speak directly to parents navigating uncertainty and grief. Whether you're facing a natural disaster, a scary news event, illness, or another tough moment, Katie offers a compassionate and practical framework to help guide difficult conversations with your child. Drawing from both her professional experience and personal moments with her own daughter, Katie walks you through a 5-step process to ensure these talks are grounded in safety, emotional connection, and honest, age-appropriate communication. Questions, medi...

2025-07-0914 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support Teaching Kids to Swallow Pills: Child Life Tips and TricksLearning to swallow pills can be a major milestone—and a big challenge—for many kids. In this episode, certified child life specialist Adina Levitan joins host Katie Taylor to break down the myths, fears, and best practices behind teaching children how to confidently swallow pills. From her clinical expertise to creative solutions like affirmations, games, and candy "pill" practice, Adina walks us through her unique approach to supporting kids and parents through this skill-building process. Whether you're a caregiver, clinician, or a parent trying to help your child at home, this episode is packed with insight, enco...

2025-05-2828 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support 243: A Child Life Specialist's Search for Answers: A Long COVID Diagnosis - Jessica's Story"If something doesn't feel right, don't ignore it. Keep asking questions. You know your child better than anyone."-Jessica Baird, CCLS We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this product, and we invite you to learn more by visiting their website. What do you do when doctors keep telling you nothing is wrong—but your child is in pain every single day? For Jessica, a child life specialist and mom, that answer was simple: keep pushing until someone listens. In...

2025-02-1934 min

The Rare Life 175: Our Children’s Medical Trauma w/ Katie Taylor, CCLSWatching our children go through pain in a medical setting, even when we know it’s what is best for them, can be difficult for parents to navigate. We want to help, but sometimes it can be hard to know what is actually easing instead of compounding the trauma. Fortunately, there’s a specialty that focuses on this exact problem: enter the Child Life specialists. They’re here to help families provide as much comfort and as little trauma as possible for children in medical settings, including helping families advocate for comfort accommodations. In this episod...

2024-11-141h 04

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support 234: Expert Child Life Tips for Supporting Children Through an Upper GI Procedure Today's episode is dedicated to the loving memory of Dr. Meredith Hitch, a cherished pediatric gastroenterologist at Ochsner Baton Rouge. "You want to make sure that you are ready to be able to prepare not only yourself but your kiddo." - Emily Martinec, CCLS In this episode host Katie Taylor chats with Emily Martinec, another experienced Child Life Specialist. These two dive into the complexities of preparing children for an upper GI procedure. They provide valuable insights and practical tips for both parents and fellow specialists, sharing lessons learned...

2024-11-1341 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support 220: Know EXACTLY When Rounds is Happening with Q-Rounds with Dr. Michael PittEpisode Description: Join Katie Taylor, CCLS in this episode as she talks with Dr. Michael Pitt the founder of Q-Rounds and a compassionate pediatrician (and magician!) dedicated to enhancing doctor-patient communication. As a child life specialist, Katie understands how crucial it is for families to not only be present during rounds but also to feel empowered and actively engaged in discussing the care plan with their team. When she learned about Q-Rounds, she knew she had to share this innovative approach with her parent and child life community. Dr. Mike shares his insights...

2024-05-2921 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support 219: 60 Years Later: Reflecting on a Daughter with Ichthyosis"We, we weren't letting those people push us around because, believe it or not, living with us 24 hours a day, we knew more than some of the doctors." - Skip Vilas In this heartfelt episode of the Child Life On Call podcast, host and CCLS Katie Taylor interviews Deb Vilas, an expert child life specialist, alongside her parents, Skip and Joyce Vilas. They share their story spanning over 60 years, recounting the challenges and triumphs of raising Deb, who was born with ichthyosis, a rare skin condition. The episode dives deep into the emotional and medical journey...

2024-05-2247 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support 215: Ruptured Appendix: Emergent Surgery, 6 Days in the Hospital & Struggles to Discharge - Aspen's Story"I've learned so much in this whole process. It's like you have a depth inside of you that resurrects as an advocate and high alert, and it lives inside of you when you need it." -Aspen, Willa's Mom In this episode of Child Life On Call, host Katie Taylor and guest Aspen share an intense and educational journey through pediatric appendicitis. Aspen recounts her daughter Willa's sudden illness, misdiagnosis, and the emotional rollercoaster of a ruptured appendix leading to urgent surgery. This story not only highlights the challenges and nuances of navigating pediatric healthcare, but also underscores...

2024-04-1744 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support 213: Parents, CCLS, Students: Show Up Exactly As You AreIn This Episode: Katie Taylor goes off the beaten path in this special episode to share a profound moment of inspiration that struck her. This episode is a heartfelt message to child life specialists, students, and parents, emphasizing the importance of showing up as you are, without the burden of imposter syndrome. Key Highlights: A Different Kind of Episode: Katie shares her spontaneous thoughts that came from a moment of inspiration, promising that the usual stories from the field and parental perspectives will return in future episodes. Message of Empowerment: The core message is about overcoming the misconception...

2024-04-0308 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support 212: CCLS Story: 18 Years of Supporting Kidney Families -Julie's Story"As a child life specialist, watching my tiniest patients grow and accomplish so many things is my favorite part of the job." - Julie, Certified Child Life Specialist Episode Summary: In this heartfelt episode of Child Life On Call, we celebrate Child Life Month by diving deep into the dedicated world of child life specialists and the resilient families they support. Host Katie Taylor talks to Julie, a remarkable child life specialist with 18 years of experience in the renal service at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas. Julie shares her profound journey of supporting children with end-stage...

2024-03-2731 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support 209: Research on Parent Caregivers of Children with Medical Complexities - Elise's StoryAdvocacy, Compassion, Innovation: Elise's Child Life Journey "Working with children with medical complexity and developmental differences isn't just a job; it's rooted in who I am." - Elise Cofer, CCLS Research Article: Fitting the Pieces Together Lead Researcher: Elise Cofer In this captivating episode of Child Life On Call, Katie Taylor sits down with Elise, a Nashville-born child life specialist who brings her passion and dedication to the hematology oncology unit at Vanderbilt. Elise's journey into child life, driven by a background deeply embedded in caring for children with special needs, showcases her commitment to enhancing pediatric...

2024-03-0628 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support 205: How to Support Kids who are Grieving, Bittersweet Relationships & Personal LossIn this episode, we're honored to have Jessica Correnti, a certified child life specialist and a bereaved mother, share her profound insights on grief. Jessica's dual perspective offers a rich understanding of the multifaceted nature of grief beyond the loss of a loved one. She discusses her personal journey, the importance of recognizing and naming grief in children, and how this awareness can empower kids to navigate their emotions. Key Highlights: Jessica's background as a child life specialist and how her personal loss has shaped her professional and personal life. The concept of "...

2024-02-0735 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support 204: Caregiver Isolation, Transitioning to Adult Special Needs, and Becoming CapeAble - Marna's Story"Millie's journey has taken me to the end of myself, but it's been the most beautiful beginning of understanding humanness and how to be compassionate and how to really be kind to other people and take notice that the story that is their life may not be what you see." How does trauma affect the whole family, and how can we show compassion to adults with special needs? One thing I have learned about throughout my career as a child life specialist and have heard from many families on this podcast is the impact that...

2024-01-3139 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support 203: 12 Years to Diagnosis, Understanding Four Key Emotional Reactions, and Channeling Her Story into Positive Action - Jessica's Story"If you have a question, ask it. You are the parent, you need to know" - Jessica Siddi-Sewart How can medical parents use their experiences to promote action and advocacy? As a child life specialist, I know that there is not one "normal" or "best" reaction for a parent when their child receives a medical diagnosis. Today's guest, Jessica Siddi-Sewart and she helps us reflect on the different stages parents go through when facing a medical diagnosis for their child. She is also a mother of three, a paralegal, and a business owner....

2024-01-2442 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support 202: Infantile Spasms, Healing from Trauma and Emotional ResilienceIn this episode about parenting a child with infantile spasms, Katie Taylor, a certified child life specialist, has a profound conversation with Hailey, a resilient mother navigating the complexities of raising a child with a disability. Join us as we delve into Hailey's journey, exploring the challenges and triumphs of parenting under extraordinary circumstances. "It's not always about thriving in the traditional sense; sometimes it's about finding small victories in our daily struggles and embracing them." - Hailey Adkisson About the Episode: This episode offers an intimate glimpse into the life of Hailey...

2024-01-1747 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support 201: Personal Growth Theory, NEC in the NICU and Shielding Siblings - Kathryn's StoryI'm his mom, and I carried him for almost nine months, and no one loved him more than me. I'm his expert, and I'm going to own that. - Kathryn Whitaker Have you ever found yourself amazed at the strength people find in the toughest of times? Well, on today's podcast, we're talking about one of the common themes we've seen over the past 200 episodes of Child Life On Call and something I consistently see parents share on social media. We're talking about the incredible phenomenon of PTG, or post-traumatic growth. We're taking...

2024-01-1043 min

2024-01-1043 min $Well Beyond Medicine: The Nemours Children\'s Health Podcast$

Well Beyond Medicine: The Nemours Children's Health Podcast Ep. 48: Calling Cooks and CaretakersSEGMENT 1: Culinary medicine is an evidence-based medical practice that affirms the saying "You are what you eat." One part food, one part cooking, and one part medical science, culinary medicine aims to help folks make the right decisions about food to help prevent and treat disease. Pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Maria Mascarenhas with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia counts among her many specialties culinary medicine. On this episode, we talk about her passion for this relatively unknown but vitally important sliver of health care. SEGMENT 2: Whenever a child leaves the hospital setting for home, i...

2024-01-0834 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support Episode 193 | Katie's Takeaways from the American Academy of Pediatrics ConferenceIt's a solo episode this week and our host, Katie Taylor, CCLS, dives in to what she experienced at the American Academy of Pediatrics Conference. Katie talks about her travels to Chicago to train a group of clinicians in Chicago, and then her trip to DC where she had hundreds of conversations with pediatricians from across the globe. What was the overwhelming takeaway? PEDIATRICIANS LOVE CHILD LIFE, y'all! Listen to hear more about what Katie learned as a child life specialist exhibiting at the conference for the first time. ____

2023-10-2516 min

Mindset for Medical Moms 76. Navigating Hospital Stays w/ Katie Taylor CCLSIn this episode we are joined by the incredible Katie Taylor, a certified Child Life Specialist. Katie shares how you can navigate inpatient life use the hospital resources available to you to the best of your abilities. We discuss how you can coordinate breaks, how to participate in rounds, and how to utilize a child life specialist to help you and your child while in the hospital. Kaite share generously on instagram, teaching parents and medical professionals alike how to advocate and work with medical staff. Follow her on Instagram here. Katie...

2023-05-2937 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support Episode 139 | Facility Dog's In Children's Hospitals"A patient becomes so vulnerable with them because they don't even realize what they are doing. When you are in that moment petting the dog, every emotion, feeling and thought runs free because you aren't having to focus on a conversation, it is so natural." -Shelby Bonnet, CCLS Shelby Bonnet, a certified Child Life Specialist and Animal Assisted Therapy Coordinator, shares how facility dogs are utilized in children's hospitals. This episode is packed full of information on how facility dogs impact patient care and how to balance patient and clinician needs. If you are a parent...

2022-09-2824 min

The Rare Life 99: Family Planning When You Have a Medically-Complex Child w/ Amanda Griffith-Atkins LMFT + 13 Special GuestsWhen you have a child with a medical complexity or disability, so many things get flipped on their head. And one of those things is family planning. Something that may have seemed relatively simple and straightforward becomes muddled and complicated. We wonder—rightfully so—if we have the mental and physical capacity to care for an additional human being. And if we choose to move forward with adding to our family, how can we endure the anxiety that would likely flood us during a subsequent pregnancy? And further complicating matters still, what if we’re a carrier for our ch...

2022-09-151h 31

The Rare Life 98: Siblings | Ways We Can Protect Our Glass Children w/ Melissa SchlemmerSiblings of disabled children are often referred to as “glass children.” Glass because people tend to look right through them and focus on the sibling with disabilities. And because they appear a lot stronger than they are. Because they are, afterall, just kids. In this special topic episode, Melissa Schlemmer shares all about her incredible son Alexander and his big heart. She talks about ways she protects his relationship with his disabled brother Christopher by not accentuating their differences and allowing them to simply be brothers. She also tells us of a tragedy that occurred in her moth...

2022-09-0844 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support Episode 130 | Belinda's Story - A son with autism, low tone and epilepsy [A BELOVED MENTOR]"Never listen when they tell you your child will not, encourage them to do the best they can do"- Belinda Hammond, CCLS Belinda shares her son's journey with low tone, epilepsy and autism and how her professional and personal experiences collided, giving her an invaluable perspective as a parent and professional. This episode is in our top 5 most downloaded episodes to date. [4:39] Belinda notices her son is not meeting some major developmental milestones [5:17] Receiving a low tone diagnosis as an infant [10:00] Belinda shares a touching moment in her son's journey t...

2022-07-2739 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support Episode 126 | Supporting Children in HospiceEpisode 126 | Supporting Children in Hospice On this week's episode, Shani Thornton, CCLS, from Child Life Mommy shares how to support children in hospice. Shani wears many different hats in the Child Life world including supporting children in the hospice setting .Shani shares how to connect with children during this difficult time and ways to explain things that are honest and easy to understand. To help children feel more connected during this challenging time she shares some of the meaningful exercises and activities she does to help children cope. Connect with Shani:...

2022-06-2226 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support Episode 125 | Katie on Child Life Wild LifeThis week's episode is a throwback from Katie's June 2021 interview with Child Life Wild Life host, Jessica Lewin, who was also recently a guest on Child Life On Call. In this episode, you will learn about how Katie's experiences as a child life specialist and a new mother influenced each other in the most positive ways. From sharing her 'why' about podcasting, to preparing her own children for medical procedures and balancing her career and motherhood, you will get to know the heart of our host, Katie Taylor. [5:20] Intro about Katie and her family [9:30] Going b...

2022-06-1533 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support Episode 121 | Sarah's Story: A daughter with an ischemic strokeThis episode is sponsored by SmileMakers! On today's episode, Annie Jones, CCLS is our guest host! We will hear from Sarah about her daughter Adalee having an ischemic stroke with no pre-existing conditions. With strokes, the recovery process is different for every individual and doctors initially thought she may not have a full recovery. Sarah shares how her faith got her through this period of time, her daughter's remarkable recovery and self care tips for parents who have children with medical needs. This episode is packed full of wisdom on how to listen to our intuition when...

2022-05-2551 min

Child Life Wild Life BONUS EPISODE: CLOC's Katie Taylor Interviews CLWL's Jessica LewinChild Life on Call's Katie Taylor interviews Jessica Lewin as an expert in the schools. Jessica proposed and created a child life specialist position in a rural middle-high school during the 2021-2022 school year. Over halfway through the school year, Jessica sat down with Katie to talk about some of the things she finds most useful for parents, child life specialists, and students to know including the importance of talking about mental health (even suicide), leaning into a child life specialist's deep understanding of psychosocial development, and the impact a child life specialist position has had on a...

2022-05-0226 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support How to Talk to Kids About Death: Child Life Expert GuidanceAnswering parent questions in a 12 minute talk. Katie, Certified Child Life Specialist talks with Lauren Holley, CCLS and Professor discusses the topic: How to Talk to Kids About Death. We talk about: +How to concretely explain death to kids at all stages of development +What emotional responses kids may display after the conversation +Ways to keep the conversation "ongoing" to help kids feel supported When parents feel empowered, everyone wins – kids thrive and the care team excels! Links and Resources: SupportSpot Website Download SupportSpot iO...

2021-07-0811 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support Should Kids Go To Funerals?Katie, Certified Child Life Specialist talks with Lauren Holley, CCLS and Professor answers the question and discusses the topic: Should Young Kids Go To Funerals? We talk about: +How to assess whether or not your child is ready to attend the funeral +Concrete language to prepare a young child for a funeral +Ways to support your child during and after the funeral Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here.

2021-06-2312 min

Child Life Wild Life The Wild Life of Balancing Child Life and Motherhood with Katie TaylorCertified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend, Katie Taylor, CCLS, about balancing motherhood in the field of child life. Katie shares stories of how her professional goals and aspirations changed once she became a mother and helps bring awareness and normalization to the ups and downs of balancing a full-time job and being a full-time mom.Katie runs her own podcast, @childlifeoncall, where she interviews parents about their journeys and experiences related to having a child with an illness or medical condition. She is passionate about helping caregivers. You can follow Katie at @c...

2021-06-1831 min

The Rare Life 47: Siblings w/ Katie Taylor, CCLSDoes your medically-complex child have a sibling? Are you contemplating adding one to the picture? In this episode, Katie Taylor, the child life specialist behind the popular podcast Child Life on Call, answers listener-questions. We talk about educating them about their sibling’s medical needs, helping them cope with the difficult and complex emotions that often arise, and how to know if/when it’s time to add a sibling to the picture. Links: Katie’s website and podcast, Child Life on Call: https://www.childlifepodcast.com/ Katie on Instagram: https://www.in...

2021-05-1338 min

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support Alexis' story - Ear Tubes Surgery and an interview with a CCLS, Liz AndersonToday's episode features two women. First, we will hear from Alexis whose son went through a fairly common surgery, ear tubes, and she will talk about what their experience was like. However, as child life specialists and parents we know thate despite how "common" or "routine" a surgery may be, those words don't begin to cover all the emotions and experiences that come along with these "common" surgeries. You can follow Alexis through her business or her blog. As a part of celebrating child life month, after Alexis' story we will hear from Liz Anderson, a certified...

2018-03-1234 min