Shows
PAEDS Small TalkJenaya - Grief & Joy with Infantile FibrosarcomaIn this heartfelt episode, Janaya, shares her family's challenging journey after her son Tobias was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer called infantile fibrosarcoma. Diagnosed at three weeks old, Tobias's life has been a series of medical challenges, surgeries, and treatments, complicated further by the COVID-19 pandemic. Janaya discusses the importance of parental advocacy, the emotional rollercoaster of medical diagnoses, and the support systems that helped her family navigate their trials. After multiple rounds of chemotherapy and an experimental drug, Tobias is now in remission. Janaya also offers words of wisdom and encouragement for healthcare professionals and parents facing...2025-05-2054 minPAEDS Small TalkPiper Butcher - Born to sing, a journey with cleft palateIn this episode of PAEDS Small Talk, Grace interviews 19-year-old singer Piper Butcher about her journey with a cleft palate, her advocacy role with Operation Smile, and her music career. Despite a start in life which involved multiple oral surgeries to repair a cleft palate Piper has gone on to become an amazing vocalist and 2023 contestant on Australian Idol. She shares how she has overcome these challenges and emerged stronger on the other side.They also discuss the health system, overcoming challenges, and the importance of effective communication in healthcare for young patients.P...2024-10-1731 minPAEDS Small TalkNavigating Your Child's Health: Insights from Paediatrician Dr. Lexi FrydenbergThis episode of "Paeds Small Talk" features an in-depth conversation with renowned pediatrician Dr. Lexi Frydenberg. Grace and Sarah discuss navigating the healthcare system when there are developmental concerns about a child. The episode underscores the complexity of accessing pediatric care and provides actionable advice for parents.The episode aims to empower parents by clarifying their options and encouraging proactive engagement with healthcare professionals to ensure the best outcomes for their children’s development.Some resources we mention in this episode:Speech Pathology AustraliaOnline paediatricians- Cub CareOnline Allied health...2024-08-0748 minPAEDS Small TalkIND Mini Series: Sarah B - The International NurseOur final episode on this special, poignantly being released on the 12th of May (International Nurses Day) is about Sarah, who began her paediatric nursing career in the UK.In Australia 33% of our nursing workforce are born overseas, and with them they bring a wealth of knowledge and skills that can be applied here to improve the quality of nursing care.Sarah speaks about her experience training in the UK and working in a busy London PICU before relocating to Melbourne and transferring her skills across. Many things are consistent with our nursing practices across...2024-05-1226 minPAEDS Small TalkIND Mini Series: Katie - The Immunisation Educator NurseEpisode 4 in our mini series for International Women's Day 2024 we are speaking with Katie, who entered into Nursing after having already established herself in a different career, and she has never looked back! Katie is an accredited nurse immuniser and a clinical nurse specialist at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne.She's an advocate for trauma informed patient and family centered care and loves to talk about evidence based practice. Katie's worked in healthcare and water and sanitation in Australia, Southeast Asia, and in Pacific Island countries. She's keen to share her passion for immunization a...2024-05-1021 minPAEDS Small TalkIND Mini Series: Lea - The School NurseContinuing on with our International Nurses Day mini series. Today you are going to hear from Lea. After many years in the acute paediatric space, Lea has made the move into school nursing and supporting children from prep to year 12 with the formative health foundations to make good choices. Its a slow burn, and she doesn't always see the impact she is having straight away, but its incredibly rewarding as you will hear.visit our website at www.paedseducation.com.au 2024-05-1029 min
The Ultimate Farm Wife#58 Balancing Life & Livestock: Paediatric Healthcare to First-Generation Farmer with Sarah DuncansonS5 E10welcome to the farm ,In today’s interview we meet Grace Larson, a multifaceted professional with a heart for healing and a passion for preserving heritage. As a BNurs and PGDip Paed Crit Care holder, Grace's journey transcends the hospital walls. Nestled in a serene countryside with her three cherubic children, Grace leads a double life unbeknownst to many.Beyond her medical accolades, Grace and her husband share a secret—they are proud owners of a heritage apple orchard boasting over 400 rare varieties! 🍏🍎 Join us in today's episode as we unravel Grace's re...2024-05-0937 minPAEDS Small TalkIND Mini Series: Rhi - The Holistic NurseInternational Nurses Day 2024 has the theme 'our nurses, our future, the economic power of care' which highlights the importance that nurses play within our society and how much they contribute to people's health. I this episode of our special mini series for IND 2024 we speak to Rhi who works in a medical and respiratory ward supporting children and their parents through their hospital admissions. She combines her passion for nursing with her empathy and love of educating and empowering others to help families and children thrive both inside the hospital and out.visit our website a...2024-05-0818 minPAEDS Small TalkIND Mini Series: Isabelle - The Nurse LeaderThis PAEDS Small Talk mini series is a little different to our regular programming. Instead of chatting with parents and children, in light of International nurses Day on the 12th of May - we are going to speak with 5 incredible paediatric nurses who will share their journey into becoming children’s nurses and the diverse roles that they have now. We discuss the amazing highs and the very real lows of nursing along with some nurses humour along the way (blanket trigger warning for all the body fluids here!). This episode we talk with Isabelle about her jou...2024-05-0727 minPAEDS Small TalkSarah & Izzy H. - Navigating Autism, Sensory Processing, as a Paediatric NurseIn this heartwarming episode of Paeds Small Talk, we delve into the extraordinary lives of Sarah Hunstead and her daughter, Izzy, offering an intimate glimpse into their daily challenges and victories. Sarah, is a seasoned paediatric nurse with a rich background in paediatric emergency care and founder of CPR Kids , and shares her unexpected journey into the world of autism, sensory processing disorder, and OCD, after her daughter Izzy’s diagnosis. Through their story, you will discover the nuances of navigating the healthcare system from a dual perspective: a professional within and a parent in nee...2024-04-2849 minPAEDS Small TalkMaddi H. Part Two: A Life Saving Moment: Parents experience of performing CPRIn part two of our special Sweetheart Day episodes with Maddie she is sharing her story of York, who has aortic stenosis, a severe heart condition. She poignantly recounts the heart-wrenching moment when she and her husband, Josh, had to perform CPR on York, they affirm the profound bond they share with the PICU staff and the exceptional medical team. Despite the hurdles, York's story radiates hope and resilience, attesting to the strength of the human spirit when faced with the unimaginable. This episode sends a shoutout to Heart Kids, an Australian charity t...2024-02-1944 minPAEDS Small TalkMaddi H. Sweethearts Day: A Heart Warrior's JourneyThis episode is part one of two episodes where we have a heartfelt conversation with Maddi, the mother of York, who born with a congenital heart defect known as Aortic Stenosis. Maddi's recounts her unfathomable journey through York's diagnosis, multiple surgeries, and the struggles of reconciling everyday life with living in the hospital. Maddi gives us a raw, intimate look into the challenges and triumphs of navigating the world of paediatric intensive care. In honor of Feb 14th, Sweetheart Day, this episode serves as a tribute to little heart warriors and their families, shedding light...2024-02-1342 minPAEDS Small TalkNat C - Navigating CP from Childhood to AdulthoodTurning 18 and becoming an adult is a big deal in anyones life. In the health system when you have a disability, illness or complex medical condition you move from paediatric centric care to adult care at around this time. This means that not only the model of care changes but the person is now potentially more responsible for their own health decisions than they were before.In this episode we chat with Nat who has cerebral palsy how can we better support individuals and families to move from paediatric to adult models of care. We...2024-02-0451 min
Her HerdPaed First AidWe were so incredibly lucky recently to be able to catch-up with one half of the Paeds First Aid Sarah, who generously talked us through what drives her and her Co-Director Grace to deliver expert, no fuss direct evidence driven skills, training and knowledge to rural families. See Sarah and Grace are both PICU nurses, and when they moved from the city to the country, they saw an incredible gap in support for rural families. So, they did what any/every rural woman does with the skills and knowledge to help her community, they became the creative solution....2024-01-1911 minPAEDS Small TalkKate - Supporting Parents and Children with Autism; Is 'Stay Strong' the right thing to say?In this episode we are speaking with Kate who is a mum of 3. Her eldest child was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) early in life. Kate describes her experiences the diagnosis in New Zealand, the struggle of acceptance, the lack of immediate support post-diagnosis, and her pursuit to ensure her daughter reaches her full potential. We also explore how Kate juggles her many balls, including parenting her other children, living in an isolated farming area in NZ and running her own business DediKate. The discussion also reveals the importance of validating feelings...2023-12-1743 minPAEDS Small TalkMim - Part Two- NICU a second time around and balancing life with two children post NICUWe are back for part two with our chat with Mim!In this episode, Mim discusses her second pregnancy and birth which was a little earlier than her first. Although she had some experience of prematurity the first time around and knew a little of what to expect from a NICU admission, Covid struck! Being a parent to a sick child in NICU, while your husband and other child are a few hours away, with Covid restrictions thrown in the mix, its not easy that's for sure.Little Griffin (and we mean little!) had a...2023-11-261h 10PAEDS Small TalkMim - Part One - An experience in NICU, and how to hold space for griefMim had quite a long journey to parenthood, with struggles with infertility. When she and her husband finally did welcome their first born into the world it was a bit earlier than they had planned at 27 weeks gestation. She discusses the experience of being a first time Mum to a new baby in the NICU and brings with it her insights as being a nurse herself. This is such a unique episode with some important discussions around how we hold space for grief and feelings when things are tough. This is part one of two episodes.This...2023-11-1238 minPAEDS Small TalkMaddi R - The carers role reversed, caring for a parent with Huntington's diseaseMaddi found herself stepping into a carer role at the age of 13 while she watched as her mother became more affected by the symptoms associated with Huntingtons Disease. She discusses what that role looks like to a teen who is still finding their own purpose and identify in the world and yet dealing with concepts beyond their years. Her bond with her mother and the joy to have had the beautiful relationship they shared shine through the difficulties of loosing her too soon. This episode we talk about Huntington's Victoria and Motherless Daughters Australia if you also...2023-11-031h 02PAEDS Small TalkClaire B - Navigating Paediatric ICU with a newborn with a congenital heart defectWhen Claire was pregnant with her second child, antenatal scans revealed that he had a congenital heart disease and a high chance of a Trisomy 21. Whilst she and her family were coming to terms with this information she went into labour at 37 weeks and little Max was rushed across to PICU for his first open heart surgery. We spoke with Claire about the whirlwind and rollercoaster that having a child in the PICU from birth for heart surgery can entail and also the added challenge of doing this in the peak of COVID restrictions and lockdowns in 2020.2023-08-3156 minPAEDS Small TalkMelanie - Writing your own story, becoming an advocate for parents of children with a disabilityMelanine Dimmitt is a writer, author, editor and broadcaster. She is also a mother of two young children, one of whom has a profound medical disability and one she describes as "medically boring".She has interviewed some of Australian royalty and written for well know publications such as The Age, Sydney Morning Herald and MamaMia, and when her son Arlo was diagnosed with cerebral palsy she used her skills in journalism to create a beautiful book 'The Special Book' showcasing the range of experiences children with disabilities and their families have.Mel speaks about how...2023-08-041h 03PAEDS Small TalkAnia - A rare diagnosis during COVID, how one family navigated SCN2A and TRAPSJust before Ania's eldest daughter turned 2 she noticed Grace was not meeting her developmental milestones. She was fairly quickly diagnosed with autism and rapidly linked in with NDIS support.In 2020 admits the COVID pandemic and after the birth of Ania's third child, Grace began having seizures which resulted in her ending up in hospital to investigate the cause. Genetic testing revealed two rare genetic disorders SCN2A and TRAPS which explained many of Grace's symptoms including her diagnosis of autism and the seizures.Ania shares not only her journey so far with Grace but also...2023-07-0750 minPAEDS Small TalkChantelle - Solving the healthcare puzzle with a child who has complex & rare conditionsChantal Donnelly has a strength that could move mountains and a positivity that will fill your day with such joy. Her beautiful son Soul was born with a rare condition called SENS, only diagnosed this year after 18 months of investigations, discovering new symptoms and piecing together a very complex puzzle.In this episode we chat about Chantal's textbook pregnancy and birth and the immediate period following birth that revealed something was not quite as 'textbook' for her son.Chantal shares her insights on what has helped her to manage the trauma of having her newborn...2023-06-2259 minPAEDS Small TalkKate - Advocating for your child with a disabilityJoin us as we chat with Kate, a paediatric ICU nurse and friend of ours who has been on an incredible journey. As an adult who had a congenital heart disease herself, she brought a unique perspective to her career as an ICU nurse, offering support and encouragement to her young patients and their families.When her first son Josh was born, he needed a stint in the special care nursery, and Kate balanced the roles of nurse, mother and patient as she watched her son struggle and she tried to find her voice to advocate for...2023-06-0859 minPAEDS Small TalkPAEDS Small Talk - Introduction EpisodeWe acknowledge traditional owners of the land and pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise their connection to Country and their role in caring for and maintaining Country over thousands of years. Join us on the PAEDS ‘Small Talk’ Podcast, where we chat about some pretty big topics with everyday families, doing incredible things. As paediatric nurses we have cared for children in the intensive care unit and across many different wards and disciplines in our careers, and we thought we knew everything we needed to know to sup...2023-06-0301 min
Doula TribeGrace Larson-Paediatric Intensive Care NurseWelcome Grace Larson- Paediatric Intensive Care Nurse
BNurs, PGDip Paed Crit Care, MANP, Cert IV TAE.
This is a brilliant episode all about Postpartum Anxiety, Grace was so honest and frank about her experience. We also spoke about homeschooling and her business she shares with Sarah Duncanson -PAEDS education
Paediatric education and first aid for Community, Carers, Parents + healthcare
Grace is a mother of three children aged 9, 6 and 3, she grew up on a property near Shepparton in Bunbartha, but moved away to Melbourne to train as a paediatric intensive care nurse and to worked at RCH in that field for...2023-04-3036 min
GrowingE27: Breast engorgement…Ouch!In the early days of breastfeeding, it’s common to experience overfull, tight breasts as your milk comes in and this can be so uncomfortable!
In this episode I chat to you about how to avoid and soothe breast engorgement.
A huge thank you to this episodes sponsor PAEDS Education
PAEDS is an evidence based education service offering face-to-face and online baby and child first aid courses. Founded by paediatric intensive care nurses Grace and Sarah, PAEDS Education empowers parents with the essential skills and resources to successfully manage accidents and injury in th...2023-02-2810 min
Ducks on the PondBONUS EP. 3: Teenagers: Keeping your farm kids safe (without wrapping them up in cotton wool).Our teenagers might look like us, be as big as us...but cognitively, there is a difference. This can involve risk taking or it might just be a lack of complex decision making. They're also simply inexperienced. In this episode, we look at the safety risks on farm involved with our older teenagers (aged 14 and above). This is the age where we often put more responsibility on our children on the farm, because they are more 'useful'. But they still need boundaries and advice. We also discuss mum guilt - the difficult emotion women often c...2023-01-2527 minDucks on the PondBONUS EP. 2: School Aged Children: Keeping your farm kids safe (without wrapping them up in cotton wool).When you live so far away from the nearest hospital and ambulance response times are blowing out... should you wait for an ambulance or take your child in to hospital yourself? Also, how do you know you're not being overly anxious about your kids going out on the farm?These are just some of the questions we explore in episode two of our summer mini series on child farm safety. This episode focuses on safety and first aid for children aged between 5 and 15. Intensive care paediatric nurses and rural mums, Sarah Duncanson and Grace Larson, fr...2023-01-1826 minDucks on the PondBONUS SERIES: Keeping your farm kids safe (without wrapping them up in cotton wool). EP 1. ToddlersNo one wants a 'cotton wool kid', but as parents we know how unsafe the farming environment can be for children.In Australia, the rate of fatal injuries amongst our regional and remote children is three times higher than kids who live in the city.So how do we balance the freedoms and family connections that growing up on a farm brings, with making sure our children don't find themselves in dangerous situations?In this special, three-part series, Kirsten speaks with two intensive care paediatric nurses and rural mums, Sarah Duncanson and Grace...2023-01-1128 min