Inside the Children's Hospital

How do families navigate a serious childhood diagnosis while still focusing on hope, quality of life, and the everyday moments that matter most?
In this episode of Inside the Children's Hospital Podcast, Katie Taylor sits down with Dr. Korie Leigh, PhD, CCLS, a child life specialist, psychologist, thanatologist, author, educator, and pediatric palliative care advocate. Drawing on more than two decades of supporting children and families, Dr. Leigh shares what pediatric palliative care really is—and why it is so much more than many families believe.
Together, they explore how pediatric palliative care supports children living with serious or complex medical conditions from the time of diagnosis, helping families manage not only medical needs, but also emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual well-being. Dr. Leigh discusses how parents can advocate for palliative care services, even if they are not offered at their local hospital, and explains why caregiver support and respite care are essential parts of caring for the whole family.
The conversation also dives into resilience, grief, and the power of creativity. Dr. Leigh shares how writing can become a meaningful tool for processing difficult experiences, why preparing children for life's hardest moments matters, and how her books were created to help families navigate conversations surrounding illness, hospitalization, and loss with confidence and compassion.
Whether you're navigating a new diagnosis, caring for a child with a complex medical condition, supporting a family through hospitalization, or you're a healthcare professional looking to better understand pediatric palliative care, this episode offers practical insights, encouragement, and hope.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
What pediatric palliative care really means

The difference between palliative care and hospice

Why palliative care should begin at diagnosis

How parents can advocate for pediatric palliative care

Finding support when services aren't available locally

Caregiver burnout and the importance of respite care

Building resilience during a child's medical journey

Talking with children about illness, grief, and loss

Using writing and creativity as tools for healing

Improving access to pediatric palliative care through advocacy

 
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Meet Dr. Korie Leigh
02:33 A career in child life and palliative care
05:25 What is pediatric palliative care?
08:00 How parents can advocate for support
10:59 Insurance and access to care
12:05 Why respite care matters
14:18 Supporting families beyond the hospital
15:07 Building resilience through crisis
19:13 Writing through grief and healing
22:26 Creativity as a coping tool
27:29 Books, music, and final reflections
Resources Mentioned
When Everything Changes: Parenting through Loss and Grief by Dr. Korie Leigh

Hero's Path Palliative

Dr. Korie Leigh's Website

Leigh Moody (music)

George Mark Children's House

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

Medical information shared in this episode is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team for guidance specific to your child and family.

In this episode of Inside the Children's Hospital Podcast, Katie Taylor sits down with Dr. Amy Baxter, pediatric emergency physician, researcher, inventor of Buzzy®, and founder of Pain Care Labs, to explore how childhood experiences with needles can shape a lifetime of healthcare interactions—and what parents and healthcare professionals can do to help.
After watching her own son develop a fear of needles despite her expertise in pediatric pain management, Dr. Baxter began researching why children experience pain differently and how simple, evidence-based strategies can reduce pain during vaccines, blood draws, IV placements, port access, and other medical procedures. Her work ultimately led to the invention of Buzzy®, a device now used by families and healthcare professionals around the world.
Katie and Dr. Baxter discuss the science behind pain, why multiple painful procedures can have a lasting impact on children, and how connection, preparation, and developmentally appropriate support can help children build confidence instead of fear. They also share practical strategies parents can use during medical procedures, the role of child life specialists, and why helping children feel safe matters just as much as reducing physical pain.
Whether you're preparing your child for routine vaccines, navigating frequent hospital visits, supporting a child with a chronic medical condition, or caring for pediatric patients, this episode offers compassionate, research-informed insights that can help make medical experiences less overwhelming for children and families.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Why children develop pain memories from medical procedures

Reducing pain during vaccines, blood draws, IVs, and port access

The research behind Buzzy® and vibration therapy

Helping children feel safe during medical procedures

Child life strategies that support coping and resilience

The importance of caregiver connection during painful procedures

Developmentally appropriate preparation and distraction techniques

Practical ways parents can advocate for pain management

Dr. Amy Baxter's journey from pediatric emergency physician to medical innovator

The future of non-medication approaches to pediatric pain management

 
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Meet Dr. Amy Baxter
02:15 Why Buzzy was created
03:40 Understanding childhood needle pain
06:00 Why multiple shots matter
10:20 Child life and helping kids feel safe
12:15 The story behind Buzzy
20:20 Using Buzzy for vaccines, IVs, and ports
24:30 Distraction that actually works
28:20 Building safety and resilience during procedures
31:40 The future of pain management research
38:10 Where families can find Buzzy
41:00 Lessons from innovation and advocacy
Resources Mentioned
Pain Care Labs

Buzzy®

Buzzy Helps (Instagram)

Dr. Amy Baxter (LinkedIn)

TED Talk by Dr. Amy Baxter

Pain Care Labs Resources & Downloads

"What Works for Pain" Guide

"What Works for Needle Fear" Guide

 
Connect with Us
Instagram: @childlifeoncall + @insidethechildrenshospital
Watch Today's Episode on YouTube
Subscribe: Never miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Visit: insidethechildrenshospital.com to search stories and episodes.
Leave a Review: It helps other families discover the podcast and access these free resources.
Medical information shared in this episode is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team for guidance specific to your child and family.




YouTube Description
How can parents make shots, blood draws, IVs, and other medical procedures less painful for their children?
In this episode of Inside the Children's Hospital Podcast, Katie Taylor, CCLS, sits down with Dr. Amy Baxter, MD—pediatric emergency physician, researcher, founder of Pain Care Labs, and inventor of Buzzy®—to discuss the science behind pediatric pain management and how small changes can make a big difference during medical procedures.
After realizing she couldn't prevent her own son's fear of needles, Dr. Baxter dedicated her career to understanding why children experience pain the way they do and developing evidence-based solutions to help. Her work has transformed how families and healthcare professionals approach vaccines, blood draws, IV placements, port access, and other procedures that children with medical complexity often experience.
Together, Katie and Dr. Baxter explore why children's early medical experiences matter, how child life principles help children build resilience, and practical ways parents can help their child feel safer and more supported during healthcare visits. They also discuss the research behind vibration and cold therapy, the importance of preparation and caregiver connection, and the future of non-medication pain management.
Whether you're preparing for routine vaccines, navigating frequent lab work, supporting a child with a chronic medical condition, or you're a child life specialist or pediatric healthcare professional, this conversation is filled with compassionate, practical insights to help children experience less pain and more confidence.
In This Episode
Why childhood pain experiences matter

The science behind Buzzy® and pediatric pain management

Helping children through shots, blood draws, IVs, and port access

Child life strategies that reduce stress during procedures

Why connection with caregivers helps children cope

Effective distraction techniques that actually work

Practical ways parents can advocate for better pain management

Dr. Amy Baxter's journey from pediatric ER physician to inventor

The future of vibration therapy and pediatric pain research

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Meet Dr. Amy Baxter
02:15 Why Buzzy was created
03:40 Understanding childhood needle pain
06:00 Why multiple shots matter
10:20 Child life and helping kids feel safe
12:15 The story behind Buzzy
20:20 Using Buzzy for vaccines, IVs, and ports
24:30 Distraction that actually works
28:20 Building safety and resilience
31:40 The future of pain management research
38:10 Where families can find Buzzy
41:00 Innovation, advocacy, and hope
Resources Mentioned
Pain Care Labs

Buzzy®

Buzzy Helps (Instagram)

Dr. Amy Baxter on LinkedIn

Dr. Amy Baxter's TED Talk

Pain Care Labs "What Works for Pain" Guide

Pain Care Labs "What Works for Needle Fear" Guide

Dr. Amy Baxter, MD, is a pediatric emergency physician, inventor, researcher, and founder of Pain Care Labs. Internationally recognized for her work in pediatric pain management, Dr. Baxter invented Buzzy® after watching her own son develop a fear of needles despite her expertise as a physician. For more than 20 years, she has researched how vibration, cold therapy, and developmentally appropriate support can reduce pain during vaccines, blood draws, IV placements, and other medical procedures. Her mission is to help children experience less pain, less trauma, and more confidence during healthcare experiences. 
 
❤️ If this episode helped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with another family or healthcare professional who could benefit from these resources.
📱 Connect with us
Instagram: @childlifeoncall + @insidethechildrenshospital
🌐 Website: insidethechildrenshospital.com
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
 
#childlife #pediatrics #medicalparent #hospitalparent #vaccines #blooddraw #IVtherapy #painmanagement #needlepain #childrenshospital #buzzy #medicaltrauma #caregiver #pediatrichealthcare #childlifespecialist #medicalcomplexity #parenting #podcast #amybaxter #paincare

What happens when the child you've dreamed of suddenly receives a diagnosis you've never even heard of? For Deborah, it was Angelman syndrome.
In this episode of Inside the Children's Hospital Podcast, Katie Taylor sits down with Deborah Trejo, Art Therapist, to share the powerful story of her daughter Maya's journey to an Angelman syndrome diagnosis. After months of feeding difficulties, developmental delays, seizures, and countless unanswered questions, Deborah and her family finally received a diagnosis just one day after Maya's first birthday.
Deborah opens up about the emotional realities of medical motherhood—from surviving the uncertainty of the diagnostic process to learning how grief and joy can exist together. She shares how finding community through the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, connecting with other parents, and embracing art as a tool for healing helped her navigate one of the most difficult seasons of her life.
As both a mother and an art therapist, Deborah also reflects on maintaining her identity beyond caregiving, advocating fiercely for her daughter's needs, and celebrating every milestone along the way. Her story is an honest reminder that while a rare diagnosis may change the path a family expected, it can also reveal extraordinary resilience, purpose, and hope.
Whether you're a parent navigating a rare diagnosis, caring for a child with complex medical needs, or a healthcare professional supporting families through uncertainty, this episode offers compassionate encouragement and a reminder that you are never alone.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Deborah's journey from children's hospital volunteer to art therapist
Maya's first year and the road to an Angelman syndrome diagnosis
Early signs including feeding difficulties, developmental delays, and seizures
The emotional experience of waiting for answers after neurological testing
Receiving a rare diagnosis and processing grief as a family
The importance of connecting with other parents and diagnosis-specific support organizations
How art became a source of healing and resilience
Balancing motherhood, career, and personal identity
Becoming a strong advocate for a child with complex medical needs
Finding joy while navigating the realities of medical parenting
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Meet Deborah Trejo
01:30 Maya's first year and the journey to diagnosis
05:30 Birth during COVID and early medical concerns
08:00 Developmental delays, seizures, and meeting neurology
11:25 Receiving the Angelman syndrome diagnosis
13:00 Processing grief and surviving the unknown
19:15 Becoming an art therapist through lived experience
21:15 Holding onto identity beyond medical motherhood
24:00 The Angelman Syndrome Foundation and family support
26:50 Learning to ask for help
28:45 Advocacy, milestones, and celebrating progress
31:55 Maya's joy and final reflections
Resources Mentioned
Angelman Syndrome Foundation
Angelman Syndrome Foundation (ASF) — this is the organization's official name.
Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST) — another major Angelman organization, particularly focused on research and therapeutics.
First 100 Days Journey 
ASF Family Champions 
Clinical Care Toolkit 
NIH/NINDS Angelman syndrome information
Connect with Us
Instagram: @childlifeoncall + @insidethechildrenshospital

Youtube: @childlifeoncall
Subscribe: Never miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Visit insidethechildrenshospital.com to search stories and episodes easily

Leave a Review: It helps other families find us and access our resources

Medical information shared in this episode is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team for guidance specific to your child and family.
Keywords: Angelman syndrome, Angelman syndrome diagnosis, rare disease, rare genetic disorder, developmental delays, seizures in children, medical motherhood, caregiver support, parenting a child with disabilities, pediatric neurology, rare diagnosis, art therapy, family centered care, child life specialist, medically complex children, disability advocacy, parent support, pediatric healthcare, Inside the Children's Hospital Podcast

What do you do when your child receives a diagnosis and your mind suddenly goes blank?
Whether you're hearing difficult news for the first time or preparing your child for a medical procedure, knowing what to ask—and how to support your child—can feel overwhelming.
In this episode of Inside the Children's Hospital, Katie Taylor, Certified Child Life Specialist, is joined by Dr. Mona Amin, board-certified pediatrician, founder of PedsDocTalk, and Chief Medical Officer at Poppins, for an honest conversation about helping families navigate some of the hardest moments in healthcare.
Together, they share practical strategies for asking the right questions after a diagnosis, preparing children for medical procedures in developmentally appropriate ways, and supporting both parents and children through fear, uncertainty, and overwhelming emotions. Dr. Mona also shares her own experience as both a pediatrician and the mother of a child who experienced a neonatal stroke, offering a unique perspective from both sides of the hospital bed.
Whether your child is facing a new diagnosis, an upcoming surgery, blood work, vaccinations, or ongoing medical care, this episode will leave you feeling more prepared, informed, and empowered.
In This Episode:
00:00 – Why difficult medical conversations can leave parents feeling overwhelmed
2:12 – Meet Dr. Mona Amin and her work supporting families through PedsDocTalk and Poppins
5:02 – How virtual pediatric care is helping families access support sooner
6:53 – What parents should ask after receiving a new diagnosis
8:16 – Why your brain "goes offline" during difficult news
13:42 – How to pause, regulate emotions, and advocate for your child
18:31 – Should parents Google a diagnosis? How to find trustworthy information
23:15 – The importance of hope while navigating uncertainty
31:21 – How children understand illness differently at every developmental stage
35:57 – Preparing toddlers and preschoolers for medical experiences
39:38 – Supporting school-age children through needles, procedures, and fear of pain
42:38 – Why you should never use the doctor as a threat
44:00 – Preparing children for blood draws, MRIs, vaccines, and procedures
46:23 – What to do when your child is completely dysregulated during a medical procedure
52:18 – Comfort positioning, honest communication, and building trust with children
56:07 – Helping children express big feelings while remaining their safe place
You'll Learn:
The most important questions to ask after a new diagnosis

How to stay grounded when emotions take over

Developmentally appropriate ways to explain illness to children

How to prepare kids for medical procedures without increasing anxiety

Why honest language builds trust with children

How to respond when your child is scared or dysregulated

Why connection matters more than perfection

Ways to help children develop confidence during medical experiences

Resources Mentioned
PedsDocTalk by Dr. Mona Amin

Poppins Pediatric Care (Use code ChildLifeOnCall for one month of FREE parent coaching or pediatric medical care where available.)

Free Comfort Position Guide from Child Life On Call

 
 
Connect with Us
Instagram: @childlifeoncall + @insidethechildrenshospital

YouTube- All episodes available in video format! 
Subscribe: Never miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Visit insidethechildrenshospital.com to search stories and episodes easily

Leave a Review: It helps other families find us and access our resources

 
Medical information shared in this episode is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your care team for guidance specific to your child and family.
Keywords: child medical diagnosis, pediatric diagnosis, child life specialist, Dr. Mona Amin, PedsDocTalk, preparing kids for medical procedures, talking to kids about illness, helping children cope with illness, questions to ask after a diagnosis, child receives a diagnosis, pediatrician advice, preparing kids for blood draws, preparing kids for vaccines, hospital anxiety in children, pediatric healthcare, family-centered care, medical parenting, supporting children through healthcare, pediatric patient education, parenting a medically complex child

When your child receives a diagnosis, everything changes. In this heartfelt episode, Katie Taylor welcomes back Jessica Patay, founder of We Are Brave Together, to discuss the emotional realities of caregiving, raising a son with Prader-Willi syndrome and autism, and why supporting the mental health of caregiving moms is essential.
Jessica shares how a mentor mom transformed her own journey after her son's diagnosis and how that experience inspired her to create We Are Brave Together, a thriving community supporting thousands of caregiving mothers worldwide. She also introduces her newest book, Suddenly Brave Together, a collection of letters written by experienced caregiving moms to families navigating a new diagnosis.
Together, Katie and Jessica explore the importance of community, finding hope through shared experiences, navigating the transition into adult healthcare, and why caregivers deserve just as much support as the children they care for.
Whether you're parenting a child with a rare disease, disability, medical complexity, neurodivergence, or chronic illness, this conversation is a reminder that you never have to walk this journey alone.
In This Episode:
1:58 – Meet Jessica Patay and her family's journey with Prader-Willi syndrome
5:45 – What is We Are Brave Together?
8:10 – Jessica's new book, Suddenly Brave Together
11:05 – The letter Jessica wrote to newly diagnosed moms
13:10 – Why caregiver mental health matters
15:55 – The mentor mom who changed everything
17:15 – How moms can become Connection Circle leaders
21:30 – Supporting moms navigating behavioral challenges
23:15 – Where to find Jessica's books and resources
24:15 – Transitioning from pediatric to adult healthcare
27:45 – Why caregivers still need a village after childhood
30:45 – Creating spaces where caregivers feel seen, not judged
32:45 – Why supporting moms strengthens the entire family
Resources Mentioned
• We Are Brave Together: https://www.wearebravetogether.org
• Learn about Connection Circles and caregiver retreats
• Suddenly Brave Together and Becoming Brave Together
Connect with Us
Instagram: @childlifeoncall + @insidethechildrenshospital

Subscribe: Never miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Visit insidethechildrenshospital.com to search stories and episodes easily

Leave a Review: It helps other families find us and access our resources

Medical information shared in this episode is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your care team for guidance specific to your child and family.

Keywords: 
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-6a5fe19e-5ae8-83ea-b880-f45b98367efe-1" data-turn-id-container= "request-6a5fe19e-5ae8-83ea-b880-f45b98367efe-1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-8" data-turn="assistant"> Prader-Willi syndrome, We Are Brave Together, caregiver mental health, caregiving moms, special needs parenting, medically complex children, rare disease parenting, autism parenting, caregiver support, parent support community, new diagnosis support, disability parenting, family caregiving, pediatric to adult healthcare transition, Connection Circles, caregiver burnout, parenting after diagnosis, medically complex parenting, Jessica Patay, caregiving community