Episodes
-
S.6 E.8 Donna Pope: Heart to Heart Adoptions
Donna Pope is the Founder and Executive Director of Heart to Heart Adoptions, a Utah-based adoption agency known for its respectful, compassionate, and non-judgmental support of birth mothers and adoptive families. With over 25 years of experience in Utah’s adoption landscape, Donna is recognized...
-
S.5 E.5 Kelly Edmondson: Founder & CEO of Timely Presence
Kelly Edmondson is a nurse executive, certified grief counselor, and founder of Timely Presence, a company redefining how we support people after loss. While her personal loss was not perinatal, she carries a deeply lived understanding of grief after the unexpected death of her son, Darius, in...
-
S.6 E.4 Wendy Kowalski: Persevering to Care for Life's Little Ones: Caring Cradle
Today, I'm joined by Wendy Kowalski. She is the designer and manufacturer of the Caring Cradle. She decided to make something that would be a better fit for hospitals, nurses, and families after seeing that the only cooling unit on the market was using water, and was all too often broken. With...
-
S.6 E.3 Dr. Melinda Elliott: Nutrition In The NICU Is More Than Just Food For The Smallest Babies, It Is Medicine
Today I am joined by Dr. Melinda Elliott. Dr. Melinda Elliott’s path to neonatology began in childhood. Even as a young girl, she knew she wanted to be a “baby doctor,” and that early calling guided her through medical school and specialized training in neonatal-perinatal medicine. She earned her...
-
September '26 #AskAtara
oin Atara and I for September’s #AskAtara! This month is #NICUAwarenessMonth. We discuss resources for NICU parents, but most importantly we want you to know you are not alone! NICU Hearts Collective's Website Cathy's Website...
-
S.6 E.2 Madi Baker: One of a Kind: Set Apart for God's Glory
Today I'm joined by Maddie Baker. Maddie is a devoted stay at home mom with her three children living in the beautiful hills of east Tennessee. She and her family love spending time in the mountains, tending to their garden, and taking long walks together. When she's not outside soaking up…
more -
S.6 E.1 Season 6 Premiere: Perinatal Trauma Doesn't have a Trophy Case
Join me for our season 6 premiere. In this week’s episode I discuss a few episodes that will air this season, but I also discuss a topic that has been on my mind for a few years. I have had more than one guest say something along the line of, “Well, my trauma is not as severe as yours…”. Each…
more -
One Step at a Time: The Fight Against Post-Intensive Care Syndrome
Surviving the ICU is only the beginning of the journey. In this special bonus episode of Birth Trauma Stories, I with my friends Micheal Patrick, Cheryl Thompson, and Dr. Brian Peach share why we are joining survivors, families, and advocates to walk in honor of those impacted by Post-Intensive...
-
April '26 #AskAtara
Join @nicufreedom and I for April's #AskAtara! This month is #CesareanAwarenessMonth. If a #VBAC is part of your birth plan, you don’t have to walk that road alone. We encourage you to connect with ICAN for support, education, and community. Pray, seek wisdom, and advocate for the birth God…
more -
S.5 E.27 Season Finale: Gathered & Restored: A Retreat for Perinatal Trauma Survivors
Join Megan Secrest, Liana Albers, Atara Parkinson, and I as we share the heart behind our upcoming virtual retreat. In this episode, we walk through each session, the intention behind them, and the stories that led us into this work. While each of our journeys looks different, one powerful theme...
-
S.5 E.26 Megan Secrest: Grief and Growth Coexisting: All Trauma includes loss
This week I'm joined by Megan Seacrest. Megan is a wife, a mom to five children, one on Earth and four in heaven. She's also a licensed clinical social worker and EMDR certified therapist. She has been with her husband for 10 years and her personal experiences with ADHD and pregnancy loss deeply...
-
March '26 #AskAtara
Join @nicufreedom and I for March’s #AskAtara! This month we discuss the ripple effect of #PerinatalTrauma. March is also #AFEAwarenessMonth. I typically do not ask for donations from this beautiful community but if you feel led and want to support the @afefoundation donate below! 🩵 Ask Atara is...
-
S.5 E.25 Brittany Baker: In the Room: Surviving an AFE, Aneurysm, & the Miracle In Between
Today's episode I'm joined by Brittany Baker, mama of four work from home Mama, dear friend and the doula who supported me during the birth of my second daughter. What makes this conversation especially sacred and heavy is that Brittany was in the room when we experienced our amniotic fluid...
-
S.5 E.24 Liana Albers: Held by God: A Story of Survival, Healing, and Thriving
Today's episode is one I truly believe is God ordained. I'm joined by my dear AFE and stroke sister Liana Albers. Our friendship began with a simple post in the Facebook, AFE support group. I was searching for someone who understood life post-stroke, and God led Liana to respond. In this episode,...
-
S.5 E.23 Kirsten Karchmer: Created for Care: How Technology Can Serve Women
Today’s guest has spent her career helping women improve their health and fertility outcomes. Kirsten Karchmer is the founder and CEO of Conceivable, a company using AI to personalize women’s health, fertility, and wellness care. We’ll talk about how she’s turning decades of clinical experience...
-
S.5 E.22 Andrea Hickson: From Tiny Beginnings to Big Impact: NICU Alumni
Today I'm joined by Andrea Hickson from NICU alumni. Andrea is the parent of two fierce NICU graduates. After bringing her little ones home, she recognized the sense of isolation and uncertainty that often accompanies this significant transition. This understanding is what fuels her mission to...
-
S.5 E.21 Ashley Hernandez: The Birth I Didn’t Expect: A Story of Preeclampsia
Ashley Hernandez’s birth story is one of resilience and survival. After conceiving through IVF, she developed gestational hypertension that progressed to preeclampsia with severe features, putting both her and her baby at risk. She was also high-risk for preterm labor. Ultimately, she required a...
-
February '26 #AskAtara
Join Atara and I for this month’s #AskAtara where we discuss Full Term NICU Admission Month and the importance of minerals! Ask Atara is recorded live on Instagram. Sound quality may vary. Ryan Hansen's Episode: More Families Intact Atara's Website Connect with Atara on Instagram...
-
S.5 E.20: Sharon Dey-Layne: Pioneering Excellence in Maternal Care
Sharon Dey-Layne is a Clinical Nurse Specialist with over 30 years of experience in labor and delivery, newborn care, midwifery, and nursing education, she has excelled in both clinical and academic roles. Holding advanced degrees including a DNP, she demonstrates a commitment to lifelong…
more -
S.5 E.19: Wendy Melrose: A Mother's Fight for the Birth She Wante
Today I'm joined by Wendy Melrose. . Wendy is a writer in self-publishing facilitator Steward the Business Resilient Press. She helps women write and publish their trauma/tragedy to victory stories. She is also a wife and mother of two spectacular children and a doggy mom to two amazing doggies....
-
S.5 E.18 Ashley Haywood: Saving Sadie Rae: A Mother's Perilous Fight for Her Daughter
In this week's episode, I'm joined by Ashley Haywood. Ashley is a dedicated mother, advocate, and community leader who paused her career in clinical research to become a full-time caregiver to her daughter Sadie. Sadie was diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome, a rare terminal disease. For nearly a...
-
S.5 E.17 Courtney Johnson: AFE Foundation Missouri State Liaison and Survivor
Courtney is an amniotic fluid embolism survivor from Missouri Baptist Medical Center, February of 2020, right after the birth of her second child. Courtney's experience with birth trauma propelled her to become passionate and advocating. For the Amniotic Fluid Embolism Foundation, and she shares...
-
January '26 #AskAtara: National Blood Donor and Maternal Health Awareness Months
Join @atara.parkinson for January’s #AskAtara! January is #BloodDonorMonth and #MaternalHealthAwarenessMonth! Tune in to hear more and drop a ❤️ to show your support this month. Ask Atara is recorded live on Instagram. Sound quality may vary. Ryan Hansen's Episode: More Families Intact Atara's...
-
S.5 E.16 Michelle Rossi: Life after Anencephaly: Trusting God Through it All
Today I'm joined by Michelle Rossi. Michelle is married and a mom of three with one on the way and one in heaven. She is currently a pediatric hemoc oncology nurse and in school for her pediatric nurse practitioner degree. She worked in postpartum and pediatric home care prior. She currently…
more -
When Christmas Feels Different: Trusting God in a Season Loss
Maybe this season changed everything. Maybe you’re tired of being strong. The Lord is near. Jehovah-Shammah “Come to me, all who are weary…” Matthew 11:28 Tune in for a special episode of #CoffeewithCathy Cathy's Printify Shop Cathy's Website...
-
S.5 E.15 Stephanie Jacques: The Power of Human Connection
Today I'm joined by Stephanie Jacques. Stephanie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with over a decade of experience in the mental health and substance abuse field. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to helping individuals heal, grow, and thrive no matter where they are in their...
-
S.5 E.14 Atara Parkinson: NICU Mama x3 and The Healing Ways of Jesus! Part Three
In this week's episode, were back with Atara Parkinson again for part three of her story. Atara is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has been practicing in the field of mental health for 14 years. Her current passions include holistic healing, supporting postpartum mamas, brain…
more -
December '25 AskAtara: Twin to Twin Transfusion Awareness Month
This month’s #AskAtara is now live on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Link is in my LinkTree. Join @atara.parkinson and me for this special episode of #AskAtara. There wasn’t a specific question submitted this month, but December is Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) Awareness Month, so we’re...
-
S.5 E.13 Atara Parkinson: NICU Mama x3 and The Healing Ways of Jesus! Part Two
In this week's episode, I'm were back with Atara Parkinson. Atara is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has been practicing in the field of mental health for 14 years. Her current passions include holistic healing, supporting postpartum mamas, brain spotting, and educating on the role…
more -
S.5 E.12 Atara Parkinson: NICU Mama x3 and The Healing Ways of Jesus! Part One
In this week's episode, I'm joined by my dear friend, Atara Parkinson. Atara is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has been practicing in the field of mental health for 14 years. Her current passions include holistic healing, supporting postpartum mamas, brain spotting, and educating on...
-
S.5 E.11 Ashli Daley: Meeting Parents Where They Are: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Newborn Care
Today I'm joined by Ashley Daley. Ashley Ashley. Today I'm joined by Ashley Daily. Ashley is a registered nurse, IBCLC, and an infant sleep expert based in South Florida. With over five years of NICU experience, she now works in her community and online to support families navigating feeding...
-
S.5 E.10 Kali Dayton: ICU NP & Host of Walking Home From the ICU
Today, I'm here with Kali Dayton. Kali Dayton, DNP, AGACNP, is a critical care nurse practitioner, Host of the Walking Home From The ICU and Walking You Through The ICU podcasts, and critical care outcomes consultant. She is dedicated to creating Awake and Walking ICUs by ensuring ICU sedation…
more -
S.5 E. 9 Beth Mull: Be Brave: A Story of Surrendering in Child Loss
Being in the midst of suffering, heartbreak, and tragedy can be painstakingly lonely and the most desperate time of your life. You can be left questioning God, confused as to why He isn’t answering your prayers, and even downright angry with Him. Beth Mull, from our Raleigh, North Carolina...
-
November Ask Atara Prepare for a NICU Stay
Join Atara and I for #AskAtara! This month’s question: “How to practically prepare for a NICU stay if you know you’ll have a premie?” This is a tender topic—tune in to hear our thoughts on how to prepare for a sensitive time. Tune in to hear more! Atara's Website Connect with Atara on...
-
S.5 E.8 Ashley Byrom: How Lack of Attachment Can Lead to PP Anxiety
Today I'm joined by Ashley Byram. Ashley currently lives in Homewood, Alabama, and this past August, she and her husband celebrated 20 years of marriage. They have three children, two biological boys, and one little girl who they adopted through foster care. Her faith is a foundation of her life...
-
S.5 E.7: Catherine Garrett: God Does Not Make Mistakes: Managing Survivor's Guilt
This week’s podcast episode is one I’ve avoided for a long time. Not because it wasn’t important. Not because I hadn’t thought about it. But because on some level, I think I’ve been avoiding survivor’s guilt altogether. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve absolutely wrestled with the question: Why did I...
-
S.5 E.6 Dr. Brad Montagne: How to Avoid Pitfalls and Nightmares of Pregnancy, Birth, and After
Dr Brad Montage is a veteran (4 decade) Functional Medicine doctor who has helped women through all phases of life. From infertility, through pregnancy, delivery, postpartum, nursing, and all stages of motherhood. He has delivered his own children and helped many moms through all stages of crisis...
-
S.5 E.5 Andrea Calvaneso: Resilient MOMent: An Accreta Stor
Today I'm joined by Andrea Calvaneso. Andrea was born and raised in a suburb of Detroit. She's been married for almost 15 years and has four kiddos. She's passionate about family and her faith. Her faith is the very foundation of everything she does. When she married her husband, she converted to...
-
S.5 E.4 Gina DiMarco Zero Out of Ten Stars: Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) & COVID Delivery
Today Gina DiMarco joins me. She is a mom of five boys and is happily married to her best friend, Chris. She's a business consultant specializing in non-profit fundraising and communication. She is passionate about sharing her genuine lived experiences as she believes that is the best way to not...
-
S.5 E.3 Dr. Yaya Ren: Preeme + You
Today's guest is Dr. Yaya Ren. Dr. Ren is a medical and cultural anthropologist. She's passionate about bringing the science of human interactions to create mobile technology solutions that improve quality of life and health outcomes for preemies and their families. She has conducted extensive...
-
S.5 E.2 Cristina Simmons: Powered by Perseverance
In this week's episode, I am joined by Cristina P. Simmons. She is a speaker, author, and trauma-informed wellness coach whose path to motherhood has been marked by unimaginable loss and deep resilience. After losing three biological children (Kaelynn, Kadyn & DJ) due to a rare genetic syndrome,...
-
S.5 E.1 Season Premiere: The Power of Community
As we journey into the fifth season of the podcast, my heart swells with gratitude. This has been an incredible journey; a journey marked by profound stories of perinatal trauma and the miraculous power of faith. This season, we delve into awe-inspiring stories, from the rare condition of…
more -
August Ask Atara
Things look a little different for this month’s #AskAtara… But for a beautiful reason. We’re beyond excited to announce our inaugural Christian Virtual Retreat for Perinatal Trauma Survivors! Whether you’ve: 🩵 Chosen not to have more children due to health risks 🩵 Experienced permanent...
-
July Ask Atara: How Can We Share Our Birth Trauma Experience with Someone Who Had a "More" Traumatic Birth Trauma?
Join @atara.parkinson and me for #AskAtara! This month’s question: “How can we share our birth trauma experience with someone who’s experienced a ‘more’ traumatic birth trauma?” It’s a tender topic—tune in to hear our thoughts on how to navigate these hard conversations with compassion and…
more -
June Ask Atara: How to Support Friends and/or Family Members Through Infertility
Join @atara.parkinson and I for #AskAtara. Today’s question is “How to support friends and/or family members walking through infertility? Tune in to hear more and drop a 🍍below to show your support! Atara's Website Cathy's Printify Shop Trauma Tribe Cathy's...
-
March Ask Atara
Join @atara.parkinson and I for #AskAtara. Today’s question is a great one. It is “How to go into having more children after birth trauma?” I think this is a question many can relate to! We also discuss how to work through the feelings of having a hysterectomy after perinatal trauma. Tune in to...
-
April Ask Atara
Join @atara.parkinson and I for #AskAtara. Today’s question is “How to cope with triggers from PTSD?” I think this is a question many can relate to after experiencing perinatal trauma! Tune in to hear more! Cathy's Printify Shop Trauma Tribe Cathy's Website…
more -
S.4 E.27 Jess Ronne: Caregiving with Grit & Grace
Jess Ronne is an author, speaker, podcast host at Coffee with Caregivers, associate producer of the Unseen Documentary, and caregiver advocate. She is the founder and executive director of The Lucas Project, a non-profit dedicated to providing recognition, resources, and respite support for…
more -
S.4 E.26 Dr. Gargey Patil: An AFE Story: A Provider's Perspective
In this week's episode, I have an extra special guest: my OB/GYN, Dr. Garey Patil. Dr. Patil was one of the physicians present on the day of our Amniotic Fluid Embolism. He's been married to his wife, Sunita, for over 27 years, and they have two adult children. One son is a lawyer, and the…
more -
S.4 E.25 Karlonty Wallace: Pawsitive Partnership: Hope for Trauma Survivors!
Today I am joined by Karlonty L. Wallace, an advocate for healing and empowerment. Her journey began in the nurturing environment of a home daycare, which grew into a bustling operation. However, the demands eventually led to a health setback, prompting her to explore her true calling. She then...