PODCAST · society
Dear NICU Mama
by Dear NICU Mama
The DNM Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by NICU mamas and team members of Dear NICU Mama, Ashley + Aisha! By hosting interviews with trauma-informed medical and maternal mental health experts and sharing vulnerable interviews with NICU mamas around the world, our hope is that you feel like you’re sitting across the table from another NICU sister and feel seen and validated in your experience. No matter where you are on your healing journey, this podcast is here to remind you that you are not alone. Welcome to the sisterhood! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
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Infant Loss Roundtable: Navigating Grief and Honoring Our Babies
In this week's episode, Ashley and Aisha are joined by fellow NICU mamas Mollie and Latoya for a heartfelt roundtable conversation in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Together, these mamas share their experiences navigating life after the loss of their children, how grief has...
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Wave of Light: Saying Their Names
In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and the International Wave of Light, this week's episode is dedicated to remembering and honoring the babies who left this world far too soon. In this week's podcast episode, Ashley and Aisha share the names and stories of babies whose lives...
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REPLAY | Redefining Grief with Jessica Hotchkiss
In this week’s episode, we are sharing a replay centered on grief and the many ways it can show up throughout the NICU journey and beyond. As mentioned in the introduction, our Wave of Light episode will be published on October 14. Below, you’ll find a form where you can share the name of your…
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Preeclampsia, Prematurity & Josie’s NICU Journey | Maddie’s Story
In this week's episode, we sit down with NICU Mama and longtime member of this sisterhood Maddie to hear the story of her daughter, Josie. After a textbook pregnancy, Maddie was suddenly diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome at 29 weeks, airlifted to a hospital four hours from…
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When Our Stories Become Advocacy with Keira Sorrells
In this week's episode, we sit down with Keira Sorrells, NICU mama and founder and Executive Director of NICU Parent Network. Keira shares her journey through infertility, an unexpected pregnancy with quintuplets, and ultimately welcoming her daughters Avery, Lily, and Zoe at just 25 weeks and 5...
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You Are the Mom Your Baby Needs: Healing After a Seven Day NICU Stay
In this week's episode, Ashley and Aisha sit down with NICU mama Kelsey to hear the story of her son, Rory, who arrived unexpectedly at 35 weeks and spent seven days in the NICU. Kelsey vulnerably shares the loneliness of being separated from her baby after birth, waiting 72 hours to hold him,...
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From Survival Mode to Healing | Savannah's Story
WE ARE BACK!!! And what better way to kick off a new season of the Dear NICU Mama podcast than during NICU Awareness Month! In this week's episode, Ashley and Aisha are joined by NICU mama, artist, and writer Savannah O'Malley as she shares the story of her twin boys, Lachlan and Lex. Born at…
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July Mamas Call In
It’s time for another Mamas Call In episode! Our call-in episodes are some of our favorites because they give us the chance to hear directly from YOU. This month’s prompt was: “What does it mean to be a Walking Letter of Hope?” In this episode, two incredible NICU mamas share what becoming a...
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Nicole | Severe Preeclampsia, a Medical Flight, and Layla's NICU Journey
In this week's episode, Ashley and Aisha are joined by Dear NICU Mama Board Member Nicole as she shares the story of her daughter, Layla. After a year and a half of trying to conceive, Nicole became pregnant with Layla and was carefully monitored due to a congenital heart condition. At 32 weeks,...
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Mental Health Roundtable | A Replay Episode
In this week's podcast episode we're revisiting a beautiful roundtable conversation from season 8 for an honest discussion about mental health after the NICU with Dear NICU Mama volunteers, Kamille and Lexxa. Together, they share vulnerably about their own experiences with postpartum depression,...
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June Mama's Call In
It’s time for another Mamas Call In episode! Our call-in episodes are some of our favorites because they give us the chance to hear directly from YOU. This month’s prompt was: “What words of hope or encouragement would you offer to a NICU mom who feels like it’s all too much right now?” In this...
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Emma | Grady’s Neonatal Stroke Journey
In this week’s podcast episode, Emma shares the story of her son Grady’s unexpected NICU journey after experiencing a rare neonatal stroke at birth. What began as a healthy, full-term pregnancy quickly turned into a series of medical emergencies, including respiratory distress, seizures, an...
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Mother's Day Mama's Call In
It’s time for another Mamas Call In episode! Our call-in episodes are some of our favorites because they give us the chance to hear directly from YOU. This month’s prompt was: “What words of hope would you offer to another NICU mama this Mother’s Day?” From reminders that your feelings are valid,...
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Latoya’s Story: A NICU Journey, Loss, and Honoring Skylar
In this week’s episode, Latoya shares her motherhood story of welcoming her daughter Skylar at 28 weeks and navigating a long and complex NICU journey. She opens up about the challenges they faced during Skylar’s 10-month NICU stay, the joy of bringing her home, and the deep love that defined…
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C-Section Roundtable Part 2 | A Replay Episode
In this week’s episode, we’re continuing part 2 of our C-section roundtable with Ashley, Aisha, and two incredible NICU mamas from our community, Lindsay and Kristen. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, we encourage you to start there because today we’re picking up right where we left off! In...
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C-Section Roundtable Part 1 | A Replay Episode
In this week’s podcast episode, we are sharing a replay episode from a c-section roundtable with Ashley, Aisha, and two incredible NICU mamas from our community, Lindsay and Kristen! In this honest and gentle conversation, we share about the moments leading up to our C-sections, whether they were...
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Brent & Suzette: Holding Grief and Joy in Medical Parenthood
In this week’s episode, we sit down with Brent and Suzette to share the story of their daughter Chloe and her journey with a rare mitochondrial disorder. What began as a typical pregnancy quickly shifted into a complex medical journey marked by uncertainty, advocacy, and deep resilience. Brent…
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Life After the NICU: Oakley’s NICU Story | Part 2
In this week’s podcast episode, we continue Emilee’s story as she shares what life looked like after Oakley’s diagnosis and their transition home from the NICU. Emilee opens up about navigating the unknowns of Oakley’s rare genetic deletion, making decisions about medical interventions like a...
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Sex & Intimacy After the NICU with Natalie Reiter
We are back!!! In this week’s podcast episode, we’re sharing a 2026 update and re-release of a conversation originally recorded in 2020, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day. We’re joined by maternal mental health therapist Natalie Reiter for an honest and compassionate discussion about sex and...
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Meet the Illustrator of Right On Time + Exciting Book Update!
In this week’s episode, Ashley and Aisha sit down with two very special guests: Allie, a PA who cared for Ashley’s son during his NICU stay, and her husband, Troy—the illustrator of Right On Time, Dear NICU Mama’s first children’s board book. Together they share the full-circle story of how their...
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The OGs Reunite: A Conversation with Co-Founder Martha!
In this week’s podcast episode, Ashley and Aisha sit down with Dear NICU Mama co-founder Martha for a vulnerable and joy-filled conversation about the early days of the sisterhood and how it all began! From the first coffee date and color-coded binder to the launch of the podcast and the years of...
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Healing After Birth and NICU Trauma with The Birth Trauma Mama
In this week’s podcast episode, we share the audio from our recent Walking Letter of Hope Day virtual event featuring licensed therapist and birth trauma survivor Kayleigh Summers, known as The Birth Trauma Mama! Kayleigh joins us to talk about the lasting impact of birth and NICU trauma, what...
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Carrie Part 2 | When the Hard but Right Thing Looks Like Heart Surgery
In this week’s episode, Ashley and Aisha are joined once again by their dear friend Carrie for the long-awaited part two of her family’s story. In part one, Carrie shared about her daughter Hattie’s unexpected NICU stay after being born full term. In this follow-up episode, Carrie opens up about...
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When Our COVID NICU Babies Start School
In this week’s episode, Ashley and Aisha are joined by their dear friend and DNM team member, Kamille, for a heartfelt conversation about kindergarten milestones and what it means to parent COVID NICU babies now entering school. Kamille and Aisha vulnerably share their journeys of navigating the...
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Welcome Back + A Big Announcement!
WE'RE BACK! In this week’s episode, Ashley and Aisha return after a summer break to reflect on Walking Letter of Hope Day, share big back-to-school milestones, and give exciting Dear NICU Mama updates. They also announce the release of Right On Time, Dear NICU Mama's very first children’s book....
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S10 E20 | Carey | Three Surgeries, 113 Days, and Finding Her NICU Sisters
In this week’s episode, we sit down with Carey, a remarkable NICU mom and cherished member of our Dear NICU Mama community and team. Carey vulnerably shares her story of an unexpected diagnosis of preeclampsia just days after moving across the country—and the delivery of her daughter Eliana at 29...
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Walking Letter of Hope Day 2025 – Everything You Need to Know!
In this week’s episode, Ashley and Aisha share all about one of our favorite events of the year: Walking Letter of Hope Day! Happening on Thursday, July 31st, Walking Letter of Hope Day is a special day where we honor NICU journeys, celebrate the strength of our sisterhood, and raise crucial…
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Andrea | Two-Time NICU Mom & NICU Alumni Founder
In this week’s episode, we’re honored to welcome Andrea Hickson—two-time NICU mom and founder of NICU Alumni. Andrea shares the emotional and unexpected journeys of welcoming her daughters Lucy and Felicity, both born prematurely and with unique NICU experiences. From emergency C-sections and...
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Brianna | Two Preterm Deliveries, 14 Months Apart
In this week’s episode, Brianna shares her experience as a two-time NICU mom. She shares about her first pregnancy, marked by an unexpected 20-week anatomy scan that revealed she was already two centimeters dilated. After an emergency cerclage and weeks of anxiety-filled bedrest, Brianna gave…
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Navigating Friendships After Birth and NICU Trauma with The Birth Trauma Mama
In this episode of the Dear NICU Mama podcast, we're joined once again by the remarkable Kayleigh Summers, also known as The Birth Trauma Mama, for a heartfelt conversation about how friendships shift in the wake of birth trauma and NICU experiences. Together, Ashley, Aisha, and Kayleigh open up...
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Sam | Navigating the NICU and Medical Motherhood - Part 2
In this week’s episode, we continue part 2 of Sam’s remarkable motherhood journey as she opens up about the emotional and physical toll of life after a traumatic birth and the journey of becoming a NICU and medical mama. Sam shares vulnerably about her daughter’s fragile start after being born at...
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NICU Life During Deployment: Sarah’s Story
In this week’s episode, we sit down with Sarah Hogan, a courageous NICU mom and military spouse, whose story embodies the truth that the NICU is a marathon, not a sprint. Sarah shares her high-risk pregnancy and the traumatic sequence of events that led to her daughter Sadie’s premature birth at…
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Happy Mother’s Day, NICU Mama - Live Recording!
In this special episode, we’re holding space for the complicated emotions that can come with Mother’s Day after a NICU experience. This conversation is close to our hearts—it’s a live recording from our recent Dear NICU Mama Virtual Live Podcast Event, where we gathered with NICU moms from across...
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Replay Roundtable: Building Bonds & Honoring NICU Moms This Mother’s Day
In this week's roundtable replay, Co-Founders Ashley and Martha are joined by Dear NICU Mama editorial team member Lindsay for an honest conversation all about bonding with our NICU babies. Together, they reflect on the tender, complicated, and deeply personal journey of building a bond in the...
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Rebekah | Elias' NICU Journey Part 2
In this episode, we continue with part two of NICU mom Rebekah and her son Elias. After a traumatic birth and critical early days in the NICU, Rebekah shares what came next—the challenges of feeding, navigating a brain injury diagnosis, and the emotional weight of waiting for answers. Rebekah…
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Rebekah | Elias' NICU Journey Part 1
In this week’s episode, we sit down with NICU mom and fierce advocate Rebekah, who vulnerably shares the extraordinary story of her son Elias’s birth and beginning of life. Rebekah walks us through her story of a sudden placental abruption at 28 weeks, an emergency C-section during the early days...
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S10 E8 | Baby Showers Mini Series Ep4: Navigating Baby Showers After the NICU - Live Recording!
Welcome to Episode 4 of our Baby Showers Mini Series! In this final episode of the series, we’re exploring a topic that can feel especially tender: attending baby showers after a NICU experience. This conversation is extra special—it’s a live recording from our very first Dear NICU Mama Live...
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S10 E7 | Baby Showers Mini Series Ep3: Navigating Baby Showers After Loss
Welcome to Episode 3 of our Baby Showers Mini Series! This week, we’re diving into the tender and emotional experience of navigating baby showers after loss. For some, baby showers are a joyful milestone. But for those who experience miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss, they can bring a wave…
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Baby Showers Mini Series Ep2: Attending Your Own Baby Shower While Your Baby is in the NICU
Welcome to Episode 2 of our Baby Showers Mini Series! This week, we’re diving into the experience of attending a baby shower while your baby is in the NICU—a reality that many NICU moms never expected to face. For some, baby showers are filled with excitement and joy. But for those navigating a...
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Lauren | Audrey's NICU Journey
In this episode, we sit down with NICU mom and Joy of Creative Play founder, Lauren, as she shares her extraordinary story of navigating a high-risk pregnancy, in-utero procedures, and the overwhelming uncertainty of a rare diagnosis. Lauren opens up about the realities of facing the unknown, the...
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We're Back! Jamie | Nalah's NICU Journey
We are excited to be back on the podcast with this sisterhood! To kick off our return, we are honored to share Jamie's story. Jamie, a labor and delivery nurse, never expected to find herself on the other side of care, but at 20 weeks, unexpected complications changed everything. She opens up…
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Navigating Loss, Bonding, and Advocacy with Rachell Dumas of Light After Nine
In this episode, we sit down with Rachell Dumas, founder of A Light After Nine, to hear her journey through loss, resilience, and advocacy. Rachell shares her experiences of multiple pregnancy losses, advocating for herself and her babies, and finally welcoming her son after an incredibly...
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Let's Talk About Healthy Boundaries with Natalie Reiter REPLAY
This week’s podcast episode is a replay of an episode from season 3 with Natalie Reiter of Prairieland Counseling! With the holidays approaching and with many of us having hard conversations with loved ones about boundaries, we wanted to share this episode as an extra boost of confidence. This...
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What is Palliative Care with Courageous Parents Network
In this week's episode, we are joined by Chrissy and Naomi from Courageous Parents Network (CPN), a nonprofit with a mission to orient and empower parents and others caring for children with serious illness by providing resources and tools that reflect the experience and perspective of families…
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Taylor | Selah's NICU Journey
In this week’s podcast episode, Taylor shares her unique journey of becoming a NICU mom through adoption. She opens up about her and her husband’s decision to adopt, their struggles with infertility, and the emotional experience of meeting their daughter, Selah, who was born four weeks early and...
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Mollie | Athena + Veronica's NICU Journeys
In this episode, Mollie shares her motherhood story of carrying identical twin girls, navigating a high-risk pregnancy, and experiencing both the joy of motherhood and the heartbreak of loss. Mollie opens up about the unexpected challenges she faced as a NICU mom, from giving birth at 26 weeks to...
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September Mamas Call-In!
It’s time for another Mamas Call In episode! This episode’s prompt was, “As a NICU parent, what were the moments during your NICU journey when you felt you needed the most courage? Or when do you believe you demonstrated the greatest courage?” We're now accepting submissions for our October…
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Welcome Back! Sarah Part 1
The Dear NICU Mama podcast is back! While we’re grateful for the extra time we had with our families this summer, we’re so excited to be back in this space with all of you. To kick off Season 9, we are honored to share part 1 of Sarah’s powerful NICU journey with her twin boys. In this episode,...
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Overcoming Indecision with Parijat Deshpande of Ruvelle
What if indecisiveness is a result of our birth and NICU trauma? On today’s podcast episode, we have speaker and somatic trauma consultant Parijat Deshpande on the podcast and we have an insightful conversation all about indecisiveness how we can identify it as a signal rather than a problem to…
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Father's Day Mama's Call In!
It’s time for another Mamas Call In episode! In honor of Father's Day soon approaching, we want to celebrate the NICU dads and partners in your life! We asked our community to share a time, inside or outside the NICU, when they felt deeply supported by their partner and/or when their partners...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The DNM Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by NICU mamas and team members of Dear NICU Mama, Ashley + Aisha! By hosting interviews with trauma-informed medical and maternal mental health experts and sharing vulnerable interviews with NICU mamas around the world, our hope is that you feel like you’re sitting across the table from another NICU sister and feel seen and validated in your experience. No matter where you are on your healing journey, this podcast is here to remind you that you are not alone. Welcome to the sisterhood!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
HOSTED BY
Dear NICU Mama
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Dear NICU Mama have?
Dear NICU Mama currently has 219 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Dear NICU Mama about?
The DNM Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by NICU mamas and team members of Dear NICU Mama, Ashley + Aisha! By hosting interviews with trauma-informed medical and maternal mental health experts and sharing vulnerable interviews with NICU mamas around the world, our hope is that you feel like...
How often does Dear NICU Mama release new episodes?
Dear NICU Mama publishes regularly with 219 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Dear NICU Mama?
You can listen to Dear NICU Mama on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Dear NICU Mama?
Dear NICU Mama is created and hosted by Dear NICU Mama.
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