Child Life Wild Life Jessica Lewin, CCLS

Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Kate Hamelin, about her 20 years of experience working on the burn unit. 

Starting her career as a social worker working within the child welfare arena, she pivoted unexpectedly into child life and has never left. 

Throughout this episode, we take a peek into the burn ICU's complexities, discussing the delicate balance of providing care and preparing young patients for the stark realities they may face. Kate's expertise shines as she shares the strategies for explaining the ICU's intricacies to children and the therapeutic methods that alleviate the excruciating process of healing. It's a candid glance into the lives of those who find purpose in the pain and seek to ease it, not just for the patients but also for their families, clinging to the promise of life beyond the bandages.

She shares with us the balance of skills needed when working in the burn unit to have the urgency and adaptability needed when working in the ED but also the creativity that comes when working with long term patients on intensive care units. 

Join us for an episode that not only inspires but also empowers, offering a wealth of wisdom for those eager to make a difference in the world of child life and emergency care.

Track: Odessa — LiQWYD & Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/jNy-Dp3lgcgFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/odessa

Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, sits down with three child life professors to see what the world of academics looks like. Please welcome Cara Smith, Savannah Kelly, and Amanda Butler to the podcast. 

Learn about the ways in which these three have kept things interesting in the classroom throughout the pandemic, and kept the key skills of child life at the forefront of their careers as professors through assessment, building rapport, advocacy for the field and their students, coping support and more. 

Join us in appreciating the profound role these specialists play in shaping lives, and take away a treasure trove of career advice for those embarking on—or already navigating—the rewarding journey of child life academia.

Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Erin Tukua, about utilizing her previous job experience as a professional photographer to elevate her techniques she uses with patients and families in the child life profession. 

Inside this creative episode, we spotlight Erin's innovative practice of using photography as an intervention to help families navigate their child's hospital stay. She opens up about her experiences during her practicum and internship, and how she uses her camera lens to capture moments of joy and coping, essentially turning the hospital into a canvas brimming with resilience and hope. From celebrating milestones to providing a sense of normalcy for bereaved families, Erin's photography intervention is creating a positive impact throughout the hospital.

Erin also shares how she uses her photography to meet the developmental needs of babies in the NICU, masterfully integrating the art of photography into meeting medical and psychological needs. Her struggle against imposter syndrome, her strategies to extend her unique skills across the hospital, and her advice for others looking to incorporate their passion into their practice, all make for an intriguing conversation. So, tune in to get inspired by Erin's journey that is not only about nurturing young lives but also about embracing one's passions in the most challenging environments.

You can follow Erin on Instagram as @erintukua.
Track: Odessa — LiQWYD & Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/jNy-Dp3lgcgFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/odessa

Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Shira Miller, about her almost 2 decades of experience working within the same hospital, moving up the clinical ladder and creating the COAST (Children of Adults Support Team) Program.

COAST program and the ways in which child life services have evolved to support not just end-of-life situations but the entire spectrum of a parent's health challenges is a remarkable example of how child life can expand within the hospital setting.

Shira takes us through the development of a dedicated team to address the emotional demands of this work, safeguarding against burnout and ensuring that both families and specialists are well-cared for. This proactive and holistic approach to family support, stresses the importance of clear communication and the dedication of the COAST team to foster resilience in the midst of adversity.

Shira has so much to share in her passion for educating staff on the important principles and best practices that is child life. Rather than get defensive, seeing a child be put in a comfort position before she enters the room, it tells her that the staff is learning developmentally appropriate care and for that she is grateful. Child life is essential, but is not typically available 24/7. In order for patients and families to continue to get the best care possible, it's imperative that we not hold our services to a higher than thou mentality. We must share what we know in order to provide outstanding patient care. 

 Tune in to this episode for a deep and inspiring look at the transformative power of empathy and expertise in the midst of healthcare challenges.

You can follow Shira on Instagram at @shiramiller81.

Track: Odessa — LiQWYD & Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/jNy-Dp3lgcgFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/odessa

Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Melissa Schmautz, about her 17 years of experience, wisdom, and compassionate practices in child life and palliative care. 

Melissa tells stories about helping families navigate the heartbreak of acknowledging death with their young ones, offering a rare glimpse into the delicate art of conveying the incomprehensible to the most innocent among us. As we unravel Melissa's professional work, she casts light upon the nuanced complexities of teaching child life courses alongside her poignant firsthand experiences in various hospital units. Her journey—punctuated by the establishment of youth advisory programs, deep involvement with children's oncology camps, and the start of several palliative care organizations—provides invaluable lessons for those in pediatric care. 

Melissa also outlines for us the difference between "memory making" and "legacy building"; buzz words often talked about in the child life profession that she has a great deal of experience in utilizing and incorporating with her patients and families. Melissa thoughtfully details the importance of including siblings and employing therapeutic resources during these impactful times. 

Lastly, working alongside those that are terminal can be heavy on the heart and mind. For fellow healthcare professionals, she extends practical advice on maintaining mental health amid the emotional tides of our work. This episode is not merely a collection of insights and stories, but a tribute to the resilience and empathy that define child life specialists like Melissa Schmautz, and a testament to the profound impact one person can have on many lives.

Track: Odessa — LiQWYD & Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/jNy-Dp3lgcgFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/odessa

Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Maddie Bozikis, about her experience navigating autoimmune diseases as a student and professional.  

Having battled with autoimmune diseases since high school, Maddie takes us through a profound journey of courage and resilience in the face of persistent health challenges. As Maddie unveils her experiences, we explore the unique hurdles she has encountered while balancing the demanding child life profession and personal health. This episode offers enlightening insights and practical advice on advocating for oneself, particularly in a challenging career environment, making it a must-listen for anyone facing similar struggles.

Delving further, we focus on the heightened stress Maddie underwent while applying for internships as she grappled with her diagnosis of alopecia in college. This discussion underlines the critical importance of maintaining both physical and mental health during high-stress periods. Maddie enlightens us on the intricate dance between autoimmune diseases and mental health, offering practical steps to make the child life profession more inclusive for individuals with physical or mental impairments.

Maddie's journey of managing her autoimmune disease throughout her studies and career is a beacon of hope and inspiration for all those dealing with chronic illness, making this episode an essential listen.

You can follow Maddie on Instagram as @Maddie_bozikis.
Track: Odessa — LiQWYD & Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/jNy-Dp3lgcgFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/odessa