The NICUnity Podcast

Keira Sorrells

Welcome to the NICUnity Podcast. The go-to show for leaders supporting NICU and bereaved families. Join Keira Sorrells, NICU mom and founder of the NICU Parent Network, as she talks on real stories, practical tools and expert advice to help you lead with purpose and impact. This is NICUnity, where parent leaders grow together. New episodes every week.

  1. Lived Experience in Grief and Care: Holding Loss Without Fixing It

    4 июн.

    Lived Experience in Grief and Care: Holding Loss Without Fixing It

    Let's dive into the complex nature of grief through the lens of parental trauma, NICU, and leadership experiences. We’ll hear from our host Kiera Sorrells as she discusses these topics with Kara Wahlin with NICU Healing & Dr. Ellen Bartolini with Children’s National and their personal stories on how grief can reshape identity and even influence the role of caregiver and leader. Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction 02:58 Lived Experiences of Grief and Transformation 06:13 The Role of Professional Insight in Grief Counseling 09:10 Understanding Grief Beyond Loss 12:08 Navigating Guilt and Joy in Parenting 15:01 The Complexity of Grief and Identity 17:52 Coping with Anticipatory Grief 21:05 The Impact of Trauma on Parenting 23:49 Supporting Families Through Grief 26:54 Distinguishing Grief from Depression 30:16 The Role of Grief in Mental Health 34:48 Navigating Professional Identity and Personal Experience 40:49 Finding Meaning in Grief 46:53 The Complexity of Grief and Love 54:12 Supporting Leaders While Grieving Resources: NICU Healing Children's National Hospital NICU Parent Network (NPN)

    59 мин.
  2. Leading from Wholeness, not Survival

    28 мая

    Leading from Wholeness, not Survival

    Welcome to the NICUnity Podcast where today we will talk through the aftermath of the NICU and loss experiences. Time Stamps 00.00 Understanding Trauma and Its Aftermath 07:02 Personal Journeys Through Trauma 12:51 The Biology of Trauma 20:05 The Impact of Trauma on Identity 24:00 The Urge to Help: A Double-Edged Sword 33:06 The Impact of Unhealed Trauma on Helping Roles 40:30 Leading from a Regulated Place 47:57 Understanding Resilience vs. Post-Traumatic Growth 51:35 Supporting Others While Healing 57:35 Practical Practices for Emerging Leaders Recources: Jennifer Middleton Beatriz Vides NICU Parent Network (NPN)

    1 ч. 2 мин.
  3. Surviving to Supporting: How Peer Support Changes Everything Part 2

    20 мая

    Surviving to Supporting: How Peer Support Changes Everything Part 2

    Today we continue our conversation on the transformative power behind how peer support changes everything. Katrina Moline, Executive Director of Hand to Hold, shares her personal NICU journey, her support organization and strategies that go into supporting NICU families and providers through trauma-informed care and wellness initiatives. Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:37 The Impact of Traumatic Birth and NICU Stays on Families 05:02 Evolution of Hand to Hold and its Mission 08:46 Why Peer Support Feels Different from Clinical Support 12:23 Overcoming Barriers and Myths 15:08 Training, Certification and Trauma-Informed Peer Support Models 18:59 Katrina’s Leadership Journey Shaped by her NICU Experience 21:16 Taking Care of Oneself While Supporting Others 32:27 The Importance of Body Awareness and Self-Care 38:47 Conclusion Resources: Hand to Hold Katrina Moline NICU Parent Network (NPN)

    40 мин.
  4. When Care Isn't Equal: The Urgency of Equity in Maternal Mental Health

    7 мая

    When Care Isn't Equal: The Urgency of Equity in Maternal Mental Health

    In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Shayla Johnson, clinical psychologist, and Anese Barnett, doctoral candidate in clinical psychology—both NICU parents whose lived experiences now shape their work in maternal mental health. As members of Postpartum Support International’s Alliance for People of Color, they share how race, bias, and systemic barriers impacted their own journeys—and how those experiences now inform their research, clinical care, and advocacy. Together, we explore the state of maternal mental health in the U.S., the inequities that persist, and what it will take to build systems that truly support every family. This conversation moves from lived experience to leadership—and reminds us that change begins with listening, believing, and taking action.

    47 мин.
  5. The NICU Dad Movement: Insights from Fathers on the Front Lines

    23 апр.

    The NICU Dad Movement: Insights from Fathers on the Front Lines

    We’re moving from research into lived experience. We’re joined by two NICU dads who didn’t just survive those early days and weeks—they transformed them into leadership, connection, and community. We’re talking about what they were thinking and feeling in the moments that shaped them: the shock of a premature birth, the weight of being the “strong one,” the pressure to protect and provide, and the emotional breaking points that went unseen. Time Stamps 00.00 Introduction to NICU Dads and Their Stories 01:59 Adam’s Journey: From IVF to NICU 07:52 Alex’s Experience: The Unexpected NICU Journey 13:51 Comparing NICU to Combat: A Father’s Perspective 20:15 The Pressure to Be Strong: Dads in the NICU 25:21 The Importance of Support for Dads 26:22 Conclusion and Next Steps Resources: “Our Preemie Adventure” by Adam Woods The NICU Dad Podcast NICU Parent Network (NPN)

    28 мин.
  6. The NICU Dad Movement: Insights from Fathers on the Front Lines Part 2

    23 апр.

    The NICU Dad Movement: Insights from Fathers on the Front Lines Part 2

    In part two, we continue our discussion on understanding the NICU experience from a lived fathers perspective. We explore the invisible load that fathers often carry, the barriers that keep them from receiving support, and the cultural expectations that silence their pain. We also look forward to what father-inclusive care could look like, how dads can stay connected to their partners, and how lived experiences can become leadership that supports families long after discharge. Time Stamps 00.00 Understanding the NICU Dad Experience 06:04 The Importance of Paternal Mental Health 12:09 Building Support Systems for Dads 17:56 Creating Change in NICU Support Models Resources: NICU Parent Network (NPN)

    25 мин.
  7. The NICU Dad Movement: Insights from Fathers on the Front Lines Part 3

    23 апр.

    The NICU Dad Movement: Insights from Fathers on the Front Lines Part 3

    Today we continue our conversation with two NICU dads who didn’t just survive those early days and weeks but transformed them into leadership, connection, and community opportunities in part three. Time Stamps 00.00 Introduction to NICU Dad Advocacy 02:55 The NICU Dad Experience and Community Building 05:48 Creating Resources and Support for NICU Families 09:09 The Importance of Peer Support and Mentorship 12:07 Navigating the NICU: Personal Stories and Insights 14:55 The Role of Dads in NICU Care 17:46 Advice for New NICU Dads 21:09 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions Resources: NICU Parent Network (NPN)

    30 мин.
  8. Invisible No More: Fathers in the NICU

    16 апр.

    Invisible No More: Fathers in the NICU

    In this episode, we sit with Dr. Sheehan David Fisher and Dr. Tova Walsh to explore the often-overlooked experience of fathers and non-birthing partners in the NICU and the critical role they play in perinatal mental health. Time Stamps 00.00 Introduction to NICU Parental Mental Health 02:59 The Role of Fathers in NICU Experiences 06:47 Overlooked Fathers:Cultural and Systemic Barriers 11:18 Dual Identity of Non-Birthing Parents 17:57 Emotional Impact of NICU on Fathers 24:49 Parental Mental Health and Infant Outcomes 29:02 Policy Changes and Cultural Shifts Needed 34:02 Innovative Programs Supporting Fathers 39:05 Hope for the Future of Research and Inclusion Resources: Dr. Sheehan David Fisher Dr. Tova Walsh The DAD Project NICU Parent Network (NPN)

    43 мин.
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Welcome to the NICUnity Podcast. The go-to show for leaders supporting NICU and bereaved families. Join Keira Sorrells, NICU mom and founder of the NICU Parent Network, as she talks on real stories, practical tools and expert advice to help you lead with purpose and impact. This is NICUnity, where parent leaders grow together. New episodes every week.

Информация

  • Автор
    Keira Sorrells
  • Годы выхода
    2025 - 2026
  • Выпуски
    24
  • Сайт подкаста
    The NICUnity Podcast

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