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Heart to Heart with AnnaAuthor: Anna Jaworski
Revitalize your spirit and connect with the vibrant congenital heart defect (CHD) community through 'Heart to Heart with Anna,' the pioneering podcast that has been inspiring and informing listeners since 11-12-13. Join us as we dive deep into the personal journeys, triumphs, and challenges of Survivors, their loved ones, esteemed medical professionals, and other remarkable individuals within the CHD community.With unwavering dedication, our heartfelt conversations bring to light the stories that need to be heard. Gain invaluable insights, expert advice, and a sense of empowerment as we explore the multifaceted world of CHD. Our mission is to uplift, educate, and enrich the lives of every member of this incredible community.Embark on a transformative listening experience where compassion and understanding thrive. Discover the resilience and unwavering spirit that resides within each person touched by CHD. Together, let's build a community where support and knowledge flourish, bringing hope to the forefront.Tune in to 'Heart to Heart with Anna' and embark on a remarkable journey that will leave you inspired, enlightened, and connected to the beating heart of the CHD community. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Medicine, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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A Parent’s Guide To CHD, Neurodevelopment, And Resilience
Episode 488
Saturday, 27 December, 2025
Send us Fan MailWhat if the most powerful lever for your child’s growth isn’t another appointment, but how you care for yourself? We sit down with neuropsychologist Dr. Dawn Ilardi to connect the dots between CHD, early brain development, medical trauma, and the everyday choices that help families thrive. From prenatal influences on cognition and behavior to the protective force of stable routines and responsive parenting, we translate research into practical moves you can make this week.We explore why CHD outcomes are shaped long before surgery and how heterogeneity makes each child unique, yet still able to benefit from adapted tools used in the general population. Dr. Ilardi explains how family factors—predictable structure, warm communication, and realistic challenges—can buffer stress and build resilience. We also address the quiet weight of medical trauma for parents and teens, outlining small, affordable supports like gratitude journaling, micro‑breaks, and CHD‑savvy counseling, alongside the healing power of honest community.You’ll also hear about a new resource: Parenting Kids with CHD, an on‑demand library of short videos and monthly live Q&A designed to bridge the gap between science and everyday life. Topics range from ADHD meds and evaluation paths to tackling anxiety, early language delays, and transition to adult care. As Anna announces a writing hiatus, we highlight where to find archives and why the broader HUG network continues to amplify CHD stories and support.Subscribe for more conversations that blend empathy and evidence. If this episode helped you feel seen—or gave you one concrete tool to try—share it with a friend, leave a review, and tell us the next question you want answered.Dr. Ilardi’s other episodes:Season 1: What is Normal Child Development in Children with Complex CHD? https://www.buzzsprout.com/62761/episodes/852321Season 19: Unlocking Neurodevelopmental Breakthroughs: Impact of CHDs and Parental Influence https://www.buzzsprout.com/62761/episodes/15872291Season 20: When Hearts and Minds Unite: Navigating Neurodevelopment in CHD https://www.buzzsprout.com/62761/episodes/16895529Dr. Ilardi’s blog: https://pedneurocenter.com/author/dilardi/Join the waitlist for the Parenting Kids with CHD: https://pedneurocenter.com/parenting-kids-with-chd/The news article I mentioned at the top of the episode (Neurodevelopment in Congenital Heart Disease: A Review of Antenatal Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potentials): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41390-025-04360-ySupport the showAnna's Buzzsprout Affiliate LinkBaby Blue Sound CollectiveSocial Media Pages:Apple PodcastsFacebookInstagramMeWeTwitterYouTubeWebsite
