Emily Freeman Interviews Fellow Cancer Patient Erika Alvarado

Emily and Dominic interview Dominic’s mother, Linda Dybala, who shares the story of her journey with Dominic in his treatment for leukemia. Poignant, touching, humorous, and down-to-earth, hers is a heart-warming account of how to face life’s toughest challenges. The songs of the children from Purple Songs Can Fly accent each segment of the show. Enjoy.

Researcher, TXCH Emily and Dominic interview one of Emily’s doctors, Mehmet Fatih Okcu.Dr. Okcu is the director of research in the long-term survivor program concentrating on children who are survivors of acute leukemia and brain tumors.Listen in as Dr. Okcu shares his work, his research and his love of music. (He even sings Turkish folk song for us) And as always, enjoy the music in the songs from the children of Purple Songs Can Fly!

Emily and Dominic interview one of Emily’s doctors, Mehmet Fatih Okcu. Dr. Okcu is the director of research in the long-term survivor program concentrating on children who are survivors of acute leukemia and brain tumors. Learn more about the importance of research in our lives with Dr. Okcu and, as always, enjoy the music in the songs from the children of Purple Songs Can Fly!

The Arts are thriving at Texas Children’s Hospital! From visual arts (“Making a Mark”), to creative writing (“The Splendid Review”), to our own songwriting (“Purple Songs Can Fly”) artists and performers share their talents with our patients and families. Zachary interviews Carol Herron, Coordinator of the Arts in Medicine Program at Texas Children’s Hospital. Enjoy the results of Arts in Medicine in the songs from the children of Purple Songs Can Fly!

Caring is the most important quality of all. Zachary interviews Pat Gardner, Hematology Nurse at Texas Children’s Hospital. Learn about a day in the life of a nurse and why nurses are the heart of a hospital. And as always, enjoy the music of the children from Purple Songs Can Fly!

Stephen Makia, Long-term Cancer Survivor, SongwriterEmily and Dominic interview long-term cancer survivor, Stephen Makia. Now 20 years old, Stephen has been a part of the Purple Songs family for eight years. Stephen shares his experiences including what it’s like being an identical twin, the story behind the two songs he has written and what it was like to perform with Olivia Newton-John in 2009. Enjoy Stephen’s songs along with other songs of the children from Purple Songs Can Fly!

What kind of musical instrument is a sogeum? A charango? A doumbek? Find out as Emily and Dominic interview Music Therapist and Purple Songs Inpatient Songwriter, Julie Lytle. Julie has worked around the world, collecting musical instruments from countries along the way. In this episode, Julie discusses her work and demonstrates the enchanting sounds of these instruments with us. Discover some new sounds and enjoy the songs from the children of Purple Songs Can Fly!

Emily and Dominic interview Purple Songs Can Fly Radio producer Carol Younkin. While living in various places around the world, Carol has spent her life working in the Performing Arts as an actor, musician, writer and teacher. Find out more about careers in the arts enjoy the songs from the children of Purple Songs Can Fly!

Learn more about our newest addition to the Purple Songs Can Fly family as Emily and Dominic interview guest and Purple Songs Can Fly fellow, Christian Spear. Christian is a student at LSU, a veteran of American Idol and a long-term cancer survivor. As always, enjoy the songs of the children from Purple Songs Can Fly! As an extra special treat, see why Christian was an American Idol finalist as she performs a new original song LIVE in our studio!

Catherine and Anita compare and contrast their work in the field of music and share their experiences watching the power of music work wonders in the lives of others. Learn how these artists use music as both therapy and a means of self-expression in their daily work. And enjoy the songs of the children from Purple Songs Can Fly!