Raising Joy

Life with a furry friend brings countless moments of joy, but for children, the loss of a beloved pet can be an incredibly difficult experience. This Raising Joy episode tackles this sensitive topic with empathy and guidance, featuring Laura Sonefeld from Cook Children's Sit…Stay...PLAY! program.

Join us as Laura, a certified child life specialist and Cook Children’s facility dog program coordinator, shares her expertise on how to help children navigate the emotions of pet loss.

On this special episode of Raising Joy, hosts Wini King and Dr. Kristen Pyrc answer questions submitted by listeners. They cover everything from helping children deal with bullying, social media, balancing work and home, burn out and self-care. They also talk about what they have learned over the past two years of interviewing guests for Raising Joy. This is an episode you don’t want to m

This episode of Raising Joy dives deep into drugs, alcohol, and substance use disorder among high school and college students. We're joined by Caroline Sahba, LPC-S, LCDC, MBA, Associate Director of the Counseling and Mental Health Center at TCU, who brings her expertise in substance use and recovery services to the table.

This episode is essential for parents, teachers, counselors, and anyone concerned about the well-being of young adults. Join us as we discuss:

·         The current landscape of substance use among high school and college students.

·         Warning signs and risk factors to watch out for.

·         Effective communication strategies to talk to young people about drugs and alcohol.

·         Resources and support available for those struggling with substance use.

·         Practical tips for promoting healthy choices and preventing substance use disorder.

Caroline Sahba provides valuable insights and guidance, empowering you to navigate these challenging conversations and support the young adults in your life.

This Black History Month, Raising Joy tackles a crucial yet often overlooked topic: mental health within diverse communities. Join us as we welcome Lachelle Goodrich, MA, LPC, a powerhouse of experience and expertise. Lachelle, owner of iLegacy Consulting and Counseling, also spearheads the Choice Neighborhood Initiative for Fort Worth Housing Solutions.

We'll delve into the unique perspectives and challenges surrounding mental health in different cultures. Lachelle, with her wealth of knowledge and lived experience, will shed light on:

·         How cultural beliefs and values shape perceptions of mental health.

·         Barriers faced by diverse communities in accessing mental health support.

·         Culturally-sensitive approaches to promoting mental well-being for ALL children and families.

·         Practical tips and resources for fostering open conversations and supporting mental health within your community.

Don't miss this empowering and informative episode! It's time to acknowledge the diverse experiences surrounding mental health and build a more inclusive path towards joy and well-being for all.

Having a child in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be a traumatic experience. On this episode of Raising Joy, we’re joined by Helen Thomas, LCSW, PMH-C. Helen is a clinical therapist and licensed social worker specializing in perinatal mental health. She shares invaluable insights into the challenges NICU parents face, offering support and understanding for those navigating this unique journey. This episode emphasizes the importance of mental well-being for both parents and their newborns.

On this special episode of Raising Joy, we welcome Cook Children’s cardiologist Kevin Wilkes, M.D. Join us as we delve into the intricate connection between congenital heart defects and mental health, as Dr. Wilkes sheds light on how conditions like anxiety, depression and ADHD intersect with heart health.

In this heartwarming episode of Raising Joy, we meet Raymond Turner, the studio producer of Sparklefly Recording Studio in the Child Life Zone at Cook Children's. Raymond's story is one of resilience, compassion, and the transformative power of music.

Join us as Raymond shares his inspiring journey to Cook Children's, where he found his calling in creating music for some of the hospital's youngest patients. We'll delve into the deeply moving experience of crafting heartbeat songs memorializing terminal children for their families, a testament to Raymond's unwavering dedication to bringing joy and solace during the most challenging times.

Raymond's story is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always room for hope, healing, and the power of human connection. His work at Cook Children's is a beacon of light, touching the lives of countless families and leaving a mark on their hearts forever.

Raymond also gave a TedX Talk in the spring of 2023. You can watch his talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFLwwUj7gHg

When we think of the holidays, most of us think of good food, family gatherings and beautiful holiday decorations. For many, it’s the happiest time of the year; but for others it’s a very different story.

The holiday season can be a difficult time for many, especially those grieving the death of a loved one.

On this episode of the Raising Joy podcast, we're joined by Hannah Boyd, CCLS, a child life specialist, and Jennifer Hayes, MDiv, BCC, Director of Spiritual Care at Cook Children’s. They share their insights on how parents can talk to children and navigate grief as a family during a time of the year that is supposed to be full of joy.

Does your child experience frequent and intense tantrums? Is their irritability and anger impacting their daily life and relationships? This episode delves into the world of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), a condition characterized by persistent irritability and severe temper outbursts.

On this episode of Raising Joy, pediatric psychiatrist Rachel Talbot, M.D., of Cook Children’s sheds light on this misunderstood but common diagnosis. She helps us navigate the complexities of DMDD, differentiating it from other mood disorders like childhood bipolar, and identifying its unique symptoms at home and at school.

Whether you’re a parent seeking understanding and guidance, a teacher hoping to better support students with DMDD, or someone interested in learning about this complex condition, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and practical insights.

In this episode, we chat with Laurie Williams George, a mother and doctoral student in educational psychology, about the challenges and rewards of parenting neurodiverse children. We delve into her research on autism and academic performance, as well as her son's heart-wrenching experience with bullying while playing video games online. We also discuss the importance of teaching kids how to behave online.

Laurie is also the creator of the online platform, Parent with Merit, which features articles and information about testing, diagnosis and the intervention process. The site also provides free resources regarding developmental disabilities, including organizations to reach out to and one-page information sheets available for download.

Resources:

·         Parent with Merit

·         Child Study Center at Cook Children’s

In this episode of Raising Joy, we interview Paige Charbonnet, the executive director of LVT Rise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of residents in the Las Vegas Trail neighborhood of Fort Worth, Texas.

Paige discusses the top health concerns facing the Las Vegas Trail community, and how the new Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood Health Center will address those issues. 

The two-story, 40,000-square-foot center will provide pediatric and adult medical services, behavioral health services, and wrap-around social services support. It will include Cook Children’s ninth Neighborhood Health Center, a new JPS Medical Home, a food pantry, community education and onsite job training for health care industry positions. With support from the City of Fort Worth, a Fort Worth Police storefront will also be located on-site to help build stronger relations between police and the Las Vegas Trail community

The new center is expected to open in late 2025 and will serve a community that has been identified as a health care desert. This episode dives into the factors that have affected the Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood over the past several decades and what’s being done to revitalize the community.

Setting boundaries with kids is an important part of parenting, but it can also be challenging. In this episode of the Raising Joy podcast, we speak with Rebecca Clark, a licensed professional counselor at Cook Children’s, about the importance of boundaries, how to set them in a loving and supportive way, and how to deal with common challenges.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, teachers, and healthcare workers who want to learn more about setting boundaries with kids.

What’s the state of mental health for kids? What are psychiatrists seeing in their patients? Have we turned the corner on the mental health crisis post-COVID-19 pandemic? On this episode of Raising Joy, Wini King interviews co-host Kristen Pyrc, M.D., co-medical director of psychiatry at Cook Children’s. Dr. Pyrc shares what she’s seeing in her office and how things have changed in recent years.

On this episode of Raising Joy, we hear the story of Megan Hodges Cook, community program coordinator at Cook Children’s. Her story isn’t easyfor her to share, but she hopes it will help other parents in similar situations, and provide some insight into a topic that has become extremely controversial.

Megan is the mother of a transgender child. Her daughter came out to her when she was 12 years old, though she saw the signs nearly a decade prior. Megan isn’t embarrassed or ashamed of her story, but she knows some will have a difficult time understanding her journey. We hope listeners of this podcast will embrace Cook Children’s values of kindness and respect, and embrace Megan’s story of unconditional love for her child.

In this episode of Raising Joy, we discuss a new peer-to-peer support program that is underway in Cook Children's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Chaplain Amanda Payne Lindsay and Katelyn Terry, RN, join us to talk about the program's goals, how it works, and the impact it's having on PICU staff.

The PICU can be a traumatic environment for health care workers, and this program is aimed at limiting the impact of stress, depression, anxiety, and burnout. The program trains appointed PICU employees to serve as supportive peers to lean on in times of need.

Listen to learn how they started the peer-to-peer support program and why similar programs could benefit workplaces of all kinds.

Helen Ramsbottom, RN, and Melody Hackfeld, RN, both case managers with Cook Children's psychiatric department, join the Raising Joy podcast to discuss how to manage a child's mental health care after they are released from an inpatient psychiatric unit. They also discuss resources and support groups for parents, such as Links of Hope.

In addition, we learn about the ASQ tool, which is used by nurses in the emergency department at Cook Children's to identify suicidal patients. The tool is comprised of questions that are asked to every patient, regardless of their reason for visiting the emergency department. Since 2017, 640 suicidal children have been identified and received the support they needed. You can learn more about the ASQ tool in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing and on Checkup Newsroom. 

In this episode, you will learn:

·        What to expect when your child is discharged from an inpatient psychiatric unit

·        How to create a transition plan to help your child adjust to being home

·        How to support your child's long-term mental health

Listen in to learn how to help your child thrive!

Managing emotions as a parent when your child receives a complex medical diagnosis can be incredibly challenging. In this episode of Raising Joy, we talk to Katie Senter, a member of the Family Advisory Council at Cook Children's. Katie's daughter, Louise, has a very rare medical condition called 1p36 deletion syndrome, which is a chromosome disorder that typically causes severe intellectual disability.

Katie shares her personal experiences of coping with Louise's diagnosis, and offers practical advice on how other parents can manage their own emotions during this difficult time. She also talks about the importance of finding support from other parents who are going through similar experiences.

If you're a parent who is struggling to cope with your child's complex medical diagnosis, this episode is for you. Katie's story is both inspiring and informative, and her advice can help you on your own journey.

Listen to this episode of Raising Joy to learn more about:

·         Katie's experience of receiving Louise's diagnosis and how she coped with her emotions.

·         Practical advice on how to manage your own emotions as a parent of a child with a complex medical diagnosis.

·         The importance of finding support from other parents who are going through similar experiences.

Having a child in the NICU can be a very stressful and emotional experience for parents. In this episode of Raising Joy, we talk to Landy Blackmore, whose daughter, Tillie, was born prematurely and spent time in Cook Children's NICU. Landy shares her personal story and offers practical advice on how to cope with the emotional rollercoaster that comes with having a child in the NICU.

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, scared, or simply exhausted, Landy's insights and support can help you navigate this difficult time.

If you're a parent whose child is in the NICU, or if you know someone who is, be sure to listen to this episode of Raising Joy!

Jessica Gomez, Psy.D., is the executive director of Momentous Institute, a nonprofit that offers mental health services and operates an elementary school. As a first-generation Mexican American, she knows firsthand the challenges of growing up in a culture that doesn't prioritize mental health.

In this episode of Raising Joy, Dr. Gomez shares her personal story and discusses how her experiences have shaped her work. She also talks about the importance of culturally sensitive approaches to mental health care and how we can break down the stigmas surrounding mental illness.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who is interested in learning more about mental health and how to create a more supportive environment for those who are struggling.

Sharon Herrera grew up feeling like she didn't belong. She was Mexican-American and gay, and struggled to feel comfortable in her own skin… even suffering from suicidal thoughts. But then, one supportive adult helped her turn things around.

Now, Sharon is an advocate for LGBTQ+ youth in Tarrant County. She founded LGBTQ Saves, a nonprofit that provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth and their families to be themselves.

In this episode of Raising Joy, Sharon shares her story of hope and resilience. She also talks about the importance of having supportive adults in our lives. Join us for this heartfelt conversation with Sharon Herrera.