Seven years ago mindfulness coach Emma Murray had to put her training to the test when her eldest son, Will, had an accident that left him paralysed from the chest down.  This week, Emma shares the story of that fateful day and how she must continually master the art of acceptance to keep on going. 

LINKS  Check out Emma on Instagram HERE Check out High Performance Mindfulness HERE For more information on Dr Golly's sleep program or new book head to drgolly.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Tahyna MacManus experienced her first miscarriage, she was shocked to find out how common it was. After her second miscarriage, she decided to make a documentary.  This week, Tahyna shares the story of her three miscarriages, the insights that she gained from conversations with other women during the making of her documentary and where her family is today.

LINKS To watch Misunderstandings of Miscarriage, search on SBS or Apple TV.  Check out Tahyna on Instagram @tahynamacmanus Visit The Pink Elephant Support Network website HERE The Pink Elephants Support Network Instagram @pinkelephantssupport 

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For the past six years, Alexis Bree has faced the relentless challenges that come with her son's severe eczema and severe anaphylaxis. These conditions have led to countless sleepless nights, heightened vigilance in everyday environments, and the constant feeling of being an overprotective parent. This week, Alexis shares how she has embraced being a pedantic parent, the extra precautions she must take to keep her son safe and how other parents with young children can help do their part in creating a safe environment for all.

LINKS Check out Alexis on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alexis_bree/ Allergic Australia Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allergicaustralia/ Allergic Australia https://allergyfacts.org.au/ Ezcema Aus Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eczemaau/ Ezcema Aus website https://www.eczema.org.au/ 

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Skye and Kieran Burke always thought one child would be enough, yet very quickly the desire for another became stronger and they fell pregnant with their son, Jack. But this pregnancy was nothing like they expected. Jack was diagnosed with VACTERL - a group of birth defects that require multiple major surgeries.   This week, Skye and Kieran share how they navigated the many days spent in hospital, why Kieran was urged to seek professional help before Jack was born and how they believe a positive mindset is essential when faced with any diagnosis. 

LINKS  Check out Skye and Kieran’s fundraiser Art Helps Heaps https://arthelpsheaps.com/   Art Helps Heaps Instagram https://www.instagram.com/arthelpsheaps/ Check out Skye on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/apatchofskye/  

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Dr Lisa Chimes is no stranger to a surgical procedure as she has performed many on pets featured on Bondi Vet. But after four children via four caesareans, Dr Lisa found herself on the other end of the scalpel. This week, Dr Lisa shares her experience with a post birth complication, the intense procedures that followed and her long road to recovery.    LINKS  Check out Dr Lisa on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drlisachimes/ Check out the DOG range by Dr Lisa https://dogbydrlisa.com/ 

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In the early days of raising three young boys with Level 3 Autism, Katherine Peereboom found that access to support was difficult. Determined to make a difference, Kathrine took matters into her own hands.   This week, Kathrine shares how she juggles caring for her family, running a world-leading disability organisation and how she is working to build the brightest future possible for her boys. 

LINKS  Check out Kathrine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kathrinepeereboom/ Kathrine’s website https://www.kathrinepeereboom.com/about   Spectrum Support on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spectrumsupport/ Spectrum Support website https://www.spectrumsupport.org/   Autism Spectrum Australia https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/  

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When Yolanda Shennan fell pregnant with her first born, Hudson, she envisioned all the foods she would get to cook for him. But only days after he was born, Hudson was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU) leaving him to lead a life on an incredibly restricted diet to survive.  This week, Yolanda shares the many challenges of managing Hudson's diet and how she’s raising her son to be the most resilient he can be. 

LINKS  Check out Hudson's food journey on Instagram https://instagram.com/pku_mumma_melbourne?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Check out MDDA Australia https://www.instagram.com/mdda_australia/ For more information on Phenylketonuria and other metabolic conditions, and how to support families like Yolanda’s, please go to: https://mdda.org.au/ 

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At 34 weeks pregnant, Bel Sloane and husband Rory Sloane noticed they hadn’t felt any kicks one day and scheduled in a scan. The couple were given the devastating news that there was no heartbeat. Their son Leo had passed  This week Bel and Rory recount their journey from that heart-wrenching day, to where their family stands today, five years later. 

LINKS  Check out Bel on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bel_sloane/?img_index=6 Check out Rory on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rorysloane/ Red Nose Australia Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rednoseaustralia/ Red Nose Australia website https://rednose.org.au/  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Big Brother winner Reggie Bird has always come across as a bit of a tough nut, but that’s because she’s had to be. For fourteen years she’s been battling to keep her son Lucas alive. Lucas was just one month old when he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. This week, Reggie shares how she manages Lucas’s condition alongside her own health issues and how she stays her bubbly and positive self through it all.

LINKS  Check out Reggie on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/reggiebirdbb/  Cystic Fibrosis Australia Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cfaustralia/ CF Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CFCCAUST   CF Website - https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.au/  

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Youssef Dib is a pro boxer who comes from a family of boxing champions. But Youssef’s son, Jibreel, is possibly the toughest in the family. When Jibreel was only 8 months old he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy – a disorder that affects a person's ability to move and maintain balance and posture.  This week, Youssef shares his journey from being told that Jibreel would not live long, to being in denial of his son’s diagnosis, to helping him be the fighter he was born to be.  

LINKS  Check out Youssef on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uwee_dib/ Cerebral Palsy Alliance Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cpalliance/  Support STEPtember https://www.instagram.com/steptemberau/    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cerebralpalsyalliance 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Brunelli has lived with anxiety for a long time, but when he became a father it got much worse.    This week, MAFS duo Michael and Martha talk to Dr Golly about how this anxiety has at times come between them, how it has affected the way he fathers and why Michael says he is unlikely to get professional help. 

LINKS  Martha’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/marthaa__k/ Michael’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mbrunelli/  SMS 4 Dad’s https://www.sms4dads.com.au/   SMS 4 Dad's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pandanational  PANDA https://panda.org.au/get-support/support-dads

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The word “cancer” strikes fear into the hearts of most... but imagine hearing it applied to your child. A week before his 7th birthday Samantha Sanfilippo’s son, Noah, was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer, anaplastic large cell lymphoma. 

Today, Samantha shares her story of coming to terms with the life changing diagnosis and how she faced up to the many challenges of supporting a seriously unwell child. 

LINKS 

Samantha's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/samanthasanfilippo4/  Leukaemia Foundation - https://www.leukaemia.org.au/get-involved/blood-cancer-month/   Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/leukaemia_foundation/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LeukaemiaFoundation 

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Happy holidays and welcome to our Summer Series! Whilst we're on break, we've handpicked some of our favourite episodes for your summer holiday listening. 

This episode features Joh Scully and her best friend AND surrogate, Georgia Barns. This is the story of how together they were able to make Joh’s dream of being a mother come true.

LINKS  https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/surrogacy  https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you remember learning about puberty and ? What were those conversations like? For Yumi Stynes and Dr Melissa Kang discussions around puberty and were awkward and even unpleasant. They are now on a mission to transform this experience for today's children.  Sitting down with Dr Golly, Yumi and Dr. Kang talk about how different puberty is for kids today, and give tips on how we can open up the conversation with our own children. 

LINKS  https://www.instagram.com/yumichild/ https://www.booktopia.com.au/welcome-to--melissa-kang/book/9781760509538.html?irclickid=wTIyu6xEaxyPTVzXaV2GGV6VUkFyNFU%3AtXyuwY0&utm_campaign=Yumi%20Stynes&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=Impact&bk_source=1431742&bk_source_id=1431742&irgwc=1  

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Joh Scully had tried every possible way to fall pregnant when she decided that surrogacy was her last chance. In Australia, surrogacy has to be altruistic. That is - you can only attempt surrogacy if someone is willing to carry your child out of the goodness of their heart. For Joh that “someone” turned out to be her good friend, Georgia Barnes.  

This week Georgia and Joh share their experience of surrogacy with all its emotional challenges, and how together they made what felt impossible, possible. 

LINKS  https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/surrogacy  https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How would you cope if your child sporadically swore at strangers or made obscene gestures at family dinners? Mandy Maysey is a mum who understands how challenging it can be to raise a child with Tourette’s Syndrome. She has three children with the syndrome and is President of Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia (TSAA), 

This week, Mandy explains what it’s like to live with three kids with different presentations of Tourette’s Syndrome and reveals the unique perspectives she's gained through her roles as both a parent and an advocate. 

LINKS https://www.instagram.com/tsassociation_australia/  

https://tourette.org.au/ 

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In the beginning, Kylie and Jonathan Brown thought it was cute that their youngest and smallest child, Macy, was a loud snorer. But snoring in children can be serious, leading to sleepless nights, trouble breathing, gut issues and in their daughter’s case, intrusive surgery to fix it. Today, the couple sit down with Dr Golly (the Brown’s very own paediatrician) to talk about the signs to look out for in snoring babies.  

LINKS 

https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/childhood_obstructive_sleep_apnoea_osa/ https://www.instagram.com/kylie_m_brown/  https://www.instagram.com/jonathan16brown/  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Priyanka Saha attended her final pregnancy scan, she was told that her baby wouldn’t live very long. Lily was diagnosed with Miller Dieker Syndrome - a rare disorder that causes the outer part of a child's brain (the cerebral cortex) to be smooth causing severe developmental issues. Despite the heart-wrenching prognosis and knowing that Lily only had a limited time on earth, Priyanka and her husband made it their mission to make every day special. 

LINKS 

https://www.instagram.com/the_lilyflower/ 

https://lilycalvert.com/  

https://www.vsk.org.au/  

https://www.instagram.com/veryspecialkids/?hl=en 

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Renowned fitness instructor, podcaster and author Tiffiny Hall was told not to worry about her daughter's flat head and that she would grow into it. Tiff’s intuition said otherwise and led to a journey with her daughter being diagnosed with plagiocephaly. For the first time, Tiffiny opens up about the challenges she faced while navigating this condition, shedding light on the importance of early detection and to always follow your “Mum gut”. 

LINKS  https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/health-daily-care/health-concerns/plagiocephaly  https://mytxo.com/  https://www.instagram.com/tiffhall_xo/  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keren Ludski is the CEO of Red Nose, Australia’s leading authority on safe sleep and safer pregnancy advice, and bereavement support for anyone affected by miscarriage or the death of a baby or child. In this episode, Keren shares her personal story, the story that led her to become involved with Red Nose, and to help other families. LINKS: https://rednose.org.au/  

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Christie Hayes is an actress and radio host who makes her living talking. But when her son Hendrix was still very small, she learned that communication was going to look different for him. Hendrix was diagnosed with Level 2 Autism at 18 months old. Opening up to Dr Golly, Christie talks about how she stopped being scared by the word ‘autism’ and why she decided to be so public about his diagnosis. 

LINKS: 

https://www.instagram.com/christiehayes_/  https://www.amaze.org.au/   https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/   https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/autism  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seven years ago, broadcaster and investigative journalist Dr Norman Swan, along with his family, took a holiday to Italy. Little did he know that this trip would take an unexpected turn, as one of his children suffered a severe head injury and ended up in the hospital. Norman's daughter, Anna, had been riding her bike without a helmet when she was in an accident. Norman shares the challenges he faced while dealing with his daughter's injury in a foreign country, ensuring her safe return to Australia, and the difficulties he experienced as both a parent and a doctor.

LINKS: https://www.braininjuryaustralia.org.au/

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Today’s episode is one close to Dr Golly’s heart. His third child Olympia was born with a condition called Craniosynostosis. This meant that the bones in her skull weren’t developing as they should, and that Pia would need to have serious, intensive surgery. 

In this unique and introspective episode, Dr. Golly invites his wife Ilit Golshevsky onto the show. Together they open up about their individual struggles and for the first time, candidly reflect on the impact this experience had on their relationship and how it has shaped their family

LINKS

https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2022/january-february/paediatric-head-shape-and-craniosynostosis

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy holidays and welcome to our Summer Series! Whilst we're on break, we've handpicked some of our favourite episodes for your summer holiday listening.

This week's episode features fitness instructor extraordinaire, Tiffany Hall. Here, Tiff shares what happened when her daughter Vada was born with Plagiocephaly - which in simple terms it means ‘flat head.'

LINKS  https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/health-daily-care/health-concerns/plagiocephaly  https://mytxo.com/  https://www.instagram.com/tiffhall_xo/  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Best-selling author and podcaster Melissa Ambrosini was not thinking about blended families when she met the love of her life. But that became her reality once she married Nick Broadhurst (a founding member of Sneaky Sound System) who already had a son from a previous marriage. In this candid conversation, Melissa shares her personal journey and reveals invaluable insights gained from her own experience as a step-parent.

LINKS https://melissaambrosini.com/  

https://www.instagram.com/melissaambrosini/  

https://www.timemagic.me/ 

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Em Rusciano doesn’t want to be called an advocate, but she does want you to know that the systems in place for neurodivergent girls and women aren’t good enough. Em was diagnosed with ADHD after her son went through the diagnostic process. Since then her eldest daughter Odette has also been diagnosed. Em explains to Dr Golly why she thinks occupational therapy skates too close to conversion therapy, and how she’d change the way we help neurodivergent kids.  

LINKS:   www.emrusciano.com Em’s National Press Club Speech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v88Wd20GiU Em’s podcast https://www.instagram.com/emsolationpodcast/ and Insta https://www.instagram.com/emrusciano/ 

AUTISM LINKS: 

https://www.amaze.org.au/   https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/attention-deficit-disorder-add-or-adhd    https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Autism_spectrum_disorder/   

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Erin Molan and her ex-partner Sean Ogilvy decided to separate, they moved into the same apartment building for the first six months to ensure their daughter Eliza would be okay. And while they both put Eliza first, the challenge of single parenting hit Erin hardest when Eliza became dangerously unwell one night. Erin talks to Dr Golly about how she has handled the hurdles she’s faced as a single parent, including the loss of her beloved dad. 

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Most parents struggle to get through a normal day after a night tending to a crying baby, but imagine if your job relied on elite athletic performance! Former AFL stars Jordan Lewis and Jarryd Roughead open up to Dr Golly about the impact having children had on their sporting careers. 

LINK: https://www.sms4dads.com.au/

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Nutritionist Jacqueline Alwill’s world turned upside down when her daughter Amelie was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, requiring an immediate brace to be applied. While navigating the challenge of managing her in a brace, incredibly - Jacqueline herself was diagnosed with the exact same condition - missed in her own childhood. Currently recovering from a double hip replacement surgery, Jacqueline opens up to Dr Golly about the challenges of getting the same diagnosis as her baby, and how she managed both recoveries.   

LINKS: 

https://www.instagram.com/brownpapernutrition/  

https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/hip-dysplasia-in-babies  

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Entrepreneur and co-host of KICPOD and KICBUMP Steph Claire Smith always knew she would go back to work after she had her first child. It made sense to her and her husband, Josh Miller, that he would become the stay-at-home parent. Steph and Josh talk to Dr Golly about how their non-traditional family dynamic still cops flak, and how they make it work for their little family. 

LINKS: 

https://www.instagram.com/stephclairesmith/?hl=en 

https://www.instagram.com/itsjoshmiller/  

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Social media star and model Rachael Finch knows how cutting online criticism can get. She’s copped her fair share of comments over the years, but she says that when trolls target her children, it cuts even deeper. Rachael talks to Dr Golly about how she and her husband Michael manage trolls, why she continues to post on social media and why she’s super vigilant with her own children when they go online. 

LINKS: 

https://www.instagram.com/rachael_finch/  

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice/are-they-old-enough  

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Popular podcasters from Beyond the Bump Sophie Pearce and Jayde Couldwell might look like they have it all together but both had to overcome significant challenges in their pregnancies. Anxiety, depression and the overwhelming impact of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) made pregnancy and juggling childcare extremely difficult. Sophie and Jayde open up to Dr Golly about their experiences and how their friendship helped them survive it all. 

LINKS: 

https://panda.org.au/  

https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/severe-vomiting-during-pregnancy-hyperemesis-gravidarum  

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There aren’t many couples who can say they both know what it’s like to give birth. Former AFLW player, Survivor contestant and author Moana Hope and her wife model Isabella Carlstrom have each been through pregnancy and birth, though they were very different experiences. Moana and Isabella talk to Dr Golly about the impact of childhood trauma on their lives as parents, and how their unique understanding of birth helped them overcome it. 

LINKS:  

https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Bronchiolitis/  https://birthtrauma.org.au/  

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At just six months old McLachlan’s daughter Milla started having seizures. What McLachlan and his wife referred to as “twitches” turned out to be West Syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. McLachlan was told that Milla had a 10% chance of dying in the hospital, 80% chance of having brain damage for life, and just 10% chance of being unscathed. 

LINKS: 

https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/west-syndrome/

https://drgolly.com/

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Happy holidays and welcome to our Summer Series! Whilst we're on break, we've handpicked some of our favourite episodes for your summer holiday listening. 

This episode features Dr Golly's wife, Ilit Golshevsky. Together, they share the story of their youngest daughter, Pia, who was born with a birth defect called Craniosynostosis.

LINKS https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2022/january-february/paediatric-head-shape-and-craniosynostosis

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all go into parenting as beginners. But imagine the learning curve when things don’t go to plan. Dr Golly delves into the hard-earned wisdom of parents who have faced tough times and come out the other side as… the Experts. 

* Launches 26th April, new episode every week! 

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Happy holidays and welcome to our Summer Series! Whilst we're on break, we've handpicked some of our favourite episodes for your summer holiday listening. 

This episode features sports broadcaster, Hamish McLachlan whose daughter Milla was diagnosed with West Syndrome.

LINKS:  https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/west-syndrome/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Denton Pugh was in the middle of an important presentation when he received a message from his wife to say their four-year-old son, Rocky, had a lump in his brain. Further investigation revealed that Rocky had in fact suffered multiple childhood strokes. This week, Denton shares what happened that fateful day, the heartbreaking reality of Rocky’s future and how the family are doing today.  

LINKS For more info, check out the Stroke Foundation website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julie Mathers was 12 weeks pregnant with her first son, Woody, when she and her husband were told that he had Down Syndrome. The same day, they were confronted with the option to terminate the pregnancy. This week, Julie opens up about the process of making the decision to go forward and how 5 years later they have never looked back. 

LINKS Check out Julie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/juliemathers/ Check out Snuggle Hunny https://www.instagram.com/snugglehunnykids/ For more info on Down Syndrome, visit Down Syndrome Australia https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Sophie discovered she was pregnant, she was filled with joy but also concern as she thought back to the nights that she had enjoyed a glass of wine before knowing she was expecting. Fourteen years later, her son was diagnosed with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). This week, Sophie shares the struggles her son faces, how she and her husband have supported him and her passion to break down the stigmas surrounding FASD. 

LINKS  Check out NOFASD on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nofasd.australia/ For more information on FASD check out https://www.nofasd.org.au/ For the FASD free helpline call 1-800-860-6113  Check out Every Moment Matters website https://everymomentmatters.org.au/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah Warden knew that her son, Callum wasn’t progressing as he should, but she could never have predicted what was causing the delays. Callum’s final diagnosis was Sanfilippo Syndrome, a rare genetic condition described as ‘childhood dementia’. This week, Sarah talks about how she had to persevere to get the right diagnosis, and what this rare condition means for her life and her family.  

LINKS Check out the Sanfilippo Children’s Foundation on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sanfilippochildrensfoundation/ To visit the Sanfilippo Children’s Foundation website click HERE  To donate to Sarah’s fundraiser click HERE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.