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 storie ...
…
continue reading
"Bereaved But Still Me" is a podcast for the bereaved community that was formerly known as "Heart to Heart with Michael." As we entered Season 5, we decided to rebrand our podcast to make it easier for the bereaved community to find us. We are happy to announce that "Heart to Heart with Michael," was nominated for a 2020 WEGO Health Award. "Heart to Heart with Michael" was a finalist in the Health Podcast category. This was a great honor for our podcast. "Bereaved But Still Me" is a product ...
…
continue reading
1
A Parent’s Tale of Grief, Special Needs and the Healing Power of Writing
34:12
34:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:12
Join us in this episode as our host Michael Liben opens up about the complexities of explaining death to his children and welcomes the insights of James Robinson who did likewise with his little ones. Together, they'll explore James' son Nadav's impactful life, marked by a congenital heart defect, and the unwavering spirit it revealed. His story, t…
…
continue reading
1
A Parent’s Tale of Grief, Special Needs and the Healing Power of Writing
34:11
34:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:11
Join us in this episode as our host Michael Liben opens up about the complexities of explaining death to his children and welcomes the insights of James Robinson who did likewise with his little ones. Together, they'll explore James' son Nadav's impactful life, marked by a congenital heart defect, and the unwavering spirit it revealed. His story, t…
…
continue reading
1
Embracing Life's Pulse Amidst HLHS and PLE Hurdles with Hollie Stevenson
36:18
36:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:18
Witnessing your child's bravery and resilience as they navigate a life-altering condition like hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is both harrowing and inspiring. Hollie Stevenson joins Anna to share the profound story of her son Tom, who not only fought through the early challenges of HLHS but also the complex battle with protein-losing entero…
…
continue reading
1
Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Raising Children with Congenital Heart Defects
39:06
39:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:06
When your child's heartbeat is a symphony laced with irregularities, every moment becomes a measure of uncertainty. This is the world heart moms like myself, Anna Jaworski, and my guest Kelsi Rogers live in every day. Join us as we peel back the curtain on the mental marathon of raising children with congenital heart defects (CHD). Our raw conversa…
…
continue reading
1
Toni Alexander: Taking Small Steps Through Grief's Passage of Time
27:41
27:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:41
How can a person suffering tremendous loss get unstuck in grief? Have you ever felt as though you’re wearing cement boots of grief? How can we move forward in our grief? Join us in this fascinating episode with Toni Alexander. As a bereaved person herself, Toni Alexander attacks the grief process from within. As an author, she looks on grief from a…
…
continue reading
1
Toni Alexander: Taking Small Steps Through Grief's Passage of Time
27:40
27:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:40
How can a person suffering tremendous loss get unstuck in grief? Have you ever felt as though you’re wearing cement boots of grief? How can we move forward in our grief? Join us in this fascinating episode with Toni Alexander. As a bereaved person herself, Toni Alexander attacks the grief process from within. As an author, she looks on grief from a…
…
continue reading
1
Heart Mom Kelsi Rogers on Jett's Electrical Problems with His Heart
49:25
49:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:25
This episode of "Heart to Heart with Anna" features a very special heart mom. Kelsi Rogers talks about the surprising circumstances around her son's heart condition. Born with an electrical problem in his heart, Jett has already faced life-and-death situations several times in his short life. Not even three years old yet, he has undergone an ablati…
…
continue reading
1
An Author for CHD Adults with Learning Disabilities: Deanna Altomara
58:07
58:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
58:07
As an author myself, I understand the power of stories to heal and inspire. That's why I'm thrilled to introduce Deanna Altomara, who created "Chrysalis," a book to help people facing open-heart surgery. Born with a congenital heart defect herself, Deanna understands what it means to have had open-heart surgery. Deanna's tale is a testament to how …
…
continue reading
1
Shattering Stereotypes in the World of Down Syndrome and Congenital Heart Defects
1:06:42
1:06:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:06:42
When Ellen Boyer's voice joins the conversation, the room lights up with an array of heartfelt stories and powerful messages. Together, we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by shattering stereotypes and trumpeting the accomplishments of those with Down Syndrome. From the awe-inspiring feat of Chris Nikic, the first athlete with Down Syndrome to con…
…
continue reading
1
Ellen Boyer and World Down Syndrome Day 2024 & Volume Two: Endurance!
1:02:02
1:02:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:02
When Ellen Boyer graced our show with her story of love and resilience, it was clear that her daughter Brett, who blessed the world with her presence despite Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect, has sparked a legacy that transcends every stereotype. Through the Brett Boyer Foundation, Ellen's dedication to challenging limitations and advoca…
…
continue reading
1
Melinda's Encore: Phil Proctor's Tribute to Life, Love, and Laughter
49:18
49:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:18
Returning guest, Phil Proctor, is a man who needs no introduction. An actor, voice actor, writer, producer, comedian, podcaster and founding member of the Firesign Theatre quartet. Phil has been in the entertainment industry for 50 years, and In this episode, he talks with host, Michael Liben about the love of his life -- his soulmate, Melinda Pete…
…
continue reading
1
Learning about Anesthesia During Ablations & Volume Two!
41:07
41:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:07
In this episode of Heart to Heart with Anna we welcome Frank Jaworski back to the program. Frank shares information about anesthesia when patients go to the electrophysiology lab (EP lab), especially when they need to undergo an ablation. Frank is a certified, registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and he has been delivering anesthesia for over 23 yea…
…
continue reading
1
Melinda's Encore: Phil Proctor's Tribute to Life, Love, and Laughter
49:17
49:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:17
Returning guest, Phil Proctor, is a man who needs no introduction. An actor, voice actor, writer, producer, comedian, podcaster and founding member of the Firesign Theatre quartet. Phil has been in the entertainment industry for 50 years, and In this episode, he talks with host, Michael Liben about the love of his life -- his soulmate, Melinda Pete…
…
continue reading
1
Embracing the Heartbeat of Motherhood: Meagan Houpt’s Adoption Journey
1:05:17
1:05:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:05:17
When Megan Houpt made the heart-wrenching decision to pursue adoption over pregnancy due to her heart condition, it struck a chord with me as a heart mom. Together, we unfold her narrative in this episode, navigating the complexities of adoption with a CHD. From the intricate dance of home studies to the emotional synergy with a birth mother, we jo…
…
continue reading
1
Resilience in Motion: The Unseen Struggles of Adult Life with Congenital Heart Defects
59:33
59:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
59:33
Navigating life with congenital heart defects (CHD) is a journey of resilience and emotional fortitude. As I converse with my fellow heart mom, Rita Scoggins, we unearth the layers of complexity that come with raising adult children affected by CHD. This episode goes beyond the clinical; it’s an intimate foray into the emotional and logistical prep…
…
continue reading
1
Threads of Resilience Sewn by Heart Moms and Their Children with CHDs
58:22
58:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
58:22
Navigating the torrent of emotions that come with being a heart mom to an adult child, Rita Scoggins and I, Anna Jaworski, unfold the layers of our unique journey. Our intimate conversation traverses the evolution of care, from the hands-on nurturing of our children's younger years to the complexities of supporting their maturity and independence. …
…
continue reading
1
Heart Month News February 2024 and an Audiobook Surprise!
43:37
43:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:37
This episode of Heart to Heart with Anna involves news regarding Heart Month 2024. In this episode, you’ll learn about who our guest next week will be, how Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day came to be and what it has evolved to. You’ll also learn about how Baby Hearts Press, a publishing company devoted to the CHD community, has a special sale …
…
continue reading
1
Companion Pet Loss - From Grief to Inspiration with Erica Messer
32:11
32:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:11
Erica Messer talks with Bereaved But Still Me host Michael Liben about pet loss and how she wasn’t able to find resources to help her cope with her grief. After losing her beloved cat, Wolfgang, she discovered a need for pet-loss resources. With her mother’s encouragement, she started Wolfie’s Wish, a company providing resources for those who are g…
…
continue reading
1
Companion Pet Loss - From Grief to Inspiration with Erica Messer
32:10
32:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:10
Erica Messer talks with Bereaved But Still Me host Michael Liben about pet loss and how she wasn’t able to find resources to help her cope with her grief. After losing her beloved cat, Wolfgang, she discovered a need for pet-loss resources. With her mother’s encouragement, she started Wolfie’s Wish, a company providing resources for those who are g…
…
continue reading
1
Enriching Lives with CHD Support Networks and Healing Stories
47:54
47:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:54
Embark with us as we illuminate the enduring pulse of Hearts Unite the Globe, the non-profit championing an array of deeply impactful podcasts. From the heartfelt dialogues of Heart to Heart with Anna to the comforting echoes of Bereaved but Still Me, we're uniting voices across the congenital heart disease (CHD) community. Our mission extends beyo…
…
continue reading
1
From Manuscript to Masterpiece: Tales of Tenacity and Triumph
47:27
47:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:27
Ever wonder about the emotional odyssey of creating a book that captures the essence of human resilience? My co-editor Megan Tones and I, Anna Jaworski, take you on the intimate trek behind "The Heart of a Heart Warrior," from the flicker of an idea to the jubilance of publication. Our conversation unwraps the passion and dedication needed to weave…
…
continue reading
1
Embracing Healing: The Synergy of Functional Medicine, Aromatherapy, and Spirituality
56:14
56:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:14
Have you ever felt the tug of curiosity towards an approach to mental health that strays from the conventional path? Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Valerie Chavez MD and Ryan Hunter to share their insights on functional medicine's transformative role in mental health care, especially for those touched by congenital heart defects. Together, we unpac…
…
continue reading
1
Surviving the Unbearable: The Resilience of a Father's Love
29:04
29:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:04
Have you ever wondered how the human heart manages to bear the unbearable? How it picks up the shattered pieces and eventually finds its way to healing? Our guest for today's episode, Roy Martin, opens up about a tragic event that forever changed his life - the loss of his beloved daughter, Tawny, to a drunk driver. Join us as Roy paints a vivid im…
…
continue reading
1
Surviving the Unbearable: The Resilience of a Father's Love
29:03
29:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:03
Have you ever wondered how the human heart manages to bear the unbearable? How it picks up the shattered pieces and eventually finds its way to healing? Our guest for today's episode, Roy Martin, opens up about a tragic event that forever changed his life - the loss of his beloved daughter, Tawny, to a drunk driver. Join us as Roy paints a vivid im…
…
continue reading
1
Uniting Hearts: A Decade of Hope, Support, and Volunteerism
21:10
21:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:10
As I sit back and reflect on Heart to Heart with Anna in the year 2023, I want you to celebrate with me, Anna Jaworski, as we mark a milestone of connection and growth within the congenital heart defect community. From the early days on Voice America to our move to Blog Talk Radio and beyond, we've weathered sponsorship storms and emerged stronger,…
…
continue reading
1
A Celebration of the Life of Wilodene Perry
28:26
28:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:26
Today, we gather around the digital campfire to share the enchanting and hard-hitting story of Wilodene, a tenacious woman who lived with seizures for decades before her genetic heart condition, Long Q-T Syndrome, was discovered. Inviting us through the pages of this striking tale is her daughter, Jackie Renfrow, who returns to brighten our podcast…
…
continue reading
1
A Celebration of the Life of Wilodene Perry
28:25
28:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:25
Today, we gather around the digital campfire to share the enchanting and hard-hitting story of Wilodene, a tenacious woman who lived with seizures for decades before her genetic heart condition, Long Q-T Syndrome, was discovered. Inviting us through the pages of this striking tale is her daughter, Jackie Renfrow, who returns to brighten our podcast…
…
continue reading
1
Finding Hope Amidst Long Q-T Syndrome: Jackie Renfrow's Journey
33:57
33:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:57
Imagine living in a family where sudden deaths were a tragic norm. That's the reality heart mom Jackie Renford faced before the fateful identification of Long Q-T Syndrome, a genetic heart condition, in her family. Her misdiagnosis and the subsequent loss of her son and daughter have inspired her to become an advocate for early detection and treatm…
…
continue reading
1
Battling Congenital Heart Defects: The Extraordinary Stories of Emily Falcon and Mabel's Friendship, Advocacy, and Resilience
32:37
32:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:37
How does a young child learn to fight, to survive, and even thrive when they're born battling a congenital heart defect? Join us as we journey through the inspiring life stories of Emily Falcon and Mabel, two extraordinary women who refused to let their heart conditions define them. Emily, born with the rare ALCAPA--Anomalous Origin of the Left Cor…
…
continue reading
1
You Make Your Path by Walking with Suzanne Anderson
36:04
36:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:04
Have you ever wondered how to navigate your life after a deeply personal loss? This episode brings you the deeply moving and inspiring story of Suzanne Anderson, a respected psychologist, author, coach, and transformational teacher. We delve into her intimate journey from a multilingual senior management consultant to an author and advocate for the…
…
continue reading
1
You Make Your Path by Walking with Suzanne Anderson
36:03
36:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:03
Have you ever wondered how to navigate your life after a deeply personal loss? This episode brings you the deeply moving and inspiring story of Suzanne Anderson, a respected psychologist, author, coach, and transformational teacher. We delve into her intimate journey from a multilingual senior management consultant to an author and advocate for the…
…
continue reading
1
Thinking About Complicated Grief, with Author and Podcaster Theo Boyd
30:01
30:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:01
Have you ever found yourself immersed in the endless waves of grief, struggling to find a lifeline? You're not alone. Our guest for this episode, Theo Boyd, a resilient writer, a former teacher, and a survivor of unthinkable loss, is here to share her incredible journey from heartache to healing. Theo takes us through her harrowing experiences, fro…
…
continue reading
1
Thinking about Complicated Grief with Author and Podcaster Theo Boyd
30:00
30:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:00
Have you ever found yourself immersed in the endless waves of grief, struggling to find a lifeline? You're not alone. Our guest for this episode, Theo Boyd, a resilient writer, a former teacher, and a survivor of unthinkable loss, is here to share her incredible journey from heartache to healing. Theo takes us through her harrowing experiences, fro…
…
continue reading
1
Exploring Functional Medicine: Harnessing the Power of Essential Oils and Holistic Health Approaches
53:53
53:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:53
Have you ever considered how your lifestyle choices could be affecting your health? Ever wondered about the benefits of essential oils or how to improve your gut health? Then you're in the right place. In a riveting discourse with renowned Valerie Chavez, MD, and Ryan Hunter, we delve into the heart of Functional Medicine. Together, we unravel the …
…
continue reading
1
The Selfish Griever on Messages from Loved Ones
32:38
32:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:38
When we grieve the loss of a loved one, we try our best to keep them with us, to hold them close in our hearts and to tell their stories to others. But can our loved ones reach out to us? Can we open our minds and our hearts to the possibility that they somehow need us as much as we still need them? Can they comfort us in our time of need? Whitney …
…
continue reading
1
The Selfish Griever on Messages from Loved Ones
32:37
32:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:37
When we grieve the loss of a loved one, we try our best to keep them with us, to hold them close in our hearts and to tell their stories to others. But can our loved ones reach out to us? Can we open our minds and our hearts to the possibility that they somehow need us as much as we still need them? Can they comfort us in our time of need? Whitney …
…
continue reading
Have you ever wondered about the strength that it takes to parent a heart warrior child? What does the journey of raising a child with a congenital heart defect look like? Meet Alison and Brian Blankenship, parents to two children, one of whom is a heart warrior named Ian. Ian was born with a critical congenital heart defect, and his parents are he…
…
continue reading
What happens when we lose our loved one after years of living with dementia? How did writing about living with dementia help Melissa Geiser to deal with her grief? What can be learned from years of watching a loved one die from dementia? Melissa Geiser is a blogger and the only child of her mother Pat. At the end of 2013, Pat’s friends started call…
…
continue reading
What happens when we lose our loved one after years of living with dementia? How did writing about living with dementia help Melissa Geiser to deal with her grief? What can be learned from years of watching a loved one die from dementia? Melissa Geiser is a blogger and the only child of her mother Pat. At the end of 2013, Pat’s friends started call…
…
continue reading
1
An Unseen Threat: The Cody Watkins Story of Heart Failure and Recovery
52:46
52:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:46
Meet Cody Watkins, a beacon of resilience and health, who brushed against mortality when he discovered a congenital heart problem lurking beneath his ripped physique. Unaware of the ticking time bomb in his chest for 30 years, Cody offers a riveting recount of his journey within the world of bodybuilding, his shocking discovery, and how he's courag…
…
continue reading