NICU Heroes Podcast

The NICU Heroes podcast was created exclusively for NICU professionals, helping them to better understand, support, and nurture the entire NICU family. NICU parents are often as fragile as their baby, requiring patience, guidance, and encouragement to ensure they are mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared to endure the pressure of a NICU stay and meet the on-going needs of their medically fragile child, post-discharge. Select episodes have been approved for one contact hour of nursing continuing education and are denoted in the episode's show notes. It is the sole responsibility of the individual to verify if this credit is valid and eligible for use in your State and/or for your discipline for licensure or certification renewal. For additional NICU parent support visit: https://handtohold.org/ https://www.facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram - @handtohold Twitter - @NICUHandtoHold

Last refreshed: July 17th, 2025 at 7:52 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Episode 13: A NICU Medical Professional in the Digital Age

Terry Johnson discusses how the access to information has changed through the years and how that affects a NICU medical professional. She also speaks about the transition NICU nurses have had to make in using more technology at the bedside.

Jun 22, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 13

Episode 12: A NICU Professional's Response to COVID-19

Lori and Kelli discuss the many ways COVID-19 can impact NICU professionals and the importance of listening to each other as a means of support. They also talk about how to cope with the stress and trauma of working in the NICU during COVID-19.

Apr 16, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 12

Episode 11: Avoiding Risks for SIDS & SUID

Kelli and Barb Himes discuss what First Candle is and its services. They also talk about the difference between SIDS and SUID, and the risks involved for premature babies with each syndrome. Barb discusses the AAP recommendations for safe sleep and the importance and benefit of breastfeeding your preemie.

Mar 17, 2020•54 min•Season 2Ep. 11

Episode 10: Self-Care in the NICU

Kelli and Cheryl discuss what secondary trauma is and how it can affect NICU professionals. They also talk about the importance of nutrition and hydration for NICU professionals and how to recognize burnout and combat it.

Mar 17, 2020•50 min•Season 2Ep. 10

Episode 9: Developmental Diapering

Kelli discusses with Sue Ludwig, Elizabeth Drake, and Joanne Kuller what developmental diapering is and why it's important. They talk about the five areas of focus when changing a preemie's diaper and how each of these areas can help a baby's development.

Oct 17, 2018•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 9

Episode 8: Avoiding Nurse Burnout in the NICU

NICU nurses, Rhonda Reed and Jennifer Miller, discuss their own experiences with burnout while working in the NICU. They talk about the signs and symptoms of burnout to look out for, as well as how nurses can combat it. Kelli also asks them for tips on how to cope with loss in the NICU and how nurses can implement good nutrition and exercise in their daily routines.

May 29, 2018•54 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Episode 7: Supporting Dads in the NICU

Adam Busby recounts his experience of finding out he and his wife, Danielle, were going to have quintuplets. He discusses that journey and his experience in the NICU. Kelli and he also talk about his Adam's struggle with depression, anxiety, and PTSD after the birth of his daughters, and Adam offers advice to other dads in the NICU.

May 29, 2018•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Episode 6: Modeling Motherhood

Kelli and Natalie discuss the opioid epidemic and how it has affected NICU moms. Natalie talks about the importance of showing these moms compassion and how NICU nurses can model motherhood while working.

May 29, 2018•57 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Episode 5: Overcoming Communication Barriers of Family Centered Care

Dr. Loraine Dickey speaks about starting the Narrative Initiative and how it enables people to connect through their stories. She and Kelli discuss family centered care and how it can be used in the NICU. Dr. Dickey talks about how NICU professionals can best communicate with families and how it's important to focus on the process, not the outcome.

May 29, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Episode 4: Helping Mothers Bond with their Babies in the NICU

Kelli, Jasmine, and Kara talk about Family Nurture Intervention and the importance of bonding with babies in the NICU. They discuss how families can become emotionally connected to their baby in the NICU.

May 29, 2018•48 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Episode 3: Nothing About Us Without Us

Darlene talks about being a Family Consultant at CHOP. She also discusses CHOP's Family Partner Program and the importance of the NICU professional looking at their cases through a family lens. Darlene explains the importance of Language of Caring and how that can be used in the NICU. Kelli talks to Keira about her experience of having triplets and how that led her to founding the Preemie Parent Alliance.

May 29, 2018•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Episode 2: Psychosocial Support of NICU Families

Kelli and Dr. Sue Hall discuss the Interdisciplinary Recommendations for Psychosocial Support of NICU Parents and how those guidelines came into existence. They talk about how the mental health of NICU families is just as important as the physical aspect. Dr. Hall what NICU professionals can do to help alleviate and/or prevent anxiety, depression, and PTSD in NICU families.

May 29, 2018•52 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Episode 1: A Life of Purpose

Kelli speaks about her own experience in the NICU and how that led her to founding Hand to Hold. She talks about her journey with anxiety, depression, and PTSD and how that inspired her to help other NICU families. She discusses the resources that are available to NICU families and how those resources can help NICU families in need.

May 29, 2018•59 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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