During the NICU journey, it is difficult to see past the moment right in front of you - the next call from the doctor, your baby’s next heel prick, head ultrasound, or car seat test. The NICU experience can feel never-ending. The days seem to run into each other until the big day arrives when they finally say ‘your baby is going home.’ However, as you will hear on this episode, going home brings on a whole new set of challenges and experiences. On this episode, we are speaking with Renee and Alex Archawski to discuss what it’s like post-NICU (many years later) when your preemie becomes taller than you and what it feels like to look back at your NICU experience after so many years.

On this episode you will hear:

• Renee & Alex's journey to parenthood

• How they navigated the NICU, not once but twice

• Their experience in the NICU

• The things they wish they knew going into their NICU journey

• Looking back, what advice they would give to other families now that their 1st NICU miracle is a teenager

• The questions they thought of asking, while undergoing their NICU journey, but avoided asking because of fear or anxiety while in the NICU

• Alex's experience, from a dad’s perspective, in the NICU

• Alex's advice to other dads navigating a NICU journey

Please subscribe to the TODAY is a Good Day Podcast, wherever you enjoy your podcasts, or on our YouTube channel.

This episode was produced and directed by Tony Lopes, of SoftStix Productions LLC (www.softstixproductions.com), in collaboration with co-producer and director of photography Michael Leary, of One Fifteen Films LLC (www.onefifteenfilms.com).  Copyright 2020, SoftStix Productions LLC.

One of the most important aspects of a parent’s role in the NICU is to be an advocate for their baby. This advocacy starts with the NICU Nurse caring for your child. Building a good relationship will help you during the NICU journey. Most importantly, establishing open communication with your nurses helps your baby’s overall care. Learn ways to open up about what you need from your baby’s nurse as we talk with Maryann Malloy, Nurse Manager at Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia.

On this episode you will hear:

• How long Maryann has been a nurse and why she choose the NICU

• What Maryann wants to share with families who spend time in the NICU

• Maryann describes her process behind working with families who have recently had premature babies v. families who have recently had full term babies with complications

• A time when Maryann made a strong connection with a family that was going through a NICU journey

• The first question Maryann suggests families ask when beginning a NICU journey

• Mental health issues can sneak up on us, especially after such a difficult loss, Maryann discusses some of the emotional roadblocks that parents going through a NICU journey should be careful about

• Why Maryann recommends that families keep a journal while undergoing their NICU journey

• The common myths that Maryann hears from families in the NICU, and the advice she has for overcoming those myths

Please subscribe to the TODAY is a Good Day Podcast, wherever you enjoy your podcasts, or on our YouTube channel.

This episode was produced and directed by Tony Lopes, of SoftStix Productions LLC (www.softstixproductions.com), in collaboration with co-producer and director of photography Michael Leary, of One Fifteen Films LLC (www.onefifteenfilms.com). Copyright 2020, SoftStix Productions LLC.

On this episode, we discuss why our family founded TODAY is a Good Day and the life-long friendship that sparked a fire to help others during their NICU Experience. In 2010, Rachel Marzario and Martha Sharkey (Co-founder of TODAY is a Good Day and host of the podcast) were on bedrest at the same time. They did not know each other, but they were both pregnant with twin girls. Their daughters were born just 8 days apart. Little did they know how their lives would intertwine developing a lifelong friendship for their families. This important friendship is the foundation for one of Today is a Good Day’s most important pillars: Fostering a connection among parents.

On this episode you will hear:

• Martha and Paul Sharkey’s journey and why they founded TODAY is a Good Day

• The experiences that stood out most to Rachel, about her pregnancy journey and welcoming her baby girls

• How Rachel dealt with saying goodbye to her baby girl, Jenna, and how she continued to stay strong for her baby girl, Samantha

• How Samantha is doing today

• Advice for other families navigating the NICU

• How Rachel's experience as a PICU nurse impacted her personal journey through the NICU

• The importance of Rachel and Martha's friendship - what Rachel remembers the most about their friendship during the NICU

Please subscribe to the TODAY is a Good Day Podcast, wherever you enjoy your podcasts, or on our YouTube channel.

This episode was produced and directed by Tony Lopes, of SoftStix Productions LLC (www.softstixproductions.com), in collaboration with co-producer and director of photography Michael Leary, of One Fifteen Films LLC (www.onefifteenfilms.com). Copyright 2020, SoftStix Productions LLC.

On this episode we discuss babies who are born full term, but need additional assistance with a stay in the NICU. So often we only associate premature birth with the NICU. While 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely, there is a segment of the NICU population who are born at full-term but need a stay in the NICU because of special circumstances. Our guest on this episode, Kori Robino, is a passionate and dedicated NICU mom who had this exact experience. As we always say, it doesn’t matter whether your baby is in the NICU for 3 days, 3 months, or longer, the experience is traumatic and life-altering. Hear Kori share her experiences having a full-term baby in the NICU and how she channeled her NICU journey into giving back to others navigating a similar path.

On this episode you will hear:

- Kori's journey as well as Martha's experience as a NICU parent of 23-weekers.

- Kori shares how she felt having her full-term baby in the NICU and seeing many other preemies around you?

- Kori's describes her most vivid memory, related to her NICU experience

- Kori's advice to other parents navigating the NICU journey

- Kori describes what are some of the emotional roadblocks that parents going through a NICU journey should be careful about

- Kori talks about the three people who helped her most through her NICU experience.

- KicKee Pants and the new partnership with Today is a Good Day.

Please subscribe to the TODAY is a Good Day Podcast, wherever you enjoy your podcasts, or on our YouTube channel.

This episode was produced and directed by Tony Lopes, of SoftStix Productions LLC (www.softstixproductions.com), in collaboration with co-producer and director of photography Michael Leary, of One Fifteen Films LLC (www.onefifteenfilms.com).

Copyright 2020, SoftStix Productions LLC.

In this episode, we are discussing love and loss in the NICU. Not every NICU journey ends with taking a baby home. There are also many times when multiples are born and not all graduate from the NICU. How do you walk the path of losing one child while trying to support the surviving child? Porsche Pinder, fellow NICU mom and host of "Sista’s on Air" on CMP Radio, shares her personal journey of welcoming Amara and Jace, saying goodbye to Amara, and staying strong for Jace.

On this episode you will hear:- Porsche's pregnancy journey and welcoming her sweet miracles into the world.

- Porsche's story of what it felt like saying goodbye to Amara and then having to stay strong for Jace

- Porsche's story of what helped her get through each day

- The three people who helped Porsche most through her journey

- Porsche's advice for family members and friends who want to help but don’t know what to do

- What Porsche wishes she had done differently, and what you may want to consider for your own NICU journey

- Porsche shares her emotional triggers and how she has navigated through them over the years

- You'll also hear about how Jace is doing today, and how Porsche continues to honor Amara

Please subscribe to the TODAY is a Good Day Podcast, wherever you enjoy your podcasts, or on our YouTube channel.

This episode was produced and directed by Tony Lopes, of SoftStix Productions LLC (www.softstixproductions.com), in collaboration with co-producer and director of photography Michael Leary, of One Fifteen Films LLC (www.onefifteenfilms.com).Copyright 2020, SoftStix Productions LLC.

On this episode, we discuss mental health for NICU families. This is an important topic that we should be discussing every day. Mental health is a significant issue for parents in the NICU. If you are feeling the stress of the NICU, you are not alone. If you are currently navigating your own NICU journey, listen closely to our guests today as they talk about trauma as it relates to the NICU experience, along with the importance of self-care and recognizing signs of Postpartum depression. Joining us for this important conversation are: Kellie Wicklund, Licensed Psychotherapist and Owner/Clinical Director at the Maternal Wellness Center; and, Silver Pyanov, fellow NICU mom, doula, and childbirth educator.

On this episode you will hear:- Kellie discusses the first challenge or issue NICU moms usually bring up regarding their struggles, and how Kellie helps them through that

- Silver had multiple NICU stays with her children, so she shares those journeys with us and talks about the biggest emotion she remembers feeling through each journey.

- Silver discusses how she worked through her NICU journeys

- Silver talks about when she experienced child loss and the emotions she felt

- Silver shares stories from her work with the many families she has helped over the years.

- Silver givers her biggest piece of advice for families navigating a pregnancy

- Kellie discusses some advice for families seeking help after a NICU stay

- We discuss the importance of self-care, and how each guest encourages parents to focus on self-care

- We talk about the desire to be with your baby every hour of every day and the guilt of not being there enough

- We discuss the stigma around accepting help, and our guests share their recommendations to families when they have people offering to take care of their kids at home, clean their homes, make meals, and offer to help

- Silver discusses detachment and ways that she has helped moms specifically to connect with their babies

- Kellie discusses helping fathers with mental health issues after a NICU stay

Please subscribe to the TODAY is a Good Day Podcast, wherever you enjoy your podcasts, or on our YouTube channel.

This episode was produced and directed by Tony Lopes, of SoftStix Productions LLC (www.softstixproductions.com), in collaboration with co-producer and director of photography Michael Leary, of One Fifteen Films LLC (www.onefifteenfilms.com).Copyright 2020, SoftStix Productions LLC.

On this episode, we will speak with Stephanie Cartin, fellow NICU mom, CEO of SocialFly and, Co-host of The Entreprenista Podcast. You will hear Stephanie discuss her journey, reflecting on years of struggling to conceive, learning that she and her husband were expecting twins, and how they navigated the ups and downs of loss and joy in the NICU. Stephanie will share her biggest lessons learned and how to best advocate for yourself in the medical setting. We’ll also discuss how family and friends can support someone through different stages of the journey to become pregnant, loss, and a NICU stay.

On this episode you will hear:

- How Stephanie managed her expectations v. reality with honoring Emmy and taking care of Mollie

- Through all of Stephanie's experiences, the advice she has for family and friends to support someone going through a similar NICU journey

- How Stephanie dealt with knowing that Emmy had passed away in the womb and navigating the unknowns of delivering Emmy

- Stephanie's suggestions for other families going through infertility

- How Stephanie would encourage others to speak up and advocate for themselves

- Stephanie's advice for walking the path with your spouse, and the impact experience had on her spouse

- How Stephanie developed her birth plan for her girls and how you can work with your medical team

Please subscribe to the TODAY is a Good Day Podcast, wherever you enjoy your podcasts, or on our YouTube channel.

This episode was produced and directed by Tony Lopes, of SoftStix Productions LLC (www.softstixproductions.com), in collaboration with co-producer and director of photography Michael Leary, of One Fifteen Films LLC (www.onefifteenfilms.com).Copyright 2020, SoftStix Productions LLC.

The world of the NICU can feel overwhelming and isolating. It can be difficult to stay in the moment and be present, if your baby is born prematurely or full-term with complications. How can you embrace the NICU experience to be the best parent you can be for your baby? How do you find the strength to simply look at the “next step” rather than the next several years and all of the ‘what ifs’? On this episode, we welcome Juliet Marciano, a Parent Coach - certified by the Parent Coaching Institute, to share strategies on letting go of what we expected and embracing what IS, learning to live in the present moment, and nurturing your child’s gifts.

On this episode you will hear:

- Juliet's personal experience and why she has chosen this line of work to help other families.

- Juliet's advice for a family that has welcomed a new baby that is admitted to the NICU, considering all of the uncertainties that come with a NICU stay.

- Juliet's practical advice for families who feel emotionally overloaded.

- How Juliet helps families accept and embrace the experience they have been thrown into, especially in the NICU.

- The steps Juliet recommends for parents, to help them let go of what they thought welcoming a new baby would look like and to accept what life is at the present moment.

- How you can better recognize and nurture a child’s gifts and abilities.

- How to accept and embrace whatever life throws your way.

Please subscribe to the TODAY is a Good Day Podcast, wherever you enjoy your podcasts, or on our YouTube channel.

This episode was produced and directed by Tony Lopes, of SoftStix Productions LLC (www.softstixproductions.com), in collaboration with co-producer and director of photography Michael Leary, of One Fifteen Films LLC (www.onefifteenfilms.com).Copyright 2020, SoftStix Productions LLC.