Tiny Little Hearts Podcast: CHD and Heart Mom Life
Tiny Little Hearts Podcast is your honest, unfiltered space for the CHD (congenital heart disease / congenital heart defect) community. Whether you're a heart parent, a CHD warrior, or someone newly navigating a complex congenital heart diagnosis — this podcast was made for you.
Hosted by Katelyn McMahan, a mom of three girls whose world changed the moment she learned her youngest daughter had complex cardiac abnormalities. She searched for real stories — kids with complex CHD, single ventricle hearts, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and other congenital heart defects— not the polished highlight reels, but the honest, raw truth of what this life actually looks like. She wanted to prepare her heart for the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Each episode features conversations with heart parents, CHD adults, providers, and others navigating the deeply real world of congenital heart disease, open heart surgery, and medical complexity. You'll hear practical advice, emotional honesty, and stories that remind you that you are not alone in this journey. Because this life is hard — and you deserve a place to feel seen.
Topics covered include: CHD diagnosis, heart surgery recovery, parenting a medically complex child, grief and resilience, NICU and PCICU experiences, fontan circulation, cardiac catheterization, and life after a congenital heart defect diagnosis.
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Tiny Little Hearts Podcast: CHD and Heart Mom Life
14. Hearts Like Mine: Choosing How You View Your Story
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In this powerful episode, Katelyn sits down with Garrett Deiro, a congenital heart disease (CHD) survivor who has a diagnosis of Tetralogy of Fallot and founder of Hearts Like Mine blog. Garrett opens up about his journey through four open heart surgeries, including a life-threatening emergency procedure at age 13 that profoundly shaped his life and years later, has been an instrumental aspect of pursuing his path toward medical school.
For all you boy moms and dads, this conversation offers a male perspective on growing up with CHD, navigating the challenges of adolescence with a heart condition, and choosing to view adversity as a catalyst for purpose rather than a limitation.
Key Topics Discussed:
- The reality of childhood surgeries and what it's like to remember your first major procedure
- How a medical emergency became a turning point
- Processing trauma and choosing your perspective
- Not letting CHD define your limitations
- Staying active and participating in sports with a heart condition
- The evolution from "why me?" to finding purpose
- Creating connection in the CHD community
Follow Garret on Instagram at @hearts.like.mine.chd
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This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.