Tiny Little Hearts Podcast
This podcast is about Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), complex medical journeys, parenting through uncertainty and the deep resilience of walking through big life changes.
Hosted by Katelyn McMahan, a mom to three girls whose life was changed in an instant when she found out her youngest daughter had complex cardiac abnormalities. She went searching to hear about kids with a similar diagnosis and wanted to see the life they were living. She didn’t want the curated, polished stories so she could prepare her heart for the good, bad and ugly.
This podcast does just that and highlights conversations from individuals, parents, medical providers, and others navigating the very real and overwhelming world of congenital heart defects and other medical complexities. You’ll hear honest conversations, practical advice and space to feel seen and understood.
Tiny Little Hearts Podcast
15. 2026: What I'm Continuing and What I'm Leaving Behind
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this conversation, Katelyn discusses some of the things she has thought about continuing in the new year, and some things that she hopes to leave behind. She reflects on her experiences as a parent of a medically complex child, particularly during the holiday season. She discusses the importance of resilience, community support, and the need to embrace small joys while navigating the challenges of parenting a child with heart disease. Katelyn emphasizes the significance of leaving behind the comparison trap, releasing guilt over uncontrollable circumstances, and the unrealistic expectation of bouncing back to a previous normal. She encourages listeners to take one step at a time and find their own rhythm in this unique journey.
00:00 Reflections on the Holiday Season
04:36 Embracing Resilience and Community
09:38 Leaving Behind the Comparison Trap
12:44 Releasing Guilt and Expectations
17:23 Navigating the Journey Forward
Let’s Connect!
Follow me on Instagram @tinylittleheartspodcast
Follow me on Substack at Tiny Little Hearts Substack
This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.