From The Heart: The HeartKids Podcast

This special 100th episode brings Sammy and Rachel together to revisit the moments, people and insights that have defined From the Heart. They explore the power of shared stories, the evolving experiences of heart parents and heart adults, and how community connection continues to shape the podcast. A warm, open conversation that celebrates the stories that brought us here — and those still to come.HEARTKIDSFrom The Heart is brought to you by HeartKids, the only national not-for-profit solely focused on supporting and advocating for people affected by childhood-onset heart disease.For support, information or guidance on your CoHD journey, call the HeartKids Helpline on 1800 432 785 or visit the website at https://www.heartkids.org.auCOPYRIGHTAll content on this podcast is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced, repurposed, republished, or copied, in any form, without permission.Repurposing or republishing content from this podcast, even with credit and acknowledgement to the creators, host, and guest, does not provide an exemption to this copyright.CREDITSHosts and Guests: Rachel Knowles & Sami GlastonburyProducer: Becky Oakley

In this episode of the HeartKids Podcast, host Rachel Knowles speaks with 20-year-old Brodie and his mum, Annie, from Tasmania. Brodie has lived with childhood-onset heart disease and has undergone not one, but two heart transplants — the first during the height of COVID-19, and the second just last year.Brodie and Annie share the early signs that something wasn’t right, the frightening dash from regional Tasmania to Melbourne for lifesaving treatment, and the long months spent away from home due to border closures and hospital restrictions. They reflect on the intense isolation of that time, the power of connection with other heart families, and the mix of courage, humour and resilience that carried them through.Now 18 months on from his second transplant, Brodie talks about recovery, returning to everyday life, and the simple routines that help him stay well. Annie offers insight into the experience of parenting through uncertainty, the strength she discovered along the way, and the support they received from HeartKids when their world was suddenly turned upside down.HEARTKIDSFrom The Heart is brought to you by HeartKids, the only national not-for-profit solely focused on supporting and advocating for people affected by childhood-onset heart disease.For support, information or guidance on your CoHD journey, call the HeartKids Helpline on 1800 432 785 or visit the website at https://www.heartkids.org.auCOPYRIGHTAll content on this podcast is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced, repurposed, republished, or copied, in any form, without permission.Repurposing or republishing content from this podcast, even with credit and acknowledgement to the creators, host, and guest, does not provide an exemption to this copyright.CREDITSHost: Rachel KnowlesGuests: Annie and Brodie WhelanProducer: Becky Oakley

Tanya Hall, CEO and founder of Hearts4heart and member of the World Heart Federation Board, joins us to share how lived experience can reshape care, policy and community. Diagnosed in infancy and navigating a complex journey that includes open heart surgery, arrhythmias, ablations and a pacemaker, Tanya describes the isolation that led her to start Hearts4heart in 2011 and how it has grown into a national organisation supporting, educating and empowering adults with heart conditions.We discuss the moment her story shifted a decade of stalled advocacy in Parliament, why patient voices must be equal stakeholders in health decisions, and how collaboration across clinicians, government and community drives real change. Tanya also reflects on equity challenges across Australia and globally, the rise of patient led advocacy, and her hope for a future where no one feels alone on their heart health journey.HEARTKIDSFrom The Heart is brought to you by HeartKids, the only national not-for-profit solely focused on supporting and advocating for people affected by childhood-onset heart disease.For support, information or guidance on your CoHD journey, call the HeartKids Helpline on 1800 432 785 or visit the website at https://www.heartkids.org.auCOPYRIGHTAll content on this podcast is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced, repurposed, republished, or copied, in any form, without permission.Repurposing or republishing content from this podcast, even with credit and acknowledgement to the creators, host, and guest, does not provide an exemption to this copyright.CREDITSHost: Sami GlastonburyGuest: Tanya HallProducer: Becky Oakley

In this episode, host Sami Glastonbury speaks with Mark Edmonds, Education Project Coordinator at HeartKids, about the power of co-design and education in transforming care for people living with childhood-onset heart disease. Mark shares how his background in neurophysiology and teaching has shaped his approach to developing national education modules for healthcare professionals, ensuring care is holistic, evidence-based, and grounded in lived experience. Together, they explore how education is helping clinicians across Australia better understand the complexities of lifelong heart conditions, strengthen communication and mental health awareness, and ultimately improve outcomes for families.HEARTKIDSFrom The Heart is brought to you by HeartKids, the only national not-for-profit solely focused on supporting and advocating for people affected by childhood-onset heart disease.For support, information or guidance on your CoHD journey, call the HeartKids Helpline on 1800 432 785 or visit the website at https://www.heartkids.org.auCOPYRIGHTAll content on this podcast is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced, repurposed, republished, or copied, in any form, without permission.Repurposing or republishing content from this podcast, even with credit and acknowledgement to the creators, host, and guest, does not provide an exemption to this copyright.CREDITSHost: Sami GlastonburyGuest: Mark EdmondsProducer: Becky Oakley

In this episode, host Sami is joined by Natasha D'Souza, one of our dedicated Family Support Coordinators in Western Australia. Drawing on her own experience as a heart parent, Tash shares how she and the WA team walk alongside families through hospital stays, unexpected admissions, and the life-changing reality of having to travel interstate for cardiac care. From practical tips on preparing for the journey, to the compassion of support that stretches across states and siblings at home, Tash opens up about a decade of standing with families through their hardest moments — and why she still loves this role every single day.HEARTKIDSFrom The Heart is brought to you by HeartKids, the only national not-for-profit solely focused on supporting and advocating for people affected by childhood-onset heart disease.For support, information or guidance on your CoHD journey, call the HeartKids Helpline on 1800 432 785 or visit the website at https://www.heartkids.org.auCOPYRIGHTAll content on this podcast is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced, repurposed, republished, or copied, in any form, without permission.Repurposing or republishing content from this podcast, even with credit and acknowledgement to the creators, host, and guest, does not provide an exemption to this copyright.CREDITSHost: Sami GlastonburyGuest: Natasha D'SouzaProducer: Becky Oakley