Ask a NICU Mama Podcast

Quiet the Noise with Sam

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host AshleyO’Neil is joined by Sam Kozuch, a NICU mama turned NICU doula, whose journey is one of resilience, advocacy, and hope. Sam shares her experience navigating a high-risk pregnancy,a 152-day NICU stay, and life after discharge as she raises her daughter with complex medical needs. She opens up about the emotional highs and lows of the NICU, the challenges of transitioning home, the gaps in care that so manyfamilies face, and the strength it takes to advocate for your child every step of the way. Most importantly, Sam reminds us of the power of communityand how her own NICU journey inspired her to become a NICU doula, supporting other families during one of the most difficult seasons of their lives. Whether you're currently in the NICU, navigating life afterdischarge, or supporting someone who is, this conversation is filled with honesty, encouragement, and hope.  You donot want to miss this episode!  Interested in connecting with Sam? Instagram: samkozymama [https://www.instagram.com/pazkatelyn/] Business IG: underthesameskydoula [https://www.instagram.com/underthesameskydoula/]   The Ask a NICU Mama Podcast is brought to you by It’s aNICU World! 🌍 About It’s a NICU World It’s a NICU World is a community dedicated tosupporting families navigating life in and beyond the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. From journals and advocacy to the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, we’re here to bring real stories, hard truths, and hope to every NICU andmedical family. 📘 Learn more: ⁠www.itsanicuworld.com⁠ [https://www.nicuworld.com]📸Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@itsanicuworld⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/itsanicuworld]and @askanicumamapodcast2024 [https://www.instagram.com/askanicumamapodcast2024/] Check out our books: It’s a NICU World& It’s a NICU World: Your Guide During your Babies NICU Stay [https://nicuworld.com/products/its-a-nicu-world] 🎙️Listen to more episodes: On your favorite podcast platform   * 📣 Ways to Support the Show: Share this episode with another NICU parent orhealthcare provider * Follow the show on Instagram: ⁠@askanicumamapodcast2024⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/askanicumamapodcast2024] * Leave a review   Interested in sponsoring an episode? Email ashleyoneil@itsanicuworld.com [ashleyoneil@itsanicuworld.com]

You're Not Broken with Neelam

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host AshleyO’Neil is joined by Neelam, a mother of two NICU graduates, NICU & Postpartum Mental Health Educator, Maternal Wellness Consultant, and founder of Maternal Wellness Co. Drawing from both her lived experience and professionaltraining in perinatal mental health, Neelam supports mothers navigating the hidden trauma and identity shifts that often follow NICU and postpartum journeys. Together, we discuss the emotional impact of two NICU stays,the importance of recognizing maternal mental health beyond what is visible, the gaps that exist within healthcare, and how mothers can begin to process their experiences, heal, and rediscover themselves after trauma.  You do not want to miss this episode! Interested in connecting with Neelam?  Website: MaternalWellness Co. [https://maternalwellnessco.com/] Instagram:  maternalwellness_co [%20https:/www.i%0d]Ebook: 5 Truth Every Postpartum Mother Needs to Hear E-book: Healing Beyond Silence  The Ask a NICU Mama Podcast is brought to you by It’sa NICU World! 🌍 About It’s a NICU World It’s a NICU World is a community dedicated tosupporting families navigating life in and beyond the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. From journals and advocacy to the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, we’re here to bring real stories, hard truths, and hope to every NICU and medical family. 📘 Learn more: ⁠www.itsanicuworld.com⁠ [https://www.nicuworld.com]📸Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@itsanicuworld⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/itsanicuworld]and @askanicumamapodcast2024 [https://www.instagram.com/askanicumamapodcast2024/] Check out our books: It’s a NICU World& It’s a NICU World: Your Guide During your Babies NICU Stay [https://nicuworld.com/products/its-a-nicu-world] 🎙️Listen to more episodes: On your favorite podcast platform 📣 Support the Show: * Share this episode with another NICU parent or healthcare provider * Follow the show on Instagram: ⁠@askanicumamapodcast2024⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/askanicumamapodcast2024] * Leave a review  Interested in sponsoring an episode? Email ashleyoneil@itsanicuworld.com [ashleyoneil@itsanicuworld.com]

The Sun Has to Come Out with Marianń

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host AshleyO’Neil is joined by Mariann Shaw, Founder and Executive Director of Maison Alexander Support Group, Inc. (MASG Inc.), a faith-based nonprofit born from her own NICU journey. After developing preeclampsia, Mariann delivered her sonat just 28 weeks gestation via emergency C-section. She shares the challenges of navigating life after the NICU as a single mother, leaning on the support of family, friends, and her faith during one of the most difficult seasons of herlife.  What began as a personal testimony of resilience and hopehas grown into a mission dedicated to supporting NICU families through faith, resources, advocacy, and compassionate care. Mariann's story is a powerful reminder that purpose can emerge from life's most unexpected challenges. You won't want to miss this inspiring conversation.   Interested in connecting with Marianń? Instagram: masgnicu [https://www.instagram.com/masgnicu/] Website: www.masgnicu.org [http://www.masgnicu.org] The Ask a NICU Mama Podcast is brought to you by It’sa NICU World! 🌍 About It’s a NICU World It’s a NICU World is a community dedicated tosupporting families navigating life in and beyond the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. From journals and advocacy to the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, we’re here to bring real stories, hard truths, and hope to every NICU andmedical family. 📘 Learn more: ⁠www.itsanicuworld.com⁠ [https://www.nicuworld.com] 📸Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@itsanicuworld⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/itsanicuworld]and @askanicumamapodcast2024 [https://www.instagram.com/askanicumamapodcast2024/] Check out our books: It’s a NICU World& It’s a NICU World: Your Guide During your Babies NICU Stay [https://nicuworld.com/products/its-a-nicu-world] 🎙️Listen to more episodes: On your favorite podcast platform 📣 Support the Show: * Share this episode with another NICU parent or healthcare provider * Follow the show on Instagram: ⁠@askanicumamapodcast2024⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/askanicumamapodcast2024] * Leave a review  Interested in sponsoring an episode? Email ashleyoneil@itsanicuworld.com [ashleyoneil@itsanicuworld.com]

A Chance to Know Her with Katelyn

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host Ashley O’Neil is joined by Katelyn Paz, who learned after a routine ultrasound that her daughter had Trisomy 18. She shares how she had to balance grief with hope and what it was like to constantly justify her decision to keep her daughter alive to her NICU team. She also opens up about finding herself back in the very same NICU two years later with her youngest daughter. This episode is about a mother’s love, finding hope, and advocating fiercely for your children through uncertainty, grief, and the NICU experience.  You do not want to miss this episode! Interested in connecting with Katelyn? Instagram: pazkatelyn [https://www.instagram.com/pazkatelyn/] The Ask a NICU Mama Podcast is brought to you by It’s aNICU World! 🌍 About It’s a NICU World It’s a NICU World is a community dedicated tosupporting families navigating life in and beyond the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. From journals and advocacy to the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, we’re here to bring real stories, hard truths, and hope to every NICU andmedical family. 📘 Learn more: ⁠www.itsanicuworld.com⁠ [https://www.nicuworld.com] 📸Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@itsanicuworld⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/itsanicuworld]and @askanicumamapodcast2024 [https://www.instagram.com/askanicumamapodcast2024/] Check out our books: It’s a NICU World& It’s a NICU World: Your Guide During your Babies NICU Stay [https://nicuworld.com/products/its-a-nicu-world] 🎙️Listen to more episodes: On your favorite podcast platform  📣 Support the Show: * Share this episode with another NICU parent or healthcare provider * Follow the show on Instagram: ⁠@askanicumamapodcast2024⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/askanicumamapodcast2024] * Leave a review Interested in sponsoring an episode? Email ashleyoneil@itsanicuworld.com [ashleyoneil@itsanicuworld.com]

A Long Hard Road with Nate

In this episode of the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, host Ashley O’Neil is joined by Nathan (Nate) Wieser, who shares his and his wife’s 10-year journey to parenthood—a path marked by pregnancy loss, infant loss, and a 121-day NICU stay. Throughout this episode, one thing remains abundantly clear: Nate’s deep love for his wife, his family and friends, and his children - both the ones he holds in his heart and the one he is blessed to parent here on earth.  This episode offers deep insights into the emotional rollercoaster of the NICU experiences, loss, and hope.  You do not want to miss this episode. Interested in connecting with Nate? Instagram: nathanwieser [https://www.instagram.com/nathanwieser/] Book: We Did It [https://www.amazon.com/We-Did-perspective-enduring-miscarriages/dp/B0FLVTTHPY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZZFMCGOMW9V3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Ovya3pkarfFWLyu3W-Kvbw.iklM9f6Wio9WwtNIR5NgILfag0dGaJ1u6my6LF5_nfI&dib_tag=se&keywords=nathan+wieser&qid=1781001432&s=books&sprefix=nathan+wieser%2Cstripbooks%2C117&sr=1-1]   The Ask a NICU Mama Podcast is brought to you by It’s a NICU World! 🌍 About It’s a NICU World It’s a NICU World is a community dedicated tosupporting families navigating life in and beyond the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. From journals and advocacy to the Ask a NICU Mama Podcast, we’re here to bring real stories, hard truths, and hope to every NICU and medical family. 📘 Learn more: ⁠www.itsanicuworld.com⁠ [https://www.nicuworld.com] 📸Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@itsanicuworld⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/itsanicuworld]and @askanicumamapodcast2024 [https://www.instagram.com/askanicumamapodcast2024/] Check out our books: It’s a NICU World& It’s a NICU World: Your Guide During Your Babies NICU Stay [https://nicuworld.com/products/its-a-nicu-world] 🎙️Listen to more episodes: On your favorite podcast platform 📣 Support the Show: * Share this episode with another NICU parent or healthcare provider * Follow the show on Instagram: ⁠@askanicumamapodcast2024⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/askanicumamapodcast2024] * Leave a review  Interested in sponsoring an episode? Email ashleyoneil@itsanicuworld.com [ashleyoneil@itsanicuworld.com]