Candid Hearts: Conversations and CHD

Icing Smiles: Creating Joy, One Cake at a Time

Let’s talk about cake! Not just any cake, but cakes that bring smiles to some truly incredible people. Icing Smiles is an organization that connects volunteer bakers from across the country to create special cakes for children with chronic illnesses, their siblings, and families honoring a child who has passed. Join us as Chelsea shares her story and gives us a closer look at the heart behind Icing Smiles and the joy it brings to so many families.   https://www.icingsmiles.org [https://www.icingsmiles.org/] https://www.instagram.com/icingsmiles/ [https://www.instagram.com/icingsmiles/] https://www.tiktok.com/tag/icingsmiles [https://www.tiktok.com/tag/icingsmiles]  If you or someone you know would like to be part of the podcast you can message both Meagan and Amy at:  candidhearts25@gmail,com Find our journey’s on Facebook: My HLHS Diary- Amy Erhart Cunningham My HLHS Story- Meagan Houpt

Living Both Sides of CHD with Mia Johnson

Today, Mia joins us to share her incredibly unique story. Born with a congenital heart defect of her own, Mia has lived a healthy and vibrant life. When she and her husband decided to grow their family, she knew there were potential risks after  conversations with her medical team. At her 21-week fetal ultrasound, they learned that her son would also be born with a congenital heart defect. In this episode, Mia vulnerably walks us through her pregnancy journey — the emotions, the unknowns, and the strength it took to move forward with courage. She shares how she advocated for specialized care, made critical decisions for both herself and her baby, and prepared for a birth that would require a carefully coordinated medical team. Join us as we talk about generational CHD, maternal intuition, advocacy, and the powerful resilience of a heart mom who has lived both sides of the story — as a patient and now as a parent. If you or someone you know would like to be part of the podcast you can message both Meagan and Amy at:  candidhearts25@gmail,com Find our journey’s on Facebook: My HLHS Diary- Amy Erhart Cunningham My HLHS Story- Meagan Houpt

Mezzion & FUEL-2: A New Chapter of Hope with John Pressor, Margaret Sarah Alexander, and Meg Didier

Today, we’re joined by members of Mezzion, a pharmaceutical company focused on improving outcomes for those living with single ventricle heart conditions. In our conversation with John, Margaret Sarah, and Meg, we learn more about their mission to bring hope to the CHD community through their FUEL-2 study. FUEL-2 is exploring a potential new medication called udenafil, designed to help children and teens who have undergone the Fontan procedure. The study is looking at whether this treatment can improve energy levels, exercise capacity, and daily functioning, while also evaluating its safety. Join us as they share more about Mezzion’s work, the population they serve, and how studies like FUEL-2 could make a meaningful difference for the single ventricle community. https://mezzion.com/ [https://mezzion.com/] https://www.fuel2study.com/ [https://www.fuel2study.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/mezzion [https://www.linkedin.com/company/mezzion] If you or someone you know would like to be part of the podcast you can message both Meagan and Amy at:  candidhearts25@gmail,com Find our journey’s on Facebook: My HLHS Diary- Amy Erhart Cunningham My HLHS Story- Meagan Houpt

Navigating the Journey to Transplant with Kristin Norton

** Trigger Warning**  Today’s conversation includes honest discussion about heart transplant and the realities that come with it. If that feels tender for you right now, please pause and come back when you’re ready. Today, we sit down with Kristin to share her powerful journey to a heart transplant. In this episode, she opens up about the early steps of the process, the overwhelming flood of information that comes with it, and the emotional weight of navigating such a life-changing path. With honesty and resilience, Kristin walks us through what it truly means to prepare for transplant — the uncertainty, the waiting, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward. Through it all, her positivity shines as she reflects on the lessons learned and hope found along the way. Join us for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss. If you or someone you know would like to be part of the podcast you can message both Meagan and Amy at:  candidhearts25@gmail,com Find our journey’s on Facebook: My HLHS Diary- Amy Erhart Cunningham My HLHS Story- Meagan Houpt

Project 1 in 100- One Mission, Many Stories

Today, we speak with Project 1 in 100, an organization dedicated to uniting the entire CHD community in all its forms to advocate for awareness and meaningful change. While each founding member brings their own unique story and passion to the mission, they share one common goal — to be a voice for everyone impacted by CHD, no matter the diagnosis. Beyond raising awareness, inclusivity is at the heart of everything they do. Join us as we hear their vision, their purpose, and how they plan to make a lasting difference in the CHD community. If you or someone you know would like to be part of the podcast you can message both Meagan and Amy at:  candidhearts25@gmail,com Find our journey’s on Facebook: My HLHS Diary- Amy Erhart Cunningham My HLHS Story- Meagan Houpt