Radio Encompass Podcast

The Value of Volunteering

Recognizing April as National Volunteer Month, Encompass celebrates amazing people who give their time and talents to help us build a community where ALL children thrive. We recently sat down with our 2025 Volunteer of the Year, Madison Chess, to talk about her journey with Encompass. What started as a student seeking service hours quickly evolved into a deep-rooted devotion to our mission. Madison shares about her journey, some of her favorite memories, and her own perspective on the value of volunteer service.

The AHA Moment: Creating Connection at Home

Connection is central to our core values at Encompass. We recognize the deep need we, as humans, have to feel seen, known, and valued. In this episode of our Parent Talks podcast, we sit down with Encompass Early Literacy Specialist Ana Malloy. Ana shares how our ParentChild+ program helps caregivers and children connect over the joy of shared discovery through books, toys, and intentional time together. It’s the ‘aha’ moment when caregivers realize even simple activities can be meaningful and create lasting impact.

Care for the Caregiver

We’ve all heard the phrase “Put your own oxygen mask on first.” While that might seem counterintuitive, this important safety instruction is a powerful metaphor for self-care: You must secure your own well-being before you can effectively help others. Too often, parents and caregivers put their own needs on the back burner as they care for their children and families, leaving them stressed and burned out.  In the latest episode of our Parent Talks podcast, we chat with Encompass Pediatric Therapy Director Megan Walsh. We discuss how we can recognize our body’s signals for help, and tips for finding relief and support so we can be our best selves for the people we love.

Milestones and Misconceptions

Parenting is full of questions, especially when it comes to those big milestones with kids and the myths that often surround them. In the latest episode of our Parent Talks podcast, we sit down with Encompass Developmental Specialist Emily Arkus. As a member of our Early Support for Infants and Toddlers team, Emily discusses the most common developmental milestones, the misconceptions that often surround them, and provides guidance on when caregivers should seek help if they have concerns.

Encompass Pediatric Therapy Services

Our Encompass It All Series takes a closer look at Encompass Pediatric Therapy Services. Providing over 2000 visits each month, our therapies are tailored to meet the unique needs of each child to help them reach their developmental milestones in a supportive environment. In this episode of our Parent Talks podcast, we take a deeper dive with members of our Pediatric Therapy team: Occupational Therapy Supervisor Lisa Krejci, Speech-Language Supervisor Jim Engracia, and Child and Family Therapist Amber Eckert. Together, they provide a closer look at their work – challenges kids might be facing when they seek services, what therapy sessions look like, the benefits of multidisciplinary collaboration, the importance of family partnership, and more.