The People of Penn State
Welcome to the People of Penn State Podcast — the podcast from the Penn State Alumni Association that brings you the incredible stories of Nittany Lions making their mark on the world!
Each episode, a rotating cast of hosts sit down with Penn State alumni who are changing the game in business, science, sports, the arts, and beyond. You never know who you'll hear from next — but you do know it'll be a conversation worth tuning in for!
The People of Penn State
Episode 43 — The Role Of A Child Life Specialist With Katie Taylor '07
Katie Taylor '07 is the Co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform revolutionizing pediatric healthcare by putting parents at the center of the medical journey. With over 13 years of experience as a certified child life specialist, Katie has made significant contributions to the field of child life and the families she’s served with over a decade of working at the bedside.
She is an accomplished author, an engaging speaker on child life and entrepreneurship, and the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast.
Katie's work emphasizes the vital role of child life services in supporting caregivers and enhancing children's medical journeys.
On episode 43 of The People of Penn State, Katie joined us to discuss how Penn State helped prepare her to become an entrepreneur and enter the “helping profession," the role of a child life specialist, and much more.
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Connect with Katie and Child Life On Call on social media:
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Instagram
LinkedIn
Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu.
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Timestamps
0:00 — Intro
1:42 — Welcoming Katie to the show
2:57 — Becoming a Penn Stater
3:48 — Involvement as a student, including being a member of the Lionettes Dance Team and participating in THON
5:41 — Initial career goals
7:46 — Ad Read 1 - LionPerks
8:40 — How Penn State prepared Katie for her career in helping others
10:21 — Katie's path to becoming a child life specialist
15:05 — What a child life specialist does
17:23 — How storytelling and imagination can help children cope with their illnesses
18:56 — Growing as a professional/entrepreneur
24:15 — Ad Read 2 - Alumni Travel Program
24:55 — Child Life On Call Podcast information
26:10 — Lightning Round Q&A, including Katie's favorite class at Penn State and Creamery flavor
30:50 — Outro
