A BRIEF INTRODUCTION
Hosted by Erica Jolene and Kristyn Newbern | Transcription HERE
Meet Kristyn and Luke - lovers of space, music, Kevin, Ozzie, and a very special dog named Charlotte. We will be spending an entire season traveling through the story of Kristyn and Luke’s life, but first, I felt that we deserved an episode dedicated to getting to know the Newbern Family.
For those of you who have been with me since season one, you will know that I like opening every conversation with a set of random personal questions. I call these questions the “humanizing questions” because they allow us to connect simply as people - complete with our unique set of likes and dislikes.
These were initially designed to be answered rapidly, but I quickly learned that there was always a story to accompany the brief answer - and it is in that story where the real magic of connection happens.
Today, we will be spending our time learning more about the Newbern family - and the origin stories that lend to their rapid-fire answers.
Episode Transcription
Kristyn 00:00
What is the best color?
Luke 00:03
Brown!
Kristyn 00:04
Why is brown the best color?
Luke 00:06
Because it's my favorite!
Kristyn 00:08
Why is it your favorite?
Luke 00:10
Because it has all of that mixed up inside!
Kristyn 00:14
Oh, that's a good point. What is your favorite game to play?
Luke 00:18
Mario Chase!
Kristyn 00:19
Mario Chase that's a good choice. Do you like when it's sunny or rainy?
Luke 00:30
Rainy! Where we get to jump up and down in muddy puddles!
Kristyn 00:36
I love jumping up and down in muddy puddles.
Kristyn 00:39
Yes.
Kristyn 00:41
What's your favorite thing to do on a sunny day?
Luke 00:48
Play and dance and jump!
Erica 01:03
Welcome to Season Two of Atypical Truth. I'm your host, Erica Jolene. Humans are storytelling beings. I created this podcast to amplify the stories of my community, the community of people who live with rare diseases, disabilities, and complex medical conditions. Not only will you hear from my peers in this community, but you will also hear the stories from family, friends and professionals who advocate with us.
Erica 01:37
My guest-host for this season is Kristyn Newbern. Kristyn is a fellow medical mom to her son Luke, who was born with congenital heart defects and later diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Noonan Syndrome. Throughout this season, we have the special invitation of getting to know Kristyn, as she shares with us about her life as a rare-disease heart-mom. This isn't just a story about a heart-mom. No. This is the story about how a group of people and professionals helped to shape the Newbern's medically complex journey. Throughout this story, you will hear conversations with exceptional people who've made up Luke's tribe. From specialists, friends, and family; we get to learn more about their own life experiences, and how their paths have crossed with Luke's.
Erica 02:32
For those of you who have been here since Season One, you will know that I like opening every conversation with a set of random personal questions. I call these questions the "humanizing questions," because they allow us this opportunity to connect simply as people, complete with our unique set of likes and dislikes. These were initially designed to be answered rapidly, but I quickly learned that there was always a story to accompany the brief answer. And it is in that story, where the real magic of connection happens. Because we will be spending an entire season traveling through the story of Kristyn and Luke's life, I felt that we deserved an episode dedicated to getting to know each of them a little bit better. Today, we will be spending our time learning more about Kristyn and Luke, and the stories behind their seemingly simple answers to those humanizing questions.
Erica 03:38
Thank you for joining me, this is so exciting.
Kristyn 03:41
Yay! No one is more excited than me, I assure you. I have been so nervous in such a good way to do this. And I think that, I don't know, it's just such an exciting opportunity. So thank you for inviting me to be your first featured guest.
Erica 03:58
You're too kind. I mean, this is a really big time commitment. I shouldn't say, that it's really a big commitment. Not only is it time-intensive, but it's also definitely outside the comfort zone of so many people. So I'm so thrilled that you're willing to get on here, in this very public and vulnerable manner, and share your story with us. So thank you.
Kristyn 04:22
Oh, it's my pleasure. And if I can reach anyone out there who is affected by anything I'm going through or maybe what they're going through just affects them in the same way then it's a success for sure.