Episode 129: How Art Helped Me Heal

May 28, 2025

Guest: Savannah O’Malley, NICU Mom & Artist

As NICU parents, we’re all healing from a trauma. So when today’s guest, Savannah O’Malley, sought her own healing she found it in a beautiful place, her art. And that healing didn’t just benefit her own stories but the stories of thousands more NICU families. Listen in as Savannah shared how her gift is helping other families feel seen, and loved.

In this episode, we chat about:

    • Savannah’s experiences with high-risk pregnancies and how she knew she needed to reach out for help 
    • What Savannah wishes someone had told her about managing her mental health in the NICU
    • Grieving the loss of the experiences she thought she’d have in pregnancy and motherhood
    • Savannah’s art career, how it changed after the birth of her twins, and how she shares her art now

About the guest

Savannah Jane O’Malley, nicu babies parent support podcast, hand to hold, art therapyPacific Northwest artist, Savannah Jane O’Malley, uses her artwork and writing to spread hope. In 2017, her twin boys were born at 24 weeks and faced unimaginable odds as they fought for a chance at life and triumphed. Although volatile and full of uncertainty, the 101-day NICU journey was not without purpose. Savy now uses her family’s story to support NICU families, campaign for better postpartum mental health care and helps raise awareness for people with disabilities like one of her twins who has cerebral palsy.

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