Being a caregiver to a child with a feeding tube can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone.
This a podcast for parents, caregivers, and anyone navigating the world of tube feeding. Hosted by Fi Rodrick, a mum who has been through it firsthand, this podcast brings you expert advice, real-life experiences, and the support you need.
Each episode explores the challenges and triumphs of caring for a tube-fed child, with insights from medical professionals, parents, and people with lived experience. Whether you’re looking for practical tips, emotional reassurance, or a sense of community, this podcast is here to help.
Hit follow and be part of the conversation. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Produced & distributed by Podvan Media, a network dedicated to helping creators share their stories and reach new audiences through high-quality podcast production.
For inquiries, contact: info@podvan.com.au
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Being a caregiver to a child with a feeding tube can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone.
This a podcast for parents, caregivers, and anyone navigating the world of tube feeding. Hosted by Fi Rodrick, a mum who has been through it firsthand, this podcast brings you expert advice, real-life experiences, and the support you need.
Each episode explores the challenges and triumphs of caring for a tube-fed child, with insights from medical professionals, parents, and people with lived experience. Whether you’re looking for practical tips, emotional reassurance, or a sense of community, this podcast is here to help.
Hit follow and be part of the conversation. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Produced & distributed by Podvan Media, a network dedicated to helping creators share their stories and reach new audiences through high-quality podcast production.
For inquiries, contact: info@podvan.com.au
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, I'm joined by Simone from Plan Tracker, to explain the often confusing world of NDIS plan management.
She breaks down the three ways you can manage NDIS funding (plan managed, self managed, and agency managed) and explains the statistics on which options are most popular. Simone also clarifies what a plan manager actually does, focusing on how they remove the administrative burden from families.
I share my personal experience with being self-managed but still using Plan Tracker's support to successfully gain funding for critical equipment. We also discuss the different tools available (like the 'Number Cruncher') and the community work PlanTracker does.
This episode is proudly sponsored by Plan Tracker. Plan Tracker specialise in helping families get the most from their NDIS funding with tools, guidance, and community support to make plan management simple.
Follow on Insta: @plantracker
or online at plantracker.com.au
We’re building a community here – one story at a time – and I’m so glad you’re along for the ride. Please feel free to reach out!
Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast
Email: beyondthetubepodcast@gmail.com
This is a Podvan Media production.
Finding a reliable support worker can be stressful, especially during an emergency. What happens when your regular support worker calls in sick, has an accident, or you need to find someone new at short notice?
Trent from Care Agency Services joins me to talk about how his agency provides a safety net for families and NDIS providers. He explains their process for hiring, vetting, and training a pool of support workers who are ready to fill roster gaps (often at the last minute).
Trent also provides essential tips for families who are looking to hire a support worker for the first time, covering what questions to ask and the importance of professional boundaries.
This episode is proudly sponsored by Care Agency Services, who specialise in providing experienced, compassionate support workers - even at short notice - to help families when they need it most.
Follow on Insta: @care_agency_services or visit them at www.careagencyservices.com.au
We’re building a community here – one story at a time – and I’m so glad you’re along for the ride.
Please feel free to reach out!
Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast
Email: beyondthetubepodcast@gmail.com
This is a Podvan Media production.
What is it really like to be the sibling of a child with additional medical needs?
In this episode, I sit down with my two older kids, Keira and Asher, as they share their honest perspective on what it’s like having Ezra as their brother. From the challenges to the changes, and the resilience they’ve built along the way, this conversation shines a light on the often-unseen impact of medical complexity on siblings.
We’re also joined mid-episode by Tash and Nikki from Coasties Magazine, who are amplifying local voices and sharing community stories across the Central Coast.
You can follow them on Instagram: @coastiesmag
or visit them at coastiesmag.com.au.
This episode is proudly sponsored by Spewy - the must-have product making family life easier (and less messy!). Listeners of Beyond The Tube can access an exclusive 15% discount using the code BEYOND at checkout.You can follow them on Instagram: @spewyau or visit them at spewy.com.au.
I'd love to hear from you - please feel free to reach out!
Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast
Email: beyondthetubepodcast@gmail.com
This is a Podvan Media production.
Listener discretion is advised. This episode contains a personal account of a traumatic parenting journey, including a brief mention of self-harm. If this conversation brings anything up for you, help is available. You can contact Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14.
In this powerful episode, Fi is joined by Amy, who shares the deeply personal and challenging story of her son, Thomas. Amy recounts how a negative experience at a residential stay led to an oral aversion, dehydration, and ultimately, an NG tube.
Amy speaks with raw honesty about the isolation that followed, the lack of resources in New South Wales, and the emotional toll it took on her and her family. She details her fight within a fractured health system, facing rejections from multiple paediatricians and navigating the conflict between public and private care. This is a story about a mother’s desperation, resilience, and the profound impact of finally finding a supportive medical team that helped Thomas become tube-free.
A massive thanks to our sponsor Blended Tube Feeding.
Join the Community!
Blended Tube Feeding Made Simple is a private online community full of resources, recipes, getting-started videos, and family-to-family connection. Normally $37 USD/month - Beyond The Tube listeners get 25% off with our exclusive affiliate link: 👉 https://blendedtubefeeding.com/blended-tube-feeding-made-simple-affiliate/?affiliate_code=db7bc8 No lock-in. Cancel anytime. Get what you need, stay as long as it helps.
Find out more and follow on Instagram: @blendedtubefeeding
We’re building a community here – one story at a time – and I’m so glad you’re along for the ride. Please feel free to reach out!
Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast
Email: beyondthetubepodcast@gmail.com
This is a Podvan Media production.
In this episode, Fi chats with Hilarie Geurink, the founder of Blended Tube Feeding - a paediatric dietician and passionate advocate for real food blends. Hilarie has supported hundreds of families worldwide in making the switch to blended diets, helping them navigate medical resistance, build confidence, and simplify the process of nourishing their tube-fed children.
We explore the benefits of blended diets, debunk common myths, and highlight practical tools to make the journey feel less overwhelming.
Resources from Hilarie:
• Blenderised Tube Feeding: What Does the Research Actually Say?
Join the Community: Blended Tube Feeding Made Simple
Hilarie also runs Blended Tube Feeding Made Simple, a private online community full of resources, recipes, getting-started videos, and family-to-family connection. Normally $37 USD/month - Beyond The Tube listeners get 25% off with our exclusive affiliate link: https://blendedtubefeeding.com/blended-tube-feeding-made-simple-affiliate/?affiliate_code=db7bc8
No lock-in. Cancel anytime. Get what you need, stay as long as it helps.
Follow on Instagram: @blendedtubefeeding
We’re building a community here – one story at a time – and I’m so glad you’re along for the ride. Please feel free to reach out!
Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast
This is a vital conversation for any parent navigating feeding challenges and looking for compassionate, practical guidance.
In this episode, speech pathologist Eliza from Milk and Munch joins Fi to discuss the intricacies of paediatric feeding therapy. She explains her specialisation and clarifies the key differences between a speech pathologist who focuses on communication and one who centres on feeding.
Eliza breaks down two common but often misunderstood challenges (oral aversion and dysphagia), explaining what they are, how they can co-exist, and the child-led strategies used to manage them. She reinforces that feeding therapy is a long game, emphasising the importance of building trust, advocating for your child, and celebrating even the smallest steps of progress.
Milk & Munch are a passionate and experienced Speech Pathology / Feeding Therapy team based on the Central Coast, NSW, who support infants and children with a wide range of feeding difficulties including paediatric feeding disorder, paediatric dysphagia, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, tube feeding and more.
Connect with Eliza from Milk & Munch:
Website → www.milkandmunch.com.au
Instagram → www.instagram.com/milk.and.munch
A massive thanks to our sponsor TubieFun. Check out their products and community on Instagram: @tubiefunau
We’re building a community here – one story at a time – and I’m so glad you’re along for the ride.
Please feel free to reach out! Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast
Email: beyondthetubepodcast@gmail.com
This is a Podvan Media production.
Fi is joined by Manisha Uprety, a Nursing Specialist & Paediatric Complex Care Expert. She shares invaluable advice for parents navigating the often overwhelming transition from hospital to home with a tube-fed child.
Manisha stresses the importance of parents becoming the loudest voice for their child, ensuring they don't accept a discharge until they feel completely confident and equipped. She provides a clear framework for what to ask for (including written plans, extra training, and at-home support).
The conversation also covers practical day-to-day management, including what to do in an emergency, and how to get help for continence related issues.
A massive thanks to our sponsor TubieFun!
Check out their products and community on Instagram: @tubiefunau
We’re building a community here – one story at a time – and I’m so glad you’re along for the ride. Please feel free to reach out!
Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast
Email: beyondthetubepodcast@gmail.com
https://youtube.com/@BeyondTheTube
Connect with Uprety Health:
Instagram: @upretyhealth
Website: https://www.upretyhealth.com.au
Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast Email: beyondthetubepodcast@gmail.com
This is a Podvan Media production.
Well, this episode will certainly give you the warm fuzzies!
Today, Fi sits down with two incredible sisters, Loz and Rhonda, the driving force behind Central Coast Kids in Need. They share the story of their one-of-a-kind charity that provides crucial financial support to families with sick children on the NSW Central Coast.The organisation operates with no means testing, ensuring help gets to those who need it, when they need it. Loz and Rhonda explain how they assist families with costs for accommodation, petrol, tolls, high-cost prescription formulas (like Neocate), feeding tube supplies, medications, and specialised equipment.
This conversation highlights the power of community and the profound impact of grassroots charity work.You can help make a real difference
When you donate to CCKIN you can be assured the funds are going directly to the kids - and their families - who need it the most.
Donate at: www.cckin.com.au/donate
And please follow their work on
Instagram: @centralcoastkidsinneed
A massive thanks to our sponsor TubieFun. Check out their products and community on Instagram: @tubiefunau
We’re building a community here – one story at a time – and I’m so glad you’re along for the ride. Please feel free to reach out!
Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast
Email: beyondthetubepodcast@gmail.comThis is a Podvan Media production.
Fi sits down with Sam, the co-founder of the Heba app, a tool designed to change how families manage and navigate the care of children with additional needs. Sam shares the personal story behind the app's creation, stemming from his experiences with family and volunteering.
He explains how Heba helps families move away from paper folders and scattered notes to a single, secure digital space. Heba is a purpose-built app designed to support families of children with disabilities and complex medical needs. It brings together care coordination, progress tracking, and goal-setting into one easy-to-use platform. By helping parents stay organised and connected with their care team, Heba reduces the overwhelm and makes navigating medical needs more manageable - giving families back time, clarity, and confidence.
Heba Website: https://www.heba.care
Follow Heba on Instagram: @heba.care
Download the App: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/heba-child-health-journal/id6448462377
And a massive thanks to our sponsor TubieFun.
Check out their products and community on Instagram: @tubiefunau
We’re building a community here – one story at a time – and I’m so glad you’re along for the ride. Please feel free to reach out!
Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast
Email: beyondthetubepodcast@gmail.com
This is a Podvan Media production.
𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙗𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘽𝙀𝙔𝙊𝙉𝘿 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙏𝙐𝘽𝙀 𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙮 𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙋𝙤𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙨.
NEW EPISODES FORTNIGHTLY on THURSDAYS
How do you advocate for the right support when your child has complex feeding needs?
In this episode, I’m joined again by NDIS consultant Belle Kelly to deep dive into the specific supports available for our tube-fed kids—whether they’re on NG tubes, PEGs or experiencing feeding difficulties that affect day-to-day life.
We go beyond the basics and talk about the real-life challenges families face trying to get support work funded for young kids, why pre-packaged meals are still valid, and how to navigate the tricky conversation around “informal supports.”
Belle brings practical strategies and lived insight, from capacity building tips to creative ways to present funding requests that actually get heard.
Whether you’re planning your first NDIS meeting or gearing up for a tough review, this one’s full of gold.
A massive thanks to our sponsor TubieFun. Check out their products and community on Instagram: @tubiefunau
We’re building a community here – one story at a time – and I’m so glad you’re along for the ride.
Please feel free to reach out!
Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast
Email: beyondthetubepodcast@gmail.com
This is a Podvan Media production.
What’s it like to navigate the world of NDIS as a family living with medical complexity? This episode is absolutely eye-opening, with so much to learn and advocate for.
In this one, Fi is joined by Belle Kelly, a business consultant who’s spent more than two decades in the disability sector, specialising in supporting NDIS providers and families. They get right into the complex world of NDIS plans, funding pathways and how to ensure you and your loved ones get the support you deserve.
From Belle’s personal experiences to Fi’s own journey as a self-managed NDIS participant, you’ll hear what works, what doesn’t, and how to push back against a system that can feel overwhelming.
If you’re an NDIS participant or supporting someone who is, we hope this is helpful for you.
A massive thanks to our sponsor TubieFun. Check out their products and community on instagram: @tubiefunau
We’re building a community here – one story at a time – and I’m so glad you’re along for the ride.
Please feel free to reach out!
Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast
Email: beyondthetubepodcast@gmail.com
This is a Podvan Media production.
How can speech therapy make a life-changing difference for kids and their families?
In this episode, I chat with Bree, a speech therapist with over ten years’ experience who now runs a private practice and coaches other speech therapists. Bree explains how speech therapy covers so much more than just talking delays, from working with children who have feeding tubes to supporting social skills and collaborating with schools.
We discuss how building strong relationships between families, therapists, teachers and support teams is key and share practical advice for parents feeling overwhelmed about speech therapy or navigating NDIS funding.
Whether you’re a parent, carer or professional, this episode offers real life insights and hope for the journey ahead.
We’re building a community here, one story at a time, and I’m so glad you’re along for the ride.
Please feel free to reach out!
📸 Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast
📧 Email: beyondthetubepodcast@gmail.com
🎙️ This is a Podvan Media production.
What if the key to helping your medically complex child feel safe, confident, and understood… was play?
In this episode, I’m joined by child therapist Belinda Baxter to explore the power of play therapy, especially for little ones navigating medical trauma, tube transitions, speech delays, and big emotions they can’t yet explain.
Belinda breaks down how play therapy works, what it actually looks like in a session, and why it’s so effective for kids who struggle to express themselves with words. We also unpack my own journey with Ezra, and how play therapy has helped him not only face tough hospital procedures, but start to name and share how he really feels.
You’ll walk away from this one with hope, insight, and plenty of practical ideas, whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or professional working with kids.
We’re building a community here – one story at a time – and I’m so glad you’re along for the ride.
Please feel free to reach out!
📸 Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast
📧 Email: beyondthetubepodcast@gmail.com
🎙️ This is a Podvan Media production.
A family holiday with a tube-fed child? It might be more doable than you think.
In this episode, I’m sharing how I took my son Ezra, who’s been tube-fed since he was one, on two overseas trips to Singapore and Hawaii. From getting syringes through airport security to feeding mid-air and packing the right gear, I’ll walk you through what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently.
I’ll share my travel checklist, how we handled customs, what I carried onboard, and why I now feel confident taking Ezra anywhere. If you’ve been putting off a trip because it feels too hard with a tubie, I hope this episode gives you the push you need.
You’ve got this. And your little one deserves the adventure!
Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast
Produced and distributed by Podvan Media
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happens when your baby’s first breath is followed by a rush to ICU—and a journey no parent saw coming?
In this episode, I’m joined by Eliana, a remarkable mum whose little boy Luke was born with a rare and complex condition that baffled doctors from day one. From navigating life in the NICU to becoming a pro at tube feeding, Eliana takes us through the emotional highs and heartbreaking lows of raising a child with medical needs—without a clear diagnosis for the first 16 months.
We chat about the early trauma of separation, those early days of uncertainty, and how Luke’s feeding tube—once a daunting unknown—has now become part of who he is.
Her story is raw, real and powerful—and I can’t wait for you to hear it.
🎧 Follow Eliana on Instagram: @thetubiemum
📱 Follow Beyond The Tube:
Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast
🎙️ This is a Podvan Media production.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What’s it really like to raise a child with a feeding tube? Here’s our story.
In this very first episode of Beyond the Tube, I’m opening up about life with my beautiful tubie, Ezra. From the early signs that something wasn’t quite right to navigating surgeries, NG tubes, and finally making the life-changing switch to a gastrostomy, this episode is raw, real and full of heart.
I’ll walk you through the emotional highs and lows of our journey – from sleepless nights and traumatic tube changes to the joy of seeing Ezra thrive with blended feeds through his Mic-Key button. This episode is for any parent, carer, professional or curious listener wanting to understand more about tube feeding and the incredible kids who rely on it.
We’re building a community here – one story at a time – and I’m so glad you’re along for the ride.
Please feel free to reach out!
📸 Instagram: @beyond.the.tube.podcast
📧 Email: beyondthetubepodcast@gmail.com
🎙️ This is a Podvan Media production.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this brand new podcast, Fi Rodrick opens the door to a world that many families find themselves suddenly thrown into — life with a tube-fed child.
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or medical professional, this trailer gives you a first glimpse into the honest conversations, expert insights, and heartfelt stories you can expect from the series. You’ll hear powerful moments from future episodes, including personal experiences from families navigating the realities of tube feeding, and reflections on how fear eventually gave way to strength, peace, and acceptance.
This podcast is here to inform, support and uplift. Episodes are short and packed with practical takeaways, emotional connection, and guidance to help you feel less alone in your journey.
Hit follow and join us as we go beyond the tube - together.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.