Putting Around for a Purpose: Golf, Heart Warriors, and Small-Town Magic
05/11/25 • 37 min
A broken wrist serves as an unexpected metaphor for the heart warrior's journey in this illuminating conversation with fundraiser and podcaster Amy Earhart. When Anna's recent accident left her with a titanium plate and a new perspective on recovery, it highlighted the resilience that characterizes the CHD community—adapting when our bodies say "enough" and finding creative ways forward.
Amy Erhart brings this resilience to life through her remarkable story. Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome in 1983, she's channeled her experience into creating meaningful change. Her "Putt Around Kalida" fundraiser transforms her small hometown into a mini-golf adventure where local businesses design elaborate putting greens—from a smoking firehouse to a church model that's been preserved for generations. What makes this event special goes beyond the $20,000 raised; it's the photos of local CHD children displayed at the town park, creating powerful moments of recognition for families still processing their diagnosis.
The conversation shifts to Amy's podcast journey with "Diaries of a Heart Warrior," where she's published over 30 episodes—far surpassing the six-episode mark where most podcasters abandon their shows. Through these conversations, Amy found the connection she'd been missing: "I didn't know a lot of people with CHD until these last couple years. This is how I'm finally meeting people." These exchanges have brought validation that she's not alone in her complex feelings about life with a congenital heart defect.
Perhaps most meaningful is Amy's approach to fundraising, focusing on direct support for families rather than solely research: heart camps for children, gas money for hospital trips, hotel accommodations during treatments. It's a philosophy born from understanding that while research is crucial, the day-to-day needs of families navigating CHD require immediate attention.
Have you experienced the power of community support during health challenges? Listen now and discover how small towns and big hearts are creating meaningful change for CHD families everywhere.
Amy Erhart's podcast, "Diaries of a Heart Warrior": https://www.buzzsprout.com/2268461
Anna's CHD Connects Hearts link: https://chdconnectshearts.com/products-list?am_id=annajaworski3819
Sheri Turner is our newest Defender Patron and she also serves as a HUG Volunteer. Thank you so much for your generosity and all you do, Sheri!
Anna's Buzzsprout Affiliate Link
Baby Blue Sound Collective
Social Media Pages:
Apple Podcasts
Facebook
Instagram
MeWe
Twitter
YouTube
Website
A broken wrist serves as an unexpected metaphor for the heart warrior's journey in this illuminating conversation with fundraiser and podcaster Amy Earhart. When Anna's recent accident left her with a titanium plate and a new perspective on recovery, it highlighted the resilience that characterizes the CHD community—adapting when our bodies say "enough" and finding creative ways forward.
Amy Erhart brings this resilience to life through her remarkable story. Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome in 1983, she's channeled her experience into creating meaningful change. Her "Putt Around Kalida" fundraiser transforms her small hometown into a mini-golf adventure where local businesses design elaborate putting greens—from a smoking firehouse to a church model that's been preserved for generations. What makes this event special goes beyond the $20,000 raised; it's the photos of local CHD children displayed at the town park, creating powerful moments of recognition for families still processing their diagnosis.
The conversation shifts to Amy's podcast journey with "Diaries of a Heart Warrior," where she's published over 30 episodes—far surpassing the six-episode mark where most podcasters abandon their shows. Through these conversations, Amy found the connection she'd been missing: "I didn't know a lot of people with CHD until these last couple years. This is how I'm finally meeting people." These exchanges have brought validation that she's not alone in her complex feelings about life with a congenital heart defect.
Perhaps most meaningful is Amy's approach to fundraising, focusing on direct support for families rather than solely research: heart camps for children, gas money for hospital trips, hotel accommodations during treatments. It's a philosophy born from understanding that while research is crucial, the day-to-day needs of families navigating CHD require immediate attention.
Have you experienced the power of community support during health challenges? Listen now and discover how small towns and big hearts are creating meaningful change for CHD families everywhere.
Amy Erhart's podcast, "Diaries of a Heart Warrior": https://www.buzzsprout.com/2268461
Anna's CHD Connects Hearts link: https://chdconnectshearts.com/products-list?am_id=annajaworski3819
Sheri Turner is our newest Defender Patron and she also serves as a HUG Volunteer. Thank you so much for your generosity and all you do, Sheri!
Anna's Buzzsprout Affiliate Link
Baby Blue Sound Collective
Social Media Pages:
Apple Podcasts
Facebook
Instagram
MeWe
Twitter
YouTube
Website
Previous Episode
Marinas Reise mit angeborenem Herzfehler
In dieser speziellen deutschsprachigen Episode von 'Herz zu Herz mit Anna' spricht Jodi Alderfel mit Marina Lohri, die mit Trikuspidalatresie, ASD und VSD geboren wurde und eine modifizierte Fontan-Operation überlebte. Marina teilt ihre lebenslange Reise, von ihrer Herzoperation als Baby bis hin zu ihrer Karriere bei atHeart Medical, einem Unternehmen, das Geräte zur Behandlung von ASD entwickelt. Die Episode erörtert auch Marinas Erfahrungen mit Vorhofflimmern und einer Ablation im Jahr 2018. Marinas persönliche und berufliche Erfahrungen bieten wertvolle Einblicke für andere Patienten mit angeborenen Herzfehlern und zeigen, wie sie durch Mut und Entschlossenheit ein sinnvolles Leben führt.
(Besonderer Dank geht an Jodi Alderfel, die uns in dieser Folge als Gastmoderatorin zur Seite stand.)
In this special German-language episode of 'Heart to Heart with Anna,' Jodi Alderfel speaks with Marina Lohri, who was born with tricuspid atresia, ASD, and VSD and survived a modified Fontan procedure. Marina shares her lifelong journey, from her heart surgery as a baby to her career at atHeart Medical, a company developing devices to treat ASD. The episode also discusses Marina's experience with atrial fibrillation and an ablation in 2018. Marina's personal and professional experiences offer valuable insights for other patients with congenital heart disease and show how she leads a meaningful life through courage and determination.
Here is a link to Marina's episode in English with Anna: https://tinyurl.com/Marina-Lohri
Sheri Turner is our newest Defender Patron and she also serves as a HUG Volunteer. Thank you so much for your generosity and all you do, Sheri!
Anna's Buzzsprout Affiliate Link
Baby Blue Sound Collective
Social Media Pages:
Apple Podcasts
Facebook
Instagram
MeWe
Twitter
YouTube
Website
Heart to Heart with Anna - Putting Around for a Purpose: Golf, Heart Warriors, and Small-Town Magic
Transcript
[00:00:00]
Anna Jaworski: Welcome to "Heart to Heart with Anna." I am your host, Anna Jaworski. And I want to start today by asking you a simple question. Have you ever stopped to think about how much you rely on your hands until one of them suddenly can't do its job? Well, that's exactly what happened to me last month. I had a run in with an ironing board.
Yes, an ironing board. And let's just say it didn't go well for my wrist. After surgery, one titanium plate
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