Episode 14 of Season 2 of the Team Powdered Donut™ podcast is with Meredith Cooper, Co-Founder of Wonders & Worries. It is dropping on what would be my late wife Maureen’s 62nd birthday, her 12th on the other side of heaven, to whom Team Powdered Donut is dedicated.
On that fateful morning of her passing on October 21, 2014, I wondered what to do next. Fortunately, we had been introduced to Wonders & Worries. We never had a chance to visit with them as a family of five, but I at least had a contact. Someone I could call. What do I do next? How do I tell my kids? Looking back, I remember just how hard that day was. Made a little bit easier by the advice of this excellent organization that Meredith cofounded.
We talk about her own passion for the work, her journey as a cofounder, the transition to new leadership, and their expansion, both virtually and geographically around the country to bring their incredible resources to more families and their children. We also talk about the power of people and community. The power of communication. The power of time. The power of healing even when the questions are hard and the answers harder.
Who Is Meredith Cooper, MA, CCLS, LPC?
Former Executive Director and Co-Founder Meredith Cooper envisioned, launched and grew Wonders & Worries from its beginnings in 2001. Following 15 years of success, Meredith stepped into a founder role in 2017, where she continues providing strategic direction for national growth and programmatic initiatives. Meredith has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Child Development. She is a certified Child Life Specialist and a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been involved with children’s healthcare in the Austin community for more than 35 years, including being the first pediatric oncology child life specialist for Austin. In 2010 Meredith received the Helping Hand Home’s Champion for Children Award and the Girl Scout Woman of Distinction Award in 2013. Meredith is married with one son, two daughters and five grandsons and three granddaughters.