#330 - TLC FOR KIDS, with TIM CONOLAN

Hi there!

I’m beyond thrilled to introduce you to someone who left me absolutely speechless after our first conversation—Tim Conolan, the founder of TLC for Kids.

Tim’s story is one of heart, hope, and humanity. I met him at a mutual friend’s podcast, and after what was supposed to be a quick chat turned into hours of deep, inspiring conversation, I knew I had to share his extraordinary journey with you.

Tim co-founded TLC for Kids with his partner Anna Darras, and what they’ve built is nothing short of remarkable.

Their nonprofit supports sick children and their families during the most critical times, providing not just practical help but emotional comfort that often means the world to those in need.

Tim’s passion is contagious, and I promise you’ll walk away feeling inspired, grateful, and ready to make a small change that could mean the world to someone else. 🎧💛

So, let’s dive into this truly life-affirming conversation.

As always, I’d LOVE to hear what resonates with you from this episode and what you plan to implement after listening in. So please share and let’s keep the conversation going in the Dream Life Podcast Facebook Group here.    

Have a wonderful weekend… and remember, it all starts with a dream 💛

Dream Life & kikki.K Founder  

SHOW NOTES:

• If you’d like to support TLC for Kids, visit tlcforkids.org.au to learn more or join the Friends of TLC program. Every dollar counts.
• Join my Platinum Coaching Program - where in February our focus is on Stepping Into the Best Version of You, by building habits that align with your dreams. Learn more here.
• Join my virtual book club GROW for February where we meet weekly on Zoom to discuss and squeeze the learnings from great books. This Feb we're reading The Habit Revolution, by Dr Gina Cleo - focussing on remarkable techniques that rewire your brain to form good habits.
• Dream Life Community Facebook Group: Connect with like-minded dreamers.

RESOURCES:

• Sign up to our email list here to hear about upcoming workshops.
• Take your first step to getting clarity on what you want from life with this free bonus dreaming exercise here 101 Dreams Audio Guide 
• Buy Kristina's book, Your Dream Life Starts Here
• Discover how close you are to living your Dream Life. Take our 5min Quiz here and get personalised insights emailed to you...

TRANSCRIPT:

Kristina:
What would you do with your life if you knew you couldn’t fail? If you had all the money, all the time, all the knowledge, and all the resources you needed—what would you do if you knew anything was possible?

Hi, I’m Kristina Karlsson, founder of the global Swedish design and inspiration brand Dream Life, and author of Your Dream Life Starts Here. I love exploring these kinds of questions to inspire people like you to chase your own dream life—whatever that means for you.
Years ago, I wrote down a dream: to bring Swedish design to the world through beautiful, meaningful products that spark joy in everyday life. Now that I’ve achieved that dream, I want to share everything I’ve learned to help you dream big and inspire millions of people to transform their lives—and, in turn, the world.
In each episode, we dive deep into the power of dreaming, sharing real insights and practical ideas you can use right away to create your dream life, whatever that looks like for you.

Today, I have the absolute pleasure of speaking with the incredibly inspiring Tim Conolan. Tim co-founded TLC for Kids with his partner, Anna Darras. TLC for Kids is a nonprofit that provides immediate support and relief to sick children and their families during times of crisis—regardless of illness, condition, or background.
I discovered Tim not long ago through a mutual friend’s podcast, and I was blown away. We ended up having this amazing, two-hour conversation, and as I drove home afterward, I knew I had to get him on my podcast as soon as possible. This episode feels like reliving that inspiring conversation, and I know you’ll walk away feeling just as moved as I was.
So, let’s dive in.

Welcome, Tim! I’m so excited to have you here.

Tim:
Thank you so much, Kristina. It’s an absolute honor to be here. Honestly, I was so inspired when we first met, and now being on your podcast—it means the world. Thank you.

Kristina:
Thank you! I’m really excited about this conversation. But before we get into it, there’s a question I ask all my guests: Did you have a dream as a child? Something you wanted to do, have, or become?

Tim:
I did. As a kid, I dreamed of becoming an architect. I loved drawing, shapes, and understanding how things worked. Even now, I’m fascinated by reverse engineering—breaking things down to see how they’re built.
I took the high school classes needed to pursue architecture, but I found myself distracted. I tried to apply myself as best I could, but by the end of Year 10, I was told I probably wasn’t at the level needed to become an architect. Maybe I could be a draftsman, they said, but that didn’t excite me. I wanted to be an architect.
So, I pivoted and started working as a DJ, which opened a whole new world of entertaining people and having fun. While I didn’t become an architect, I think what I do now—creating systems and support for kids—is like designing structures, just in a different way.

Kristina:
I love that. For our listeners, I met Tim at a mutual friend’s podcast. I’d just finished my interview and was chatting with someone inspiring, and they said, “You’ve got to meet Tim—you’ll love him.” I didn’t know much about you, but when I got back to the green room, there you were.
We introduced ourselves, started talking, and what I thought would be a quick chat turned into hours of deep, inspiring conversation. I was so blown away that I couldn’t stop talking about it afterward. I knew I had to share your story here because I want everyone listening to feel that same inspiration—and maybe even support the incredible work you’re doing.
So, let’s start at the beginning. Tell us about your journey.

Tim:
It still amazes me how that day unfolded. Meeting you was like reconnecting with someone I’d known forever. I’m thrilled to share this with your audience because the more people who hear about what we do, the more kids we can help.
So, I run TLC for Kids, a children’s charity we started in 1998 because we realized sick kids were falling through the gaps. Not all children fit the criteria for support from existing charities.
Growing up, my parents taught me the importance of respect. They’d introduce me and my brother to their colleagues, take us to events, and instilled in us that everyone deserves to be treated equally, regardless of who they are or where they come from. That deep-rooted respect shaped my life.
After realizing architecture wasn’t my path, I threw myself into DJing. It wasn’t just about playing music; it was about creating moments of joy for people. I DJ’d weddings, parties—even funerals. I learned that you’re only as good as your last gig, which taught me to leave my ego at the door and always show up fully.
Through DJing, I got involved in motivational speaking, which led me to work with sick kids for the first time in the early ‘90s at a camp for children with cancer. I’d had a fortunate childhood—no one close to me was seriously ill—so it was a new, eye-opening experience.
At that camp, I met a young boy named Francis. He was 17, just a few years younger than me at the time, and he was the sickest child there. After the camp, he called me to say the doctors had given him about a month to live. It was the first time I’d heard those words from someone I knew, and it shook me.

I wanted to help, but I couldn’t change the outcome. So, I focused on what I could do—maybe shift his mindset or bring him some comfort. I asked him to draw how he was feeling now and how he wished he could feel.
In his “now” drawing, he sketched his frail body, his cancer-ridden lungs. In his “wish” drawing, he was standing on a sunny beach, holding a surfboard, wearing Nike runners. He said, “I just want to feel healthy again. I want to breathe without pain.”
I couldn’t give him his health back, but I thought, I can get him those runners and that surfboard. I didn’t have the money, but I had the gift of the gab. I called Nike, explained the situation, and they sent the shoes. I found a surfboard through another connection. It wasn’t hard—it just took asking.
When I gave him those gifts, I also introduced him to meditation. I’d learned basic techniques to manage stress and shift mental states. We did a simple breathing exercise, and for the first time in ages, Francis took three deep breaths without pain. His nurse said, “It’s like a miracle.”
A few days later, his mother called. Francis had passed away. She said, “You gave him the one thing he wanted—to breathe without pain. You gave him that.”
That was my sliding doors moment. I knew this was my purpose. If I could help one more kid, that was enough.

Tim:
After Francis passed, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to do more. My brother and I continued motivational speaking, and I kept DJing to fund small activities for sick kids—things like movie premieres, trips to Luna Park, anything to give them a sense of normalcy.
One boy we worked with, Michael, was a huge Jimmy Barnes fan. For his birthday, I contacted Jimmy’s management to see if he’d give Michael a quick call. They agreed without hesitation.
But then Michael was transferred from Geelong Hospital to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. I didn’t know how to navigate the system there, so I called the hospital, and that’s when I met Anna Darras—who would later become my partner in life and in founding TLC for Kids.
Anna worked in PR at the hospital. She was thorough—asked for police checks, references, the whole lot. I respected that because it showed how much she cared about protecting the kids. We met, and she escorted me to Michael’s room. When Jimmy called, he didn’t just say happy birthday; he sang, chatted, and really connected with Michael. When the call ended, Michael said, “This is the best day of my life.”
Walking out of that room, Anna and I had a long conversation. I naively assumed every sick child was supported by some charity. But Anna explained that many kids fell through the cracks—due to their illness type, hospital department, timing, or simply because they’d received help before.
That blew my mind. I thought, This has to change. We didn’t plan to start a charity. We just wanted to fill the gaps temporarily. But as we spoke to doctors, nurses, and social workers, it became clear there was a huge need for fast, flexible support for any child, regardless of illness.
So, in 1998, TLC for Kids was born.

Kristina:
Wow. That’s such an incredible journey. And what stands out to me is how entrepreneurial your approach has been. Even though it’s a nonprofit, you’ve built something with so much passion, resilience, and creativity—qualities every entrepreneur needs.
It’s not easy to turn a dream into reality, especially when it comes from such emotional, challenging experiences. But you’ve done it in a way that’s not just inspiring—it’s transformative.
Can you tell us more about the services TLC for Kids offers today?

Tim:
Absolutely. Our goal has always been to make sick kids feel normal, even if it’s just for a few moments. That’s the heart of everything we do.
Our first program is called Rapid TLC. It’s designed for healthcare professionals—doctors, nurses, social workers—who can request immediate support for a child or family in crisis. It could be anything from paying an overdue utility bill to providing transport to hospital appointments, covering medical expenses, or organizing something special for a child.
For example, there was a situation where a mother and daughter were both severely injured in an accident and hospitalized in different facilities. They couldn’t see each other, which was heartbreaking. We provided iPads so they could connect through video calls. Simple, but life-changing in that moment.
Our turnaround time is usually 24 to 48 hours, depending on the complexity of the request. The key is speed—families shouldn’t have to wait for help when they’re already in crisis.

Next is our Distraction Box Program, launched in 2004. These boxes are filled with carefully chosen items—like sensory toys, puzzles, and activities—that help distract and calm kids during medical procedures.
They’re not just “fun boxes.” They’re tools backed by research, designed to reduce anxiety and even physical pain through distraction techniques. Currently, our distraction boxes are used over a million times a year in hospitals across Australia.
One item in particular—a simple “Find-It Tube” filled with tiny objects and beads—has been a huge hit. Even parents and grandparents use it during procedures to distract themselves, which in turn helps calm the child. It’s incredible how something so small can have such a big impact.

Kristina:
That’s amazing. And I love how practical and thoughtful these solutions are. It’s not just about big gestures; it’s about meeting families where they are and providing exactly what they need in the moment.
I also remember you mentioning an app. Can you tell us more about that?

Tim:
Yes, it’s called Tap to Distract. We wanted to create a digital version of our distraction techniques so that kids—and even adults—could access support anytime, anywhere.
The app includes simple activities like breathing exercises, calming games, and visual distractions. One of my favorites is a digital windmill that spins in sync with breathing patterns. It’s designed to help regulate breathing and reduce anxiety, especially during stressful situations like hospital visits.
A personal story: My mum was hospitalized after a heart attack. She’s always been terrified of needles, but when she needed a new cannula, I used the app with her. After just a few minutes of guided breathing, she was calm enough to have the procedure without even realizing they’d done it. That’s the power of simple tools used thoughtfully.
The app is free and always will be. It’s already provided over 860,000 minutes of distraction to kids and families, and we’re just getting started.

Kristina:
Wow. That’s phenomenal. And I can see how something like that could help not just kids but people of all ages.
You also mentioned something about ambulances, which I found incredibly moving. Can you share more about that program?

Tim:
Of course. It’s called the TLC Ambulance—a service specifically for children in palliative care.
The idea is to create positive, lasting memories for families during what’s often the most heartbreaking time of their lives. We provide medically equipped, specially designed ambulances to take kids and their families on meaningful trips—whether it’s to the beach, the zoo, a favorite park, or even just home for one last visit.
The ambulances don’t look like traditional ambulances. They’re colorful, filled with light, and designed to feel uplifting rather than clinical.
We capture photos and videos during the trip, then create a beautiful photo book for the family. We also dedicate a star in the child’s name, so there’s a lasting tribute.
It’s about giving families time, even if we can’t change the outcome. We create moments where, just for a while, they can feel whole again.

Revised Podcast Transcript (Continued):

Kristina:
I’m honestly speechless. What you’ve created is beyond inspiring—it’s life-changing. You’ve found ways to bring comfort, dignity, and even joy to families during the hardest moments of their lives.
I imagine this work must be emotionally challenging. How do you cope with the heartbreak, both personally and as an organization?

Tim:
That’s a really important question. The emotional weight is significant, no doubt about it.
Anna and I are incredibly lucky to have each other. We’ve been on this journey together from the start, and having someone who truly understands the emotional toll is invaluable. We talk openly about how we’re feeling, debrief after difficult cases, and support each other through it all.
Personally, meditation has been a lifeline for me. It helps me process emotions, stay grounded, and find clarity amidst the chaos. I also focus on gratitude—being thankful for the opportunity to help, even when it’s hard.
Another thing that helps is looking for silver linings. Every situation, no matter how heartbreaking, has moments of beauty—whether it’s a child’s smile, a parent’s gratitude, or the knowledge that we’ve made a difference, even in a small way.
For our team, we provide counseling and regular debriefs. Mental health is a priority because you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Kristina:
That’s such valuable insight. I love what you said about silver linings. It’s something I often reflect on, too. Even in challenging times, there’s always something to be grateful for, some lesson to learn.
So, for those listening who are feeling inspired—and I know many will be—how can they support TLC for Kids? Not everyone has money to donate, but I imagine there are other ways to help.

Tim:
Absolutely. Support comes in many forms, and every bit makes a difference.
First and foremost, advocacy is huge. Simply spreading the word about TLC for Kids helps us reach more people who might need our services—or who might be in a position to support us. Share our story with your friends, family, or workplace.
For those who can contribute financially, we’ve made it as accessible as possible with our Friends of TLC program. It’s just $1 a week. That may not seem like much, but when many people come together, it adds up to something powerful. Even if it’s the cost of a coffee a month, it can help cover medical bills, fund an ambulance trip, or support a child in crisis.
We also welcome in-kind donations and partnerships. Sometimes, it’s not about money—it’s about services or products that can help families, like transportation, food vouchers, or even volunteering time.
Ultimately, it’s about creating a community where everyone feels they can contribute, no matter how big or small.

Kristina:
I love that. It’s so empowering to know that even the smallest contribution can make a difference. And for anyone who’s thinking, “I can’t afford to donate,” maybe it’s about shifting perspective.
Could you skip one takeaway coffee a week? Could you share this episode with someone who might be able to help? There are so many ways to be part of this movement.
Before we wrap up, I always like to ask: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to your younger self?

Tim:
That’s a great question. I’d tell my younger self to trust the process and not be afraid to fail. When you’re young, failure feels like the end of the world, but it’s really just part of the journey. Every setback teaches you something valuable.
I’d also say, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.” When I was younger, I thought I had to do everything on my own. But the truth is, none of us can do this alone. Building connections, leaning on others, and working as a team is how we make real change.
And finally, I’d remind myself to always look for the silver linings. Life is full of challenges, but there’s always something beautiful to hold onto if you look closely enough.

Kristina:
That’s such heartfelt advice. I couldn’t agree more. Sometimes we get so caught up in the destination that we forget the journey is where the magic happens—even the tough parts.
Tim, thank you so much for being here today. I am beyond inspired by you, Anna, your team, and the extraordinary work you’re doing with TLC for Kids. I know our listeners will be deeply moved by your story, and I hope many of them will join you in making a difference, even if it’s just a dollar a week.
Thank you for sharing your heart with us.

Tim:
Thank you, Kristina. It’s been an absolute honor. Honestly, conversations like this are what fuel me. If even one person listening feels inspired to take action, that’s another ripple of impact.
I’m incredibly grateful to be part of this conversation, and even more grateful for the chance to reach people through your beautiful platform. Thank you for everything you do to inspire and empower others.

Kristina:
Wow. I don’t even have words. I hope everyone listening feels as inspired as I do right now.If this episode moved you, I’d love to hear your thoughts in our Your Dream Life Facebook group. Share what resonated with you, and let’s keep this conversation going.
Until next time, dream big—and don’t forget, even the smallest actions can make a world of difference.