One Day at a Time: Martha Sharkey on Hope, Loss, and Building “Today is a Good Day” - Episode 19

Hope Comes to Visit

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“Hope has to evolve and change.”

These powerful words shaped the extraordinary journey of Martha Sharkey, Founder & CEO of Today is a Good Day — a nonprofit creating a lifeline for families navigating the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

When Martha and her husband, Paul, welcomed identical twin daughters at just 23 weeks, their world turned upside down. Claire weighed barely over a pound. Mary, only slightly more. Two weeks later, they faced the devastating loss of Mary, while continuing to fight alongside Claire through 103 days in intensive care before she finally came home.

That experience revealed a critical gap in support for NICU families: emotional guidance, practical resources, and community connection during one of life’s most isolating challenges. Out of that gap, Today is a Good Day was born.

Over the past 11 years, the organization has grown from basement operations into partnerships with 24 hospitals across seven states. Through care packages, “Navigate the NICU” sessions, direct financial support, and a robust online community, Martha and her team provide what she once longed for: comfort, connection, and the reminder that families are not alone.

Martha’s story is one of resilience, loss, and transformation — but also of hope that shifts and adapts as life unfolds. Her family’s mantra of “one day at a time” offers profound wisdom not just for NICU parents, but for anyone facing uncertainty.

In this episode of Hope Comes to Visit, Martha reminds us that even in the darkest places, a small gesture — a journal, a milestone card, a bonding square — can carry the light forward.

You can lern more about Today is a Good Day right here.

You can also connect with Martha on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening to Hope Comes to Visit. If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and share the show — it helps others find their way to these conversations.

New episodes drop every Monday and Friday, so you can begin and end your week with a little light and a lot of hope.

For more stories, reflections, and ways to connect, visit www.DanielleElliottSmith.com or follow along on Instagram @daniellesmithtv and @HopeComestoVisit

Chapters

1. When Hope Must Evolve (00:00:00)

2. Martha's NICU Journey Begins (00:05:13)

3. Creating Today is a Good Day (00:11:20)

4. Building a NICU Support Community (00:18:40)

5. Facing Multiple Losses with Courage (00:25:06)

6. The Meaning of Hope and One Day (00:30:25)