Podcast
Our Forever Smiles with Laura Arroyo
Hosted by Laura C Arroyo · EN
Whether you've just learned the difficult news of your baby's cleft lip/palate, you're in the middle of your cleft lip/palate journey, or you're a seasoned pro who knows the many challenges of children who are born with clefts all too well, this podcast is for you!
Join your host, Laura C. Arroyo, mother of a daughter born with a cleft palate, in a weekly conversation about everything from feeding and speech therapy to surgeries and genetics. We'll share tips and advice from other moms who have been there and even share a little joy in the process.
If you're a cleft mom, or if you know someone who is, please subscribe to the Our Forever Smiles Podcast. We're here to support you on your journey.
Want to share your story or sponsor the show? Email us at ourforeversmiles@gmail.com
38episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Finding Healing Through Art: Amy Hofland on Cleft, Compassion, and Community
2w ago00:55:17Tap to summarizeIn this deeply moving episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Amy Lewis Hofland, Director of the Crow Museum of Asian Art in Dallas, Texas, and an adult born with a cleft lip and palate. Amy shares her personal journey growing up with cleft, navigating years of surgeries, childhood bullying, self-image challenges, and the emotional realities that often went unspoken within families. Together, Laura and Amy explore the lasting impact of cleft beyond the operating room, discussing resilience, identity, family dynamics, and the importance of emotional support for both children and parents. Amy reflects on how art, mindfulness, compassion, and community became powerful tools for healing throughout her life and career. The conversation also touches on sibling experiences, beauty standards, public speaking, parenthood, advocacy, and how creating spaces for silence, reflection, and connection can help individuals affected by cleft thrive. Amy offers heartfelt encouragement to parents currently facing a cleft diagnosis, reminding them that their child is whole, beautiful, and capable of living a full and meaningful life. Whether you're a cleft parent, an individual born with a cleft, a healthcare professional, or someone seeking inspiration through stories of resilience and compassion, this episode is filled with wisdom, hope, and perspective. Links: Buy Me a Coffee Pocket Sunrise - Amy Hofland on IG Oral Fixation Video
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The 100 Cleft Portrait Tour: Building Community Through Storytelling
3w ago00:32:23Tap to summarizeIn this powerful and hope-filled episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura Arroyo sits down with three incredible leaders in the cleft and craniofacial community: Suzanne Santomieri, Stephanie Hassen, and Jessi Hill. Together, they discuss the emotional realities of supporting cleft families, the importance of community care, and the exciting launch of the 100 Cleft Portrait Tour. This moving conversation explores what it truly means to walk alongside cleft families — from prenatal diagnosis through surgeries, school years, and beyond. Suzanne and Stephanie also share their personal experiences as cleft moms, while Jessi offers insight into the deeply impactful role of a cleft care coordinator. The episode also highlights the inspiring work behind the 100 Cleft Portrait Tour, a nationwide art exhibit created by UK artist Katie Manning, featuring 100 portraits celebrating the beauty, resilience, and individuality of people born with clefts. Families attending the North Carolina stop can expect art, connection, storytelling, community activities, and the opportunity to meet other cleft families who truly understand the journey. In this episode, you'll hear about: What cleft care coordinators actually do behind the scenes Supporting families through prenatal cleft diagnoses The emotional realities of parenting a child with a cleft Why visibility and storytelling matter in the cleft community The power of community events and peer support The future of cleft advocacy and care Details about the 100 Cleft Portrait Tour coming to North Carolina This episode is a beautiful reminder that cleft families are never alone — and that healing happens not only through surgeries and treatment, but also through connection, representation, and shared experiences. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group
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From Cleft Provider to Cleft Mom: Dr. Jordan Virden's Story
Jun 2300:42:52Tap to summarizeIn this heartfelt episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura Arroyo sits down with pediatric dentist and cleft mom Dr. Jordan Virden for an honest conversation about navigating the cleft journey from both sides of the chair. As a volunteer on the Johns Hopkins Cleft Team and a first-time mom to baby Eli, Jordan shares what it was like receiving a prenatal cleft diagnosis despite already working closely with cleft patients throughout her professional career. Together, Laura and Jordan discuss the emotional reality of hearing "your baby has a cleft," preparing for labor and delivery, feeding challenges, lip adhesion surgery, and the unique perspective of being both a provider and a parent. Jordan also offers valuable insight into cleft-related dental care, including missing teeth, extra teeth, oral hygiene concerns, and what parents should expect as their child grows. In this episode, you'll hear about: Receiving a cleft diagnosis during the anatomy scan Preparing emotionally and medically for birth Lip adhesion surgery and recovery Feeding with specialty bottles and the blue disc system Common dental differences in children with clefts Preventing cavities and oral health complications The emotional toll of surgeries and returning to work postpartum Advocacy, resilience, and supporting cleft families This conversation is full of warmth, reassurance, practical guidance, and hope for parents navigating life with a child born with a cleft lip or palate. Whether you're newly diagnosed or years into your journey, this episode reminds you that your child can thrive — and so can you. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group
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Why Are Babies Born with Clefts? Genetic Counselor, Robin Imagire Answers
Jun 1600:54:14Tap to summarizeIn this deeply informative and compassionate episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Bethea sits down with longtime genetic counselor Robin Imagire to unpack one of the biggest questions cleft families ask: Why did this happen? With over 30 years of experience working alongside craniofacial teams, Robin shares honest insight into the complex world of cleft genetics, including what "multifactorial" really means, why most clefts don't have a clear-cut answer, and how environmental and genetic factors may work together. Laura also opens up about her daughter Giselle's cleft palate journey, her family's experience with genetic testing, and the emotional weight many parents carry while searching for answers. Together, they discuss: Why NIPT testing often doesn't detect clefts Common syndromes associated with cleft lip and palate Pierre Robin Sequence, Van der Woude syndrome, and 22q deletion The truth about the MTHFR gene and cleft rumors online Whether clefts can be prevented The emotional side of receiving a diagnosis as a parent This episode is filled with reassurance, practical education, and the reminder every cleft parent needs to hear: you are not alone, and this is not your fault. Whether you're newly diagnosed, navigating surgeries, or simply trying to better understand your child's cleft journey, this conversation offers clarity, comfort, and hope. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group
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Building Community Through Cleft Motherhood: A Greek Mom's Cleft Journey
Jun 901:01:07Tap to summarizeIn this deeply moving episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Maria, a cleft mom from Greece, to share her powerful journey of navigating a prenatal cleft diagnosis, unexpected fear, and finding strength through motherhood and community. Maria opens up about the emotional moment she learned her son had a cleft lip, the devastating and ultimately incorrect Down syndrome scare she received from her first doctor, and how that experience forever changed her as a mother, wife, and advocate. She shares the realities of cleft care in Greece, where resources and feeding supplies are limited, and how a small but passionate Facebook community of cleft families became a lifeline of support. Together, Laura and Maria discuss NICU experiences, surgery fears, feeding challenges, postpartum emotions, and the incredible resilience parents discover when advocating for their children. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that no matter where you are in the world, cleft families are connected through love, courage, and community. Whether you are newly diagnosed, preparing for surgery, or simply searching for reassurance, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, supported, and less alone. Links: Greek FB Group Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group
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Preparing for Surgery and Parenthood with Kindsay Dams
Jun 200:50:04Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Kindsay, a first-time mom navigating life with her six-month-old son born with a cleft lip and palate. Kindsay shares her deeply personal journey — from receiving an unexpected diagnosis late in pregnancy to navigating the emotional realities of birth, NICU time, feeding challenges, and her son's cleft lip repair. She opens up about the overwhelming moments, the learning curve of caring for a medically complex baby, and the strength she discovered along the way. Together, Laura and Kindsay discuss the realities many cleft parents experience but don't always talk about: advocating for your baby, managing feeding struggles, preparing for surgery, and coping with the emotional weight of the first year. Kindsay also offers heartfelt advice to parents who may have just received a cleft diagnosis — reminding them that while the journey can feel overwhelming, they are not alone and there is hope ahead. If you're a parent navigating a cleft diagnosis or looking for reassurance from someone who understands, this episode is for you. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group
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A Bandaid for the Heart: Motherhood, Cleft, and the Power of Storytelling with Franleska Garcia
May 2600:47:24Tap to summarize*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-695b2c3d-dcec-8328-85a5-91691c59bfc4-9" data-testid= "conversation-turn-58" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> In this episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura sits down with Franleska Garcia, cleft mom to a three-year-old boy born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, author, and creator of La Sonrisa de Fer. Franleska shares her experience receiving a prenatal diagnosis, navigating NAM therapy and multiple surgeries, and processing the grief that often accompanies a cleft journey. She reflects on how storytelling became both a healing tool and a form of advocacy, especially for families seeking bilingual and culturally inclusive cleft resources. This conversation offers reassurance, validation, and hope for parents walking a similar path. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group Sonrisa de Fer
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From Cleft Rage to Radical Healing: A Father's Story
May 1900:52:04Tap to summarizeIn this powerful and deeply moving episode, Laura sits down with Jonathan, a member of a three-generation cleft-affected family, to explore healing, identity, and advocacy. From surviving trauma and "cleft rage" to finding purpose through community, Johnathan shares how he transformed pain into power. Together, they discuss the father's role in the cleft journey, breaking cycles of shame, and what it truly means to live "loud and proud." This conversation is a reminder that no family is broken—and no one is alone. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group
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How Kristi Pimentel Turned Her Daughter's Cleft Journey Into a Confidence Brand
May 1200:40:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura Arroyo sits down with Kristi Pimentel, founder of Berries and Roses Swimwear and mom to a daughter born with a cleft lip and palate. Kristi shares her journey from diagnosis to motherhood, opening up about the early challenges and the strength she found along the way. What makes this conversation especially powerful is the purpose behind Berries and Roses Swimwear. Inspired by her daughter, Kristi has built a brand rooted in confidence, representation, and empowerment for young girls. Through a meaningful partnership with Smile Train, her work goes even further—helping raise awareness and support for children with clefts around the world. This episode is a reminder that even the hardest beginnings can lead to something beautiful, and that when passion meets purpose, it can create impact far beyond your own story.
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Grieving the Plan, Finding the Bond: A Cleft Mom's Honest Journey
May 501:03:15Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura is joined by Maddie Nipper, mom to Levi Samuel, who was born with a complete bilateral cleft lip and palate. Maddie shares her experience navigating prenatal diagnosis, feeding challenges, grief over breastfeeding, and becoming the first family to complete the NAM program at UNC. Together, they talk honestly about surgery, sibling dynamics, faith, and the loneliness that can come with the cleft journey. This episode offers reassurance, validation, and hope for parents who are in the thick of it and wondering if it ever gets easier. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group Jack's New Smile
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