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
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
A Bandaid for the Heart: Motherhood, Cleft, and the Power of Storytelling with Franleska Garcia
1w ago00:47:24Tap 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
2w ago00:52:04Tap 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
3w ago00:40:58Tap 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
4w ago01:03:15Tap 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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A Cleft Lip and Palate Diagnosis with a Rare Genetic Twist
Apr 2800:58:54Tap to summarizeIn this powerful episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura sits down with Kori — a licensed social worker, maternal health advocate, and mom to two — whose second child was prenatally diagnosed with a cleft lip and palate. Already working in perinatal mental health, Kori thought she was prepared. But an unexpected ultrasound at 18 weeks revealed a cleft diagnosis, additional physical markers, and the possibility of a syndromic condition. What followed was months of high-risk care, genetic testing, insurance denials, and overwhelming uncertainty. Kori shares what it was like to receive a rare genetic diagnosis when her daughter was six months old — one that doctors warned could involve developmental delays, seizures, or regression. She opens up about living in the "what if," balancing professional knowledge with maternal fear, and learning to parent without guarantees. She also bravely recounts her traumatic delivery experience, the challenges of advocating in the hospital, navigating NICU fears, breastfeeding with a cleft baby, insurance battles over congenital care, and the emotional weight of raising a child with both a cleft and an ultra-rare genetic mutation. This conversation is honest, nuanced, and deeply validating for any cleft mom walking through prenatal diagnosis, medical trauma, genetic uncertainty, or advocacy fatigue. If you've ever felt like you have to be strong while carrying so much unknown — this episode is for you. Subscribe to Our Forever Smiles and join a community that reminds you: you are never alone in this journey. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group ELSA
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Bring Smiles Despite Miles: Turning a Cleft Journey Into Global Impact
Apr 2100:38:50Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura is joined by Chloe and Lainey, two business administration students united by a shared passion for advocacy and impact. Together, they created Bring Smiles Despite Miles, a fundraising and awareness campaign in partnership with Smile Train, supporting children around the world who need access to life changing cleft surgery and care. Chloe shares her lived experience of being born with a cleft in Vietnam and navigating surgeries, school, and confidence, while Lainey reflects on stepping into advocacy with no prior knowledge of clefts and learning alongside the community. The conversation explores what clefts truly affect beyond appearance, the emotional realities for families, and how education and compassion can shift understanding. They also dive into building a campaign from the ground up, raising funds, navigating school systems, creating meaningful content, and finding confidence through service. This episode is a powerful reminder that advocacy can start at any age and that community, resilience, and purpose can span miles. Links: Bring Smiles Despite Miles Campaign Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group
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No Estamos Solas: Clefts, Comunidad y Recursos de Terapia del habla-lenguaje en Español
Apr 1401:22:31Tap to summarizeEn este episodio especial en español de Our Forever Smiles, Laura conversa con Luisa Scott, mamá latina de una bebé nacida con labio y paladar hendido, y con Angie Morillas, terapeuta del habla del equipo de fisuras y diferencias craneofaciales de la Universidad de Minnesota. Luisa Scott comparte su experiencia al recibir un diagnóstico inesperado durante el embarazo, el impacto emocional para ella y su esposo, y cómo fue navegar el sistema médico sin antecedentes familiares de labio y paladar hendido. Habla con honestidad sobre el shock inicial, el proceso de tomar decisiones médicas, el uso del NAM, las cirugías, la alimentación y el peso emocional que muchas mamás viven en silencio. Angie Morillas aporta una mirada profesional y humana, explicando el desarrollo del habla, la alimentación, la nasalidad, el bilingüismo y qué pueden esperar las familias antes y después de la cirugía de paladar. Juntas abordan preguntas comunes, derriban mitos y ofrecen orientación clara para familias que buscan información confiable en español. Este episodio es un recordatorio poderoso de que las mamás latinas necesitan recursos, representación y conversaciones en su idioma. Aquí hablamos de culpa, fe, resiliencia y comunidad, para que ninguna familia se sienta sola en este camino. 🎧 Escucha el episodio completo y acompáñanos en esta conversación que informa, acompaña y empodera. Links: Leaders Project Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group
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Ava the Brava and Beyond: Advocacy, Representation, and Growing Up With a Cleft
Apr 700:50:38Tap to summarizeIn this return episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura sits down again with Allie Ekblad, children's book author, cleft advocate, and creator of Ava the Brava. Allie shares how her advocacy has evolved beyond the book, what it's been like raising a child with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, and how confidence, identity, and resilience are shaped over time. Together, they talk honestly about the realities of cleft surgeries, speech therapy, bone grafts, orthodontics, and revisions, while also diving into the emotional side of parenting. From navigating beauty standards and school experiences to empowering children to embrace their differences, this conversation offers reassurance, perspective, and hope. Whether you're newly diagnosed, deep into the cleft journey, or simply looking for encouragement, this episode is a reminder that your child is more than a diagnosis and that confidence can be built one conversation at a time. Links: Epsiode: Embracing Differences: Ava the Brave Ava the Brava The Sparkle You Carry Jack's New Smile Archie the Cleftie Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group
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Mental Health, Motherhood, and a Surprise Cleft Diagnosis
Mar 3100:42:26Tap to summarizeIn this heartfelt episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Brandy, a mom of two whose youngest daughter was born with a surprise cleft palate diagnosed at birth. After a smooth pregnancy and normal ultrasounds, Brandy and her husband were shocked to learn about their daughter's cleft in the delivery room. What followed was a whirlwind of feeding challenges, jaundice, long hospital stays, specialty bottles, weekly therapy appointments, and eventually cleft palate repair surgery. Brandy shares openly about navigating postpartum depression, advocating for her daughter's feeding needs, discovering the right cleft bottle after weeks of struggle, and learning her daughter also had a laryngeal cleft that required repair. She also speaks candidly about balancing the needs of a toddler while caring for a baby with medical complexities. This episode is for any cleft mom who feels overwhelmed, exhausted, or uncertain. It is a reminder that advocacy matters, mental health support is essential, and even in the hardest seasons, there can still be joy. Whether you are newly diagnosed, preparing for cleft surgery, struggling with feeding, or walking the long road of appointments, this conversation will help you feel seen and supported. Subscribe and follow Our Forever Smiles to continue walking this journey together. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group
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Cleft Surgery Real Talk: Feeding, Sleep, and Healing After Palate Repair with Sarah Norwood
Mar 2400:38:54Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Our Forever Smiles podcast, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Sarah Norwood to share her personal journey with her son Hollis's palate repair. From hospital recovery, feeding challenges, and pain management, to sleep regressions and speech milestones, Sarah offers candid insights and practical tips for parents navigating the cleft journey. We also answer questions from cleft mom groups to provide reassurance, guidance, and support. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group
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