Building Emotional Resilience in the Cleft Journey: A Conversation with Vickie Stolle
Our Forever Smiles with Laura Arroyo
Release Date: 11/11/2025
Cleft Care Beyond Surgery: Parenting, Advocacy, and Face-to-Face Foundation
Our Forever Smiles with Laura Arroyo
In this episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura sits down with Stephanie, a cleft mom and Executive Director of the Face-to-Face Foundation. Stephanie shares her family’s prenatal cleft diagnosis journey, the realities of cleft care, and how lived experience led her into advocacy work. Together, they discuss the importance of community connection, medical grants, and supporting families beyond surgery. This conversation offers reassurance, perspective, and hope for parents navigating a cleft diagnosis at any stage. Links:
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“It’s Going to Be Okay”: Navigating a Prenatal Cleft Lip Diagnosis with Natalie Real
Our Forever Smiles with Laura Arroyo
In this episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura sits down with Natalie, a mom of two whose son was prenatally diagnosed with a cleft lip. Natalie shares the emotional journey from receiving the diagnosis at 16 weeks to preparing for surgery and finding peace in the unknown. She opens up about anxiety, faith, choosing the right cleft team, and what helped her feel grounded during pregnancy. This conversation offers reassurance and hope for families navigating a prenatal cleft diagnosis. Links:
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When Birth Doesn’t Go as Planned: A First-Time Mom’s Cleft Palate Journey with Brooklyn Matheny
Our Forever Smiles with Laura Arroyo
Brooklyn joins Our Forever Smiles to share her experience as a cleft mom navigating diagnosis, surgery, and motherhood with resilience and honesty. She opens up about the emotional ups and downs of the cleft journey and the importance of community support. This episode centers on growth, advocacy, and learning to trust yourself as a parent. A comforting and relatable conversation for moms at any stage of the cleft journey. Links:
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Helping Kids Feel Seen: Charlotte’s Mission Beyond the Cleft
Our Forever Smiles with Laura Arroyo
In this inspiring episode, Laura speaks with Charlotte, a 17-year-old cleft-affected individual and the creator of Stitches by Charlotte. Born with a cleft lip and palate, Charlotte shares her lived experience and how she began creating surgery companion dolls to help children feel seen and supported. She also discusses advocacy, confidence, and using her voice to create change in the cleft community. This conversation is a reminder of the power of representation and lived experience. Links:
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I Didn’t Hear Anything Past ‘Cleft Palate’: Jessica’s NICU Journey
Our Forever Smiles with Laura Arroyo
Jessica shares her story of becoming a first-time mom and learning about her child’s cleft palate after birth, followed by an unexpected NICU stay. She reflects on the shock, fear, and isolation that came with leaving the hospital without her baby. This episode highlights the emotional realities of NICU life, navigating a cleft palate diagnosis, and finding strength in the hardest moments. A powerful listen for parents facing medical trauma and uncertainty. Links:
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State of Our Forever Smiles 2025 with Laura Arroyo
Our Forever Smiles with Laura Arroyo
In this special solo episode, Laura Arroyo sits down to reflect on the past year of the OFS Podcast and share an honest, behind-the-scenes look at where we are and where we’re headed. Laura highlights the conversations that made an impact, the lessons learned, and the themes emerging from our community. She also offers a sneak peek at upcoming topics, new initiatives, and how we’re continuing to elevate support for women, moms, and families. Whether you’re a longtime listener or just tuning in, this episode is a heartfelt, transparent update on the journey so far—and an exciting look...
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Life after Cleft Palate Repair with Brittnie Hampson
Our Forever Smiles with Laura Arroyo
In this returning episode, Laura Arroyo sits down with Brittnie Hampson to continue the conversation about life after a surprise cleft palate diagnosis. Brittnie shares an honest look at raising her two-year-old daughter, Ava, and how her journey has evolved since her last appearance on the podcast. She opens up about the emotional shift from confidently breastfeeding her first two children to learning entirely new ways to feed a cleft-affected baby, and the steep learning curve that came with it. Brittnie also shares how she’s turned her experience into advocacy by educating nurses through...
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The Story Behind Magical Moments: Dr. Kirschner & Catherine Bingham on Changing Lives
Our Forever Smiles with Laura Arroyo
Laura Arroyo talks with Dr. Richard Kirschner and Catherine Bingham about the Magical Moments Foundation, a wish-granting organization for children with facial differences. Brought to you by the ACPA — the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association, supporting interdisciplinary cleft and craniofacial teams. Links and Resources:
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The Power of Team Care: Inside the UMN Craniofacial Clinic with Dr. Daniel
Our Forever Smiles with Laura Arroyo
Laura Arroyo sits down with Dr. Renie Daniel, a fellowship-trained, dual-degree, board-certified cleft and craniofacial surgeon in Minneapolis and director of the University of Minnesota Cleft and Craniofacial Team. Dr. Daniel shares what inspired her to pursue cleft care, her favorite surgeries, and how her multidisciplinary team works together to educate, advocate, and empower children and adults with facial differences — all to ensure the best outcomes for families across Minnesota. Links and Resources:
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Innovations in Cleft Care for PRS: A Conversation with Nancy Rowan and Rachel Chiavatti
Our Forever Smiles with Laura Arroyo
At the ACPA Annual Meeting, we sat down with Nancy Rowan and Rachel Chiavatti to discuss groundbreaking advancements in cleft care for Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS). Both mothers to sons born with cleft palate and PRS in the fall of 2022, they share their journeys as parents and advocates. Together, they co-founded HOAP for PRS (Healing with the Orthodontic Airway Plate for Pierre Robin Sequence), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving outcomes for PRS patients. They also highlight the pioneering work of Dr. HyeRan Choo at Stanford, who is leading the way in creating less invasive...
info_outlineVickie Stolle, speaker, writer, and certified WISDOM Coach™, is a cleft-affected individual with first-hand experience and knowledge of the cleft journey. Born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, she blends her lived experience with her professional mission of empowering children and families. As the founder of Resilient Kid Academy, she helps families foster resilience and emotional strength in their children, an often-overlooked part of cleft care. In this episode, Vickie shares her story, her insights on emotional well-being, and practical strategies for supporting kids beyond the medical side of cleft treatment.
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Special Resource: Coaching for Resilience
Did you catch our conversation with Vickie Stolle of Resilient Kid Academy?
Vickie specializes in working with children and parents in the cleft community, focusing on building resilience and turning differences into strengths. Whether your child needs one-on-one Child Coaching to cultivate strong self-worth and confidently engage with others or you need guidance on effective Parent Coaching strategies for emotional support, Vickie can help you find the tools you need.
Resilient Kid Academy is a wonderful resource for making sure your child feels capable and proud every day as they navigate their unique journey.
Special Perk for Our Forever Smiles Listeners
Enjoy a 10% Discount! Simply mention you're an Our Forever Smiles listener when you schedule your complimentary discovery call, and you'll receive 10% off your first coaching package with Resilient Kid Academy.
Book your discovery call today: https://calendly.com/