To Mom is To Love with Valerie Probstfeld, NP

With a 30-year legacy in Big Tech and over 10 career reinventions, Colleen doesn't just understand the climb - she knows how to find your true purpose and master the art of evolving to live it. She is now a dedicated speaker, author and trusted mentor focused on guiding high-achieving individuals toward their next chapter. Colleen shares proven, practical strategies to gain crystal-clear vision, ensure value alignment, and take bold, intentional action. She empowers groups and individuals to move past exhaustion and build a career defined not just by achievement, but by deep, unwavering purpose. Learn more: https://www.colleenpimentel.com/ 

Victor Acquista, M.D. is a physician, contemplative, and speaker. His "Writing to Raise Consciousness" includes fiction and nonfiction. Dr. Acquista's thought-provoking books explore health, unconditional love, and our shared humanity. His recent work, "Feed Your Hungry Soul: Awaken Your Loving Heart," received multiple awards. He is a member of IBPA and the Author's Guild. Connect with Victor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-acquista-md-bb540917 and learn more: https://victoracquista.com/ 

Diane N. Solomon, PhD is an award-winning essayist and wellness writer for Psychology Today. She is a women's mental health expert and a seasoned behavior health provider. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-narrative-nurse-practitionerhttps://www.instagram.com/drdianesolomon/https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-n-solomon-phd-7776a6166/https://www.facebook.com/people/Diane-Solomon-PhD-Psychiatric-Nurse-Practitioner-Nurse-Midwife/61555018240030/ https://www.dianensolomon.com/

Tiffany Prestipino is a midlife fitness and wellness coach and creator of the Midlife Movement™, a sustainable approach that helps women over 40 stop burning out, starting over, and blaming themselves—so they can finally feel strong, energized, and confident again. After experiencing firsthand how doing “all the right things” stopped working in her 40s, Tiffany realized the issue wasn’t discipline or motivation. Most fitness and nutrition strategies simply aren’t designed for midlife bodies, hormones, or real life. Determined to understand why, Tiffany spent a year intentionally deepening her education, earning certifications in personal training, nutrition, and menopause-specific fitness. That combination of lived experience and formal training became the foundation for the Midlife Movement™—a smarter, more supportive framework built around hormone-friendly training, balanced nutrition, and realistic consistency. Today, Tiffany helps women train smarter, fuel their bodies appropriately, and build consistency without burnout—proving that strength, energy, and confidence are not only possible after 40, but sustainable when the strategy finally matches the season. Connect with Tiffany on Instagram @tiffany_prestipino *Informational purposes only and not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.

Meghan Waldron, Ed.D is the owner and founder of Smart Solutions Tutoring, and Director of Women in Change. In this powerful episode, Dr. Waldron shares with us her NICU story, the power of writing, and learning in the 21st century. Learn more: www.smartsolutionsva.com https://www.womeninchange.co.uk/events 

Rachel Radway is an executive coach and award winning author. Rachel coaches highly perceptive leaders, entrepreneurs/founders, and business owners who are wired a little differently, and help them harness their superpowers, prioritize themselves, and redesign or realign their lives and work to shift from striving to thriving. Learn more and connect with Rachel: https://www.rercoaching.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/reradway/ 

Mark Fister was an "award-winning, patent-holding, self-absorbed software leader when, in 2014, he began to change. Over the next few years and forever ongoing, he remains in the transition from interrupter to listener; idea focused to people focused; duty-driven to service-driven; Inward Mindset to Outward Mindset; Fixed Mindset to Growth Mindset." Learn more about Mark as well as his perspective on strengths and neurodiversity in this episode!  Connect with Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfister/ 

Dr. Anne Paonessa is an experienced educator, consultant, and speaker with over 20 years of experience in K-12 education, including 10 years as an administrator. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction Leadership and has dedicated her career to improving student engagement, fostering inclusivity, and supporting the professional development of educators. Dr. Paonessa is the co-author of Essential Connection Skills (Corwin, 2025) and has contributed to several educational publications, including Education Week, TESOL Publications, IL ASCD Journal, and Language Magazine. Her work emphasizes the importance of building social connections within core content to enhance academic success. She offers professional learning to support the success of multilingual learners and students with diverse needs. Learn more at her website: https://annepaonessa.com/and connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-paonessa-phd-77559292/   

Dr. Rita Renee is a TEDx Speaker, international keynote speaker, author, and mentor who empowers women to come off mute and step into bold leadership with their voice, story, and influence. With over 34 years of experience in nursing and corporate healthcare leadership, she has led high-performing teams, shaped culture, and advanced excellence across clinical, corporate, ministry, and entrepreneurial spaces. Her own journey through emotional, physical, and financial trauma became the foundation of her life’s calling. Refusing to be silenced by pain or expectation, she transformed adversity into assignment and founded Ultimate PowerHouse Coach—a global empowerment platform that helps women turn their stories into strategy and their calling into impact. Dr. Rita Renee holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Doctorate in Theocentric Psychotherapy and Leadership (PsyThD). Her unique blend of business acumen, clinical leadership, ministry insight, and trauma-informed mentorship positions her as a powerful voice for women ready to rise, heal, and lead. Learn more: https://drritarenee.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/drritarenee/ https://www.instagram.com/drultimatepowerhousecoach https://www.youtube.com/@drritarenee https://www.facebook.com/drritareneeultimatepowerhousecoach Listen to her TEDx talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gXmRb0K9uc

Christina Podraza is the co-owner of Bubbly Nights Out, a women’s social community reimagining how women connect — bringing them together through curated experiences and unforgettable meals at standout restaurants across Chicago’s western suburbs. Christina met her business partner and close friend, Nicole Robertson, while teaching fifth grade in Lisle, Illinois. Bonding over their shared love of food, the two began exploring a new Chicago restaurant each month with their Supper Club. Friends were always asking them where to eat and how they managed to stay connected despite busy careers and family life. In 2023, they turned that passion into Bubbly Nights Out. Through their signature experience, The Social Table, they host monthly dinners designed to foster meaningful friendships over exceptional meals. In 2026, they expanded their events to include The Social Hour, a series of smaller, interactive gatherings designed to connect women through shared experiences and common interests. Christina holds a doctorate in education and works as an educational consultant supporting schools and educators. She is also a proud mother who tries her best to balances entrepreneurship with family life.  One of her greatest joys is sharing culinary adventures with her 10-year-old daughter, a budding foodie with an uncanny ability to describe a dish with surprising precision. Learn more here: https://www.instagram.com/bubblynightsout/ 

Erin Walsh, LCSW is a mom of three with a background in social work and trained as a full spectrum doula. She is the founder of Bloom Bright Postpartum Doula services and Bloom Bright Books. She empowers families through compassionate care and provides emotional and hands on support for mothers as well as evidence-based guidelines. Learn more at: https://www.instagram.com/bloombright_postpartumdoula/ https://www.instagram.com/bloombrightbooks/ 

James Kellock is the Founder of All We Can Foundation and Ripple Core. James scales kindness into measurable social impact for businesses, communities, and schools worldwide. Connect with James and learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-kellock/ https://www.allwecan.co/ https://www.ripplecore.co.uk/   

Jennifer Hill is CEO and Co-Founder of OptiMatch. Jennifer empowers clients to unlock their potential and transform accidental adversarial relationships into harmonious connections. Her journey has taken her to hundreds of stages worldwide, including speaking in front of 100,000 people in India and sharing platforms with luminaries like Deepak Chopra. Tune into this episode to learn more about Jennifer Hill's journey with neurodivergence. Connect with Jen and learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkhill/ 

Tommy Swanson is an award-winning and prolific national and international flutist. He received a Bachelor's in Music Performance from the University of Central Florida and received a degree in Music Therapy from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Tommy is a AmSAT certified teacher of the Alexander Technique,  a 3-year 1600-hour training. He currently works in the Chicagoland area for special education as a music therapist. Learn more: https://www.tommyjswanson.com/ and connect with him via email: [email protected] or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bazingaflute/ 

Ed Brenegar is a leadership thought leader, writer, podcaster, and social catalyst. He writes The Future of Leadership on Substack and hosts The Eddy Network Podcast on YouTube. He is the author of eight books. His current book under development is Generational Memory: Restoring Community in the Continuity of Time. He is the father of three grown children and a grandson. You can learn more about Ed here: https://edbrenegar.com/ https://edbrenegar.substack.com/ 

Nadia Love is an alumni of the University of Alabama and received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from my undergraduate alma mater Bradley University. Her clinical experience includes sports/orthopedics, acute care, pediatrics, and pelvic health. As a former athlete, she was always interested in movement science, but has recently geared her focus to the world of Pelvic Health. She is passionate about patient-centered care and treating a variety of conditions as she grows her knowledge. During her time in PT school, Nadia was involved in a variety of organizations and was a chartering member of the IL chapter of the National Association of Black Physical Therapists in 2021. While excellent patient care remains her top priority, she is also passionate about community involvement and education; she was voted by her class to be “The Best Women’s Health and Community Advocate." Outside of the profession, Nadia is a doula, looking to assist mothers in preparation for labor and delivery of their little ones as well as recovery after. She enjoys sports, exercising, spending time outdoors, and aerial fitness in her free time. Connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nlove_pt/ and email: [email protected]   

Jan Yuhas, M.A., MFT and Jillian Yuhas, MA, MFT are Relationship Consultants and Conflict Resolution Experts. Jan and Jillian help entrepreneurs and executives achieve optimal fulfillment, establish healthy boundaries, and confidently communicate their values to create meaningful relationships in every facet of their lifestyle while achieving personal freedom. Learn more about them and their book "Boundary Badass" https://www.janandjillian.com/ and connect with them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janandjillian/ 

Paula Rosales, PhD is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), board-certified as a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner (CPNP-PC), with over 17 years of experience caring for children. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from California State University, Long Beach, a Master of Science in Nursing from Yale University, and a PhD in Nursing Science from University of California, Irvine. She is also the founder and owner of the The Sweet Arrival, LLC. Her company is dedicated to helping parents-to-be prepare for their baby’s arrival through parenting classes and concierge services. Learn more: https://www.thesweetarrival.com/ and connect with Paula on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesweetarrival/ and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesweetarrival/  The mission of To Mom Is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!  https://www.tomomistolove.com/

Abbey Bigi-Prow brings over two decades of experience working with young children, having been a coach, nanny, and, for the past 15 years, a photographer specializing in newborn and family portraits. After welcoming twin boys in 2019, she struggled to balance work and motherhood, finding traditional childcare options unappealing due to her entrepreneurial lifestyle. When the opportunity to join Le Village Cowork, just minutes from her home, arose, Abbey knew it was the perfect solution. She was one of the original members at Le Village Irving Park, where her family thrived. After relocating to the Near West suburbs, Abbey knew Le Village was the ideal next step for her family and career. After a long search and renovation process, she’s excited to share her transformed space with the community, creating a vibrant hub where families and entrepreneurs can grow, connect, and thrive together. Learn more about Le Village here: https://www.levillagecowork.com/  https://www.levillagecowork.com/oldroute66 Learn more about Abbey's photography here: https://www.abbeylaurenphotography.com/  The mission of To Mom Is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!  https://www.tomomistolove.com/

Lynn Eads is a certified postpartum doula and pediatric sleep consultant who supports women through motherhood and life transitions. She is a published author, course creator, retreat host, and frequent speaker for local libraries, mom groups, and community organizations. With over 30 years of combined experience in caregiving, mentorship, and leadership including 10+ years as a professional nanny and a business owner since 2016. Lynn blends hands-on family support with entrepreneurship and community-centered care. She is the founder of Lemon Tree Community, a local online and in-person women’s collective in collaboration with her chamber of commerce. Lynn is a proud CAPPA member and serves as a lead volunteer with Glamorous Moms™ Foundation, providing doula and postpartum support.Known for her calm presence and heart-led approach, Lynn empowers women through every season of life. She is also a mom of two adult children and a proud grandma of three. Learn more: https://learnwithlynne.com/  Connect with Lynn: https://www.instagram.com/learnwithlynne/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-eads-52036836/  The mission of To Mom Is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!  https://www.tomomistolove.com/  

Calvin Arsenault is a strategic operations leader, leadership development creative, coach, and former Team Canada hurdler dedicated to elevating the human experience within teams, systems, and organizations. He has led cross-functional initiatives across healthcare, academic, and executive development settings, with a focus on aligning action with purpose. Drawing from his education in health and human performance, solution-focused coaching, and business process management — and informed by his personal leadership journey— Calvin brings an authentic, human-centered lens to his work. He creates brave spaces for dialogue where leaders can reconnect with their values, challenge assumptions, and collaborate with clarity and connection. Calvin is passionate about human-centered leadership — not just as a concept, but as a lived commitment, grounded in the very systems in which we operate. Connect with Calvin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvin-arsenault-15261912b/ The mission of To Mom Is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!  https://www.tomomistolove.com/

Yarona Boster is a certified speaker coach, TEDx and international speaker, 2X best-selling author, and podcast host. In this powerful episode, Yarona discusses with us the power of communication during stressful situations as well as what she has learned through trauma. Learn more: https://yaronaboster.com/ and connect with Yarona on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarona-boster/   

Jolene Rader although originally from Belize, Jolene has lived and worked in multiple countries and describes herself as a lover of all things “international.” She earned her undergraduate degree in Communications, with a concentration in Print Journalism, at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York in 2006 and interned at the Caribbean School of Media and Communication in Kingston, Jamaica shortly after. In 2009, Jolene completed a Master of Arts in Communication studies at the University of Westminster in London, England (UK), where she later lived for several years working as a diplomat for her country in representing Belize’s interests abroad. In life after public sector work, Jolene now works with a local non-profit in Virginia, USA that carries out humanitarian projects regarding clean water, medical aid, hunger and disaster relief all over the world. Jolene, a pastor’s wife and children’s book author, currently lives in Chesapeake, Virginia with her husband and two young children. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, playing the piano and guitar, and watching “The Amazing Race.” Learn more: https://www.instagram.com/rader_be_kind/ and check out Jolene’s Parent-Child/Student-Teacher Activity Workbook “A Kinder World: An Anti-Bullying Initiative” You can also connect with Jolene on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KidsBeKind/ The mission of To Mom Is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!  https://www.tomomistolove.com/

Henrietta Szutorisz, PhD is a biomedical scientist and entrepreneur with over 20 years of international experience in healthcare research and innovation. Her work has appeared in top journals, earned prestigious awards, and received broad media attention. She is currently the founder and CEO of Objective Recovery, a startup applying neuroscience and technology to develop personalized solutions for addiction and mental health challenges. Having overcome serious addiction and other mental health struggles herself, Henrietta brings rare insight and empathy to her mission of making healing more effective and fulfilling. She also consults with healthcare organizations to develop science-informed, sustainable solutions for recovery, behavioral health, and systems-level change. Learn more: https://www.objectiverecovery.com/ and connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrietta-szutorisz-phd-297a9727/ as well as take a listen to her podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ObjectiveRecovery  The mission of To Mom Is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!  https://www.tomomistolove.com/

Dionne Nicholls Germain is the Founder of Live Your Best Life for You, an executive coaching, leadership training, and speaking business serving an international clientele.  Dionne is a highly sought-after speaker, whose previous clients include The Government of Canada, PayPal, Mental Health Connecticut, and New York University. Dionne is the Forbes-featured author of The 90-Day Conquering Unforgiveness Journal for High-Performing High Achievers and creator of The Conquering Unforgiveness Workplace Workshop. Inspired by her personal testimony of overcoming infidelity in a 17-year relationship and her global work with executives and organizations, Dionne is passionate about developing leaders and transforming workplace cultures through forgiveness—unlocking trust, resilience, and innovation that ultimately drive increased employee engagement, productivity, and overall profitability. She says, “Forgiveness is good business.” Learn more: https://www.liveyourbestlifeforyou.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dionne-nicholls-germain-38a0161/ https://www.instagram.com/dionnenicholls.germain/  The mission of To Mom Is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!  https://www.tomomistolove.com/  

Dr. Kimberly Horn is a nationally recognized research psychologist, author, and speaker. Dr. Horn helps people thrive through the power of human connection. Drawing on 30 years of experience in public health and behavioral science, she partners with organizations, communities, and individuals to strengthen relationships, reduce loneliness, and improve well-being. Audiences connect with her engaging, down-to-earth style be it a small group or on an international stage. Author of “Friends Matter, For Life, endorsed by Mel Robbins, Kimberly appears regularly on national and local media. Learn more and connect with Dr. Horn: https://www.drkimberlyhorn.com/ https://www.instagram.com/drkimberlyhorn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kimberly-horn-862b3ba5/  The mission of To Mom Is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!  https://www.tomomistolove.com/

Catherine Duncan is an integrative spiritual consultant and the founder of Learning to Live, a private practice dedicated to whole-person healing. She specializes in guiding individuals through chronic illness, life transitions, grief, and the search for deeper meaning and purpose. Catherine also serves as a consultant for Minnesota Personalized Medicine, an integrative medical practice in Minneapolis. As a board-certified chaplain and certified spiritual director, Catherine combines her extensive clinical experience with alternative healing modalities, including positive neuroplasticity (trained under Rick Hanson, PhD), Reiki, Healing Touch, qigong, EFT/tapping, and sound healing. Her unique blend of evidence-based practices and intuitive guidance helps her clients reconnect with their bodies, calm their minds, and awaken their spirits. An accomplished public speaker, Catherine frequently presents on topics like stress management, resilience, self-compassion, and awakening to organizations and companies both in person and virtually. Catherine’s book, “Everyday Awakening: Five Practices for Living Fully, Feeling Deeply, and Coming into Your Heart and Soul” is an amazing must read and endorsed by Mel Robbins who states: “Everyday Awakening is your road map to living a fully engaged life. Catherine’s story and her five practices are refreshingly accessible. She doesn’t just talk about awakening - she’s lived it and teaches you how to stop sleepwalking through your life and start living it!” Learn more: https://www.catherineduncan.org/ and connect with Catherine on all the socials! https://www.facebook.com/CatherineDuncanmabcc https://www.instagram.com/catherineduncanmabcc/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rev-catherine-duncan-ma-bcc/  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaTCL_jPPimeabR82PrbmDg https://www.tiktok.com/@catherineduncanmabcc  The mission of To Mom Is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!  https://www.tomomistolove.com/

Debby Klein is an innovative educational leader and expert in building high-performing professional learning communities. She is deeply passionate about integrating play and gamified learning into daily instruction to foster social-emotional learning, problem-solving, and critical math and literacy skills. A seasoned mentor and coach, her expertise is widely recognized, with career highlights including contributions to educational books like Caring School Leadership and various teacher resource books for mathematics instruction. She is an annual guest lecturer at Wheaton College and a cited contributor to the US Department of Education's "Supporting Effective Educator Development" Research Program (2017 to present). Her notable accolades include the INSPRA’s Distinguished Service in Leadership award (2025), the Marguerite F. Key Fellowship (2018), and helping her school earn the US Department of Education National Blue Ribbon (2015). In this episode, Debby talks with us about the importance of play, curiosity, as well as much more! Debby lives by her mantra "Assume goodness. Give grace." Connect with Debby https://www.instagram.com/notdekleining/ and [email protected]  The mission of To Mom Is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!  https://www.tomomistolove.com/  

Lisa Zarcone is a child abuse survivor, author of “The Unspoken Truth A Memoir” and "The Book of Joann." Lisa is also a child and mental health advocate, public keynote speaker, social media influencer, and radio personality. She is a CASA Advocate (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for children and also received the 2023 Women of Impact Award – Business West Magazine and the 2021 Massachusetts Heroine Award. As the Massachusetts National Ambassador and Regional Director for NAASCA (National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse), she uses her title and personal story as a platform to speak publicly about child abuse and mental health. Her vigorous career includes: conference presentations, keynote speaker, workshops, author talks, podcast interviews, TV, newspaper, radio and DJ Spotlights. Learn more: https://www.lisazarcone.net/ The mission of To Mom Is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!  https://www.tomomistolove.com/

Reena De Lanerolle is a maternal Mental Health Therapist and mother to two young children. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, holds a Perinatal Mental-Health Certification, and also is a Certified Rehabilitation Therapist. She is the director of clinical programs and engagement at Counseling Works:  https://www.counselingworks.com/about-us/meet-reena-de-lanerolle/ Reena has been a previous guest on To Mom Is To Love! Check out her most recent episode here: https://www.tomomistolove.com/podcast/episode/2647618c/grief-and-loss-through-a-unique-lens-with-reena-de-lanerolle-episode-42 The mission of To Mom Is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!  https://www.tomomistolove.com/

In this special episode I sit down and talk with Dr. Barbara Vokatis about her amazing new book "Unshakable: Parenting Through Autism with Love, Courage, and Purpose."  Dr. Barbara Vokatis is a professor at the State University of New York at Oneonta, keynote speaker, award-winning author, and therapy dog partner. As a researcher, she studies learning in innovative courses, innovative inquiry spaces for children, and her innovative dog therapy lab in a local elementary school. She is an author of books on dog therapy in educational settings ("Teachers and Therapy Dog Teams: Innovative Collaborations to Make a Difference for Children") and a children’s book ("Carmel Goes to School") with the therapy dog theme. Her new book, Unshakable: Parenting Through Autism with Love, Courage, and Purpose, gives voice to the experiences of countless parents navigating challenges, making it a must-read for anyone seeking insight and inspiration. Learn more here: https://barbaravokatis.com/  

Dr. Tamsin Astor, Chief Habit Scientist, Executive Coach, and Founder & CEO of Yoga Brained LLC. Tamsin has a unique blend of neuroscience, mindfulness, and real-life resilience. She holds a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience and certifications in executive coaching, yoga, Ayurveda, and facilitation. In this episode, Dr. Astor discusses with us habits, mindset, boundaries, and much more! Connect with Dr. Astor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamsin-astor/ and check out her website: https://tamsinastor.com/ The mission of To Mom Is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!  https://www.tomomistolove.com/

John is a HR executive with over 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience, including the past eight years as Vice President of Human Resources at LA Family Housing. John leads with the quote "If you can be anything, be kind" showing up with kindness, gratitude, and inclusion. John’s leadership style is grounded in servant leadership, mentorship, and creating workplaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. In this powerful episode, John talks with us about the power of hope, kindness, and gratitude. Connect with John on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-horn47/ The mission of To Mom Is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!  https://www.tomomistolove.com/

Tom Dahlborg is the President and CEO of Dahlborg HealthCARING Leadership Group, LLC (DHLG). Tom positions leaders (in healthcare and beyond) to engage heart and mind in all they do so that they embrace and embody compassion, care and love, while leveraging science and evidence, to honor their callings and achieve betterment for all. His key focus areas include: Transforming healthcare to healthCARING, amplifying positive childhood experiences for all children, as well as stopping bullying. He is also the author of the book “From Heart To Head & Back Again: ... a Journey Through the Healthcare System” Learn more: https://dahlborghlg.com/ The mission of To Mom Is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!  https://www.tomomistolove.com/

Jen Cáceres the founder and CEO of Perpetual Capacity Coaching & Consulting, and an expert helping individuals and leaders discover what they've outgrown working through antiquated procedures, thoughts and outdated leadership direction. She's a Gallup certified CliftonStrengths coach and certified executive coach, having impacted hundreds of leaders over the past fifteen years in industries from manufacturing, hospitality, construction and non-profits to individual career coaching. She left her executive HR role in the corporate world in 2023 to care for her family and herself. Today she thrives speaking to individuals and organizations on the incredible power of what we've outgrown in work and life. Her book "The Great Outgrown" comes out Spring of 2026. She also has a podcast "Stop, Drop, and R.O.L.E." Learn more: https://www.perpetualcapacity.com/ The mission of To Mom Is To Love and Mental Backroads and Highways is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community! https://www.tomomistolove.com/

Ashley is an author, speaker, podcaster, and leadership mentor for women business owners who are ready to break free from overwhelm, build high-performing teams, get their time back, and create businesses they love. Learn more about Ashley: https://ashleycox.co/and her book: https://ashleycox.co/transform  The mission of To Mom Is To Love and Mental Backroads and Highways is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community! https://www.tomomistolove.com/  

Jacqui O’Connor is a visionary health leader, a reimagined nurse of 30 years, and founder of Heart Place Hospital, a registered New Zealand charity delivering care beyond the walls of traditional medicine. Rooted deeply in clinical nursing and guided by a passion for systemic healing, Jacqui brings a unique blend of frontline experience, whole health approaches, and indigenous-informed wellness practices. Her work nurtures whole-person, whole-system transformation—focusing on emotional safety, community connection, and the healing power of presence. With compassion and intention, Jacqui invites clinicians to gently explore the system and become active catalysts for its renewal. Learn more about Jacqui and Heart Place Hospital: https://www.heartplacehospital.org.nz/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHc_uZTK_iIudNyam8YYGbA  Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-o-connor-heartplacehospital248/  Register for the free global healthcare summit on Saturday, September 6: https://impactactivators.com/healthcare-summit  The mission of To Mom Is To Love and Mental Backroads and Highways is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community! https://www.tomomistolove.com/

Amber Pena Posey is a modern-day medicine woman who guides visionary women, entrepreneurs and helping professionals out of boredom, burnout and boxed-in experiences into soul-fulfilling passion and purpose from the inside out. She is traditionally trained as an integrative nurse practitioner and psychotherapist and consciously deconstructed guide and catalyst for soul initiation and vital creative living. Free resource: https://thefocusedpath.com/creative-rx-antidote/ Website: www.thefocusedpath.com Email: [email protected] Substack: https://theunnameableundertaking.substack.com/subscribe   https://incrowdnow.com/resources/coming-home-a-two-part-letter-to-high-achieving-healthcare-professionals-in-the-midst-of-burnout   https://incrowdnow.com/resources/part-two-a-letter-to-high-achieving-healthcare-professionals-in-the-midst-of-burnout  

Katelyn Carey is an acute care nurse and clinical educator who has spent over 20 years helping people survive and recover from physical and emotional trauma. Her background includes community, pre-hospital and hospital care where she has served as a clinical educator, a director, and a program coordinator for award-winning healthcare systems. For two decades Katelyn has been responsible for designing, building, and teaching programs that support caregivers in everything from community crisis nurseries to nurse and physician residency programs. Along the way she began to dive into the research behind effective communication and care in high-stress spaces. Now, as a TEDx and keynote conference speaker, Katelyn teaches others to increase their compassion and their effectiveness through the principles of trauma-informed learning, holistic wellness, and cognitive science. The tools and resources she has created have been utilized by cancer care organizations around the world.  In this must-listen episode, Katelyn shares with us what it means to be in the “blowfish” zone as well as the differences between compassion and empathy. Learn more: https://www.katelyncarey.com/ Take a listen to Katelyn’s TED talks: The Problem with Empathy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=987xaGgb2XQ&t=6s The Secret to De-Escalating Angry People: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQJ-_Zjj0SU Check out Katelyn’s incredible book: Beauty After Breast Cancer: https://www.katelyncarey.com/purchase-book Connect with Katelyn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-carey-0000/ The mission of To Mom Is To Love and Mental Backroads and Highways is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community! https://www.tomomistolove.com/

Dr. Diana Londoño is a Board-Certified Urologist and one of the 10% of urologists in the US who are women and the 0.5% who are Latina and women.  She is originally from Mexico City and attended Claremont McKenna College for her undergraduate studies and then went on to attend UCLA for medical school. She completed a 6-year residency in Urology at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles. She has experienced burnout twice, which has led her to write and speak about it to raise awareness and help others. She has published multiple articles in prominent medical platforms, including Medscape, Doximity, Kevin MD, Men’s Health, Giddy.com, and WebMD, among others. She is also a contributing author to the books “Thriving After Burnout” and “Medic S.O.S.”  She has also been a guest on numerous podcasts, discussing various topics, including wellness, stress, spirituality, and energy. She has also been featured on TV on Univision, Telemundo, Mundo Fox, CNN Latino, KCET, and ABC News as a health consultant discussing urological topics. Her burnout journey led her to become a certified life coach and founder of Physician Coach Support.com, a peer support platform she ran for 3 years. In 2022, she received the Los Angeles County Medical Association Physician Leadership Award for her work. She is also a Reiki Master and a Pranic Healer, and the mother of two determined and joyful 7 and 9-year-old girls. In this powerful episode, Dr. Londoño discusses with us the power of stress, energy, mindfulness, mindset, and much more! Learn more here: https://dianalondonomd.com/ Connect with Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianalondonomd/ The mission of To Mom Is To Love and Mental Backroads and Highways is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community! https://www.tomomistolove.com/

Darlene Cunha MMHC, BSN, CENP-RN is a visionary healthcare executive with over four decades of experience leading clinical and operational excellence across diverse health care settings. Grounded in her nursing roots and guided by the Caritas principles of loving-kindness, dignity, and human connection, Darlene has served in senior leadership roles including Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Director of Medical-Surgical Nursing. Renowned for her ability to lead complex systems through transformational change, she blends strategic insight with a deep commitment to healing and wholeness. Her leadership fosters cultures of compassion, accountability, and collaboration—prioritizing both operational performance and the sacred nature of caregiving. Darlene’s legacy is one of purpose-driven impact: mentoring emerging leaders, stewarding innovation with heart, and elevating the human experience at every level of healthcare delivery. Connect with Darlene on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darlenecunha/ The mission of To Mom Is To Love and Mental Backroads and Highways is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community! https://www.tomomistolove.com/

Dr. Naha Pandya is a dynamic leader in the health industry, known for her strong entrepreneurial drive and commitment to transforming the future of healthcare. After experiencing a traumatic birth, Dr. Naha Pandya recognized a critical gap in postpartum healthcare for women. Motivated by this firsthand insight, she committed herself to research and community-building efforts aimed at addressing this often-overlooked area. Her dedication culminated in the development of The Recovery Method—an innovative approach designed to transform the future of postpartum care. In this important episode, Dr. Pandya shares with us all about The Recovery Method. Learn more about this incredible organization here: https://www.therecoverymethodinfo.com/ Register for "It Takes A Village" in Denver and Chicago here: https://www.therecoverymethodinfo.com/ittakesavillageregistration Follow The Recovery Method: https://www.instagram.com/the_recovery_method/ Reach out: [email protected] The mission of To Mom Is To Love and Mental Backroads and Highways is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community! https://www.tomomistolove.com/  

Heather Grace Nelson is a passionate entrepreneur who champions self-care and a balanced lifestyle. After stepping away from the corporate world, she founded Heather Grace Skincare, where she personally formulates each product with a commitment to quality and wellness. Heather’s journey exemplifies how dedication, hard work, and a focus on self-care can pave the way to personal fulfillment and success. In this episode, Heather shares with us all about skincare, her why, the effects of stress on the skin, and much more!  Check out Heather Grace Skincare here: https://heathergraceskincare.com/ and use the code TOMOMISTOLOVE for 15 % off!  Take a look at Heather's face care instructions here:  https://heathergraceskincare.com/pages/face-care-regime-card?_pos=1&_sid=98f4c9e08&_ss=r Connect with Heather on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathergraceskincare/ and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathergraceskincare/  The mission of To Mom Is To Love and Mental Backroads and Highways is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community! https://www.tomomistolove.com/ *This podcast is meant to support and educate, but not offer medical advice. Contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns.  

Dr. Gupta is an expert in driving transformational change for leading healthcare systems. He is a thought leader in physician engagement, change management, quality transformation, and leadership development. He coaches and mentors healthcare leaders to help them lead transformation efforts for their organizations. An Internal Medicine physician by training, he has held positions as Medical Director, Chief Medical Officer, Vice President of Network Performance Improvement, and Director of Care Transformation. Deeply committed to values of compassion, trust, and growth mindset, he is an innovator and champion for staff empowerment. One prominent example is his pioneering work in developing A Loving Organization model to help create sustainable and profitable organizations through a loving systems based approach. Dr. Gupta completed his Internal Medicine training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA, received an M.D. and Sc.B. from Brown University, as well as an M.P.H. from Harvard University.  Learn more about A Loving Organization: https://www.alovingorganization.com/ and connect with Apurv here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apurvguptamd/ The mission of To Mom is To Love and Mental Backroads and Highways is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community! https://www.tomomistolove.com/

Carrie Lingenfelter is a former speech therapist turned conscious parenting advocate, podcast host, and changemaker. As the host of the Heart to Heart Parents podcast, she empowers parents with mindful and spiritual tools to raise emotionally intelligent, compassionate children. A mother of two, Carrie draws from her personal journey of overcoming anxiety, perfectionism, and parenting burnout to inspire parents to step into their power. Her mission is to support "changemakers raising changemakers" by fostering self-awareness, emotional growth, and spiritual connection within families. Connect with Carrie https://hearttoheartlife.com/ and follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheSpiritualParent The mission of To Mom is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!

Cameron Walker is the author of three books--most recently, the short story collection "How to Capture Carbon." She has also written "The National Monuments" and "Points of Light." Her writing has appeared in publications including the New York Times, Orion, and the Missouri Review, and has won awards from the American Society of Journalists & Authors, the School Library Journal, and Terrain.org. In this episode, Cameron shares with us about her books, her writing journey, and much more! Learn more about Cameron here: cameronwalker.net The mission of To Mom is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!

Andrew Stoute is a human resources and leadership professional as well as a podcast host of “Let’s Be Diverse: Solutions for HR Leaders, Managers and the Workforce." The podcast aims to discuss common issues and solutions in Human Resources that focuses on conversations about current needs and solutions through opinions, expertise, and personal stories. In this episode, Andrew shares with us all about active listening and open communication from HR and beyond perspective. Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-stoute/ The mission of To Mom is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Welcome to our community!

I love all my podcast episodes but this one may be my favorite! I was thrilled to celebrate the launch of my book “To Mom Is To Love: Pioneering a New Kind of Motherhood”  with these amazing leaders! Take a listen to the replay and grab a copy of my book with this link: https://www.tomomistolove.com/coming-soon-03 Guest speakers: Ambreen Nadeem is among the Top 100 Global Thought Leaders in 2024. She is a Psychologist, Founder of Psychology Talks and Co-Founder of Save Lives Project. Ambreen is a bestselling author and a keynote speaker. She is the podcast host of Psychology Talks as well as Mental Health Advocate.  Calvin Lawrence holds a master’s degree from Texas Christian University, and a post master’s in administration from Texas Woman’s University.  He also earned his doctorate while in Texas at Baylor University. Dr. Lawrence has over 41 years of proven experience and leadership at all levels.  He is currently serving as the CEO of "Calvin Lawrence Speaks" and author of "The Happy Leader: Relatable stories of influence and hope."  Dionne Nicholls-Germain is the Founder of Live Your Best Life for You, an executive coaching, leadership training, and speaking business serving an international clientele.  Dionne is a highly sought-after speaker, whose previous clients include The Government of Canada, PayPal, Mental Health Connecticut, and New York University. Dionne is the Forbes-featured author of The 90-Day Conquering Unforgiveness Journal for High-Performing High Achievers and creator of The Conquering Unforgiveness Workplace Workshop.  Dr. Barbara Vokatis is an educator with international teaching experiences. Currently, she is a professor at SUNY Oneonta, in Upstate New York. She teaches literacy courses to both future and current teachers. As a researcher, Dr. Vokatis studies learning in innovative courses, innovative inquiry spaces for children, and her innovative Animal-Assisted Education lab in a local elementary school. Dr. Vokatis is an author of books on Animal-Assisted Education and host of the podcast: “Get Inspired with Dr. Barb” Claudenne Lea is a dynamic podcaster, motivational speaker, and event host who is dedicated to helping individuals get through life’s many challenges. With a passion for uplifting others, Claudenne shares empowering strategies and inspiring stories to help and motivate listeners to unlock their full potential and achieve their goals one step at a time. Dr. Jen Fraser is an award-winning educator and international expert on abuse cultures and how to transform them. She is the author of the incredible book "The Bullied Brain: Heal Your Scars and Restore Your Health." and forthcoming "The Gaslit Brain."  Dr. Carlos Garcia is a Clinical Psychologist, Coach, Author and Speaker. He is the founder of The Mastery Group and Tampa Counseling and Wellness. Dr. Garcia received his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University and completed his residency at Rutgers University. Dr. Garcia also served in the armed forces as a United States Marine and as a firefighter and paramedic prior to receiving his doctorate degree. He draws on his years of experience in both military and professional organizations to teach individuals how to become more masterful leaders and performers. His passion lies in helping others grow and create meaningful and lasting change in their lives. He is the author of “The Unseen Journey”  Heather Grace Nelson is a passionate entrepreneur who champions self-care and a balanced lifestyle. After stepping away from the corporate world, she founded Heather Grace Skincare, where she personally formulates each product with a commitment to quality and wellness. Heather’s journey exemplifies how dedication, hard work, and a focus on self-care can pave the way to personal fulfillment and success. Kevin Monroe is an incredible and enthusiastic advocate for gratitude. In 2018, Kevin witnessed the power of gratitude after experiencing a depressive episode. It subsequently became his mission to spread gratefulness to others and infuse it into every aspect of his life. Kevin hosted his first tremendously successful gratitude challenge in June 2019. Throughout the past few years Kevin has created awesome resources for gratitude include The Gratitude Challenge Card Deck and “Don’t Wait To Thank” as well as his new HOPE series!   Dr. Courtney Beck is an adjunct professor at Florida State University. She is also the founder of Plenty of Positivity and the podcast host of Plenty of Positivity with Courtney Beck. She is a former elite-level gymnast who competed at the University of Florida where she became an NCAA All-American and was a member of two SEC Championship team titles. She has corporate sales experience. She also coached club-level gymnastics, as well as the FSU Club Gymnastics Team. In addition, she founded the Women In Sports Association at Florida State University where her passion for helping young women would become a reality. She earned a Ph.D. in Sport Management and an MBA from Florida State University, a master’s degree in communication from the University of Central Florida, and a bachelor's degree in advertising from the University of Florida. She is passionate about community building, education, and sport. Victoria Victorenko is a dedicated mental health therapist and health and wellness coach with a passion for supporting moms throughout their entire journey. With a background in psychology, gerontology, and organizational behavior, Vickie brings a unique perspective to her work. Her 10+ years of experience in human resources and applied behavior analysis,coupled with her 8+ years of working in private practice, to working with moms in a community hospital setting, including labor & delivery, to end-of-life care, this has equipped her to address the complex needs of humans (and mothers) at every stage. Frank Sinclair is the co-host of the weekly podcast and radio show “Be Encouraged with Frank and Lisa.” This amazing show provides stories and insights on how to overcome challenges and achieve goals. Frank is also a Chief Encouragement Officer at Dream Again Business Consulting. 

Zoë Bishop is a Professional Encourager and business owner of Torchlight Wellbeing.  Zoë is the founder of the gratitude mantra and brand "Blessed Before You’re Dressed" or BBYD. It's her mission to encourage us all to be thankful as soon as we wake up. Connect with Zoë on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoerbishop/ and check out her website: https://blessedbeforedressed.co.uk/ The mission of To Mom is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Join us and subscribe, share, and follow. Welcome to our community!

Stella Falkner is the founder of DOWA Health. Stella is a Certified Mental Health Peer Specialist, Certified Postpartum Doula, as well as Childbirth and Lactation Educator. Stella created Dowa “to pay if forward in gratitude to the moms who saved her life. The word “Dowa” comes from the Korean word “dowajo” which means “help.” Dowa is Stella’s thank you letter to the moms who helped carry her. Learn more about DOWA here: https://www.dowahealth.com/library Follow DOWA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dowahealth/ The mission of To Mom is To Love is to support, encourage, and empower each other as imperfect moms to love as a verb. Join us and subscribe, share, and follow. Welcome to our community!