In this engaging episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Liv Broads, a UK mom whose son Rio was born with a unilateral cleft lip and gum notch. Liv shares her experience navigating Rio’s cleft journey, from the early days of diagnosis to preparing for surgery in the UK healthcare system.

Together, they discuss the aesthetics of cleft lip repair and why it’s important for parents to feel empowered to talk openly with surgeons about their wishes and expectations. Liv also highlights the incredible support she’s received from CLAPA (Cleft Lip and Palate Association) and shares her excitement about her upcoming skydive on July 20th to raise funds for the organization.

Liv talks candidly about daily life with a cleft-affected baby, her partnership with Dr. Brown’s, and her mission to bring hope and resources to other families on the same path.

This episode is a heartfelt reminder of the power of community, advocacy, and finding your voice in the cleft journey.

Links and Resources:

• Support Liv's SkyDive for CLAPA
• Patreon Subscription Tiers for Exclusive Content
• Our Forever Smiles Merch Store
• NC Cleft Mom FB Group
• Our Forever Smiles FB Group

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Today's sponsor is sienna dawn media Integrated Marketing Agency

sienna dawn media is more than just a marketing agency—they are your partners in progress.

Their mission is simple — to alleviate marketing bandwidth, allowing creative business owners to focus on what they set out to do: create. sienna dawn media empowers creatives to thrive without the burden of managing their own social media and marketing campaigns.

So, if you're ready to set sail toward new horizons, let sienna dawn media chart the course and steer your business toward success. Visit siennadawnmedia.com.

In this powerful episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo speaks with Dr. Anna Thurmes, a cleft-affected adult, speech-language pathologist, professor, and member of the University of Minnesota Cleft and Craniofacial Team, where she was once a patient herself. Born with a cleft lip and palate, Dr. Thurmes shares how her lived experience shaped her personal and professional path.

As host of The Cleft Collective Podcast and a PhD in Family Social Science, Dr. Thurmes brings a unique, compassionate perspective to cleft care. She opens up about her own cleft journey, the importance of mental and emotional support, and how she now helps other families navigate their own stories.

This episode is a meaningful conversation about identity, advocacy, and the power of turning lived experience into purpose.

Links and Resources:

• Anna Thurmes on Instagram
• Patreon Subscription Tiers for Exclusive Content
• Our Forever Smiles Merch Store
• NC Cleft Mom FB Group
• Our Forever Smiles FB Group

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Today's sponsor is sienna dawn media Integrated Marketing Agency

sienna dawn media is more than just a marketing agency—they are your partners in progress.

Their mission is simple — to alleviate marketing bandwidth, allowing creative business owners to focus on what they set out to do: create. sienna dawn media empowers creatives to thrive without the burden of managing their own social media and marketing campaigns.

So, if you're ready to set sail toward new horizons, let sienna dawn media chart the course and steer your business toward success. Visit siennadawnmedia.com.

In this heartfelt episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo talks with Colleen Bennett, a Washington State native and military spouse of 18 years. Colleen shares the emotional story of discovering her daughter’s bilateral cleft lip and palate diagnosis while her husband was deployed, and the loneliness that followed in the early days of uncertainty.

Determined to advocate for her daughter, Colleen began researching cleft care on her own and discovered just how much treatment plans can vary by hospital. She shares what she learned about the benefits of NAM (nasoalveolar molding), how it can support both families and surgeons, and why clear communication with siblings is so important. Her passion and perspective offer comfort, clarity, and strength to any parent navigating a new diagnosis.

This episode is a moving reminder that while the cleft journey can begin in isolation, it often leads to powerful advocacy and deep connection.

Links and Resources:

• Patreon Subscription Tiers for Exclusive Content
• Our Forever Smiles Merch Store
• NC Cleft Mom FB Group
• Our Forever Smiles FB Group

______________________________________________________________________________

Today's sponsor is sienna dawn media Integrated Marketing Agency

sienna dawn media is more than just a marketing agency—they are your partners in progress.

Their mission is simple — to alleviate marketing bandwidth, allowing creative business owners to focus on what they set out to do: create. sienna dawn media empowers creatives to thrive without the burden of managing their own social media and marketing campaigns.

So, if you're ready to set sail toward new horizons, let sienna dawn media chart the course and steer your business toward success. Visit siennadawnmedia.com.

In this heartfelt episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo talks with Tara and Michael Cory about their journey as a couple after receiving their son’s incomplete unilateral cleft lip diagnosis. They share openly about the initial shock, the emotional grief process, and how they came to a place of acceptance and clarity about their son’s future.

Through personal stories and thoughtful reflections, Tara and Michael offer a powerful perspective on navigating a cleft diagnosis together. Their honest conversation is filled with hope, support, and encouragement for other families walking a similar path.

This episode is a reminder that while the cleft journey may begin with uncertainty, it can also be filled with resilience, love, and strength.

Links and Resources:

• Tara Cory on Instagram
• Patreon Subscription Tiers for Exclusive Content
• Our Forever Smiles Merch Store
• NC Cleft Mom FB Group
• Our Forever Smiles FB Group

______________________________________________________________________________

Today's sponsor is sienna dawn media Integrated Marketing Agency

sienna dawn media is more than just a marketing agency—they are your partners in progress.

Their mission is simple — to alleviate marketing bandwidth, allowing creative business owners to focus on what they set out to do: create. sienna dawn media empowers creatives to thrive without the burden of managing their own social media and marketing campaigns.

So, if you're ready to set sail toward new horizons, let sienna dawn media chart the course and steer your business toward success. Visit siennadawnmedia.com.

In this inspiring episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo is joined by Katie Manning, a trauma coach, artist, teacher, and cleft mom whose work is reshaping how we understand the emotional landscape of cleft parenting. Katie opens up about her experience raising a child with a cleft while also being married to someone who is cleft affected. Together, they discuss the internal tension Katie faced when sharing stories that weren’t fully her own and how she ultimately found purpose in building a platform for healing and connection.

Katie shares the heart behind launching The 100 Cleft Portrait Exhibition, the first of its kind, and the powerful stories it brings to light. She also offers insight into trauma coaching and how she supports families navigating the complex relationship between cleft and emotional well-being.

This episode is a moving exploration of storytelling, resilience, and the importance of tending to our own healing as we support our children.

Links and Resources:

• Katie Manning on Instagram
• Tickets to the 100 Cleft Portrait Exhibition
• Patreon Subscription Tiers for Exclusive Content
• Our Forever Smiles Merch Store
• NC Cleft Mom FB Group
• Our Forever Smiles FB Group

______________________________________________________________________________

Today's sponsor is sienna dawn media Integrated Marketing Agency

sienna dawn media is more than just a marketing agency—they are your partners in progress.

Their mission is simple — to alleviate marketing bandwidth, allowing creative business owners to focus on what they set out to do: create. sienna dawn media empowers creatives to thrive without the burden of managing their own social media and marketing campaigns.

So, if you're ready to set sail toward new horizons, let sienna dawn media chart the course and steer your business toward success. Visit siennadawnmedia.com.

In this episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura Arroyo sits down with Sam Rosen, a cleft lip and palate–affected adult who shares his remarkable journey from being adopted in Bulgaria to finding his voice and confidence through hockey. Sam opens up about what it was like navigating multiple identities, the unique challenges of growing up with a cleft, and how his mother’s unwavering love and his father’s sense of humor helped shape his outlook on life. This conversation is a powerful reminder of the resilience within our community and the strength that comes from being truly seen and supported.

Links and Resources:

• Sam Rosen on Instagram
• Patreon Subscription Tiers for Exclusive Content
• Our Forever Smiles Merch Store
• NC Cleft Mom FB Group
• Our Forever Smiles FB Group

_________________________________________________________________________

Today's sponsor is sienna dawn media Integrated Marketing Agency

sienna dawn media is more than just a marketing agency—they are your partners in progress.

Their mission is simple — to alleviate marketing bandwidth, allowing creative business owners to focus on what they set out to do: create. sienna dawn media empowers creatives to thrive without the burden of managing their own social media and marketing campaigns.

So, if you're ready to set sail toward new horizons, let sienna dawn media chart the course and steer your business toward success. Visit siennadawnmedia.com.

In this eye-opening episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo sits down with pediatric sleep expert Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown to explore the often-overlooked connection between cleft lip and palate and sleep challenges in children. From airway obstructions and breathing difficulties to the emotional toll of sleep deprivation on families, Dr. Brown shares her expert insights on how cleft conditions can significantly disrupt sleep.

Together, they dive into safe sleep practices for cleft-affected infants, what parents should know about sleep studies, and how to advocate for proper evaluation and care. Dr. Brown also discusses her powerful book Beyond Tired, which equips parents with tools to help their children (and themselves) achieve healthier sleep.

Whether you're a cleft parent navigating early diagnoses or further along in your child’s journey, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and actionable advice to help your family rest easier.

Links and Resources:

• Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown on Instagram
• Patreon Subscription Tiers for Exclusive Content
• Our Forever Smiles Merch Store
• NC Cleft Mom FB Group
• Our Forever Smiles FB Group

_________________________________________________________________________

Today's sponsor is sienna dawn media Integrated Marketing Agency

sienna dawn media is more than just a marketing agency—they are your partners in progress.

Their mission is simple — to alleviate marketing bandwidth, allowing creative business owners to focus on what they set out to do: create. sienna dawn media empowers creatives to thrive without the burden of managing their own social media and marketing campaigns.

So, if you're ready to set sail toward new horizons, let sienna dawn media chart the course and steer your business toward success. Visit siennadawnmedia.com.