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

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/