To Mom is To Love with Valerie Probstfeld, NP

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

Jennifer Hill is CEO and Co-Founder of OptiMatch. Jennifer empowers clients to unlock their

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/