Love Meets Joy

Smile Train Podcast Network

Love Meets Joy is a Smile Train-sponsored podcast hosted by cleft advocates Iva Ballou and Ashley Barbour. Join Ashley and Iva as they discuss their personal journeys and all things cleft lip and palate. From dating and relationships to bullying and the power of words, nothing is off-limits in this honest and empowering series. 

  1. 09/26/2024

    Navigating the Intersection of Mental Health and Cleft Care with Dr. Leanne Magee

    Hosts Ashley Barbour and Iva Ballou sit down with Dr. Leanne Magee, a pediatric psychologist from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia who specializes in working with children with appearance differences, for a thoughtful discussion on the critical intersection of mental health and cleft care. We explore Dr. Magee’s unique role on the cleft care team, strategies for addressing bullying, and the importance of building confidence in children and adults alike. Our conversation also touches on the challenges of accessing mental health care within the cleft community, insurance barriers, and the often-misunderstood aspects of psychosocial care.  Mentioned: Dr. Leanne Magee at Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania Cleft Con 2020 Session Cleft Con 2021 Session Cleft Con 2022 Session Cleft Con NYC Session American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association Patients & Families Resources Smile Train Community Programs If you like the show, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, follow us on social, and tell all your friends to listen. Questions or episode ideas? Email us at lovemeetsjoy@smiletrain.org. We can't wait to hear from you. Transcripts are available at smiletrain.org/lovemeetsjoy Follow Ashley on IG at CleftLoveIG and Facebook at CleftLove   Follow Iva on IG at RealSophisticatedJoy and Facebook at RealSophisticatedJoy Love Meets Joy is produced by Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, with a sustainable and local model of supporting surgery and other forms of essential care. Over the last 25+ years, Smile Train has supported safe and quality cleft care for 2+ million children and will continue to do so until every child in need with a cleft has access to the care they deserve. Learn more here.

    51 min
  2. 09/12/2024

    From Cleft Con to the Spotlight: An Inspiring Journey with Allisha Pelletier

    Iva and Ashley sit down with Canadian actor, writer, and producer Allisha Pelletier for a heartfelt conversation celebrating resilience, creativity, and the joy of embracing your own unique journey. Allisha shares what it was like to grow up with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, discover her passion for acting, and navigate the challenges of being in a beauty-focused industry. We also dive into her new project, "The H-Word," a show that blends comedy with real-life experiences and explores the healing power of storytelling and the importance of community.  Mentioned: Follow Allisha and H Word on IG at @allisha.pelletier and  @thehwordseries If you like the show, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, follow us on social, and tell all your friends to listen. Questions or episode ideas? Email us at lovemeetsjoy@smiletrain.org. We can't wait to hear from you. Transcripts are available at smiletrain.org/lovemeetsjoy Follow Ashley on IG at CleftLoveIG and Facebook at CleftLove   Follow Iva on IG at RealSophisticatedJoy and Facebook at RealSophisticatedJoy Love Meets Joy is produced by Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, with a sustainable and local model of supporting surgery and other forms of essential care. Over the last 25+ years, Smile Train has supported safe and quality cleft care for 2+ million children and will continue to do so until every child in need with a cleft has access to the care they deserve. Learn more here.

    39 min
  3. 09/05/2024

    Lucia’s Story: Empowering the Cleft Community with Luci Capo-Rome

    Iva and Ashley welcome Luci Capo-Rome, a retired nurse practitioner, author, and advocate for older adults with craniofacial differences for an insightful, powerful discussion on overcoming challenges, finding strength in community, and advocating for lasting change. Luci shares her journey to accepting her bilateral cleft lip and palate, her career as both a patient and a healthcare provider, and the inspiration behind her book, Lucia’s Story: My Imperfect Beauty. Our conversation explores why community is so important for cleft-affected individuals, the impact of self-esteem on relationships, and Luci’s advocacy work, including her efforts spearheading Smile Train’s support for the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA).  Mentioned: Building a Community for Adults with Craniofacial Difference Building A Community for Adults with Craniofacial Difference Lucia's Story: My Imperfect Beauty: A Memoir written in Devotion to and Respect for Facial Difference Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act bellalucia.net Follow Luci on IG at @luciaimperfect If you like the show, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, follow us on social, and tell all your friends to listen. Questions or episode ideas? Email us at lovemeetsjoy@smiletrain.org. We can't wait to hear from you. Transcripts are available at smiletrain.org/lovemeetsjoy Follow Ashley on IG at @cleftloveig and Facebook at Cleft Love Follow Iva on IG at @realsophisticatedjoy and Facebook at RealSophisticatedJoy Love Meets Joy is produced by Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, with a sustainable and local model of supporting surgery and other forms of essential care. Over the last 25+ years, Smile Train has supported safe and quality cleft care for 2+ million children and will continue to do so until every child in need with a cleft has access to the care they deserve. Learn more here.

    40 min
4.8
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

Love Meets Joy is a Smile Train-sponsored podcast hosted by cleft advocates Iva Ballou and Ashley Barbour. Join Ashley and Iva as they discuss their personal journeys and all things cleft lip and palate. From dating and relationships to bullying and the power of words, nothing is off-limits in this honest and empowering series.