Leading as a Mom: Motherhood to Rebirth with Valerie Probstfeld
Tue Dec 16 2025
What happens when everything you thought you were prepared for falls apart in an instant?
In this powerful episode of Stop. Drop. & R.O.L.E., host Jen Caceres sits down with Valerie Probstfeld—pediatric nurse practitioner, author, podcaster, and mother—for a deeply human conversation about pausing, perspective, and choosing love over fear.
Valerie shares her transformative story of becoming a mother after her newborn was rushed to the NICU - an experience that shattered her expectations, exposed deep emotional patterns, and sparked a lifelong commitment to mindfulness, self-reflection, and intentional response over reaction.
Together, Jen and Valerie explore:
The difference between reacting vs. responding How the brain’s amygdala and prefrontal cortex shape our behavior Why the “angry face” shows up in parenting and leadership How mindfulness, gratitude, and body language change communication What Viktor Frankl’s “space between stimulus and response” means in real life The overlap between parenting, leadership, and team culture Why perfection is an illusion—and growth lives in imperfection How slowing down can create freedom, clarity, and connection
Valerie also discusses her book, To Mom Is to Love: Pioneering a New Kind of Motherhood, which blends neuroscience, lived experience, and practical tools to help parents—and leaders—lengthen the pause, regulate emotions, and lead with compassion.
While rooted in motherhood, this conversation resonates far beyond parenting, offering insight for anyone navigating relationships, leadership, identity shifts, or personal growth.
This episode is a must-listen for:
Parents and caregivers Leaders and managers Coaches, educators, and healthcare professionals Anyone working on emotional regulation, mindfulness, or personal development Anyone learning how to pause, reflect, and respond with intention 🎧 Listen in to discover how slowing down isn’t weakness—it’s leadership.
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What happens when everything you thought you were prepared for falls apart in an instant? In this powerful episode of Stop. Drop. & R.O.L.E., host Jen Caceres sits down with Valerie Probstfeld—pediatric nurse practitioner, author, podcaster, and mother—for a deeply human conversation about pausing, perspective, and choosing love over fear. Valerie shares her transformative story of becoming a mother after her newborn was rushed to the NICU - an experience that shattered her expectations, exposed deep emotional patterns, and sparked a lifelong commitment to mindfulness, self-reflection, and intentional response over reaction. Together, Jen and Valerie explore: The difference between reacting vs. responding How the brain’s amygdala and prefrontal cortex shape our behavior Why the “angry face” shows up in parenting and leadership How mindfulness, gratitude, and body language change communication What Viktor Frankl’s “space between stimulus and response” means in real life The overlap between parenting, leadership, and team culture Why perfection is an illusion—and growth lives in imperfection How slowing down can create freedom, clarity, and connection Valerie also discusses her book, To Mom Is to Love: Pioneering a New Kind of Motherhood, which blends neuroscience, lived experience, and practical tools to help parents—and leaders—lengthen the pause, regulate emotions, and lead with compassion. While rooted in motherhood, this conversation resonates far beyond parenting, offering insight for anyone navigating relationships, leadership, identity shifts, or personal growth. This episode is a must-listen for: Parents and caregivers Leaders and managers Coaches, educators, and healthcare professionals Anyone working on emotional regulation, mindfulness, or personal development Anyone learning how to pause, reflect, and respond with intention 🎧 Listen in to discover how slowing down isn’t weakness—it’s leadership.