The First Holiday Without You

The season finale of Behind the Confident Smile closes with a tender and transformative conversation as host Bianca Cotton sits down with Elle Davis, MSW, nonprofit leader, speaker, and resilience coach. Together, they explore what it means to navigate the first holidays after loss, how grief and joy can exist side by side, and the ongoing process of healing while honoring the ones we’ve loved.

In this episode of Behind the Confident Smile, host Bianca Cotton sits down with Ke’Ana Lampkins, MSW, LCSW—therapist, speaker, and founder of The Well of Life Counseling and Consultation—for a profound conversation about the maternal influences that shaped her life. Ke’Ana reflects on the impact of being raised and influenced by three mothers, exploring how each relationship molded her identity, her emotional landscape, and her path toward healing. With honesty and depth, she shares how her personal journey informs her work supporting others through trauma, spiritual burnout, and the process of reclaiming one’s voice and joy.

In this episode of Behind the Confident Smile, host Bianca Cotton sits down with Crystal Morgan—Family Nurse Practitioner, IBCLC, and oral function specialist—for an eye-opening conversation about living with tongue, lip, and cheek ties. Crystal breaks down what these oral restrictions really are, how they affect feeding, speech, breathing, and daily life, and why so many families struggle to get proper diagnosis and treatment. Through clinical expertise and compassionate storytelling, she offers clarity, hope, and practical guidance for anyone navigating tethered oral tissues.

In this episode of Behind the Confident Smile, host Bianca Cotton sits down with Kiana Jones, founder of Jones’s Jewels Learning Center, for an inspiring conversation about her mission to close the learning gap. Kiana shares how her frustration with the education system sparked a transformative vision—one rooted in holistic care, music-infused learning, and unwavering belief in every child’s potential. With over a decade of experience, she reveals how creating a safe, nurturing environment can help young learners thrive academically, emotionally, and creatively.

In this heartfelt episode of Behind the Confident Smile, host Bianca Cotton sits down with Victoria Ivy for an intimate conversation about her experience with an unplanned C-section. Together, they unpack the emotional and physical journey of navigating birth plans that don’t go as planned—exploring themes of vulnerability, strength, and grace in recovery. Through candid reflection, Bianca and Victoria offer a powerful reminder that healing and self-compassion are vital parts of every birth story.

In this episode of Behind the Confident Smile, host Bianca Cotton sits in conversation—and in community—with three phenomenal women: Star August Ali, Mary Kay Devine, and Moniqueca Long. Together, they open up about the realities of motherhood, support, and self-preservation—tackling the often-unspoken question: Who supports the mother while she supports everyone else? The discussion blends honesty, vulnerability, and empowerment in equal measure.

In this episode of Behind the Confident Smile, host Bianca Cotton sits down with Judy Weathers to explore the inner world of a military wife married to a combat soldier. Judy opens up about the love, loneliness, uncertainty, and strength that define her journey—beyond the patriotic salutes are moments of deep fear, emotional labor, missed milestones, and unwavering support.

In this episode of Behind the Confident Smile, host Bianca Cotton sits down with Rosie Drumgoole, CEO of Chicago Cares, for a candid conversation on leadership, service, and motherhood. Rosie shares how she balances the demands of running an impactful nonprofit with the realities of raising a family, offering insight into resilience, purpose, and the power of community.

In this episode of Behind the Confident Smile, host Bianca Cotton sits down with Javiel Anderson to share her powerful journey of resilience when motherhood collided with a medical crisis. Javiel opens up about discovering her youngest son, Kairo, was living with Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), the difficult decisions that followed, and the balance of being a working parent caring for a child with complex medical needs.

Behind the Confident Smile returns with a powerful season premiere as host Bianca Cotton welcomes guest Danielle Patterson to unpack the emotional weight of the “supermom” syndrome. From the guilt of asking for help to the freedom of embracing authenticity, this candid conversation challenges the myth of perfection in motherhood and makes space for vulnerability, honesty, and healing.