What does it mean to find your voice when the world labels you before you speak?
In this deeply moving episode of the Ride The Wave Podcast, Jeff Fisher sits down with Mary, an outspoken advocate who was born with a cleft lip. From bullying and behavioral labels in the classroom to a pivotal courtroom moment involving her father, Mary’s story is one of courage, growth, and unshakable purpose.
But this is more than a personal story — it’s a movement.
Mary introduces us to the often-overlooked cleft lip community, revealing a network of support, advocacy, and healing that most don’t even know exists. With guidance from her mentor Dr. Bowe (founder of BeTheChangeNJ.com), Mary has become a shining example of resilience and leadership — and yes, Dr. Bowe also officiated her wedding!
You’ll walk away from this episode with:
- A deeper understanding of cleft lip awareness
- A new perspective on how schools respond to behavior and difference
- Insight into how mentorship can change the trajectory of a life
- Renewed belief that every person has a story worth listening to
🌊 At Ride The Wave Foundation, we believe "The Path is to the Person." This episode lives that mission out loud.
👉 CALL TO ACTION:
- Follow the show on Spotify, Apple, or your favorite podcast app
- Leave a review if Mary’s story moved you — your words amplify the mission
- Visit www.RideTheWave.org to get involved or support our mentorship work
- Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it today
—
🎙️ Hosted by Jeff Fisher
🚀 Produced by Ride The Wave Foundation
🌐 More stories and mission updates at www.RideTheWave.org
—
Tags/Keywords (for SEO):
#CleftLipAwareness #RideTheWavePodcast #MarysStory #DisabilityAdvocacy #BullyingRecovery #MentorshipMatters #BeTheChangeNJ #Inclusion #EducationReform #MentalHealth #WaveMaker #PodcastForChange #SpotifyPodcasts #Buzzsprout
Thank you for riding the wave with us! If this conversation resonated, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with your community. Your support helps us spread messages of unity.
© 2025 Ride the Wave Podcast. All Rights Reserved.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.