Written by Romi Wallach When my son was choosing between colleges, I found myself standing at the threshold of an empty home and a new chapter of life I wasn’t quite prepared for. Looking back now, I can see how tightly I was gripping the steering wheel of his life, convinced I knew the exact route… Continue reading Podcast Notes: A Letter to My Empty Nester Self
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If you’ve ever found yourself locked in a battle of wills with your teenager over curfews, social media limits, or just basic household rules, you’re not alone. That pushback—the eye rolls, the door slams, the “you just don’t understand me” speeches—what we often label as rebellion is actually their way of learning. In other words,… Continue reading Podcast Notes: Rebellion is Learning in Disguise
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One of the hardest parts of raising a teenager is living with the constant fear that they’re one bad decision away from derailing their entire future. We’ve all been there—lying awake at night, replaying every “what if” scenario on loop. But as Dr. Andre Caruso put it bluntly in our latest episode: Your kid should… Continue reading Rebellion Rewind: Let Them…Fail?
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Debra LageA child needs a place to feel loved and safe in an environment that provides guidance and the tools to help them continue to grow regardless of the experiences and tragedies they have endured. Children’s Harbor is that place. I am privileged and honored to be part of such an amazing organization.
Dr. Andre CarusoDr. Andre Caruso, affectionately known as ‘The Doctor’ or ‘Doc’, is a psychologist, speaker, and expert in behavior and mindset with over two decades of experience helping individuals and organizations evolve and optimize performance. Doc is a Performance Alchemist, blending psychology and science with real-world experience to transform complex concepts into practical, actionable strategies.
His career spans industries from hospitality and executive leadership to clinical psychology, where he has designed and led programs focused on leadership, communication, and behavioral change. As co-founder of IVOLVE Performance and Development and IVOLVE + Thrive, he helps professionals and business owners refine their decision-making, strengthen their leadership, and cultivate the soft skills essential for long-term success. Rejecting one-size-fits-all solutions, his approach is highly tailored, aligning with each person’s unique challenges and goals.
Beyond his work with individuals and teams, Dr. Caruso is a sought-after speaker known for blending science, storytelling, and humor to make behavioral concepts engaging and accessible. He emphasizes that “more than one thing is true at the same time,” challenging conventional thinking and helping people expand their perspectives, recognize the trade-offs of success, and evolve in ways that elevate both their performance and well-being.
Dr. Brandy Pidermann, DSW, LCSW-QSDr. Brandy Pidermann is a licensed psychotherapist, clinical social worker, and the founder of Changing Tides Therapy. She has over a decade of experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families, specializing in mental health, emotional resilience, and family dynamics.
In addition to her private practice, she leads a clinical team overseeing a therapeutic program for foster care youth, ensuring underserved teens receive the structure, support, and interventions they need to thrive. She has also taught clinical social work courses at Florida Atlantic University, helping train the next generation of mental health professionals.
Her work extends beyond direct practice—she has contributed to youth mental health research, particularly in suicide prevention, and has developed programs supporting families, schools, and healthcare systems. Passionate about mental health education, she helps parents and caregivers better understand teen behavior, strengthen communication, and build emotional resilience in today’s world.
Dr. Julie Radlauer-Doerfler, LMHCDr. Julie Radlauer is a leading expert in the social influences of mental health and uses her experience to create impact within communities, systems, organizations, and individuals. She has extensive experience in behavioral health, public health, and organizational development and speaks internationally, is a TEDx speaker, and a published best-selling author.
Websites:
https://collectivelyus.org/
https://julieradlauer.com/
Social Media Handles:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-radlauer-doerfler-drph-lmhc/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077717883180
https://www.instagram.com/collectively_us/
https://www.youtube.com/@collectively-us
Book and TEDx:
CONNECT.Book: https://www.amazon.com/CONNECT-Ways-Create-Happiness-Your/dp/B0CGM51W8Q
TEDx: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v9nJlVvKFs
Romi WallachRomi Wallach began working in Financial Services in 2017. In early 2022 she joined NOW CFO as a Business Development Representative in the South Florida market. Romi’s background working with business owners and decision makers has allowed her to expand and provide even more resources and support to the large community of business owners and professionals that she has served over the years. In November of 2023 she became the Director of Business Development for ISA – an organization that provides innovative solutions to business owners looking to grow and scale their business by leveraging remote Global Talent.
In 2021, she Co-founded The Daily Drip, a media platform providing content, resources, programming, and community to support South Florida businesswomen on their journey to maximum potential. The Daily Drip is a thought leadership platform amplifying the voices of the modern female business professional. From Palm Beach to South Beach, they are now a community of 4,000 and growing!
Romi serves as a member of the Joe DiMaggio Planned Giving committee, a Board Member for Piper’s Angels Foundation, a 3 x Crossing Crusader in the Crossing for CF, Mentor for the Crossing for CF, Core Committee Member for the Crossing for CF, member of Women Know Y, Club 211 Broward Lifetime member, Circle of Wise Women and Co-President for IBDPros..
Melia Arnett-Archie, Esq. I am Melia Arnett-Archie, a proud mother of two beautiful girls, Hannah, 19, and Aliza, 5. Alongside my roles as a wife and mother, I am also a passionate entrepreneur dedicated to empowering creative minds in the digital age.
Through my journey as the founder of the Modern Creators Law Firm and VoiceBox Podcast & Creators Studio, I’ve discovered the power of combining legal expertise with creative expression.
At the Modern Creators Law Firm, I offer personalized legal strategies tailored to the unique needs of creative entrepreneurs, content creators, and influencers. From business formation to intellectual property protection, I ensure that my clients are equipped with the tools they need to succeed in today’s ever-evolving landscape.
VoiceBox Podcast & Creators Studio, shapes brand identities through compelling digital media content creation and comprehensive podcast production services. Our tagline, “Our Box. Your Voice,” embodies our commitment to handling the intricate aspects of content creation, allowing creatives and business owners to focus on what they do best: expressing their unique voice and vision. From crafting engaging podcasts to producing dynamic digital media content, we provide the tools and expertise needed to effectively communicate with your audience and elevate your brand presence.
Additionally, as the Co-Founder of B. Her Collective, LLC, I passionately work to arm Women of Color with the connections, practical tools, and educational enrichment necessary to ‘Change what they cannot accept.’ We are blowing up the status quo, activating genius, and crafting opportunities to ensure Women of Color can confidently seize opportunities and build success in every phase of their careers and entrepreneurial journeys.
As both a mother and an entrepreneur, I am committed to building a brighter future for my family and for all those I serve.
Nicholas SproulComing from a broken home and being orphaned as a teenager myself, I could see what a difference Children’s Harbor and Brown’s Harbor was making in the lives of these kids. From working my first Guardian Ad Litem case and being assigned to a set of siblings that was placed at Children’s Harbor, I could tell this facility was here to do something most group homes don’t have the ability to do and that’s to keep these kids together when they can only lean on each other. I’m truly honored to be able to serve on this board because it’s a cause that is dear to me and I believe it can make a huge impact.
Karen RossWhat is happening at Children’s Harbor is so much bigger than me; serving among some of the most compassionate board of directors in the community is just one way to change the lives of our youth who’ve been impacted by trauma.
Ariadna AlvarezIt is an honor to join an organization committed to improving the lives of children and teens in foster care by offering them a safe environment, stability, and tools that will help them get ahead. An investment in the residents of Children’s Harbor is an investment in the future of our community.
Brenda D. FormanChildren’s Harbor is a beacon of hope for kids who have endured the unfortunate experience of family-related trauma. It’s an opportunity to give them a safe place to call home, as well as the guidance they often need to make sense of life as young adults.
Clara Acero SmithGrowing up in a single-parent household, I can relate to needing guidance and yearning for stability. Children’s Harbor provides that safe place for youth in our community struggling to find a home and is unique as it keeps siblings together. I am honored to be part of a heart-led, impactful organization.
Marleen ApplebaumEach child should have a place to call home – a safe place where they are loved, nurtured, and taught skills to help them succeed in life. For many, Children’s Harbor is that place. I’m honored to part of this incredible organization whose professionals give of themselves every single day and every single hour to help children heal.
Stephanie ParkerChildren’s Harbor is unique in so, so many ways, but most importantly in how the leadership team, dedicated professionals and onsite team members manage to create a home and also a family for young people who may have never experienced that before. I’ve never seen anything like it and I am humbled by the youth, and the team, every single day.
Martin J. Alexander, Esq.I believe that the most important part of our mission at Children’s Harbor is providing a place where there is love. I am most proud of the fact that we not only provide services but we do it in a way that lets our kids know and their families know that we truly care about each and every one of them.
