In this heartfelt sendoff episode, Kris sits down with her very first hire, Camille St. Martin, for a deeply meaningful conversation about the postpartum experience, nervous system regulation, and the importance of truly seeing and supporting new moms. Camille, now a mother of two and the founder of Ritual Movement Mama, shares how her own experience of isolation and identity loss after childbirth sparked a mission to help mothers reconnect with their bodies, their breath, and their inner wisdom, one slow movement at a time.

Together, Kris and Camille explore what it means to return to yourself after birth, how child care leaders can support the full family system, and why "happier mamas" really do lead to "happier babies." This episode also marks a full-circle moment and a big transition — Kris's final episode as host of Child Care Rockstar Radio before passing the mic to new host and CEO of the Child Care Success Company, Jennifer Conner.

Key Takeaways:

[9:35] Camille talks about her experience of feeling isolated and disconnected after her children were born, and her desire to create a community of support for new moms.

[10:14] Ritual Movement Mama is aimed at helping new moms feel at home in their bodies and regulate their nervous systems.

[15:14] Camille shares her personal journey of quitting drinking and the coping skills she developed, which inspired her to help other new moms.

[17:43] Camille speaks candidly about postpartum depression screenings, the cultural default to medication, and the urgent need for alternative, holistic support.

[23:04] Instead of a rigid routine, Camille now teaches a "wheel of anchors," small, accessible practices like breathwork, movement, and prayer that help moms feel grounded again.

[25:27] Camille's personal life and projects.

[27:05] Fun fact! Camille INDEED was a professional hula hoop performer!

[31:26] Her new virtual program offers guided journaling, somatic movement, and imagery-based integration for women navigating identity shifts in early motherhood.
[34:58] Camille reminds child care leaders that they may be one of the first outside interactions for postpartum moms, and that those early moments imprint deeply.

[35:50] Kris reflects on her own child care experiences as a new mom, emphasizing the power of environments that support both the baby and the mother.

Quotes:

"Moms right now are so isolated, and there is not a lot of support, and there isn't a lot of support around healing as far as stepping into motherhood and transitioning into motherhood and learning how to cope and how to regulate our nervous systems and how to move into motherhood gracefully." — Camille [10:04]

"Lots of times we have the biggest shift of our lives and everything rearranges on the inside, our whole nervous system has been rearranged, and everyone just expects us to bounce back and go back to normal, and there's just not even a witnessing or a holding or a ceremony." — Camille [11:29]

"I would say it's kind of a real honoring and reverence for the transition into motherhood through movement and other integration processes." — Camille [31:18]

"Regulated mothers equal regulated children and happier families." — Camille [33:18]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Ritual Movement Mama | IG

Miracle Morning

Are you ready to grow stronger as a leader and show up bigger for your center? This week, Kris sits down with Cynthia Maher, owner and founder of Bedford Child Development Center in Michigan, and a proud finalist in the 2025 Child Care Rockstar Contest. Cynthia shares what it felt like to be on that big stage, the personal breakthroughs she experienced, and the mindset shifts that are helping her move forward with more clarity and confidence than ever before.

With over 20 years in the field, Cynthia opens up about her team culture, marketing strategies, and why her center's motto, "treat others as you want to be treated", is more than just words on a wall.

Key Takeaways:

[3:14] A big podcast announcement!

[8:04] Cynthia shares how she's using discounts and community awareness to drive enrollment at Bedford Child Development Center.

[9:21] She's been in the field her whole adult life and has owned her center for over 20 years.

[10:10] Cynthia lights up when she talks about watching children grow and hit those magical "lightbulb" moments.

[12:49] For her, this work is more than a job — it's a calling and a ministry.

[13:44] Cynthia reflects on how much she's grown as a leader, especially in shifting her mindset around business ownership.

[15:13] She gives a peek into her personal life, from her supportive husband to the joys of being a grandmother.

[18:21] Cynthia breaks down the community partnerships that are helping her center thrive, like working with the local library and schools.

[23:24] Her leadership style centers on treating staff like family and making sure every team member feels supported and properly trained.

[24:34] Building a strong, connected team culture has always been a top priority at Bedford.

[26:06] Cynthia walks through how her admin team is structured to help things run smoothly and support both teachers and families.

[27:53] She talks about what it was like to be a finalist in the Rockstar Contest, and how it helped her step more fully into her power.

[31:20] Her "why" keeps her going: helping kids, building a legacy, and showing her team what's possible.

[33:12] Cynthia encourages other leaders to take the leap, invest in themselves, and keep learning, no matter what stage they're in.

Quotes:

"The development and watching children grow and flourish and getting those aha moments with the light bulb has always been like something that just drives me." — Cynthia [10:10]

"It has always been my ministry to be with children and to work with the children." — Cynthia [12:49]

"Our motto has always been to treat others as you would want to be treated." — Cynthia [23:24]

"Just building that sense of teamwork and a culture that inspires excellence has always been what we have been focusing on." — Cynthia [24:34]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Bedford Child Development Center

Cynthia Maher LinkedIn

The 77 Best Strategies to Grow Your Early Childhood Program

Kyleigh Tolman and Keaton Ross are the powerhouse sister duo behind Klever Kidz Academy in rural Southeast Oklahoma. With three centers and over 300 children served, Kyleigh and Keaton have built something deeply rooted in family, community, and intentional leadership.

During their chat with Kris, they share how they've infused fun, core values, and heart into their culture, from heart-shaped tattoos with their leadership team to parent survival kits and walkout-proof staff meetings. They also open up about enrollment challenges in rural areas, personal development routines, and how finding the right community has shaped their success. This episode is a playbook in purpose-driven leadership and the impact of building a strong internal culture in early education.

Key Takeaways:

[4:48] Kyleigh started Klever Kidz Academy in 2011, and Keaton joined in 2023; together, they now lead three centers serving over 290 children.

[6:32] As co-owners and sisters, they divide responsibilities based on strengths and have found a rhythm that balances business and family.

[8:32] Kyleigh shares the origin of the Klever Kidz name and her early passion for creating a safe, loving environment for children.

[11:10] The sisters share personal insights about their families and the importance of maintaining a supportive work-life balance.

[11:52] The leadership team bonded so deeply they got matching heart-shaped tattoos — on their left feet!

[14:02] They've built a close-knit team culture grounded in core values, with staff meetings so engaging that no one wants to leave.

[20:48] In a unique Oklahoma model, they've built contracts and partnerships that help sustain their rural enrollment.

[22:34] Their personal development practices include books like The Miracle Morning and strong morning routines to lead with intention.

[25:09] Facing inflation, low birth rates, and local competition, they've used strategic enrollment tools like waived fees and parent survival kits.

[29:11] They prioritize building strong relationships with licensing reps and being visible in their communities.

[31:11] Their marketing strategy includes going back to basics and focusing on human connection and word-of-mouth.

[32:30] The Parent Survival Kit is a small but thoughtful gift for new families that makes a lasting impression.

[35:07] Their biggest advice: build a trusting, collaborative relationship with your licensing rep. It pays off long-term.

Quotes:

"Heart-shaped tattoos because we lead with heart." — Kylie [12:21]

"We always try to make sure we have the right people in the right seats." — Kylie [13:49]

"I'd say we are really a close-knit leadership team. We're like a family, and then we are intentional about that, and that's one of our core values as well. And we're always incorporating our core values and making sure our leadership team is instilling those core values into our staff." — Kylie [14:16]

"We are their family. We are that connection they're looking for." — Kylie [20:17]

"Align yourself with the right people and then implement as fast as you can without burning out. It's a hard one, but it is possible." — Kris [38:49]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Hal Elrod — The Miracle Morning

Klever Kidz Academy