In this episode, Ericka interviews three remarkable women who share their journeys through motherhood, personal hardships, and faith. They discuss the courage to make difficult decisions, and the importance of showing up for themselves and their children.

More about Felicia Martin:

Felicia is the President & Executive Director of the Texas Freedom Network (TFN), and Prior to TFN, Felicia served as the Regional Director of Academic Programs in Texas for The Jed Foundation (JED). Felicia also previously helped build EMERGE, a Houston-based college success nonprofit, into a nationally recognized organization. Over her 8 years with the organization, she was instrumental in launching and leading EMERGE’s first College Success team, designing support systems for historically marginalized students attending selective colleges. Her work helped EMERGE earn the 2022 NACAC Inclusion, Access, and Student Success Award. She is a 2023 Latinos for Education Board Fellow, and is currently a Board Member for Connect Community. Felicia holds a B.A. in Sociology from Rice University and a master’s degree in Organizational Development from St. Edward’s University.

Find Felicia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/feliciamartin/

Learn more about Texas Freedom Network (TFN): https://tfn.org/staff/

Follow Texas Freedom Network on IG: https://www.instagram.com/txfreedomnetwork/?hl=en

More about Janicca Garcia:

Janicca Garcia is the Co-Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of External Affairs at EMERGE, a Houston-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering high-achieving students from underserved communities to attend and graduate from the nation’s top colleges and universities. A first-generation college graduate, Janicca brings a deep, personal commitment to equity and access in education. Her career spans nonprofit management, healthcare, and higher education, with a strong track record of leading strategic initiatives in branding, fundraising, and community partnerships. Outside of work, Janicca is a proud mom of three beautiful humans—who inspire her daily. She’s also a dedicated fitness enthusiast who finds strength, clarity, and joy through weightlifting and wellness. Whether she’s in the gym or spending quality time with her kids, Janicca is passionate about modeling resilience for both her family and the communities she serves.

Follow Janicca on IG: https://www.instagram.com/mrshealthyfitceo?igsh=MW02N3JmOWx5Z3RoMw

Find Janicca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janiccastephens/

More about Jenny Noonan:

Jenny is a homeschooling mom to three amazing kids and she follows a “Charlotte Mason-inspired approach” to learning. That means her days are filled with rich literature, nature exploration, meaningful conversations, and plenty of curiosity-led discovery. Her favorite part of homeschooling is simply being with her kids—watching their eyes light up when they learn something new or master a challenge. Of course, not every moment is Pinterest-perfect. Some days she has deep debates about whether math is really necessary—but she wouldn’t trade the life she has built for anything. She believes in creating a home where learning feels alive, relationships come first, and each child is seen for who they truly are. She also is a coach and consultant for anyone looking to root deep into their values and live them daily.

Follow Jenny on IG: https://www.instagram.com/j.noonan_consulting/

Find Jenny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-noonan-952547233/

Rick Renner's November 2025 Teaching Letter