Podcasts about fasd

As a hidden brain injury, FASD can manifest in ways that often lead to challenging behaviors, which can feel overwhelming for caregivers relying on traditional parenting strategies. Making it even more difficult is knowing where to get an accurate diagnosis and help. Barb Clark is the Founder and CEO of FASD Mosaic where she provides coaching, training, and consulting on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), trauma, neurodivergence, and challenging behaviors. Barb is the author of a fabulous book, "Raising Kids and Teens with FASD: Advice and Strategies to Help Your Family to Thrive!" She also serves as the head coach for the international FASD Caregiver Kickstart program. Barb can be contacted at FASD Mosaic. The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at Dose of Reality: Opioids in Wisconsin. More information about the federal response to the ongoing opiate crisis can be found at One Pill Can Kill. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host or Westwords Consulting. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!

Guest: Lebogang Mashigo | Senior Programmes Manager at AWARE.org Africa Melane speaks to Lebogang Mashigo, Senior Programmes Manager at AWARE.org, about new national research showing that alcohol use during pregnancy remains widely normalised in South Africa. The discussion explores major gaps between awareness and understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and how poverty, misinformation and social pressure continue to drive risk. Early Breakfast with Africa Melane is 702’s and CapeTalk’s early morning talk show. Experienced broadcaster Africa Melane brings you the early morning news, sports, business, and interviews politicians and analysts to help make sense of the world. He also enjoys chatting to guests in the lifestyle sphere and the Arts. All the interviews are podcasted for you to catch-up and listen.Thank you for listening to this podcast from Early Breakfast with Africa Melane For more about the show click https://buff.ly/XHry7eQ and find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/XJ10LBUListen live on weekdays between 04:00 and 06:00 (SA Time) to the Early Breakfast with Africa Melane broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3NSubscribe to the 702 and CapeTalk daily and weekly newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetcFollow us on social media:702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalkCapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalkCapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalkCapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” -Psalm 143:8   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode, host Sandra Flach continues her FASD Q & A by answering three questions she is frequently asked:  Is getting an FASD diagnosis important? What about medication? What therapies help with FASD?   Listen in as Sandra unpacks these questions from her personal experience raising two young adult sons with diagnosed Fetal Alcohol Syndrome as well as from her professional experience as a national FASD trainer.   Find Episode 535 wherever you get your podcasts.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: See Available Trainings The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

Relebogile Mabotja speaks to Dr Leana Olivier who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation of Alcohol-Related Research (FARR) and Mokebe Thulo who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aware.org about the realities of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in South Africa and how families, healthcare professionals, educators, and communities can work together to support healthier pregnancies and give every child the best possible start in life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) affect up to 1 in 20 people and is particularly prevalent among young people in the adoption and fostering system. As a hidden brain injury, FASDs can manifest in ways that often lead to challenging behaviors, which makes diagnosis and intervention challenging. Mollie O'Brien, the Executive Director of Proof Alliance in St. Paul, Minnesota, discusses FASDs and how, through community, collaboration, and education, they work to create lasting change and improve outcomes for those impacted by an FASD. Proof Alliance can be contacted at Proof Alliance. The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at Dose of Reality: Opioids in Wisconsin. More information about the federal response to the ongoing opiate crisis can be found at One Pill Can Kill. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host or Westwords Consulting. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!

Hello and welcome to this episode, it's action packed and we reunite after Scott's many travels! We start with a consideration about the recent FASD Ireland conference and the radio documentary that Scott commissioned in Ireland. It's well worth a listen and you can do that here.  Al has been talking to practitioners working with families living with challenging and violent behaviour over the last few weeks and we unpack why there's low confidence in the workforce and nervousness around how to support and help.  As always if you've experience of adoption, fostering or special guardianship from any perspective personal or professional and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook page, BlueSky or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com Listen/subscribe on iTunes here Spotify here

Please join us for “Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Discussion with Jenn Wisdahl and Kristen Eriksen.”Jenn Wisdahl leads strategy and operations at FASD United, the national organization supporting people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and promoting healthy pregnancies. With FASD impacting 1 in 20 Americans, a critical part of her role involves the national legislative and policy agenda for this highly prevalent and under-recognized disability. Using a data-driven strategy that keeps people at the forefront, Jenn has supported substantial growth at FASD United, supporting the Family Navigator Program, National FASD Impact Week, and the return of the International FASD Research Conferences, which have moved from Canada to a permanent home in the United States.Kristen Eriksen serves as an FASD United Family Navigator, as well as Caregiver Navigator at MassFASD, and is a nurse with over 35 years of varied experience, including pediatric and obstetrical nursing, early intervention developmental services, with a recent focus on school nursing. Her personal history of raising twins with FASD since infancy has led to a new and different career path.After adopting infant twins in 2007, her entire life trajectory changed. Starting in 2010, she began a long, slow educational process to learn more about the challenges that the twins faced. When they were finally diagnosed with FASD at age 9, her deep dive into FASD began. She began working with MassFASD and began working as a Family Navigator at FASD United in 2022Support the show

Wenn Unterstützung wegbrichtWas passiert eigentlich, wenn genau die Hilfen gestrichen werden, die Familien mit FASD dringend brauchen? In dieser Folge spreche ich mit Nevin darüber, warum die aktuelle Sparpolitik viele Betroffene an ihre Grenzen bringt – und manchmal sogar darüber hinaus.Zwischen Engagement und ErschöpfungWir nehmen dich mit in die Arbeit des neu gegründeten Bundesverbands und zeige dir, wie viel Engagement, aber auch wie viel Unsicherheit gerade im System steckt. Wir sprechen über politische Prozesse, fehlende Strukturen und darüber, warum gerade unsichtbare Behinderungen wie FASD oft übersehen werden.Was jetzt wirklich gebraucht wirdGemeinsam schauen wir darauf, was Familien brauchen: Aufklärung, passende Diagnostik, echte Teilhabe und vor allem präventive Maßnahmen. Ich teile konkrete Beispiele aus dem Alltag, die zeigen, wie schnell Systeme versagen – aber auch, welche kleinen Unterstützungen Großes bewirken können.Am Ende geht es um eine klare Botschaft: Menschen mit FASD brauchen keine Rechtfertigung für ihre Existenz, sondern echte Unterstützung.LinksPFAD Niedersachsen - Landesverband der Pflege- und Adoptivfamilien in Niedersachsen Bundesverband FASD PAFF - Pädagogisches Aktionsbündnis für FASD Nevims Instagram Account Eigenwerbung: Link führt zu meinem kostenlosen Webinar, in dem ich auch meinen Onlinekurs vorstelle.Wenn du tiefer einsteigen möchtest:Im kostenlosen Webinar zeige ich, wie Familien und Menschen aus ihrem Umfeld den Alltag mit FASD besser verstehen und entspannter gestalten können.Kostenloses Webinar ansehen

This special documentary takes an in-depth look at FASD through the voices of experts, families, and individuals living with the condition. Produced by Clare FM's Programme Director & Head of Operations Padraic Flaherty. Email: pf@clare.fm

Leading international experts, policymakers, advocates and families affected by Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder are gathering in Ennis this week for the 2026 FASD Ireland International Conference. Hosted over three days in Hotel Woodstock, the event will explore the theme of “Justice and FASD” — examining everything from access to services and public awareness to the experiences of people with FASD within social and justice systems. Alan Morrissey was joined by Tristan Casson-Rennie to discuss the conference, the growing conversation around FASD in Ireland, and the importance of awareness, prevention and support. Image © Clare FM

Africa Melane speaks to Mokebe Thulo, CEO of AWARE.org, about why Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder continues to affect children across South Africa despite being entirely preventable, and what gaps in healthcare, awareness and social support still need to be addressed. Early Breakfast with Africa Melane is 702’s and CapeTalk’s early morning talk show. Experienced broadcaster Africa Melane brings you the early morning news, sports, business, and interviews politicians and analysts to help make sense of the world. He also enjoys chatting to guests in the lifestyle sphere and the Arts. All the interviews are podcasted for you to catch-up and listen. Thank you for listening to this podcast from Early Breakfast with Africa Melane For more about the show click https://buff.ly/XHry7eQ and find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/XJ10LBU Listen live on weekdays between 04:00 and 06:00 (SA Time) to the Early Breakfast with Africa Melane broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3N Subscribe to the 702 and CapeTalk daily and weekly newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed.” -Psalm 107:28-29   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode, host Sandra Flach continues the foster care conversation with foster and adoptive mom and FASD expert, Dr. Ryan Jolly.   Dr. Jolly is a Kansas-based psychiatric nurse practitioner and nationally recognized advocate focused on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. As the founder of Brain First Family Center, she leads a specialized clinic dedicated to the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of FASD and related neurodevelopment conditions, with a strong commitment to Medicaid access and eliminating long waitlists for vulnerable families.    Ryan's advocacy is grounded in both clinical expertise and lived experience as a single foster and adoptive parent to children with FASD and complex brain-based disabilities. Utilizing her role as a Doctor of Nursing Practice she engages in research to advance understanding  of brain-based differences, trauma-informed systems of care, and increase recognition of FASD within child welfare and education systems. Dr. Jolly strives to reimagine systems of care to ensure all individuals are supported to thrive within families and communities rather than being misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or institutionalized.   Listen in to Sandra's conversation with Dr. Ryan Jolly on Episode 531 wherever you get your podcasts.    Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: See Available Trainings The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon FASD United Brain First Family Center

Morgens aufstehen, zur Arbeit gehen, abends über den Tag reden – klingt nach Normalität, ist bei FASD aber oft eine echte Leistung.Was Erfolg bei FASD wirklich bedeutetIn dieser Episode spreche ich darüber, warum der übliche Maßstab für Erfolg – Noten, Abschlüsse, Selbstständigkeit – für Menschen mit FASD einfach nicht passt. Das Gehirn arbeitet anders. Planung, Impulskontrolle, das Einschätzen von Situationen: All das kostet täglich mehr Energie. Deshalb zählen andere Momente – auch wenn sie niemand sieht.Einblicke aus unserem AlltagIch erzähle von unseren Zwillingen Michael und Annalina, beide 23 – und von den Momenten in ihrem Alltag, die von außen unscheinbar wirken, aber alles andere als selbstverständlich sind.Warum Feiern so schwer fällt – und warum es sich trotzdem lohntErschöpfung, ständige Vergleiche und der innere Kritiker machen es schwer, innezuhalten. Aber genau das lohnt sich. Du musst Erfolge nicht laut feiern – wahrnehmen reicht.Links:Alle Podcastfolgen: https://www.chaosimkopf.info/podPodcast abonnieren und keine Folge verpassen: Einfach in deiner Podcast-App nach „Chaos im Kopf" suchenEigenwerbung: Link führt zu meinem kostenlosen Webinar, in dem ich auch meinen Onlinekurs vorstelle.Wenn du tiefer einsteigen möchtest:Im kostenlosen Webinar zeige ich, wie Familien und Menschen aus ihrem Umfeld den Alltag mit FASD besser verstehen und entspannter gestalten können.Kostenloses Webinar ansehen

FASD - Fetale Alkoholspektrumstörungen. Jutta Neumann ist Heilpädagogin und begleitet Familie mit Pflegekindern. Anja und Christof sind Pflegeeltern und bei ihrem Pflegekind wurde FASD diagnostiziert. Jutta hat eine Selbsthilfegruppe für von FASD betroffene Angehörige ins Leben gerufen.

Stilles Stehvermögen statt Heldenmut – was Resilienz wirklich bedeutetResilienz ist ein abgenutztes Wort. Dabei beschreibt es etwas sehr Reales: das stille Stehvermögen, das viele Eltern und Begleitpersonen von Menschen mit FASD täglich zeigen. In dieser Episode schaue ich genauer hin, was dahintersteckt – und warum das, was dir gut tut, gleichzeitig deinem Kind oder Angehörigen zugutekommt.Drei Faktoren, die wirklich helfenDie Resilienzforschung zeigt drei gut belegte Faktoren, die helfen, mit dauerhafter Belastung umzugehen: Akzeptanz – nicht als Gleichgültigkeit, sondern als Klarheit über das, was du nicht verändern kannst. Soziale Bindung – weil dein Nervensystem andere Menschen braucht, gerade in einer Rolle, die oft isoliert. Und Sinnerleben – das stille Wissen, warum du das alles machst. Ich teile dazu eigene Erfahrungen mit unseren Zwillingen und erkläre, warum deine innere Stabilität direkt bei dem Menschen ankommt, für den du da bist.Deine Stabilität ist kein LuxusDas Beste, was du für einen Menschen mit FASD tun kannst, ist nicht noch mehr leisten – sondern selbst stabil bleiben. Diese Episode gibt dir einen anderen Blickwinkel auf das, was du ohnehin tust.Links zur Folge:Resilienz-Akademie: https://www.resilienz-akademie.com/Alle Episoden & Infos: https://www.chaosimkopf.info/podPodcast abonnieren: Einfach in deiner Podcast-App nach „Chaos im Kopf" suchen und abonnieren.Eigenwerbung: Link führt zu meinem kostenlosen Webinar, in dem ich auch meinen Onlinekurs vorstelle.Wenn du tiefer einsteigen möchtest:Im kostenlosen Webinar zeige ich, wie Familien und Menschen aus ihrem Umfeld den Alltag mit FASD besser verstehen und entspannter gestalten können.Kostenloses Webinar ansehen

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Question: My 2nd grader, adopted domestically, has some pretty big, hard behaviors, like tantrums, clingy whining, and difficulty cooperating or sharing. We know there was prenatal substance exposure. I feel stuck to help them with their big feelings and big behaviors — what do I do to help them day to day?Resources:5 Tips to Save Your Sanity While Raising Kids with Prenatal Substance ExposurePrenatal Exposure, Part 1: Parenting Babies Through Elementary AgesTantrums, Meltdowns, Whining, Oh My! How to Parent Challenging BehaviorsFree E-Guide: Navigating Challenging Behaviors - Practical Strategies for FamiliesSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review.  This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family building

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed during this podcast are those of the individuals participating and do not necessarily represent the official position or opinion of the SOGC. Summary: Join guest host Julia Wykes for a second conversation with Ms. Janet Christie and Dr. Nirmala Chandrasekaran as they continue their discussion on alcohol use and cessation around pregnancy, lactation, and parenting. Ms. Christie brings her lived experience from a patient and certified addiction recovery coach perspective, and Dr. Chandrasekaran brings her many years of clinical knowledge and expertise. Together, they discuss helpful strategies for healthcare providers and patients. About Dr. Nirmala Chandrasekaran:Dr. Chandrasekaran is a Maternal–Fetal Medicine specialist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto. She is a Staff Perinatologist at St. Michael's Hospital, where she serves as Lead for Obstetrical Ultrasound, Lead for Obstetrics Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, and MFM Lead for the Perinatal Addictions Clinic. She holds multiple fellowships from the Royal Colleges in the UK and Canada and has received international distinctions. Her clinical and research interests include high-risk pregnancy, obstetric ultrasound, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, perinatal addictions, patient safety, and quality improvement.  About Janet Christie: Janet is a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach, speaker, and facilitator with over 30 years of personal recovery from multiple addictions. She helps women heal from the pain and stigma of addiction by challenging stereotypes and shifting societal paradigms. Janet has been instrumental in developing the FASD Key Worker Program in BC and the Moms Mentoring Moms initiative, supporting women in recovery and families affected by FASD. Her story has been widely published as an inspiring example of resilience and hope.

Are you a grandparent raising grandchildren while trying to balance compassion with structure in your home? Do you find yourself reverting to “because I said so” parenting, only to meet resistance, trauma triggers, or confusion from the children in your care? Are you yearning for practical guidance, emotional support, and a framework to help you navigate this unexpectedly challenging season of life?I'm Laura Brazan, and like you, I was thrust overnight into the world of kinship caregiving for my grandchildren, suddenly responsible for guiding young hearts through adversity. In this episode, join me as I welcome Dr. Lindsay Emerson, a leading expert in trauma-informed parenting, to unveil the 5C's Framework—an evidence-based approach blending warmth, boundaries, and repair that works for both traditional and modern families. Together, we dissect how to communicate, remain consistent, offer choices, set consequences, and check in with yourself—all essential skills for “amazing parenting." To find out more about, please Send us Fan MailIf you are raising grandchildren who are neurodivergent—or navigating the complexities of an FASD diagnosis—you know that traditional parenting advice often falls short. You aren't just looking for tips; you're looking for a strategy.That's why I want to invite you to a special, FREE conference designed specifically for families like ours.https://www.grandparents-raising-grandchildren.org/ If you had an extra hour of 'found time' tomorrow morning—time that belonged only to you—what is the one thing you'd do that you haven't done in months?Seriously—hit pause, or wait until you're parked, and email me at laurabrazan@grandparents-raising-grandchildren.org. I'm collecting these stories to make sure this book solves the real-world burnout we're all feeling. In this special pre-roll segment, I'm sharing a moving letter from a member of our community, Laurel. Her story of loss, resilience, and raising her grandson after the unthinkable is a raw reminder that none of us are walking this path alone.We want to hear from you. If Laurel's story resonates with you, or if you have a journey of your own to share, join our private community. Your story might be the exact lifeline someone else needs to hear today. Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grgLiked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!CONNECT WITH US: Website | Facebook 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed during this podcast are those of the individuals participating and do not necessarily represent the official position or opinion of the SOGC. Summary: Join guest host Julia Wykes, public education liaison at the SOGC, as she speaks with Dr. Nirmala Chandrasekaran and Ms. Janet Christie about the new SOGC guideline on alcohol use and cessation in pregnancy. The combination of personal, lived experience, with practical advice for both patients and healthcare providers, creates an emotional and memorable conversation. About Dr. Nirmala Chandrasekaran:Dr. Chandrasekaran is a Maternal–Fetal Medicine specialist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto. She is a Staff Perinatologist at St. Michael's Hospital, where she serves as Lead for Obstetrical Ultrasound, Lead for Obstetrics Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, and MFM Lead for the Perinatal Addictions Clinic. She holds multiple fellowships from the Royal Colleges in the UK and Canada and has received international distinctions. Her clinical and research interests include high-risk pregnancy, obstetric ultrasound, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, perinatal addictions, patient safety, and quality improvement.  About Janet Christie: Janet is a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach, speaker, and facilitator with over 30 years of personal recovery from multiple addictions. She helps women heal from the pain and stigma of addiction by challenging stereotypes and shifting societal paradigms. Janet has been instrumental in developing the FASD Key Worker Program in BC and the Moms Mentoring Moms initiative, supporting women in recovery and families affected by FASD. Her story has been widely published as an inspiring example of resilience and hope.  

“We will rejoice in our affliction, because affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” -Romans 5:3   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode, host Sandra Flach talks with Johanna Jones. Johanna has worked in the field of disability for over twenty years, serving as a post secondary educator and within the nonprofit sector. Recently, Johanna authored the book, “Inclusion: Building a Framework for Disability,” which is welcoming space that fosters connection and growth and builds upon established research, historical references, and biblical text. The book identifies inclusion as a framework for disability, using the Gospel of Luke, where faith, affliction and disability intersect.   Johanna received her doctorate from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, where she completed a mixed methods study that explored factors that impact special needs programming. Johanna's outreach and public service experience includes working as an FASD United Affiliate, presenting information on FASD in the community, as well as within education settings. She's a speaker with nonprofit organizations, schools, foster care workshops, and conferences in Alabama and throughout the US. Additionally, Johanna was awarded the FASD Proclamation by the Governor of Alabama and moderates the FASD Alabama Facebook page which is a clearing house of information on FASD research.   Find Sandra's conversation with Johanna Jones on Episode 527 wherever you get your podcasts.    Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon ReNew Retreat in NC

In this episode, we unpack the surprising reasons why some children experience the world more intensely than others, and why their big emotions are rarely about what they seem to be about. You’ll discover a reframe that just might change the way you see your child’s most challenging moments, including a simple but powerful analogy that explains why your child can hold it together all day and then completely fall apart the moment they walk through your door. If you’ve ever felt frustrated, confused, or just desperate to understand what’s really going on beneath the surface of your child’s behavior, this episode offers the compassionate insight and practical perspective you’ve been looking for. Key Takeaways: Anxiety often hides behind anger. Connection calms a stressed nervous system. Small triggers carry big invisible weight Compassion begins with understanding the “why” Mentioned in this Podcast: Sensitive & Intense Online Course The Table Monthly Giving Program Rocks in the Backpack Video Rocks in the Backpack PDF Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We'd love to have you take a seat at The Table! Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! Guest Bio: Lynne Jackson is one of the Co-Founders of Connected Families. As a parent coach and mom of three intense kids herself, Lynne has walked alongside hundreds of parents, encouraging and bringing hope. She is also a research enthusiast and loves leaning into brain science to equip parents and caregivers better. Most importantly, as a follower of Christ, she brings biblical wisdom, abundant grace, and a “no shame” policy. Lydia Rex is a registered nurse, wife, and mother of two, and has worked with families in many capacities throughout her career and personal life. She's been a student of Connected Families since 2014 and continues to find it incredibly life-giving for her own family. Areas of her experience/special interest include foster care and adoption, attachment difficulties, developmental and learning disabilities, including FASD. She brings a trauma-informed perspective to the Connected Families Framework and the desire to see families find peace and healing even in the midst of challenges! You’ve seen what the Connected Families Framework can do. What if you could bring that to other families? Join us on May 6 at 12:30 pm CTS for a free one-hour informational webinar on becoming a CF Certified Parent Coach. No pressure. Just real information to help you take your next step. Reserve your spot today! Can’t make it live? A recording will be available through May 14. © 2026 Connected Families .stk-cf6a95f {margin-bottom:39px !important;}.stk-cf6a95f-container{background-color:#e2f4f8 !important;}.stk-cf6a95f-container:before{background-color:#e2f4f8 !important;}.stk-cf6a95f-container:hover{box-shadow:0px 2px 20px #99999933 !important;}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-cf6a95f .stk-block-card__image{width:100% !important;height:250px !important;}} Do you have a child with BIG feelings and BIG needs? The Sensitive & Intense Kids online course is a game changer. It’s for YOU. .stk-7a41d3e .stk-button-group{flex-direction:row !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-7a41d3e .stk-button-group{flex-direction:row !important;}}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-7a41d3e .stk-button-group{flex-direction:row !important;}} .stk-4080859 .stk-button{background:var(--theme-palette-color-1, #ee6c4d) !important;}.stk-4080859 .stk-button:hover:after{background:var(--theme-palette-color-2, #98c1d9) !important;opacity:1 !important;}.stk-4080859 .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:21px !important;font-weight:600 !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-4080859 .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:21px !important;}}LEARN MORE

“Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” -1 Thessalonians 5:11   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode, host Sandra Flach shares four commonly asked questions about raising children with FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). Listen in as she unpacks: Eating issues Navigating church  Helping teens/young adults with employment How can parents survive each day Find FASD Q & A on Episode 526 wherever you get your podcasts.    Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: FASD Fact Sheet for Educators FASD Face Sheet for Employers The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon ReNew Retreat in NC

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Helping young adults in foster or kinship care transition toward adulthood can feel overwhelming for foster parents and relative caregivers. Join us today for a conversation with Vernell Gore of Youth Villages and Nick Sgarlata of Bridge to Brighter, for practical ways to prepare and equip your foster or kin youth for adulthood.In this episode, we discuss:What makes this stage of life uniquely challenging for youth in foster or kinship care compared to their peers?What does a successful transition to adulthood actually look like?What are some common misconceptions that caregivers or professionals have about youth who are nearing adulthood?When you think about a young person leaving care and thriving in adulthood, what key elements need to be in place?Why might a young person leaving foster care or relative care at the same time they are leaving high school feel the weight of this uncertainty more than their peers? How and where can foster parents or kin carers help youth explore different career paths and possibilities?What are some practical ways they can research those options and make informed decisions?What types of programs or pathways will help youth develop skills, discipline, or career direction?What are the most important money skills young people need before they leave care?What are some simple ways to start teaching these skills while the youth are still at home?What are some everyday adult responsibilities that youth may struggle with? What are some of the benefits of mentors for a young person transitioning out of foster care? How can they begin finding mentors or supportive role models?Beyond practical skills, what character traits or skills do young people need to develop to succeed in adulthood?Many youth in foster care or living with a grandparent or relative are carrying trauma from earlier experiences. How important are healing and identity development in preparing them for adulthood?How might a foster parent or relative caregiver support their young person toward healing?What are a few common mistakes adults make when trying to prepare youth for adulthood?What practical steps can foster or kinship carers start today to prepare their youth for adulthood? Resources:Raising Kids with Neurodiversity (ADHD)Maintaining a Healthy Perspective When Parenting Tweens & TeensPrenatal Exposure, Part 2: Parenting Tweens and TeensSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review.  This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family building

Hello and welcome to the second podcast from our Canada road trip. In this episode we reflect on a few of the conversations we had with the team from Interwoven Connections. They support families formed though adoption, fostering, kinship and customary care and have a huge knowledge base around FASD and CPV (AFCCA). We were given much to think of and we unpack it as well as being a little giddy at being in the same room for the 8th day in a row!  You can listen to Tanya Dugay's interview from my Churchill Fellowship here.  As always, if you've experience of adoption, fostering or special guardianship from any perspective personal or professional and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook page, BlueSky or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com   Listen/subscribe on iTunes here Spotify here

“But now, O LORD, you are our Father; We are the clay, and you are our potter; We are all the work of your hand.” -Isaiah 64:8   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with Krista LaRock. Kristen and her husband have been married for 30 years and have adopted 14 children including sibling groups. Eight of their children live with FASD—Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. This led to Kristen to raise dogs to support her children and other individuals. Two years ago she founded FASDogs—a service dog organization to support individuals with developmental disabilities including FASD.   Listen in as Krista shares about her family's adoption journey and how they navigate the challenges of FASD on Episode 524 wherever you get your podcasts.    Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: Krista LaRocque on Facebook Krista LaRocque on Instagram FASDogs.com The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon ReNew Retreat in NC

New figures from FASD Ireland reveal that 57% of children referred in the first three months of 2026 showed evidence of prenatal alcohol exposure, highlighting serious concerns about undiagnosed Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and the urgent need for improved awareness, diagnosis and support services across Ireland. Joining Alan Morrissey to discuss this on Monday's Morning Focus was Tristan Casson-Rennie, Chief Executive Officer, FASD Ireland. Photo (c) FASD

Hello and welcome to the AandF podcast.  In this recording adoptive parent and founder of FASD Ireland shares his family's story and unpacks the realities, challenges and some of the solutions to parenting a child with FASD This is a different kind of episode, in January Tris Casson Rennie joined one one the peer support group sessions that I host with Walking with Families. We are a community of adoptive parents who are living with challenging behaviour and Tris is an adoptive parent and the founder of FASD Ireland. In this session he was able to unpack Feotal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - FASD- with us and help us make sense of behaviour and what can help with that. He gives a pocket sized training then answers some of the questions from the community.  You can find out more of the work that Tris and his husband Scott do here FASD Ireland.  If you're an adoptive parent and would like to join the community. Below is the  link to the joining form, we meet weekly online on Monday lunchtimes as well as during the month in the evenings.  https://forms.office.com/e/drdn16BLZ2 We also have a FB group that will be part of the community and you can join that here.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1620682492650215/ As always if you've experience of adoption, fostering or special guardianship from any perspective personal or professional and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook page, BlueSky or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com Listen/subscribe on iTunes here Spotify here

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Are you raising a child with known prenatal exposure to alcohol? Does your child have a diagnosis for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder? Listen to this conversation with Barb Clark, Founder and CEO of FASD Mosaic. She offers coaching, training, and consulting on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), trauma, neurodivergence, and challenging behaviors, and is the author of Raising Kids and Teens with FASD: Advice and Strategies to Help Your Family to Thrive!In this episode, we discuss:In your experience, what do caregivers most misunderstand about FASD at first?”How does prenatal alcohol exposure impact brain development?What is the difference between FAS and FASD?Do the timing, frequency, and amount of alcohol all matter in the outcomes experienced by the child? Are there other factors at play?Why is FASD still so often missed or misunderstood?Primary neurological impacts on a child who has FASDSecondary behaviors – which, when viewed through that brain-based lens, are adaptive responses that help them process and cope with their environmentWhat are a few practical strategies parents and caregivers can implement to help them reframe how they support their child with FASD?Tantrums or raging as an example of challenging behaviors – how it may look differently across these ages and developmental levelsWhat are a few of the typical strengths seen in individuals with FASD?Why do these strengths often emerge inconsistently?How our home environment and culture set a child with FASD up for successCan you offer practical suggestions for how parents or caregivers would implement a strengths-based approach to raising a child with FASD?Practical strategies that parents and caregivers can implement right away when raising their child with FASDHow do you recommend a parent or caregiver handle the process of repair and reconnection with a child with FASD? What should parents and caregivers consider in planning for the future?Prioritizing self-care and reframing it as interdependence and community care.Resources:Prenatal Substance Exposure Workshops for ParentsPrenatal Substance Exposure resource pageFASD MosaicSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” -Proverbs 17:22   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with Dr. Jerrod Brown about Lego-based interventions and therapy for neurodivergent individuals, including those with FASD, autism, and ADHD. Dr. Brown explains the benefits of using Lego bricks as a therapeutic tool, highlighting their ability to improve cognitive abilities, reduce screen time, and foster social skills. He shares practical tips for implementing Lego-based activities and emphasized the importance of celebrating successes and teaching patience.   Listen to Sandra's conversation with Dr. Brown on Episode 521 wherever you get your podcasts.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: jerrod01234brown@live.com The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon Mobilize Ohio ReNew Retreat in NC

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” -Isaiah 43:19   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with adoptive mom, Kristin Hall. Kristin graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Communications and a Master's degree in Public Administration, focusing on nonprofit administration. After school, she got married and started her career as a Program Facilitator for SERVE, an emergency assistance agency, and later worked at the corporate offices of Prison Fellowship Ministries in a similar role.    Kristin stepped away from the workforce in 2003 after adopting her first two children, dedicating herself to family life while also taking on leadership roles in her church. She is also a member of the Hope for the FASD Journey online support community.   Listen to Sandra's encouraging conversation with Kristin Hall on Episode 520 wherever you get your podcasts.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon Mobilize Ohio ReNew Retreat in NC

Carrie McCarter is a speech-language pathologist with a master's degree who has spent her career working in the birth-to-three world of early intervention. However, when it came to raising her own twins with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), she found that her professional training wasn't enough to navigate the intense dysregulation and sensory challenges at home.In this episode, Carrie opens up about the "professional paradox" of being an expert in child development while feeling like a failure as a parent. She shares the turning point that occurred when she stopped trying to "fix" behaviors and started understanding the unique architecture of the FASD brain.Key Takeaways from the ConversationThe Struggle for Diagnosis: Carrie discusses the two-and-a-half-year journey to secure an FASD diagnosis, which finally came when her twins were 10.5 years old.The 10 Brain Domains: Discover how learning about the brain domains was "gut-wrenching yet freeing," allowing Carrie to move from guilt to effective accommodation.Professional vs. Parent: Carrie explains why her twins would "shut down" at school while displaying acting-out behaviors at home, and why traditional parenting techniques often fail these children.The Power of Yet: A look at how Carrie manages the transition into adulthood and why she remains hopeful about the brain's ability to grow and learn well into the 20s and beyond.Self-Care for the Solo Parent: How Carrie utilizes respite services, online grocery shopping, and "breathing breaks" to stay regulated as a single mother.Resources and LinksFree FASD Workshop Registration Join our upcoming free workshops this February to learn a new brain-body approach to managing aggression and building stability. Register Here: https://www.fasdsuccess.com/fasd-workshop-2026Connect with Carrie McCarter Carrie is a passionate educator and speaker available for training and advocacy sessions. Email: carriemccarterfasd@gmail.com Watch on YouTube See the full video version of this interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7UJh3m9ZAAThe FASD Success Show Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to never miss an episode.The biggest free training for families is back. We start with a new brain-body approach to aggression that stops the blame. Then, we tackle Advocacy in Action—giving you the tools to talk to professionals and teachers who just don't get this hidden disability. Finally, we build your blueprint for long-term stability and support.Register: https://www.fasdsuccess.com/fasd-workshop-2026Support the show

This episode is a special collaboration between Beyond 6 Seconds and the Living with FASD podcast hosted by Patti Kasper. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are lifelong conditions caused by prenatal alcohol exposure that can impact physical, cognitive, and behavioral development. FASD is a type of neurodivergence, but it's often left out of conversations about neurodivergence. This episode is part of a series that Patti is doing on her podcast to help bring FASD into those conversations. We discuss what communication differences can feel like for people with certain types of neurodivergence, such as FASD, autism (including apraxia in non-speaking autism), ADHD, and schizophrenia. We also explore why communication challenges can happen, and how friends and loved ones can help provide understanding and support. A quick caveat: This conversation is not medical or diagnostic advice, and it does not speak for every neurodivergent person. Instead, Patti and I are sharing our own experiences and some insights from the people we've interviewed on our podcasts. You can find Living with FASD podcast on Apple, Audible, Patreon, Pocket Casts, Rumble and YouTube, and connect with Patti at dot.cards/yourfasdcoach. Do the things we mention in this episode match your experience as a neurodivergent person? Do you have other experiences? Let me know what you think!  Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” -Matthew 17:20   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with Derek Warren. Derek is a husband, father, and professional chef with over 20 years of experience in the kitchen. Alongside his wife, he and their family have walked the adoption and foster care journey, including parenting their son Xander, who has been impacted by FASD.    Out of both his professional background and lived family experience, Derek co-created Red Shoe Chefs, a father-son cooking project focused on practical kitchen skills, nutrition, and connection—especially for families navigating real-world challenges. Derek is passionate about using food, humor, and presence as tools for growth, healing, and relationship.   Listen to Sandra's conversation with Derek Warren on Episode 517 wherever you get your podcasts.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon Filled Retreat Mobilize Ohio ReNew Retreat in NC https://www.youtube.com/@RedShoeChefs

Episode #187 The FASD Brain and Connectivity with Dr. Raja MukherjeeWhat if many of the struggles we see in FASD are not about behavior at all but about how the brain sends and receives messages?In this episode of The FASD Success Show, Jeff Noble sits down with Dr. Raja Mukherjee, one of the world's leading experts in FASD psychiatry and brain development, to explore what brain connectivity really means for individuals living with FASD across the lifespan.Dr. Mukherjee explains how prenatal alcohol exposure affects the way different parts of the brain communicate with each other and why this can show up as inconsistency, fatigue, emotional overwhelm, and difficulty with daily life tasks even when someone appears capable on the surface.Together, Jeff and Dr. Mukherjee unpack why independence is often the wrong goal, how interdependence supports regulation and mental health, and what caregivers can do differently when they understand the brain through a connectivity lens.In This Episode You'll Hear• What brain connectivity is and why it matters more than IQ or motivation • How miscommunication between brain regions affects regulation, memory, and behavior • Why skills can look “there one day and gone the next” • How stress and overload disrupt already fragile brain networks • Why total independence is not a realistic or healthy end goal for many adults with FASD • How interdependence supports long term success and wellbeing • What caregivers and systems get wrong when they focus on compliance instead of connectionWhy This Episode MattersThis conversation helps caregivers, professionals, and individuals with FASD move away from blame and toward understanding. When you see challenges as connectivity issues rather than character flaws, everything changes including expectations, support strategies, and outcomes.Dr. Mukherjee brings decades of clinical experience and research insight to a topic that caregivers have been living for years. This episode offers clarity, validation, and a brain based framework you can actually use at home and in advocacy conversations.Listen and WatchListen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-fasd-success-show/id1492499195Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6ntB51glqYnRPmXCh6lOGqWatch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@FASDSuccessResources and LinksLearn more about The FASD Success Show https://www.fasdsuccess.com/podcastJoin our free parent and caregiver community https://www.facebook.com/groups/FASDFOREVERFollow Jeff Noble Instagram https://www.instagram.com/FASDSuccess Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FASDSuccessSubscribe to the YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@FASDSuccessYou are not failing. You are responding to a brain that connects differently. And when we understand the brain, we can build better support, better days at home, and a better future.Support the show

What if independence is not the finish line we should be chasing for individuals with FASD?In this episode of The FASD Success Show, Jeff Noble sits down with Chris Fillion, an adult on the FASD spectrum, foster parent, and national advocate, to talk honestly about what adulthood with FASD really looks like when support is done right.Chris shares his lived experience navigating mental health challenges, the justice system, social services, and burnout, and how everything changed when the focus shifted from doing life alone to building the right team around him. Today, Chris is the Vice President of the Manitoba FASD Coalition and the Executive Director of FASD Mentors of Change, helping reshape how systems understand success for adults with FASD.This conversation challenges one of the most exhausting myths caregivers carry, the belief that success means total independence. Instead, Jeff and Chris explore why interdependence, regulation, and community support are the real foundations for long term stability and growth.In This Episode You'll Hear• Why independence is often the wrong goal for adults with FASD • What adulthood with FASD actually looks like beyond the labels • How anxiety treatment and mental health support can unlock capacity • Why having a support team is a strategy, not a failure • How lived experience advocacy is changing systems from the inside • What caregivers can learn about planning for the long gameWhy It MattersSo many caregivers lie awake worrying about the future, wondering if their loved one will ever be okay on their own. This episode offers a powerful reframe.Success is not about doing everything alone. It is about building a life that works with the brain you have, supported by people who understand it.Chris's story is proof that progress is real, timelines are different, and with the right scaffolding, adults with FASD can build meaningful, connected lives.Resources and LinksFASD Mentors of Change https://fasdmentorsofchange.caChris Fillion https://chrisfillion.caManitoba FASD Coalition https://www.fasdcoalition.caNew Directions https://newdirections.mb.caJoin our free FASD Success Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/fasdforeverWatch full episodes on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@FASDSuccessFollow Jeff on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/FASDSuccessFull show notes and resources https://www.fasdsuccess.com/podcastSupport the show

Trigger warning: This episode discusses suicide, self-harm, and mental health crises.In this powerful and compassionate conversation, Jeff Noble sits down with Dr. Carly McMorris — clinical psychologist, associate professor at the University of Calgary, and leading FASD researcher — to talk about one of the hardest and most important topics in the FASD community: mental health.They break down how to recognize the signs of crisis, why individuals with FASD experience such high rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality, and how caregivers can respond with calm, informed strategies instead of fear.You'll learn: • Why up to 90% of individuals with FASD experience mental health challenges • How to tell the difference between a bad day and a mental health crisis • Why “go low and go slow” works — for your loved one and for you • How to use the FASD Mental Health Toolkit in real life • What caregivers can do when the system doesn't respond • The hope behind new research on mental health and suicidality in FASDIf you've ever felt scared, unsure, or alone in supporting your loved one's mental health, this episode will give you knowledge, validation, and tools to move from fear to understanding.Resources & Links

Episode 184: Laurie Anderson The Power of Showing UpWhat if success as a caregiver wasn't about getting everything right, but about showing up again and again?In this heartfelt episode of The FASD Success Show, Jeff Noble sits down with long time community leader and coach Laurie Anderson to talk about what it really means to keep going through the hardest seasons of caregiving with compassion, connection, and calm.Laurie shares her journey from confusion to confidence, what she's learned from years of moderating our 5,000 member FASD community, and how she's redefining success after retirement and decades of advocacy.In This Episode You'll Hear • Why consistency and connection regulate the brain better than perfection • How Polyvagal Theory explains why community calms the nervous system • What success looks like when you measure by regulation, not results • Why rest and recovery are just as important as advocacy and action • How Laurie's story can help you see your own progress even on the hard daysThis conversation is part science, part story, and full of heart. A reminder that you don't have to fix it all. You just have to keep showing up Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FASDSuccess Join our Free Caregiver Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FASDFOREVER Follow Jeff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FASDSuccess Full Show Notes: https://www.fasdsuccess.com/podcastSupport the show

"Jesus replied, 'You must love the LORD with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And  a second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.'” -Matthew 22:37-39   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode, host Sandra Flach, brings you the second part in her 4-part series on Nutrition with Dr. Jerrod Brown. Today Dr. Brown unpacks the vital role nutrition plays in the brain and body of individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).    To view Dr. Brown's slides for this episode, check out the Justice For Orphans' YouTube channel HERE.   Listen to Sandra's conversation with Dr. Brown on Episode 514 wherever you get your podcasts.   Register for your chance to win a free signed copy of Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster & Adoptive Moms HERE.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon Filled Retreat Mobilize Ohio ReNew Retreat in NC

What really happens as people with FASD grow into adulthood and beyond?In this episode of The FASD Success Show, Jeff Noble sits down with Dr. Valerie Temple to talk about brand-new Canadian research exploring how the FASD brain and body change with age — and what families, caregivers, and professionals need to know to support lifelong success.Dr. Temple and her team analyzed data from over 400 adults across Canada to compare younger adults (18–24) with older adults (35+). What they found challenges a lot of assumptions about FASD, aging, and the brain.In This Episode You'll Learn • Why older adults with FASD aren't “less affected,” but show different patterns of strengths and challenges • How executive function and attention improve for many adults, while memory and physical health issues increase • Why substance use and mental health struggles remain high across adulthood — and what helps most • How diagnosis and support systems can evolve to meet changing needs over time • What this research means for caregivers, families, and self-advocates navigating adulthoodWhy It Matters For years, most FASD research has focused on children and youth. Dr. Temple's 2025 study is one of the first to look closely at aging in FASD, providing real data on what support looks like across a lifetime.The big takeaway: the FASD brain doesn't stop changing. It adapts, learns, and keeps building new pathways. With the right support, growth and connection are possible at every age.Watch the Full Interview YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZpjr6YGxH8Listen to the Episode Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-fasd-success-show/id1492499195 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ntB51glqYnRPmXCh6lOGq?si=f006bfa2966d4972Resources & Links • Read the full study: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD): Comparing profiles of younger versus older adults • Join our free Parent & Caregiver Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FASDFOREVER • Follow Jeff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FASDSuccess • Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FASDSuccess • Visit our website for show notes and articles: https://www.fasdsuccess.com/blog/new-research-on-fasd-and-aging-what-families-need-to-knowSupport the show

What happens after the diagnosis?In this episode of The FASD Success Show, Jeff Noble sits down with Joseph Munn, an adult with FASD who's building a life that works, not one that's defined by expectations.Joseph opens up about what it felt like to finally understand his brain, how interdependence and technology help him stay regulated, and what community really means in adulthood. From gaming and advocacy to the one-dollar house that changed his life, Joseph's story reminds us that success isn't about doing it all, it's about doing what works.You'll hear • What finally made sense after Joseph's FASD diagnosis • How he manages overwhelm, anxiety, and independence • Why interdependence, not isolation, builds true stability • How gaming, technology, and VR became tools for connection • What parents can take away about hope, adaptation, and acceptanceWhy It MattersThis episode is a real look at life after diagnosis, the challenges, the wins, and the ongoing process of building a future shaped by possibility, not perfection.Resources and LinksJoin our FASD Success Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/FASDForever Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@FASDSuccess Follow Jeff on Instagram: instagram.com/FASDSuccess Full show notes: fasdsuccess.com/podcastSupport the show

What if healing isn't about fixing what's broken but finally seeing it clearly?In this episode of The FASD Success Show, Jeff sits down with Dr. Debbie Michaud, a researcher, advocate, and storyteller whose groundbreaking dissertation Hitchhiking With Mama: Living With FASD, A Collection of Truths explores what happens when we stop trying to fix the past and start understanding it.Debbie shares her journey of growing up in a family shaped by trauma, addiction, and undiagnosed FASD, and how retracing her childhood with her mother became the key to forgiveness, understanding, and healing. Together, she and Jeff explore what it means to break generational cycles, redefine success, and create peace even when others can't change.In This Episode You'll Hear• How understanding intersectionality helped Debbie see her mother's story with       “new eyes” • Why healing doesn't erase the past, it reframes it • The road trip that transformed resentment into compassion • What Debbie learned about executive functioning, survival, and doing the best        you can with what you have • Why you can't change others, only your role in the story • The neuroscience of guilt and why understanding replaces shame with empathy • How redefining success can close the gap between expectations and your                family's capacityWhy It MattersYou can't fix or change the past, but you can move toward healing and more good days at home.Dr. Michaud's story shows that reconciliation doesn't always mean resolution. It means seeing the people you love, and yourself, through a brain-based, compassionate lens. Because healing isn't about perfection, it's about presence, regulation, and connection that lasts.Find FASD Success: Website: https://www.fasdsuccess.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FASDSuccess Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FASDSuccess Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FASDforever Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-fasd-success-show/id1492499195 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ntB51glqYnRPmXCh6lOGqSupport the show

In this episode of The FASD Success Show, Jeff Noble sits down with Sophie Harrington, CEO of NOFASD Australia, to talk about what happens when caregivers stop chasing perfection and start building holidays  and lives that actually fit their families' nervous systems.Sophie is a mom, advocate, and birth parent who's turned her personal story into national leadership. Together, Jeff and Sophie dig into the power of reframing guilt, setting boundaries, and parenting differently without apology.They unpack how shame and expectations weigh on caregivers, and how understanding the brain  not just behavior  can lift that load for good.In This Episode You'll LearnWhy the holidays feel so emotionally heavy — and how neuroscience explains itWhat happens in the brain when guilt turns chronic and how to stop the cycleThe difference between connection and performance in caregivingWhy “doing less” is not giving up — it's giving your brain a chance to recoverHow Sophie's journey from birth mom to CEO became a model of what advocacy can really look likeWhy It MattersCaregivers often measure success by what they do, not how they feel — but the brain science says the opposite. A regulated caregiver leads to a regulated child. When we stop apologizing for doing things differently, we stop surviving the holidays and start shaping them to work for us.Watch or Listen to the Full EpisodeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEko0ghA4iw Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-fasd-success-show/id1492499195 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ntB51glqYnRPmXCh6lOGq?si=f006bfa2966d4972Resources and LinksJoin our Free Caregiver Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FASDFOREVER Follow Jeff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FASDSuccess Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FASDSUCCESS Full Show Notes and Resources: https://www.fasdsuccess.com/podcastSupport the show

The holidays are here, and for a lot of caregivers raising individuals with FASD, this isn't the season of calm and cozy.It's the season where routines explode, nerves fray, school schedules flip, people show up unannounced, and you're trying to keep everyone safe while the world tells you to “make memories.”That's why all month long, The FASD Success Show is bringing you the Holiday Sanity Series — conversations that unpack the science, the stress, and the strategies that actually make life work for families like ours.And to kick things off, I'm joined by Melissa Dobson, caregiver, mom of three teens, and Co-Chair of the Family Advisory Committee at CanFASD.Melissa's story is one that every caregiver will recognize. She's been through the system fights, the school meetings, the sleepless nights, and the constant rebuilding that happens after everything falls apart.But instead of letting it break her, she's learned how to take the hard stuff, the setbacks, the overwhelm, the sh*t life throws at you, and turn it into rocket fuel.In This Episode You'll HearWhy you can't fight every battle and why that's not weakness. Chronic advocacy keeps your body in survival mode. The brain doesn't know the difference between emotional stress and physical danger. It releases cortisol and adrenaline either way. Melissa shares how she learned to pause, recover, and fight from a place of regulation instead of burnout.How rebuilding routines repairs the brain. For individuals with FASD, predictability equals safety. Every time you rebuild after chaos, you're helping the brain re-establish order, calm the amygdala, and bring the thinking brain back online.Connection isn't a luxury. It's co-regulation. When we connect with someone who feels safe, our brains release oxytocin, the chemical that quiets the stress response. Melissa explains how community and shared experience have helped her stay grounded and steady her kids through hard seasons.Letting things fall apart isn't failure. It's flexibility. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is stop holding everything together. Letting go of old routines and traditions that don't fit your child's needs isn't giving up. It's creating space for the brain to adapt and grow in new ways.Advocacy works best when you're regulated. When your nervous system is calm, your prefrontal cortex — the part responsible for reasoning, empathy, and problem-solving — stays engaged. Melissa shows how advocacy rooted in regulation creates real change instead of constant exhaustion.Why It MattersThis season isn't about perfection. It's about protection.When you build your holidays around regulation instead of expectation, your family's nervous systems can actually handle the joy.Regulated brains learn better, connect better, and recover faster.And that includes yours.Melissa's story reminds us that you can't control everything that comes your way, but you can decide what to do with it.You can turn frustration into focus.You can turn chaos into clarity.And yes, you can turn sh*t into rocket fuel.Because regulation isn't the reward you get for surviving the season.It's the foundation that makes everything else possible.That's your one good thing this week.Resources & LinksConnect with Melissa Dobson Co-Chair, Family Advisory Committee — CanFASD.caJoin Our Community Free Caregiver Group: facebook.com/groups/FASDforeverWatch & LisSupport the show

The scans are in, and they tell a different story.Dr. Catherine Lebel, Canada's leading FASD brain imaging researcher, joins Jeff Noble to share what MRI research reveals about how the brain develops after prenatal alcohol exposure and why the story is far more hopeful than most people think.Through years of ground breaking studies, Dr. Lebel and her team have shown that the FASD brain doesn't stop growing. It just grows differently and on its own timeline. Her work connects science and lived experience, giving caregivers something we all need more of: evidence-based hope.In this conversation, Jeff and Dr. Lebel talk about: • How brain development continues well into adulthood • Why stable, loving environments can support brain growth • What slower development really means in everyday life • Why interventions are never wasted, even when progress feels slow • How families can join the PEACH Study to help move FASD research forwardDr. Lebel's message is simple but powerful. The brain is still growing, still learning, and still capable of change. Different doesn't mean broken. It means still developing.Watch the full episode YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FASDSuccessListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-fasd-success-show/id1492499195 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ntB51glqYnRPmXCh6lOGq?si=f006bfa2966d4972Connect with Jeff Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/FASDforever YouTube: @FASDSuccess Instagram: @FASDSuccess Full show notes: fasdsuccess.com/podcastSupport the show

What if your loved one with FASD's brain wasn't misfiring — it was miss-messaging?In this powerful episode, Jeff sits down with Dr. Long from the University of Calgary's Developmental Neuroimaging Lab, one of the key researchers on Dr. Catherine Lebel's team, to uncover what really happens inside the brain after prenatal alcohol exposure.Dr. Long explains how the brain's network — the system that keeps messages moving between regions — changes after prenatal alcohol exposure, and what that means for learning, behavior, and everyday regulation. Together, they unpack how the brain adapts, reroutes, and finds new ways to communicate, even when signals get jammed.In This Episode You'll Hear• Why FASD is less about “broken” wiring and more about “busy” messaging systems • How even low levels of prenatal alcohol exposure can alter brain development • What “compensation” means — and how the brain finds detours to keep working • Why fatigue, frustration, and “I won't” moments are signs of overload, not defiance • How supportive environments and calm routines help the brain stabilize and grow • The resilience behind the science — and why hope is more than just a feelingWhy It MattersThis episode is a reminder that behaviors aren't failures  they're feedback. Dr. Long's work helps caregivers, teachers, and professionals see FASD through a brain-based lens, turning frustration into understanding and burnout into compassion.Different doesn't mean broken  it means we need to look deeper, respond smarter, and keep believing that change is possible.Resources & LinksJoin our FASD Success Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/FASDforever Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@FASDSuccess Follow Jeff on Instagram: instagram.com/FASDSuccess Full show notes: fasdsuccess.com/podcastSupport the show

"Do you not know that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." -Corinthians 6:19-20   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with returning guest, Dr. Jerrod Brown about the importance of understanding the Autonomic Nervous System and how trauma and prenatal exposure to substances impact its function.   Listen in to Sandra's conversation with Dr. Brown on Episode 505 wherever you get your podcasts.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Dr Jerrod Brown Bio: Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master's degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Medical Biochemistry, Exercise Prescription, Neuroscience and the Law, Neuropsychology, Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. In 2023, Jerrod completed a diabetes care and education certificate from Central Arizona College. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing his fifth master's degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition from Northeast College of Health Sciences.  Jerrod has also conducted over 300 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for various organizations and professional and student audiences. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters, and recently, co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod has also been quoted in various magazines, newspapers, and other professional outlets. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs. Links mentioned in this episode: The Adoption & Foster Care Journey justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon Filled Retreat

We've got an episode today that's going to stop you in your tracks. You're going to meet Joel Sheagren, an award-winning filmmaker whose story feels like a movie itself, only this one's real, raw, and full of God's fingerprints.Joel grew up in a funeral home, had demonic encounters as a kid, found himself guiding canoes in the wilderness as an agnostic teen, and somehow, through a horror movie of all things, found his way to Christ. But that was only the beginning.What happens when the bottom falls out of your career, your faith gets tested through years of anxiety, and you're suddenly raising two adopted children, one with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and you realize God's been writing a redemption story through it all?In this powerful conversation, you'll hear how Joel turned his pain into purpose through prayer, perseverance, and creativity. His story will help you see your own trials differently. Because sometimes, what feels like chaos is actually the setup for your calling.Chapters: [00:00] Podcast Preview[01:38] Topic and Guest Introduction[04:24] The Awakening: From Agnosticism to Faith[13:00] The Long Path: Growth Through Trials[19:48] Learning Patience When God's Timing Feels Slow[22:45] Overcoming Anxiety and Learning to Trust[25:25] The Moment Joel and His Wife Said “Yes” to Adoption[28:00] The Miraculous Two-Month Adoption Story[30:00] Recognizing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)[34:30] Navigating Parenting Challenges with FASD[36:48] How God Used Filmmaking to Raise Awareness for FASD[40:07] Teaching Neuroplasticity and Renewing the Mind[43:05] Spiritual Breakthroughs and Mindset Shifts[47:21] About the Embracing Hope Caregiver Guide[49:35] Final Encouragement and Where to Find Joel's ResourcesResources mentioned:Embracing Hope BookGuest's bio:Joel Sheagren is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, and storyteller whose greatest inspiration comes from home—raising two children, one of whom lives with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).His incredible journey from agnosticism to faith began in the most unexpected places—a canoe in the wilderness and a night watching The Exorcist—moments that led him into a lifelong pursuit of telling redemptive stories through the lens of God's grace.Joel is the founder of Sam in a Can Productions (named after his son) and the visionary behind The Embrace Movement, a media-driven initiative shedding light on the hidden link between prenatal alcohol exposure and societal issues like homelessness, trafficking, and fatherlessness.Through his films, books, and caregiver resources, Joel equips families, churches, and communities to better understand and support neurodiversity while bringing hope to those navigating life's challenges.He and his wife continue to walk in faith—turning pain into purpose and using their story to help families find strength, healing, and breakthrough through Christ.Call to action:Make sure to visit yourbiggestbreakthrough.com for your FREE access to our e-book and audiobook, "Unstoppable: Divine Intervention in Overcoming Adversity," showcasing six powerful real-life stories. Get ready to be inspired by these mind-blowing breakthroughs!To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit

"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." -Deuteronomy 6:6-7   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with adoptive mom, Shannon Iacobacci of Embracing the Brain. Shannon supports parents of children, teens, and young adults with brain-based differences by making the sciences of the brain-body connection simple and practical. Her work is grounded in research, observation, and a deep respect for the individuality of each child and family. She helps parents better understand how their child's brain works, so they can apply strategies that meet their unique needs and strengthen the parent-child connection along the way.   This same personalized, compassionate approach also guides Shannon's work in schools. As a non-attorney special education consultant, she parters with families to ensure their child's educational needs are truly being met. She provides parent coaching and support, reviews educational data and assessments, attends school meetings, and helps develop behavior support plans tailored to each child's brain and learning profile.    Shannon specializes in supporting families and students living with brain-based differences and behavioral challenges related to trauma, FASD, ADHD, and adoption and foster care.   Listen in to Sandra's conversation with Shannon Iacobacci on Episode 504 wherever you get your podcasts.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: The Adoption & Foster Care Journey justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon Filled Retreat Embracing the Brain

Send us a textWhat if mental health and behavior weren't just about the brain, but also about the body? In this fascinating conversation, Jeff sits down with Dr. Tamara Bodnar, a biological scientist and researcher at the University of Calgary, whose work is changing how we understand FASD from the inside out.Dr. Bodnar studies the gut–brain axis — the constant communication between our digestive system and our brain — and how prenatal alcohol exposure can disrupt that balance for life. Her groundbreaking research reveals how gut health, inflammation, and stress all shape behavior, mood, and regulation in ways caregivers see every day.Together, Jeff and Dr. Bodnar explore how small, realistic shifts like balanced meals, hydration, and consistent routines can support both body and brain. They also talk about what's next in FASD science, including probiotics, personalized medicine, and new collaborations that bring caregivers and researchers together.In this episode you'll learn how prenatal alcohol exposure affects gut health and stress regulation, why inflammation can amplify mood and behavior, and how to make simple, guilt-free choices that help create calm from the inside out.This episode reminds us that behavior isn't just communication — it's biology. When we understand how the body and brain talk to each other, we can replace frustration with compassion and find hope in small, steady changes. Dr. Bodnar's work validates what families have always known in their gut: small steps matter, and progress starts from the inside out.You're not alone. You're doing better than you think.Resources and LinksJoin our FASD Success Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/FASDforever Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: @FASDSuccess Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts Follow Jeff on Instagram: @FASDSuccess Full show notes: fasdsuccess.com/podcastSupport the show

Send us a textTrigger Warning: This episode includes discussions around mental health challenges and suicide. Please listen when you feel ready and take care of yourself as needed.What if everything you thought you knew about mental health and behavior was flipped on its head? In this powerful conversation, Jeff sits down with Dr. Jacqueline Pei, psychologist, professor at the University of Alberta, and senior research lead with CanFASD, to explore how mental health really shows up for individuals with FASD and how reframing what we see changes everything about how we respond.Dr. Pei explains why up to 90% of individuals with FASD experience mental-health challenges, how anxiety and depression often hide behind behavior, and why understanding the brain through a “nervous-system-first” lens can completely transform care.Together, Jeff and Dr. Pei talk about what it means to “sit in the frustration,” the danger of misunderstanding in schools and systems, and the power of empathy to calm chaos and restore hope.In This Episode You'll HearWhy mental health challenges are so common in FASD — and what's really driving them How anxiety and depression often disguise themselves as “defiance” or “bad   behavior” Why traditional definitions of depression and anxiety don't always fit How to use the “Pause and Reframe” tool to see behavior through a nervous-   system lens The emotional toll of systemic misunderstanding on caregivers and families Guidance for recognizing mental-health signs and supporting emotional stability A compassionate, science-backed discussion about suicidality and safety   planning • Why connection, purpose, and relationships are the strongest protective factors • The future of FASD research — and how collaboration between families and scientists is changing everythingWhy It MattersThis episode is a reminder that behavior is communication, not defiance — and that healing starts with understanding. Through Dr. Pei's research and Jeff's lived experience, you'll walk away with tools to replace judgment with curiosity, fear with empathy, and burnout with hope.Dr. Pei's message is clear: we can't fix everything, but through connection, compassion, and collaboration, we can help individuals with FASD — and their families — thrive.