Podcasts about Foster care

Send us Fan MailAnne Montgomery spent much of her life entering places where women were told they did not belong. She pursued sports broadcasting when male coaches refused to be interviewed by her, became a certified official across five major team sports, worked for ESPN and eventually led a football officiating crew as its referee.Then her television career abruptly ended.What initially felt like rejection pushed Anne into teaching at a Title I high school. Her demanding newsroom mentality collided with the realities facing students experiencing poverty, hunger, homelessness and abuse. One encounter with a frequently late student forced her to reconsider how she judged people. Years later, a phone call from a hungry foster child led Anne—who never expected to become a parent—to open her home and become a mother and grandmother.Today, she is also a traditionally published novelist, musician, scuba diver and lifelong rock collector.

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!The transition from foster care to adoption can bring relief and security, but it can also stir anxiety, grief, uncertainty, and behaviors families may not expect. In this episode, adoptive dad Adrian Potter shares what his family learned while adopting three siblings who had spent years in foster care. We discuss building trust through predictability and routine, helping a parentified child return to the role of sibling, giving children voice in the adoption process, responding to mixed emotions and changing behaviors, maintaining important connections, and building the support system families need before and after finalization.Resources:Foster Care Adoption – resource pagePreparing Children Already in the Home for an AdoptionEquipping The Kids in Your Home to Welcome a New ChildSupport 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

Are you a grandparent who suddenly became the anchor for your grandchildren's future, feeling as if your living room has transformed overnight into a command center? Are you buried under legal forms, switching between crisis management and nurturing, and wondering if anyone sees the full scope of what you're carrying? The reality of kinship care can feel like running a multi-department enterprise in the dark, all while holding together the threads of family.Eleven years ago, Dr. Kristy Smith and her husband went from celebrating their empty nest to welcoming two grandsons into their home, changing their retirement plans in a matter of days. With three business degrees and decades leading in HR and project management, nothing prepared her for the emotional and logistical challenge of navigating foster systems in three different states, making quick decisions with stakes higher than any boardroom. For more information on Dr Smith, to puchase her books, please visit her website.Welcome to "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity." This podcast is your community—a place where your lived experience is honored, your struggles seen, and your triumphs celebrated. Here, you'll find authentic conversation and expert insights on legal, financial, and emotional issues. We'll talk with those who understand the complexities of raising children who have experienced trauma, and we'll share strategies to create stability and love, even in uncertain times.You are not alone in this journey. Together, let's rewrite our families' futures by sharing stories, best practices, and hope—so you can lead your home with the heart and resilience of a true executive, surrounded by a network that understands.Send us Fan MailNew! Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Online Support Circle! Starting Wednesday, October 7th, we meet every other Wednesday from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM Eastern.A peer-first, confidential space—free from cross-talk, judgment, or unsolicited advice. Guided by certified therapists, specialized family coaches, and counselors who truly understand kinship care. When we look at the child welfare system today, it's clear that the framework we've inherited is completely outdated. We keep trying to "fix" programs, but what if the problem isn't just funding or execution? What if the problem is how we frame the issues in the first place?Ali Caliendo, founder of the Kinship Policy Lab, reminded us that the questions we ask determine the policies we write, the data we collect, and the outcomes we pursue. I want to know how you're doing. Is the podcast giving you what you need? What support are you missing most right now? Send me a Direct Message on Facebook or Instagram or email me directly at laurabrazan@grandparents-raising-grandchildren.org. I read and reply to every message because this community is built on supporting each other!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 

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy tackle listener questions about the closely watched governor's race, including the stark spending gap between Rick Jackson and Keisha Lance Bottoms and the possibility of split-ticket voting. They also dig into the Republican debate over whether to keep investing in Mike Collins' Senate campaign as national groups shift resources elsewhere. Plus, they answer questions about Cobb County school board politics, the impact of ICE detentions on Georgia's foster care system and when to expect the next AJC-UGA poll. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We'll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What really happens when a child enters the foster care system? Tonight, Dr. Myava sits down with Lisa Batista Sellers, a social worker specializing in child protective services and foster families, to pull back the curtain on a system most of us only think we understand.Lisa breaks down:✅ The difference between foster care and kinship care✅ How entrenched poverty — not "bad parenting" — is often the real crisis families face✅ Why unhealed childhood trauma shapes how we parent our own kids✅ Real steps parents can take toward reunification✅ Where to find resources when you don't know where to startThis is a conversation for every parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or caregiver who has ever stepped in to hold a family together.

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Question: My niece has been living with her paternal grandparents for two years. She is now four and they have decided that it is getting too hard for them. We've agreed to take her in. She knows us, but we haven't spent much time with her. What's the best way to move her to our home that will cause the least psychological damage to her. She is very attached to her grandparents.Resources:Kinship Parenting ResourcesTransitioning a Child to Your HomeCreating and Cultivating AttachmentSupport 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

We learn more about a Tampa Bay Times investigation that found a "side door" in the foster care system that can leave parents struggling to reunite with their children.Also, have you seen billboards floating off the beach? We get into that, fall hunting season, and a musician and bandleader bringing his ensemble to the region.Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSFInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni3

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!With so many trauma-informed parenting approaches available, how do foster, adoptive, and kinship parents know which strategies will actually fit their child and family? In this episode, childhood trauma consultant Beth Tyson helps parents cut through the overwhelm and understand what to look for in a trauma-responsive parenting model. We explore why safety, trust, attachment, and connection should be at the foundation; how trauma can affect a child's behavior, developmental age, sensory needs, and relationships; and why caregiver self-awareness matters just as much as understanding the child. You'll also learn how to evaluate claims such as “evidence-based” and “brain-based,” recognize red flags in parenting programs, and decide when to adapt, combine, or move on from an approach that isn't working.Resources:Helping Children Heal from TraumaParenting Children With Challenging BehaviorTherapy Resources for Adoptive, Foster, and Kinship 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

Send us Fan MailLife lately, what God is teaching us, and an honest conversation about the season we're in. Come catch up with us!Bethany's InstagramWatch Our Podcast On YoutubeRaising Boys and Girls Episode Bethany Mentioned

Send us Fan MailJayne Amelia talks with former foster youth, Michael Custos. Michael Custos is a writer and father who grew up in group homes throughout Southern California. His life changed when Kelly, a Court Appointed Special Advocate, entered his case and remained long after her temporary assignment ended.  So he wrote a book about her.Michael went on to spend more than a decade in sales while building a career and a family from the ground up. His book, "Her Name Was Kelly", published in September, 2026, tells how Kelly became his legal guardian and remained his family for the next two decades.He wrote the book to honor her and to carry forward what her life proved: consistency is not a small act when a child has learned to expect everyone to leave. Michael hopes the story reaches the adults who wonder whether their presence truly matters, and the children who need to know that their beginnings do not decide their endings.THE STORY"By nine, Michael had lived in more homes than birthdays. Violence from the people meant to protect him. Indifference from the people paid to care. Group homes where silence kept you safer, and the only constant was the next move. Survival wasn't given. It was negotiated.Kelly entered his life as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. A temporary role. Document the case. Attend the hearings. Move on.She didn't.The assignment ended, but Kelly remained. Birthdays. Court dates. The visits nobody required her to make. Within a few years she was his legal guardian, and she stayed for the next two decades. Loyalty that outlasted every failure along the way, including his own. In a life defined by leaving, she was the exception.Then she was diagnosed with terminal cancer.As an adult and now a father, Michael faced losing the one person who chose him, every day, when no one else did."Her Name Was Kelly" is the story of what one person can mean to a life the system wasn't equipped to save, and what it means to be chosen.""Her Name Was Kelly" website."Her Name Was Kelly" can be purchased here, as well as other book outlets.See bonusbabies.org to learn more about what we are doing and please donate to support us by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution. EVERY PENNY OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION GOES TO RECORDING AND PLATFORMING THESE STORIES.  Yeah!IG@bonusbabiespodcastTW@BonusBabiesPodFB@BonusBabiesPodcast

On this week's episode we are joined by Toni Watt, a sociology professor at Texas State University of San Marcos, who has worked diligently along with others to help foster youth in the state get to college and get a degree. A recent landscape analysis, which Watt was part of, shows that those efforts have yet to yield the kind of changes anyone would hope for out of a state with a broad tuition waiver and a requirement that state colleges have a liaison on campus to support current and former foster youth. Watt discussed the history of Texas policies around college for foster youth, and what she thinks needs to happen next. Toni Watt is a Professor of Sociology at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, where she helped create the group Foster Care Alumni Creating Educational Success (FACES). She is the recipient of the Pro Humanitate Literary Award, given by the Center for Child Welfare Policy.Reading RoomFrom Foster Care to College: Supporting Higher Education Achievement among Students Who Have Experienced Foster Care in Texashttps://reportcenter.highered.texas.gov/reports/reports-and-studies-non-fiscal/from-foster-care-to-college-2026-landscape-analysis/Texas is a Pioneer in Supporting Youth with Foster Care Experience in Higher Education, but Outcomes Remain Poor. A New Report Examines Why.https://imprintnews.org/opinion/texas-supports-college-students-from-foster-care-but-outcomes-remain-poor/276831Foster Youth Support Services Required, but Uneven, Across Texas Campuseshttps://imprintnews.org/child-welfare-2/foster-youth-support-services-required-uneven-texas-campuses/48493Texas Expands College Tuition Benefit for Foster Youthhttps://imprintnews.org/top-stories/texas-lawmakers-to-decide-on-expanding-college-tuition-benefit-for-foster-youth/260655Texas Foster Youth Get Free College Tuition, but Nearly Half of the State's Eligible Students Don't Use Ithttps://imprintnews.org/foster-care/texas-college-tuition-waiver-underused/62905

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide, loss, grief, and the death of a child. Please listen with care and discernment. In this episode of Restoried, we sit down with Joyce Anders, a foster and adoptive mom whose family's journey into foster care began in the middle of one of the hardest seasons of their lives.  After losing their 14-year-old daughter, Samantha, Joyce and her husband walked through deep grief and eventually chose to say yes to foster care, welcoming three siblings into their home and eventually adopting them. Joyce shares honestly about grief, exhaustion, obedience, and what it looks like to trust God when He calls us to do hard things. She also shares how God used her children to give her purpose in a season when she struggled to keep moving forward, and how years later, He began stirring her heart to become licensed again. This conversation is a reminder that following Jesus isn't always comfortable, but God meets us in the hard places. Whether you're called to foster, pray, encourage, or support a foster family, there is a way to step toward the vulnerable and be part of showing a child the love of Jesus.  Episode Highlights:  Foster Care Adoption Faith Grief  Mental Health   Find More on Hope Bridge/Links from this Episode: Foster Care Info Lunch  Visit Our Website  Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook  Learn more about Hope for the Journey TBRI TrainingLearn more about Building Trauma-Informed Spaces with Kim Botto 

Episode Summary Kristin Orphan is a foster and adoptive mom and co-founder of Finally Home, and she knows how isolating it can feel to say yes to a child. She talks with host Micaela Tracy about why being safe and willing is only the starting point, and how anyone can help a family stay in their yes, beginning with the benefit of the doubt. In This Episode 00:00 Cold open 00:15 Welcome and today's guest 01:10 Kristin's family and how foster care found them 04:00 How their own story led to Finally Home 08:45 "You're amazing," and why it can feel isolating 09:55 Helping families stay in their yes 11:50 Practical help, from meals to laundry 15:45 Safe and willing does not mean equipped 20:35 Signs a family needs more support 22:40 Start with the benefit of the doubt 27:00 How anyone can come alongside a family 30:15 Where to find Finally Home, and closing thoughts About Our Guest Kristin Orphan, MS, CFLE, is a foster and adoptive mom and co-founder of Finally Home, which has provided education, mentoring, and family support for foster, adoptive, and kinship families since 2008. Resources and Links Finally Home · finallyhome.net Voices for CASA Children · voicesforcasachildren.org National CASA/GAL Association for Children · nationalcasagal.org About the Show By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care is produced by Voices for CASA Children. Season 3, "Understanding Every Voice in the Room," features practical, human conversations with professionals and people with lived experience. Hosted by Micaela Tracy. New episodes biweekly. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of VOICES or its affiliates. Content Warning: This episode may include discussions of sensitive topics that could be triggering for some listeners.

The California Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom have enacted a new law requiring advertisers to clearly tell consumers when advertisements prominently feature AI-generated performers rather than real people. The law, SB 1050, takes effect on January 1, 2027. Christian Bale, his wife Sandra "Sibi" Blazic, and their nonprofit team spent nearly two decades working to create a unique foster-care community called Together California. The project's core goal is simple but significant: prevent brothers and sisters in foster care from being separated when they enter the system. Foster-care experts cited in the article say sibling relationships are often the most important remaining family connection for children who have lost parental care. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The California Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom have enacted a new law requiring advertisers to clearly tell consumers when advertisements prominently feature AI-generated performers rather than real people. The law, SB 1050, takes effect on January 1, 2027. Christian Bale, his wife Sandra "Sibi" Blazic, and their nonprofit team spent nearly two decades working to create a unique foster-care community called Together California. The project's core goal is simple but significant: prevent brothers and sisters in foster care from being separated when they enter the system. Foster-care experts cited in the article say sibling relationships are often the most important remaining family connection for children who have lost parental care. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jodi brings in 1 of the only things she has left from her Dad, and wears it. Batman to the Rescue in the Morning Pick Me up, and Sam says YES to something he's super nervous about, but will face it anyway. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adoption is the ultimate act of love. Guests Bishop Martin, Rebekah Weigel , and Dr. Sharon Ford share the incredible story of how a small church inspired its members to adopt 77 children! Hear their passionate message encouraging the church to step up and provide permanent homes for children in foster care.

In this episode of the Defender Podcast, Executive Director Herbie Newell and Ford sit down with Tommy DeRamos of Shades Mountain Baptist Church to talk about Heritage Builders, a Lifeline-created, church-run mentoring program for teens in foster care. Tommy shares how a small monthly meeting with fifteen kids grew into a five-year ministry teaching life skills like budgeting, job interviews, and car maintenance, all wrapped in biblical teaching and steady adult presence. The conversation lands on the real stakes: without mentors and a faith community, kids aging out of foster care face staggering odds of homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration, and why churches, not just agencies, are positioned to change that outcome.

Ca$h Carter has been a Crip since he was 8 years old. Growing up in New York City with his father out of the picture, his mother battling addiction, and a foster mother raising him, the Harlem Crip set became the family he found in the streets. More than 20 years later, Cash has cycled through juvenile detention, Rikers Island, and multiple stints in New York State prison. He survived Rikers as a Crip, navigating gang politics, violence, and the realities that come with carrying that identity behind the wall. _____________________________________________ #crimenews #newyork #prison #harlem #rikersisland _____________________________________________ Thank you to CASH APP for sponsoring this episode: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/6pao71et #CashAppPod Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. _____________________________________________ Connect with Ca$h Carter: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@cashcarter_sobutta?si=L7a2Ih_PyG_HhOUl Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingsobutta?stkn=em5jcWpsaHpxaXlv _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 What Being a Crip Means 00:50 Growing Up in Roosevelt Island 01:34 Absent Parents and Foster Care 02:50 Mom's Addiction and Feeling Embarrassed 03:40 Stepping Up as a Young Man 05:00 A Wild and Reckless Kid 06:14 Becoming a Crip at 8 Years Old 08:06 Finding a Set and Crip Loyalty 09:50 Maturity and Changing Views on Bloods 11:34 Street Beefs in New York Today 12:40 Crips vs. Crips 13:07 Grandma's Disapproval 14:17 Teenage Dreams and First Arrest 15:01 Juvenile Detention Journey 17:00 Escalating Through Juvenile System 19:24 Source of Aggression 21:02 Violence and Respect 22:20 First Prison Reflection and Change 24:50 The Robbery That Wasn't 27:00 Wrongfully Accused Again 29:00 Fighting the Case 30:20 New Start in Florida 33:00 Struggling to Leave the Streets Behind 34:40 Arriving in Florida 36:00 Brotherhood in Florida 39:10 Rikers Island Overview 41:30 Standing Tall as a Crip 42:40 Manhood and Respect in Jail 44:00 Jail Became the Norm 45:26 Getting Stabbed 50:00 Life After the Stabbing 52:10 Finding Out Who Did It 54:50 Prison Weapons and Survival 56:48 The Jail Fight That Led to Extradition 01:03:43 State Time for Both Charges 01:04:12 Hospital and Involuntary Protective Custody 01:07:45 Accountability in Prison 01:11:00 Prison Hierarchies and Leadership 01:14:20 Racism and Guard Brutality 01:19:11 Doing the Time and Coming Home 01:20:40 Music as an Outlet 01:22:20 Why I Kept Carrying Guns 01:28:20 The Third Gun Charge 01:30:30 Taking the Fall for a Friend 01:33:13 Legal Troubles in New Jersey 01:35:00 The Jersey Court Process 01:36:50 Facing Parole and Discrimination 01:41:04 Jersey Charges Explained 01:43:10 Making the Best of the Last Bid 01:45:50 Still Crip, But Focused on Business 01:47:40 No Need to Prove Anything Anymore 01:52:40 Gang Members vs. Bangers 01:55:57 Advice to My Younger Self 01:58:40 Closing Thoughts on Crip Identity _____________________________________________ To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka

On this week's episode we welcome back Ian Forber-Pratt, former president of the Children's Emergency Relief International, who has launched The Ties Foundation to help people who experienced an international adoption travel to their homelands and process the experience. Ian Forber-Pratt is the founder and executive director of The Ties Foundation. He is the former president of Children's Emergency Relief International.Reading RoomThe Ties Foundationhttps://www.thetiesfoundation.org/Foster Care in India, Kinship in America, and More with Ian Forber-Pratthttps://imprintnews.org/podcast/foster-care-india-kinship-america-more-ian-forber-prattUkraine's Orphans and Families, One Year Laterhttps://imprintnews.org/podcast/ukraines-orphans-and-families-one-year-later

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!When should a parent consider residential treatment for an adopted teen who has been struggling for years? One listener shared that after trying therapy, different supports, and everything they knew to help their child heal, simply hearing the words “residential treatment” felt like a parental failure. In this Weekend Wisdom episode, we explore how to move beyond the question, “Am I giving up on my child?” and instead ask what level of support your teen needs right now. We also discuss how gathering information, expanding your child's support team, and considering a higher level of care can be part of continuing to show up for your child—not abandoning them.Resources:A Hard but Helpful Step: Navigating Residential Treatment for Adopted KidsFair Play CampDoes Your Child Need Residential TreatmentSupport 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

What does it take to build a family as a bi-racial homosexual couple when the path is anything but straightforward? For Jameel Mayers and his husband Nicholas, the answer is resilience, creativity, communication, and trust. Jameel is the host of the Fathernetics podcast, a show spotlighting the stories of LGBTQ+ dads, and he joins us to share his family's remarkable journey navigating foster care, adoption, and agency roadblocks as a Black gay man in America. With 23 years of partnership and one thriving 13-year-old son, Jameel has transformed his personal challenges into a platform for connection and advocacy. He candidly shares the ups and downs of growing his family, the realities queer parents face, and why he believes every intentional dad deserves a superhero origin story.Conversation topics include:• Navigating the foster-to-adopt process as a gay, interracial couple and the unique challenges faced along the way.• The origins and goals of the Fathernetics podcast, amplifying stories from LGBTQ+ dads and fostering community.• Dealing with bias and roadblocks from adoption and foster agencies, including navigating rejection and discrimination.• Balancing the emotional complexities of fostering, attachment, and reunification with biological families.• Discussing how political and social climates impact LGBTQ+ families and parenting conversations with children.• The importance of building intentional, supportive communities and normalizing diverse family structures.• Encouraging honest, age-appropriate conversations around identity, acceptance, and respect within families.• And more!LINKS:Jameel Mayers (official)Fathernetics Podcast (Apple)Fathernetics Podcast (YouTube)PointmadeAdamFlaherty.tvStuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)Modern Dadhood (website)DEATH AND (YouTube)This Headache Journey (Apple Podcasts)Caspar BabypantsSpencer AlbeeMD (Instagram)MD (Facebook)MD (YouTube)MD (TikTok) #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Send us Fan MailRobin Rosenbluth's mother died when she was young, and her abusive and neglectful father put Robin and her sister in foster care - even though other family members offered to take them. Later, with the help of a high school guidance counselor, she was encouraged to continue her education and find scholarships to fund college. What makes her story unique is the year she taught and lived in Songa, a remote village in northern Kenya. There, Robin began to heal from the abuse and abandonment she'd suffered, finding more connection with the local people than with her father or foster parents. Her memoir, LIVING WITH STRANGERS: Healing a Wounded Heart in a Distant Land, describes her time in Kenya as well as her childhood. It's a story of triumphing against the odds, an urgent call to do better for the children currently in foster care, and a testament to the enduring importance of study abroad programs as a tool for forging understanding and connection in a fractured world.This is a deeply moving, personal ad inspiration episode, and shows that no matter how hard the struggle, we can still be freedom!Author website: https://www.robinrosenbluth.com/Substack: https://robinrosenbluth.substack.com/Simon & Schuster website to purchase/order books: Simon & SchusterAmazon purchase: AmazonSupport the show

Recent reporting from Investigate West shows that a disproportionate number of children in Oregon’s rural counties are more likely to enter the foster care system compared to those in urban areas. The reporting notes that wider barriers to health and social services in rural counties is often pointed out by providers and experts as a likely cause for this disparity.   Danielle Dawson is a collaborative investigative reporter and Report for America corps member at InvestigateWest. She joins us with more details.  

2025.04.23 NCU Chapel Lance Nelson National Foster Care Network

Bob Stergos Co-Founder and Executive Director of A Seat At the Table, joins Debbie Monterrey. He explains how his organization helps young people who have aged out of the foster care system. They answer the question, 'what does it take to get you on your own?'

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!How can parents protect kids from sexual exploitation without teaching them to fear the world around them? For adoptive, foster, and kinship families, this question can feel especially important when raising children who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, disrupted attachment, or other challenges that may affect trust, boundaries, and their need for connection. In this episode, child safety advocate and author CJ Scarlet, also known as The Badass Grandma, joins us to discuss how parents and caregivers can help kids recognize grooming and unsafe situations, trust their instincts, set healthy boundaries, identify trusted adults, and build the confidence and practical safety skills they need. We also explore how parents can become the safe, responsive adults their children will turn to when something goes wrong—without placing the responsibility for preventing sexual exploitation on the child.Resources:thebadassgrandma.comheroickids.appProtecting Our Kids from Sexual Exploitation Understanding How Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) Help Kids Thrive Support 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

We go shoulder to shoulder with Dr. Adam McCormick to explore what relational repair can look like for boys and young men in foster care who have learned that vulnerability may not be safe. Trauma-informed care requires more than better techniques. It begins with understanding what may be beneath behavior: the stories youth carry, the survival strategies they have developed, the ways trauma and masculinity can intersect, and the emotional disconnection that can follow. 40 min This episode is eligible for a Certificate of Completion. The post Trauma, Masculinity, and Foster Care appeared first on Foster Adopt Minnesota.

Michelle Ablard was content with her life as a schoolteacher, with 3 dogs and a mortgage. But then God nudged her into foster care, which began an unlikely journey of fostering two kids from her school and eventually adopting them. Michelle simply obeyed God’s prompting and credits her community of friends and family who made her miracle family possible! Receive a copy of the "Faith Builds a Family" bundle and an audio download of "How Foster Care Brought Me My Miracle Family" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive. Get more episode resources Do you have a story or comment on how Focus on the Family impacted you or your family? Leave a message for Jim Daly! If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Are you considering whether your family is ready to foster or adopt a sibling group? Keeping siblings together can preserve important family relationships, shared history, and connection, but parenting multiple children who have experienced trauma also requires careful preparation. In this Weekend Wisdom episode, we explore the questions prospective foster and adoptive parents should ask before saying yes, including each child's individual needs, sibling dynamics, trauma history, your family's time and emotional capacity, the needs of children already in your home, and the support systems you will need for a successful placement.Resources:Practical Tips for Fostering a Sibling GroupCombining Kids by Birth and AdoptionAdopting SiblingsSupport 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

Send us Fan MailEvery child deserves a safe place to call home. In this episode of Joey Pinz Discipline Conversations, Joey Pinz sits down with Jynelle Armstrong, Program Director at A Kid's Place of Tampa Bay, to discuss the life-changing work of providing a loving home for children entering foster care.Jynelle shares how a summer volunteer opportunity completely changed the direction of her life—from pursuing corporate business to dedicating her career to helping children heal from abuse, neglect, and abandonment. She explains why keeping siblings together is critical, how trauma-informed care transforms lives, and why A Kid's Place is redefining what residential foster care should look like.The conversation also explores leadership, psychology, resilience, travel, curiosity, discipline, and the importance of meeting every child where they are. One particularly moving story about a child who had never celebrated a birthday serves as a reminder that healing often begins with the smallest acts of love.Whether you're a parent, educator, nonprofit leader, foster parent, or simply someone who believes every child deserves hope, this episode offers meaningful insights into compassion, leadership, and creating environments where children can truly thrive.Top 3 Highlights❤️ Why keeping siblings together dramatically improves healing.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when children entering foster care are given more than a bed—when they are given stability, trusted adults, opportunities, and the chance to remain with their brothers and sisters?Samantha Mellen, Development Director at A Kid's Place of Tampa Bay, explains how the organization creates a safe, loving, family-style environment for children who have experienced trauma and family disruption.Samantha walks Joey Pinz through the realities of foster care, from children arriving late at night with few belongings to the gradual process of building trust and helping them feel like children again. She describes A Kid's Place's live-in house-parent model, on-campus therapists, academic support, mentoring, independent-living programs, and extended foster care services for young adults ages 18–23.The conversation also challenges the damaging assumption that foster children are inherently “troubled.” Samantha's message is direct: they are simply children who need consistency, care, and someone willing to believe in them.She also shares how community members can contribute through their time, talent, treasure, or voice, and why even ordinary donations can have a measurable impact.Top Three Highlights

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to create a true home for children navigating foster care?Lauren Slappey, Unit Supervisor at A Kid's Place of Tampa Bay, joins Joey Pinz for a candid conversation about supporting children during some of the most difficult and uncertain moments of their lives.Lauren explains how A Kid's Place keeps siblings together, provides consistent house parents, and creates individualized care based on each child's emotional, educational, and personal needs. She shares why structure can provide security, how compassion fatigue affects caregivers, and why foster children often want something simple: the freedom to be ordinary kids.The conversation also explores Lauren's journey from aspiring veterinarian and teacher to more than 13 years in social work. She discusses leadership, unconditional love, trusting her instincts, accepting mistakes, and learning that meaningful change rarely happens overnight.For Lauren, impact is found in everyday moments—a conversation in the car, learning to cook, receiving a message years later, or helping a child feel safe enough to open up.This episode is a powerful reminder that showing up consistently can alter the direction of a child's life.Top Three Highlights

Send us Fan Mail⚾ Brad Gregory once dreamed of reaching Major League Baseball. After becoming an All-American pitcher at Florida State University and playing professionally in the Minnesota Twins organization, that dream ended with a letter telling him his baseball career was over.That painful transition eventually led Brad toward a new purpose: helping vulnerable children.Today, Brad is the CEO of A Kid's Place of Tampa Bay, a foster care organization dedicated to providing children with a safe, nurturing, home-like environment while working to keep brothers and sisters together.Brad joins Joey Pinz to discuss what professional sports taught him about teamwork, why young athletes should be praised for effort rather than talent, and how gratitude and grace shape his leadership philosophy. He also explains what happens when a child first arrives in foster care, the importance of house parents, and why children in group homes deserve to be viewed as ordinary kids facing extraordinary circumstances.This conversation is a direct look at leadership, service, resilience, and the people working every day to protect children who need stability most.Top Three Highlights

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis Vangsnes and Kristen Allender reflect on the impactful leadership of Brian Mavis (co founder of America's Kids Belong) who is taking on a new ministry role and stepping out of the organization and the podcast. They share his memorable quotes and leadership principles that have shaped AKB's work in the nonprofit sector, emphasizing the importance of community support, family over programs, and the need for asset-based approaches to community change. The conversation shifts to the Foster Friendly initiative, highlighting its recent achievements in Tennessee, including an innovation award and the activation of over a thousand businesses to support foster families! They also delve into the Foster Friendly app, explaining its purpose and how it connects foster families with community resources. Finally, they look ahead to upcoming conversations and initiatives, emphasizing the importance of sharing stories and experiences from those who have experienced foster care.Download the Foster Friendly App:https://americaskidsbelong.org/foster-friendly-communities/foster-friendly-app/Pickup a copy of Brian's book- Go Upstream: Diving Into Foster Care To Heal 10 Social Woundshttps://a.co/d/04kn7GW0Learn more how your business can become Foster Friendly:https://americaskidsbelong.org/foster-friendly-business/ TakeawaysBrian Mavis transitioned to a local pastoring role, leaving a significant impact on America's Kids Belong.Personal hobbies, like horseback riding, can provide essential self-care and stress relief.The right people in an organization matter more than impressive credentials.A great family is more beneficial than any program for children in need.Real community change should focus on existing assets rather than deficits.Leadership should prioritize retention of current supporters before recruiting new ones.Humility in leadership includes acknowledging past mistakes and learning from them.Community support systems are crucial for fostering families.Equine therapy can be a valuable resource for emotional well-being.Collaboration among sectors is essential for effective community change. Trust is essential in the nonprofit sector.Collaboration can lead to greater impact.Brian Mavis was a visionary leader.Foster Friendly has activated over a thousand businesses.The Foster Friendly app connects families with resources.Community support is crucial for foster families.Innovative solutions can emerge from unexpected partnerships.Recognizing the contributions of individuals is important.Future conversations will focus on aging out of foster care.National Adoption Awareness Month will bring new resources. Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.Meet kids awaiting adoption.Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

Do you ever feel lost in the maze of court dates, school meetings, and sleepless nights, forced into a role you never expected? Are you a grandparent who has become the last line of defense for your family, while the system treats your love and sacrifice as just another case number? Maybe you find yourself grieving not just the loss of a peaceful retirement, but the heartbreak of watching your own child struggle, all while building a new life for your grandchildren.I'm Laura, and like you, my life was rewritten the day my grandson was removed from his mother with no warning, a reality no grandparent imagines. Navigating a system that hides its decisions behind a “black box,” my husband and I fought for months to keep our family together, relying on sheer determination and the kindness of a good attorney.Welcome to 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.' Here, our focus is on real stories that cut through the silence—stories shaped not only by resilience, but by the cold, hard data that reveals how deeply flawed the system is. You'll hear conversations with experts like this week's episode with Dr. Jill Bryant, a counseling professor and grandmother, who is building the research—and the case—for a future where the well-being of kinship families is not ignored. Complete Dr. Bryant's survey here to help us get the data we need! We'll discuss what it truly means to parent a second time, the grief that goes unspoken, and the shame that lingers in our quiet moments. We'll dig into the nuanced challenges of trauma, the gaps in support, and the power of speaking up—because your experience deserves recognition and your story can drive real change.Join me and a community of 2.7 million strong. Together, we will gather the voices and the data needed to transform the laws and support networks for grandparents raising grandchildren—proving that we are more than a safety net; we are the force for change our families desperately need.Send us Fan MailI want to know how you're doing. Is the podcast giving you what you need? What support are you missing most right now? Send me a Direct Message on Facebook or Instagram or email me directly at laurabrazan@grandparents-raising-grandchildren.org. I read and reply to every message because this community is built on supporting each other! States save billions by leaving children with relatives while giving us zero financial aid, zero legal aid, and zero respite. Leave a comment and let us know your name, state and what support you've been denied? We need to let our lawmakers know what we really need! A listener wrote in after reading this week's newsletter. She commented on how I shared about my husbands grief over the estrangement of his own son. Sign up to receive our weekly newsletters to read the latest stories and share with someone who needs to hear!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 

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Sept. 1, include: Nebraska Supreme Court could decide fate of two ballot initiatives after lawsuits were filed directly with high court, Lake McConaughy has dropped below 24% capacity as drought continues to affect central and western Nebraska, military families near Offutt Air Force Base face challenges accessing child care, fewer Nebraska children are experiencing repeated caseworker assignments, DHHS will seek bids to review its interRAI assessment for DD waivers following advocates' concerns, a grocery store in tiny remote Nebraska village has thrived for decade thanks to outside-the-box thinking by people who created it.

At just 18 years old, Jacob Diaz went from growing up in extreme poverty and foster care to helping manage a massive cocaine trafficking operation stretching from the Texas border to Florida. In this episode, Jacob explains how he started as a driver and translator before eventually handling logistics, coordinating drivers, collecting money, managing stash houses, and helping oversee the U.S. side of an operation connected to the Beltrán Leyva organization. At its peak, the network was moving dozens of kilos a week, with Jacob describing hundreds of kilos moving through individual customers and millions of dollars changing hands. Jacob breaks down how the operation stayed under the radar, how cocaine moved across the country, what life was like around cartel figures in Mexico, and the mistake that eventually brought federal investigators to his door. After being convicted on a federal cocaine conspiracy charge and serving more than seven years in prison, Jacob completely changed direction and built a legitimate business helping people repair their credit and access funding. This is the story of how a teenager went from homelessness and foster care to the center of a multimillion-dollar cocaine operation—and how it all came crashing down. Go Support Jacob! Ig: https://www.instagram.com/mycreditbuilderpros/ This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Hims! To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, and more, visit https://hims.com/connect NordVPN! NordVPN! Upgrade your online protection with an all-in-one security app! Get an exclusive NordVPN deal + 4 months extra here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/theconnect. Itʼs risk free with NordVPNʼs 30-day money-back guarantee! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 0:00 Intro: From Foster Care to Cartel Logistics 6:11 Growing Up in Extreme Poverty in Ocala 11:50 Foster Care, Family Separation & His Mom Disappearing 17:15 Learning to Let Go and Move Forward 20:03 This Episode Is Sponsored By Hims 21:48 Selling to Eat While Homeless 29:00 Selling Out of the Foster Home 34:32 Meeting the Man Who Became His Father Figure 41:54 Getting Involved In The Beltran-Leyva Organization 43:21 This Episode Is Sponsored By NordVPN 44:42 Becoming the U.S. Logistics Manager 47:17 Collecting Cash, Translating & Learning the Business 55:07 Border Routes, Checkpoints & Moving Product 1:00:57 The 70-Year-Old Cartel Mule 1:06:00 Moving 20 Kilos a Week Through Ocala 1:12:36 The Dream of Retiring in Spain 1:22:02 Cartel Security & Acapulco Nightlife 1:27:05 Living on a $30K-a-Month Party Budget 1:32:38 Why They Used One Distributor at a Time 1:38:02 How His Boss Got Back Across the Border 1:44:49 Flying Cash to Mexico 1:50:44 The 2011 Federal Investigation Begins 1:56:31 The Federal Case & Recorded Evidence 2:01:33 Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison 2:06:51 Building a Credit Business in Prison Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Question: I recently received an autism diagnosis in my mid-30s. I have relatively low support needs and am working with my therapist to identify the best ways to manage my energy. I think I could still be a good foster parent, but will it be an issue for an agency?Resources:Adult Autism Diagnosis Tool Kit – from Autism SpeaksAutistic Self Advocacy NetworkSo You Want to Be a Foster ParentSupport 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

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Attorney Felita Cornog. An adoption attorney and foster care advocate. Felita Cornog shares her personal journey from a traumatic childhood—losing her mother to domestic violence and her father to incarceration—to becoming a passionate advocate for children in foster care. She discusses the differences between adoption and foster care, the emotional toll of her work, and how others can support children in the system even if they don’t become foster parents themselves.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Attorney Felita Cornog. An adoption attorney and foster care advocate. Felita Cornog shares her personal journey from a traumatic childhood—losing her mother to domestic violence and her father to incarceration—to becoming a passionate advocate for children in foster care. She discusses the differences between adoption and foster care, the emotional toll of her work, and how others can support children in the system even if they don’t become foster parents themselves.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Attorney Felita Cornog. An adoption attorney and foster care advocate. Felita Cornog shares her personal journey from a traumatic childhood—losing her mother to domestic violence and her father to incarceration—to becoming a passionate advocate for children in foster care. She discusses the differences between adoption and foster care, the emotional toll of her work, and how others can support children in the system even if they don’t become foster parents themselves.

This is a recording of a reactions segment featuring Chunky, Jade and Corey. This video dives deep into a topics including current news, politics, culture, personal finance, real estate, investing, the stock market, spirituality and history.If you enjoy lively conversation and want your questions answered in real time, click on this link to watch upcoming live streams and be part of the conversation: https://www.youtube.com/@CoachCoreyWayne/streams Join this channel to get access to exclusive members only videos, full viewer questions podcasts & The 3% Man & Mastering Yourself Study Group Podcasts with the girls where we discuss the content of both books in depth:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQTAVxA4dNBCoPdHhX9nnoQ/join Join Members Only On My Website. 7 day free trial. Save 25% when you choose an annual Membership plan. Cancel anytime:https://understandingrelationships.com/plans 

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!What does healthy openness in adoption really look like—and how can adoptive parents maintain meaningful birth family connections over time? In this episode, we talk with adoptive mom Annie Iverson about practical strategies for open adoption, including staying consistent when life gets busy, setting healthy boundaries, keeping your child's needs at the center, and adjusting openness as children grow. We also explore how connection with birth family can support an adoptee's identity and sense of belonging, plus ways parents can honor a child's birth family and story even when direct contact is limited or inconsistent. Resources:Cards That Connect - use discount code Family20Open Adoption: Perspectives from the Triad#1 Secret for Navigating Open AdoptionHow to Handle Open Adoption Even When the Birth Parent Chooses to Close ItSupport 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

As we conclude our Best of Fostering Change series, we revisit one of our favorite conversations from Season 7 with Emmy Award-winning journalist and producer Pedro Andrade. Pedro is the creator and host of the HBO Max documentary series Somewhat Familiar, which follows his and his husband's journey to parenthood while exploring the many ways families are formed around the world. One episode of the series holds special meaning for the Fostering Change community. Pedro featured Rob Scheer and the Scheer family, sharing an honest and heartfelt look at foster care, adoption, and what permanency can look like in real life. In this conversation, Rob and Pedro continue that discussion, exploring how storytelling can broaden our understanding of family, elevate the voices of children in foster care, and inspire more compassionate conversations about belonging. Conversation Highlights How storytelling can reshape our understanding of family and belonging Why foster care deserves a place in global conversations about family Pedro's journey to parenthood through adoption The impact of featuring the Scheer family in Somewhat Familiar The role documentaries and media can play in reducing stigma and inspiring change Looking Ahead Thank you for joining us throughout our Best of Fostering Change summer series. Next week, we begin an exciting new chapter. Season 8 premieres with the same meaningful conversations, inspiring guests, and commitment to children and families, but under a brand-new name: Comfort Cases UnPacked We'll continue exploring the issues surrounding foster care while also unpacking the stories, challenges, solutions, and conversations that matter most. We hope you'll join us as we begin this exciting new season! Connect with Pedro Andrade Instagram: @pedroandradeTV Series: Somewhat Familiar with Pedro Andrade (HBO Max) Thank You for Listening If you've enjoyed these conversations, please follow, like, comment, and share the podcast. Your support helps us grow our audience and bring these important stories to more people. From all of us at Fostering Change, thank you for listening, for sharing this journey with us through seven incredible seasons, and for believing that every child deserves dignity, belonging, and hope. We'll see you next week for the premiere of Comfort Cases UnPacked.

Dr. Bob Griffith and Rev. Wendy Griffith share about the life-changing impact on a community through foster care. Drawing from their own experience as foster and adoptive parents, the Griffiths share how one simple “yes” can open the door to compassion, discipleship, and lasting community transformation. You'll be encouraged to consider practical ways you can become the hands and feet of Jesus by supporting vulnerable children and foster families—whether by opening your home, serving your local church, or coming alongside those already caring for kids in need.BOB AND WENDY'S BOOK: Get a copy of Bob and Wendy Griffith's book, Fostering Jesus: Answering the Call to Foster Care in the Home and Church, for a donation of any amount to Wait No More to help foster children.WAIT NO MORE: Children-focused. Family-founded. Wait No More helps foster, adoptive, and kinship families thrive in Christ.Shop our podcast storeJIM'S BOOK: Buy your copy of Jim Daly’s book, ReFOCUS! He shares how believers can engage others in the culture with the love of Christ and reveal the heart of God.TRUTH RISING: The world is shifting. Truth is under attack. Truth Rising, a new documentary from Focus on the Family and the Colson Center, reveals the crisis shaking faith, identity, and morality. But we can make a difference when we stand in God’s truth. Join the movement—watch now!BOB'S WEBSITE: Learn more about Dr. Bob and his ministry.

Tiffany Vulcain grew up neglected by her parents, cycled through group homes and juvenile detention, spent her teenage years around gang life, and hit the streets on her own after turning 18 before a credit card scheme and the wrong group of people produced a five year federal prison sentence — and had to give birth in one of the most isolating and most institutionally indifferent environments available. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, she shares what a childhood defined by neglect, group homes, and juvenile detention really produced before the streets found her, what the federal prison sentence that followed the credit card scheme actually looked like from the inside, and what being pregnant in federal prison and giving birth behind bars actually required of a woman who had spent her entire life fighting to survive systems that were never built to help her. _____________________________________________ #pregnancy #prison #truecrimestories #pregnant _____________________________________________ Connect with Tiffany Vulcain: https://www.instagram.com/tjvulcain/ _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Tiffany's Story 00:22 Early Life and Foster Care 01:18 Life in Jamaica vs. New York 02:10 Dysfunctional Home and Abuse 04:19 Running Away and Finding the Streets 06:11 Entering the Group Home 07:19 Freedom and Life of Crime Begins 09:40 Gang Involvement and Acceptance 10:46 Teenage Arrest and Juvenile Detention 13:13 Inside the Juvenile Facility 14:14 Returning Home and Foster Care Again 16:03 Aging Out and Exploitation 17:16 Escalating Crime and Credit Card Fraud 20:08 How the Fraud Worked 21:45 Facing the Victims 23:42 Self-Perception and Morality 24:42 Getting Caught in Virginia 27:59 The Federal Investigation 29:13 Turning Yourself In 31:28 The Plea Deal and Decision to Not Snitch 33:47 Estrangement from Family 34:15 Arrested Again While Pregnant 35:43 Experiencing Rikers Island 38:00 Sentencing and Lost Self-Surrender 40:08 Transport to MDC Brooklyn 41:40 The MINT Program and Women in MDC 43:57 Husband and Baby Plans 45:08 Giving Birth in Prison 53:16 Compassion vs. Desensitization 54:20 After Birth: Hospital and Advocacy 56:20 Baby in ICU and Special Permission 57:42 Leaving the Hospital Without Baby 01:00:42 Returning to Prison in Depression 01:02:02 Danbury Prison and Transition to Male Facility 01:04:12 Fight and Transfer to Philadelphia 01:07:23 The Shoe and Diesel Therapy 01:10:01 Flight with Chris Brown 01:11:42 Visits and Regret 01:12:24 Life in Philadelphia and Self-Discovery 01:14:00 Another Fight and Return to Brooklyn 01:15:20 Coming Home Without a Plan 01:16:00 Post-Prison Struggles and Betrayal 01:17:20 The Turning Point 01:19:20 Healing and Rebranding 01:20:14 Finding Purpose in Re-entry Work 01:22:51 Current Success and Roles 01:24:10 Message to Younger Self _____________________________________________ To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Parenting kids exposed to trauma is hard. Sometimes, it is very hard, but these families can thrive. In an interview with Creating a Family, Dr. Ross Greene, a Harvard Psychology professor, stressed that it was crucial for parents of children exposed to trauma to realize that kids want to do well, and if they are struggling, it is likely because they are lacking a specific skill needed to succeed.Resources:Helping Children Heal from TraumaPractical Guide to Parenting a Child Exposed to TraumaThe Explosive Child by Ross GreeneSupport 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

While executing an unrelated search warrant, law enforcement discovered 16 children in an isolated Ohio home, ranging in age from 18-month-old twins to an 18-year-old. Parents Gary Siders Jr. and Elizabeth Siders face neglect allegations, while Gary Jr. has also been charged with misdemeanor counts of public indecency. All 16 children were taken to the hospital for evaluation after being removed from the home, with several requiring additional treatment. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum talks with Law&Crime correspondent Angenette Levy about the case. Angenette describes the deplorable living conditions inside the home, what school and truancy records reveal about the children’s years away from the classroom, and the medical treatment some required after being removed from the home. She and Sheryl also look at how an entire family could seemingly disappear from public view and what is known about how the household was being supported financially. Angenette closes the episode with a remarkable story of the day she was assigned to cover an active Amber Alert and ended up finding the missing toddler at the center of it. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl introduces Angenette Levy and explains why she turned to her for the latest on the Ohio case (3:00) Authorities execute a sealed search warrant and unexpectedly find 16 children inside the Ohio home (5:30) What is known about the public indecency charges against Gary Siders Jr. and what remains unclear (8:30) School and truancy records raise questions about the children’s years away from the classroom (12:30) A neighbor recalls seeing children run toward the house and later came to believe the property was vacant (15:00) Reports about the conditions inside the home (17:15) Angenette looks at public benefits, a local diaper bank, and questions how the household was being supported (20:00) The role schools and mandated reporters can play in identifying children at risk (22:45) The children’s medical treatment after being removed from the home (26:00) Angenette shares how she found a missing toddler while covering an Amber Alert (33:00) Where the children are now and the additional support provided through therapeutic foster care Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire. --- Angenette Levy is a correspondent and host with Law&Crime Network. She has covered major trials, including Steven Avery, Kyle Rittenhouse, and Derek Chauvin, and was Emmy-nominated in 2015 for a story in which she helped find a missing toddler during an active Amber Alert. Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a metro Atlanta police department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than four decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. Social Links: Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this "Ask Me Anything" episode, Ryan and Kipp explore how men can break through life's transitional slumps and rebuild momentum. They answer viewer questions on keeping motivation alive after a health scare, finding purpose after military service, navigating the loss of a foster child, and handling sudden business success. They also share practical advice on stepping up as an uncle and owning past mistakes to rebuild a damaged reputation. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Episode Introduction 01:46 - Wholesome Character of the Day: Sophie Cunningham & Standing Up for Women's Sports 11:42 - Maintaining Clarity & Purpose After a Major Health Scare 19:22 - Rebuilding Identity and Mission After Leaving the Military 29:56 - Reconnecting with Family: Who Should Make the First all? 33:43 - Leading a Family Through the Grief of Foster Care 41:25 - What to Chase Next When You've Already Won 47:54 - Stepping Up as a Powerful Role Model Without Being a Dad 51:27 - Rebuilding Your Reputation When Everyone Knows Your Past Mistakes     Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready