Podcasts about Foster care

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Question:  I feel terrible even saying this, but I am counting down the days until school starts. My kids have trauma histories, ADHD, and prenatal exposure, and summer has been rough. The lack of routine seems to make everything harder—sleep, behavior, arguing, screen time, all of it. We started summer with big plans, but now everyone is cranky, including me. How do we make it through the rest of summer without completely falling apart?Resources: Embracing Summer: Supporting Children Through Seasonal TransitionsEmpowered to Connect: Summer Survival ResourcesSurviving Summer with Kids Impacted by Trauma5 Tips for Surviving Summer with Kids Impacted by TraumaKeeping Your Older Grandkids Busy During the SummerSupport 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

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!When we think about attachment in adoption and foster care, we usually focus on the child. But parents bring their own attachment histories and life experiences into the relationship as well. Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker explores how a parent's past can shape their parenting, influence reactions to challenging behaviors, and impact family connection and healing. Dr. Wirta-Leiker is a licensed psychologist, transnational and transracial adoptee, adoptive parent, creator of the National Adoptee-Therapist Directory, and author of the Adoptees Like Me children's book series.In this episode, we discuss:When we talk about trauma and attachment in adoption and foster care, most of the focus tends to be on the child. Why is it equally important to explore the parents' history?What do parents sometimes miss about the role their own experiences play in parenting?Why can it feel uncomfortable or even threatening for parents to turn the lens inward rather than focusing exclusively on the child?Can you give us a working definition of what you mean by "attachment" so we are all on the same page?How does that relationship from our childhood influence our parenting style now? The 4 major adult attachment styles, and what do they look or feel like in our parent-child relationship:SecureAnxious/PreoccupiedAvoidant/DismissiveDisorganized/UnresolvedMany parents hear descriptions of attachment styles and immediately start self-diagnosing. Why is that unwise or unhelpful? And what do you want parents to understand about using these concepts as tools for growth rather than labels?How do unresolved childhood experiences or trauma shape our parenting responses?Our kids with their histories of trauma, attachment disruptions, grief, losses, and trauma often bring those into our relationships. When these histories intersect with our unresolved experiences, both parent and child can feel triggered.What are some common ways our history of trauma may get activated—or "triggered"—by our adopted or foster children?How can we talk to ourselves when we feel that activation happening? Scripts we can use or messaging we can rehearse?Are there certain child behaviors that tend to be especially activating for parents with unresolved attachment or trauma wounds? What is happening neurologically and emotionally when a parent feels disproportionately angry, hurt, rejected, or powerless in response to a child's behavior?Why do you think parenting in adoption and foster care is uniquely effective at exposing unresolved issues that a parent may not have known were there?How do our parental expectations—about bonding, gratitude, trust, or family life—sometimes become obstacles to connection?What are some signs we notice when we are responding from our own history rather than from what the child actually needs in the moment?What signs can we notice in our kids to help us see that we may be responding from our own histories?What does healthy self-awareness look like for adoptive and foster parents?When parents recognize their own triggers, what practical steps can they take in the moment?How can parents begin exploring their own attachment history safely and productively?Is it possible to move toward a more secure attachment style as an adult? If so, how does that happen?What's one question parents should ask themselves when they find themselves repeatedly stuck in conflict with their child?Where would you encourage parents to begin if today's conversation has raised some difficult but important self-reflection?Resources:Grow Beyond WordsUnderstanding Attachment Between Parent and ChildAdoptee and Foster Alum Voices resource pageTherapy 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

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Question: What advice do you have for fostering/adopting children with autism, particularly those with limited communication skills? How can we best support them in expressing big feelings and feeling safe to do so? What can we do to help them feel they have some control and feel heard when they can't always communicate what they want and have a harder time understanding what's going on?Resources:Setting Up Your Child with Autism for SuccessHelping Autistic Kids ShineWhat Is Pathological Demand Avoidance and How Do I Parent This Child?Helping Your Child with Autism ThriveParent Support Toolkit (Autism Foundation)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

Send us Fan MailJames shares his journey through foster care, childhood abuse, meth addiction, psychosis, witchcraft, and recovery. After enduring years of neglect and abuse, he turned to drugs in an attempt to numb the pain. His search for belonging eventually led him into meth addiction and occult practices before finding a path toward healing and purpose.This episode explores the lasting impact of childhood trauma, the realities of addiction, spirituality, and the hope that recovery is possible—even after surviving experiences no child should have to endure.Reach out to James at mineauadvisorygroup@gmail.comSupport the showSEIU-WestWellness NewsParenting in the Storm Check out Parenting in the Storm HEREAre you getting something from our content? Tap here and buy us a coffee to say thanks and help us keep this train on the tracks!Check out the speakeasy podcastFollow Daniel Unmanageable on FacebookFollow Project Sparky We've got fresh merch and it's amazing! Pick yours up HEREFor business or speaking inquiries: Daniel@hardknoxtalks.comFollow Hard Knox TalksFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/hardknoxtalkspodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardknoxtalks/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hardknoxtalks?lang=en Check us out on YouTube:ht...

For young men, there used to be “a ton of societal pressure on you to make something of yourself.” That's one of many positive culture norms that we've now lost, says author Rob Henderson.Today, “some guys are going to be ambitious and hardworking regardless of what people tell them,” Henderson says. But for many others, “if there's no judgment, no norm, no expectation,” they will sink into a state of inertia or pursue “hedonistic pleasure” and “short-term, fleeting gratification.”He says this is one of many examples of how the loss of cultural norms has impacted human flourishing.To discuss this, Henderson joins Inside Policy Talks. Henderson is a psychologist and US Air Force veteran who is best known for coining the term “luxury beliefs.” He is the author of Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class.On the podcast, he tells Peter Copeland, acting director of domestic policy at MLI, that in past generations cultural norms served to promote healthy lifestyle choices while actively stigmatizing poor ones – like drugs and gambling. That stigma was serving a useful function.But Henderson says there are strategies individuals can use to overcome the lack of guidance today's culture provides about how to live a good life. He suggests that a wise place to start is by actively seeking out peer groups that promote positive norms.

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!How can storytelling help kids heal? In this episode, we talk to Dr. Sharon Zaffarese-Dippold to explore how story helps children make sense of their experiences, build resilience, and move toward thriving, including simple, everyday ways to begin using it at home. She is a psychotherapist with 27 years of experience in counseling and author of the "Garbage Bag Life" series, which emphasizes her journey through foster care.In this episode, we discuss:Can you tell us a little about your own journey and why helping children make sense of their stories became such an important part of your life?What did you wish the adults around you had understood about what you were carrying as a child?Why are stories such powerful tools for helping children heal?What is it about a story that often feels safer than direct conversations, especially for children who have experienced trauma, loss, foster care, adoption, or family disruption?What happens when children don't have a coherent story about their lives?What are some of the questions they may silently wrestle with?Many parents and caregivers are afraid of saying the wrong thing around a child's story. What do you suggest?What does it mean when a child moves from "What's wrong with me?" to "What happened to me?"What are some simple ways parents and caregivers can build storytelling into everyday family life?Stories can be used for more than understanding a child's history in adoption, foster care, and relative care. They can also help children recognize their strengths, resilience, and a sense of belonging.How can parents and caregivers use storytelling to build family identity?Resources:How to Talk with Our Kids About the Difficult Parts of Their StoriesHow to Make and Use an Adoption LifebookBuilding the Framework for Adopted & Foster Children to Process the Hard Parts of Their StoriesThe Healing Power of StorytellingSuggested Books for Kids:  Adoption, Foster Care, and Kinship CareSupport 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

On this edition of Chris Fabry Live, a conversation about adoptees and former foster children. Dr. Mary Ann McMillan knows the unseen wounds you carry personally. Her life was shaped by family separation, identity struggles, and the search for belonging. What if the healing you long for isn’t found in returning to the past, but in learning how to carry your past forward? Hear this important conversation on Chris Fabry Live. Featured resource:Bridging Resilience by Dr. Mary Ann McMillanWebsite: Celebrating 100 Years of Moody Radio July thank you gift:This is Moody Radio: 100 Years of Proclaiming the Gospel by Kevin Mungons and Phil Shappard Chris Fabry Live is listener-supported. To support the program, click here.Become a Back Fence Partner: https://moodyradio.org/donateto/chrisfabrylive/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

LGBTQ Rights Under Attack? Senegal, Trinidad, Trump & Hollywood | This Gay Week From Washington, D.C. to Senegal and Trinidad & Tobago, LGBTQ rights are facing renewed challenges around the world. Join Karel and Scott Jacobsen of The Good Men Project, reporting from Ukraine, for another lively edition of This Gay Week—where serious news meets sharp conversation and a little Hollywood fun. This week we cover:

This week's Best of Fostering Change episode brings back one of our most powerful and personal conversations from Season 7.We look back to September, at Rob's powerful conversation with Dr. Danisha Keating—author, speaker, educator, and former foster youth whose remarkable journey is one of resilience, healing, and hope.At just 16 years old, Danisha was removed from her home, separated from her eight siblings, and given just five minutes to pack her belongings into a trash bag. Rather than allowing that moment to define her, she reclaimed her story—eventually earning her Ph.D., becoming the guardian of five of her younger siblings, and dedicating her life to helping others heal from trauma and find their own voice.Conversation HighlightsDr. Keating's journey from foster care to earning her Ph.D.Healing from trauma and learning to reclaim your own storyThe importance of finding your voice while honoring the stories of othersThe challenges foster youth face in navigating systems that often tell their story for themWhy education became the foundation for hope, healing, and opportunityLooking AheadAll-new episodes return this fall with more inspiring guests and meaningful conversations.While our mission remains the same, the podcast will soon have a new name that better reflects where we're headed. We'll be announcing all the details in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!Connect with Dr. Danisha KeatingWebsite: https://danishakeating.comInstagram: @drdanishakeatingFacebook: Danisha KeatingYouTube: The Dr. Danisha Keating ShowTikTok: @drdanishakeating

In Episode 523 of Fishing Without Bait, we continue our conversation with Missy Sorg in Part 2 of a thoughtful and challenging discussion about politics, responsibility, family support, and respectful disagreement. Missy and Jim Ellermeyer begin by examining the complicated realities surrounding abortion and the question of what happens after a child is born. Their conversation moves beyond political slogans to consider infertility, adoption, foster care, support systems, special-needs care, financial responsibility, and the difficult decisions families may face. Missy shares personal experiences that have shaped her perspective, including going through infertility treatments and seeing family members navigate teenage pregnancy and lifelong care needs. The discussion asks whether society is doing enough to educate young people about consequences, critical thinking, emotional decision-making, and personal responsibility. The conversation then expands into voter education and representative government. Drawing from her work as a Republican committee woman and her experiences at polling locations, Missy discusses the importance of understanding what elected offices actually control rather than voting entirely through party labels or a single issue. Jim and Missy also consider how political representatives can become disconnected from their constituents, how social media encourages echo chambers, and why people often listen only long enough to prepare their response. Despite the disagreements and difficult subjects, the episode returns to a simple principle: people should be treated with courtesy and respect. Meaningful progress begins when we stop reducing one another to political labels and begin listening to learn. This is Part 2 of our conversation with Missy Sorg. The discussion continues in the next episode. Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait through your favorite podcast player so you do not miss the continuation. Support the podcast and receive ad-free episodes through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait Pick up Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/james-ellermeyer-lpc-ma-ncc-lpc/learn-to-fish-without-bait/paperback/product-6n9rd8.html?page=1&pageSize=4 Do a kindness for yourself. Do a kindness for another. Forgive yourself and forgive another.

Tune in to a new episode of Saving America! I'm honored to interview the incredible Debbie Ausburn, author, foster care expert, and child safety advocate. We dive deep into the challenges and triumphs of the foster care system and discuss how we can all help protect our most vulnerable children. Don't miss this powerful conversation! Thanks for joining me for this episode! I'm a Houston- based attorney, run an HR Consulting company called Claremont Management Group, and am a tenured professor at the University of St. Thomas. I've also written several non-fiction political commentary books: Bad Deal for America (2022) explores the Vegas-style corruption running rampant in Washington DC, while The Decline of America: 100 Years of Leadership Failures (2018) analyzes – and grades – the leadership qualities of the past 100 years of U.S. presidents. You can find my books on Amazon, and me on social media (Twitter @DSchein1, LinkedIn @DavidSchein, and Facebook, Instagram, & YouTube @AuthorDavidSchein). I'd love to hear from you! As always, the opinions expressed in this podcast are mine and my guests' and not the opinions of my university, my company, or the businesses with which I am connected.

In Episode 523 of Fishing Without Bait, we continue our conversation with Missy Sorg in Part 2 of a thoughtful and challenging discussion about politics, responsibility, family support, and respectful disagreement. Missy and Jim Ellermeyer begin by examining the complicated realities surrounding abortion and the question of what happens after a child is born. Their conversation moves beyond political slogans to consider infertility, adoption, foster care, support systems, special-needs care, financial responsibility, and the difficult decisions families may face. Missy shares personal experiences that have shaped her perspective, including going through infertility treatments and seeing family members navigate teenage pregnancy and lifelong care needs. The discussion asks whether society is doing enough to educate young people about consequences, critical thinking, emotional decision-making, and personal responsibility. The conversation then expands into voter education and representative government. Drawing from her work as a Republican committee woman and her experiences at polling locations, Missy discusses the importance of understanding what elected offices actually control rather than voting entirely through party labels or a single issue. Jim and Missy also consider how political representatives can become disconnected from their constituents, how social media encourages echo chambers, and why people often listen only long enough to prepare their response. Despite the disagreements and difficult subjects, the episode returns to a simple principle: people should be treated with courtesy and respect. Meaningful progress begins when we stop reducing one another to political labels and begin listening to learn. This is Part 2 of our conversation with Missy Sorg. The discussion continues in the next episode. Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait through your favorite podcast player so you do not miss the continuation. Support the podcast and receive ad-free episodes through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait Pick up Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/james-ellermeyer-lpc-ma-ncc-lpc/learn-to-fish-without-bait/paperback/product-6n9rd8.html?page=1&pageSize=4 Do a kindness for yourself. Do a kindness for another. Forgive yourself and forgive another.

On this month's Headlines edition of The Imprint Weekly Podcast, we start by discussing the latest details on A Home for Every Child, which every state in the nation has officially opted in for.Among the other headline we cover: the new national model licensing standards for foster care; stricter vetting around unaccompanied immigrant children seeking asylum protection; Mississippi's new law that exposes kids as young as 13 to the adult justice and incarceration system; and much more. Reading Room All 50 States Are In On ‘A Home for Every Child.' What's Next?https://imprintnews.org/youth-services-insider/all-50-states-are-in-on-a-home-for-every-child-whats-next/275917Trump Administration Wants States to Loosen Requirements for Foster Parentshttps://imprintnews.org/youth-services-insider/trump-administration-withdraws-licensing-standards/275531Feds Want More Vetting of Unaccompanied Minors and Their Potential Sponsorshttps://imprintnews.org/youth-services-insider/feds-want-more-vetting-unaccompanied-minors-sponsors/275677TANF and Work: The Gap Between Perception and Realityhttps://acf.gov/system/files/filefield_paths/TANF-WPR-Issue-Brief-FINAL.pdfAlabama Settles Lawsuit Over Institutionalization of Foster Youthhttps://imprintnews.org/youth-services-insider/alabama-settles-lawsuit-over-institutionalization-of-foster-youth/275700LGBTQ+ Advocates Brace for Consequences as National Christian Foster Care Agency Reverses Inclusion Policyhttps://imprintnews.org/top-stories/lgbtq-advocates-brace-for-consequences-as-national-christian-foster-care-agency-reverses-inclusion-policy/275618New Law Will Send More Mississippi Children to Adult Courts and Prisonshttps://imprintnews.org/top-stories/new-law-will-send-more-mississippi-children-to-adult-courts-and-prisons/275871Liability Insurance Survey by Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth and Family Serviceshttps://pccyfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PCCYFS-Insurance-Packet-2026.pdfCalifornia Backs $150 Million Bond for Youth Housing https://imprintnews.org/top-stories/california-lawmakers-back-150-million-bond-for-youth-housing/275589

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Question: My partner and I parent really differently, especially with our adopted child. I'm more focused on connection and understanding behavior, and my partner is much more strict and consequences-focused. We keep arguing about discipline and routines, and honestly, it's starting to hurt our relationship too. How do we stop fighting about parenting and work better together?Resources:Prioritizing Your Marriage in Adoption, Foster Care, or Kinship CareWhen Your Child's Trauma Impacts Your MarriageSelf-Care Isn't SelfishRelated Podcasts:Strategies for Maintaining a Healthy Marriage or Partnership While Raising Adopted, Foster, or Relative ChildrenWhen Parenting Feels Uneven: Helping Your Partner Step InSupport 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

Episode Summary When Jamole Callahan was fifteen, he realized the adults were meeting every few months to decide his future, and he was never in the room. He spent six years in foster care across nine homes and aged out at eighteen into the kind of instability that pushes so many young people straight into homelessness. Twenty years later, the rooms have flipped: lawmakers now invite him in, and he has helped shape the federal housing policy that gives young people leaving care a longer runway of support. He talks with host Micaela Tracy about the meetings he fought his way into, the foster-agency worker who finally leveled with him, the science teacher he now calls dad, and why housing is the foundation everything else depends on. His message reaches past the system to anyone listening: throw the pebble in the pond, because your expertise is someone else's learned skill, and the ripple reaches a shore you may never see. In This Episode 00:00 Cold open 00:30 Welcome and season framing 01:00 Fifteen years old, and the meetings he was never invited to 04:00 "Nothing about us without us": finding out decisions were made without him 06:00 Boycotting school, and the agency worker who finally leveled with him 07:00 The aging-out plan: an apartment, six months of help, then "you're on your own" 08:00 Practicing decisions while there's still a safety net 09:00 Why youth get left out: caseloads, staffing shortages, and old mindsets 11:00 Throwing the pebble in the pond: grassroots change from the ground up 14:00 Did he have an advocate? The people who took him under their wing 16:00 The lasting impact of one adult showing up for a teen 18:00 Aging out by the numbers, and why housing equals stability 18:30 Helping create the Foster Youth to Independence housing voucher 21:00 Getting housed is one thing, staying housed is another 22:00 The Permanency Pact and building a real support list 23:00 "Just like a CASA": the volunteer who stayed nineteen years 25:00 On connection, broken attachments, and being a gumbo pot of every home 25:30 What he's working on now: housing and a healthy workforce 27:30 How the community can support from the outside 28:00 What any volunteer can give: your time and your expertise 30:00 Making it easy to say yes, and getting back to grassroots outreach 31:00 Donating your small talk 32:00 Find your niche: closing words for the system, parents, and youth 34:30 Reflection and close About Our Guest Jamole Callahan spent six years in foster care across nine homes and aged out at eighteen. Today he is a co-founder of ACTION Ohio, a national speaker and trainer known as Mr. Motivator, and an advocate whose work helped advance the federal Foster Youth to Independence housing voucher for young people leaving care. Resources and Links Jamole Callahan  ·  info@jamolecallahan.com  ·  @Jamole Callahan on social media ACTION Ohio (Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now) Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) vouchers — HUD Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act (2019) Permanency Pact — FosterClub Voices for CASA Children National CASA/GAL Association for Children Share Your Voice This season is about the many different voices in the room when a child is in foster care. If that's you, whether you've been there as a professional, a foster or birth parent, or someone who lived it, and you'd like to share your perspective on the show, host Micaela Tracy would love to hear from you. Reach out at education@voicesforcasachildren.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 note: this episode discusses aging out of foster care and homelessness, and includes brief strong language. Voices for CASA Children  |  By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Navigating special education can feel overwhelming—but you don't have to do it alone. In this episode, we're joined by Paula J. Yost, a licensed clinical mental health therapist, special education advocate, lawyer, educator, and author who breaks down IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, and how to effectively advocate for your child.In this episode, we discuss:What led you to focus on helping families navigate the special education system?For parents and caregivers who may be feeling overwhelmed, confused, or even intimidated by this process, what would you want them to know right at the beginning?Is there a preferred or more respectful language we should be using—special education, exceptional children education, or something else?What are the key laws that govern special education in the United States?FAPEIDEAWhat are some of the most common acronyms parents & caregivers will encounter, and what do they mean?IEPs504 plansLRESDIOHIWhat are some early signs that a child might need additional support or an educational assessment?How does trauma impact a child's ability to learn and show up in the classroom?What are the first steps a parent or caregiver should take if they believe their child needs to be evaluated?What is involved in an educational assessment, and what should families expect from that process?Once a child is evaluated, how do families understand the results and translate them into meaningful support?Can you explain the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan in terms of the support and accommodations they include?What kinds of accommodations or supports should parents and caregivers be aware of that they can request in an IEP or 504 plan?What are some common mistakes or misconceptions parents have when entering this process?What rights do foster or kinship parents have when it comes to requesting evaluations and services?Are foster or kinship parents allowed to attend IEP or 504 meetings, and what role can they play in those discussions?How can foster or kinship parents support a child with learning differences or disabilities at home, to reinforce what is being done at school?What should parents do if they feel the school isn't providing adequate support or following through on a plan?For families just beginning this journey, what are a few practical first steps they can take this week to start advocating for their child?What message of encouragement or reassurance would you like to leave with parents and caregivers who are walking this path?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

Emma Grede is a British serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, and mother of four. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Good American, and a founding partner of SKIMS. Recognised for her achievements, Emma has been featured on Forbes' America's Richest Self-Made Women list. She made history as the first woman of colour to serve as a judge on ABC's Shark Tank. Emma joins Nuala McGovern to discuss her book Start With Yourself, a bold and empowering guide with advice on how women can build meaningful success on their own terms.Today the goverment will announce plans to boost support for foster carers. The aim is to encourage more people to provide homes for vulnerable children in England. It's the latest step in the government's drive to recruit an additional ten thousand foster carers, as they announced back in February. BBC's Social Affairs Editor, Alison Holt explains.At least 5,000 pregnancies a year in the UK end due to Termination for Medical Reasons, but the persistent taboo in society can mean that families keep it secret, in fear of other people's reactions. The stigma and silence around it mean people can feel incredibly alone in their grief and often feel excluded from the wider baby loss community, increasing their sense of isolation. July is Bereaved Parents' Awareness Month and to discuss this issue, Nuala talks to a grief coach and bereaved mother, Tanya Wilkinson and to Tommy's Co Midwifery Manager, Amina Hatia.What do you do with your wedding and or engagement rings after divorce? It's been reported that a growing number are said to be turning them into something entirely new. The so-called "divorce ring" trend is seeing women reset engagement diamonds into bold pieces that symbolise independence and a fresh start. So what's driving the trend, and what does it tell us about the changing meaning of jewellery after marriage? Nuala is joined by gemmologist and jewellery expert, Helen Dimmock and author and jewellery historian Rachel Church, to discuss.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Simon Richardson

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Travis Vangsnes welcome Shenandoah Chefalo, an author and advocate for trauma-informed systems change. Shenandoah shares her personal journey through foster care, emphasizing the complexities of grief and loss experienced by children in the system. The conversation explores the impact of systems on grief, the challenges of hyperindependence, and the importance of empowering children with choices. Shenandoah also discusses her memoir as a tool for healing and the significance of curiosity in understanding children's behaviors. This episode highlights the need for a nuanced approach to supporting children in foster care, recognizing that healing is an ongoing journey. Shenandoah and the hosts discuss the complexities of the foster care system, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, community support, and understanding the unique needs of foster youth. They explore how rules can sometimes hinder rather than help, and the necessity of fostering connections between biological and foster families. The discussion highlights the need for adults to recognize and honor the grief that children in foster care experience, advocating for a more compassionate and understanding approach to caregiving.Pickup a copy of her book: "The Best Bunny: The Adventures of Lil Shen (and her inspirational sidekick, Bunny Best)"https://a.co/d/0iA5k1TmTakeawaysShenandoah emphasizes the importance of moving from survival to stability and belonging.Grief in foster care is often overlooked and not addressed by systems.Hyperindependence can hinder the ability to accept help and support.Writing a memoir can help organize fragmented experiences and promote healing.Ambiguous loss affects children in care, as they miss their previous lives.Children in foster care often feel uncomfortable in new environments.Empowering children with choices can help them feel more secure.Curiosity about children's behaviors can lead to better understanding and solutions.The system often fails to address the grief of both children and workers.Healing is an ongoing journey, not a one-time event. Foster parents can push back on rigid rules for the benefit of the child.Community support is crucial for foster youth and their families.Flexibility in rules can lead to better outcomes for children.Children need to feel they are not disposable and that they belong.Behavior in children often stems from grief and loss.Foster care systems should encourage connections between biological and foster families.Adults need to be consistent and understanding in their approach to foster youth.Curiosity about a child's behavior can lead to better understanding and support.It is important to recognize that every child is unique and requires different approaches.Belonging should not be seen as a reward but a fundamental need. 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.

Throughout July and August, we're revisiting some of our favorite conversations from Season 7 as part of our Best of Fostering Change series.This week's featured episode originally aired during the 2025 holiday season and showcases an extraordinary story of resilience, determination, and reinvention.Carolyn Aronson, founder and CEO of It's A 10 Haircare, shares her remarkable journey from experiencing foster care as a child to building one of the world's most successful beauty brands. Today, It's A 10 Haircare is a global company valued at more than $1 billion, with products sold in more than 130 countries.Beyond her entrepreneurial success, Carolyn is a passionate philanthropist whose work supports youth, foster care organizations, LGBTQ+ initiatives, disaster relief efforts, and workforce development. Her story is a powerful reminder that our past does not define our future—and that success is measured not only by what we achieve, but by how we lift others along the way.Conversation HighlightsCarolyn's journey from foster care to founding a billion-dollar global companyBuilding It's A 10 Haircare through authenticity, perseverance, and innovationHow her childhood experiences shaped her leadership and philanthropyThe importance of giving back and creating opportunities for othersLessons on resilience, entrepreneurship, and believing in yourselfLooking AheadAll-new episodes will return this fall with more inspiring guests and meaningful conversations.While the mission remains the same, the podcast will soon have a new name that better reflects where we're headed. We'll be announcing all the details in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!Connect with Carolyn AronsonWebsite: https://www.itsa10haircare.comInstagram: @itsa10ceo

As prices rise, the math of living just isn't adding up for many Florida families. Now comes word of a connection between housing costs and foster children being kept from their parents.Also on the show: how the November vote on property taxes cuts could affect renters, an update from a local woman in Venezuela during last month's earthquakes, and a USF football player talks about his project to help Nigerian villages.Website: https://www.wusf.orgSign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletterFollow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSFInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni3

In this episode of Money Buys Happiness, we sit down with Daniel Southan-Dwyer, founder of Fairfax, to unpack one of the most incredible entrepreneurial journeys we've ever heard.From spending time in foster care as a child to working oil rigs, breaking into capital markets without a university degree, raising tens of millions of dollars, and eventually becoming an owner of European football clubs, Daniel's story is a masterclass in resilience, networking, investing, and building wealth.We dive deep into:How Daniel went from foster care to building a successful businessBreaking into finance and capital markets without a degreeThe truth about raising millions from investorsWhat venture capitalists and investors actually look forBuilding relationships that create life-changing opportunitiesLessons from making 150 cold calls every dayLosing $30,000 investing—and the lesson that changed everythingWhy most entrepreneurs fail to raise capitalStartup fundraising, investor psychology, and business growthMoney management habits that actually build wealthThe reality of owning professional European football clubsWhy timing matters more than most entrepreneurs realizeWhether you're an entrepreneur, startup founder, investor, business owner, or simply looking to improve your financial mindset, this conversation is packed with practical advice and behind-the-scenes insights into the worlds of investing, private capital, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation.If you're interested in business, investing, entrepreneurship, startup funding, venture capital, money mindset, personal finance, stock market investing, wealth building, football ownership, or success stories, this episode is for you.Check out Daniel & Fairfax:Daniel IG: https://www.instagram.com/danielsouthandwyer/ Fairfax IG: https://www.instagram.com/fairfaxpartners/ SHOP NEW MBH MERCH:https://mbhtv.com/collections/mbh-merchandiseSUBSCRIBE TO MBH SNAPCHAT: https://www.snapchat.com/@thembhpodcastSUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcQijWgy0S1vyfPm_BhYNPwLISTEN ON:APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/money-buys-happiness/id1513827461SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/4DzyFZDvEHVT8ArGusePGs?si=38129137034440ecHOSTS INSTAGRAM:ERNESTO: https://www.instagram.com/Ernestogaita/ANTHONY: https://www.instagram.com/AnthonysorellaPODCAST: https://www.instagram.com/moneybuyshappiness

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Question: My child is in upper elementary school, and we've been together for a while, but they still keep me at arm's length. What are some concrete things I can do now to help build a more secure attachment?Resources:Establishing Secure Attachment with Your New Foster or Adopted Tween or TeenUnderstanding and Improving Parent-Child AttachmentThe Power of Curiosity: Helping Kids Feel Safe to GrowUnderstanding How Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) Help Kids ThriveSupport 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

Yosef was raised in an Orthodox Jewish home, then at fourteen years old he was placed in the Foster Care system when his parents passed away. Yosef attended Illinois State University.  He remembers hearing the rock song “Jesus Christ Superstar” and it made an impression on him. A representative of Campus Crusade for Christ came to his dormitory and seeds were sewn.  There came a time when God spoke to him and told him about Yeshua.   He was challenged to read the New Testament.  The next morning there was a box of free books near the mailbox.  He began reading “Good News for Modern Man”  and it all started to make sense.   He met a Methodist minister and began going to his church. Then at 20 years old he became the youth director there.  Yosef still didn't know that there were other Jewish believers.  He obtained a Masters degree from Messiah Biblical Institute in Washington, DC and another from Gratz College in Philadelphia.  He lived in Israel for a while and teaches Yeshiva courses online. 

Rob Henderson grew up in poverty in Los Angeles moving from foster home to foster home, seeing addiction, instability, and family breakdown all around him. He joined the U.S. Air Force at 17, entered Yale University at 25 with help from the GI Bill, and completed his PhD at the University of Cambridge. He climbed “every rung on the American class ladder,” as he describes it.But at Yale and other elite universities, he saw the spread of radical ideas—abolish the police, empty prisons, dismantle marriage, decriminalize all drugs—ideas that he understood would be devastating to the communities he grew up in.And that's how he came to develop his now famous concept of luxury beliefs: “Luxury beliefs are ideas and opinions that confer status on the affluent … while inflicting costs on the less fortunate members of society,” he says.How is it that these ideas came to be so pervasive? And what are their true consequences for society?Henderson is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, contributing editor of City Journal, and bestselling author of “Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class.”Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

As we wrap up Season 7 of *Fostering Change*, we're joined by Kym Renner, President and CEO of the RennerVation Foundation and a longtime leader in child welfare and public service.With more than 25 years of experience in Los Angeles County's child welfare system, Kym brings a powerful perspective at the intersection of public policy, foster care, and community-based support. Alongside her brother, Jeremy Renner, she co-founded the RennerVation Foundation to create opportunities and meaningful support for foster and at-risk youth throughout Nevada.This conversation is especially meaningful for Comfort Cases. Earlier this year, we partnered with the RennerVation Foundation for a Packing Party and community event in Lake Tahoe. Later this summer, Rob will spend time at Camp RennerVation meeting directly with campers and hearing about their experiences in foster care.Together, these moments reinforce a simple truth: the best solutions begin by listening to young people themselves.Conversation Highlights:Why foster youth must have a voice in shaping the programs designed to support themHow public systems and community organizations can work together to create better outcomesThe impact of Camp RennerVation and the Foundation's Pave Your Way programBuilding meaningful support that feels accessible, welcoming, and relevant to young peopleWhy collaboration between nonprofits can create lasting change for youth in foster careA Special Season Finale Message:This episode marks the conclusion of Season 7 of *Fostering Change*.Beginning next week and continuing throughout the summer, we'll be revisiting some of our favorite conversations from this past season in a special “Best Of” series.We'll also be releasing our special six-part investigative series:*The F Word: America's Foster Care Crisis*This limited series takes an honest look at some of the biggest challenges facing child welfare today while highlighting real solutions and practical ideas for reform. Featuring former foster youth, advocates, attorneys, policymakers, and frontline professionals, *The F Word* explores where the system is falling short and what we can do to help fix it.Finally, we're excited to announce that when we return with brand-new episodes in September, the podcast will have a new name:*Comfort Cases UnPacked*Same mission. Same meaningful conversations. Same commitment to children and families.Just a new name that better reflects what we've always done: unpacking the issues, challenges, and solutions surrounding foster care and child welfare.We can't wait to share Season 8 with you.Learn More:Website: https://www.rennervationfoundation.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rennervationfoundationInstagram: @officialrennervationfoundationTikTok: @officialrvfoundationLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rennervationfoundation/posts/

On this segment of Copper Country Today, Erica Bates and Ariel Miron from UP Kids talk with host Tim Peters about the need for foster families in the area.Copper Country Today airs throughout Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula Sunday mornings at 7:00 on WOLV 97.7 FM, 8:00 on WCCY 99.3 FM and 1400 AM, 9:00 on WHKB 102.3 FM, and 10:00 on WHBS 96.3 FM. The program is sponsored by the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation. Copyright © 2026, ListenUpRadio, Houghton, MI.

Episode Summary For thirty years, neonatal nurse practitioner Tara Sundem watched newborns go through opioid withdrawal under bright lights, separated from their mothers, and for a long time she believed those mothers had brought it on themselves. Then she learned what she had been missing, and she set out to build the opposite of what she had been part of. As co-founder and executive director of Hushabye Nursery in Phoenix, she now cares for substance-exposed babies and their mothers together, treating the two as one patient. She talks with host Micaela Tracy about the night a baby in withdrawal changed her mind, why dignity is a clinical intervention and not a nicety, how she partners with the Department of Child Safety instead of against it, and what families navigating addiction and recovery actually need. Her message holds for anyone who has ever judged a parent from the outside: this is a brain disease, not a choice, and the earliest moments of a child's life can shape everything that follows. In This Episode 00:00 Cold open 00:30 Welcome, season framing, and a content note 01:30 Meet Tara: Hushabye Nursery and the whole-family model 02:00 The nurse who didn't understand: Tara's own change of heart 03:30 Adverse childhood experiences and rethinking the whole approach 05:30 What the research says about keeping families together 09:00 Open child welfare cases, and getting a baby home with mom 10:30 One little win, and changing the safety narrative 12:00 Back to 2015: the hospital and the 2:30 a.m. morphine call 14:00 The night it clicked: soothing a baby through withdrawal 17:30 "So what about the moms?" the question that reshaped the mission 19:00 It isn't a choice: understanding addiction with dignity 21:00 The HOPPE model: meeting mom, baby, and family together 23:00 Same room, six feet, and partnering with DCS 25:00 What a family actually hears when DCS arrives 28:00 Community, staying engaged, and giving back 29:30 Relapse without writing a parent off: the "oopsie" 34:00 Former clients who now do the work 36:00 A mother's impossible math 38:30 What Tara wants anyone who has judged to understand 42:30 Where to find Hushabye 43:00 Reflection and close About Our Guest Tara Sundem is a neonatal nurse practitioner with more than thirty years in intensive care and the co-founder and executive director of Hushabye Nursery, a Phoenix nonprofit that cares for opioid-exposed newborns alongside their mothers rather than separating them. Since 2020, Hushabye has cared for more than 1,000 babies and walks alongside the families learning to care for them. Resources and Links Hushabye Nursery  ·  480-628-7500 (call or text, available 24/7) How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime — Dr. Nadine Burke Harris (TED Talk) Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) — CDC Voices for CASA Children National CASA/GAL Association for Children 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 includes discussion of substance use, addiction, and sexual violence, and may be difficult for some listeners. Voices for CASA Children  |  By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care

In this episode of Recovery on Air, we sit down with Estil Wallace for a powerful conversation about trauma, faith, and what long term sobriety really looks like. From foster care and generational alcoholism to 22 years clean and sober, Estil shares how God, therapy, and 12 step recovery worked together to change everything. He talks openly about surviving early childhood abuse, growing up in chaos, and the impact that untreated trauma had on his addiction, relationships, and view of himself. Estil also shares how working the steps, doing deep therapy, and finding a church community helped him forgive, heal, and discover a new purpose in helping others. We also dive into how treatment programs and 12 step fellowships can support each other instead of competing, the reality of spiritual warfare in recovery, and why integrated, trauma informed, faith centered care can be so life changing. If you are in recovery, love someone who struggles, or work in behavioral health, this episode is honest, hopeful, and real ! If this episode speaks to you, please like, comment, and subscribe—and share it with someone who needs hope today. #FromFosterCareToFreedom #EstilWallace #RecoveryOnAir #CrossroadsRecovery #TraumaInformedCare #FaithAndRecovery #LongTermSobriety #12StepRecovery #FosterCareSurvivor #ChristianRecovery #ArizonaRecovery #PrattPodcasting

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Parenting neurodiverse tweens and teens can feel overwhelming, especially when traditional parenting strategies don't seem to work. In this episode, we talk with Carl Young and Joel Sheagren, co-authors of Embracing Hope: Innovative Strategies to Empower Parents Raising Neurodiverse Teens, about practical, brain-based strategies to reduce conflict, support emotional regulation, strengthen connection, and navigate the hard seasons with more hope.In this episode, we discuss:What are parents of tweens and teens carrying right now that you know they want people to understand?Why do the tween and teen years often become especially hard for neurodiverse kids and their caregivers?One of the themes in your work is “understanding over stigma.” Can you tell us what that means?What are examples of behaviors parents are often blamed for, or blamed on the child, that may actually be rooted in neurodevelopmental differences?Many parents feel confused because traditional parenting advice doesn't seem to work for their child with neurodiversity. Can you explain executive functioning in a way that helps overwhelmed parents understand what their child is actually struggling with day to day? What are some real-life ways those struggles show up at home?What are some common expectations we place on tweens and teens that may not match their developmental abilities? How can parents shift toward more reasonable expectations without giving up on growth?What are some practical strategies to reduce conflict at home while still maintaining structure and boundaries?We understand that self-regulation is a learned skill that comes from years of our own regulation and then sharing it with our kids, called co-regulation.  What does co-regulation actually look like with a tween or teen who is escalating emotionally?How can parents respond differently to behaviors like impulsivity, shutdowns, avoidance, perseveration, or lying?Many caregivers say they feel like they're “walking on eggshells.” It's exhausting and creates so much stress in our homes.Where do you recommend families start when the home has fallen into a state of constant stress or chaos?How can parents introduce and maintain the “calm” in spite of the chaos that our kids' neurodivergence may bring with it?What helps parents hold onto a connection with their child during seasons when everyone feels frustrated or discouraged?Sometimes families need help redefining success. How do you encourage parents to rethink what thriving can look like for neurodiverse tweens and teens?Resources:Embracing NeurodiversityEmbracing Hope: Innovative Strategies to Empower Parents Raising Neurodiverse TeensRaising Kids with Neurodiversity (ADHD, Autism, & Learning Differences)Suggested books for Raising Kids with Learning YouSupport 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

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, Brian, Travis, and Courtney celebrate the podcast's two-year anniversary while reflecting on the impact of sharing real foster care stories and experiences. The conversation explores the realities of foster care from both the perspective of foster parents and those learning about the system from the outside.The hosts discuss the different types of foster care placements, including emergency, short-term, long-term, and youth in conflict placements, as well as the intake process and the difficult decisions foster families must make when accepting a child into their home. They highlight the importance of understanding family dynamics, communicating boundaries with caseworkers, and recognizing the emotional and logistical challenges that come with fostering.The conversation also dives into the first month after placement, the overwhelming nature of adjusting to a new child in the home, the responsibilities foster parents carry, and the importance of strong support systems. Topics include visitation with biological parents, navigating relationships within the child welfare system, and the misconceptions many people have about foster families.Throughout the episode, the hosts emphasize that foster families are everyday people making an extraordinary commitment. By sharing personal stories and practical insights, the podcast aims to build empathy, educate the community, and encourage greater support for children and families involved in foster care.Learn more about becoming a foster parent with our "Fostering Front Door" resources:https://americaskidsbelong.org/lp/ffd-potential-foster-parent-journey/TakeawaysThe Foster Friendly Podcast celebrates two years of conversations focused on educating and supporting the foster care community.Sharing real foster care stories helps bridge the gap between those involved in foster care and those who may not understand the system.Foster care placements can include emergency, short-term, long-term, and youth in conflict situations.The intake process involves carefully evaluating a child's needs and circumstances.Foster parents often receive placement calls unexpectedly and must make difficult decisions quickly.Families should communicate their preferences, boundaries, and limitations with caseworkers.The decision to accept a placement should consider the needs of both the child and the foster family.Foster care impacts entire families and requires thoughtful consideration of family dynamics.The first month after placement can be one of the most challenging and overwhelming periods for foster families.Strong relationships with caseworkers and community members can make the foster care journey more manageable.Foster parents handle significant responsibilities, including appointments, paperwork, daily care, and emotional support.Visitation with biological parents is an important part of many foster care experiences.Foster families are not extraordinary people—they are ordinary people choosing to do something extraordinary.Community involvement and support systems are essential for helping foster families succeed.Greater understanding and empathy can come from learning about the realities of foster care.The needs of the child should remain the central focus in every foster care decision. 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.

“I will restore to you the years the swarming locust has eaten…” -Joel 2:25   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 Lainie Hartley. Lainie is an author, speaker, foster and adoptive mom, and former foster youth whose voice carries the weight of lived experience and the hope of redemption. Through raw and deeply personal storytelling, she speaks about childhood neglect, trauma, grief, survival, and the God who still restores what was never supposed to be broken.   Listen to Lainie's powerful story of healing and redemption on Episode 537 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: LainieHartley.com  https://www.instagram.com/authorlainiehartley/ Lanie Hartley on Facebook 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

Today from SDPB - additional information on the charges related to McKenna Wendel's death, a foster care program opens two new homes to serve the Rapid City community and more.

Could you do with higher self worth? Do you put yourself down? Do you see yourself as bad? Good enough? Rob aged out of foster care homeless at 18. He struggled to see his self worth. Listen in as he shares his learnings on seeing our essential goodness. At any given time, there are more than 330,000 youth in foster care in the United States. An estimated 700 children enter the system each day, and most arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs. Those who do have belongings are often given a trash bag in which to pack up and carry their life's treasures. Rob Scheer experienced this indignity firsthand. Over forty years ago, he entered foster care and walked up to his foster home carrying a tattered and torn trash bag. He aged out of foster care at the age of 18, became homeless, and again carried his possessions in a trash bag. After graduating high school (while still homeless), serving in the military and moving on to have a successful career as a banker, Rob, along with his husband Reece, decided to grow their family by adopting from the foster care system. When his children arrived on his doorstep with their belongings in trash bags. Rob was floored. How, after forty years, were children in the foster care system still carrying their things in a bag used for trash? Rob and his family decided it was time to change this practice and the idea for Comfort Cases was born. With the vision of assembling backpacks filled with comfort and personal care items to deliver to local DCFS, the Scheer family invited their community to pack some cases. The first Packing Party was held in December of 2013 and shortly thereafter Comfort Cases was established as an official 501(c)3. To date, more than 300,000 Comfort Cases® and Comfort XL duffel bags have been distributed to children in foster care in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and now in the United Kingdom, with Comfort CasesUK launched in 2022.  Rob's ultimate goal is for every youth to receive a Comfort Case® upon entering foster care. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Comfort Cases has been featured on The Ellen Show, The Today Show, The View, and NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, just to name a few. In 2017, an Upworthy video featuring Comfort Cases received over 150 million views and in 2018 Rob Scheer was named one of CNN's Heroes. Rob and Reece Scheer are also featured in Bryce Dallas Howard's documentary film Dads on AppleTV+. Rob is the host of Fostering Change, a weekly audio and video podcast that brings in guests of prominence who discuss issues regarding foster care, adoption, LGBTQ+ and other timely and topical issues. Now in its 7th season, Fostering Change has been ranked the #1 Podcast for Adoption and Foster Care issues two consecutive years. The author of A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time, Rob's memoir tells the inspiring story of his journey from foster care to foster parent and his drive to rebuild a broken system. In May, 2022, Rob received an Honorary Doctoral Degree, a Doctorate of Humane Letters, from Lynn University, where he also delivered the commencement speech. Rob lives in Maryland with his husband Reece, their five children and multiple pets including dogs, goats, chickens and a pig named Penelope. https://www.instagram.com/rob_scheer https://www.facebook.com/comfortcases/ https://www.facebook.com/robscheer6 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-scheer-27482653/ https://comfortcases.org/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Question: We're getting close to adopting our foster child, and I keep worrying there are things we should be asking for before finalization that we don't even know to request. What information or records should we make sure to get from the agency so we truly understand our child's history and needs?Resources:23 Crucial Questions to Ask at Foster Care Placement MeetingsAre You Considering Foster Care Adoption This Year?Adopting a Child of a Different Race or CultureSupport 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

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Many parents raising adopted, foster, or kinship children feel like they're carrying most of the parenting load alone. Talking about it and changing it can be hard. In this episode, Josh Davis, PhD, shares practical, non-blaming strategies to improve communication, build confidence, and create a stronger parenting partnership when raising kids from hard places. As Father's Day approaches, Josh also offers some downloads for Dads!In this episode, we discuss:How common is it for one person in a partnership or marriage to feel as if the parenting load is uneven?How can we influence the relationship to invite our partners into a more balanced dynamic?What are the common reasons partners step back instead of stepping in? What are some signs that maybe criticism—even subtle—is affecting our partner's willingness to engage?What do you mean by “lowering the barrier to involvement?”How can we offer specific, doable examples to our partners without “telling them what to do?”What scripts can we use, or what language, to invite partnership?For parents/caregivers raising challenging kids who require a LOT of time, energy, emotional investment, etc., what are some helpful ways to stay emotionally connected and protect their marriage or partnership?If a listener wants to take what they've learned here and invite their partner in to share the parenting load, what are one or two first steps to try? Resources:Celebrating & Supporting Men in Foster & Kinship CareJosh Davis, PhD  - www.joshdavisphd.com/www.joshdavisphd.com and www.nlpfordads.com Why Mentors are Crucial When Raising Relative KidsSupport 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 Father's Day approaches, this week's episode of Fostering Change is one of our most personal conversations yet.For years, listeners have heard Rob Scheer share his family's story through the lens of a former foster youth, adoptive father, advocate, and founder of Comfort Cases. This week, he sits down with his youngest son, Tristan, for an honest and heartfelt conversation about family, foster care, belonging, and the journey they've shared together.Tristan joined the Scheer family as an infant, alongside his older brother, Greyson, instantly transforming the family from two children to four. Today, at 17 years old, he's a high school junior, an accomplished football and track athlete, and a young man beginning to think about college, adulthood, and the future ahead.Together, father and son reflect on growing up in a family built through foster care and adoption, what it was like being surrounded by advocacy and public service, and how Tristan defines family, belonging, and home.More than a Father's Day episode, this is a conversation about love, resilience, healing, and the lasting impact of showing up for one another.Conversation HighlightsTristan's perspective on growing up in the Scheer familyWhat it means to be part of a family formed through foster care and adoptionGrowing up around Comfort Cases, advocacy, and public serviceThe values Rob and Reece worked to instill in their childrenHow family is built through commitment, consistency, and loveLessons learned from fatherhood, family, and shared experiencesAthletics, college aspirations, and Tristan's hopes for the futureWhy belonging matters at every stage of lifeWhy This Episode MattersThis conversation reminds us that foster care is not ultimately about systems, policies, or paperwork.It's about people.It's about children finding stability, growing into young adults, building relationships, and creating futures for themselves.As Father's Day arrives, we also recognize that families come in many forms. Some young people have traditional fathers in their lives. Others are guided by foster fathers, adoptive fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, mentors, coaches, teachers, or caregivers who step forward when they're needed most.And many are still searching for that connection.To all those who show up, stay present, and help a young person know they matter: Happy Father's Day.And to every young person experiencing foster care, may this conversation remind you that family is not defined by biology alone. Family is built through love, commitment, and the people who choose to stay.

The President says U.S. and Iran have agreed to end the fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement, months in the making, is set to take be signed Friday, but there is still no resolution to the issues that sparked the war. Plus, after 53 years, the New York Knicks have won the NBA championship, and celebrations across the city are underway. Also, action at the World Cup is heating up after the U.S. men's team got off to a strong start with a 4-1 win over Paraguay. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this inspiring episode, we explore a powerful story of redemption through an interview with Bethany, a dedicated foster mom, and Jaliyah, the biological mother of Bethany's former foster children. Their journey has been marked by many challenges, but their unwavering commitment to each other has led to a heartwarming reunion.Jaliyah worked incredibly hard to regain custody of her children, showing immense dedication and perseverance throughout the process. Bethany's intentional effort to maintain a supportive relationship with Jaliyah played a crucial role in this family's story. Her consistent presence and encouragement were vital in helping Jaliyah achieve her goal of reuniting with all her children.This episode underscores the significant impact that positive relationships between foster and biological families can have on the well-being of children. Tune in to hear how Bethany and Jaliyah's shared dedication has paved the way for healing and togetherness, and learn why maintaining these connections, when safe, can be so beneficial for everyone involved. Episode Highlights: How Bethany Got Started in Foster Care Jaliyah's Childhood & Upbringing Forming Relationships with Biological FamiliesGoing against the grain Reunification & Redemption   Find More on Hope Bridge:Visit Our Website Follow us on InstagramFollow us on Facebook 

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!We talk a lot about the child's experience in foster care, but what is this experience like for the child's birth parents? You may be surprised! Join our conversation with Dr. Darcey Merritt, a professor at the University of Chicago School of Social Work who researches this topic.In this episode, we discuss:What is a typical scenario, if there is such a thing, of how a parent finds themselves connecting with the child welfare system?What rights do birth parents have within the system?What are some of the challenges families face before the child is taken into custody?What are some of the challenges that they face once the child is in foster care?How can you become an ally to the child's parents?How does poverty factor in?Who most commonly reports birth parents to child welfare?How does race factor in?Research in the area of working memory on parental decision-making.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

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, co-hosts Brian Mavis and Courtney Williams engage with Paula Yost, an attorney and licensed clinical medical health clinician, who shares her journey of advocacy for children in foster care and those with special needs. The conversation explores the impact of personal experiences, such as preeclampsia, on advocacy work, the complexities of navigating the foster care system, and the importance of education and support for both children and their advocates.Paula emphasizes the need for unconditional love and the power of hope in transforming the lives of kids in foster care, while also addressing the hidden traumas they face and the systemic failures that often hinder their progress. The episode concludes with a call to action for foster parents to see themselves as advocates and to provide the love and support that these children desperately need.Pickup a copy of her book: "Tumbleweeds: How to Be an Advocate for Your Children and Yourself in a Failing System"https://a.co/d/07naKZELTakeawaysPaula Yost blends legal advocacy with therapeutic support.Preeclampsia changed Paula's perspective on health and advocacy.Foster parents need to be informed about children's backgrounds.The foster care system often fails to support children's needs.Advocacy is essential for navigating educational systems.Unconditional love is crucial for foster children.Trauma impacts foster children's development and relationships.Education and support can change the trajectory of foster kids' lives.Building trust with foster children is vital for their healing.Hope is a powerful tool in advocating for foster children. 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.

John Paul DeJoria grew up with no connections, no money, and no roadmap. He sold encyclopedias door-to-door despite constant rejection, got fired from three consecutive jobs, and lived out of his car while raising his young son. Then, with just $700, he launched John Paul Mitchell Systems and built it into a billion-dollar haircare company. That same relentless spirit later helped him turn Patrón Tequila into one of the most recognized spirit brands in the world. In this episode, John Paul joins Ilana to share what it truly takes to build something from nothing, why rejection is just redirection, and why success unshared is failure. John Paul DeJoria is a self-made billionaire, entrepreneur, and the visionary co-founder behind John Paul Mitchell Systems and Patrón Tequila. Beyond his iconic business achievements, he is a passionate philanthropist dedicated to creating a positive global impact. In this episode, Ilana and John Paul will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (03:40) Growing Up in Foster Care as an Immigrant Kid (11:20) The Navy Lessons That Shaped His Leadership (15:23) Making It Through Sudden Homelessness (23:23) How Getting Fired Led Him to Start Paul Mitchell (28:22) How He Made Billions With Only $700  (40:50) Letting Go of Fear, Failure, and Yesterday's Mistakes (46:14) Growing Patrón Against the Odds (53:30) What Meeting Gaddafi Taught Him About Kindness (56:57) The New AI Platform That's Making Entrepreneurship Easier (01:00:15) Why Happiness, Health, and Family Matter Most John Paul DeJoria is a self-made billionaire, philanthropist, and co-founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems, the world's largest privately owned salon haircare brand. He also co-founded The Patrón Spirits Company, growing it from zero distribution to over 3.5 million cases annually before its landmark sale. His upcoming memoir, Success Unshared Is Failure, details his extraordinary journey and his conviction that giving back is essential. Connect with John Paul: John Paul's Website: peacelovehappinessfoundation.org John Paul Mitchell Systems: https://www.paulmitchell.com Resources Mentioned: John Paul's Book, Success Unshared is Failure: https://www.amazon.com/Success-Unshared-Failure-John-DeJoria/dp/B0FSTBMCJ8 Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.  Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

This week on the Small Town Summit podcast, we have a recording of Ben Whittinghill's STS article, Adorning the Gospel Through Foster Care. We pray this article is an encouragement to you as you consider displaying the gospel through the ministry of foster care. If you would like to read more Small Town Summit Articles, please visit: www.smalltownsummits.com/articlesTo sign up for our fall conference, please visit: www.stsfallconference.com

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Question: We're new foster parents and have noticed that our child is hiding food in their backpack, closet, and even under the bed. We make sure there's always plenty to eat, so we're confused and a little concerned. Is this something we should be worried about? Why might they be doing this, and how should we respond in a way that helps them feel safe?Resources:Practical Solutions to Typical Food Issues with Adopted, Foster, & Kinship KidsPhysical and Emotional Health Issues Common with Foster KidsPanel of Parents Adopting Older Kids: Surviving That 1st YearSupport 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

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Raising kids while caring for aging parents is more common than ever—and often overwhelming. We talk with Robyn Wind, the GRAND Voices Support Coordinator for the National Center on Grandfamilies at Generations United, about the realities of sandwich generation caregiving and practical ways foster, adoptive, and kinship families can find support. In this episode, we discuss:Can we start with a working definition of the term “sandwich generation”?How have you seen that definition evolve in recent years? From your work with the National Center on Grandfamilies and Generations United, what are you seeing right now that suggests this is becoming a bigger issue? What are the most common pressures you hear caregivers talk about?Where do you see caregivers feeling the most “pulled apart” between generations for whom they are caring? What are the moments when they feel like they can't meet everyone's needs at once?Are there differences in how this shows up for: Parents of young children vs. teens? Kinship caregivers or grandparents raising grandchildren? Many of our listeners are already parenting children with trauma or complex needs. How does that layer onto sandwich caregiving? Do you see unique challenges for kinship caregivers who may already be caring for grandchildren and are now also caring for aging spouses or siblings? What are some ways systems unintentionally fail these families? Where do they tend to fall through the cracks? What would better support look like if systems were truly designed for multigenerational families? What are the early signs that a caregiver is stretched too thin and at risk?What does realistic self-care actually look like in this season of life? How do you advise the caregivers you support to balance guilt or feelings of inadequacy, given that there is SO much need on both sides of their sandwich?What supports should caregivers try to put in place early? How can families share this sandwich-caring experience more effectively, instead of having one person carry it all? What resources or programs from Generations United should caregivers know about? What strengths do you see in sandwich generation families that we don't talk about enough? Resources:'Sandwich generation' caregivers caught between two generations in needCaring for Those Who Are Caring for Everyone: The Sandwich Generation Generations UnitedGrandfamilies.orgGKSNetwork.orgGrandfamilies & Kinship University - Generations UnitedSupport 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

Foster parents experience unique circumstances that come with unique emotions, and sometimes it can feel as though no one can relate to their life. Strength and encouragement come from viewing foster care through the lens of the Gospel. This is the message that Jason Johnson, author of Reframing Foster Care, brings. In this interview, he will share stories from his own foster parenting journey, such as the hard decisions and processes that he and his wife have had to go through, including the very real issues that come with relating to the birth parents of the children they are fostering. He will offer support to foster parents, as well as encouragement to those who are considering fostering. Also, he will give practical ways that we can all help, whether we feel called to be involved in foster care or not. Receive Ted Cunningham's book Fun Loving You for your donation of any amount, and receive a free audio download of this program! Get More Episode Resources If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

Kelli Ingram is living the ultimate modern rebellion: a southern-born Presbyterian recently-turned-Catholic, a homeschooling farmer, and a mother of nine. Kelli's journey is nothing short of wild. She went from birth control to agonizing infertility and foster care heartbreak to adoption and conception—even delivering her last baby in an inflatable pool…inside an RV park on the Florida coast…on purpose. If you've ever wondered how a self-proclaimed "Type-C" mom completely ditches rigid bedtime schedules and thrives in beautiful, countercultural chaos, you need to hear this.Kelli's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelliingram/NEW: Check out our Merch store! https://shop.lilaroseshow.com/Join our new Patreon community! https://patreon.com/lilaroseshow - We'll have BTS footage, ad-free episodes, and early access to our upcoming guests.A big thanks to our partner, EWTN, the world's leading religious network! Discover news, entertainment and more at https://www.ewtn.com/ Check out our Sponsors:-Hallow: https://www.hallow.com/lila Enter into prayer more deeply this season with the Hallow App, get 3 months free by using this link to sign up! -Patriot Mobile: Get 1 month of free service at https://patriotmobile.com/lila or call 972-PATRIOT w/ code LILA-Presidio Healthcare: Healthcare and doctors who share your values. Visit: https://www.presidiocare.com/lila -We Heart Nutrition: https://www.weheartnutrition.com/ Get high quality vitamin supplements for 20% off using the code LILA.

Host Justin Forman sits down with Chad Spencer — entrepreneur, Ashley Furniture dealer, and co-founder of the For Others Collective — in Nashville for a deeply personal conversation about what it looks like when God doesn't just own your business, but every dimension of your life: your giving, your family, your calling, and your pain. Chad's story begins in a Memphis apartment where three little girls slept on one sleeping bag, and it leads through a decade of infertility, failed adoptions, a business in freefall, and a premature baby born with a life-threatening condition — all converging on a single night in a hospital closet with a Tim Keller book he didn't choose to pick up. What follows is one of the most honest entrepreneurial testimonies you'll hear: a man who ran hard toward success, hit rock bottom on every front simultaneously, and found that God had been engineering every moment of it — including the son who changed everything. Today, Chad channels that journey into For Others, a nationwide initiative to end the child welfare crisis in America — not through charity alone, but through the same business rigor he applies to growing a furniture company. Vision. Path. Leadership. Team. Execution. The math, he says, is actually solvable. Key Topics: How a home makeover contest in Memphis sparked Beds for Kids — now 200,000 beds given nationwide through Ashley's Hope to Dream charity The decade-long adoption journey: failed adoptions in Russia and domestically, and what it cost Chad and his wife Kelly spiritually Hitting rock bottom simultaneously in business, marriage, and faith — and what God used to break through How a randomly grabbed Tim Keller book and Romans 8 in a hospital room became the moment everything changed The birth of For Others alongside worship artist Chris Tomlin — and the business framework Chad brought to the foster care crisis Why 400,000+ churches and 400,000+ kids in foster care is math any entrepreneur can understand The VPLTR framework: how Chad structures kingdom impact the same way he runs a business Notable Quotes: "God, I've got nothing. I am empty. I don't know what to do... but God, I need to hear from you." — Chad Spencer "Above all else, guard your heart, for it's the wellspring of life. I'd lost life there. I wasn't guarding it." — Chad Spencer "Purpose becomes a pillar. Not an addendum, not an attachment. Make it a part of the way we do things." — Chad Spencer

Foster Care & Adoption | 1 John by Christ Covenant

Hundreds of thousands of kids rely on America's foster care system. West Virginia has the highest rate of foster care placements of any state - four times the national average. Foster care is most often needed because of parental substance use, mental health challenges, poverty and neglect. Six-thousand Mountain State kids are in foster care, but there's a shortage of licensed foster homes and residential facilities and that's why nearly 400 kids live in out-of-state institutions. On this Us & Them, an encore episode finds more than half of all states have seen their number of licensed foster homes drop, some by as much as 60 percent because many new foster parents don't stay in the system for long. While official foster care cases are tracked and overseen by state agencies, many types of so-called kinship care are not official or included in state data.