Podcasts about fostering

Love alone isn't always enough to keep everyone under one roof feeling connected and secure. Despite the dream of harmony and the promise of new beginnings, many families find themselves struggling with uncertainty, misaligned expectations, and recurring conflicts that love simply can't resolve. Is it possible to create a sense of "home" where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported—without sacrificing your relationship or your own well-being? In this episode, listeners will discover why building a thriving blended family isn't just about love—it's about creating alignment through clear roles, structure, and intentional communication. The conversation explores the real-life challenges that stepfamilies and modern families face, including competing parenting philosophies, the presence of ex-partners, and loyalty struggles with children. Listeners will learn actionable strategies such as the Pause, Align, and Present method for unified parenting, tips for connecting before correcting, and ways to foster trust and emotional safety while honoring everyone's unique needs. Get ready to transform overwhelm into clarity, and confusion into a cooperative partnership—one step at a time. April is a licensed marriage and family therapist, stepfamily expert, and founder of Couples Thrive. She specializes in helping modern couples, especially those in blended families, create emotional safety, reduce conflict, and parent as a united team. She is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), one of the most research-backed approaches for couples, and her work has been featured in national outlets like Psychology Today and the Gottman Institute.   Episode Highlights 06:09 Unique challenges blended families face as they merge different histories and systems. 09:56 Building alignment through clear structure and defined expectations. 12:24 Navigating family differences with the 60-30-10 rule. 14:19 Smoothing family life with weekly check-ins and defined roles. 19:09 Setting realistic expectations and practicing patience in blended families. 23:22 Overcoming common challenges through preparation and planning. 25:22 Unifying parenting decisions with the Pause, Align, and Present method. 28:13 Modeling teamwork and authentic connection during disagreements. 31:34 Building mutual respect through the power of pausing. 35:58 Balancing parental authority while empowering children's voices. 39:36 Building trust as a stepparent by navigating loyalty binds. 43:19 Fostering respectful communication with clear boundaries and rules. 46:40 Helping blended families thrive with expert tools and support.   Your Check List of Actions to Take Start a shared journal or Notes app with your partner to track moments of alignment and areas of struggle throughout the week. Set aside time for a weekly alignment conversation where you review your journal and discuss patterns and sticky points together. Establish clear roles and expectations in your family system, considering each person's strengths and the needs of the children. Practice the "Pause, Align, and Present" method in moments of disagreement: pause the discussion, align privately, and then present a unified decision to the family. Use a 60-30-10 rule—aim for 60% compromise, navigate 30% gray areas, and allow 10% flexibility for the sake of peace. Involve children appropriately by hearing their voices and feelings, but maintain parental authority when making decisions. For stepparents, focus on connection before correction—build rapport and trust first before stepping into disciplinary roles. Regularly review your family values, using "we language" and modeling respectful communication, especially during challenging transitions or conflicts.   Mentioned Stepfamilies: Love, Marriage, and Parenting in the First Decade (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) ERP 313: How To Become A Successful Blended Family — An Interview With Ron Deal ERP 256: The Mistakes People Make When Blending Families And What To Do Instead – An Interview With Tracy Poizner Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication (free guide)   Connect with April Eldemire Website: couples-thrive.com Facebook: facebook.com/AprilEldemire YouTube: youtube.com/@couplesthrive Instagram: instagram.com/couplesthrive LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/april-eldemire-lmft-8a8b3059 TikTok: tiktok.com/@couples_thrive  

In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed:  Planning for a lasting legacy to protect clients and business continuity Creating a client-first culture by prioritizing guarantees over commissions Fostering radical transparency through honesty and owning mistakes Using trust and straightforward service to stand out in a commoditized market   Key Takeaways:  Preparing for the future keeps client trust intact even after the founder is gone. Documented processes and succession plans ensure smooth operations. Continuity strengthens reputation and confidence. Prioritize guarantees over commissions to align the team with client outcomes. Focus on what the client receives, not what the team earns. This builds credibility and trust. Honesty guides every decision and strengthens relationships. Owning mistakes openly fosters loyalty. Clear communication reduces friction. In a commoditized market, trust and client focus set you apart. Straightforward, consistent service matters more than product complexity. Clients remember integrity above all.   "Annuities are commodity products. We all sell the same thing. If anyone tells you otherwise, they are lying." —  Stan The Annuity Man   Connect with The Annuity Man:  Website: http://theannuityman.com/  Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com  Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g  Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!

The practice of lament helps us live as faithful disciples by fostering personal resilience no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in.Lamentations 2:1-3, 11-13 and Psalm 74:1-3, 10-12Reverend Dr. Matthew LakeMarch 8, 2026

In this riveting episode of "Crafting a Meaningful Life," host Mary Crafts welcomes Tenille Taggart, a dynamic force in politics and mental health advocacy, to discuss the profound impact of social systems on personal well-being and community development. In a compelling conversation, Tenille shares her journey of self-discovery, education, and advocacy, offering insights into overcoming challenges within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. The episode delves into how systemic issues can be addressed creatively and empathetically through local politics and community involvement. Tenille shares her passion for rehabilitation and community care, highlighting her commitment to breaking down barriers within the criminal justice system. The episode tackles the urgent need for proactive measures in early childhood support, domestic violence prevention, and fostering inclusive spaces for dialogue and growth. Through engaging storytelling, both Mary and Tenille emphasize the significance of recognizing and acting upon shared values of love, acceptance, and community healing, urging listeners to take meaningful actions in their localities to foster systemic change and social equality.   About the Guest: Tenille Taggart is a passionate advocate for social justice issues and a candidate for the Salt Lake County Council. Growing up in Utah, she experienced firsthand the challenges of being part of the LGBTQ+ community in a conservative setting. With a background in psychology from San Diego State University and advanced studies at a top-tier university in New York, Tenille has dedicated much of her career to understanding and improving mental health and social systems. She received a significant grant from the National Science Foundation to research transgender issues, emphasizing her commitment to equality and human rights. Her transformative work in forensic mental health and advocacy for marginalized communities speaks to her understanding of systemic challenges and her capability to enact meaningful change. Key Takeaways: Local politics is a pivotal point of influence for enacting lasting and meaningful systemic changes. The importance of supporting community initiatives, such as daycares and trade programs, can have far-reaching effects on reducing recidivism and improving quality of life. Understanding and addressing the root causes of social issues can significantly alter paths to better futures for marginalized communities. Fostering acceptance and open-mindedness can bridge divides and foster a more inclusive society. Personal stories and engaged community involvement are powerful tools in shaping policy and enhancing human dignity. Notable Quotes: "We all rise when we come up together." - Tenille Taggart "When we feel out of control, we go local. Our voice matters." - Tenille Taggart "Love thy neighbor as thyself; that is how we can not only better our community, but also ourselves." - Tenille Taggart "Truly understanding the systemic problems is key to making meaningful and lasting change." - Tenille Taggart "Let's create a place where people find safety, acceptance, and are seen as humans first and foremost." - Mary Crafts Resources: Tenille Taggart's Political Campaign  Tenille on IG: @tenilletaggart For a deeper dive into these crucial topics and to hear more stirring stories and ideas, listen to the full episode of "Crafting a Meaningful Life." Stay engaged and inspired with Mary Crafts as she invites more leaders to share their journeys toward building a better, more inclusive future.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Travis Vangsnes welcome Kayla Moffitt, a dedicated mother of five and a TBRI practitioner. The conversation begins with Kayla sharing her journey from being a youth pastor to becoming a foster parent, highlighting the challenges and joys of welcoming five siblings into her home overnight. Kayla discusses the emotional complexities of parenting children from traumatic backgrounds, particularly the grief she experienced when her father passed away just as her new children were moving in. The hosts and Kayla delve into the importance of understanding trauma-informed care and the necessity of regulating one's own emotions as a parent to create a safe environment for children who have faced significant hardships.As the discussion progresses, Kayla emphasizes the need for community support for foster families, sharing her experiences with both helpful and unhelpful forms of assistance. She stresses that love alone is not enough; foster parents must also be equipped with knowledge and resources to effectively support their children. The episode concludes with Kayla offering practical advice for future foster parents, urging them to meet children where they are emotionally and to be patient as they navigate the complexities of building trust and relationships. This heartfelt conversation is a testament to the resilience of foster families and the importance of community in the foster care journey.Follow Kayla on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/makingthemoffitts/Checkout our free trauma training workshop:https://americaskidsbelong.org/lp/trauma-sensitivity-workshop-training/Takeaways:Love is not enough; understanding is crucial.Meet children where they are emotionally.Community support is vital for foster families.Regulate yourself before attempting to regulate a child.Foster parents need tangible help, not just good intentions.

In this #coachbetter episode Kim and Diana talk about the mental load that coaches carry - and may not recognize. This is a topic that came up during a previous #coachbetter episode with Kim Porter. This is something that, as coaches, we may feel, but may not recognize how it impacts our work - and the work that our coaching partners have the capacity for. In this episode, Kim and Diana will unpack what we mean by "mental load" or "cognitive capacity" and how and why understanding everyone's (including our own) limited bandwidth has such a huge impact on our coaching practice and coaching culture. If you're feeling like you, your colleagues or your coaching partners are at max capacity right now, we can relate - and this episode is for you! Find the show notes for this episode here. Like this episode, you'll enjoy this: Unpacking the Cognitive Load for Instructional Coaches with Kim Porter [266] Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)

This week on The Netmums Podcast, JB and Louise are joined by the most dynamic mother-daughter duo on TV, The Traitors stars Roxy and Judy Wilson. They share their remarkable journey from adoption to motherhood; Roxy opens up about her experiences growing up in foster care and how her relationship with Judy has shaped her life.With Roxy expecting her first child and Judy preparing to be a grandmother for the twelfth time, the conversation covers the joys and challenges of parenting, the importance of stability, and the unconditional love that defines their bond.In this episode:- Roxy reflects on her childhood and the impact of being adopted by Judy.- Insights into the nurturing environment that Judy created for Roxy and her siblings.- The emotional journey of becoming a mother.- A frank discussion about fostering, adoption, and the need for more foster carers in the UK.- Tips for new parents navigating the early days of parenthood.This episode of The Netmums Podcast is brought to you by Aldi Mamia.Read more expert help on Netmums.com and join the conversation on socials @Netmums.JB and Louise also want to hear your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas! So please share them with us at thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com and we can bring you into the conversations that matter on The Netmums Podcast.This podcast is brought to you by Netmums: backed by experts, trusted by parents. Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

More than 6,000 children are currently in care across Ireland — and that number continues to grow. This Focus on Fostering Week, there's a renewed appeal for people and families to consider opening their homes to a child in need of safety, stability and support. Joining Alan Morrissey on Monday's Morning Focus to talk about the realities of fostering — from the assessment process to the day-to-day experience — were Karen Dowling, a foster carer based here in Clare, and Nora NiThuama, Principal Social Worker with responsibility for carer recruitment and placements. Photo (c) zimmytws Getty Images via Canva

Sonia Pernell highlights Pamela's mentorship of Bill Clinton, her strategic fundraising for the Democratic Party, and her diplomatic influence in fostering relations with Soviet leaders. 7.

Maria Vamalis designs learning environments that strengthen collective well-being that help people rediscover their capacity to act together in conditions of uncertainty, through promoting critical thinking and relationship skills. Hear her inspiring conversation with Panu & Thomas. 

Guest host Pastor Ken Keith spoke with Tasi Castro this week about growing up at Harvest, her family, coming to know Christ, and having adopted siblings. 

This week, Anthony interviews author Maureen Devlin, who transitioned from a lawyer to a celebrated children's literature author. They discuss how her “Let's Go Backer and Backer” series inspires curiosity, wonder, and appreciation for everyday people and things, making it a valuable resource for librarians and educators supporting young readers. Discover how her work contributes to the field of children's literature by fostering natural curiosity and respect in children. Tune in to learn insights on nurturing a love for reading amidst ongoing challenges like book bans and how librarians can use this series to engage young readers effectively.Learn more about Maureen and her work at maureendevlinauthor.comChapters00:00 Introduction and Maureen Devlin's Background01:37 The Inspiration: Kids' Endless Questions05:13 The Importance of Guided Curiosity06:31 Researching New Topics for Books09:45 Cultivating Curiosity and Respect in Children13:49 Empathy as a Natural and Cultivated Skill17:46 Upcoming Book: The Beautiful and a Bit Broken Shell19:39 Maureen's Vision as an Author

Danny Mann shares about fostering peace, joy, and community in teaching and leading on episode 611 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast. Quotes from the episode Great teaching, and I think great life, is this adaptive, responsive thing, pulling out the bugs or getting things back in balance. -Danny Mann Peace and joy are really interrelated, and I gravitated a lot towards these, as I spent time studying and practicing mindfulness practices. -Danny Mann If you discover your why, you could basically feel much more energized and joyful about what you do, if you align your life with that. -Danny Mann Giving students space to speak and share ups and downs. So the ironic leading by listening. -Danny Mann Resources University of California Irvine’s Division of Teaching Excellence & Innovation Find Your Why, by Simon Sinek How to Debug Your Life, by JA Westenberg Happiness: Essential Mindfulness Practices, by Thich Nhat Hanh Pedagogical Wellness | UCI Division of Teaching Excellence and Innovation The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, by Don Miguel Ruiz How to Debug Your Life, by JA Westenberg Happiness: Essential Mindfulness Practices, by Thich Nhat Hanh

Dr. Patel's personal experience from an Indian heritage to living in Africa, the United Kingdom and finally moving to America at the age of 26 years, transformed her into a global citizen. As a licensed, practicing psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience working with both children and adults, she provides guidance about healthy relationships and parenting issues. She is enthusiastic about basic tenets of personal responsibility and leaving behind a positive legacy.Between 2018 and 2020, major events profoundly shaped American life. The nation faced a surge in mass shootings at schools, nightclubs, and malls; widespread protests and race riots; and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, which sought to combat racism and anti-Black violence. Catastrophic disasters—including wildfires, floods, and other climate-related emergencies—further strained communities. The Covid-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, with political divisions emerging over public health measures and personal freedoms. During this turbulent period, many Americans lost their sense of compassion for one another. Mental health concerns grew as people experienced increased isolation, depression, anxiety, and overwhelm. Social norms deteriorated, and extreme anger often surfaced between those with differing viewpoints. Her books aim to inspire future generations to develop greater tolerance and resilience in the face of ongoing social, economic, and political upheaval.https://drshilapatel.com/http://www.yourlotandparcel.org

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Is the idea of attachment parenting new to you and your family? Or could you use a refresher on what secure attachment is and why it matters? Listen to this conversation with Samantha Farris, LMSW, from the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development. She's helping us understand the basics of building secure attachment between parent and child to strengthen our families.In this episode, we talk about:How would you describe attachment in the simplest, most hopeful way for a caregiver who's new to the idea of parent/child attachment? Or who may feel overwhelmed by what they've heard and are unsure where to start or start over?Can you walk us through an overview of the attachment cycle and how it typically develops in infancy and early childhood?What are some everyday signs caregivers would see that indicate a secure attachment is developing? (even if it's not “perfect”)Why does attachment matter so much — not just in childhood, but across a person's lifespan?What happens in the brain or nervous system when a child feels securely connected versus chronically disconnected?How does adding the practice of being “trauma-informed” change a parent or caregiver's approach to forging that connection with their adopted or foster child?What are the types of experiences or stressors that kids in our (adoptive, foster, relative caregiving) community may interrupt the natural flow of attachment development?What are the different attachment profiles or styles, in addition to secure attachment?What are three common signs that a child might be struggling with attachment?How might attachment challenges show up differently in toddlers vs school-age children vs. teens?When a child comes with a history of instability, what helps establish a sense of safety and a foundation of trust? What are three things newly adoptive or foster parents can do to nurture attachment in the early days of meeting or welcoming a child home?When a child needs professional help for attachment challenges, what kinds of therapy or supports have you seen be most healing?If a parent feels disconnected, what are two things they can do starting today to begin building attachment?What is one piece of advice you'd give to a brand-new parent or caregiver who has never had to think intentionally about forming attachment before listening to this?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 podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

Tune into another amazing episode of the Max Out Girl Podcast as Host Charbria Shine with special guest, Lewis Shine talks about Fostering Friendship in The Love Series.

In this #coachbetter episode Kim chats with Fran Prolman, author, educational leadership consultant and founder of The Learning Collaborative. Fran brings a wealth of experience in educational leadership that is so relevant for coaches and middle leaders, and this episode is a deep dive into so many strategies, ideas and resources for all informal leaders! In this episode Fran and Kim talk about ... Sliding door moments - how to recognize them & what they can bring Recognizing your potential as a leader Key skills for all new leaders - in formal or informal leadership roles The difference between coaching and mentoring The importance of confidentiality in coaching Common barriers towards building a coaching culture This episode weaves together leadership and coaching in such an organic way. If you've been a long time subscriber, you know that as a coach, you are an informal leader in your school, and this episode really highlights that element of the role. If you're working towards recognizing and building on your informal leadership, this episode is for you! Find the show notes for this episode here. Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)

In this episode of the Beauty School Bobbi podcast, Bobbi and Erin Silver discuss the multifaceted journey of a beauty industry professional. They explore the challenges and triumphs of running a salon, the importance of leadership and systems, and the balance between personal life and business. Erin shares her experiences of fostering children while managing a growing salon, emphasizing the need for community support and self-care. The conversation highlights the evolution of a stylist's career and the significance of learning from mistakes. In this conversation, Bobbi and Erin discuss the challenges of balancing work and family life, the importance of setting boundaries, and the lessons learned from mistakes. They share valuable advice for new stylists entering the beauty industry, emphasizing the need for mentorship, continuous learning, and understanding different salon structures. The discussion highlights the significance of community support among women and the personal growth that comes with experience.   Takeaways Erin reflects on the unexpected journey in the beauty industry. Mistakes have led to valuable lessons and growth. The importance of having a supportive partner in business. Creating systems is essential for business success. Stepping back from behind the chair requires careful planning. Self-doubt is a common feeling among business owners. Personal time and self-care are crucial for balance. Fostering children brought new challenges and joys. Building a community of support is invaluable. Work-life balance is a continuous journey, not a destination. Balancing work and family is a continuous challenge. Setting boundaries is essential for mental health. Mistakes are opportunities for growth and learning. New stylists should say yes to diverse experiences. Mentorship is crucial for professional development. Understanding salon structures is vital for career success. Community support among women is invaluable. Time management is key to reducing stress. Personal growth comes with age and experience. Learning to prioritize is essential for a fulfilling life.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Beauty Industry Journey 02:49 Navigating Mistakes and Learning in Business 06:09 The Evolution of a Stylist's Career 09:04 Balancing Family Life and Business 11:55 The Importance of Systems and Structures 14:59 Embracing Change and Self-Doubt 18:02 Finding Personal Time and Self-Care 20:58 Fostering and Parenting in a Busy Career 23:49 Building a Supportive Community 27:06 Current Work-Life Balance and Future Goals 31:58 Balancing Work and Family Life 36:44 The Importance of Setting Boundaries 41:58 Learning from Mistakes and Growth 46:01 Advice for New Stylists in the Beauty Industry   www.beautyschoolbobbi.com www.beautyandstylenetwork.com www.silversalononline.com www.therefinenetwork.com     Follow Beauty and Style Network: @beautystylenet Beauty School Bobbi: @beautyschoolbobbi Erin Silver: @erinsilver

In this episode, Kathryn and Theresa revisit the topic of student ownership and unpack four common mistakes teachers can unintentionally make when trying to foster it in their music classrooms. They discuss the “bait and switch” of offering choice only to revert back to teacher-centered control, the tendency to prioritize “my program” over students' identities and interests, the assumption that students automatically know how to make meaningful choices, and the misconception that ownership is an occasional add-on rather than a guiding mindset. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize that these missteps are normal—and reflective practice is key to growth.Listeners are encouraged to reframe their thinking: if student-centered music-making is meaningful enough to engage students, it must remain meaningful beyond the hook. That means scaffolding decision-making skills, embedding ownership into daily routines, and regularly asking, “Whose needs is this decision serving—the program or the students?” With practical examples and honest reflection, this episode offers a supportive reminder that strong programs grow from student ownership—not in spite of it.Learn more about Pass the Baton:Pass the Baton website Join the Coffee Club Support Pass the Baton Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection

Faustino thinks he's finally ready to be a dad, but his girlfriend isn't so sure. Call 1-800-DR-LAURA / 1-800-375-2872 or make an appointment at DrLaura.comFollow me on social media:Facebook.com/DrLauraInstagram.com/DrLauraProgramYouTube.com/DrLauraJoin My Family!!Receive my Weekly Newsletter + 20% off my Marriage 101 course & 25% off Merch! Sign up now, it's FREE!Each week you'll get new articles, featured emails from listeners, special event invitations, early access to my Dr. Laura Designs Store benefiting Children of Fallen Patriots, and MORE! Sign up at DrLaura.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Here's a refined, elevated version for your Coaching Call Live:This week on Coaching Call Live, I am honored to welcome Doris Jackson-Shazier — distinguished Author, Speaker, ICF Accredited Leadership Coach, and People Management Consultant.With more than two decades of experience driving organizational growth, transformation, and operational excellence, Doris has led at every level — from store to district, regional, and director roles within the Restaurant and Retail industry. She understands leadership from the ground up, and she brings both strategy and heart to every room she enters.Doris is known for her authentic, collaborative leadership style and her deep commitment to mentoring others. She doesn't just teach leadership — she models it. Her work centers on cultivating stronger families, deeper connections, and unwavering faith rooted in love, grace, and forgiveness.As a wife and mother of four, Doris offers a powerful perspective on how biblical principles and our God-given instincts — nurturing, problem-solving, and collaboration — can elevate our influence at home, in business, and within our communities.This conversation will go beyond theory. Expect practical insights on leading with empathy, strengthening teams, navigating change, and achieving sustainable excellence without compromising your values.If you are serious about growing as a leader — professionally and personally — this session is for you.Join us for a dynamic, energizing discussion that will challenge you to lead with clarity, conviction, and compassion.Watch on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@sifurafaeltv?sub_confirmation=1Connect and explore upcoming experiences at:https://sifurafael.com#Communication#SpeakingProwess#CoachingCallLive#LeadershipDevelopment#FaithAndLeadership#ExecutiveCoaching#PersonalGrowth#LeadWithPurpose

Episode #1100 In this revisit of a fan-favorite episode, Doug Holt is joined by his wife, Erin, to discuss the small, intentional shifts they use to raise resilient and self-aware children. Parenting often feels like a series of reactive moments, but the goal of conscious parenting is to proactively pass down the tools for self-love, emotional intelligence, and growth . Doug and Erin share the specific rituals they use with their own children to ensure they grow up with a solid foundation of self-worth and the ability to navigate life's inevitable challenges . Building self-love starts with simple habits, such as encouraging kids to look in the mirror and tell themselves they love themselves, making it a normal part of their day . Doug also uses a constant verbal check by telling his kids he loves them until they are almost annoyed, ensuring they never have to question his affection . At the dinner table, they move past the standard "how was your day" by asking about "magic moments" or pre-framing the school day as being either "good or great" to keep their children's minds focused on the positives . Modeling behavior is ultimately more impactful than words alone. Whether it is letting your children see you journal, meditate, or exercise, they pick up on the healthy habits that serve you . Most importantly, Doug and Erin discuss the power of "repairing" the relationship when you lose your cool; by apologizing for raising your voice, you teach kids that while emotions are natural, taking responsibility for your actions is a requirement for healthy relationships .   If you want to stop guessing what is missing in your relationship and learn a step-by-step methodology to regain the love and respect you once had, click the link below to get our free training: https://fixmarriage.thepowerfulman.com/scales

Hello and welcome to this special edition of the Fostering and Adoption podcast On the 12th February Patch held their first in person conference in Liverpool bringing together adoptive parents, adult adoptees and professionals from the adoption arena. Fiona Wells is the founder and a driving force behind Patch and here is a recording of her morning keynote presentation on the “Journey of the Child.” If you want to know more about the work of Patch you can find that here.  As always if you've experience of adoption, fostering or special guardianship from any perspective personal or professional and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook page, BlueSky or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com Listen/subscribe on iTunes here Spotify here

Welcome to the What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting podcast! I'm Christine Marie, adoptive mom, former foster parent, and biblical mindset coach. Whether you're considering foster care, navigating adoption, supporting birth families, or trying to hold it all together in the middle of the unknown, you're in the right place. In today's episode, I sit down with Jeremy Walden, foster and adoptive dad, college professor, ministry leader, and co author of The Heart Work of Foster Care. Jeremy shares his family's powerful journey through foster care and adoption, including adopting one child and later welcoming her siblings, building relationships with biological parents, and witnessing restoration, reunification, and healing unfold over years of faithful obedience. This is one of those conversations that reminds you foster care isn't a moment. It's a long road of love, patience, boundaries, and trust in God. Jeremy opens up about: • The real challenges of foster parenting and adoption • Supporting birth families with compassion and humility • How foster care impacts marriage and biological children • Saying yes, saying no, and protecting your family while keeping your heart open • Why foster care is truly heart work, caring deeply, loving deliberately, and trusting God when outcomes aren't guaranteed Jeremy and his wife have adopted three children from foster care and have cared for many more over the past decade. With over 25 years of ministry experience and 15 years as a college professor, Jeremy brings both practical wisdom and deep faith to this conversation. He also shares about their book, The Heart Work of Foster Care: A Hopeful and Honest Guide to Foster Parenting, a Christ centered resource filled with real stories, encouragement, and practical insight for anyone walking the foster care journey. Jeremy is currently conducting an anonymous survey to better understand how fostering impacts foster parents' marriages. If you'd like to participate, you can find it here:

We are bringing back a true fan favorite from 2024. As the Greene family is grieving the loss of their sweet dog, Tanner, this conversation feels like the kind of steady, supportive reminder we all need, especially when life feels heavy. If you have kids (or love someone who does), this one is worth a re-listen.Building self-confidence in children is a pivotal aspect of their development, and there are practical ways to strengthen it without adding pressure or unrealistic expectations.Join Rebecca Greene, Whinypaluza's podcast host, and her husband, Seth Greene, CEO of Market Domination LLC, as they share their perspective on what actually helps kids build confidence. They talk about encouraging children to try new things, discover their passions, and focus on personal goals. They also caution against the harmful effects of comparison, especially between siblings or friends, and instead encourage resilience and a growth mindset. The Greenes highlight the role of supportive adults in a child's life, including teachers and coaches, and the impact of open communication, celebrating progress, and recognizing a child's uniqueness.Key Takeaways:

Joe Pine is an internationally recognized author, speaker, and advisor, best known for The Experience Economy and his latest work, The Transformation Economy. In this episode, Joe explains why the market is finally ready—25 years later—for the shift to the transformation economy. He walks through the evolution of economic value, from commodities to goods, services, experiences, and now transformations, and makes the case that businesses must stop charging for inputs and start charging for outcomes. Joe introduces the four spheres of transformation—Health & Wellbeing, Wealth & Prosperity, Knowledge & Wisdom, and Purpose & Meaning—and argues that the true role of business is human flourishing: helping people become who they're meant to be. Profit isn't the goal; it's the scorecard. We also explore "encapsulation"—preparation, reflection, and integration—and why it's the key to turning experiences into lasting change. Joe breaks down why outcomes-based pricing is both the hardest shift and the biggest opportunity for transformation-driven companies. In this conversation, you'll learn how to spot transformation opportunities in your business, move beyond time-based pricing, and align what you charge with what customers actually value. Find episode 499 on The Leadership Podcast, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! Watch this Episode on YouTube | Joe Pine on You're Charging for the Wrong Thing with Joe Pine https://bit.ly/TLP-499 Key Takeaways [04:04] Joe explains why the world is finally ready for the transformation economy after 25 years of people asking when he'd write this book. [09:11] The four spheres of transformation: Health & Wellbeing, Wealth & Prosperity, Knowledge & Wisdom, and Purpose & Meaning—and why almost every business can find themselves in at least one. [12:59] The difference between fitness centers (charging for time as an experience) versus personal trainers (instilling discipline for transformation). [17:42] Why companies must eventually align what they charge for with what customers value—and how this drives the shift to outcomes-based pricing. [22:09] Joe introduces "invitational transformations"—experiences that invite people to transform their identity (like the Guinness Storehouse or Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). [26:38] Human flourishing defined: the extent to which people are who they're meant to be. This is the raison d'être of business. [34:09] The concept of encapsulation: Preparation (before the experience), Reflection (after), and Integration (ongoing)—the framework that turns experiences into transformations. [35:59] How Joe wrote the book on Substack, getting real-time feedback from subscribers that fundamentally changed key frameworks in the book. [44:18] Joe's vision for transformation businesses: charge for demonstrated outcomes, foster human flourishing, and recognize that profits measure how well you help people flourish—not the end goal itself. [46:46] And remember..."The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence; it is to act with yesterday's logic. Transformation begins with a change in mindset." — Peter Drucker Quotable Quotes "You are what you charge for. If you charge for undifferentiated stuff, you're in the commodities business. If you charge for demonstrated outcomes that your customers achieve, you're in the transformation business." "Eventually you have to align what you charge for with what your customers value. Let me say it again: Eventually you have to align what you charge for with what your customers value." "Fostering human flourishing is the raison d'être of business, period. That's why business exists—to help people flourish." "Human flourishing is the extent to which people are who they're meant to be." "The irony is of course that you may be offering a transformation guarantee, but that's exactly what you can't actually do. You can't guarantee a transformation. However, the best way to get it to happen is to offer a guarantee." "Profits are never the end. They're always the measurement by which you achieve the ends of human flourishing." These are the books mentioned in this episode Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | theleadershippodcast.com Sponsored by | www.darley.com Rafti Advisors. LLC | www.raftiadvisors.com Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | selfreliantleadership.com Joe Pine Website | www.strategichorizons.com Joe Pine X | @joepine Joe Pine LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/joepine TLP004: Joe Pine - Visionary Leadership Instilling Purpose

This #coachbetter episode is about the enabling conditions for coaching success and is a highlight from one of Kim's favorite episodes from a previous season featuring Ellen and Bruce Eisenberg, Founders of The Professional Institute for Instructional Coaching. Ellen and Bruce highlight the importance of developing a school culture that supports a growth mindset and a coaching culture.  If we don't have the systems and structures to enable teachers to opt-in to coaching and we aren't ensuring that coaches are focused on coaching work, it will be very challenging to build a coaching culture. All schools need the three elements of the Thrive Model for coaching to be successful and sustainable and most schools are missing at least one - is your school missing consistency? Watch this episode to find out! And if you want to learn more about the Thrive Model, access all of our resources at edurolearning.com/thrive If you liked this clip, make sure to check out the full length episode from season 5: Making Instructional Coaching Sustainable with Ellen and Bruce Eisenberg  [Ep 230] Find the show notes for this episode here. Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)

The dance of wood rising (masculine) and ether (feminine) begings to emerge as the exchange between northern and southern hemisphere flips once more. The wood is offering new beginnings, ether clearing the lines of communication. Balancing the preamble for the dynamic reunion of the masculine and feminine. Leading you to inner and outer peace, joy and love. The regenerative and continuous exchange of oxygen between all breathing organisms is the integral reflection of the delicate dance that sustains life. As the dawn of the new era emerges, tolerance coupled with patience with self and others will support each and of you as you find your true north. As inspired, continue step into radical honesty and accountability with self and others. Fostering reciprocal and mutual cheer for each other. You are stepping into mastery of self, serving communities with balance and reciprocation, season by season. May you dance freely with Mother Nature and Divine Love this incoming Spring/Fall transition.Simply. Listen. Reflect and then gently move into forward motion. The energy of the Horse provides an invitation for you all to honor all your directions. The energy of fire welcomes you to step into the flames and purify from your being that which perpetuates fear. No longer do you need to move from fear. It is time to move from deep knowing and objective awareness. The New Moon reached full potency on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, eliminating reference to chrono time. Coupled with a Solar Eclipse for our brothers and sisters in SOLAR ECLIPSE for our brothers and sistets in parts of SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE (Argentina, Southern Chile, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean) and Antartica (anticipated 96% coverage). These are sacred cosmological intersections that are a communication relay switch between the sun and moon or the moon and earth. The geological location is indicitave of an astronomical transference of energy to this region. Meant for those living in these regions. Coupled with the pracitce is to look inward. From the traditional ways of the earth, these moments like the NEW MOON are best met with silence and non-verbal listening. Contemplation: Humility. Patience. Self Awareness.Weekly talks are an offering to assist you in diving deeper into a spiritual practice, exploring your inner landscape, and cultivating inner peace.Time Stamps: Dharma 0:00 | Meditation 24:30 | Sound 53:00 | Outro 1:35:00Music Random Rab  Up Coming Shows: ‘Just Me' by Cadre Scott Sound Suzanne Toro Producer: Dante Marino Production brought to you by OmToro Wellness + Media Mind Training: 8 Limbs Yoga Session: Weekly Writings and Well Being Humanity + Earth Friendly Goodies: Superfeast Living Tea KindSpring Formula Flawless Balance + Focus Quick Link Ora Cacoa Book: SunPlay Honey Bee Hippie

Today we meet a coaching student who has just had her first five figure sales month and she's thrilled by the rapid progress she's seeing as a ProvenAmazonCourse.com student. They are a foster family and her big "WHY" is to be able to be home and continue living out their calling to foster even more children (they've had 25 so far!)   The first several minutes of the episode are a compelling backstory as to why it means to much to her to have finally found a great business she can do from home and how much this community and our training has had a major impact on their family.   Check out our sponsor: SilentJim.com/2d - Try 2D Workflow for free and see how much you could save every time you send in an FBA shipment to Amazon!   Watch this episode on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/wyo8l8pOpWw   Show note LINKS:   TheProvenConference.com - Watch that page for pending announcements about a possible late August 2026 event!   SilentSalesMachine.com - Text the word "free" to 507-800-0090 to get a free copy of Jim's latest book in audio about building multiple income streams online (US only) or visit SilentJim.com/free11   SilentJim.com/bookacall - Schedule a FREE, customized and insightful consultation with my team or me (Jim) to discuss your e-commerce goals and options.   My Silent Team Facebook group. 100% FREE! Facebook.com/groups/mysilentteam - Join 83,000 + Facebook members from around the world who are using the internet creatively every day to launch and grow multiple income streams through our exciting PROVEN strategies! There's no support community like this one anywhere else in the world!   SilentJim.com/kickstart - If you want a shortcut to learning all you need to get started then get the Proven Amazon Course and go through Kickstart.   Sellerboard - THE accurate profit analytics tool for Amazon sellers that helps you calculate your profit precisely accounting for all hidden fees and in real time. SilentJim.com/numbers    JeffSchick.com - Put a lawyer and e-commerce policy pro on retainer for a few dollars per month   Our free Monday's at 5pm EST meet-ups on Zoom for open Q/A: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84823798446   ProvenAmazonCourse.com/va - We train a VA for and with you so they can find loads of great ASINs every day!   3pmercury.com/friends- The best price on 3PMercury   Today's guest Amy Tofaute

Feeling disconnected in your marriage, even when nothing is “wrong”? In this episode, we talk about the three kinds of intimacy (spiritual, emotional, physical) and why surface-level fixes like date nights don't work if you don't address the root. We'll walk you through the starting point that changes everything: an honest conversation to diagnose what's actually driving the drift (busyness, unresolved conflict, unmet expectations, stress, trust, spiritual stagnancy). Then we share simple, practical rhythms that rebuild connection over time, including prayer, Weekly Marriage Meetings, and daily check-ins.RESOURCES:Free Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateWeekly Marriage Meeting Journal™Conflict Resolution Episode: Our Favorite Way to Fight

A dramatic move by the Trump administration to undo regulations of greenhouse gases could cost Wisconsin billions. A judge's ruling upholds state permits for a controversial oil and gas pipeline. And, we hear from a high school student who says Wisconsin should do more to foster youth entrepreneurship.

In this episode of the Good Leadership Podcast, host Charles Good engages in a deep conversation with Dr. Kumar Mehta about what it truly means to be exceptional in leadership and performance. They explore the systemic issues that prevent individuals from reaching their full potential, the importance of deliberate practice, and the mindset shifts necessary for long-term success. Dr. Mehta shares insights from his research on elite performers, emphasizing the significance of commitment devices, future orientation, and the necessity of a supportive environment. The discussion also touches on the stages of personal development and how to raise exceptional children by instilling a strong work ethic and the connection between effort and outcomes.TAKEAWAYSIf your career keeps running on the same habits, it's a system problem.Being good enough is no longer enough in today's world.Exceptional performance is a system you can learn, not just a talent.Deliberate practice is essential for moving from good to exceptional.Future orientation helps in making better present choices.Commitment devices can help maintain focus and effort.Cross-pollination of ideas from different fields enhances creativity.Super elite performers often have a competitive upbringing and a chip on their shoulder.Mastery is about competing with your possible best, not just personal bests.Teaching children the link between effort and outcomes fosters a strong work ethic.CHAPTERS00:00 The Path to Exceptional Leadership00:42 The Distinction Between Hard Work and Deliberate Practice03:50 The Importance of Structured Practice06:22 The Power of Commitment and Plan A09:35 Transferring Skills Across Disciplines12:52 Cross-Pollination of Ideas for Growth15:07 Harnessing Adversity for Motivation18:21 Shifting from Outcome Focus to Mastery19:54 Recognizing and Acting on Pivot Points21:30 Stages of Growth: From Personal Best to Possible Best24:00 Implementing Lessons from Elite Performers25:37 Fostering a Strong Work Ethic in Children27:18 Applying the Framework at Any Stage of Life27:40 Key Insights and Takeaways

Join hosts David Stone and Susan Weber, along with special guest Clare Lizotte, as they take a deep dive into AI integration best practices for financial institutions. In the final installment of this three-part series, BerryDunn's experts share insights on: Leveraging third-party tools Defining AI oversight and governance Using effective communication during AI implementation Fostering an organizational culture that embraces AI and empowers employees

Stephanie Fortunato, speaks with Conrado Uribe about the power of networks to break cycles of isolation – and to make “collective imagination” a practical force in how cities evolve. Moving from Medellín to Barcelona to a Latin America-wide network of cultural districts, Conrado reflects on collaboration, governance, and why the real foundations of a district are its people, not its buildings.External references:Conexiones Creativas: Conrado's organisation, designing and delivering projects to strengthen cultural and creative ecosystems. Plataforma de Distritos Creativos y Culturales: The network platform Conrado describes, supporting exchanges across creative districts in the Americas and Europe. Campus Colombias: The convening format Conrado references as a catalyst moment in the organisation's early years. Museo de Antioquia: Museum at the centre of Conrado's Medellín experience and a key cultural anchor in the city. MDE – Encuentro Internacional de Arte de Medellín: The four-year international art encounter organised by Museo de Antioquia, referenced in the episode's Medellín context. LOOP Barcelona: The moving-image platform and festival Conrado mentions as a formative collaboration-led model. Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens: The “humans succeed through collaboration” framing Conrado references via Harari's work. “Scenius, or Communal Genius” (Wired): A widely cited explainer of Brian Eno's idea of “scenius” that Conrado invokes (collective creativity over lone genius). About our guest:Conrado Uribe Pereira, is a curator and cultural strategist, and Content Director at Conexiones Creativas, the Colombia-founded platform behind a growing network of creative and cultural districts across Latin America and parts of Southern Europe. In the episode, he traces how his work in Medellín (including at the Museo de Antioquia) and later in Barcelona shaped his conviction that districts succeed when they invest first in talent (“software”), then governance (“artware”), and only then in infrastructure. + 

In this episode of PPC Live, Anu Adegbola speaks with Andrea Cruz, an award-winning B2B digital marketer, about the importance of navigating mistakes in client communication, the dynamics of team collaboration, and the role of AI in marketing. They discuss common pitfalls in agency practices, the significance of a solutions-oriented mindset, and how to leverage AI effectively in marketing strategies. Andrea shares her insights on the importance of learning from mistakes and fostering an environment where team members feel comfortable discussing challenges. The conversation concludes with a light-hearted exchange about Andrea's passion for her work and her unique experiences in the industry.TakeawaysMistakes are opportunities for growth and learning.Communication with clients is crucial, especially when mistakes happen.A solutions-oriented mindset fosters better team dynamics.Recognizing your own mistakes as a leader builds trust with your team.Budget constraints should dictate campaign strategies in B2B marketing.AI can enhance marketing efforts beyond basic summarization.Understanding client needs is essential for effective communication.Regular check-ins with clients can help identify roadblocks early.Fostering an open environment encourages team members to share challenges.Passion for the work can lead to greater job satisfaction and success.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Connection09:38 Navigating Mistakes in Client Communication18:28 The Importance of Team Dynamics and Solutions25:21 Learning from Mistakes: A Manager's Perspective29:03 Common Agency Mistakes in B2B Marketing31:08 Leveraging AI in Marketing37:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts41:53 Outro.mp3Find Andrea on on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠PPC Live The Podcast features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.Join us for PPC Live Online on Feb 18thJoin our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Whatsapp group⁠Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠

In this episode of Fostering Conversations, host Amy Smith sits down with Michelle Ostmark, the Statewide Mentoring Coordinator for Utah Foster Care, to discuss the Utah Foster Care Mentoring Program and why it matters. Michelle explains how the program pairs experienced foster parents with new or existing foster and kinship families to provide guidance, emotional support, and real-life insight throughout the fostering journey. From navigating first placements and court processes to coping with reunification, burnout, and self-care, mentors help ensure families don't feel alone. The conversation highlights how mentoring builds community, strengthens placements, and improves outcomes for children by supporting the adults who care for them. Michelle also shares how the program began, its statewide growth, success stories, and how former foster parents can continue giving back as mentors—even if they're no longer licensed. Learn how to request a mentor or become one at: https://utahfostercare.org/foster-parent-resources/mentors/ Transcript:  Welcome to Fostering Conversations. On today’s episode, we’ll be talking about the statewide Utah Foster Care Mentoring Program and its importance to our Utah foster families. Amy: Welcome to Fostering Conversations. I’m your host, Amy Smith. Today we have Michelle Ostmark, who is the statewide mentoring coordinator for Utah Foster Care. Thanks for joining us, Michelle. Michelle: Thank you for having me. Amy: So we’re excited to talk about the mentoring program. It is part of Utah Foster Care and available to all of our foster families in the state of Utah. Is that correct? Michelle: It’s also available to kinship families that have gone through the licensing process or have started the licensing Amy: which is awesome. I think kinship, all foster families need support, but kinship have an added layer of need of support, so I love that you’ve included that now. Michelle: Yeah. I think it’s important that they also have support for the children that are coming into their home. They have the same. Needs that any other child coming into care have, and they just have an extra dynamic of having a personal relationship with the biological families. Amy: Yeah, absolutely. So let’s just start by what is the mentoring program? Michelle: So the mentoring program is designed to pair a seasoned foster family with a new or existing family that needs additional support, or. Resources in each of their communities. We gear it towards new families just so that as they’re starting their foster care journey, they’re able to have somebody that they can call and gather information from, learn what’s appropriate, what’s not, questions to ask as they’re getting placements in their home, um, when they’re struggling, when there’s. exciting news for a child or their family, they have somebody that they can share those things with. Yeah. So that they’re not feeling alone. Amy: I love that because I think back to when I started fostering and I didn’t know like anything, like you just like you get trained. But then you forget what you’re doing and then a kid shows up and you’re like, wait, what am I doing again? Yeah. Michelle: Yeah. And I think our training is amazing, Amy: It is. It’s beautiful. Michelle: But like during that process, you go through the training and then you wait for your licensing and approval, and oftentimes there’s a few months that pass by. Yeah. And so all of that training that you’ve had, you’re super excited. But once you get that call for that child, all of that training and all of that, just go. Goes right out the window. And so foster families often panic because they don’t know what the next step is. And yeah, what do I do now? Who do I call? Why do these children have all of these appointments? And so having somebody that’s calling in and checking on them and making sure that they, have some. Support and somebody that has actually been down that road before them. They have lived experience that they can offer, advice and support for, and sometimes we have new foster families that have never parented before, so they don’t know who to call for medical appointments, dental appointments. And so having a mentor that is in their area, they’re able to, give them. A list of providers that they can possibly take the children to and just prepare them for what to expect during those Amy: Yeah, No, I think that’s so important to have that access to somebody that knows. And if nothing else, the fostering journey is so unique. You need someone that understands what you are doing and can tell you, yeah, that’s totally normal. Yes, I know. It’s absolutely wild what you’re enduring, but, yep. Sounds about normal. Michelle: Yeah. I think that, when we start this journey as foster adoptive families or kinship families you have a certain idea of what it’s going to be like, but once you step into that role, it’s nothing like that. Nothing like that. And so, just having somebody that you can talk to, that you can vent to is so important. Yeah. Our friends and our families in our personal life, often are very supportive, right when we start this journey. But because of the confidentiality that we have to maintain for the children that are coming into our home, and not just for them but for their biological families, um, we’re not able to share this stuff. Yeah. With. our personal friends and family where a mentor signs a confidentiality form that has been approved through DCFS that allows them to talk to these foster families in depth. They can talk to ’em about their court cases, visitation, anything that’s going on with the children, so that helps them get additional insight and how to best support the families. Amy: Yeah. I think that’s really important for mentors and the families that are getting mentored to know, is that they can talk about that information with each other, Michelle: And mentors can also attend child and family team meetings, because they’re, again, signing another confidentiality form. Their role will be a little bit different because they’re there to support the foster family, so they’re not there to offer insight or ideas or suggestions on the case just to help be a support to the foster family and help them understand. Why some of those things are being put in place for the children or for the families of the children so that they can have a little bit of support as they move forward with the case. think Amy: really valid. I remember as a foster parent, I would, after the family and team meetings, I would talk to the casa that was assigned to my foster child at the time. And it was just so nice to have somebody that knew what was going on. ’cause it was, you just, there’s not very many people who know what’s going on. And so it was just nice to have somebody. That could listen and be there. And yes, she was the advocate for the child, but it was just nice to have another adult to speak with. And so I think that’s what the mentoring program really Michelle: Yeah. It’s offering the support for our families that are providing the care for these children that are coming into the foster care system. They’re getting a ton of support. Their families are getting a ton of support, to help with reunification. But then our foster families are left going, where do I fit into all of this? So mentors also help with, all of those feelings with reunification. Why am I so sad? Why do these children need to go home? Why is the goal reunification? And if reunification doesn’t happen and it moves towards adoption, it’s helping them with that process as well. Yeah. So our mentors are designed to stay with a new family from the time that they are first licensed through their first placement. And then if they need additional support and help and they wanna keep ’em on longer, they can. We also offer it to existing families that are just struggling with like a new case that is really difficult and they just need, some additional support. So our whole goal is to build that village around our foster families so that they have people that can understand exactly what they’re going through, have already been through some of these difficult. Issues and can empathize with them in a way that other people can’t. We work really closely with the resource family consultants as well. Because they’re also a good support for our families. Yeah. But again, unless they’ve lived this right, they don’t have the lived experience to Amy: and they’re also supporting so many families. There’s 10, ish per region probably, and. They’re dealing with a lot of families. So mentors tell us how many families one mentor would take on. Michelle: mentors can take between one and eight families on their caseload. Their goal is to reach out to the family, one to four times a month. answer phone calls from the family to offer support if the family. Needs them. They don’t have to wait for the mentor to call them. Right. They’re able to call the mentor anytime. And in addition to that, if they’re unable to reach their mentor at any time, they also get my contact information. Yeah. And can contact me with questions and then I can guide them through whatever needs to happen in that moment. So Mentors are great for crisis situations. They can help find respite resources in the community, like again, like doctors, dentists, therapists, things like that. Yeah. They mentor each other and I help mentor them as well as a former foster, adoptive mom. And we make sure that, again, they have additional training to help support these families as needs arrive. Amy: I love that. Michelle: Tell Amy: Tell us a little bit about why and how the mentoring program was born. Michelle: So the mentoring program started. Nine years ago, we started researching throughout America what mentoring programs looked like. Most of the information we received were mentors for children. Okay. But we were not seeing a lot. On mentors for foster families. So we researched things for about six months. We came up with some great ideas and how this was gonna look. We reached out to DCFS. They are the ones that actually thought that this would be a great program for our foster families, and had asked for it for several years, and we finally launched it. We started in the Salt Lake region and within eight months we had it statewide. Okay. So currently we have 86 mentors statewide. We’re always in need of mentors who have some experience, and we have mentored 425 families from July, 2025 to the present, Amy: which is amazing when you only have you what said 86 mentors and 4 25 families. So yes, there’s clearly a need for more mentors, Michelle: in every region Amy: it’s also showing like we’re like, if you need a mentor, we’re gonna make it happen. Whether that’s you or someone in your region, ideally you want someone close to them, right? Someone that they could physically get together with if they needed Michelle: Yes. So go Amy: to lunch, grab a coffee, whatever Michelle: it is. Yeah. So our mentors actually. We’ll invite their families over for barbecues. They’ll take ’em, plates of cookies, just welcome stuff. A lot of our mentors use a Marco Polo app. Okay. Yeah. So that they have like, face-to-face interaction. Quite a bit. That’s a great idea. And a lot of families sometimes get a little overwhelmed and they’re like, oh, it’s just one more person I need to have contact, or, What they’re not understanding though, is this is a great support for you. Yeah. And. Our mentors have that lived experience so that, when you’re calling them either in a crisis or when there’s something good happening, they can celebrate with you or they can go through those trenches with you, right? During those difficult things. And I’ve seen mentors literally stop what they’re doing to go help a family in crisis and, offer respite. Just take a meal over or even just meet ’em for, an ice cream or a soda somewhere, just to help them learn how to build, self-rated regulation skills. And also to learn how to do some self-care. ’cause I think with our foster families. When you’re in the middle of all of this, I think we often forget to take care of ourselves. Amy: Oh yeah. You don’t have time. Michelle: Yeah. And so our mentors are really good at reminding our families that you need to do self-care too. Amy: Yeah. Take a little break. Take a little breather. Yeah. I love that. That’s awesome. Are you able to share like, any success stories with us about things that you’ve seen over the years of mentors or mentorees, if that’s what they’re called? Michelle: Yeah. A lot of our mentors and their families that they’re mentoring, become friends. Yeah. Through this process. Who better to understand what your family’s going through? Their kids connect in a different way because they understand, oh, our family isn’t the only one that is doing foster care. And so biological children, adopted children and all of the. Children that are placed in care are often connecting on a different level. Yeah. So I’ve seen a lot of friendships come out of mentoring and also I’ve seen a lot of families that have started, foster care that had a mentor at the beginning of their journey become mentors. And so Amy: they see the Michelle: of it Mm-hmm. Amy: they wanna give back in that way as well. Michelle: well. Yeah. And it just helps them when they had somebody that’s so supportive, they wanna be able to say, Hey, this person really helped me through a lot of, tough times or great times, and I wanna be able to help another family that’s starting out as well. Amy: Yeah. I love that. Yeah, I was thinking Michelle: back Amy: like two weeks ago, we had the Western region mom’s night out. And it was like 50 plus women that come, and I’m not a foster parent anymore, but we actually hosted at my mom’s house, so I still get to go every year. And so it’s so fun for me to get to go see these foster moms, many of who I know well because I was fostering at the same time in them and many new faces that have come on since. But it is amazing to see what that connection and comradery and. Just being able to sit there and chat and listen and totally relate to what each other are doing. And as a foster mom who hasn’t been doing this for the last year or two, I I’ve removed myself from that world in a small way. ’cause I don’t bring kids in on a regular basis. But putting myself back in that environment is just a reminder of like, we need each other and. You need those supports of who knows what this feels like and who can say that is absolutely insane. I can’t believe you did that, but Yep. I’m doing it too. So I just think the mentoring program is a small scale of that, right? We get together once a year for this mom night out, but mentoring can be every day, every week, every month when you need it. Yeah. Michelle: Yeah. I think it reminds us the why. Why do we do this? Yeah. Why do we bring these children into our home? Fostering is not an easy task by any means. You’re opening up your heart, your home, you’re subjecting yourself and your children to often heartache. Yeah. And so it reminds us of the why, like, especially when we. Build those long lasting relationships with foster families. Some of my closest and dearest friends now are families that I met through Amy: Foster. Yeah, absolutely. ’cause Michelle: they can relate to me. I can relate to them, their children can relate to my children, and we’ve become lifelong friends. Yeah. Through this process. And another thing, like you mentioned, you’re no longer a foster parent. I’m no longer a foster parent. One of the ways that families can still stay connected is as long as they’ve left DCFS in good standing and they wanna still remain involved, they can still be mentors. Yeah. Even if they’re not licensed, Amy: I just learned that today, speaking to you before we started the episode. So I think that’s an amazing way to give back. ’cause I was talking to a mom who was like, yeah, I don’t a foster mom. I don’t know how much longer I’m gonna foster, but I still wanna give back after. And I was like, it’s hard. It’s hard to know where you can still give back when you’re used to bringing kids into your home. That feels like the only way. So I think this is an amazing way that. Foster parents can give back that have had that experience, but maybe can’t, can no longer bring kids into their home. So I love that you’re sharing that. ’cause I had no idea. So hopefully we’re educating listeners as well that hey, you can still be a mentor if you’ve been a foster parent and left in good standing, which hopefully you have. Yes. Michelle: Yes. And we are the only state that I’m aware of that we are able to give our mentors a small stipend. It’s not huge, but we do give them a small stipend for their time in making sure that they’re contacting the families and Yeah, and letting us know what their needs are and. As they’re contacting families, they’re reporting back to me so that I can also help with any type of resources that they might need. Also can help connect them with our care communities. I meet with the DCFS, our RFC team, the resource Family consultants on a regular basis, so I can also reach out to them and. Say, Hey, this family is really struggling. These are the services that we have been able to provide for them through Utah Foster care. What can you do to help us wrap some more services around this family? Because at the end of this, we wanna make sure that they’re. Successful and that their placement is successful. Yeah. And they’re not leaving after their first placement saying, this is not what I imagined this would be. And I felt so alone in this process. We wanna make sure our families feel supported and cheered on, and they just have all of these people making sure that their needs are being met. Because if our foster families are feeling supported, the children that are coming into their home also have a much easier time. So, and we can help in that process of reunification or, sending them to kinship. Our kinship families are also facing those same things so that, we’re making sure that they have their village and they have the people that they need to rely on and count on when things get hurt or, yeah, there’s joy. Amy: And I think too when you have people that you can talk to I realized this a few weeks ago at this same mom’s night out, one of the moms was telling all these things, and I did, I text Tammy over at Care Communities and I said, so and so needs a care community. She didn’t ask for one. No, but I decided that she needed one. Yeah. And it was like sometimes as foster parents are the givers, right? We’re the people in the community that are literally stepping in to bring children in, strangers into our home in the middle of the night. Like it’s insanity if you think about it. And so oftentimes we don’t ask for help and sometimes we don’t even know that we need help. ’cause we’re just used to giving. That’s just what Michelle: we And so I think. Amy: Mentoring can also as these parents are talking and chatting with you, there might be ideas like, Hey, they do need a care community, or, Hey, they do need, we need to get them set up with a therapist to talk through all of these really difficult things. Or, Utah Foster Care has the free therapy now and like, there’s just so many ways that people with an outside lens can support. ’cause sometimes you can’t always Michelle: see it when you’re Yeah. And I don’t think our families realize that there, that Utah foster care has so many Amy: supports I agree. Michelle: Yeah. And so we do, we, I get referrals from mentors saying, Hey, this family could really benefit for, extra help with one of our clinicians here at Utah Foster Care. They’re really struggling with reunification and they might need a little extra support and we can offer that to them. Yeah. I contact one of the clinicians, especially in their region. Yeah. And just say, Hey, can you reach out? I always check with the family first and make sure that they know we’re gonna be calling just so don’t catch ’em off guard. Yeah. And same thing with our care communities, we’re able to say. This is a service that we might be able to provide for you. Is this something you’ll be interested in? And if they’re not, we also have, other resources available to our families. We can get some meals delivered to them. We can get, respite situated and make sure that they’re being taken care of in different ways. So, yeah, and mentors do a lot of that too, yeah. They take time to, to do that for the families that they’re mentoring. If they need additional support, like that is what we’re doing for these families, is we’re making sure that we’re surrounding them with as much love and support as we can to make their foster care journey a little less Amy: stressful. Yes. Lighten the load in a small way. Yes. So tell us if somebody is wanting to become a mentor or feels like, Hey, I could really benefit from a mentor, what do they Michelle: do? So they just need to go to our Utah Foster Care website www.utahfostercare.org/mentors. There are a couple of tabs on there. One is a video just explaining the mentoring program just like we did today. Another is. Become a mentor. You would just fill that out. I would get that information, contact you. There’s a brief 20 minute training that we would do over the phone. Just get you prepared for what you would be doing as a mentor, and then we would get you started. If you need a mentor or a family that could benefit from one you just fill out the tab that. Is request a mentor. Okay. And then that, again we try to pair families fairly quickly within a week of them becoming licensed. If I get a request for an existing family, we do the same thing. We try and, get them paired as quickly as we possibly can. And then, the mentor just starts reaching out to them, sets up times to visit with them if that’s needed. And then you just build that friendship and that support as you go. And Amy: so this is a random thought, but what happens if like someone’s not vibing? Michelle: It happens. Okay. Or if the Amy: mentor’s like, actually I hate this. Please get me out of here. Michelle: So, we’ve had some situations where, a family is just like, I don’t think that I, this is the right person for me. Yeah. I just reach out to the mentor and say, Hey, can you gimme some insight on what’s happening? I talk to the family and then we repair them with somebody else. Sometimes they ask me if I’ll be their mentor, which is fine. Yeah. I have no problem helping and supporting families as well. Yeah. But that happens. We’ve had mentors who have had to step back for some time, either for personal reasons, medical reasons. Yeah. Or just they need a break. So they’ll let me know ahead of time, Hey, these are the families that I’m mentoring. Can you pick up for them while I’m on vacation? Or, I have to have surgery, so I need a little bit of, time off. We have mentors who. Have really difficult cases themselves and Yeah. And they just, Amy: just a lot to carry someone else’s load too. Michelle: Yeah. And so, they’ll oftentimes say, Hey, I have six families right now. These two families are really close to, ending their placement for, whether it’s reunification, adoption, or them going to kinship. And they’ll just say, I have these two families and I really think that they could benefit for. With keeping another mentor in place for them. But I need to step back for, yeah, a couple months just to, focus on my own family and my own needs for a while. That happens and, nine times outta 10 they’ll take a few weeks off and then call me and say, okay, I’m ready to come back. Amy: Yeah. Because that’s what foster parents do. We we say we need a break, and then we’re like, just kidding. We’re back. Michelle: Yeah. And I’ve built some great, friendships with the mentors on my team because they’re calling me all the time and just saying, okay, I need to vent. Yeah. And that’s what we do. We listen to each other. And something that we would tell, one of our personal friends, they may not understand, I’ve sure I’ve vented about, personal situations with either a foster placement or my own children. And people are like, why do you keep doing this to Amy: yourself? Exactly. Michelle: And so it’s nice to be able to have somebody that you can vent to and they’re just like, oh, I totally get that. Exactly. What can I do for you to make this situation better for you? And then oftentimes you just need to vent. Yes. And then you’re good. Amy: And I’ve found too that sometimes you just have to cry or laugh together at the total insanity of your life. Yes. And no one really is gonna get that unless they’ve done it or are doing Michelle: it. Yeah. And I’ve seen. F foster families come together during some really critical times for another foster family. Yeah, absolutely. And kinship family. When there’ve been, tragedies in their family, those foster care communities band together to really support, whatever’s happening in that family. And it’s been beautiful to see in a lot of ways. Yes. Looking on it from. Working here at Utah Foster Care, in addition to being a foster adoptive mom. Just seeing the amount of families that just love and care for each other in a different way is just beautiful. Amy: Yeah. Yeah. I agree. No it is. I always say it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever done because it is, it’s so hard and yes, we had to step away to to care for all the kids that we now have, but it’s something that I’m so grateful that I’m part of and so honored to know how difficult and how beautiful it is. So it’s just it truly is an incredible community to get to be a part of. Michelle: Yeah. When you start it, you don’t think you’re gonna end up, with Amy: however Michelle: children. But yeah. I started this journey with three children of my own and ended up with. Eight children of my own Uhhuh. So, and then many more that continue to reach out and yeah, absolutely. Stay in contact. So it’s a great, it’s a great thing to be a part Amy: of. It really is. Thank you so much Michelle: for your time. Amy: and thank you for all of the energy and time that you put into the mentoring program and supporting our Utah foster families. If you wanna learn more, head over to Utah foster care.org. Thanks for joining us.

In this February 2026 episode, MSS intern Cheri Mitchell interviews Maddy Day, Proprietor and Senior Consultant of Maddy Day, LLC & Associates, and co-Founder and co-Chair of FAAN (Fostering Academic Achievement Nationwide). Influenced by her family's deep ties to child welfare, Maddy gained early insight into the realities facing non‑traditional families. Her career path ultimately led to the creation of FAAN in 2016, a network that grew from informal cross‑state conversations among practitioners that now includes more than twenty states. Maddy's journey and FAAN's expansion underscore the impact of connection, reliable data, persistent advocacy, and the importance of listening to students in creating equitable educational pathways for youth with experience in foster care.

This #coachbetter episode is another in our series of coaching case studies, with one of Kim's amazing clients, Sarah Tudge, High School Curriculum Coordinator at the International School of Manila in the Philippines. At the time of recording, Sarah had just graduated from The Coach and completed her amazing Action Research around the impact of coaching - if you want to see the outcome of her research, make sure to check out her Final Project blog post on our website at coachbetter.tv. We're excited to share this episode with Sarah with you because Sarah came to The Coach with a TON of coaching experience and she still learned and achieved so much, all of which was very specifically tailored for the needs of her school community because The Coach is so customizable for your individual needs. Sarah points out in this episode how valuable having a whole academic year to devote to developing her coaching skills was, and she truly made the most of it!.  This episode is a deep dive into the ways that coaching can be the bridge between more formal professional learning experiences and actual impact in the classroom. Sarah's experience and action research throughout her time in The Coach Certificate and Mentorship Program really uncover the ways that coaching empowers teachers to create tangible change in their practice - with support and without evaluation. Find the show notes for this episode here. Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)      

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Question: I recently listened to a podcast featuring an adoptee, a birth mother, and an adoptive parent, which was great. The adoptee talked about when it hit her that she was adopted and feeling like her birth mother threw her away. My sons are adopted through the foster care system. One is technically still a foster child. My oldest was removed from his birth mother immediately after being born and placed with us. My second son spent about a year with his parents in a very neglectful situation, and drugs were a factor in both situations. I'm wondering how to respectfully have that conversation with my sons when the time comes. Note, please, that we are a two-dad household, so there's no hiding the adoption from them.Resources:Talking about Adoption at Different AgesHow to Make and Use an Adoption LifebookTalking with Young Children About Adoption and Birth ParentsBooks for Kids Adopted from Foster Care9 Things Adoptive Parents Must Do Before Age 13Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

Do you ever hold back to avoid heartbreak, even though what you really want is to love wholeheartedly?In this episode of Come To Your Senses with Mary Lofgren, I'm sharing  what fostering dogs has taught me about love, presence, and showing up with an open heart, even when loss is inevitable. Fostering has been an unexpected masterclass in relationships, attachment, boundaries, and letting love move through my life, and I'm excited to share what gems of wisdom I've learned with you today.Here's to all the ways that only love can break, and open, our hearts. Topics include:What fostering dogs taught me about relationships, love, and healthy attachmentHow to love, even when you can't fully attachDating, boundaries, and intuitionBeing willing to fall in love (again and again)This episode is perfect for anyone who loves dogs, has known heartbreak, believes in loving fully, and wants to live with more emotional freedom.LINKS FROM THE EPISODE The Healing Heartbreak Support Kit - Balm for a broken heartMy new book, Sensing the Sacred: A guided journal of sensory spirituality and daily ritual, is available now. Learn more: https://marylofgren.com/sensing-the-sacred

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Are you familiar with pathological demand avoidance? Do you need helpful strategies to raise a child with the challenging behaviors that characterize PDA? Listen in to this conversation with Dr. Cynthia Martin, a clinical psychologist, the former Senior Director of the Autism Center at the Child Mind Institute, and founder of CM Psychology in Manhattan, NY.In this episode, we discuss:What is Pathological Demand Avoidance?What makes PDA different from typical defiance or resistance?Is PDA considered an official diagnosis, or is it more of a way to describe a cluster of behaviors that we're seeing in some kids?What do we know about the underlying causes?How does PDA relate to other conditions like autism or ADHD? What are the overlaps with trauma, prenatal substance exposure??What are the types of behaviors parents or caregivers might see?How can a caregiver tell the difference between a child who can't comply and one who won't comply?Where do parents start when considering if their child has a PDA profile?What observations or examples should parents share to help a clinician understand their child's challenges?What kinds of strategies are effective for parenting a child with PDA traits?How can parents reframe their approach so that daily demands — like getting dressed, brushing teeth, or doing homework — don't turn into constant battles?What types of therapies or interventions tend to be most helpful? What do you say to caregivers who are feeling worn down and ineffective? Where do they start?How can a parent or caregiver set their child up for success even if they do have this PDA profile?What words of hope or encouragement would you offer to parents and caregivers just starting to investigate?Resources:Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in Kids - Child Mind InstituteDemand Avoidance: Why Kids Refuse to Follow Directions - Psychology TodaySymptom Tests for Children: Is Your Child Showing Signs of Pathological Demand Avoidance? - ADDitude: ADHD Science & StrategiesUnstuck & On Target - Evidence-Based Curricula and Resources for Professionals and Families to Support Executive Functions.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 podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

What happens when vulnerability becomes your leadership superpower? Kristi sits down with Karen Alter to unpack what it means to lead from the heart in an industry often driven by metrics and deadlines. From stepping into leadership in a post-founder era to fostering a culture where creativity and connection thrive, Karen shares how relational leadership has shaped every corner of her organization. She opens up about her journey, from receiving the vibe to becoming the one who creates it, including the powerful personal story of how a colleague became a surrogate and lifelong friend. Karen gets real about hiring for culture fit, designing intentional hybrid spaces, having hard conversations with clients, and why she'll never lead with fear. This episode is a masterclass in showing up as your full self, and how that choice impacts everything from morale to results. If you're ready to build a culture where trust, transparency, and real human connection fuel your team, this one's for you.   Additional Resources: Connect with Karen on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Subscribe to Kristi's YouTube for more Vibecast content! Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Vulnerability builds trust and deepens team connection Culture thrives on intentional relationships and shared values Physical space impacts creative energy and collaboration Hire for diversity, align on core values Great leadership starts with listening, not talking  

In this episode of Call Your Hits, Phil speaks with Kevin Pierre, known as RandomGuyKev, about the airsoft community, the evolution of the Random Airsoft Awards, and the importance of visibility and marketing for brands. They discuss Kevin's journey from player to content creator, the significance of customization in airsoft, and the role of educational content in shaping player experiences. The conversation also touches on surprises from the awards, future aspirations for the airsoft community, and highlights from Shot Show.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Airsoft and Community Engagement02:56 The Evolution of the Random Airsoft Awards05:52 Personal Journey in Airsoft09:02 Reviewing Airsoft Gear: A No-Nonsense Approach12:01 The Impact of Technology on Airsoft Gear14:54 Transitioning to the Awards: A Community-Driven Approach18:00 Creating Standards in Airsoft Awards21:02 Exploring Customization in Airsoft Gear26:07 Celebrating Airsoft Creators27:52 The Importance of Customization in Airsoft30:05 Recognizing Knowledgeable Content Creators32:52 Visibility and Brand Recognition in Airsoft35:21 Community Engagement and Awards38:44 Fostering a Positive Airsoft Environment40:35 Understanding Voting Trends in Airsoft Awards42:27 Growth and Global Reach of Airsoft Awards45:42 Innovations from Shot Show 2023--- If you're looking to support the channel, check out our merch store here: https://stormriders.threadless.com/ And join our discord by following this link: https://discord.gg/ZdaftDDYaZ

In this second half of our special two-part episode of KeyLIME+, recorded live in Quebec City at the International Conference on Residency Education, Adam is joined by resident co-host Dr. Rory Clarke and guests Drs. Kimberly Lomis and Martin Pusic to explore how AI is transforming medical education. They discuss how AI is reshaping trust, connection, and growth in residency education, including its potential to enhance personal connections, mentorship, and personalized learning. Along the way, they share practical strategies educators can use to strike the right balance between innovation and human-centredness.  Length of episode:  42:24  Contact us: keylime@royalcollege.ca      Follow: Dr. Adam Szulewski https://x.com/Adam_Szulewski          

Today, we hear the heartfelt journey of David and Jill, who took the leap from being childless to adopting two beautiful siblings through the Foster to Adopt process. They share openly about how infertility led them to this path and speak about how this experience has transformed them into better people and deepened their love in ways they never imagined. From navigating the emotional rollercoaster of uncertainty, to the joys and challenges of raising toddlers who came from a tough background, their happy story is a testament to resilience and unconditional love. We chat about the importance of support systems, how to handle the unique dynamics of blended families, and the sheer joy of watching their kids thrive. So, tune in as we celebrate these non-traditional family stories that remind us that love knows no bounds! In this episode, we cover the inspiring journey of David and Jill, a couple who always wanted to be parents. When faced with infertility, they took the leap into the world of foster care and adoption. Their story isn't just about becoming parents; it's about overcoming challenges, embracing love, and the unexpected twists life throws your way. From their struggles with infertility to the joyful surprise of welcoming two sisters into their home, their candid conversation is filled with heartfelt reflections and light-hearted moments that keep the listeners engaged. They discuss how the foster-to-adopt process has transformed their lives, making them better individuals and parents, and how their love for their children runs deeper than they ever thought possible. David and Jill's experiences illustrate the highs and lows of fostering, including the emotional turmoil of potentially losing their girls when they first entered their lives. With a mix of humor and vulnerability, they recount the uncertainty of not knowing how long they would have the girls and the challenges of navigating the court system. Their honesty about the rollercoaster of emotions resonates with many, as they share the lessons learned through love, patience, and support from their community. The couple emphasizes the importance of connecting with others who understand the unique challenges of fostering, echoing the sentiment that it truly takes a village to raise a child. By sharing their journey, David and Jill not only highlight the beauty of foster care but also inspire others who may be considering this path. As they reflect on their family's growth and the love they have cultivated, listeners are left with a powerful message: the journey of parenting—whether through fostering or adopting—is filled with uncertainties, but the love that emerges from it is both profound and life-changing. This episode is a testament to the transformative power of family, no matter how it comes together.Takeaways:Becoming parents through fostering transformed us into better individuals, deepening our love.The journey from fostering to adoption can be long and emotionally challenging, but it's worth it.Having support from others who understand the challenges of fostering is absolutely priceless.Our kids, despite their tough beginnings, are full of love and joy, reminding us daily.Navigating the foster care system requires patience, faith, and a lot of love for the kids.The importance of being kind and building relationships with social workers and attorneys cannot be overstated.Companies mentioned in this episode:

A talk by Thanissaro Bhikkhu entitled "Correcting, Fostering, Cutting Away"

In this episode, I sit down with Suzannah Weiss to explore how eroticism and pleasure can be cultivated while living with chronic pain and illness. We unpack the cultural myths that normalize women's suffering, how pain and fatigue impact libido and orgasm, and what it means to stay connected to pleasure when the body isn't cooperating. An intimate, grounded conversation on listening to the body, redefining sex beyond performance, and reclaiming erotic agency in all seasons of health.In this episode you'll hear:00:00 Intro02:50 Chronic Pain, Libido, and Erotic Truth06:06 Eve's Curse and the Myth of Women's Pain08:13 PMS, Power, and Cultural Backlash16:08 Medical Gaslighting and the Cost of Not Being Believed31:50 The Myth of the Elusive Female OrgasmTHE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUESTSuzannah Weiss is a writer and psychotherapist focused on sexuality, relationships, and women's empowerment. She is the author of Subjectified, a memoir-manifesto on ending objectification, and Eve's Blessing, a personal, political, and spiritual exploration of reclaiming pleasure where women have been taught to accept pain. With over 8,800 published articles, her work has appeared in outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. Through her writing and therapy practice, Suzannah challenges cultural myths about women's bodies and invites a more liberated, pleasure-affirming relationship with sexuality.LINKS FROM THE SHOWSuzannah Weiss – official website - https://suzannahweiss.com/Books by Suzannah Weiss:→ Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject - https://a.co/d/66E2aex→ Eve's Blessing: Uncovering the Lost Pleasure Behind Female Pain - https://a.co/d/blrgCBeTwitter / X: @SuzannahWeissInstagram: @SuzannaWise (W-I-S-E)WANT MORE?Join me for my monthly Un.done Classes: learn.sexloveyoga.com/come-undoneSensual Awakening: https://sexloveyoga.mykajabi.com/sensual-awakeningErotically Undone: https://sexloveyoga.mykajabi.com/EroticallyUndone****Sensual Sundays Guide: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/sensual-sundaysBig Cat Energy: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/big-cat-energy

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Talking about the difficult parts of our child's story, like abuse or prenatal substance exposure, can be overwhelming. Kelly Weidner, the co-founder and Executive Director of Haven Adoptions & Family Services in Ambler, PA. She has 28 years of experience in foster care, residential care, and adoption, which will help us navigate these challenging conversations with our kids.In this episode, we discuss:What kinds of issues do we mean when we say “difficult parts” of a child's story? What are some of the everyday challenging conversations that adoptive parents must tackle?Why is it necessary to introduce these potentially painful, complex issues to our kids?Why are parents reluctant to talk about these issues?What steps should adoptive parents take when choosing to start these conversations? Where do they start?What is a Lifebook, and how can parents use them to introduce and build on the story as their child grows?What should be included?How does a Lifebook differ between the types of adoption?What if your child wants to bring their Lifebook to school or show it to people outside the family?What language can you use with young children to lay the groundwork for later, with more details filled in as they grow?How would a parent start the conversation about being conceived during a rape or abusive relationship, across several ages or stages, to build understanding?As another example, should we tell our kids about abuse or neglect that happened to them if they don't remember it? How?Should you tell a child that her birth mother's use of drugs or alcohol during pregnancy might be the cause of their learning disabilities? How do you help your child understand how much of his story he should share with others outside the family?What if you don't believe the birth mother's story of what happened? What if you don't know the details of what happened, just that something “big” did happen?How can adoptive parents help their children understand that they are more than the difficult parts of their history and that they are not doomed to repeat their birth parents' mistakes?What are some practical tips for supporting our kids after we've had to share hard-to-hear information?Resources:Suggested Books for Adoptive FamiliesUsing Lifebooks to Explain Complex Issues in Adoption to KidsBuilding the Framework for Adopted & Foster Children to Process the Hard Parts of Their StoriesSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

The world is getting weirder every day… We need weirdness specialists. Maybe the best guy for the job is my friend, the brilliant “metashaman” (and possible octopus) Layman Pascal. In his own words, Layman “used to be a Canadian meditation teacher, yoga instructor & philosopher of Integral Metatheory but he's feeling much better now.” He leads the Metamodern Spirituality Labs, hosts The Integral Stage, Soulmakers+, and (forthcoming) Untegral Stage podcasts, and provides unique online courses. He is also a founding member of several think tanks in the developmental psychology and spirituality space, senior editor of Emerge online & is allied to numerous institutes across the field. In addition to many journal and anthology articles, he is the author of Gurdjieff for a Time Between Worlds, Sex, Death & the Occult, as well as an upcoming book about Nietzsche. Layman is known for his philosophical work on the metaphysics of adjacency, complex nonduality, coaxial developmental stage theories, sacred naturalism, archaic futurism, embodied spirituality & the “integration-surplus model of religion and spirituality” for a post-postmodern civilization facing numerous accelerating and converging crises. In this conversation we cover a lot of ground in a very short time, including: the nature of futurity and how humankind's relationship to the future is changing; how to surf intense peculiarity'; the abiding sociocultural role of “shamanoid” personalities and other useful weirdos; “wartime” mobilization for The Big Us; and other deep and delightful subjects. It's my honor to finally decant this year-old recording, now more pertinent than ever…✨ If you enjoy this conversation, please consider liking, subscribing, and commenting on your favorite podcast provider to help this work (and you!) find new allies: YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Etc.✨ Our next Humans On The Loop book club discussion is for Wendell Berry's Standing by Words on Sunday February 15th! Become a member to participate in these calls, exclusive Discord members channels, and our monthly hangouts.✨ All of the unedited, unreleased episodes are available to founding members here.More links• Explore the archives for nine years of mind-expanding conversations• Browse (nearly!) all of the books we discuss on the show at Bookshop.org•Dig into the Humans On The Loop pitch deck• Explore the Google Notebook for How To Live In The Future, my five-week science and philosophy course at Weirdosphere• Contact me if you have burning questions!Cited pieces by Layman• The Soul of AI w/ Lee Chazen (YouTube)• The MetaModern Business Bureau (MMBB) (Substack)• Apocalyptarians (Substack)• The Society of Partial Deterritorialization (Substack)• The Two-Handed Demons (Substack)Cited pieces by others• Wendell Berry - Standing by Words• Hakim Bey - Temporary Autonomous Zone• Steven Johnson - The Revenge of the Humanities• Carol Dweck - Mindset• William James - On Some Mental Effects of the EarthquakeMentioned people with dialogues on my show• Jim Rutt (181)• William Irwin Thompson (42, 43)• Erik Davis (99, 132, 140)• Timothy Morton (223)Mentioned people without dialogues on my show• Terence McKenna (although I've interviewed Terence's brilliant close friends Ken Adams and Bruce Damer multiple times; check the archives for episodes 4, 109, 209)• Alexander Bard• Andrew Huberman• Harry S. Truman• Jacques Lacan• H.P. Lovecraft• Doug Irwin• Nassim Taleb• Friedrich Nietzsche This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelgarfield.substack.com/subscribe

I am beyond excited to welcome Baby Bear