Podcast appearances and mentions of rob scheer

BEST OF SEASON 6 — As we close out Season 6 and gear up for Season 7 of Fostering Change, we're highlighting some of our most powerful conversations from the past year. With over 220 episodes behind us, we're grateful to every guest and listener who has helped us grow this platform into what it is today.In this featured episode, Rob Scheer is joined by guest co-host Rita Soronen, CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, for an incredible conversation with Andrew Bridge — former foster youth, attorney, and author of The Child Catcher: A Fight for Justice & Truth.Andrew shares his story of surviving 11 years in Los Angeles County foster care, his rise to become a Harvard Law graduate and Fulbright Scholar, and his fight to protect children in broken systems. His new book, The Child Catcher, tells the true story of a legal battle to rescue youth trapped in a secretive and abusive institution in rural Alabama.

Welcome to the Season 6 FINALE of Fostering Change!

On today's episode of Fostering Change, we continue our special acknowledgment that May is National Foster Care Awareness Month. We hope you have taken some moments to reflect on what you can do to support those in the foster care system: donate, volunteer your time, mentor, or even consider taking steps to be a CASA or foster parent. Thank you for all you do!If you'd like a simple way to support Comfort Cases, here's an idea: You can participate in the Hundred X program. Click on the following link, and you'll be guided to complete surveys about brands and companies you are familiar with. Comfort Cases will receive $1.60 for every survey you fill out (and it only takes 2 minutes max for each!) https://programs.hundredx.com/givewithoutspendingNow, on to today's episode: For 8 years, we have worked with the team at Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Indiana, and have expanded that partnership throughout the country, literally giving away THOUSANDS of our Comfort Cases backpacks to social service agencies and youth experiencing foster care.Today, we speak with Aimee Christian, a Fostering Connections Case Manager with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Aimee and Rob Scheer have a lively discussion that focuses on the positive changes that can be made to improve the foster care system.Some of the points they cover include changing our vocabulary so we're not labeling these youth, changing the focus from just on the child to the entire family, and building and improving relationships with the birth family and the foster family.Aimee and Rob will certainly motivate you to—at minimum—give new thoughts to the foster care system and—at best—possibly motivate you to consider becoming a foster parent yourself!We know you'll enjoy this interview. Thank you again to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for being such a valuable and supportive partner to Comfort Cases all these years! ​​The partnership between Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Comfort Cases has grown since 2018. Since the expansion, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield's affiliated health plans have hosted dozens of packing parties across 16 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico, providing thousands of Comfort Cases and XL duffel bags to youth in foster care nationwide.For more information about the foster care system or how you can support Comfort Cases, please visit our website: www.comfortcases.org. If you have any questions, comments, or guest suggestions, please reach out to us at info@comfortcases.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode of the Comfort Cases Podcast, Rob Scheer sits down with Amy Vale, foster parent and founder of For the Cubs, a purpose-driven brand creating sensory tools to support emotional regulation in children and adults alike.Amy shares how her own foster care journey inspired a mission: to design products that provide real comfort, like Percy, a weighted plush bear that mimics the feeling of a hug. Their conversation explores:✅ The power of pairing entrepreneurship with advocacy✅ How sensory tools support those facing trauma, ADHD, anxiety, and more✅ The lack of comforting resources for children entering care✅ What empathetic corporate responsibility really looks likeThis powerful episode is part of our ongoing spotlight series for National Foster Care Awareness Month. Don't miss this heartfelt discussion about healing, innovation, and how we can all do better for youth in care.

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month, and we're kicking it off with one of our most powerful episodes yet.This week on Fostering Change, host Rob Scheer is joined by special guest co-host Jennifer Perry, Executive Director of the Children's Action Network and Co-Founder of FosterMore. Jennifer's tireless advocacy has brought national attention to the urgent needs of the 108,000+ children in U.S. foster care currently waiting for adoptive families.Together, they sit down with Lara Love Hardin, author of The Many Lives of Mama Love—a 2024 Oprah Book Club selection and New York Times bestseller. In this profoundly moving conversation, Lara shares her remarkable journey through opioid addiction, incarceration, the devastating loss of her children, and how she fought her way back to rebuild her life.This episode is a raw and inspiring look at:The transformative power of storytellingThe realities of addiction, incarceration, and recoveryThe broken pieces of the foster care system—and how we can fix themThe power of second chances and redemption

When people think of fostering or adopting, the image that often comes to mind is a cute little baby. But what's often forgotten are the older children—pre-teens and teens—who are just as in need of love, support, and a forever family.On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer welcomes Randi Thompson, co-founder of Kidsave—a remarkable nonprofit helping youth ages 9–17 in foster care and orphanages find meaningful, lasting connections and permanent homes. Randi is truly one of the “Good Humans” we're honored to feature!Kidsave offers several incredible programs, including their flagship Weekend Miracles initiative, which connects older youth with families who are considering fostering or adoption. As Kidsave says:“When a child feels like they have someone in their corner, the world opens up to them, and they thrive.”

On today's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer sits down with another incredible “Good Human” — Tristian Smith. After losing his mother at the age of seven, Tristian entered the foster care system, where he experienced over 25 placements and attended 13 different schools. Despite these hardships, he never let his circumstances define him.Tristian shares the powerful story behind his memoir, Against All Odds, which chronicles his journey through the challenges of foster care and his path to becoming a voice for change.Now a retired U.S. Army Officer, Tristian continues to serve as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), a Foster Care Review Board Member, and a mentor to youth aging out of the system. His commitment to advocacy, mentorship, and reform is genuinely inspiring.

Don't you just love a really good person? On today's episode of Fostering Change you're about to meet one. Shawn Henss is truly the definition of what we call a “Good Human.” A nice guy, with a HUGE heart. Shawn is the founder of Giving Sole, a non-profit organization that gives new shoes to youth in foster care. Technically, Shawn's son came up with the idea for Giving Sole at the age of 10! Since founding Giving Sole in 2018, they have given away more than 3,000 new, brand-name shoes and sneakers to youth in foster care throughout Arizona, and are looking to share this generosity throughout the US.We can go on longer here, but we'd rather you listen to Shawn's story directly from him in this beautiful interview with our host, Rob Scheer.To find out more information about Giving Sole, including how to donate, please visit: www.givingsole.org.You can also follow them on various social media channels:Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/givingsole/Instagram@giving_soleTwitter/X@givingsoleThreadshttps://www.threads.net/@giving_soleLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/giving-sole#fostercare #givingsole #adoption Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's always special when we can welcome both a returning guest and a first-time guest who are making a real difference. Join our host, Rob Scheer, as he sits down with Kate Trambitskaya and Brian Rosenberg for an urgent and eye-opening discussion about how federal cutbacks are impacting youth in foster care, LGBTQ+ youth, and other vulnerable communities.Why This Episode Matters:Kate, who last joined us in May 2022, is a passionate advocate for children, women, and families. As CEO of Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Childre,, she has expanded programs supporting expectant women facing adversity, children in institutional care overseas, and adoptees and their families here in the U.S.Brian is the founder and executive director of GWK Academy Family Building, a non-profit spin-off of the beloved Gays With Kids community. Originally focused on supporting gay and queer men in their journey to parenthood, Brian is excited to announce that starting in March 2025, GWK Academy will support ALL family-building paths for ALL LGBTQ+ individuals!

Shortly after the New Year's Day attack on Bourbon Street, trauma teams at New Orleans hospitals stepped up to save lives at a moment's notice. University Medical Center New Orleans, the only Level 1 trauma center in the area, addressed many of the casualties.Dr. Alison Smith, trauma medical director at UMC , tells us how the city's  hospitals prepare for mass casualty emergencies. When children are removed from families and put into foster care, they often have to leave with very few of their personal items, carrying their belongings in nothing more than a trash bag — a dehumanizing and sometimes traumatic experience.Rob Scheer is founder of Comfort Cases, an international organization that supports hundreds of children who enter the foster care system each month in Louisiana. He tells us about the basic needs of children that are often overlooked, and an upcoming event to collect clothes, blankets, hygiene kits and more for kids in need. As the weather warms, many are thinking about what kinds of plants to put in their gardens, but Louisiana weather isn't the friendliest to all kinds of plants. We have to consider what plants are best equipped to survive heat, droughts and even hurricanes.Author Christopher Brown and Tammany Baumgarten, a landscape horticulturist and president of the Louisiana Native Plant Society, tell us more about the best plants for South Louisiana's climate.—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts.Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Send us a textOver 700 children enter the foster care system every single day. Think about that.                                                                                                                Most are given a trash bag to carry their belongings...                                                    Think about that.             Think about how it must feel to ask a stranger for their toothpaste. The overwhelming sad and difficult emotions for each of these babies, toddlers, and teens must feel every day. The youth are in these situations because of adults that have FAILED THEM. It DOES NOT have to be this way! Last year, we welcomed Comfortcases.org to New Orleans to pack cases filled with all of the personal items these kids need as they navigate this journey. 300 cases were packed, filled and sent HERE LOCALLY in South Louisiana! This year, I want to make it a LAW requiring it to be ILLEGAL to put these children's belongings into a trash bag. These babies deserve DIGNITY. So let's make that happen! In the coming days, I will create a CALL TO ACTION and petition for EVERYONE to sign and then, I will send it to my friends at New Orleans City Hall, Baton Rouge and beyond to get this on the table and FUNDED! The founder of Comfortcases.org, Rob Scheer sat down with me to talk about his and their mission to finally say for good- NO MORE TRASH BAGS! Join us as we make it our own mission to give dignity to these youth. Are you a Louisianian? Please join me in signing this petition to ban trash bags given to foster children. Sign here! https://chng.it/2vqDmgJ42JThen later we welcome back my health and wellness buddy, Author, coach, food nutritionist and aging guru, Patricia Greenberg! Patricia has Completed 20 marathons, 115 half marathons & tower climber at 60. Passionate about lifelong learning & giving back through book clubs & charity knitting. Patricia Greenberg's groundbreaking new book, “It's OK to Be Old”! This insightful guide offers a refreshing and empowering perspective on aging that challenges societal stereotypes and celebrates the wisdom and opportunities that come with growing older. Through engaging stories, thought-provoking questions, and practical exercises, Patricia Greenberg guides readers on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Whether you're approaching your later years or simply want to develop a more positive attitude towards aging, this book is an invaluable resource.I personally love to chat with Patricia because she is FULL of healthy and helpful ideas about not only living healthier but aging gracefully. Learn more at www.patriciagreenberg.comThank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenWww.ochsner.orgRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comSandpiper VacationsWww..sandpipervacations.comCafe Du Monde www.shop.cafedumonde.com The Law Firm of Forrest Cressy & James Www.forrestcressyjames.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream CompanyWww.neworleansicecream.comERA TOP REALTY: Pamela BreauxAudubon Institute www.auduboninstitute.orgUrban South Brewery www.urbansouthbrewery.com

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of difficult subject matter, including child abuse and the tragic death/murder of a young child. Listener discretion is strongly advised. If these topics may be triggering or upsetting, we encourage you to prioritize your well-being and consider this before listening to this episode.Welcome back for the second part of our special 2-episode series of Fostering Change, featuring the story of the horrific murder of 5-year-old Harmony Montgomery.On our last episode, we spoke with Judge Carol Erskine, author of the book A Cruel Injustice, which documents how our judicial system failed young Harmony, who was taken out of foster care and placed with her birth father - who rather than nurturing her, murdered her.Today, we speak with Blair & Johnathan Bobbit-Miller, adoptive fathers of two sons before becoming the father of a 3rd son, Jamison, Harmony's brother.These amazing and sensitive humans discuss with Rob how the system continues to fail those who need it most—the children. They explain what they are doing, along with help from other Good Humans like Judge Erskine and Rob Scheer, to fix what many consider to be unfixable.This powerful episode of Fostering Change will make you want to activate yours. At the sentencing of Adam Montgomery (Harmony's father), Jamison read a victim-impact-statement. Part of the statement:"Tell everyone my name is Jamison. I'm 7 years old. My sister is Harmony. I love Harmony, I miss her," Bobbitt-Miller read. "I hope I get to see her again."He spoke of a broken Elmo toy Harmony had given him that was hers that he has kept ever since. He said he has a Minnie Mouse pillow and new Elmo he planned to give to her."I keep it in my closet for her," Bobbitt-Miller read. "I am really sad she is an angel. I miss her. She was my best friend. I hope she can see me playing basketball and being silly with my brothers and I wish I could bring Harmony to my school to meet my friends and teacher."To learn more about the Bobbit-Miller Family:Twitter: @BlairMillerTV @BobbitMiller Instagram: @johnathanb @blairmillertv “A Cruel Injustice” can be found anywhere you purchase books, including Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cruel-Injustic...If you have any comments or questions regarding this episode or the foster care system, please send them to info@comfortcases.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of difficult subject matter, including child abuse and the tragic death/murder of a young child. Listener discretion is strongly advised. If these topics may be triggering or upsetting, we encourage you to prioritize your well-being and take this all into consideration prior to listening to this episode.On today's special episode of Fostering Change we speak with Judge Carol Erskine. Judge Erskine is the author of the book, A Cruel Injustice. In thebook, and in today's interview with Rob Scheer, Judge Erskine discusses the tragic death of 5-year-old Harmony, at the hands of her father.Harmony's murder was the result of our failed foster care system. Where the system should have provided legal advocacy on behalf of Harmony, protecting her, instead it let her, her brother and all of us, down.Judge Erskine further discusses her career on the bench, and how she remains an advocate for youth in foster care.Please note that this is PART ONE of a two-episode series. On our next episode of Fostering Change, Blair Miller and Johnathan Bobbit-Miller, the adoptive fathers of Harmony's brother, speak to Rob about their experiences with the system - their frustrations, and all they are doing to raise Jamison and work with him as he remembers his sister and fights for justice in her name.To purchase a copy of A Cruel Injustice, please visit a local bookstore, Amazon, or carolerskine.com.More About Carol:Carol Erskine has been a lifelong child advocate and a Massachusetts Juvenile Court judge for twenty-one years. Prior to being appointed to the bench, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly named her one of the state's top ten lawyers.Judge Erskine has written and published a children's book and several op-ed columns on children's issues. She and her husband are the proud parents of a blended family with their now grown adopted and stepchildren.Websitecarolerskine.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolErskine/Twitter/Xhttps://x.com/TheCarolErskineLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-erskine-1065a1207/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! This is our final episode of Fostering Change before we launch into 2025. And what a year it's been. We've celebrated amazing guests on our show, learning so much about each other and our society.Thank you to all of you who have written in with comments and guests suggestions about what you've listened to this year. We truly appreciate YOU ALL!Our charity, Comfort Cases has touched so many people around the country this year, with Rob Scheer once again sharing our message of providing hope and dignity for youth in foster care. It's not too late to make one last donation if this is possible for you. If this is something you would like to do, to help out our most important people, youth entering foster care, please click on this link or here: https://comfortcases.org/ to become a #Bagbuster to help us stop the evil practice of giving trash bags to our youth. Thank you!As for today's Christmas Eve episode, we end the year with a Very Special Guest: Chef Art Smith. You may initially recognize him as Oprah's personal Chef, a role he held for 10 years. He is also the founder of Common Threads, a non-profit organization teaching low-income children to cook wholesome and affordable meals since 2003. He believes that through hands-on cooking and introducing children to fresh foods we can help prevent childhood obesity, reverse the trend of poor eating habits, and learn about diversity and tolerance through the celebration of our cultural differences and our commonalities.Chef Art has appeared on numerous national television appearances including ABC's Lady Gaga Thanksgiving Special, Top Chef, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Iron Chef America, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Nightline, Fox News, Extra, Entertainment Tonight, BBQ Pitmasters, The Talk, The Dr. Oz Show and of course, The Oprah Winfrey Show. Chef Art has appeared on the cover of Parade Magazine, and has been featured in Cooking Light magazine. He is a regular contributor to Standup magazine, whose proceeds benefit The Ben Foundation, which raises awareness of the long-term, damaging effects of bullying.To learn more about Chef Art Smith, please visit:Website: https://www.chefartsmith.com/Instagram: @thechefartsmith Facebook: ChefArtSmithX/Twitter: @chefartsmith To learn more about Common Threads, please visit:Website: https://www.commonthreads.org/Instagram: @commonthreadsorg Facebook: CommonThreadsOrgX/Twitter: @commonthreadsUSThank you again for listening and watching Fostering Change. We hope you have a happy and safe holiday and look forward to bringing you more great discussions in 2025. Again, if you have any comments or guest suggestions, please feel free to reach out by emailing our producers at info@comfortcases.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is National Adoption Awareness Month, and Comfort Cases is honoring the occasion with special promotions. Our “Coats for Comfort” Coat Drive, co-sponsored by CNN's Laura Coates, is in full swing. There are donation boxes throughout the DC Metro area (including Maryland & Virginia), and for those of you outside the district, you can purchase coats and have them delivered directly to Comfort Cases by visiting https://comfortcases.org/lauracoates/We are thrilled to announce our renewed partnership with Barely Canadian, running through November 30th! Known for their insanely soft sweaters and premium apparel, they have redefined cozy. With every purchase from their beautiful garment collection, Barely Canadian will generously donate a Comfort XL (valued at $148) to a child entering foster care. Explore their collection here: https://barelycanadian.com/In today's powerful episode of Fostering Change, we welcome Gretchen Sisson, author of RELINQUISHED: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood. As a researcher at UC San Francisco's Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, Gretchen has conducted hundreds of interviews with women who have relinquished infants for adoption, especially since Roe v. Wade. Her eye-opening research has been featured on NPR, New York Magazine, VOX, and more.In this riveting conversation with host Rob Scheer, they dive into the complex and often heartbreaking reasons behind adoption decisions, shedding light on the financial and societal pressures that force mothers to make impossible choices. This timely discussion touches on the profound challenges families face and why it should matter to us all. This is an important discussion for our community, and we were honored to have Gretchen on Fostering Change to continue it.For more information about RELINQUISHED or to follow Gretchen on social media, please visit:Website: https://www.gretchensisson.com/Twitter/X: @gesisson Threads: gretchen.sissonInstagram: @gretchen.sisson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchensisson/Substack: https://gretchen.substack.com/#nationaladoptionawarenessmonth #adoptionawareness #fostercare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the resilience of one person could transform the lives of countless foster children? In this episode, we're joined by Rob Scheer, the founder of Comfort Cases, who opens up about his extraordinary journey from a challenging childhood in the foster care system to becoming a beacon of hope and change for children in need. Rob shares the heart-wrenching story of growing up as the youngest of ten siblings, highlighting the harsh realities and minimal choices within the foster care system. Despite overwhelming obstacles, Rob's commitment to creating a positive impact shines through as he emphasizes the fundamental need for compassion and care for all children. Listeners will be moved by Rob's candid recounting of the emotional struggles he faced while navigating the foster care system alone, often feeling like an outsider in what was supposed to be his home. Witness his inspiring journey of perseverance, from the disillusionment of being forced out at 18 to the triumph of high school graduation against all odds. As Rob joins the U.S. Navy, he seeks an escape from his past and a stepping stone to a brighter future. This narrative is not only a testament to his grit and determination but also a powerful reminder of the systemic hurdles faced by those growing up in foster care. Rob's story takes a transformative turn when he embraces fatherhood, deciding to adopt children with his husband, Reese. He shares the challenges and joys of building a family, reflecting on how his aspirations shifted from material success to providing a loving and dignified home for his children. Through this life-altering decision, Rob challenges societal norms, revealing the unexpected fulfillment that comes with prioritizing family. Join us as we explore Rob's unwavering commitment to fostering positive change, offering a heartfelt narrative that underscores the importance of love, dignity, and resilience in the journey towards creating a better world for foster children.   Timestamps 00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome to the Business Legacy Podcast 00:00:30 - Introduction of Guest: Rob Shear, Founder of Comfort Cases 00:01:00 - Rob Shear's Background: Childhood and Entry into Foster Care 00:04:12 - Navigating the Foster Care System: Challenges and Resilience 00:07:30 - Turning 18 and Facing Homelessness: Rob's Journey to Survival 00:11:55 - Overcoming Adversity: Joining the U.S. Navy and Life After Discharge 00:14:00 - Finding Stability: Rob's Early Career and Pursuit of Education 00:18:25 - Embracing Fatherhood: Adoption Journey with Husband Reese 00:20:30 - Founding Comfort Cases: Mission to Provide Dignity for Foster Children 00:23:45 - Expanding the Family: Adopting Siblings and Overcoming Challenges 00:27:00 - The Impact of Comfort Cases: Eliminating Trash Bags in Foster Care 00:30:00 - Rob Scheer's Legacy: Teaching Empathy and Building a Loving Family 00:33:00 - Closing Thoughts: Rob Shear on Redefining Success and Advocacy 00:35:00 - Closing Remarks  Go to https://comfortcases.org/. To find out how you can help foster children. Legacy Podcast: For more information about the Legacy Podcast and its co-hosts, visit businesslegacypodcast.com. Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the episode, leave a review and rating on your preferred podcast platform. For more information: Visit businesslegacypodcast.com to access the shownotes and additional resources on the episode.

“When good people get together, great things happen.” - Jamie TrumanOn today's episode of Fostering Change, we welcome our good friend Jamie Truman. She and her husband Jerry co-founded Truman Charities, an organization that truly exemplifies what our host, Rob Scheer, has expressed over the years: it focuses on helping other local and national charities, hosts events multiple times a year, and covers all costs so that 100% of raised funds go directly to the charity.Over the past fifteen years, Truman Charities has raised a little over $2 million for several different charities (INCLUDING COMFORT CASES). Yes, Jamie and Jerry epitomize being “Good Humans.”Jamie is also the author of “Vanishing Fathers: The Ripple Effect on Tomorrow's Generation," which hit #1 on Amazon's Best New Releases. Of course, 100% of the proceeds from Vanishing Fathers go towards charities that help at-risk youth.These two themes, giving back to society and the important roles fathers play in that same society, are discussed in a lively interview. We know you will not only enjoy them but also be inspired.Jamie Truman hosts The Truman Charities Podcast, which you can find wherever you listen to podcasts.Find out more about Jamie and Truman Charities below:Order her book, “Vanishing Fathers”: https://www.amazon.com/Vanishing-Fathers-Ripple-Tomorrows-Generation/dp/B0CW3Q1QY8.Visit the Website: trumancharities.comFacebook: trumancharitesInstagram: jamie_trumancharitiesLinkedIn: jamietrumanEmail: info@trumancharities.comThank you for listening! Of course, if you have any questions or comments about today's episode or a suggestion for a guest for Fostering Change, please reach out to us at info@comfortcases.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"If you have nobody, you have yourself." Lillian ColonWhen Lillian Colon shared that phrase above with Rob Scheer when he interviewed her recently, there was a pause in the conversation as those words hit home. Reflect on them for a moment.On today's episode of Fostering Change, Rob interviews Lillian Colon, who spent more than a decade in a strict New York City orphanage because her father “thought it would be best” to separate from the mother she adored. With restrictions all around her, she strove to be someone better than anyone ever believed she could. Lilly never knew the care and loving attention of a stable family, but she didn't let obstacles and family tragedies stand in the way of her dreams.As a child, after the nuns who ran the orphanage took her to Radio City Music Hall to see the famed “Rockettes, “Lilly was driven to become a dancer. A graduate of New York's prestigious High School of Performing Arts (if you've ever seen the movie Fame,” you'll understand), Lillian became the first Latina Rockette. Lillian achieved so much more in her career, having performed with some of the great names in Hollywood and on Broadway, including the legendary Chita Rivera. Most recently, she was the oldest dancer in the Hollywood adaptation of Lin Manuel Miranda's “In the Heights!” We celebrate this achievement on the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month.Lillian shares all this in her memoir Lilly: The First Latina Rockette. This is a truly lovely conversation with a wonderful, good human. We know you will enjoy her growing-up stories and her performance success.To find out more about what Lillian is up to, please visit her website: https://www.lilliancolon.com/ You can purchase her book here: https://www.lilliancolon.com/product/lilly-book/Thank you for listening! Of course, if you have any questions or comments about today's episode or a suggestion for a guest for Fostering Change, please reach out to us at info@comfortcases.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's October! Comfort Cases held our annual fundraiser event this past weekend, a “Farm-to-Table Feast.” It was a memorable event, with inspirational speakers, including our keynote speaker, Cowboy Jax, our emcee, the fabulous Jen Lilley, and our founder and host of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer. There's still time to donate or contribute your most valuable asset - your TIME - to Comfort Cases. Please visit www.comfortcases.org to find out more!We recorded our show today several weeks ago but intentionally posted it today, as we are featuring not one, not two, but THREE Good Humans: Rob's special co-host Jill Ross, who is also the President of Comfort Cases' Board of Directors, and Parker Lopez and Ashley Baker, who were both recent recipients of academic scholarships presented by Comfort Cases at previous fundraiser events.Parker and Ashley share how these scholarships have profoundly impacted them and how they could advance their academic pursuits.Beyond academics, they also are giving back to the community:Parker is involved with “First Star” Academies (https://eoss.asu.edu/access/first-star-academy) a long-term college-prep program for high school students in foster care, while Ashley works with “It's On Us” (www.itsonus.org) a non-profit campaign in the United States aimed at raising awareness about sexual assault and promoting a culture of consent.Jill also shares more about Comfort Cases' Pathway Program, which is designed to provide additional resources to our scholarship recipients. You can learn more about Pathways by visiting https://scheerfocus.com/pathways-program/We hope you feel inspired and hopeful after listening to these fantastic young people. It is people like them who will make all of our futures brighter.If you have any questions or comments about our interview with Jill, Parker, and Ashley or have a guest suggestion, please feel free to email us at info@comfortcases.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textWow. Wow. Wow! What an episode! I am so grateful! For YEARS, literally over a decade I watched Lucy Bustamante on WWL news as she and her co-anchor, Mike Hoss presented the daily or nightly news. Their chemistry and ability to not only deliver the news like normal, but their respect for each other along with their bits of personality would bubble over through the camera. Their smile, their laugh, their nightly news presentations are so sorely missed. In my own opinion, there hasn't been one since. WELL, with that said! I tracked down my own Lucy Bustamante after my Karen Swensin interview and was determined to invite Lucy to the show. And not only did I want to invite her but I was committed to finding Mike Hoss and asking him to personally crash the interview. Well friends, it happened. And it was SO FLIPPING  GOOD! Lucy Bustamante is an Emmy and Murrow winning Bilingual News Anchor and journalist and her once co-anchor, Mike Hoss is now the Voice of the NFL Saints on WWL Radio. Then later, We talk about a seriously important topic that gets lost or forgotten about on a daily basis. Our country's children in foster care. Did you know that when CPS comes to a home to remove a child, they are given a trash bag and about 3 minutes to fill it with the things they cherish most? There, they travel from home to home toting their life in garbage bag. They deserve better. They deserve dignity. They deserve HOPE for a better tomorrow. Together with one of our sponsors, Comfortcases.org and founder Rob Scheer, we will partner with "Protection is Affection" CEO Sonya Norsworthy- Marbleyto assemble 300 brand new Comfort Cases that will be given directly to children in our community that are experiencing foster care for the first time. Together with Louisiana Senator Royce Duplessis, New Orleans Council Member, Lesli Harris and so many more, we will gather Saturday, September 21 from 10am-12:30pm at Ashé Arts and Cultural Center, 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. in New Orleans. Lunch will be generously provided to our volunteers by Ruby Slipper Cafe.Listen now to see how myself, Rob and Sonya, along with a whole team of compassionate humans put together such an impactful and special event!Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenWww.ochsner.orgRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comSandpiper VacationsWww..sandpipervacations.comZak George's Dog Revolution! The Law Firm of Forrest Cressy & James Www.forrestcressyjames.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream CompanyWww.neworleansicecream.comReal Estate with Steph & Berkshire Hathaway www.realestatewithsteph.comAudubon Institute www.auduboninstitute.orgThe Gift of Adoption FundGiftofAdoption.org

Today, we're celebrating a special milestone—the 10th anniversary of The Babadook— with director, Jennifer Kent. The Babadook was Jennifer's feature debut and has since become an iconic classic and one of the GOATs of horror.Jennifer has been recognized for her ability to craft horror with heart, making audiences not only tremble but also reflect deeply on the emotional struggles at the core of her stories. Her follow-up film, The Nightingale, is a brutal yet emotionally resonant tale of revenge set in 1820s Tasmania. And Jennifer also wrote and directed The Murmuring for Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities anthology series on Netflix. The episode starred The Walking Dead's Andrew Lincoln and reunited her with Babadook star Essie Davis.The Babadook is back in theaters starting today, through Sunday, September 22nd so be sure to check your local listings and catch it on the big screen!This episode feels like years of film school in 45 minutes as Jen offers a wealth of insights and lessons and I can honestly say, this is my favorite interview I've ever done of the Nick Taylor Horror Show and definitely the most insightful.We dive into Jennifer's journey, from her early career as an actress to transitioning into filmmaking under the mentorship of Lars von Trier as well as her creative process, how she approaches working with actors, and how she brings terrifying visions to life through practical effects, meticulous sets and sound design. We'll also discuss what makes The Babadook so enduring, the power of horror as a storytelling tool and much much more.There are three big topics we did not cover in this interview because Jennifer has spoken at length about them in previous interviews so I will cover these really quickly up front.Number One: The Babadook as a Queer Icon. A Netflix glitch mistakenly categorized The Babadook under the LGBTQ+ genre causing an outpouring of memes parodying the error. But, what began as an online joke morphed into something meaningful for the queer community as powerful metaphors emerged. In The Babadook, the monster symbolizes repressed emotions and trauma and many in the queer community saw parallels between this and the experience of repressing one's identity. The film's message of embracing and living with one's inner "monster" instead of destroying it is also seen as a metaphor for self-acceptance. Furthermore, The Babadook can be seen as a "destroyer of families," which parallels and parodies certain rhetoric about queerness being a threat to traditional family structures and in one scene the Babadook literally emerges from a closet.Number Two, the possibility of a Babadook Sequel: Jennifer has been very clear that there will never ever be a sequel to The Babadook. She made sure to retain the rights to any sequels and said she will never allow one to be made. To her, The Babadook is a film that stands alone, and a sequel would destroy its integrity.Number Three: Did Amelia Write the Babadook book?: This topic has been speculated by fans and even raised on The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs. It's revealed that Amelia used to write children's books, so it would make sense that she created the Babadook book as a form of coping with her trauma. Jennifer has said that this was intended but never said outright which allows for multiple interpretations. I personally think she did write the book.Alright, before we get to the interview, I owe a huge thank you to the team at IFC, specifically Danielle Freiberg and Rob Scheer for their support in making this happen. I've wanted to chat with Jen since I started this podcast and this interview was a treat and an honor and I thank you both truly. Without further ado, here is Jennifer Kent, Director of The...

Welcome to Season 6 of Fostering Change! Following 220 amazing episodes, we are so excited for what's to come this season. We have special and moving guests, and throughout the season we are inviting some of Comfort Cases' friends to co-host episodes with Rob Scheer. That includes today's episode, as we are so lucky to have Rita Soronen, CEO of the Dave Thomas Center for Adoption join Rob to interview our first guest of the season, Andrew Bridge, author of The Child Catcher: A Fight for Justice & Truth. If you have a suggestion for a guest, or questions or comments about today's episode, please reach out to us at info@comfortcases.org.About today's first episode of our new season: Rob and Rita have a riveting conversation with Andrew Bridge - about his time in foster care, and the battles he has fought for youth in foster care. His new book, The Child Catcher, is the true story of the fight to rescue the children confined to a violent and secretive institution in the rural South.Proceeds from the book will go to CASA National, State, and local county chapters. Buyers should go to AndrewBridgeAuthor.com and select the CASA chapter of their choice, and 50% of pre-sale royalties will go there.More About Andrew: Andrew spent 11 years in Los Angeles County foster care. After aging out, unlike so many in foster care he made it to college: Wesleyan University, and then graduated from Harvard Law School and was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship. He began his legal career representing children against the State of Alabama, where his work resulted in the closure of one of the country's most notorious psychiatric institutions, the Eufaula Adolescent Center. Returning to Los Angeles, he became CEO of The Alliance for Children's Rights, representing children in the foster care system where he grew up. Andrew is the co-founder of National Adoption Day and New Village Girls Academy for pregnant and parenting teens. As Chair of Los Angeles County's Blue Ribbon Task Force, he called for an end to the disproportionate removal of Black babies from their mothers. His memoir Hope's Boy was a New York Times bestseller and Washington Post Best Book of the Year. Most recently, he was a member of the executive management team for Illinois DCFS, and with Arizona as his home, he now serves on the Arizona Foster Care Review Board. His second book about that fight against Alabama, The Child Catcher, will be released in September. To find out more about Andrew, please follow him on social media:Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/andrew.bridge.9041/InstagramandrewbridgejdTwitter/X@AndrewBridgeJDThreadsAndrewBridgejd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You've made it! It's the end of August and our final “Best of Season 5” episode of the season, and we've saved a very special episode just for you.Just a note that Season 6 will debut next week, Tuesday, September 3. We have some amazing guests lined up, and are doing something new this season: on several episodes, we are bringing in special guests to Co-Host interviews with Rob Scheer. You'll recognize some of the names as previous guests, and there will also be some new names for you - who we know you will love as much as we do.Now, for our final “Best of” we needed to do something special. When we booked Emily Cole on Fostering Change last December for our 200th episode, we knew that we would hear all about the amazing Savannah Bananas baseball team (maybe you've been lucky enough to see them in person this season, or at least on ESPN?) as well as their philanthropic effort Bananas Foster, dedicated to Bringing Families Together by focusing on celebrating those who are doing amazing things in the foster care world while educating and inspiring others to get involved. Because of all that Emily, her husband Jesse, and the team do for our foster youth, Comfort Cases will award them our special Barbara Harrison Award at our Farm-to-Feast Annual Fundraising event on September 28. This award is given annually to someone who truly is changing the lives of those in the foster care system.If you would like to celebrate Emily, Jess and many other “Good Humans”, we would love for you to join us on September 28. Tickets are available at https://comfortcases.org/feast/. If you have an item you would like to donate for our live auction, you can also find information on the site. Our annual fundraiser is held on a beautiful farm in the Maryland countryside. There will be entertainment by our friends, the Como Brothers, fabulous food and wine, and other surprises.Emily shares her story with Rob on today's podcast. We hope you will find it inspiring and motivated to become involved in your community, be it foster care or some other form of charitable act.To learn more about Bananas Foster, please visit: https://bananasfoster.org/ and visit https://thesavannahbananas.com/ to learn more about the Savannah Bananas Baseball team!You can follow Emily and the Bananas on Social Media:Instagram: @EmCole3 @thesavbananas @bananasfosterincTikTok: @SavBananasFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSavBananasTo listen to previous episodes of Fostering Change, please visit: www.comfortcases.org/podcast or your favorite podcast outlets.If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! Please write us at info@comfortcases.org.Thank you for listening and we'll see you next Tuesday for the start of Season 6 of Fostering Change!!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our first episode of Fostering Change's “Best of Season 5”. Today, we revisit Rob's interview with Mark Daley, author of SAFE: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family. We knew right away that this interview would be in our “Best of” series, and we think you'll agree. So whether this is your first, second or third time listening to this interview, please enjoy!Today, on Fostering Change, Comfort Cases' founder Rob Scheer has an enlightening conversation with Mark Daley, author of SAFE: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family. The book offers a deeply personal window into what happens when the universal longing for family crashes up against the unique madness and bureaucracy of a child protection system that often fails to consider the needs of the most vulnerable parties of all—the children themselves.You will hear Rob share that he believes that SAFE is an important resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about, or is actively participating in our foster care system. You will hear Rob and Mark discuss how having a community of support all around you is so important. In fact, finding community is “Step Number 1!” - be that community family, church, neighbors or others who can support you as you work to juggle this new lifestyle.Mark shares some important tips for new foster parents, including:Go in with your eyes open. Do your homework.Don't rush to judgment on the families of the child/children you've brought into your home. You likely do not know the “whole story.” Be empathetic.Speak up and be “the voice” for your child/childrenTo purchase SAFE, please visit your local independent bookstore or purchase online on sites including:AmazonBarnes & NobleBookshop.orgYou can follow Mark on Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markdaley00/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markdaley00Our next “Best of” episode will air July 2nd. Stay tuned!You can always catch up on previous episodes of Fostering Change by visiting www.comfortcases.org/podcast or your favorite podcast outlets.If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! Please write to us at info@comfortcases.org.As always, thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special Pride Month Rewind episode of Motivational Mondays, we explore inspiring stories from notable LGBTQIA+ figures who have championed authenticity and resilience. Wellness expert Oneika Mays emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and mindful living, sharing her journey and practical advice to help others embrace their true selves. Olympic icon Greg Louganis reflects on his challenges as an openly gay athlete in the 1980s, highlighting his courage and the path he paved for future LGBTQIA+ athletes. Listen to these motivational stories and more…Performer and trans advocate Peppermint discusses why she initially declined RuPaul's Drag Race, focusing on the need for authentic representation of trans performers. Foster care reform advocate Rob Scheer shares his transformation from a foster child to a loving foster parent, emphasizing the power of love and family. Lastly, diversity advocates Jennifer Brown and Giselle Phelps deliver messages of inclusion, urging the importance of avoiding stereotypes and creating supportive environments for all. These stories collectively remind us to celebrate and uplift the diverse voices within the LGBTQIA+ community, fostering a more inclusive and accepting world.This week, you'll learn why Oneika Mays advocates for people to live authentically, how Greg Louganis used his story to combat bigotry and stereotypes, and how Rob Scheers tries to help the staggering number of children who become homeless each year.LEARN MORE:>>Oneika Mays: www.nsls.org/blog/finding-yourself-through-yoga>>Greg Louganis: www.nsls.org/blog/finding-your-inner-champion>>Peppermint: https://www.nsls.org/blog/defending-lgbtq-rights>>Rob Scheer: www.nsls.org/blog/putting-more-compassion-into-foster-care>>Jennifer and Giselle: https://www.youtube.com/live/HA30_Te5NTQNSLS MEMBERS ONLY:>>Listen to the bonus episode to learn how Greg Louganis used diving to learn how to envision peak performance in three seconds and why he believes that success is reliant on understanding that life is rhythmic. (https://thens.ls/4bXvwrm)

Welcome to the Final Episode of Season 5. Thank you for joining us on this journey - whether you're a new listener or if you've been with us all five seasons.Season 6 will debut in September, but following today's episode, we will air some of our favorite episodes from the past season once again bi-weekly. So stay tuned!And for our final episode of the season, we wanted to go out on a HIGH NOTE, and couldn't have looked any further than today's guest, Rob Scheer's good friend, Sarah Fraser.Many first became aware of Sarah's talents when she was the co-host of Hot 95.5's “The Kane Show” in Washington, DC and then on DC's 107.3's “Sarah, Ty, and Mel”. She was also an entertainment contributor for FOX 5 in DC for 13 years! But DC couldn't hold a talent like her, and she recently moved to the Bright Lights of Los Angeles, and is the host of “The Sarah Fraser Show,” one of the top-trending pop culture podcasts in the country. (More than 15 MILLION downloads!) Sarah covers reality TV, interviews unique guests and talks about her own fun life. She has so much more going on, we highly recommend you follow her on social media (links below) to keep up-to-date!Sarah is also looking to become a foster parent. She and Rob have a lively discussion about the hoops many need to go through to become a foster parent - and Rob also offers a possible solution to Sarah that she hadn't considered before. (You'll have to listen to the end for this!)What a terrific way to end the season.A reminder that our first “Best of” episode will air Tuesday, June 18. And then episodes will air on alternate Tuesdays until the start of Season 6.Thank you again for being such supportive listeners!Follow Sarah here!Facebook@thesarahfrasershowInstagram@thesarahfrasershowTwitter/X@sarahfrasershowTikTok@thesarahfrasershowOur next episode will be the start of our “Best of Season 5”. The first “Best of” will post on Tuesday, June 18. We'll then stay on our schedule of alternate weeks until Season 6 debuts in September. You can always catch up on previous episodes of all 5 seasons of Fostering Change by visiting www.comfortcases.org/podcast or your favorite podcast outlets.If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! Please write to us at info@comfortcases.org.As always, thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As you likely recall, in Season 5, we moved to posting new episodes of Fostering Change bi-weekly. Well, we've just met so many amazing humans that we thought we'd make an exception during National Foster Care Awareness Month, so we have four episodes running this month! Before we get on to today's show with the amazing Benjy Grinberg, just a suggestion to visit the Comfort Cases website - www.comfortcases.org, and see all of the programs we are working on this month, with some genuinely unique organizations. Thanks.And now, as they say… “On with the Show!”On today's episode, Rob Scheer speaks with Benjy Grinberg - yes, a GOOD HUMAN.Benjy is the Founder and CEO of Rostrum Records, an independent record label known mainly for developing artists early in their careers and championing their vision. Grinberg started in the music industry at Arista Records as an assistant to record executive Antonio “L.A.” Reid. A career-long champion of the indie community, he leads the labels' well-recognized, innovative, artist-centric approach driven by his commitment to ensuring the long-term success of his artists. Over the course of two decades, the label has had a diverse roster of chart-topping artists, including Mac Miller, Wiz Khalifa, DC The Don, The Bird and The Bee, 24hrs, Mod Sun, Rockie Fresh, Problem, KT Tunstall, and more. How does this relate to Foster Care? Well, Benjy recently became a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate)! CASAs are everyday community members appointed by a judge to advocate for children in need of care. On today's show, Benjy speaks with Rob about why he chose to become a CASA and what it means to him.Definitely an inspirational conversation.To learn more about becoming a CASA, please visit https://nationalcasagal.org/To learn more about Benjy:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/benjybenjyLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/benjy-grinberg-ba85653/Our next episode will air on May 21. You can also catch up on previous episodes of Fostering Change by visiting www.comfortcases.org/podcast or your favorite podcast outlets.If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! Please write to us at info@comfortcases.org.As always, thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 1 was the first day of National Foster Care Awareness Month. The team at Comfort Cases wants to take a moment to thank and recognize all of the foster parents, foster families, youth who are currently in foster care and those who have “aged out”. Thank you to the CASAs and the social service agencies and workers who are doing their best.And thank you to YOU, our faithful (and new) listeners of Fostering Change. We produce this podcast for you and in support of all you are doing. Thank you for your comments and sharing episodes with friends, family and colleagues.We couldn't have asked for a better guest for this first episode airing during National Foster Care Awareness Month. Award-winning journalist Rob Henderson vividly recounts growing up in foster care, enlisting in the Air Force, and surprisingly attending elite universities in his raw coming-of-age memoir, Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family and Social Class.Rob's book was an instant USA TODAY Best Seller. In the book and in his interview with Rob Scheer (who is a Navy veteran), he discusses his pioneering concept of “luxury beliefs”: ideas and opinions that confer status on the Upper Class while inflicting costs on the less fortunate.Rob Henderson was born to a drug-addicted mother and a father he never met, ultimately shuttling between ten different foster homes in California. When he was adopted into a loving family, he hoped that life would finally be stable and safe. Divorce, tragedy, poverty, and violence marked his adolescent and teen years, propelling Henderson to join the military upon completing high school.An unflinching portrait of shattered families, desperation, and determination, Troubled recounts Henderson's expectation-defying young life and juxtaposes his story with those of his friends who wound up incarcerated or killed. He retreads the steps and missteps he took to escape the drama and disorder of his youth. As he navigates the peaks and valleys of social class, Henderson finds that he remains on the outside looking in. Rob Henderson is a columnist at The Free Press and his weekly newsletter is sent to more than fifty thousand subscribers. Learn more at RobKHenderson.com.To find out more about:Visit Rob's Website and Subscribe to his newsletter: https://www.robkhenderson.com/Twitter: @robkhenderson To learn more about or purchase Troubled, please visit: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Troubled/Rob-Henderson/9781982168537 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode of Fostering Change is an in depth discussion with Susan Rich, founder and president of 7th Generation Foundation, about FAS: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. FAS is close to home to our host, Rob Scheer, as one of Rob's children has FAS. And although the diagnosis for Rob's son was that he may never walk, or even talk, his son has achieved amazing things in his life, including being the President of his Student Government in High School, and has been accepted into the college he's loved for years.Susan and Rob discuss the importance of animal therapy on those diagnosed with FAS (one reason Rob and his husband Reece moved his family to a farm!) 7th Generation Foundation operates an inclusive, sustainable green care farm animal sanctuary with programming for children and youth.Author of The Silent Epidemic: A Child Psychiatrist's Journey Beyond Death Row, Susan and Rob also discuss the thousands of inmates on Death Row who were in Foster Care and diagnosed with FAS at a young age. This is not a coincidence, and there is much that our society can do to curb this horrifying statistic.To learn more about or to purchase Susan's book, please visit: www.prenatalalcoholexposure.com To learn more about 7th Generation Foundation, please visit:Website: www.7thGenerationFoundationInc.org or www.dreamcatchermeadows.orgFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheDreamCatcherFarm Blog: www.bettersafethansorryproject.comBook: www.prenatalalcoholexposure.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jerold Hawkins was introduced to Rob Scheer and Comfort Cases in 2023 when the company he works for, Aptiv, held a “Packing Party,” packing up backpacks filled with new essential items to be delivered to local social service agencies for distribution to youth entering foster care in Michigan.Following the event, Jerold reached out to us because he wanted to share his story: his experience in foster care, moving to a variety of homes over a 5 year period - recalling “all my life's belongings dumped into a black trash bag.”Jerold shares his journey with Rob and also his now mission to help make positive change to the foster care system. We know you'll enjoy today's episode.A reminder that Fostering Change now posts on alternative Tuesdays. Our next episode will drop on April 9! You can always catch up on previous episodes of Fostering Change by visiting www.comfortcases.org/podcast or your favorite podcast outlets.If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! Please write to us at info@comfortcases.org.As always, thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rob Scheer shares his inspirational, full circle journey in this can't-miss episode. Rob experienced the foster care system as a youth, and is now a dedicated advocate for other youth in care, a veteran, a husband, a father of children previously in care, an author, a podcast host, and the founder of an impactful non-profit, Comfort Cases. Rob shares his personal insights into the foster care system and how his lived experiences guide the work he does today. Drawing on his experiences as a child who had to carry around a trash bag full of belongings from placement to placement, one of Rob's missions is to ensure that no foster child lives out of trash bag—he achieves this mission through the non-profit that he founded, Comfort Cases.  Rob's episode is sure to inspire all who listen! If you are a former foster child who aged out of the system and want to share your story, email us at agedoutproject@gmail.com! You deserve to be heard. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Credits: •    Interviewee: Rob Scheer •    Interviewers: Professor Diane Sumoski •    Editor: Soheil Abdmousavi •    Editing Team: Brooke Sutter •    Music Credit: Nostalgia by Tobu https://soundcloud.com/7obu Music Promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/03Aky9bhOMU The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SMU or the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation. 

Often times when children are removed from their homes and brought to a social service agency or law enforcement office, they are not placed in a foster home immediately, and have to spend hours, a whole night, or even days sitting on an uncomfortable office chair, a lumpy couch or maybe an air mattress tucked under a desk. No privacy, and no dignity.Jennifer Tice and her team at LilyPad: A Soft Place to Land have taken steps to end this practice in their home state of South Carolina, and soon throughout the country. Lily Pad volunteers are building comfortable living spaces, within the state's Department of Social Service offices, for children to feel loved and valued during an uncertain time.Each Lily Pad space is unique to the DSS office it is installed in. You can click HERE to see a “before and after” of what a Lily Pad space is like (or visit this link: https://www.lilypadinc.org/lilypadroomsbeforeandafter)On today's episode of Fostering Change, you will learn, as Rob Scheer did, more about Jennifer and her family's road to foster care, and why the name “Lily” is so important to them.All Lily Pad funding comes from volunteers and good humans like you - our listeners. To find out more about LilyPad, volunteer, or see how you can get involved, please visit: https://www.lilypadinc.org/You can also follow Lilypad on social media:Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/LilyPad.ASoftPlacetoLandInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/lily.pad.inc/A reminder that Fostering Change now posts on alternative Tuesdays. Our next episode will drop on February 27 You can always catch up on previous episodes of Fostering Change by visiting www.comfortcases.org/podcast or your favorite podcast outlets.If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! Please write to us at info@comfortcases.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, on Fostering Change, Comfort Cases' founder Rob Scheer has an enlightening conversation with Mark Daley, author of SAFE: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family. The book offers a deeply personal window into what happens when the universal longing for family crashes up against the unique madness and bureaucracy of a child protection system that often fails to consider the needs of the most vulnerable parties of all—the children themselves.You will hear Rob share that he believes that SAFE is an important resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about, or is actively participating in our foster care system. You will hear Rob and Mark discuss how having a community of support all around you is so important. In fact, finding community is “Step Number 1!” - be that community family, church, neighbors or others who can support you as you work to juggle this new lifestyle.You will learn so much more about Mark and his thoughts on our broken foster care system. We encourage you to write a review, and share this podcast with others you care about.Mark will be visiting a number of cities for book readings and signings. To see when he is coming to your city, or to invite him to your city, please visit: https://markdaley.us/To purchase SAFE, please visit your local independent bookstore or purchase online on sites including:AmazonBarnes & NobleBookshop.orgYou can follow Mark on Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markdaley00/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markdaley00A reminder that Fostering Change now posts on alternative Tuesdays. So our next episode will drop on February 13 - a very special Valentine's Day episode! You can always catch up on previous episodes of Fostering Change by visiting www.comfortcases.org/podcast or your favorite podcast outlets.If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! Please write to us at info@comfortcases.org.As always, thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comfort Cases is so lucky to have many friends and supporters from around the world. In 2022 we opened our first international center, Comfort CasesUK (https://comfortcasesuk.org/). On today's episode, we welcome a guest from England, our friend Kevin Leslie.Kevin is known for many movie and tv roles, most recently appearing in the Christmas movie: Christmas at the Holly Day Inn. Today on Fostering Change, Rob Scheer talks to Kevin about the new children's books series he wrote, Granddad Brian & His Stories.Kevin wrote these books as a creative way of dealing with loss and grief, following the loss of his grandfather to covid. His grandfather loved telling stories and Kevin wanted to share the warmth from his “granddad” with children around the world. He partnered with Comfort Cases and has donated numerous books to our center in the UK! We know you'll enjoy today's episode!To find out more about Kevin, please visit him on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevinLeslieActor/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinleslieactor/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheKevinLeslie If interested in getting one of Kevin's books, reach out to him directly at: https://www.instagram.com/grandadbrianstories/If interested in making a donation to our center in the UK, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/comfortcasesukA reminder that Fostering Change now posts on alternative Tuesdays. So our next episode will drop on Tuesday, January 30. You can always catch up on previous episodes of Fostering Change by visiting www.comfortcases.org/podcast or your favorite podcast outlets.If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! Please write to us at info@comfortcases.org.As always, thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy New Year! We're kicking off the 31st season of The Resilient Caregiver Podcast and this is episode 299. We are absolutely BLOWN away that we have produced 31 seasons of this show since October, 2015! Thank you for being part of this amazing journey.  We're kicking off the brand new season with an amazing interview with our good friend Rob Scheer from Comfort Cases and author of A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child At A Time. A Little More About Rob... Rob entered the foster care system as a child who had lost both parents. He was brought into a house with all of his belongings in a tattered and torn trash bag. As Rob and his husband Reece went through the adoption process for each their 5 children, who are now their daughter and 4 sons, they arrived on their doorstep through foster care experiencing the same undignified process Rob endured forty years ago. Floored by the fact that children still carry their lives in a bag used for trash nearly four decades since his own experience, Rob decided to devote his life to restoring dignity to those transitioning in and out of foster care with the creation of Comfort Cases. His personal dedication and success through Comfort Cases has provided hope and self worth to thousands of children as he and his team empower the next generations transitioning within foster care. How To Connect With Rob... Learn about Comfort Cases Discover more about Rob Watch Rob's TED Talk Also On The Show... Grab your spot now for the Overcoming Isolation & Burnout in 2024 workshop coming January 15, 16, & 18th exclusively online! During this free 3-part live event we'll be diving deep into your purpose, person and plan as a caregiver. Plus, we'll be sharing the proven path to building and maintaining resiliency all year long! Registration is open! Click Here.  Thanks for stopping by this week ;-) 

Welcome to 2024! The entire team at Comfort Cases hopes you had a festive, and happy holiday season. Note that we didn't write “restful”, as we know the past few weeks are generally the busiest time of year.This is why we are starting off our 2024 season right, with an interview with Ashley Neese, author of Permission to Rest: Revolutionary Practices for Healing, Empowerment, and Collective Care. Ashley Neese is a renowned breathwork teacher, author, parent, and land steward. She has spent over a decade working at the intersections of embodiment, transformation, and renewal. Ashley is host of The Deeper Call podcast, where she shares restorative conversations to support connection and healing. Ashley is a foster parent, as well as adoptive parent and biological parent. She has recently brought a foster son into their home as part of an emergency foster care situation and understands that all parents need to find time for rest in their lives. In this interview, host Rob Scheer and Ashley discuss how resting as a practice is a portal to grow ones capacity to be with hard things , which in turn gives you the capacity to be there for your kids and partner when they are going through hard things rather than dismiss, shame, or try to make them feel differently - it allows one to meet them where they are.To learn more about Ashley, please visit:Website: https://www.ashleyneese.com/Instagram: ashley_neeseAbout her books: https://www.ashleyneese.com/books* We want to share one note about Fostering Change. Starting this week, we will be posting episodes on a bi-weekly basis (we all need a little rest, right?) So our next episode will be posted on January 16.But you can always catch up on previous episodes of Fostering Change by visiting www.comfortcases.org/podcast or your favorite podcast outlets.If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! Please write us at info@comfortcases.org.As always, thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've watched or listened to Fostering Change before, or you've seen Rob Scheer speak at an event or a Comfort Cases “Packing Party”, you know that he loves to promote people who are doing great things for others - what he calls “Good Humans.” Well, on today's episode you'll meet one of the “goodest of them all,” Marcy Bursac.Scaling her lived experience as an adoptive mom of a sibling pair, Marcy advocates for the more than 100,000 children in the U.S. foster care system that are waiting to be adopted through her free app, books, monthly podcast, speaking engagements, and TV, radio, magazine, and podcast appearances.Marcy's latest book, "What to Know When You Adopt Through Foster Care" is available now - and we highly recommend that if you've given any thought at all to adopting that you order this book today. This honest guide covers how to handle the ups and downs, behaviors, and realities involved in raising children adopted through the foster care system who may have experienced neglect, abuse, trauma and/or loss.Inside you'll learn:- what foster care adoption is and which children can be adopted- why some families waited and how some pursued this path after facing infertility- how some had to be persistent and how they endured the process- tips for parenting children who have experienced neglect, trauma, alcohol exposure- tips for parenting children who have mental health or medical needsand more!Marcy is a recipient of the Angels in Adoption® Award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute from Missouri with Senator Blunt. She was crowned United States of America's Mrs. Ohio 2022. She founded the organization The Forgotten Adoption Option. She is the creator of the Foster Care Adoption Awareness Reading Program. Most recently, Marcy was interviewed and announced the winner of the Pilot Pen G2 Overachievers Grant on The Kelly Clarkson Show on October 26th, 2023.To learn more about Marcy, please visit her website: https://forgottenadoptionoption.com/You can also follow Marcy on social media:Instagram: @marcybursacFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgottenAdoptionOption LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcybursac/ To listen to previous episodes of Fostering Change, please visit: www.comfortcases.org/podcast or your favorite podcast outlets.If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! Please write us at info@comfortcases.org.Thank you for listening and we'll see you next Tuesday! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we are joined by Rob Scheer, founder and CEO of Comfort Cases, an organization that supports kids in the foster care system. Rob, who grew up in foster care himself, shares his personal story and sheds light on how the foster care system functions. He emphasizes that empathy is not innate but taught, and discusses the need for dignity and basic necessities for kids in the system. Rob challenges the notion that the system is broken and instead highlights the importance of understanding and supporting children in foster care. Tune in to hear more about Rob's inspiring journey and the work of Comfort Cases."If we're going to pay for these children's tuition, we need to pay for all the wraparound services to make them healthy humans of our society, because that's what we want."Topics covered:[00:01:36] The shattered foster care system.[00:04:30] Homelessness and resilience.[00:07:44] Creating a supportive foster system.[00:12:11] Rebuilding the foster care system.[00:15:28] Investing in our future.[00:19:47] Foster care and dental hygiene.[00:22:39] Dignity for children in transition.[00:28:20] People experiencing homelessness.[00:32:19] Foster systems around the world.[00:33:37] Obscure but badly needed niche.Links mentioned:https://comfortcases.org/https://altruous.orgGuest links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-scheer-27482653/

“Understand there is more of a reality out there than you've been living through.”Today's episode of Fostering Change will truly inspire you! Rob Scheer interviews Lisa Cohen, someone he shares much in common. They were both in foster care, both from Washington, DC and following foster care, both joined the Navy. They also both have “bucked the trend” and have been successful in business and in life. They share how they moved forward in their careers, they didn't talk about their experiences in foster care, as they didn't want it to be used against them.Lisa has also loved sports her entire life and was a “Muhammad Ali addict”, and became a championship boxer! She writes about these experiences in her memoir, “Being Too Fierce”.Lisa holds the esteemed position of President of the Rotary Club of Washington DC. Under her leadership, she has spearheaded an initiative called "Rotary's Championship Fight for Youth," which aims to provide essential services to foster youth in the Washington DC metropolitan area. She also works as a Behavioral Clinician for Sasha Bruce Youthwork, an organization that is the leading provider of homeless youth services in the DC Region and have opened their first Foster House.This episode will truly inspire you! To get in touch with Lisa and/or order a signed copy of “Being Too Fierce,” please email directly at: lisac.dcrotary@gmail.com.To learn more about Sasha Bruce Youthwork, please visit: https://www.sashabruce.org/To listen to previous episodes of Fostering Change, please visit: www.comfortcases.org/podcast or your favorite podcast outlets.If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! Please write us at info@comfortcases.org.Thank you for listening and we'll see you next Tuesday! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Corporate Responsibility. You hear that phrase often. But how many businesses truly follow through on being good corporate citizens? On today's episode of Fostering Change you will meet one organization that does just that: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield's Indiana Medicaid Health Plan. In fact, this organization was Comfort Cases' very first corporate sponsor - we are celebrating working with them for six years!You will hear Rob Scheer speak with April Lam, Chief of Staff for the health plan. April has a strong connection to Comfort Cases' mission, as she not only works closely with non-profit organizations, but has also been a foster parent and adopted a child out of foster care.Since the partnership with Comfort Cases began 6 years ago, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has packed more than 7,000 Comfort Cases® to support youth living in foster care.The partnership between Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Comfort Cases has grown since 2018. Since the expansion, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield's affiliated health plans have hosted 24 packing parties across 16 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico, providing over 12,000 Comfort Cases and XL duffel bags to youth in foster care nationwide.To learn more about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana, please visit: https://mss.anthem.com/in/indiana-hom...To listen to previous episodes of Fostering Change, please visit: www.comfortcases.org/podcast or your favorite podcast outlets.If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! Please write us at info@comfortcases.org.Thank you for listening and we'll see you next Tuesday! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We hope you are ready for an especially inspiring episode of Fostering Change. Today, Rob Scheer interviews Peter Mutabazi: entrepreneur, international advocate for children, and the founder of Now I Am Known, a nonprofit that supplies resources that encourage and affirm children and families. A single adoptive father of three and foster dad to many (34 as of this date!), Mutabazi is a former street kid originally from Uganda who has worked for World Vision, Compassion International, and the Red Cross, and has appeared on media outlets such as the BBC and The TODAY Show.Rob and Peter discuss his book, Now I Am Known: How a Street Kid Turned Foster Dad Found Acceptance and True Worth, how Peter's organization is helping countless youth in foster care, and what it takes to be a single parent / foster parent.To learn more about Peter and Now I Am Known, please visit:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fosterdadflipperInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fosterdadflipper/Website: https://www.nowiamknownfoundation.org/To listen to previous episodes of Fostering Change, please visit: www.comfortcases.org/podcast or your favorite podcast outlets.If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! Please write us at info@comfortcases.org.Thank you for listening and we'll see you next Tuesday! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a discussion that covers everything from medicare filings to the resources necessary for caregivers of all kind to thrive, today Rob Scheer speaks with Mike and Kristin Berry, the co-founders of The Resilient Caregiver, a global initiative that helps foster and adoptive caregivers build resiliency through understanding, education, and support.There are so many hoops one must jump through when becoming a foster parent or adopting, many just don't know where to start. Kristin and Mike, have been there and done that, and through their recently rebranded organization, The Resilient Caregiver, they provide many of the resources that will make this journey at least a little bit more sensicle. You can find out more about the resources they provide, including workshops and their very own podcast by visiting: www.resilientcaregiver.orgUniversity VIP Link: www.resilientcaregiver.org/universityvipYou can also follow The Resilient Caregiver on social media, here:Facebook: www.facebook/resilientcaregiverInstagram: @resilientcaregiver To find out more about Comfort Cases, please visit our website: www.comfortcases.org.You can also follow us on our social media channels:Facebook: www.facebook.com/comfortcasesInstagram: @comfortcasesTwitter: @comfortcasesTikTok: @comfort_cases To listen to previous episodes of Fostering Change, please visit: www.comfortcases.org/podcast or your favorite podcast outlets.If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! Please write us at info@comfortcases.org.Thank you for listening and we'll see you next Tuesday! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comfort Cases is thrilled to be working with the team from Amerigroup Georgia Families 360 on a powerful new initiative. Launched at the start of National Adoption Awareness Month, Comfort Cases and Amerigroup Georgia Families 360 are committing to get a Comfort Case(™) to every youth in foster care in the state of Georgia, finally ending the practice of black trash bags being given to youth who are entering or transitioning into foster care.This first-of-its-kind initiative, https://comfortcases.org/press/amerigroup-georgia-leads-the-nation-in-providing-comfort-cases-to-every-child-in-georgia-foster-care/, showcases the power of collective action and sets an inspiring precedent for other states to follow. To learn more about this exciting and ground breaking program, and how you may be able to help, please click on https://comfortcases.org/amerigroupgatakeover/, or visit our website.On today's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer speaks with Eshontee Rowe, a member of the Amerigroup Youth Advisory Board. This dynamic young woman sets the standard for what being a “Good Human” is all about.Eshontee not only amplifies the voices of young people who have faced adversity but also actively engages in crafting solutions to enhance the lives of those presently affected by the system. Yet, her dedication extends beyond these roles. Eshontee also serves as a member of Foster Youth In Action's People Agenda Team, an international network of independent foster youth-led groups across the U.S. and Canada, where she diligently works to bring about positive change within the foster care community.Rob and Eshontee's conversation will truly motivate you to go out and get things done. We encourage you to share today's podcast with your children and young colleagues. It's people like Eshontee will truly change the world.To learn more about Amerigroup, please visit https://www.myamerigroup.com/ga/georgia-home.htmlTo follow Eshontee's journey on LinkedIn, please https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshontee-roweTo learn more about Rob Scheer and Comfort Cases, and the Georgia Takeover Program, please visit us at: https://comfortcases.org/If you have questions or comments about today's episode, the foster care system, or how you might volunteer or donate to help youth in foster care, please write to us here: info@comfortcases.orgYou can find previous episodes of Fostering Change at https://comfortcases.org/podcasts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You may know the name Zion Clark, whose catchphrase is: “You Don't Need Legs To Leave A Footprint On Earth”Did you watch his documentary on Netflix? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRvGlB1-Ku8Maybe you saw him on America's Got Talent? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRA3t_9hX50Or, you read his book, “Work With What You Got: A Memoir”, https://www.amazon.com/Work-What-You-Got-Memoir/dp/1536224219Today, Rob Scheer speaks with this amazing All-American wrestler, MMA fighter, Guinness World Record holder, and an internationally acclaimed speaker who infuses humor, wit, powerful life lessons, and infectious energy into each and every presentation that he gives—allowing him to connect with audiences on a level that is undeniably unparalleled.​Perhaps most importantly, he is singularly—and uniquely—ZION.Standing at just over three feet tall and weighing 110 pounds, he competes against "able-bodied" athletes and has his eyes set on competing in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024.​Born into the foster care system with a rare birth defect called Caudal Regression Syndrome that left him without legs, Zion has faced countless struggles that he has not only had to overcome to survive, but that he has learned to leverage in order to thrive at the highest levels against all odds.​His overriding winning-mentality has made him an inspiration to millions of people around the world, and he is just getting started.​Zion boasts over one million Instagram followers, two million followers on TikTok, and has amassed over 40 million YouTube views of his Guinness World Record achievement.These are the 3 things Zion leveraged in order to create the life he has for himself. It's through these you'll be able to gain:✅ A new perspective on life✅ Confidence knowing you can accomplish what you set your mind to✅ Freedom to live without limitations… with no excuses You can learn more about Zion on his social media channels:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigznoexcuses Instagram: @bigz97 Twitter: @bigz97TikTok: @bigznoexcusesFor more information about Comfort Cases, or to listen to previous episodes of Fostering Change, please visit:Website: https://comfortcases.org/Podcast Archive: https://comfortcases.org/podcasts/If you have any questions or comments about this episode, Comfort Cases, or if you have a suggestion for a guest for an upcoming episode, please write to us! infor@comfortcases.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Social justice advocate Di Ciruolo is on a mission to shed light on these systematic injustices in the foster care system and provides a step-by-step approach to personal recovery and guidance for survivors and those who seek to support them in her new book, “Indomitable”, a true story of how she survived foster care.In today's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer and Di Ciruolo work together to highlight the flaws in the foster care system, and what can be done to FINALLY correct them, and help our most vulnerable youth.Indomitable is a true story of foster care survival. With intentional wit and a healthy amount of self-reflection, Di Ciruolo invites explorers to find the places they can relate to while finding footing on the rungs to healing. Ciruolo shines a light on inner trauma, by offering encouragement and guidance for survivors and those who seek to support them.From childhood to motherhood, Di Ciruolo takes readers through very personal and intensely heartbreaking experiences and creates a safe space for trauma survivors with Indomitable.Other issues addressed in today's powerful episode:The fake narratives surrounding foster care and the changes we can make as a community and societyTrauma: how common it is to the human experience, and the outcomes of those foundational experiences in people's lives.Abuse: how abusers create a dual consciousness within their victims that leaves victims feeling responsible for their own abuse, and the shame they carry into adulthood as a result along with the very common outcomes we see from that.Di is a “force of nature”. Here's how you can learn more about her and “Indomitable”: Website: www.diciruolo.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/DiCiruoloTwitter:https://twitter.com/diciruoloLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/diciruolo/Tags: #indomitablexdi #becomingindomitable For more information about Comfort Cases, or to listen to previous episodes of Fostering Change, please visit:Website: https://comfortcases.org/Podcast Archive: https://comfortcases.org/podcasts/If you have any questions or comments about this episode, Comfort Cases, or if you have a suggestion for a guest for an upcoming episode, please write to us! infor@comfortcases.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Rob Scheer talks with a real “go-getter”. Someone who doesn't take no for an answer and truly reaches for the stars. Haley Marguerite is a motivational speaker, a publisher and an author. In fact, she published her first book at the age of 7!Haley is the talented author behind the beloved Charlie Takes an Adventure book series. Through her captivating stories, children learn important life lessons while joining Charlie, the adventurous penguin, on his incredible journeys and heartwarming experiences with his loving family. Haley's passion for empowering kids to believe in themselves and chase their dreams shines through in her writing.She says: “From elementary school through high school, I encountered the harsh winds of bullying – targeted for my appearance, round glasses, and the struggle to comprehend words until the 10th grade. Yet, I've emerged not broken, but resilient, a testament to the power of inner strength.”You can often find Haley speaking to school and community groups about overcoming bullying, and building up self-esteem. Today, we are lucky to have her as a guest on Fostering Change. The latest book in the series is titled: “Charlie Takes an Adventure to the Moon”, where Charlie faces bullying and tries to learn how to deal with and overcome it. More about Haley and the “Charlie Takes an Adventure” book series can be found here:Website about the book: https://www.charlietakesanadventure.com/Website about Haley and her publishing programs: www.haleymarguerite.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/haleymargueritepersonal/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HaleyPublishingTwitter: https://twitter.com/Charliepenguin2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officalhaleymarguerite/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@haleymargueriteLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haleymarguerite/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-8g8ADbMc-vzV-3nTMRO3AFor more information about Comfort Cases, or to listen to previous episodes of Fostering Change, please visit:Website: https://comfortcases.org/Podcast Archive: https://comfortcases.org/podcasts/If you have any questions or comments about this episode, please write to us! info@comfortcases.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Fostering Change, Rob Scheer speaks with Monica Pantoja, the dynamic Executive Director of the nsoro Educational Foundation.Founded in 2005, The nsoro Educational Foundation believes not one young person aging out of our nation's foster care system should have to navigate the world alone. Our mission provides the access to and attainment of post-secondary education through a holistic scholarship that shepherds our youth to and through college, optimally positioning our graduates for an equitable transition into adulthood. Nsoro's Scholarship Program “Fostering Futures” provides a certified executive coach and a mentor with evidence curriculum, anchored in four tenets: post-secondary credentials: emotional literacy, financial fluency, and workforce readiness. From essential gap funding for tuition, books, academic fees, to ensuring our scholar's housing stability and food security, nsoro's Scholarship serves as a bridge from college to career.Rob and Monica have an important discussion about our youth who've spent time in the foster care system and the barriers they face to achieving self-sufficiency and economic mobility, far greater than than first gen peers.The Results: nsoro scholars:435 college graduate to date81% college graduation rate70% are pursuing an advanced degree98% have not been incarcerated96% have not abused drugs or alcohol78% have not been homeless85% have developed and maintained a budgetTo learn more about nsoro Foundation, please visit:Website: nsoro Foundation: https://nsoro.foundation/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nsorofoundationInstagram: @nsorofoundation Twitter: @nsoroFoundation LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-nsoro-foundation-3825a9248/To learn more about Rob Scheer and Comfort Cases, please visit: https://comfortcases.org/If you have questions or comments about today's episode, the foster care system, or how you might volunteer or donate to help youth in foster care, please write to us here: info@comfortcases.orgYou can find previous episodes of Fostering Change at https://comfortcases.org/podcasts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer speaks with a true “angel”: Susan Ramirez, the founder of National Angels, a non-profit organization whose mission is “to walk alongside children, youth, and families in the foster care community by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship.”Now in 21 cities in 16 states, National Angels goal is to keep youth in foster care in one home before they are returned to their biological family or become a permanent part of that home by adoption.As Susan notes in the interview: “Every child should have at least one healthy adult who knows the color of their eyes and the passions of their heart.” Because close to 50% of foster parents close their home in one year, on average children in foster care move 7 times every 2 years. Think about that. How does that set these youth up for success?Susan and Rob discuss how foster care affects ALL of us as a society, and it is up to us ALL to do what we can to equip all youth to succeed. Otherwise, it can lead down the wrong path - as many of you know, 80% of all death row inmates were once in foster care. Close to 25% of those who have been part of “human trafficking” have been in foster care. Without support, those numbers will only grow.National Angels will host a “Give-a-Thon” from November 21-28. All of us at Comfort Cases encourage you to consider making a donation to increase their national awareness and support. More information about this important event can be found HERE.Follow National Angels:Website: https://www.nationalangels.org/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nationalangels?fbcl...Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalange...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalang... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This true story will inspire you like none you may have ever heard. Rob Scheer interviews Katrina Mullen. You may have seen Katrina on The Today Show, or in People Magazine. This unassuming NICU (NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit) Nurse has received universal praise for how she stepped up where others would not.As a neonatal nurse in a small Indiana hospital, she saw Shariya, a young mother sitting cribside of her 3 young babies she had just given birth to. This new mom, only 14 years old, was often alone, looking lost… and alone. Katrina would visit with Shariya, and try to give her advice and tips on how to care for her babies. Again, Shariya was just 14, in 8th grade, and the mother of triplets - and was virtually alone.When Shariya was discharged from the hospital, Katrina gave her her phone number and told her to call whenever she wanted. Shariya took her up on this and Katrina often went to visit Shariya and her babies.Soon, there was a health issue with one of her babies, and then DSS came and took her two others into care. Shariya asked if she could stay with Katrina. Katrina had 3 young children of her own, plus two adult children, but she immediately said yes, and engaged in all the classes necessary to become a foster parent.So much more to tell about this amazing human being - and how she soon ended up adopting Shariya, and became the grandmother of three beautiful triplets. We know you will love this episode as much as we do.To learn more about Katrina, Shariya and the family, you can visit her on social media:Facebook: Katrina Mullen or Mullen.katInstagram@kat_mullen TikTok: @kmullen23Twitter/ X: @Katrinamullen23To learn more about Rob Scheer and Comfort Cases, please visit: https://comfortcases.org/If you have questions or comments about today's episode, the foster care system, or how you might volunteer or donate to help youth in foster care, please write to us here: info@comfortcases.orgYou can find previous episodes of Fostering Change at https://comfortcases.org/podcasts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Season 5 of Fostering Change! For those of you who are new to us: “Welcome!” And for our returning friends, “Welcome Back!”Fostering Change is hosted by Rob Scheer, the founder of Comfort Cases, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote hope and dignity to youth in foster care.We will post new episodes of Fostering Change every Tuesday on all of your favorite podcast channels, YouTube and on our Comfort Cases page (www.comfortcases/podcast). On the Comfort Cases page you can also find all of our previously aired episodes.If you have comments about today's amazing episode, or a suggestion for a guest, please email us at info@comfortcases.org. We look forward to hearing from you!Now, here's a bit more background on Rob's first interview this season, with Todd Parr:Todd Parr is an international and New York Times best selling author. He's written and illustrated more than 60 beautiful books for children. In fact, Rob has been reading Todd's books to his children for years. A family favorite is It's Okay to be Different : targeted to young children first beginning to read, this book will inspire kids to celebrate their individuality through acceptance of others and self-confidence–and it's never too early to develop a healthy self-esteem.As you'll hear in the interview, Todd's book The Family Book has been listed as, for some reason, one of the “most banned books” in the United States. “Whether you have two moms or two dads, a big family or a small family, a clean family or a messy one, Todd Parr assures readers that no matter what kind of family you have, every family is special in its own unique way.”Todd's latest book is The Monster Mac and Cheese Party. His books have received numerous awards and are available in 20 languages. He is the co-creator of the popular Daytime Emmy®-nominated animated TV series ToddWorld with Gerry Renert of SupperTime Entertainment, and several short films for Sesame Street have been based on Todd's work. Todd has partnered with Target, the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, Stouffer's, People magazine, and other companies and organizations to help people and animals, and to promote literacy. He lives in California with his adopted pit bulls. Here's where you can find more information about Todd Parr and his books:Website: https://www.toddparr.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToddParrBooks/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toddparr/Twitter: https://twitter.com/toddparrFor more information about Comfort Cases, please visit: https://comfortcases.org/Comments? Questions? Guest Suggestions? Please send them to: info@comfortcases.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.