Category Foster Friendly Podcast

This episode of the Foster Friendly podcast features a heartfelt conversation between hosts Brian and Travis, and guests Ashley Darrow and Selena Whitley, who share their intertwined stories of struggle, hope, and healing within the foster care system. Ashley recounts her journey through addiction and the challenges she faced as a mother, while Selena discusses her family's decision to foster children. Together, they explore the complexities of reunification, the impact of preconceived notions, and the importance of building relationships in the foster care process. 

This conversation delves into the emotional complexities of foster care, recovery from addiction, and the journey of reunification. Selena and Ashley share their personal experiences, highlighting the grief associated with foster care transitions, the challenges of recovery, and the hope that comes from redemption. They discuss the importance of community support for foster parents and the essential needs of children in the foster care system, emphasizing stability, structure, and love. This is a powerful, honest, and moving conversation.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, the hosts discuss the complexities of foster care reunification, sharing personal stories and insights. They explore the emotional challenges faced by birth families, the statistics surrounding reunification rates, and the importance of supporting these families. The conversation highlights the mixed feelings surrounding reunification, the goals of child welfare, and the impact of time spent in care on reunification outcomes. 

In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of foster care, particularly focusing on the emotional challenges of temporary family dynamics, the journey of reunification, and the importance of building relationships with birth parents. They share personal experiences and insights on how to support both children in care and their biological families, emphasizing the need for understanding, patience, and effective communication. The discussion highlights the balance between ensuring safety for children and fostering positive relationships that can lead to successful reunifications.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis Vangsnes and Courtney Williams welcome back Bethany Hall, a licensed family nurse practitioner and director of training at Chosen. They discuss the importance of foster care awareness, the impact of movies on perceptions of foster care, and the ongoing need for support in the foster care system. Bethany shares insights on the significance of one-on-one coaching for foster families and the necessity of understanding attachment styles to better support children from hard places.

The conversation emphasizes hope, community support, and practical strategies for caregivers. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of fostering, discussing the various challenges faced by foster families, including attachment issues, behavioral problems, and the phenomenon of blocked care. They emphasize the importance of community support and the emotional toll that fostering can take on caregivers. The discussion also highlights the blessings that come from fostering and the need for better support for biological families to facilitate reunification. The speakers share personal experiences and insights, encouraging potential foster parents to embrace the journey despite its difficulties.

Helpful resources:

Check out Chosen's array of resources.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney Williams interview Peter Mutabazi, a remarkable individual who shares his journey from a challenging childhood in Uganda to becoming a foster parent in the United States. Peter discusses the importance of kindness, education, and the role of men in foster care, as well as the unique dynamics of adopting children of different races. He emphasizes the need for love and safety in the lives of children in foster care and shares insights from his experiences as a single father. Peter also talks about his books and foundation aimed at helping foster children feel seen and known.

Follow Peter Mutabazi on Instagram:
@fosterdadflipper

His website:
https://petermutabazi.com/

Peter's new book:

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis Vangsnes and Courtney Williams engage with Laura (Foster Parent Partner), a prominent figure in the fostering community, to discuss the importance of Foster Care Awareness Month. Laura shares her journey into engaging foster care, the impact of her social media presence, and the challenges faced by foster parents.

The conversation also emphasizes the need for trauma-informed care, community involvement, and the importance of flexibility and grit in fostering. Laura also discusses her future plans and encourages listeners to get involved in supporting foster care initiatives.

Follow Laura:

Instagram and YouTube: @foster.parenting

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-hosts Courtney and Travis celebrate the 10th anniversary of America's Kids Belong (AKB). They discuss the organization's journey from its inception, driven by personal experiences as foster parents, to its current status as a trusted nonprofit in the foster care space. The conversation highlights little things like the evolution of AKB's logo, to bigger things like the importance of trust in their operations, and the significant impact of their initiatives, including the I Belong Project and the Foster Friendly app. Brian shares a powerful origin story of the organization and imparts leadership wisdom he's gained as a national nonprofit leader. 

The hosts also discuss the importance of supporting foster families and communities, the transformation of community engagement through innovative programs, and the future of nonprofits. They share additional leadership insights,  the significance of National Foster Care Month, and ways individuals can get involved in supporting foster care initiatives. The discussion emphasizes the need to change perceptions about foster children, families, and social workers to foster a more empathetic and supportive environment.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian and Courtney engage with Kayla and Chris Habegger, a couple navigating the world of non-traditional kinship care. They discuss their journey into fostering, the importance of community awareness, and the dynamics of kinship care. The conversation highlights the emotional and practical aspects of fostering, emphasizing the need for understanding and support within families and communities.

Kayla and Chris Habegger share their experiences as new foster parents, discussing the challenges and insights gained from their journey. They emphasize the importance of empowering children to share their stories, understanding the complexities of trauma, and the need for ongoing training and support in foster care. The couple reflects on their goals for reunification with the child's biological family and the significance of maintaining healthy relationships throughout the process.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Travis Vangsnes speak with Scott Fuller, Vice President of Advancement at Murphy Harpst Children's Center. They discuss the organization's century-long commitment to caring for vulnerable children in foster care, Scott's personal journey into the field, and the innovative therapeutic programs offered, including equine therapy. The conversation highlights the importance of community support and the evolution of child welfare services in Georgia. 

This conversation also delves into the complexities of congregate care and residential group homes, exploring the evolving landscape of child welfare. The speakers discuss the myths surrounding residential care, pros and cons of residential foster care settings, the importance of community in healing, and the challenges faced by youth transitioning to adulthood. They emphasize the need for supportive policies and community involvement to address the gaps in foster care and ensure that every child receives the love and attention they need to thrive.

In this conversation, Allison Ezell shares her journey into becoming a pediatric sleep consultant, driven by her experiences with her son Brooks, who faced significant sleep challenges due to trauma. The discussion delves into the complexities of sleep for children from trauma-impacted backgrounds, emphasizing the neurological aspects of sleep and the importance of a trauma-informed approach. Allison highlights the need for holistic solutions that consider emotional, physical, and nutritional factors affecting sleep.

The conversation also touches on practical strategies for parents to support their children's sleep, including the role of nutrition and the importance of creating a safe sleep environment. Allison discusses the importance of understanding children's nighttime needs, particularly in the context of foster care. She emphasizes the significance of connection, room sharing, and building confidence through backup plans. The discussion also covers adapting routines for summer and the vital role of a cheerleader in supporting children in foster care. Finally, Allison shares resources for parents seeking additional support and training.

Connect with Allison and her resources at Dwell Pediatric Sleep

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian, Courtney, and Travis explore the significance of play and humor in parenting, particularly in the context of fostering children who have experienced trauma. They share personal anecdotes about their own childhood experiences with play, discuss the psychological benefits of humor and play in building connections, and provide real-life examples of how these tools have helped them engage with children in their care. 

The conversation emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and comfortable environment for children to express themselves and the transformative power of play in fostering emotional health. The hosts also explore the significance of humor and play in parenting, particularly in the context of fostering connections with children. Travis shares from a resource highlighting the fascinating parallels between humor and trauma on impacting the brain and of course where they diverge. 

They talk about the importance of humor in child development and the therapeutic aspects of humor in relation to trauma. The conversation also delves into different types of play, the challenges of managing screen time, and the value of finding common interests to build relationships with kids. Ultimately, they emphasize that we'll often never fully know the lasting impact of small moments of connection and how these moments can be life changing. 

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis and Courtney speak with Kim Swilpa, the Executive Director of New Jersey Angels. Kim shares her unique journey from the cosmetic industry to foster care advocacy, highlighting the challenges faced by youth aging out of the system.

The conversation also delves into the Dare to Dream program, which pairs mentors with youth to provide guidance and support, and the Love Box program, which offers assistance to foster families. The importance of normalcy for children in foster care is emphasized, along with the need for community involvement and volunteer support to strengthen foster care systems.

Learn how you can get involved and become part of the National Angels organization. 

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian Mavis and Courtney Williams welcome Nicole Barlow, a former foster parent and health and wellness coach, to discuss the essential habits foster and adoptive parents need to adopt for their well-being. Nicole emphasizes the importance of self-care, nutrition, movement, and rest, explaining how these elements not only benefit the parents but also create a healthier environment for the children in their care. The conversation highlights practical strategies that parents can implement to improve their mental and physical health, ultimately leading to better outcomes for their families.

Checkout Nicole's podcast and coaching resources.