Category Foster Friendly Podcast

Episode 60 – Transformed: From Foster Care to Miss Kentucky with Ariana Rodriquez

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis Vangsnes and Courtney Williams interview Ariana Rodriguez, Miss Kentucky 2025. Ariana shares her inspiring journey from being a homeless child in foster care to winning the title of Miss Kentucky! She discusses her advocacy work through The Lucky Ones Foundation, which aims to empower youth in foster care and educate the public about the foster care system.

Ariana emphasizes the importance of amplifying the voices of children in care and the need for social support. The conversation also touches on the role of pageantry in advocacy and the life skills necessary for youth aging out of foster care. They also discuss the critical importance of equipping kids in foster care with crucial life skills. This is a great conversation and Ariana's resiliency and drive to dream big while amplifying the voices of others is really inspiring.

Checkout Ariana's nonprofit, The Lucky Ones, which provides essential resources and support for kids in foster care.

She also has a podcast--The Lucky Ones

Takeaways
  • Ariana's journey from foster care to Miss Kentucky is inspiring.
  • The importance of social support for youth in foster care.
  • Advocacy for children's voices in the foster care system is crucial.
  • The Lucky Ones Foundation aims to educate and empower foster youth.
  • Life skills education is essential for youth aging out of foster care.
  • Ariana's podcast amplifies the voices of those in the foster care system.
  • Social workers need to listen to children to make effective changes.
  • The pageant platform can be a powerful tool for advocacy.
  • Ariana's initiatives focus on both foster care and agricultural education.
  • Community support is vital for the success of initiatives like The Lucky Ones.

Episode 59 – Fostering to Adoption to Advocacy: Building Stronger Communities with Greg and Valerie Buccola

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian and co-host Travis welcome Greg and Valerie, a couple who have made a significant impact in the foster care community. They share their journey of becoming foster parents, the challenges and joys of raising four adopted children, and the lessons learned along the way. The conversation touches on the importance of sibling relationships, the chaos of parenting, and the resilience required in foster care. Greg and Valerie emphasize the need for compassion and understanding in their home, creating a supportive environment for both their children and the foster kids that come through their doors. In this conversation, Greg and Valerie share their journey in foster care and advocacy, emphasizing the importance of community support and engagement. They discuss their experiences with fundraising, the role of faith in fostering, and how businesses can contribute to the cause. Their insights highlight the ripple effect of advocacy and the need for more families to step up and support children in need.
Takeaways
  • Valerie is the driving force in their household.
  • Fostering involves taking risks for the sake of children.
  • Every yes to something means a no to something else.
  • Horses teach us about beauty and unpredictability, similar to parenting.
  • The couple went from zero to four children in under a year.
  • Chaos in a large family can lead to happiness and bonding.
  • Their children learned compassion through welcoming foster kids.
  • The dynamics of fostering can be complex, especially with biological children.
  • It's important to remember the trauma that foster kids have experienced.
  • Creating a stable environment helps foster kids feel secure. Foster care requires community support and advocacy.
  • Fundraising events can significantly impact foster care initiatives.
  • Corporate support is crucial for fostering awareness and funding.
  • Faith communities have a unique opportunity to engage in foster care.
  • Normalizing foster care can encourage more families to participate.
  • Building relationships is essential for successful foster care outcomes.
  • Awareness is as important as recruiting new foster families.
  • Foster care impacts various societal issues, including homelessness and mental health.
  • Every individual can contribute to foster care in meaningful ways.
  • The journey of fostering can be rewarding despite its challenges.

Episode 58 – Creating Safe Spaces of Belonging for Every Youth with Kim Botto

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian and co-host Travis welcome Kim Botto, an author and advocate for children in foster care and those with disabilities. They discuss the importance of trauma-informed care, the need for inclusive spaces in churches, and the role of hope and belonging in the lives of children. Kim shares her experiences and insights on how to create environments where every child can thrive, emphasizing the need for safe adults who believe in them. The conversation highlights practical strategies for churches and communities to better support children facing challenges, ultimately aiming to foster a sense of belonging and hope.
Takeaways
  • Every child deserves to belong in a safe environment.
  • Trauma-informed care is essential for supporting children.
  • Churches need to change their mindset to be more inclusive.
  • Hope is the expectation that something good will happen.
  • Belonging is about being accepted for who you are.
  • Children with trauma need safe adults who believe in them.
  • Behavior is a form of communication for children in distress.
  • Visual schedules can help children feel secure and prepared.
  • It's important to connect with children before correcting their behavior.
  • Creating inclusive spaces benefits all children, not just those with visible disabilities.
Checkout Kim's resources including her book and podcast:
https://kimbotto.com/

Episode 57 – Fostering Front Door: An Exciting New Initiative From America’s Kids Belong with Laura Mobley

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney Williams welcome Laura Mobley, who shares her extensive experience in the foster care and adoption space. They discuss the launch of the Fostering Front Door initiative, aimed at providing a curated resource for individuals interested in foster care. The conversation highlights the importance of community support, the differences between fostering and adoption, and the need for accessible information to guide potential foster parents on their journey.

They also discuss the challenges and needs of the foster care system, emphasizing the importance of providing resources and support for potential foster parents. They explore the necessity of creating a space for individuals to learn about fostering, the role of continuing education, and the significance of relationships in the lives of children in foster care. The introduction of FosterCon as an educational initiative is highlighted, along with the various support options available for those involved in the foster care system.

Foster Front Door website:
 https://americaskidsbelong.org/lp/fostering-front-door-program

Episode 56 – Seeing Foster Care and Faith Converge on the Big Screen with Filmmaker Erin Dooley

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Courtney Williams and co-host Travis Vangsnes interview Erin Dooley, an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker. Erin shares her journey from being a volunteer to becoming a foster parent and eventually creating the impactful short film 'Adopting Faith.'

The conversation delves into the themes of faith, family, and the importance of community support in foster care. Erin emphasizes that while not everyone can foster, there are many ways to help and support children in care. The episode concludes with Erin's hopes for the film and her encouragement for listeners to get involved in their communities.

Watch the film "Adopting Faith":

Episode 55 – Powerful Children’s Book Illuminates Truths About Foster Care with Jessica Mathisen

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney and Travis speak with Jessica Mathisen, a former elementary school teacher and a foster adoptive mom. They discuss Jessica's journey into foster care and adoption, her experiences as a foster parent, and her recent children's book, No Matter Where I Go: God's Love for Kids in Foster Care, aimed at helping kids understand foster care. 

The conversation delves into the misconceptions surrounding foster care, the challenges faced by foster families, and the importance of relationships and love in the healing process for children in care. Jessica emphasizes that while not everyone can be a foster parent, everyone can contribute in meaningful ways to support vulnerable children and families.

Follow Jessica and checkout her podcast and other resources:
https://www.jessicanmathisen.com/

Episode 54 – A Legacy of Support and Care: A Mayor Champions Foster Families with Tommy Allegood

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian and co-host Travis engage with Mayor Tommy Allegood of Acworth, Georgia. They discuss his nonpartisan approach to leadership, the significant growth of Acworth under his tenure, and his commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents. Working alongside Georgia Kids Belong, Acworth became Georgia’s first official "Foster Friendly City" in 2023, with Mayor Allegood championing the commitment to recruit and retain enough foster families for every child in need in his community.
Mayor Allegood shares insights into his involvement with foster care initiatives, emphasizing the importance of community support and the role of local businesses in fostering a caring environment for children in need. The conversation highlights the need for unity and collaboration in addressing community challenges, particularly in the realm of foster care.

Episode 53 – One Year Anniversary of the Podcast: The Most Inspiring Moments and Stories

In this episode, the hosts reflect on their first year of podcasting, sharing funny moments, inspiring stories, and the diverse topics covered. They discuss the motivations behind the podcast, the importance of community support, and the changes in the foster care system. The conversation emphasizes the need for advocacy and the impact of personal experiences in fostering.
Three episodes highlighted from their conversation:

Episode 33:
Teens Openly Share Their Experiences as Birth Children in a Foster Home with Eli and Ayla Williams

Episode 49:
A Foster Mom and Birth Mom Share Their Moving Story with Ashley Darrow and Selena Whitley

Episode 50:
Home Sweet Home: Ashley and Ashton Share About Their Journey to Reunification

Episode 52 – Introducing the Campus Housing Affordability for Foster Youth Act with Congressman Landsman

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney Williams engage with Congressman Greg Landsman, who discusses his advocacy for children and families, particularly those in the foster care system. Landsman shares his journey from local politics to Congress, emphasizing the importance of community support and early childhood education. He introduces his bill aimed at allowing foster care youth to use housing vouchers for on-campus living, highlighting the positive impact of community and belonging on educational success. The conversation explores the complexities of Congress, the importance of bipartisan support, and the need for consistent adult advocates in the lives of foster youth.
Learn more about Senator Landsman at house.gov or senate.gov

Episode 51 – From Meth to Social Worker, a Powerful Reunification Story with Brenna Hunter

In this deeply moving episode, Travis and Courtney sit down with Brenna Hunter, a mother whose children were removed from her care in 2020 due to substance use. Today, she’s not only a reunited parent, but also a parenting time specialist working to support other families in the child welfare system.

Brenna bravely shares her story—growing up in a conservative home, falling into addiction, losing custody of her children, and the painful yet powerful journey to recovery and reunification. She offers honest insights into the foster care system, the challenges of rebuilding bonds with her children, and the importance of empathy from foster families.
Whether you're a foster parent, social worker, or simply someone wanting to understand more about reunification, Brenna’s story is raw, hopeful, and incredibly important.

Key Quote:
 “I wasn’t thinking ‘How can I be a safer parent?’ I was thinking, ‘How can I get these people out of my life?’ But what I needed was someone to tell me what was expected and how to get there.”

Episode 50 – Home Sweet Home: Ashley and Ashton Share About Their Journey to Reunification

In this episode, Ashley Darrow and her son Ashton share their emotional journey through addiction, foster care, and reunification. Ashley discusses her struggles with addiction and the impact it had on her relationship with Ashton, who reflects on his experiences in foster care and the challenges of being separated from his mother. The conversation highlights themes of love, resilience, and the complexities of family dynamics in the face of adversity. 

This conversation also explores the relational journey of Ashley and Ashton, a mother and son who navigated the challenges of foster care and addiction recovery. They share their experiences of separation, the long road to reunification, and the importance of building trust and honesty in their relationship. Through their story, they emphasize the significance of hope and the lessons learned from their struggles, ultimately showcasing the power of love and resilience in healing and family dynamics.

Episode 49 – A Foster Mom and Birth Mom Share Their Moving Story with Ashley Darrow and Selena Whitley

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.