Category Foster Friendly Podcast

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. 

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney and Travis engage with Abby Crooks, a veteran foster parent and founder of Fostering Faithfully. Abby shares her personal journey into foster care, the challenges and rewards of fostering, and the importance of community support for foster families. The conversation highlights the significance of celebrating foster children's birthdays and the emotional complexities of being a foster parent.

Abby emphasizes the need for realistic expectations and the importance of finding joy in small victories while navigating the foster care system. She shares personal experiences and insights on fostering, emphasizing the importance of balancing personal life with parenting, the role of play in family dynamics, coping with grief and emotions associated with fostering, navigating the foster care system, and the key messages from her book 'Simply Available'. She highlights the need for foster children to feel loved and supported, and the importance of self-care for foster parents.

Learn more about Fostering Faithfully and checkout their resources.

Checkout Abby's guest blog for AKB on trauma and parenting.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian, Courtney, and Travis discuss the vital role of social workers in foster care, especially during Social Worker Appreciation Month. They explore the misconceptions surrounding social workers, the various roles of caseworkers, and the challenges they face. 

The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding and appreciating the work of caseworkers, fostering a collaborative relationship between foster parents and caseworkers, and recognizing the humanity in each other's roles. The hosts also discuss the things foster parents often feel and wish caseworkers understood better. The episode concludes with suggestions on how foster parents can show appreciation to their caseworkers, reinforcing the idea that they are all part of the same team working towards the best outcomes for children in care.

In this conversation, Michael Weitzman shares his profound journey from growing up in the foster care system to becoming an advocate for vulnerable children. He discusses the challenges he faced, including a failed adoption, emotional struggles, and the impact of trauma on his life. Michael emphasizes the importance of mentorship and faith in his journey, ultimately finding purpose in serving others and sharing his story of resilience and hope. In this conversation, Michael Weitzman shares his profound experiences growing up in foster care, the pain of abandonment, and the ongoing impact of these experiences on his relationships and identity. He emphasizes the importance of community, mentorship, and the role of faith in healing. Michael discusses the complexities of navigating relationships with both biological and adoptive siblings, and the necessity of building connections to foster healing and transformation. He calls for greater engagement from the community to support foster children, highlighting that relationships are crucial for their development and well-being.

Takeaways

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, Chef Kibby shares his unique journey as a foster adoptive parent and professional chef. He discusses how the pandemic forced him to confront personal challenges and discover the profound connection between food and emotional well-being. Chef Kibby emphasizes the importance of using food as a tool for building attachment and connection with children, especially those from difficult backgrounds. He provides practical steps for parents to foster connection through cooking and highlights the significance of understanding children's emotional needs. 

He also discusses the profound connection between food and relationships, emphasizing the importance of creating meaningful experiences in the kitchen with family. He shares practical tips for engaging children in cooking, the significance of understanding the needs of foster children, and his unique work in a women's correctional facility, where he helps incarcerated women gain skills in food service. The discussion highlights the emotional and psychological aspects of food, connection, and community.

Checkout Chef Kibby's podcast "The Hunger for Connection" and his other AMAZING resources. 

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, Melissa Smallwood shares her profound journey through the foster care system, her experiences as a young mother, and the resilience she developed along the way. From her abrupt entry into foster care to the nurturing relationships that helped her thrive, Melissa emphasizes the importance of hope, support, and the impact of positive influences in the lives of children affected by trauma. 

Her story serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the role of caring adults in fostering growth and healing. In this conversation, Melissa shares her transformative journey from engaging in high-risk behavior to becoming a dedicated advocate for young mothers and foster care. She emphasizes the importance of support systems, the impact of trauma, and the need for commitment in foster care relationships. Melissa reflects on her own experiences in foster care, the role of community support, and the significance of self-reflection for effective parenting. Her story highlights the power of resilience, education, and the importance of creating safe spaces for children in care.

Checkout: Melissa's coaching services for foster and adoptive families (Mending Hearts Coaching)

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Brian, Travis, and Courtney discuss the challenges faced by foster parents, particularly the high attrition rates. They explore the emotional and systemic impacts of foster parent quitting on child welfare and the children in care. The conversation delves into the reasons behind these challenges, the importance of mentorship, and the need for support systems to help foster families navigate their difficult journeys. 

They also discuss the challenges faced by foster parents, including feeling unheard and unsupported within the system. They emphasize the importance of community support and systemic changes to improve the foster care experience. The discussion also highlights the need for retention of foster families over recruitment, advocating for a more supportive environment. Practical advice is offered for both foster families and those who care about the issue, stressing the importance of asking for help and reassessing one's situation.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Brian Mavis and Courtney Williams interview Jenni Lord, founder of the nonprofit CHOSEN. Jenny shares her personal journey into the child welfare space, highlighting the importance of understanding trauma in foster care and adoption. She discusses the evolution of CHOSEN, its mission to support families, and the critical role of parental self-regulation in the healing process.

The conversation emphasizes the complexities of child removal and the need for ongoing education and support for families navigating these challenges. In this conversation, Jenni also discusses the evolving language around adoption and foster care, emphasizing the importance of understanding the grief children experience when separated from their families. She highlights the need for trauma education for parents and the significance of connection in the healing process.

Jenni shares insights into the services provided by CHOSEN, including telehealth support and individualized action plans for families. The conversation also features transformative stories of families who have benefited from these services, underscoring the universal need for connection in fostering healthy relationships.

Learn more about the services and resources offered at Chosen.