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":

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.

Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

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/

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.

Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

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.

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.

Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

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

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.

Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

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

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.

Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

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.”

Resources mentioned:
FosterCon.org — Free webinars, including Fostering Bio-Family Relationships, featuring Brenna. (CE credits available for foster parents!)

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.

Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

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.

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.

Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

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.

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.

Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.