Épisodes

  • Episode 21 | Foster Parent Trainings in LA County: Interview with Researchers Kathleen (Kate) Soto Gisler and Kaili Farhat
    Jul 11 2025

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    In this episode we have guests Kaili Farhat and Kathleen (Kate) Soto Gisler present their master’s thesis on foster parent training programs in Los Angeles County. As home to one of the largest child welfare systems in the United States, LA County offers a wide range of trainings for foster parents. However, notable gaps remain in the content and scope of these offerings. Kate and Kaili's county-level analysis identifies these gaps and weaves in recommendations that can strengthen foster parent training efforts both within LA County and beyond.

    Kathleen (Kate) Soto Gisler

    Kathleen (Kate) Soto Gisler (she/her) is a social worker & researcher with a focus in supporting community college students through their academic journeys and providing strengths-based care in community centered work.

    Kaili Farhat

    With a background in psychology and a passion for understanding how systems impact vulnerable populations, Kaili Farhat is a clinically oriented social worker and researcher with specific interests in mental health, trauma and grief.

    Request the Research Report

    To receive a copy of the research report, send an email to zayda.sorrell-medina@csun.edu with REPORT in the subject line.

    Support the show

    About Me

    Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina is a professor, social scientist, educator, and author. She is also a member and advocate of the foster, adoption, and homeless youth community and a first generation college student.

    Consulting

    Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina provides consulting, speaking engagements, trainings, workshops, and more. Learn more by clicking here:

    https://www.zaydasorrellmedina.com/consultation.html

    Support the Show

    Donate to the show contributing to its ongoing production:

    • https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
    • https://cash.app/$ZaydaSorrellMedina

    Episode Schedule

    A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year.

    Social Media

    • https://www.instagram.com/zaydasorrellmedina/
    • https://www.facebook.com/drzayda/





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    19 min
  • Episode 20 | Libertad?
    Jun 11 2025

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    What is freedom? This episode presents a profound critique of freedom drawing upon key concepts in Nichiren Buddism and the story of Tsunesaburō Makiguchi.

    Que es la libertad? Este episodio presenta una crítica profunda de la libertad por recurrir al Buddismo Nichiren y el cuento de Tsunesaburō Makiguchi.


    Support the show

    About Me

    Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina is a professor, social scientist, educator, and author. She is also a member and advocate of the foster, adoption, and homeless youth community and a first generation college student.

    Consulting

    Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina provides consulting, speaking engagements, trainings, workshops, and more. Learn more by clicking here:

    https://www.zaydasorrellmedina.com/consultation.html

    Support the Show

    Donate to the show contributing to its ongoing production:

    • https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
    • https://cash.app/$ZaydaSorrellMedina

    Episode Schedule

    A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year.

    Social Media

    • https://www.instagram.com/zaydasorrellmedina/
    • https://www.facebook.com/drzayda/





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    15 min
  • Episode 19 | Foster Care License Requirements: Interview with Researchers Jasmine Mitchell and Maggie Reddington
    May 11 2025

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    Happy foster care awareness month! In this episode, child welfare workers and Maggie Reddington and Jasmine Mitchell disseminate their research from their master's thesis, which examines the exclusionary requirements of the U.S. foster care licensing process. If you've ever wondered, what is the process to become a foster parent, this episode is a must listen, shedding light on the approval process in different states.


    Support the show

    About Me

    Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina is a professor, social scientist, educator, and author. She is also a member and advocate of the foster, adoption, and homeless youth community and a first generation college student.

    Consulting

    Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina provides consulting, speaking engagements, trainings, workshops, and more. Learn more by clicking here:

    https://www.zaydasorrellmedina.com/consultation.html

    Support the Show

    Donate to the show contributing to its ongoing production:

    • https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
    • https://cash.app/$ZaydaSorrellMedina

    Episode Schedule

    A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year.

    Social Media

    • https://www.instagram.com/zaydasorrellmedina/
    • https://www.facebook.com/drzayda/





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    24 min
  • Episode 18 | Becoming a Foster Parent: 5 Things I Wish I Knew
    Apr 11 2025

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    Have you ever thought about becoming a foster parent? Save yourself a headache and tune in to these five things you need to know before becoming a foster parent.




    Support the show

    About Me

    Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina is a professor, social scientist, educator, and author. She is also a member and advocate of the foster, adoption, and homeless youth community and a first generation college student.

    Consulting

    Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina provides consulting, speaking engagements, trainings, workshops, and more. Learn more by clicking here:

    https://www.zaydasorrellmedina.com/consultation.html

    Support the Show

    Donate to the show contributing to its ongoing production:

    • https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
    • https://cash.app/$ZaydaSorrellMedina

    Episode Schedule

    A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year.

    Social Media

    • https://www.instagram.com/zaydasorrellmedina/
    • https://www.facebook.com/drzayda/





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    19 min
  • Episode 17 | Child Story: Wings to Fly
    Mar 27 2025

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    This story is for children as much as it is for adults, inviting the listener to tap into their inner child to cultivate imagination. Alas para volar means wings to fly in Spanish. This is a special episode release to recognize International Multilingual Day on March 27th. I practice multilingual parenting, and this story that I share with you is one that I created for my trilingual toddler.


    Support the show

    About Me

    Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina is a professor, social scientist, educator, and author. She is also a member and advocate of the foster, adoption, and homeless youth community and a first generation college student.

    Consulting

    Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina provides consulting, speaking engagements, trainings, workshops, and more. Learn more by clicking here:

    https://www.zaydasorrellmedina.com/consultation.html

    Support the Show

    Donate to the show contributing to its ongoing production:

    • https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
    • https://cash.app/$ZaydaSorrellMedina

    Episode Schedule

    A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year.

    Social Media

    • https://www.instagram.com/zaydasorrellmedina/
    • https://www.facebook.com/drzayda/





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    8 min
  • Episode 16 | Cuento Infantil: Alas Para Volar
    Mar 27 2025

    Send us a text

    This story is for children as much as it is for adults, inviting the listener to tap into their inner child to cultivate imagination. Alas para volar means wings to fly in Spanish. This is a special episode release to recognize International Multilingual Day on March 27th. I practice multilingual parenting, and this story that I share with you is one that I created for my trilingual toddler.


    Support the show

    About Me

    Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina is a professor, social scientist, educator, and author. She is also a member and advocate of the foster, adoption, and homeless youth community and a first generation college student.

    Consulting

    Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina provides consulting, speaking engagements, trainings, workshops, and more. Learn more by clicking here:

    https://www.zaydasorrellmedina.com/consultation.html

    Support the Show

    Donate to the show contributing to its ongoing production:

    • https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
    • https://cash.app/$ZaydaSorrellMedina

    Episode Schedule

    A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year.

    Social Media

    • https://www.instagram.com/zaydasorrellmedina/
    • https://www.facebook.com/drzayda/





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    9 min
  • Episode 15 | DEI Explained
    Mar 11 2025

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    Have you ever wondered: What is DEI? There is a lot of misinformation about what it is and what it is not. In this episode, I present a basic definition of DEI in lay terms.

    Stay tuned for the special episode release on March 27th in recognition of International Multi-lingual Day! I will be sharing a cuento infantil, or child story.

    Support the show

    About Me

    Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina is a professor, social scientist, educator, and author. She is also a member and advocate of the foster, adoption, and homeless youth community and a first generation college student.

    Consulting

    Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina provides consulting, speaking engagements, trainings, workshops, and more. Learn more by clicking here:

    https://www.zaydasorrellmedina.com/consultation.html

    Support the Show

    Donate to the show contributing to its ongoing production:

    • https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
    • https://cash.app/$ZaydaSorrellMedina

    Episode Schedule

    A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year.

    Social Media

    • https://www.instagram.com/zaydasorrellmedina/
    • https://www.facebook.com/drzayda/





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    18 min
  • Episode 14 | Podcast Name Change
    Feb 22 2025

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    This podcast is an official announcement regarding the podcast's name change, from "The Voice" to "Foster Care, Adoption and Beyond: Untold Stories", also revealing in more detail what this podcast is about and what you can expect.

    Support the show

    About Me

    Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina is a professor, social scientist, educator, and author. She is also a member and advocate of the foster, adoption, and homeless youth community and a first generation college student.

    Consulting

    Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina provides consulting, speaking engagements, trainings, workshops, and more. Learn more by clicking here:

    https://www.zaydasorrellmedina.com/consultation.html

    Support the Show

    Donate to the show contributing to its ongoing production:

    • https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
    • https://cash.app/$ZaydaSorrellMedina

    Episode Schedule

    A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year.

    Social Media

    • https://www.instagram.com/zaydasorrellmedina/
    • https://www.facebook.com/drzayda/





    Voir plus Voir moins
    3 min