Fostering Voices Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 161: Real Talk - Self Care with Matthew Blades Jul 11, 2023

Show notes

Summary:

Matthew Blades is a familiar and friendly voice known to many in Arizona from the successful Matthew and Priscilla in the Morning show on Mix 96.9 FM. Matthew's own journey of battling physical and mental health challenges led him to step away from broadcasting and embark on a healing journey. Now, he sits in front of the podcast mic, hosting the insightful "Learn From Those Who Lived It" podcast, where he engages in conversations with individuals who have overcome unimaginable circumstances and found their path to healing.

Matthew's commitment to spreading joy continues with his new podcast, "I Needed That," co-hosted with Fitness Expert Chris Powell. Drawing from his personal experiences, Matthew shares valuable lessons in his workshops and speaking engagements, touching the lives of others. Today, we dive into an important topic: self-care. This discussion resonates with everyone, particularly those involved in the foster care world. Get ready to join us as we explore the significance of self-care and welcome Matthew Blades to the podcast. Prepare to be inspired and uplifted!

Resource Links:

Learn From People Who Lived It - Podcast

2021 Top 10 Self-Care Resources - PDF

Caregivers Guide to Wellbeing - PDF

Connect with us!

Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast

IG: @FosteringVoices

www.fosterarizona.org

Chapter Markers:

00:04 - On Today's Episode

00:34 - Welcome Matthew Blades!

02:25 - Matthew's Story

04:40 - Your Super Power

05:12 - 3 Ways to Screw up Your Kids

07:10 - I am a Human FIrst!

07:41 - Shame, Fear, and Guilt

11:06 - The Recordings in our Heads

12:33 - Moving Forward

13:49 - Spinning the Plates

15:52 - It's not Control; It's Fear

16:59 - Letting Go

18:44 - You're a Transitional Character

20:44 - Speaking it Out Loud

21:47 - Redefining Success

23:59 - Your Real Life - Personal Inventory

26:43 - The Value of Self

27:51 - Having a Self Care Strategy

30:03 - Kim's Weekend

31:31 - Being Selfish

33:36 - The Blame Game

35:00 - Giving Yourself Permission

38:02 - The Takeaway

40:04 - Resources - Closing Thoughts

43:16 - You are not Broken

44:05 - Wrap Up

45:00 - Thank You!

Episode 160: Real Talk - Parents of Foster Care Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

Summary:

At just 25 years old, Lindsey found herself pregnant and the parent of two children in the custody of the Department of Child Safety. She endured a heartbreaking struggle with homelessness, residing in motels and even living on the streets, surrounded by others in similar desperate circumstances. Desperate for change, Lindsey discovered a lifeline—a housing program for pregnant women with substance use disorders. This pivotal moment led her to the Family Involvement Center, igniting her path to healing and the reunion of her fractured family.

Now, Lindsey is an active force in her city, advocating for change through various organizations such as the Parent Advisory Board, the Prevention Advisory Collaborative, and the Family Navigation Action Team. Her passion for improving child welfare has brought her before community audiences, the governor's office, and dependency judges. Lindsey's dedication to serving her community is truly inspiring.

Join us as we delve into Lindsey's extraordinary journey, her triumphs, and her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact and becoming a beacon of hope and change in foster care.

Resource Links:

Family Involvement Center

Birth-Foster Family Connections • Bright Spots

RiseIssue_35_Parent-Advocacy.pdf

Connect with us!

Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast

IG: @FosteringVoices

www.fosterarizona.org

Chapters:

00:01 - Open

00:34 - Welcome Lindsey Shine

02:09 - Lindsey's Story

03:47 - Going to the Wrong Attorney

04:21 - Leaving with Nothing

06:21 - Getting Help

07:05 - 5 Months and 3 Years

08:00 - Keeping Hope Alive

09:11 - Homelessness

10:27 - A Fork in the Road

12:19 - One More Shot

14:06 - Severance Trial

15:51 - Transition from Visitation

16:54 - A Traumatic Space

17:54 - A Glorified Babysitter?

19:11 - Being Friends with the Fosters

19:53 - A Broken System Challenge

22:13 - Choosing a Solution

23:38 - Choosing Responsibility

25:07 - Advocating in a Meaningful Way

27:18 - Normalizing Relational Support

28:28 - Deficiencies are Opportunities

30:45 - The Takeaway

32:30 - Being the Change

32:54 - Resources

34:25 - Wrap Up

34:56 - Thank You!

Episode 159: The Way Home - How Kids Return to Their Families with Judge Colleen McNally Jun 13, 2023

Show notes

Summary:

In honor of national reunification month, in this episode we have a conversation with Judge Colleen McNally about what reunification means for kids and their families. Before retiring, Judge McNally served the people of Arizona for over 16 years in the Maricopa County Superior Court of Arizona. Since retiring, she has devoted her time and efforts to supporting families that have experienced the foster care system and continues to advocate for better systems in Arizona.

Resource Links:

How did Cradle to Crayons adapt the Safe Babies Court Team™ approach in Maricopa County, Arizona?

On the Road to Reunification: Experiencing Foster Care with My Sister by My Side By D'Artagnan Caliman

American Bar Association - Celebrating Reunification Month

Foster Cooperative

Prevent Child Abuse Arizona

Foster Arizona

PO Box 20787

Mesa, AZ 85277

Connect with us!

Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast IG: @FosteringVoices

www.fosterarizona.org

Chapters:

0:00 - Open

0:33 - Intro

1:32 - Who is Judge McNally?

3:39 - We all have Trauma

5:36 - The Courtroom Experience

7:00 - How can the System be Supportive?

8:44 - It's the Simple Things

10:32 - A Drink of Water

10:50 - The Challenge of Severance

12:42 - The Reality of Reunification

14:04 - And Now What?

16:00 - What is your Wish for Change?

18:43 - Reunification Day

20:53 - Kid Initiatives

22:06 - How can the Community Support?

22:35 - ACE Questionnaires

23:55 - Love for a Child vs. Love for an Adult

25:55 - Fear

27:54 - Send an Encouraging Note

29:26 - Reflections on the First Reunification Day

30:59 - Ways for the Community to Connect

33:17 - The Takeaway

34:34 - Get Involved

35:23 - Resources

37:21 - Thank You

Episode 158: Recovery - Why Does it Work? May 23, 2023

Show notes

Summary:

What comes to mind when you think about Recovery and Recovery spaces? Often the images that come to mind are uncomfortable and we think of these spaces as the last place we would ever want to be, but what if we told you that Recovery…Is For Everybody!

Join us in a conversation as we talk to Jillian about her journey into recovery and why the room of recovery can be the most freeing, accepting. and healing space around.

Resource Links:

Chapter Markers:

00:01 - On Today's Episode

00:34 - Introduction

01:20 - Jillian's Story

05:19 - Enter Celebrate Recovery

05:47 - It Stuck

07:34 - A Journey of Recovery

11:22 - Being a Leader in Recovery

14:05 - What are the Misconceptions?

16:45 - Recovery is for Everyone

18:48 - More than Just a Meeting

19:16 - The First Steps

20:34 - The Fellowship of Recovery

23:08 - It's Also About Your Loved Ones

24:08 - The Hardest Part

25:20 - It's an Ongoing Process

25:54 - What's Brought you the Most Joy?

26:57 - Who is Welcome?

28:21 - The Takeaway

28:54 - Resources

30:13 - Call to Action

32:15 - Wrap Up

32:39 - Outro

Connect with us!

Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast IG: @FosteringVoices

www.fosterarizona.org

Episode 157: Real Talk: Substances (Mark's Story) May 09, 2023

Show notes

Summary:

Today there are so many people, humans like you and me, struggling because of varying hurts, habits or hang-ups, and they may be at the end of their rope. Today we have a conversation with Mark as he shares his story on substances and addiction and how connection helped him get to his space of recovery. Trigger Warning: Today's episode deals with topics including addiction and suicide ideation. We encourage you to be aware of yourself while listening to this episode and please take time to pause if needed and reach out for support if any of today's topic affects you.

Chapters:

0:00 - Start

0:48 - Introduction

1:03 - Today's Topic

1:07 - Introduce Today's Guest Mark Gill

1:42 - Set Up Today's Topic

1:58 - Mark's Testimony

5:53 - The Denial

6:37 - Peer Pressure

8:18 - The Next Level

8:38 - The Big Moment

10:56 - The Wake Up

11:50 - The Aftermath

12:31 - Becoming Something Else

14:15 - The Next Phase

15:31 - Coming Home

16:27 - One More Option

21:01 - Three Questions

24:08 - An Impactful Story

25:33 - What Breaks Your Heart?

28:45 - Understanding the Story

30:31 - Being a Better Community

33:49 - Advice for Parents

36:07 - It's Too Easy

37:22 - The Takeaway

41:32 - Closing

44:01 - Outro

Links:

https://drugabusestatistics.org/teen-drug-use/

https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/bulletins_youthsud.pdf

https://www.celebraterecovery.com/

https://alcoholicsanonymous.com/

https://na.org/

Connect with us!

Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast IG: @FosteringVoices

www.fosterarizona.org

Episode 156: Fighting the Fear of Stigma in Foster Care and Adoption Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

Summary:

What happens when you choose to put your comfort space aside and open up your heart and home to a child in foster care? Spoiler alert, it can be humbling, messy, and chaotic at times, but it can also be the most rewarding experience that will change your life and the life of another, forever.

Join us as we have a conversation with Stacy Bradley on Fighting the Fear of Stigma in Foster Care and Adoption. Stacy is an adoptive mom and former foster parent who has gone on the journey, advocated hard for her kiddos, and is a pretty cool person to boot!

Chapters:

0:02 - Introduction

0:31 - Welcome

0:45 - Introduce Stacy Bradley

1:22 - Get to Know Stacy Bradley

3:08 - Learning Experiences

4:40 - Sharing the Journey

5:25 - Learning to Compromise

7:01 - Fear Associated with Stigmas

8:57 - Getting the Wrong Impression

11:28 - The Response to the Wrong Impression

13:09 - What are the Different Stigmas?

14:48 - There's Something Wrong with these Kids

16:59 - Birth Families are Scary

19:48 - These Kids are Lucky

20:38 - The Emotional Journey

22:37 - These Kids are Orphans

23:42 - It's a Learning Experience Every Day

24:35 - When the Answer is Found on Pinterest

25:30 - It's a True Partnership

26:42 - Getting Fired by a 5-year Old

28:56 - Stepping Through the Fear

31:52 - It's not About Being Brave

33:04 - Be Willing to do Something

36:27 - A Smile Goes a Long Way

36:59 - Episode Takeaway

37:35 - The Hope

38:08 - Resources

38:22 - Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey

38:39 - SAGE Journal

39:41 - Poverty by America by Matthew Dezmond

41:12 - Outro

Links:

What Happened to You : Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing

Hardcover – April 27, 2021

by Oprah Winfrey (Author), Bruce D. Perry (Author)

https://a.co/d/hke5wqN

Keeping secrets: how children in foster care manage stigma

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0308575918823436

Poverty, by America

Hardcover – March 21, 2023

by Matthew Desmond (Author)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593239911?aaxitk=73e15f98719317c85bc0256cb8f76c56&pd_rd_plhdr=t&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&ref=dacx_dp_577378484348386487_580878620785794769

Connect with us!

Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast IG: @FosteringVoices

www.fosterarizona.org

Episode 155: Real Talk, Connecting When Connection is Hard Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

Summary:

Truth…Parenting is hard, but those little moments of sweetness can make the tough days bearable. But what happens when those moments feel few and far between?

Often in our foster care and adoption journeys the struggle to connect with our children can be an all too frequent reality. Join us as we welcome Chris and Caitlin and have a real conversation about connecting when connection is hard. It's a tough conversation to have, but one that many of us need to face.

Chapters:

0:00 – Intro

1:15 – A Beginning in the World of Foster Care

4:12 – The First Experience with a Placement

8:35 – The Beginning of the Real Journey

9:35 – The Mixed Emotions of Adoption Day

10:40 – An Amazing Creative Beginning

11:25 – Day One of 'Now I'm Mom' to this Amazing Person

17:17 – Managing School Life and Home Life

21:04 – Connecting With Teachers and Making Them Part of the Team

23:09 – Setting Expectation as a Parent

34:58 – Let's Have a Little Fun With This!

35:56 – Understanding in the Community

36:25 – Tactics That Work

41:18 – Continuing the Conversation with Resources

43:10 – Connect With Us!

Links:

The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family:

What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing

Foster Cooperative

Connect With Us!

www.fosterarizona.org

Episode 154: A Look Into Aging Out of Foster Care Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

Summary:

Life can be tough sometimes, but for a young adult aging out of foster care the transition can be life altering and either set them up for success or leave them without a connection or direction. Join us as we have a conversation with Zack, a young adult with lived experience, and how connection and having a community changed his trajectory in life.

Chapters:

0:00 – Intro

0:26 – Welcome, Zack!

1:10 – What Brought Zack To Foster Arizona

3:43 – Becoming An Adult In Foster Care

5:38 – Embracing A New Situation

9:52 – Having Pride And Satisfaction In Accomplishments

11:16 – Showing The Way To Those Struggling Through

18:18 – Excitement Moving Forward

29:55 – One Takeaway

27:06 – Connect With Us!

Links:

Aging Out Institute

Foster Arizona Housing Project

ChildWelfare.gov

https://fosterarizona.org/get-involved/

Connect With Us!

www.fosterarizona.org

Episode 153: Finding Connection, Finding Your People Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

Summary: Community is what gets us through life. In today's conversation we talk with Anika Robinson about finding your people and the importance of community and connection in our everyday lives.

Chapters:

0:00 – Intro

0:26 – Welcome Anika!

1:44 – Advocacy for Children

3:10 – Establishing Connections

8:38 – ASA Now

14:04 – Finding Hope in Dark Times

20:39 – The Powerful Impacts of Community

27:50 – The Need For Community

29:55 – One Takeaway

33:27 – Community Connections

37:02 – Connect With Us!