The Foster Friendly Podcast
By Courtney Williams, Brian Mavis, Travis Vangsnes
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Category: Parenting
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Episodes: 93
Description
Welcome to The Foster Friendly Podcast. We’re bringing foster care closer to home by sharing stories from the front lines. We're talking with former foster youth, foster parents and others who are finding unique and powerful ways to dramatically improve the experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care.
The Foster Friendly podcast is brought to you by America’s Kids Belong, a nonprofit that helps kids in foster care find belonging in both family and community.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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Keeping it Real: What Every Foster Parent Needs to Know with Dr. John DeGarmo and Jen Lilley
|
May 27, 2026 |
|
Foster Parenting Success: Pro Tips and Practical Advice with Laura, Foster Parent Partner
|
May 13, 2026 |
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Innovating Child Welfare Systems with Felicia Curcuru
|
Apr 29, 2026 |
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From Foster Care to Flourishing: An Actor, Author, and Advocate with Charell Star
|
Apr 15, 2026 |
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Creating Belonging: Inspiring Stories From Our I Belong Project
|
Apr 01, 2026 |
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Overcoming Fatherhood Wounds and Being Better Fathers and Father Figures with Patton Dodd
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Mar 18, 2026 |
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Love Isn’t Enough: The Honest Realities of Foster Parenting with Kayla Moffitt
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Mar 04, 2026 |
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Transforming Trauma Into Triumph: Practical Tips and Tools with Jeanette Yoffe
|
Feb 18, 2026 |
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How to Keep Going as a Foster Mom: Encouragement and Inspiration with Jamie Finn
|
Feb 04, 2026 |
|
"Foster Care Saved My Life": A Heartfelt Conversation with Tyler Hunter
|
Jan 21, 2026 |
|
A New Year of the Podcast and Some Great Listener Submitted Questions
|
Jan 07, 2026 |
|
A Soldier’s Big Heart: Jackson’s Gift to Foster Youth with Sarah Davis and Andrea Forringer
|
Dec 31, 2025 |
|
Replay: How to Best Navigate the Holidays as a Foster Family with Bethany Hall
|
Dec 24, 2025 |
|
Digital Safety for Foster Homes: Insights from Cybersecurity Experts
|
Dec 17, 2025 |
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The Alarming Connection Between Foster Care and Sex Trafficking with Hollie Strand
|
Dec 10, 2025 |
|
WinShape Homes: Leading the Way Through Collaboration in Foster Care with Callie Priest
|
Dec 03, 2025 |
|
Cross Cultural Adoption Insights and Their Native American Adoption Story with Greg and Sam Hollback
|
Nov 26, 2025 |
|
Navigating the Unique Challenges of Transracial Adoption with Isaac Etter
|
Nov 19, 2025 |
|
Gaining a Better Understanding of Grief and Loss in Adopted Children with Pam Bauer
|
Nov 12, 2025 |
|
Adopting From Foster Care: Common Myths and Helpful Tips and Insights
|
Nov 05, 2025 |
|
Go Upstream: A Call to Action in Response to the 10 Social Wounds Affecting Foster Care
|
Oct 31, 2025 |
|
Finding Family in Unexpected Places: The Inspiring Story of Foster Care Alum Liz Sutherland
|
Oct 29, 2025 |
|
Creating a More Supportive and Connected Foster Care Ecosystem with Jason Weber
|
Oct 22, 2025 |
|
Go Upstream: The Social Wounds Homelessness, Incarceration, Teen Pregnancy, and Generational Foster Care
|
Oct 16, 2025 |
|
From Foster Care to City Hall: The Story, Lessons, and Inspiring Vision of Mayor Jason Salamun
|
Oct 15, 2025 |
|
Building a Church With a Heart for Foster Care and Birth Families with Kelly and Tracie Ward
|
Oct 08, 2025 |
|
Go Upstream: The Social Wounds Sex Trafficking, Addiction, and Poverty in Foster Care
|
Oct 02, 2025 |
|
Foster Parenting and Electronics: Navigating the Challenges of Smartphones, Screens, and Social Media
|
Oct 01, 2025 |
|
From Foster Care to Bestselling Author: An Inspiring Conversation with Kate Angelo
|
Sep 24, 2025 |
|
Go Upstream: The Social Wounds Trauma, Physical Illness, and Suicide in Foster Care
|
Sep 18, 2025 |
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Practical Tips and Patient Perseverance in Dealing with Challenging Behaviors with Danny and Ashley Smith
|
Sep 17, 2025 |
|
Representing All Parties Involved in Foster Care with Ryan O'Donnell
|
Sep 10, 2025 |
|
Go Upstream: A Powerful Book About Foster Care and 10 Social Wounds
|
Sep 03, 2025 |
|
Transformed: From Foster Care to Miss Kentucky with Ariana Rodriguez
|
Aug 27, 2025 |
|
Fostering to Adoption to Advocacy: Building Stronger Communities with Greg and Valerie Buccola
|
Aug 20, 2025 |
|
Creating Safe Spaces of Belonging for Every Youth with Kim Botto
|
Aug 13, 2025 |
|
Fostering Front Door: An Exciting New Initiative From America's Kids Belong with Laura Mobley
|
Aug 06, 2025 |
|
Seeing Foster Care and Faith Converge on the Big Screen with Filmmaker Erin Dooley
|
Jul 30, 2025 |
|
Powerful Children’s Book Illuminates Truths About Foster Care with Jessica Mathisen
|
Jul 23, 2025 |
|
A Legacy of Support and Care: A Mayor Champions Foster Families with Tommy Allegood
|
Jul 16, 2025 |
|
One Year Anniversary of the Podcast: The Most Inspiring Moments and Stories
|
Jul 09, 2025 |
|
Introducing the Campus Housing Affordability for Foster Youth Act with Congressman Landsman
|
Jul 02, 2025 |
|
From Meth to Social Worker, a Powerful Reunification Story with Brenna Hunter
|
Jun 25, 2025 |
|
Home Sweet Home: Ashley and Ashton Share About Their Journey to Reunification
|
Jun 18, 2025 |
|
A Foster Mom and Birth Mom Share Their Moving Story with Ashley Darrow and Selena Whitley
|
Jun 11, 2025 |
|
Reunification: An Honest Conversation Around Foster Care’s Primary Goal
|
Jun 04, 2025 |
|
Helpful Tips and Advice When the Going Gets Tough for Foster Families with Bethany Hall
|
May 28, 2025 |
|
Overcoming Odds: From Street Child in Uganda to Foster and Forever Dad with Peter Mutabazi
|
May 21, 2025 |
|
Frontlines of Foster Care: A Conversation with Laura, Foster Parent Partner
|
May 14, 2025 |
|
Stories on Foster Care, Leadership, and Celebrating 10 Epic Years as an Organization
|
May 07, 2025 |
|
Exploring Non-Traditional Kinship Care and Embracing New Challenges with Chris and Kayla Habegger
|
Apr 30, 2025 |
|
A Lively Conversation on Congregate Care and Celebrating a Century of Caring for Kids with Scott Fuller
|
Apr 23, 2025 |
|
How to Bridge Holistic Sleep Principles and Trauma-Informed Care with Allison Ezell
|
Apr 16, 2025 |
|
Fostering Resilience: Humor and Play as Tools for Felt Safety with Brian, Travis, and Courtney
|
Apr 09, 2025 |
|
Mentoring and the Power of Changing Lives Through Love and Support with Kim Swilpa
|
Apr 02, 2025 |
|
4 Healthy Habits You Need to Incorporate as a Foster Parent with Nicole Barlow
|
Mar 26, 2025 |
|
How to Foster Faithfully through Generous Hospitality with Abby Crooks
|
Mar 19, 2025 |
|
What Foster Families Wish Caseworkers Knew and What Caseworkers Wish Foster Families Knew with Brian, Travis, and Courtney
|
Mar 12, 2025 |
|
His Faith Became the Catalyst to Overcome Dark Times in Foster Care with Michael Weitzman
|
Mar 05, 2025 |
|
Cultivating Connection: Building Stronger Relationships in the Kitchen with Chef Kibby
|
Feb 26, 2025 |
|
Teens Openly Share Their Experiences as Birth Children in a Foster Home with Eli and Ayla Williams
|
Feb 19, 2025 |
|
A Powerful Journey From Foster Care to Foster Parenting with Melissa Smallwood
|
Feb 12, 2025 |
|
The Staggering and Perpetual Problem of Too Many Foster Families Quitting with Brian, Travis, and Courtney
|
Feb 05, 2025 |
|
Helping Kids and Families Heal Through the Power of Connection with Jenni Lord
|
Jan 29, 2025 |
|
Helpful Insights on Birth Children in Foster and Adoptive Families with Daniela Coats
|
Jan 22, 2025 |
|
We Don't Age Out of Needing a Family: Teens in Foster Care with Tracee Rudd
|
Jan 15, 2025 |
|
A Lively Foster Care Conversation with Focus on the Family’s Dr. Sharen Ford
|
Jan 08, 2025 |
|
Foster Care 101: Things You Don’t Need to Do to Be Foster Parents with Brian, Travis, and Courtney
|
Jan 02, 2025 |
|
The Importance of Water Safety Lessons for Kids in Foster Care with Sarah Boyd
|
Dec 27, 2024 |
|
Caring for Yourselves Better as a Foster Family with Rebecca Harvin and Stacy Lasonde
|
Dec 18, 2024 |
|
Foster Mom Inspiring Her City to Better Support Families with Cayela Moody
|
Dec 11, 2024 |
|
A Field of Dreams for Foster Care with Savannah Bananas Co-Owner Emily Cole
|
Dec 04, 2024 |
|
How to Best Navigate the Holidays as a Foster Family with Bethany Hall
|
Nov 27, 2024 |
|
America’s Kids Belong’s Three Signature Solutions to Fixing Recruitment and Retention Issues with Nanette Kirsch and Phil Grizzle
|
Nov 20, 2024 |
|
Former Naval Officer Shares About His Experiences in Foster Care with Dairius Kawawehi
|
Nov 13, 2024 |
|
Adopting From Foster Care: A Need That Few Know Much About with Marcy Bursac
|
Nov 06, 2024 |
|
One Couple's Journey of Going From Zero to Four Kids Instantly with Adriana and Jamie Howard
|
Oct 30, 2024 |
|
The Rewarding and Challenging Journey of Fostering as a Single Dad with Nicholas Kelley
|
Oct 23, 2024 |
|
Foster Care 101: Addressing the Most Common Myths and Questions with Brian, Travis, and Courtney
|
Oct 16, 2024 |
|
How One Colorado Church Is Loving Its Neighbors in Foster Care with Buddy Sampson
|
Oct 09, 2024 |
|
It’s Never Too Late to Bring Your Gifts and Experiences to Foster Care with Larry and Tammie May
|
Oct 02, 2024 |
|
Caseworker Shares Valuable Insights on All Things Foster Care with Becca Bramley
|
Sep 25, 2024 |
|
What It’s Like Being a Teenager in Foster Care with Britt Kelley
|
Sep 18, 2024 |
|
Inspiring Lessons From Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot with Brian, Travis, and Courtney
|
Sep 11, 2024 |
|
Couple Shares Their Journey of Fostering Kids With Special Needs with the Housers
|
Sep 04, 2024 |
|
Leading Foster Care Expert Shares Powerful Stories and Insights with Dr. John DeGarmo
|
Aug 28, 2024 |
|
From Foster Care to PhD: Overcoming Education Hurdles with Dr. Danisha Keating
|
Aug 21, 2024 |
|
What’s Behind the Foster Care to Prison Pipeline? with Bernie Lattner
|
Aug 14, 2024 |
|
A Critical Need for Fostering and Adopting Siblings with Former Foster Youth Tina Bauer
|
Aug 07, 2024 |
|
Empty Nester Adopts Seven Siblings After Tragedy Struck with Pam Willis
|
Jul 31, 2024 |
|
Foster Friendly Communities Providing Huge Support to Foster Families with Nanette Kirsch
|
Jul 24, 2024 |
|
Advocating for Older Children in Foster Care with Barry Farmer
|
Jul 17, 2024 |
|
Welcome to The Foster Friendly Podcast
|
Jun 17, 2024 |