The Foster Friendly Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

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The Foster Friendly Podcast

Courtney Williams, Brian Mavis, Travis Vangsnes

Kids & Family

Business

Frequency: 1 episode/7d. Total Eps: 50

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.

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🇩🇪 Germany - parenting
24/06/2025
#61

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https://americaskidsbelong.org/meet-the-kids/
16 shares
https://americaskidsbelong.givingfuel.com/americaskidsbelong?_gl=1
16 shares
https://americaskidsbelong.org/
14 shares

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RSS feed quality

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Score global : 58%

Publication history

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Home Sweet Home: Ashley and Ashton Share About Their Journey to Reunification

Episode 50

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 • Duration 52:48

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.

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A Foster Mom and Birth Mom Share Their Moving Story with Ashley Darrow and Selena Whitley

Episode 49

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 • Duration 58:15

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.

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Fostering Resilience: Humor and Play as Tools for Felt Safety with Brian, Travis, and Courtney

Episode 40

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 • Duration 41:31

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.

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Mentoring and the Power of Changing Lives Through Love and Support with Kim Swilpa

Episode 39

Wednesday, April 2, 2025 • Duration 27:27

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.

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4 Healthy Habits You Need to Incorporate as a Foster Parent with Nicole Barlow

Episode 38

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 • Duration 30:00

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.

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How to Foster Faithfully through Generous Hospitality with Abby Crooks

Episode 37

Wednesday, March 19, 2025 • Duration 44:53

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.

What Foster Families Wish Caseworkers Knew and What Caseworkers Wish Foster Families Knew with Brian, Travis, and Courtney

Episode 36

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 • Duration 35:52

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.

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His Faith Became the Catalyst to Overcome Dark Times in Foster Care with Michael Weitzman

Episode 35

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 • Duration 51:34

In this conversation, Michael Weitzman shares his profound journey from growing up in the foster care system to becoming an advocate for vulnerable children. Michael's faith in God became his lifeline as he faced some really difficult times in foster care. 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.

He also shares more on 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.

You can reach Michael at: maweitzman@icloud.com

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Cultivating Connection: Building Stronger Relationships in the Kitchen with Chef Kibby

Episode 34

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 • Duration 42:25

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.

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Teens Openly Share Their Experiences as Birth Children in a Foster Home with Eli and Ayla Williams

Episode 33

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 • Duration 45:11

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Courtney Williams engages in a heartfelt conversation with her children Eli and Ayla about their experiences growing up in a large foster family. They discuss the emotional complexities of fostering, the dynamics of their family, and the lessons learned through their journey. The conversation highlights the importance of compassion, patience, and the challenges faced when welcoming new foster children into their home.

Eli and Ayla share their insights on the impact of fostering on their lives and the significance of family support in navigating difficult situations. In this conversation, Eli and Ayla share their experiences growing up in a foster and adoptive family, discussing the challenges and rewards of navigating sibling dynamics, the importance of community support, and their aspirations for the future. They emphasize the need for love, accountability, and family connections for children in foster care, while also providing encouragement for potential foster parents.

Checkout Courtney's Kindle book:
Navigating Foster Care with Your Children: A Support Guide to Help You and Your Family Through the Journey

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The Foster Friendly Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

The Foster Friendly Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other45

Youtube10

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other45

Youtube10

Amazon6