Host Sandra Flach is a mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption—one kinship and 4 international. Her youngest 2 are teens diagnosed with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). With over 30 years of parenting experience and 20 plus years as an adoptive and kinship parent, she’s made mountains of mistakes and learned loads of lessons. She understands the difficult road of parenting children with trauma histories—and she is still in the trenches! The Adoption & Foster Care Journey is a podcast to encourage, educate, and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care, and kinship care. We aim to support adoptive and foster families by sharing encouraging real-life stories and equipping them with modern-day research and parenting techniques.
Episodes
4 hours ago
4 hours ago
“And after Jesus had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone…” -Matthew 14:23
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach shares a message about Soul Care. Foster and adoptive parents can feel overwhelmed, and not just by their children. Trauma and big behaviors along with school problems, countless appointments, court dates, reunification, stressed relationships, grief and loss. Factor in aging parents, adult biological kids, grandchildren, marriage, and household responsibilities and our cup quickly drains.
The Lord beckons us to come to Him for Soul Care. He invites us to green pastures and still waters so He can restore our soul. We need a fresh filling of Living Water every day. Stale bread and empty cups won’t sustain us on the adoption and foster care journey.
Listen in as Sandra shares 6 Keys to Soul Care for Foster and Adoptive Parents on Episode 525 wherever you get your podcasts.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
The Adoption & Foster Care Journey
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
Monday Mar 23, 2026
Monday Mar 23, 2026
“But now, O LORD, you are our Father;
We are the clay, and you are our potter;
We are all the work of your hand.”
-Isaiah 64:8
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with Krista LaRock. Kristen and her husband have been married for 30 years and have adopted 14 children including sibling groups. Eight of their children live with FASD—Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. This led to Kristen to raise dogs to support her children and other individuals. Two years ago she founded FASDogs—a service dog organization to support individuals with developmental disabilities including FASD.
Listen in as Krista shares about her family’s adoption journey and how they navigate the challenges of FASD on Episode 524 wherever you get your podcasts.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
The Adoption & Foster Care Journey
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
Monday Mar 16, 2026
Monday Mar 16, 2026
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’” -Matthew 26:26
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with Abby Mortenson. Abby is an adoptive and foster mom, a social worker and integrative somatic trauma therapist-in-training who supports women and mothers through embodied, trauma-informed, and community-centered healing spaces. Rooted in faith and lived experience, her work focuses on nervous system care, grief and joy integration, and fostering meaningful connection—especially for foster and adoptive mothers
Listen as Abby shares about her foster and adoption journey filled with loss, grief and hope on Episode 523 wherever you get your podcasts.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
The Adoption & Foster Care Journey
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
Monday Mar 09, 2026
Monday Mar 09, 2026
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” -Psalm 86:11
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with adoptive mom, Joanna Teigen. Joanna and her husband Rob are bestselling authors, podcast hosts, adoptive parents, and creators of Growing Home Together, a ministry devoted to caring for the soul of your family. They have been married for over 30 years and have two sons, three daughters, and four grandchildren. Rob and Joanna make their home in West Michigan.
Listen as Joanna shares her family’s foster care and adoption journey and encourages parents to pray for their children. Find Sandra’s conversation with Joanna on Episode 522 wherever you get your podcasts.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media!
Links mentioned in this episode:
The Adoption & Foster Care Journey
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
Monday Mar 02, 2026
Monday Mar 02, 2026
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” -Proverbs 17:22
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with Dr. Jerrod Brown about Lego-based interventions and therapy for neurodivergent individuals, including those with FASD, autism, and ADHD. Dr. Brown explains the benefits of using Lego bricks as a therapeutic tool, highlighting their ability to improve cognitive abilities, reduce screen time, and foster social skills. He shares practical tips for implementing Lego-based activities and emphasized the importance of celebrating successes and teaching patience.
Listen to Sandra’s conversation with Dr. Brown on Episode 521 wherever you get your podcasts.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
The Adoption & Foster Care Journey
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
Monday Feb 23, 2026
Monday Feb 23, 2026
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” -Isaiah 43:19
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with adoptive mom, Kristin Hall. Kristin graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Communications and a Master’s degree in Public Administration, focusing on nonprofit administration. After school, she got married and started her career as a Program Facilitator for SERVE, an emergency assistance agency, and later worked at the corporate offices of Prison Fellowship Ministries in a similar role.
Kristin stepped away from the workforce in 2003 after adopting her first two children, dedicating herself to family life while also taking on leadership roles in her church. She is also a member of the Hope for the FASD Journey online support community.
Listen to Sandra’s encouraging conversation with Kristin Hall on Episode 520 wherever you get your podcasts.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
The Adoption & Foster Care Journey
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
Monday Feb 16, 2026
Monday Feb 16, 2026
“Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicia.” -Revelation 1:11
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with Alice H. Murray—a retired adoption attorney, who pursues her passion for writing with a weekly blog and faith column, articles, and online and print devotions. Her writing also appears in numerous compilations publications such as Guideposts and Chicken Soup For the Soul.
Alice recently released her second book, God Adopted Us First: Faith Lessons From An Adoption Attorneys Adventures.
Listen to Sandra’s encouraging conversation with Alice Murray on Episode 519 wherever you get your podcasts.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
The Adoption & Foster Care Journey
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
Monday Feb 09, 2026
Monday Feb 09, 2026
“I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” -Isaiah 46:4B
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach, shares a message about surrendering our burdens to the Lord. As parents and caregivers, we are not actually in control. As our kids get older, we’re not even in charge. But when we’re in Christ, our Good Shepherd carries us and our burdens—including our kids.
Listen to Sandra’s encouraging message on Episode 518 wherever you get your podcasts.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
The Adoption & Foster Care Journey
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
Monday Feb 02, 2026
Monday Feb 02, 2026
“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” -Matthew 17:20
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with Derek Warren. Derek is a husband, father, and professional chef with over 20 years of experience in the kitchen. Alongside his wife, he and their family have walked the adoption and foster care journey, including parenting their son Xander, who has been impacted by FASD.
Out of both his professional background and lived family experience, Derek co-created Red Shoe Chefs, a father-son cooking project focused on practical kitchen skills, nutrition, and connection—especially for families navigating real-world challenges. Derek is passionate about using food, humor, and presence as tools for growth, healing, and relationship.
Listen to Sandra’s conversation with Derek Warren on Episode 517 wherever you get your podcasts.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
The Adoption & Foster Care Journey
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
Monday Jan 26, 2026
Monday Jan 26, 2026
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness.”
-Lamentations 3:21-23
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach, brings you the 4th and final episode in her 4-part series on Nutrition with Dr. Jerrod Brown. Today Dr. Brown unpacks the vital role nutrition plays in the brain and body of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
To view Dr. Brown’s slides for this episode, check out the Justice For Orphans’ YouTube channel HERE.
Listen to Sandra’s conversation with Dr. Brown on Episode 516 wherever you get your podcasts.
Register for your chance to win a free signed copy of Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster & Adoptive Moms HERE.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
The Adoption & Foster Care Journey
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon