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
3 days ago
3 days ago
“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11
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.
This week host Sandra Flach talks with adoptive mom Jodi Jackson Tucker and birth/adoptive mom Lisa Qualls. Jodi and Lisa, along with adult adoptee Betsy Kylstra, have co-authored the book new book Healing for Every Heart in Adoption—Redemptive Prayers and Strategies for Adoptive Parents, Adoptees, and Birth Parents.
Jodi Jackson Tucker leads Second Mothers, a community for foster and adoptive moms. She’s also the author of Second Mother—A Bible Study Experience for Foster and Adoptive Moms.
Lisa Qualls is a birth mom, former foster youth, foster mom and adoptive mom. She is the coauthor of The Connected Parent: Real-Life Strategies for Building Trust and Attachment and coauthor of Reclaim Compassion: The Adoptive Parent’s Guide to Overcoming Blocked Care with Neuroscience and Faith.
Listen in today as these moms share their stories and discuss their new book for foster and adoptive parents.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
"The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy." -Psalm 28:7
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.
This week we welcome back returning guest, Dr. Jerrod Brown. Dr. Brown is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. He has provided consultation services to caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), youth fire-setting, trauma and other life adversities.
Jerrod has completed 4 separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Neuropsychology, ASD, Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and TBI. In 2021, Dr. Brown completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters and is regularly featured on several national and international podcasts.
Listen in today as Sandra Flach and Dr. Brown discuss FASD and Addictive Behaviors.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Monday Nov 04, 2024
Monday Nov 04, 2024
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” -Jeremiah 1:5
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.
As we kick off National Adoption Awareness Month, host Sandra Flach talks with adult adoptee, Jacob Sturges. Jacob recently graduated from North Central University in Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Humanitarian Leadership and holds his ministerial credentials with the International Ministerial Fellowship. He has spoken in churches, schools, and conferences about his family’s journey of international adoption, as well as how to love, care, and serve orphaned and vulnerable children.
Listen in as Jacob shares his adoption story and how he traveled this past summer to his birthplace and homeland, South Korea where he met his birth mom.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Monday Oct 28, 2024
Monday Oct 28, 2024
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” -Psalm 46:1
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 discusses the primary, secondary and tertiary symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. She also unpacks how she provides accommodations for her nineteen year-old son with FASD.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Monday Oct 21, 2024
Monday Oct 21, 2024
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." -Ephesians 5:8
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 adoptive mom and founder of Soul Filling LLC, Francine Apy. As a mother, blessed three times through adoption, an aunt to five adopted nieces and nephews, and an advocate, Francine harnesses the power of resilience and the science behind positive psychology to support and elevate the adoption community. Whether through her writing, coaching, speaking engagements, educational courses, podcast engagements, or her line of adoption-themed gifts and apparel, Francine's commitment to fostering understanding and openness around adoption is unwavering.
Listen to Sandra and Francine’s conversation about adoption on Episode 450.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Monday Oct 14, 2024
Monday Oct 14, 2024
"Wherever you go, I will go." -Ruth 1:16
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with Ryan North. Ryan is the co-founder of One Big Happy Home and creator of the Empowered Parent Podcast—a popular resource for practical strategies on raising children with trauma & attachment issues. He is a recognized expert on childhood trauma, is a TBRI Practitioner, and develops training materials for parents, schools, churches, and child-placing agencies. Ryan is a sought-after speaker and is known for his engaging and practical approach.
Listen in as Ryan shares about trauma training for parents and churches as well as his new book, Wherever You Go: A 28-Day Devotional for Adoptive & Foster Parents.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Monday Oct 07, 2024
Monday Oct 07, 2024
"When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, It was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by 4 men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, They removed the roof from above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” -Mark 2:1-5
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with Jayne Schooler. Jayne is recognized nationally and internationally as an expert in adoption, foster care, and trauma-informed care. She has been a child-welfare trainer for more than 35 years and is the author or co-author of 8 books.
Listening as Jayne shares about her new book, Caring for Kids From Hard Places—How to Help Children & Teens with a Traumatic Past. Published by Focus on the Family, the book is an excellent resources for not just parents but churches, schools, or anyone working with children.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Monday Sep 30, 2024
Monday Sep 30, 2024
"He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" -Micah 6:8
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this final FASD Awareness Month episode host Sandra Flach speaks with Debbie Raymond & her son Wyatt York. They are a passionate mom & son team of FASD advocates living in southeastern Washington state. Debbie is a single mom of 2 adopted children—Lydia (27), and is neurotypical, and Wyatt (23) who is on the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum. Wyatt graduated high school in 2020 and is a volunteer dog handler/trainer and a part-time greeter/clerk at a local market. Wyatt enjoys photography and hip-hop dancing.
Deb is a freelance writer and a moderator in Jeff Noble’s FASD Success Group. She also facilitates online FASD support groups for young adults with FASD—as well as co-leading Hope for the FASD Journey community with Sandra Flach.
Listen in as they discuss advocating for and accommodating individuals with FASD.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Monday Sep 23, 2024
Monday Sep 23, 2024
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." -James 1:2-5
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this FASD Awareness Month episode, host Sandra Flach speaks with Barrett Brackett. Barrett is an adoptive mom of three brilliant kiddos with neurobehavioral conditions, including FASD. She lives out her passion and calling–forged by experience–by offering care to those who have experienced trauma in a variety of contexts. She holds a Competence and Character Growth Model Certificate from the Townsend Institute at Concordia University, a Formation Certificate from the CCEF School of Biblical Counseling, and a Narrative Focused Trauma Care Certificate from The Allender Center at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. When she’s not devouring a book or geeking out on neuroscience, Barrett enjoys leading worship with her husband and welcoming their community into their home
Listen in as they discuss parenting kids with FASD.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Hope For the FASD Journey Support Group
Monday Sep 16, 2024
Monday Sep 16, 2024
"Are not 5 sparrows sold for 2 pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." -Luke 12:6-7
Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.
On this FASD Awareness Month episode host Sandra Flach speaks with Dr. Jacqueline Pei, Ph.D. Dr. Pei is Professor and Director of Training for the School and Clinical Child Psychology Program at the University of Alberta College of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics Member, Women and Children’s Health Research Institute
Intervention Research Lead, for the Canada FASD Research Network.
Listen in as they discuss the challenges in diagnosing FASD.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Email: jpei@ualberta.ca