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 days ago
4 days ago
"Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. -Psalm 37:3-4
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 foster and adoptive mom, Madison Tyler. Madison a pediatric dietitian has worked for the world’s leading pediatric cancer research hospital where she supported patients and families optimizing nutrition during cancer treatment. Madison started her journey as a foster parent in 2017. That’s when she started to recognize many children entering care experienced challenges which affected their relationship with food, sometimes in small ways and other times in big ways. In 2024 Madison stepped away from her full-time job in order to spend more time with her family and help foster and adoptive families through Nourish with Connection. She has a deep passion for helping families navigate feeding-related challenges, build trust, and foster connection around the table.
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
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on amazon.com
Monday Apr 14, 2025
Monday Apr 14, 2025
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” -Psalm 147:3
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 Angela Proctor, PhD. Angie currently serves as the Director of Trauma Competency & Implementation at Boys & Girls Country of Houston in Hockley, TX. She has spent over 25 years teaching, training, coaching, and counseling families & professionals through her skills as a developmental psychologist, chemical dependency clinician, TBRI Mentor, and Research analyst. Dr. Proctor is also the founder of Trust-Based Counseling & Consulting LLC, and recently published her 1st book, “When Self-Care is a Dirty Word: Understanding & Taming the Stress Response of a Caregiver”. She is passionate about working with individuals who find themselves struggling in the midst of the stress & overwhelm of trauma & adversity. Angie’s desire is to serve anyone who has experienced deep trauma, attachment, and developmental issues. This includes not only parents & children, but educators, social workers, therapists, health care professionals, law enforcement, and anyone who must navigate challenges through relationships in their career. Dr. Proctor has dedicated her life & career bringing her expertise & knowledge to small audiences, as well as organizational consulting & professional conferences around the world.
Find Sandra’s conversation with Dr. Angela Proctor and more 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:
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on amazon.com
Trust Based Counseling Services
When Self-Care is a Dirty Word, by Angela Proctor on Amazon
Monday Apr 07, 2025
Monday Apr 07, 2025
"But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; Day and night they think about (meditate on) his law (His Word). They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper." -Psalm 1:2-3
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 her third and final message from Psalm 1:1-3. This week she focuses on extending our roots deep into the Living Water so we can bear fruit of the Spirit.
This message will encourage you as you navigate parenting kids from hard places.
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
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on amazon.com
Monday Mar 31, 2025
Monday Mar 31, 2025
"But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; Day and night they think about (meditate on) his law (His Word). They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper." -Psalm 1:2-3
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 the second of a three-part message from Psalm 1:1-3. This week’s focus is on surviving stormy seasons by extending our roots deep into the Living Water.
This message will encourage you, especially if you’re navigating a stormy season on your parenting journey.
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
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on amazon.com
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
"Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; Day and night they think about (meditate on) his law (His Word). They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper." -Psalm 1:13
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 the first of a three-part message from Psalm 1:1-3. This week’s focus is on coming to the River Bank so our roots can extend deep into the Living Water.
If you’re feeling parched and withered, this message will encourage you on your parenting journey.
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
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on amazon.com
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Monday Mar 17, 2025
“I will give you the treasures of darkness, and riches from secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord. I am the God of Israel who calls you by name.” -Isaiah 45:3
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, Jessica Johnson. Jessica is a coach who helps adoptive moms gain more parenting confidence, build deeper connections with their children and breakthrough behavioral challenges so they can experience more joy in life.
Jessica adopted a sibling group of 3 girls from Ethiopia in 2012. Her personal parenting experiences have given her a deeper understanding of the toll that stress can take on the body, as well as insight into how a parent’s own upbringing shapes their attachment bond with their child. Jessica founded Root and Revive Wellness with a vision of equipping and providing holistic support for adoptive moms.
Listen to Sandra’s conversation with Jessica Johnson as they discuss attachment styles, building connection with our kids, and holistic support for moms.
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
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on amazon.com
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Monday Mar 10, 2025
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” -Romans 12:12
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, Mary Byrnes. Mary is the Co-Founder & Exec. Dir. of Harrison’s Hope, a transformative non-profit org dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Her journey into the realm of FASD began with the adoption of her son at birth, a pivotal event that sparked her deep commitment to understanding & advocating for those living with this Brain Based Disability.
Listen to Sandra’s conversation with Mary Byrnes as they discuss adoption, FASD, and Harrison’s Hope.
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
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on amazon.com
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Monday Mar 03, 2025
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” -Proverbs 31:8-9
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 David Deere of the FASD United Affiliate Network Executive Council. David retired from the University of Arkansas, where he was the Director of Partners for Inclusive Communities, a research and training center for developmental disabilities. While in that position, he became aware that fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is one of the most common groups of disabilities, yet largely overlooked. David worked on projects funded by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. One of those projects led to the establishment of Arkansas None for Nine, an Affiliate of FASD United. After his retirement, David founded the FASD special interest group at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. He also co-founded the Specialty Diagnostic Resource Center, the 1st clinic in Arkansas focused on diagnosing FASDs and supporting individuals with the condition, as well as their families.
Listen in as Sandra and David discuss getting an FASD diagnosis and the importance of FASD diagnosis clinics.
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
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on amazon.com
Monday Feb 24, 2025
Monday Feb 24, 2025
“For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” -Colossians 1:17
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 Meredith Shuman. Meredith is the founder of James Trail, an organization supporting the unique needs of families and organizations impacted by trauma. Meredith has over 28 years of experience serving as a therapist, trauma-informed trainer, and as a mom. She holds a MSW from the University of Texas at Arlington, and is a TBRI Practitioner. Meredith and her husband Dan, a global health physician, have been married over 30 years and have 5 children—4 of whom are adopted. Meredith loves a passport with lots of stamps, a water bottle with lots of stickers, a table with lots of people, and a mountain with lots of trail.
Listen in as Meredith shares her family’s adoption journey and how she now walks the trail with other families by providing trauma-informed consulting, training and resources.
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
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on amazon.com
Monday Feb 17, 2025
Monday Feb 17, 2025
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declare 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.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach talks with kids’ & student pastor, author & speaker—Kim Botto about her new book, Boundless Hope for Every Child—Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely.
Kim is a mom of 5 kids—2 adopted from Ukraine. Through her speaking, writing and coaching, Kim works with parents, church leaders and organizations to equip volunteer & staff teams, strengthen families and support parents.
Tune in to Sandra’s conversation with Kim Botto on Episode 467.
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
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father on amazon.com