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
Monday May 15, 2023
Monday May 15, 2023
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you. But to do justly, to love mercy, 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 episode, host Sandra Flach, speaks with Miriam Cobb, founder of the Empty Frames Initiative. Empty Frames seeks to empower orphaned and vulnerable youth as they transition out of foster care by providing training in life skills, counseling, community, and access to the Gospel.
Listen in as Miriam shares about how youth in foster care are vulnerable to being trafficked and the important role good foster families play in providing a hope and future for kids in care.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday May 08, 2023
Monday May 08, 2023
“And thee God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10
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 speaks with former foster youth, now foster and adoptive mom, Angela Paganelli. Angela is founder of Foster Blessings—a church based ministry serving foster and kinship families in Dutchess County, NY. She’s also the author of the newly released book of the same name, Foster Blessings.
Listen in as Angela shares her story along with her passion to serve the foster care community through Foster Blessings, her Fostering Conversations support group, and Fostering Our Faith podcast.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
@Foster Blessings on FB
Foster Blessings website
Monday May 01, 2023
Monday May 01, 2023
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
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 episode, host Sandra Flach speaks with author, speaker and foster parent, Kaitlyn Fiedler. Kaitlyn knows what it’s like to suddenly lose her parents and siblings, become orphaned, and have her life traumatically change in the blink of any eye—and how to experience healing along the way.
Listen in as Sandra and Kaitlyn discuss her memoir Finding Renewed Life in Christ After Loss and how she discovered hope and healing.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed." Proverbs 15:22
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 shares travel tips for families traveling with children with trauma, FASD or other neurobehavioral condition.
Listen in as Sandra, adoptive mom of 5, 2 diagnosed with FAS, shares her best tips and lived experience from her family’s recent cross-country trip.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
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 completes her series on the Primary Characteristics of FASD by discussing language and communication difficulties. Whether or not you know if the child you’re caring for was prenatally exposed to alcohol—you won’t want to miss this episode.
Listen in as Sandra, adoptive mom of 5, 2 diagnosed with FAS, shares how prenatal alcohol exposure effects an individual’s ability to understand language and communication.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Apr 10, 2023
Monday Apr 10, 2023
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as he said.” Matthew 28:5
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 continues her series on the Primary Characteristics of FASD with he topic of Executive Function. Whether or not you know for sure that the child you’re caring for was prenatally exposed to alcohol—you won’t want to miss this episode.
Listen in as Sandra, adoptive mom of 5, 2 diagnosed with FAS, shares about the impact prenatal alcohol exposure has on an individual’s ability to organize, plan, transition from task to task, focus, and control impulses.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." -Proverbs 17:17
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 former foster youth, Justin and Alexis Black. The Black’s are authors of the award-winning book, "Redefining Normal: How 2 Foster Kids Beat the Odds and Discovered Healing, Happiness and Love".
Listen in as Justin and Alexis both share their story of growing up in foster care, found faith (and each other), and experienced healing. They also share about their newest book, "I Love You More Than Cereal: Maeva & Dad Redefine Love" which releases this week.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Mar 27, 2023
Monday Mar 27, 2023
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him." Psalm 28:7
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 episode, host Sandra Flach talks with adoptive moms—Lisa Qualls and Melissa Corkum. Lisa is the author of The Connected Parent, a TBRI practitioner, and a Christian spiritual director. She writes and speaks with wisdom about the challenges and beauty of adoption.
Melissa is an adoptee and adoptive mom. She provides insight and resources to adoptees and their parents through her writing, coaching, and speaking. She is a Safe & Sound Protocol Practitioner and a Certified Enneagram Coach.
Listen in as host Sandra Flach talks with Lisa Qualls and Melissa Corkum about their new book Reclaim Compassion: The Adoptive Parent’s Guide to Overcoming Blocked Care with Neuroscience and Faith.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
https://theadoptionconnection.pages.ontraport.net/assessment
IG: @postadoptionresources
Monday Mar 20, 2023
Monday Mar 20, 2023
"Hear my prayer, O LORD; Listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me." Psalm 86:6-7
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 episode, host Sandra Flach talks with foster and adoptive mom, Stacey Chart. Stacy and her husband Lance adopted their youngest daughter out of foster care twelve years ago when she was only four weeks old. One year later Stacey began her journey to learn about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders FASD.
Today Stacey is a certified facilitator of the FASCETS Neuro-Behavioral Model, and works on staff at FASCETS as an administrator & program director.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Mar 13, 2023
Monday Mar 13, 2023
"The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tests hearts." Proverbs 17:3
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 Patricia Kasper, MA, MTh. Patti has worked in the fields of mental health and child welfare for over thirty years and has worked with hundreds of foster and adoptive families. Trained in TBRI and FASD, she has led workshops in the areas of adoption, trauma, resiliency, attachment and neurobehavior.
Listen in as Patti shares from her professional experience and her personal experience of living on the FASD spectrum.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Patricia Kasper-Diamonds-in-the-Rough on Facebook
Book a Session with Patti HERE