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
Aug 21, 2023
Aug 21, 2023
54 min
"Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you receive me to glory." Psalm 73:23
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 back to school episode, host Sandra Flach talks with homeschooling expert, Kathy Kuhl. Kathy is an author, speaker, and educator who helps parents teach children with learning challenges. Her encouragement is rooted in experience, research and Biblical principles.
Listen in as Sandra and Kathy discuss why it’s often difficult for children with trauma, FASD, and other challenges to navigate school and how homeschooling can lead to thriving kids.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
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Aug 14, 2023
Aug 14, 2023
1hr 8 min
“For my father and mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.” Psalm 27:10
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 talks with Barbara Lane, one of eleven sisters who suffered in foster care in the 1950’s. Barbara shares her story of trauma, loss and abuse and how she found hope and healing.
Listen in as Barbara discusses how her early history led to her work as a child advocate and ministerial counselor specializing in attachment, resilience, and childhood sexual abuse.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
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Aug 7, 2023
Aug 7, 2023
48 min
“O you afflicted, storm tossed and not comforted, behold. I will set your stones in fair colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires.” Isaiah 54:11
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 award winning advocate, author and speaker, Angela Williams. Angela is an international leader in the fight against child sexual abuse.
As many as 80% of children in the foster care system have been sexually abused.
Angela herself is a survivor of child sexual abuse. Her passion is to see survivors set free from the pain and shame of abuse and to live their destiny of purpose and peace.
Listen in as Angela shares her journey from darkness and despair to hope and life.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your socials!
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Jul 31, 2023
Jul 31, 2023
49 min
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
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 award winning Christian author, speaker, and mental health professional—Kristin Faith Evans. Kristin is a mother of 2 children with rare genetic disorders and complex needs.
Listen in as Kristin shares her journey from darkness and despair to hope and life. Find out why it’s vitally important for parents and caregivers of children with special needs to pay attention to our emotional, mental and spiritual health.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
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Jul 24, 2023
Jul 24, 2023
1hr 12 min
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2
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, Zachary Lopienski. Zach was in and out of foster and group homes throughout his childhood and teen years. Today he is a successful security consultant, a husband and new home owner.
Listen in as Zachary shares his trials to triumphs story.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
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Jul 17, 2023
Jul 17, 2023
1hr 19 min
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this (thorn in my side), that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:8
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 talks with adoptive dad, Rob More. Rob and his wife Shelley are parents of 3 adult kids—all with FASD.
Listen to Rob’s inspirational story and be encouraged and better equipped for your parenting journey.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
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Jul 10, 2023
Jul 10, 2023
55 min
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
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 (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) with the topic of strengths.
God created each individual with strengths, gifts, and talents—including our kids with trauma histories and prenatal exposure to alcohol or other drugs. All of His children are created special and wired with special abilities.
Listen in and learn how to mine for treasures in your kiddo and why it’s important to focus on their strengths.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
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Jul 3, 2023
Jul 3, 2023
50 min
“Learn to to good. Seek justice. Correct oppression. Bring justice to the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.” Isaiah 1:17
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, speaks with Herbie Newell, president and executive director of Lifeline Children’s Services, the largest Evangelical Christian adoption agency in America. He’s also the host of The Defender Podcast and author of Image Bearers: Shifting from Pro-Birth to Pro-Life.
Listen to the episode as Herbie shares his heart for the unborn, life, and adoption.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
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Jun 26, 2023
Jun 26, 2023
1hr 6 min
“Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.” James 1:27
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 Dad Series where every episode in June features a conversation with an adoptive or foster dad.
Listen in this week as Sandra speaks with Jonathan Grimaldi. Jon and his wife Kristen are foster and adoptive parents living in Buffalo, NY. Jon is a former pastor who recently took the role of Executive Director for Every Child, a kinship, foster and adoption support ministry based in western NY.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
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Jun 19, 2023
Jun 19, 2023
1hr 8 min
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6
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 annual Dad Series where every episode in June features a conversation with an adoptive or foster dad.
Listen in as Sandra speaks with Derek Carter. Derek and his wife Holly have adopted four children through foster care. He is also the manager of Focus on the Family’s foster and adoption program.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your socials!
Links mentioned in this episode: