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 Feb 10, 2025
Monday Feb 10, 2025
"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” -Hebrews 6:10
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, Nicole Barlow.
Nicole is a wife, mom to six amazing kids (five adopted through foster care), and a passionate follower of Jesus. As a TBRI Practitioner, a parent trainer and wellness coach, Nicole equips parents with practical, doable self-care strategies to help them thrive in their calling. With a focus on integrating faith, trauma informed practices, nutrition, and fitness, she empowers parents to care for themselves well so they can fully step into the work God has prepared for them.
Tune in to Sandra’s conversation with Nicole Barlow on Episode 466.
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
Instagram: @fosterwellnesscoach @nicoletbarlow
FB: Nicole T Barlow
Monday Feb 03, 2025
Monday Feb 03, 2025
"Jesus said, 'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me'…
Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needed clothes and clothed you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?' The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'” -Matthew 25:35-36 & 40
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 mom and son duo, Michelle Snyder and Ben Snyder Jr.
Michelle owns a private counseling practice in Winter Garden, FL where she provides mental health support to a variety of populations. She has been a licensed clinical social worker since 2009. Michelle does life with her husband of 16 years along with a mix of biological & adoptive kids and occasionally some children in foster care.
Ben Jr. is 14 years old and working toward marching an associate degree at Lake Sumter State College. In addition to being a foster care/adoption advocate, he likes to play chess, hunt, and read. Together, Michelle & Ben Jr. have authored the book: Beyond Blood—How Being a Foster Brother Shattered My World & Rebuilt It.
Tune in to Sandra’s conversation with Michelle and Ben Jr. on Episode 465 of The Adoption & Foster Care Journey Podcast.
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
Beyond Blood, by Michelle & Ben Snyder Jr. is available on amazon.com
Snyder Counseling & Consulting
Instagram: @MichellecSnyder @ben.winzzz
Monday Jan 27, 2025
Monday Jan 27, 2025
"Jesus said, 'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.'” -John 10:10
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 FASD advocate, Jodee Kulp.
Jodee is a tireless advocate for those affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. She has authored 12 books on FASD, is the co-founder of the international Red Shoes Rock FASD awareness campaign, and mother to the late Liz Kulp who lived with FASD.
Jodee provides invaluable wisdom for families, communities, educators, and healthcare providers in her desire to create supportive environments that allow individuals with FASD to thrive.
Tune in to Sandra’s conversation with Jodee Kulp on Episode 464.
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
Embracing Zak by Jodee Kulp can be purchased on Amazon.com
Monday Jan 20, 2025
Monday Jan 20, 2025
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." -Colossians 3:17
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 adoptive parents, Will and CarrieAnn Standfest.
The Standfests are dedicated parents with over two decades of hands-on parenting experience, raising eight forever children through biological, foster, adoption, and international orphan hosting. As emerging experts in connection-based parenting, they have navigated the complexities of trauma and mental health diagnoses within their large family.
Will & CarrieAnn are passionate about helping parents build meaningful relationships with their children, which led them to co-create the ‘Connected Parenting Minute’ as a way to encourage parents and strengthen families. Sharing the best of what they have learned to guide others to create the less stressed, more connected homes they desire.
Tune in to Sandra’s conversation with Will and CarrieAnn Standfest.
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
Monday Jan 13, 2025
Monday Jan 13, 2025
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." -Romans 8:37
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. Nicole Wilke, PhD.
Nicole is a researcher, missionary, author and marriage & family therapist dedicated to improving care for vulnerable children & families globally. She currently serves as Director of Christian Alliance for Orphans’ Center on Applied Research for Vulnerable Children & Families, bridging research and practice to improve care for vulnerable children & families around the globe. Dr. Wilke’s passion for this work stems from her family’s experience with adoption & fostering. Having lived on 4 continents, Nicole currently resides with her family in Peru, where they work to improve the system for children in alternative care.
Tune is as Sandra and Nicole discuss what Scripture and Science say about resilience.
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
Christian Alliance For Orphans Research Center
Books by Dr. Nicole Wilke on Amazon:
Overcoming—What Scripture & Science Say About Resilience
Caleb Koala’s Comeback Ride
Instagram: dr.nicolewilke
Facebook: Nicole Wilke
Monday Jan 06, 2025
Monday Jan 06, 2025
"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked.
Or stand in the way that sinners take
Or sit in the company of mockers,
But whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
And who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers."
-Psalm 1:1-3
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 an inspiring message as we all step into a new year and a new season.
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
Monday Dec 30, 2024
Monday Dec 30, 2024
"He gives strength to the weary, And increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, And young men stumble and fall; But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; They will run and not grow weary, They will walk and not be faint." -Isaiah 40:29-31
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, Dr. Jerrod Brown returns to discuss the dangers energy drinks pose for children, especially our kids with trauma histories and/or brain differences from prenatal exposure to alcohol or other drugs.
Dr. Brown is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. He has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to autism spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and other life adversities, traumatic brain injuries and youth fire setting.
Jerrod has completed 4 separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Neuropsychology, autism spectrum disorder, other health disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries. He completed a postdoctoral certificate in Leadership & Organizational Strategy and a professional certificate in Forensic Psychology. Jerrod has published several articles & book chapters and is regularly featured on several international podcasts—including this one
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
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
sandraflach.com
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father on Amazon.com
Monday Dec 23, 2024
Monday Dec 23, 2024
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." -John 3:16
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 episode is the 4th and final episode in our annual Advent Series. Each week host Sandra Flach will share a Scripture, a short message, a Holiday Parenting Survival Strategy, and a breath prayer for you to practice through the week.
Listen in as Sandra shares a message about God’s greatest gift of love.
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
Monday Dec 16, 2024
Monday Dec 16, 2024
"You make known to me the path of life;
You will fill me with joy in your presence;
With eternal pleasures at your right hand."
-Psalm 16:11
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 episode is the 3rd in our annual December Advent Series. Each week host Sandra Flach will share a Scripture, a short message, a Holiday Parenting Survival Strategy, and a breath prayer for you to practice through the week.
Listen in as Sandra shares a message about finding true joy at Christmas and every day of the year.
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
Monday Dec 09, 2024
Monday Dec 09, 2024
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:7
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.
On this episode is the 2nd in our annual December Advent Series. Each week host Sandra Flach will share a Scripture, a short message, a Holiday Parenting Survival Strategy, and a breath prayer for you to practice through the week.
Listen in as Sandra shares a message about peace.
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