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 Sep 29, 2025
Monday Sep 29, 2025
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
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.
It’s September—International FASD Awareness Month! All month long we will focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach continues the FASD conversation with Julia Rivera. Julia is a retired attorney and co-founder of the Texas FASD Network. After years of unsuccessfully seeking interventions for her son’s perceived behavioral issues, he was finally diagnosed with the underlying problem—Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Implementing the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model for FASD revolutionized her parenting and saved her son. When she’s not advocating for FASD awareness, you can find Julia at her home in the Kansas City area with her 3 boys—her hubby Angel, her son who is now 22, and her cat, Buster.
Listen in to Sandra’s conversation with Julia Rivera on Episode 499 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:
The Adoption & Foster Care Journey
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
Monday Sep 22, 2025
Monday Sep 22, 2025
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." -Ephesians 2:10
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.
It’s September—International FASD Awareness Month! All month long we will focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach continues the FASD conversation with adult adoptee, Emily Twomey. Emily was adopted at age two and diagnosed with an FASD. She is currently married and the mom of two boys and three bonus kids. Emily also created and runs a small business—Natures Glow Candle Company based in Maryland.
Listen in to Sandra’s conversation with Emily Twomey on Episode 498 HERE.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
The Adoption & Foster Care Journey
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
Monday Sep 15, 2025
Monday Sep 15, 2025
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you 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.
It’s September—International FASD Awareness Month! All month long we will focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach continues the FASD conversation with adoptive mom and passionate FASD advocate, Michelle Trager.
Michelle is a parent of 4 school-aged kids through both adoption & birth. She is a passionate advocate for children & young adults with special needs—particularly in raising awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders among policymakers, educators, mental health professionals, the justice system, and caregivers & families. Michelle’s personal & professional experiences have equipped her with a unique perspective on the challenges faced by vulnerable populations.
With experience in youth crisis, foster placement stabilization, community mental health, and school social work, Michelle developed a deep understanding of the intersectionality of various support systems. As a parent navigating these systems, she has firsthand knowledge of their complexities and frequent shortcomings. She is a certified facilitator of the FASCETS NB model and is trained in TBRI. Additionally, she completed an intensive caregiver training program focused on FASD through Jeff Noble & served as a parent mentor to others in that community.
Michelle contributed to policy development as a member of the Advancing Transformations in Juvenile Justice Committee and continues to participate on the Illinois Dept. of Juvenile Justice Family Advisory Committee. She provided testimony at the Illinois Behavioral & Mental Health Committee Hearing in 2021 & remains a vocal advocate for addressing the mental/behavioral health crisis for children and young adults in Illinois, including those with severe disabilities who lack resources. She has presented several times for the Illinois Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders winter conference, sharing her expertise on FASD. In July 2023 shows invited to join Congresswoman Lauren Underwood’s Community Advisory Council, where she continues to bring information to and advocate for her community.
Michelle holds a BA in Psychology from the Univ. of Notre Dame & an MSW with school social work certification from aurora Univ. She is actively engaged in the Chicago-area FASD parent support community, providing legislative updates and organizing advocacy efforts, including those related to the proposed federal bipartisan SUPPORT ACT, which includes crucial language addressing FASD programs.
Listen in to Sandra’s conversation with Michelle Trager on Episode 497 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:
The Adoption & Foster Care Journey
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
Monday Sep 08, 2025
Monday Sep 08, 2025
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." -Proverbs 9:10
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.
It’s September—International FASD Awareness Month! All month long we will focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach continues the FASD conversation through a neuroscience lens with Dr. Jerrod Brown.
Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Medical Biochemistry, Exercise Prescription, Neuroscience and the Law, Neuropsychology, Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. In 2023, Jerrod completed a diabetes care and education certificate from Central Arizona College. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing his fifth master’s degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition from Northeast College of Health Sciences. Jerrod has also conducted over 300 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for various organizations and professional and student audiences. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters, and recently, co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod has also been quoted in various magazines, newspapers, and other professional outlets. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs.
Listen in to Sandra’s conversation with Dr. Brown on Episode 496 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:
The Adoption & Foster Care Journey
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
Monday Sep 01, 2025
Monday Sep 01, 2025
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." -Galatians 5:22-23
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.
It’s September—International FASD Awareness Month! All month long we will focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach kicks off our annual FASD series with special guests—Carl Young and Joel Sheagren. Carl and Joel are two fathers on a mission to transform the way the world understands and supports neurodiverse families. Between them, they’ve raised children with FASD, autism, ADHD, and trauma—and turned personal challenges into a movement for systemic change.
Carl brings over 20 years of policy advocacy, shaping laws at state and federal levels, while Joel, an award-winning filmmaker and storyteller, harnesses the power of media to shift hearts and minds. Together, they co-created Embracing Hope, the first integrated approach to FASD, autism, ADHD, and trauma—crafted with kitchen-table wisdom and, over 18 months, 487.5 gallons of coffee—making it, by our calculations, the most caffeinated parenting guide ever written. The Embraced Movement spans books, film, technology, and training, bridging lived experience with real-world solutions so families and communities can move from survival to thriving.
Listen in to Sandra’s conversation with Carl Young and Joel Sheagren on Episode 495 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:
The Adoption & Foster Care Journey
justicefororphansny.org/hope-community
Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon
Monday Aug 25, 2025
Monday Aug 25, 2025
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We love because He first loved us.” -John 4:18-19
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 speaks with adult adoptee Bryan Post. Brian is a best-selling author and one of America’s leading voices in child behavior, adoption trauma, and love-based parenting. A former foster child turned internationally recognized therapist, Bryan has spent over two decades helping families understand and heal the emotional root of challenging behaviors—especially in children affected by trauma, loss, and disrupted attachment.
Bryan’s groundbreaking work has been featured on NBC, ABC, and USA Today. He is the creator of the Fear-to-Love Method and founder of Bondify.ai, the worlds first AI-powered, trauma-informed parenting support App.
Listen in to Sandra and Bryan’s conversation on Episode 494 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
Monday Aug 18, 2025
Monday Aug 18, 2025
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” -Ephesians 3:20
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 speaks with adoptive mom, Wendi Cross. Wendi is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, where she was a 4-year collegiate cheerleader on scholarship and ended her cheer career as a national cheer judge and ESPN2 announcer.
After years of teaching elementary school and judging cheer, Wendi has now dedicated herself wholeheartedly to supporting the mission of xHope. Her passion is to see every child placed in a forever family.
Wife to Rick, Wendi is the mother of 6 wonderful children—including one son adopted from Ethiopia and another, adopted through Sacramento County. As the co-founder and CEO of xHope, Wendi’s desire is to share her family’s personal journey through international and local adoption, foster care, mission work, orphan care, and parenting—spurring others on to dream big and take action. Her new book, Not Forgotten, is a powerful reminder that even when we feel alone, God is near.
Listen in to Sandra and Wendi’s conversation on Episode 493 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
Monday Aug 11, 2025
Monday Aug 11, 2025
"Your hands made me and formed me; Give me understanding to learn your commands." -Psalm 119:73
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 kicks off a 5 Part series on the topic of Neuroplasticity with special guest, Dr. Jerrod Brown.
Dr. Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. He is the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Medical Biochemistry, Exercise Prescription, Neuroscience and the Law, Neuropsychology, Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology. In 2023, Jerrod completed a diabetes care and education certificate. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing his fifth master’s degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition. Jerrod has also conducted over 300 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for various organizations and professional and student audiences. He has published several articles and book chapters, and recently, co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals. Jerrod has also been quoted in various magazines, newspapers, and other professional outlets and is regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs—including this one.
Listen in to Sandra and Dr. Brown’s conversation about Neuroplasticity on Episode 492 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
Monday Aug 04, 2025
Monday Aug 04, 2025
"I have said these things to you so that you may have peace. In the world, you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world." -John 16:33
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, Kayla Moffitt. Kayla is totally and completely…. exhausted! As a mom to 5 siblings who spent years in the foster care system, her days are spent sipping unintended cold coffee in the carpool line and folding tiny t-shirts while searching for every single left sock– she has plenty of right ones if you need them! Kayla holds a BA in Creative Writing and an MA in English Language. She works as the Communications Coordinator for Foster the Family where her passion for advocating in the foster care and adoption space is fiercely fueled.
Listen in to Sandra and Kayla’s conversation on Episode 491 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
Kayla’s Instagram: makingthemoffitts
Kayla’s Facebook: Kayla Clark Moffitt
Monday Jul 28, 2025
Monday Jul 28, 2025
“For 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.
On this episode, host Sandra Flach talks with adult adoptee Jackson TerKeurst. Jackson is an entrepreneur and leader who continues to defy the odds as a first-generation immigrant from West Africa who owns and runs a small business. The adopted son of bestselling author and speaker Lysa aTerKeurst, Jackson is passionate about drawing together people from diverse backgrounds to experience authentic community. His book, The Only Way Forward is Back: A Story of War, Adoption & Finding Your Purpose in God’s Plan has just release. Jackson lives with his wife and their 2 children outside Nashville, TN.
Listen in as Jackson shares his story of war, adoption, and finding your purpose in God’s plan. Available on all platforms.
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
https://www.jacksonterkeurst.com/
The Only Way Forward is Back - book
Jackson TerKeurst on FaceBook
Jackson TerKeurst on Instagram