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 Oct 02, 2023
Monday Oct 02, 2023
“Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
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 week’s episode, host Sandra Flach speaks with adoptive mom, Mindi Schrock. Mindi is a mom of four kids, two through adoption—both with disabilities. Her mission is to encourage and empower moms with empathy, humor, and permission to rest.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
@mindi.schrock
Monday Sep 25, 2023
Monday Sep 25, 2023
"Finally, brothers & sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11
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 final FASD Awareness Month episode host Sandra Flach speaks with Eileen Devine, LCSW, founder of Brain First Parenting and the Resilience Room Community. She is also an adoptive mom of a daughter who lives with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder FASD.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Sep 18, 2023
Monday Sep 18, 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 FASD Awareness Month episode host Sandra Flach is joined by two amazing FASD advocate moms—Natalie Vecchione and Debbie Raymond.
Pour a cup of your favorite beverage and pull a chair up to the table as these three adoptive moms discuss the FASD parenting journey. Together, Sandra, Natalie and Debbie have a combined sixty-plus years of experience parenting children with trauma and prenatal exposure to alcohol.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Monday Sep 11, 2023
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
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 FASD Awareness Month episode host Sandra Flach talks with FASD self-advocate, Emily Hargrove. Emily was adopted as a baby and diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) at age one.
Today Emily is a wife, mom, and has a Bachelor's in Psychology and Counseling and a minor in Christian Ministries (B.S.), holds a Master’s of Philosophy in Psychology (M.Phil.), and presently, is a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (Ph.D.) candidate with a dissertation focus on FASD and spiritual development. She and her husband are youth pastors at their church in Kentucky.
Listen in as Sandra talks with Emily about her life experience with FAS and how she navigates every day life as a wife and mom with the invisible disability.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Sep 04, 2023
Monday Sep 04, 2023
“But as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit; and genuine love.” 2 Corinthians 6:4-6
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 FASD Awareness Month episode host Sandra Flach talks with Lynn Alsup. Lynn holds a Master of Social Work degree and a certification in Spiritual Direction, she’s a Certified Facilitator of the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model and the FASCETS program director. Lynn’s powerful book Tinderbox—One Family’s Story of Adoption, Neurodiversity, and Fierce Love just released.
Listen in as Sandra talks with Lynn about her journey parenting children with FASD and her new book.
Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Monday Aug 28, 2023
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
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 adoptive mom, Michelle Catania. Michelle is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and specializes in brain-based disorders, including ADHD, Autism, and FASD.
Listen in as Sandra and Michelle 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.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Aug 21, 2023
Monday Aug 21, 2023
"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.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Aug 14, 2023
Monday Aug 14, 2023
“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.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Aug 07, 2023
Monday Aug 07, 2023
“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!
Links mentioned in this episode:
Monday Jul 31, 2023
Monday Jul 31, 2023
“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.
Links mentioned in this episode: