All Things Foster: A place for Coffee, Connection, and Community

The 5-Minute Habit That Changed Everything | Featuring Mo Cooper What if just five minutes every morning could transform your health, your mindset, and your relationships? In this episode of All Things Foster , Matt Darrah sits down with Mo Cooper , wellness coach, and speaker to discuss how small, intentional habits can create lasting change. Mo shares her powerful story of overcoming multiple sc...

From Career to Calling: Aligning Faith and Business with Dale Young In this episode of All Things Foster , Matt sits down with Dale Young , a Christian business coach, author, and former IT professional who spent nearly five decades in the technology industry before stepping fully into his God-given calling. Dale shares his journey from a successful career in IT to helping Christian entrepreneurs...

In this episode, host Matt Darrah speaks with Christine Lauer as she shares her unconventional approach to identifying and resetting allergies and sensitivities, especially in children, using applied kinesiology and laser therapy. She discusses her personal journey, the science behind her methods, and practical tips for self-testing and improving health naturally. https://www.panhandleorphan.org/...

In this insightful interview, host Matt Darrah interviews Vivianne Israel who shares practical self-care techniques rooted in neurobiology to help individuals manage stress, improve sleep, and enhance overall well-being, especially for caregivers and foster families. key topics Self-care beyond 'me time' Neurochemical triggers for relaxation Practical techniques for stress reduction Impact of stre...

This episode wraps up a series on grief in foster care and adoption, emphasizing hope, healing, and the importance of community support. Featuring insights from professionals and adoptive parents, it explores how to navigate grief, avoid burnout, and find hope in challenging circumstances. key topics The impact of grief in foster care and adoption Strategies to avoid compassion fatigue and burnout...

Host Matt Darrah is joined by Laura Bownds for the third episode of this four part series. We are also joined by Amanda Rodgers and Dianne Ridgeway. We continue to explore the theme of grief in the context of foster care and adoption. We delve into the experiences of grief from various perspectives, including foster parents, adoptive parents, and professionals working in the field. The episode emp...

Join host Matt Darrah with special guest Laura Bownds in a conversation that delves into the topic of grief in foster care, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing the grief experienced by children and foster parents. We explore the challenges and emotional complexities involved in navigating grief within the foster care system, highlighting the need for open and honest conversa...

The podcast episode features a discussion on grief and its impact on children in foster care. Our guest, Laura Bownds, shares insights on supporting children through grief, understanding trauma, and creating a safe and familiar environment for children in care. The conversation covers the importance of building trust and connection with foster children, understanding and supporting different age g...

The prevalence and increasing diagnosis rates of autism, now at 1 in 33. Personal journey and lived experiences of Sam Mitchell from childhood with autism. Recognizing signs and cues of autism in children, including repetitive behaviors, social cue misunderstandings, and sensory sensitivities. Practical strategies for supporting children on the spectrum, including therapy options like ABA and the...

Jazlyn shares her inspiring journey from trauma and instability to stability and advocacy. She discusses the importance of trauma-informed care, community support, and fostering independence for youth aging out of foster care. Key Topics: Trauma-informed care and its impact The importance of community and support systems Fostering independence and resilience in youth Advocacy for systemic change i...

This episode dives into the powerful journey of Cadence, a foster care survivor, and her insights on healing, belonging, and supporting vulnerable children. Tune in for authentic stories and practical ways to make a difference in foster care. Keynotes: Cadence's personal foster care and adoption story, including early trauma and reunification The importance of stability, reassurance, and love for...

The conversation covers Lance's experience with foster care, his role in the child welfare system, the challenges faced by caseworkers and foster parents, the process of filing cases, the impact of caseloads on caseworkers, and the importance of foster parent education and legal considerations. Lance also addresses misconceptions about foster care and the financial aspects of the system. The conve...

Dive into the profound story of Deanna Culver as she shares her experience growing up in foster care, battling personal trauma, and finding hope through faith and resilience. This episode emphasizes healing, forgiveness, and the importance of understanding the unseen struggles of children in foster care. Main Topics: Personal trauma and its impact on identity and relationships The cycle of abuse a...

In this insightful interview, Janet Hamilton shares her journey of healing from emotional neglect, understanding trauma, and helping foster and adoptive families. Discover practical insights on emotional boundaries, early childhood development, and how to support children with trauma. Resources: Gabor Maté's Books and Talks - https://www.gabormate.com/ Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) by...

In this episode, Heather Ford shares her powerful story of navigating foster care, experiencing abuse, and working through her trauma to find healing. Her journey highlights the importance of resilience, therapy, self-awareness, and community in overcoming life's darkest moments. https://www.panhandleorphan.org/ Sponsor: Impact Laser Mobility and Recovery (806) 646-6437 https://www.impactamarillo....

In this episode, Matt Darrah speaks with Jeffrey Batters, who shares his powerful journey from a challenging childhood in foster care to a fulfilling career in hospice care. Jeffrey discusses the impact of his early experiences on his identity, the importance of forgiveness, and how he transformed his life through faith and resilience. He emphasizes the significance of community, the role of famil...

Discover how our brain develops from the bottom up and how understanding this process can improve our relationships, especially with children who have experienced trauma. Michelle Maikoetter shares insights from her extensive experience working with at-risk populations and her involvement with Dr. Perry's neurosequential model in this thought-provoking episode. In this episode: Michelle Maikoetter...

In this episode of All Things Foster, Matt Darrah speaks with Leslie and Adam Hammond about their unexpected journey into foster care. The couple shares their initial hesitations, the surprise call from CPS, and the challenges they faced as they welcomed a newborn into their home. They discuss the licensing process, the support they received, and the joys and difficulties of parenting a child with...

In this episode, Debbie Simmons shares her journey as a mother of nine and the founder of AnchorPoint, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families thrive through various challenges. She discusses the importance of community support, the programs offered by Anchor Point, and the need for self-care among parents. Debbie emphasizes the significance of connection in healing and provides ins...

In this conversation, Matt Darrah and Casey Corbin discuss the challenges faced by youth aging out of foster care, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and community support. They explore how small acts of kindness can lead to significant changes in the lives of these young adults, who often lack family connections and resources. Casey shares his personal experiences of connecting...

This conversation explores the impactful work of Amarillo Children's Home, highlighting its history, mission, and the evolving needs of children in foster care. The discussion features insights from staff and alumni, emphasizing the importance of community support, the role of houseparents, and the transformative experiences of children in the program. The conversation also addresses ways for the...

In this episode of All Things Foster, host Matt Darrah speaks with Jason Johnson from CAFO about the importance of community support in foster care and adoption. They discuss the church's role in fostering, the need for sustainable support for families, and the significance of breaking generational cycles of vulnerability. Jason shares his personal journey into foster care, emphasizing the importa...

In this conversation, Aretha Boomer shares her profound journey through the foster care system, detailing her experiences from entering care at six years old to becoming a licensed social worker. She discusses the challenges she faced, including the lack of knowledge about her rights and the impact of her upbringing on her self-worth. Aretha emphasizes the importance of unconditional love, positiv...

In this episode of All Things Foster, host Matt Darrah welcomes Ashley Terry, who shares his transformative journey into foster care and adoption. Initially living a carefree life in an RV, Ashley and his partner Brittney faced unexpected challenges when they received a call from Child Protective Services (CPS) about a relative's child needing placement. The couple had previously decided against h...

In this episode of All Things Foster, host Matt Darrah welcomes Emily Bell, a dedicated foster mom and former sponsorship director at the Christian Relief Fund. Emily shares her journey into fostering, which began after years of working in orphan care and a pivotal conversation with her husband. She discusses the emotional and logistical challenges of fostering, including the licensing process and...