Dream Small Podcast

In this heartwarming episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Whitney sits in the hot seat as her two oldest kids interview their own mom about life as a foster and adoptive parent. From chaotic sibling moments to chicken-nugget emergencies, from autism insights to deep conversations about faith and surrender, this episode gives listeners an inside look at the beauty and messiness of real-life foster p...

In the Thanksgiving episode of The Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney open the door to their joyful, loud, messy, and love-filled home. Whether you're driving to family gatherings, prepping holiday meals, or simply needing encouragement this week, this conversation is full of warmth, humor, and reminders of God’s goodness. This episode dives into: The joyful chaos of parenting seven kids Why g...

The holidays can be magical… and they can also be really hard — especially for kids who carry deep histories, big questions, or painful memories. In this episode, Jason and Whitney get honest (and hilarious) about what it really looks like to navigate Thanksgiving and Christmas with foster and adoptive children. From unexpected triggers (yes, even turkey and side dishes), to family dynamics, to ov...

In this vulnerable episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney open up about one of their hardest seasons as foster parents. After months of prayer, tears, and tough conversations, they share honestly about what it means to stay faithful — even when faithfulness doesn’t feel easy or rewarding. From early-morning reflections after a rare night away to wrestling with questions of long-term...

We wanted to share the sermon from our church this past weekend. It resonated with us deeply so we wanted to share it with all of you. Enjoy! ROTTEN (Faithfulness Pt 8) Nov 2, 2025 ========== Mount Pleasant Christian Church ========== Make an IMPACT The Bible teaches us that tithing is an act of obedience and that we should trust God with every aspect of our lives, which also includes our finances...

In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney open up about one of the hardest experiences they’ve ever faced as foster and adoptive parents — attending their first foster care mediation. They walk listeners through what mediation actually looks like, who’s in the room, and the heavy reality of sitting across from a biological mom who deeply loves her child while navigating the legal process t...

In this heartfelt (and often hilarious) conversation, Jason and Whitney pull back the curtain on what life looks like as a family of nine—newborn and all—and why community is the difference between surviving and thriving as foster parents. From mysterious “toilet paper genies” to Amazon angels who send kickballs, the Smalls share real stories of how their village has shown up in unexpected ways—an...

In this heartfelt and joy-filled episode, Laney takes over the microphone to interview her dad for a special father-daughter conversation about faith, family, and the wild adventure of fostering. From learning patience through parenting to seeing God’s hand in every twist and turn, this candid discussion will inspire you to trust God even when life feels chaotic. What You’ll Hear About in This Epi...

In this moving continuation of her story, Bre opens up about what it was like to navigate foster care as a teenager—shifting homes, faiths, and expectations while searching for belonging. She shares the emotional tension of moving between families with vastly different religious beliefs, the impact of being “the new kid” again and again, and the powerful difference one man named Don made through s...

In this powerful 20th episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney sit down with their friend Bre, who courageously shares her story of growing up in foster care, navigating trauma, and breaking free from generational cycles. Bre is the second oldest of eleven siblings and entered foster care as a teenager after years of instability and hardship. In this conversation, she opens up about:...

In Episode 19 of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney open up about one of the most defining moments of their foster care journey — the return of their “always yes” child. Years earlier, this little girl had entered their home as a scared toddler, quickly bonding with their family. But in a painful and unexpected turn, the foster care system sent her back home before it was safe, leaving the...

In this episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney share the incredible story of how God worked through friends, neighbors, and their church community to prepare their family for a brand-new foster placement — a five-week-old baby. After wrestling with the decision for months and wondering if they were “too old for babies,” Jason and Whitney prayed for clarity. God answered in unmistaka...

In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney sit down with Clara — their former nanny and long-time family friend — to share a unique perspective that often goes unheard: what it’s like to grow up as a foster sibling. Clara was only in second grade when her parents became foster parents, and over the years their home welcomed more than 50 children. As the oldest sibling, Clara experienced the...

Ever wondered what daily life really looks like for a foster family? In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney pull back the curtain and share the organized chaos of their home—where visitors include case managers, therapists, guardians ad litem, and more. A Foster Home is a busy place - where multiple visitors come into your home. This episode will give you a glimpse of some of the visito...

In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney welcome their first non-family guest, Michelle, to share her powerful story of fostering and adoption. Michelle and her husband fostered for 13 years, ultimately adopting five children. Her foster journey began with a surprise call late one night about twins—and what followed was a whirlwind of faith, heartbreak, disruption, and God’s provision. Mi...

Back-to-school season can be stressful for any family—but for foster and adoptive parents, navigating school can feel especially overwhelming. In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney share their lived experiences of sending foster kiddos to school and offer practical advice for making the transition smoother. From choosing the right school and advocating for trauma-informed teachers to p...

In this heartwarming and faith-filled episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney share a week full of unexpected bird-watching, laughter, and incredible “only God” stories from their seven-year foster care journey. From green heron drama in the front yard to miraculous provisions of strollers, bedrooms, and cribs, each story showcases how God often meets needs before we even know we hav...

In this episode of Dream Small , Jason and Whitney pull back the curtain on what it's really like to prepare for a new foster care placement. Whether you're a brand-new foster parent or just curious about the process, this episode offers a real, relatable, and faith-rooted look into the emotional, mental, and physical preparations that come before that knock on the door. You’ll hear: What emotiona...

This week, we’re talking about something that took us over seven years of foster parenting to embrace: respite care . We dive into what respite care is, why it’s essential (not selfish!), and how it can actually strengthen your calling as a foster parent. You’ll hear: Why having “just four kids” felt like a vacation The emotional and spiritual cost of fostering Why rest is not only okay—it’s bibli...

In this episode of Dream Small , Jason and Whitney take a trip down memory lane, sharing some of their most meaningful, funny, and heartwarming moments from their foster care journey. From unforgettable smiles to unexpected friendships, this episode is a celebration of how God shows up in the small things. You’ll hear: The moment a gummy baby smile turned exhaustion into joy The emotional rollerco...

Let’s be real — fostering and adoption come with a unique set of challenges… and sometimes, even more challenging conversations. In this episode, we share the top awkward, cringey, or unintentionally hurtful things people have said to us as foster and adoptive parents — and we unpack why those comments can be difficult, and how to say something more helpful instead. We’re talking about real-life p...

In this real-life conversation about foster care and faith, Jason and Whitney share what it’s looked like for them to love biological parents through their years of foster care. From fear and tension to empathy and friendship, they walk through the emotional and spiritual journey of learning to honor the first families of the children in their care. Whether you're just starting out in foster c...

In this heartfelt episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney open up about one of the most emotionally complex topics in their lives: adoption. With vulnerability and honesty, they reflect on the bittersweet layers of adopting their daughter, in honor of her recent gotcha day anniversary—a celebration marking four years since she officially became part of their family. 💡 Key Themes: The Dichotomy...

In Part 2 of our deep dive into the most common objections to foster care, Jason and Whitney bring humor, truth, and lived experience to the table—literally. From “What if it costs too much?” to “What if the child is a different race than me?” they tackle the fears, the practical barriers, and the misconceptions many people wrestle with when considering foster care. This episode is honest and real...

In this powerful episode of Dream Small , Jason and Whitney dive into the top hesitations people have about foster care. From concerns about their biological children to the fear of getting too attached, they unpack each objection with personal stories, biblical encouragement, and a dose of humor. If you've ever whispered "maybe we could foster…" but were stopped by a "what if," this episode is fo...