Every Child Belongs

It's the summer! Our routines change, the way we do things change, and so we're changing up Every Child Belongs for the month of July with a couple of mini-episodes.  When we started this podcast in January 2025, one in 36 kids were being diagnosed with autism. Just a few months ago, the CDC, Center for Disease Control, released new research which shows that one in 31 kids are being diagnosed with...

It's the summer! Our routines change, the way we do things change, and so we're changing up Every Child Belongs for the month of July with a couple of mini-episodes.    As Kim has been reflecting, a recent episode that stands out was with Dr. Dwonna Thompson   Lenoir and the three things she said we could do in order to be a safe place for kids.   One is, be curious. Like if a kid is behaving in a...

In this episode of  Every Child Belongs , host Kim Botto sits down with her friend and fellow advocate Sandra Peoples.  Sandra shares her unique story of growing up in a family shaped by disability—her older sister had Down syndrome—and how that upbringing influenced her calling. Years later, Sandra and her husband became parents to two boys, one of whom was diagnosed with profound autism. This du...

In this heartfelt episode, Kim Botto is joined by Jamie Finn—foster and adoptive mom, author, and founder of  Foster the Family . Jamie shares her candid journey into foster care and the powerful lessons she's learned along the way. With humility and wisdom, Jamie emphasizes that being "qualified" isn't about credentials—it's about love, faith, and a willingness to grow.   Jamie opens up about wha...

Welcome to  Every Child Belongs , Kim Botto—an adoptive mom, grandma, and passionate advocate for children and teens with disabilities—explores how we can build spaces where every child feels seen, heard, and valued. With decades of experience in student and kids' ministry, Kim invites listeners into meaningful conversations with parents, educators, professionals, and community leaders to uncover...

In this special mailbag episode, host Kim Botto and producer Dave dive into real questions from parents and church leaders who are walking alongside neurodivergent kids or those impacted by trauma. From navigating overstimulation in youth group to meeting sensory needs at home, Kim offers practical, grace-filled strategies grounded in curiosity and compassion. You'll also hear why your stories and...

In this inspiring episode of Every Child Belongs, Kim Botto welcomes longtime friend and changemaker Chuck Mingo. Chuck, a teaching pastor at Crossroads Church and co-founder of Undivided, shares his heart for creating spaces of belonging and his journey of advocating for racial healing. As a natural "includer," Chuck brings wisdom on how we can move beyond surface-level conversations to create ge...

Kim talks with Dr. Dwonna Thompson-Lenoir (PsyD, LPCC-S), a seasoned psychologist and licensed professional clinical counselor, to explore how trauma impacts children and their sense of belonging. Drawing from years of experience working with children and families, Dr. Dwonna unpacks what trauma really means, how it affects a child's brain and behavior, and why perception plays such a critical rol...

In this episode of Every Child Belongs, Kim welcomes Becky Davidson, co-founder of Rising Above, a ministry dedicated to supporting families raising children with disabilities.  Becky shares her journey as a mother to her son, Jon Alex, who has profound disabilities, and how her family's experience led to the creation of Rising Above—a community that provides encouragement, resources, and connecti...

Dr. Lamar Hardwick, also known as "Autism Pastor," joins Kim on  Every Child Belongs to share his journey of being diagnosed with autism at 36 and how that has shaped his work as a pastor, author, and disability advocate. Dr. Lamar has dedicated his life to creating spaces where individuals with disabilities don't just share space but actively shape it. He emphasizes the importance of awareness, a...

Ryan is the co-founder of One Big Happy Home and the host of the Empowered Parent podcast, which is closing in on 200 episodes! One Big Happy Home equips churches, organizations, and parents with the tools they need to support kids from hard places. Side note, Ryan is absolutely hilarious—so be prepared for some laughs (and maybe a few coughs). In this episode, Ryan shares his passion for trauma-i...

Kim reunites with her friend, Jess Berryhill! They first met a few years ago at a conference, where we were thrown together to help lead a meetup—and the rest is history. Jess is the student and disability minister at Mount Pleasant Church in Terre Haute, Indiana, and the work she's doing is nothing short of incredible. She started out as a youth pastor, but when a handful of students with disabil...

In this episode, Kim is joined by her dear friend Bethany Robertson, one of the best kids pastors Kim knows. Bethany serves as the kids pastor at Vineyard Cincinnati, and does amazing work when it comes to making sure  every  child belongs. She has an incredible gift for building up volunteers and creating a team that welcomes all kids with open arms. Beyond her work in ministry, Bethany is a mom...

In this episode, Kim is joined by Beth Guckenberger—author, adoptive mom of 11, and co-executive director of Back2Back Ministries, an international organization serving vulnerable children. Beth also helped launch Trauma Free World , a leader in trauma-informed care training now offering their powerful resources completely free. Together, Kim and Beth dive into what it looks like to create safe, h...

Welcome to the very first Mailbag episode of Every Child Belongs ! In this special Q&A format, Kim Botto is joined by friend and podcast producer Dave Little as they tackle some of the most common challenges faced by those who care for kids—especially those with disabilities,  neurodivergence, or who have experienced trauma. In this episode, we tackle questions like: Why do kids with trauma, disab...

Kim talks with Lexi, a special education teacher and the founder of  The Adapted Way , a business dedicated to helping churches break down behavioral and instructional barriers so kids with disabilities can fully access children's ministry programs. Lexi's experience in the classroom has shaped the way she equips churches to create inclusive spaces for every child. While her education provided a s...

Kim talks with two incredible educators, Rachel Caswell and John Gesenhues, about their elementary school's commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students.   Join us for this heartfelt conversation as we talk about leadership, inclusion, and the incredible work these two are doing to make schools a place where every child is seen, valued, and loved. Their stories a...

In this episode, Kim is thrilled to welcome Dr. Robert Crosby, Executive Director of Reach Hurting Kids and a professor of psychology at California Baptist University. With decades of experience serving children and youth in the local church, Robert also conducted a 10-year research project on the intersection of church and child development. We dive into his incredible work and discuss how to ens...

In this episode, we sit down with Kari Baker, a former financial services executive and business owner who has transformed her career into one of advocacy and inspiration. Carrie is now an author, speaker, and podcaster, as well as the founder of KIND Families—an organization dedicated to supporting Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences (KIND). She also hosts the Kind Families podcast, wher...

In this episode, we're joined by Ashley Meier Barlow, a special education and estate planning attorney based in Kentucky. She's also the owner of The Collaborative IEP, a digital platform dedicated to empowering and inspiring parents and advocates in the world of special education.   Through her work, Ashley provides invaluable guidance to help families better advocate for their children. You can...

Heather is a passionate advocate for inclusion and belonging, with experience that spans the roles of special education teacher, parent, and community leader.   As a mom to a child with special needs and those who have experienced trauma, she brings a unique perspective to supporting children with diverse needs. Her professional and personal journeys intertwine, making her an inspiring voice for e...

As a mother of three, including a son with autism, Larah Robert's passion for disability ministry is deeply personal. Along with her husband Collin, Larah co-authored the book "How to Advocate and Stay Christian," offering support and guidance to parents of special needs children.   Larah also encourages parents on her podcast and Instagram at @RaisingAutisticDisciples. Raising Autistic Disciples...