James Trail: from functional to flourishing

In this episode of the James Trail podcast, Isaac Etter rejoins Meredith Shuman to discuss the nuanced journey of interracial (transracial) adoption. Isaac shares his personal story of being raised by loving parents who, while providing a safe home, inadvertently left him unprepared for the racial and cultural complexities of the outside world. We dive into why "love is not enough" when...

In this episode of the James Trail Podcast, host Meredith James sits down with Isaac Etter, an adoptee, activist, and founder of Parenting Different. Together, they pull back the curtain on the internal world of the adoptee, moving beyond the "Hallmark movie" narrative to explore the complexities of loss, grief, and the "ghosts" that inhabit adoptive homes. Isaac shares his per...

In this powerful conversation, healthcare executive Judson Howe joins Meredith Shuman to explore why the modern medical system is failing despite our record-breaking spending and advanced biomedical science. Drawing from his experience as a CFO and hospital leader, Judson argues that we have "transactionalized" healthcare and lost the vital component of relationship. The episode dives de...

"We are hungry for people willing to climb down off their pedestals and have meaningful conversations."In this episode of the James Trail Podcast, Meredith Shuman sits down with Judson Howe, creator of the Healthcare Reframed podcast and former healthcare executive. Together, they explore the "softer side" of leadership, the hidden crisis of moral injury in the medical field, a...

In this episode, host Meredith Shuman is joined by pediatric dietitian and foster/adoptive mother Madison Tyler. Together, they explore the intersection of nutrition, childhood trauma, and family dynamics. Madison explains the vital difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist and shares her journey into trauma-informed feeding practices. They discuss how stress and past adverse experiences (...

In this episode, we sit down with dedicated school counselor Crissy Skogan to pull back the curtain on the "burning issues" facing teenagers today. From the addictive nature of social media and the weight of cyberbullying to the crushing pressure of academic perfectionism, we explore how parents and educators can show up authentically for the next generation. Our guest shares powerful in...

In this engaging conversation, Meredith Shuman and Cristina Skokan explore the multifaceted role of a school counselor, the challenges teens face today, and the importance of mental health awareness. Cristina shares her journey into counseling, her passion for coaching volleyball, and the significance of fostering healthy relationships among students. They discuss the impact of social media, acade...

Parenting in a hyper-connected world feels impossible, but it doesn't have to be. In this critical conversation, we welcome Jamie from Screen Sanity to equip parents with the facts and tools they need to protect their children and foster deeper, real-life connection. We tackle difficult topics head-on:Pornography's Pervasiveness: Jamie Gordon shares alarming statistics (25% of all search e...

The digital age has brought incredible tools, but it's also created a massive battleground in our homes. In this eye-opening conversation, we dive deep into the world of Screen Sanity with Jamie Gordon, a licensed social worker and advocate for digital well-being. Jamie shares staggering statistics that reveal the intense pressure and impact of screens on young people today: from the shocking...

Join James Trail in the powerful continuation of Meredith’s conversation with David Galvin, where they explore the critical role of the faith community in suicide prevention. This episode is a call to action for pastors, ministers, and all believers to approach the complex issue of suicide with compassion, biblical truth, and courage. David dismantles the myth that Jesus didn't face suicidal t...

In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month (September), Meredith sits down with David Galvan, a respected and passionate trainer in Mental Health First Aid and suicide prevention. David challenges us to shift our focus from just preventing death to actively helping people "live and live to their fullest," bringing a perspective that is informed by his Christian faith and biblical worldvi...

Pastor Stuart Williams shares his incredible story of growing up during apartheid in South Africa, losing his entire family in a tragic accident, and leading a diverse church in Calgary, Canada. This deeply honest conversation explores trauma, empathy, cultural transformation, and the power of the gospel to heal. Whether you're in ministry, parenting, or simply seeking healing from personal or...

What does it mean to say yes — even when you know it’s going to be hard? Jenn and Eric  from Replanted Ministry share their journey through foster care, adoption, and trauma-informed ministry. They open up about the beauty they’ve witnessed, the heartbreak they’ve carried, and how community can change the story for families walking hard roads. Whether you're a foster or adoptive parent, a mini...

What does it mean to say yes — even when you know it’s going to be hard? Will and Carrie share their real journey through foster care, adoption, parenting, and trauma-informed care. They open up about the beauty they found, the brokenness they had to face, and how their understanding of family and healing has changed along the way. If you’re parenting through trauma, supporting kids from hard plac...

Meredith talks with Daniela Coats, a therapist and the founder of With Siblings, an organization focused on supporting biological children in foster and adoptive families. They talk about Daniela’s personal journey growing up with foster siblings, how that shaped her professional path, and what it means to create emotional space for all kids in a family. Daniela shares powerful insights on birth o...

What happens when the systems meant to help actually hurt? Shanelle is a pastor’s wife, attorney, and Executive Director of the Racial Equity Collaborative. In this episode, she shares her passion for addressing racial disparities in the child welfare system—and her commitment to community-driven solutions that bring lasting change. We talk about racial trauma, what’s often misunderstood about equ...

1 in 20 school-age kids in the U.S. are impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)—yet most go undiagnosed. Sandra Flach, host of The Adoption & Foster Care Journey podcast, shares her powerful insights as an adoptive mom, FASD educator, and advocate for trauma-informed care. If you're parenting a child from a hard place, navigating FASD, or supporting adoptive and foster families,...

The church should be the most welcoming place on earth—so why do so many families with disabilities feel unseen and excluded? Rebecca Wall, Executive Director of WITH Ministries, shares powerful stories, eye-opening stats, and practical ways churches can shift from exclusion to belonging. In This Episode: ✅ Why so many families with disabilities are leaving the church ✅ The heartbreaking reality...

Parenting kids who have experienced trauma or live with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) comes with unique challenges. In this episode, Meredith sits down with Barb Clark, Director of Training at Families Rising, to discuss parenting strategies that work, the power of connection, and how understanding brain-based differences can transform the way we support kids. With humor and real-life ins...

In this episode, Meredith sits down with Ryan and Kayla North to delve into the unique challenges and joys of foster and adoptive families. They discuss how shared experiences, trauma-informed approaches, and practical tools can build trust and connection in families navigating complex dynamics. Together, they explore what it means to create a community where healing and growth are possible, even...

At James Trail, we believe healing begins with understanding. In this episode, Meredith, founder and leader of James Trail, shares her personal journey with trauma-informed care and how it shapes her leadership and approach to community building. From real-life stories to practical insights, Meredith dives into how empathy and connection create safe spaces for growth and resilience. 📚 What We Off...

Meredith welcomes back Dr. Joshua Kreimeyer , James Trail board member, mental health professional, and friend, for a heartfelt conversation about healing, faith, and the journey of walking the trail together. They dive into Josh's personal experiences with emotional suppression, the power of rest, and the profound significance of the word "yet." Through shared wisdom, humor, and a Marvel-style te...

Meredith and Pastor Roy Sprunger discuss the critical role of listening and leadership in healing spaces. From the power of presence to the importance of community, Pastor Roy reflects on James Trail’s work and how empathy transforms lives touched by trauma. ⁠https://www.rainiercomcog.org/⁠ Learn more about James Trail: ⁠https://www.jamestrail.org/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jamestrailglobal⁠ ⁠ht...

Meredith talks with James Trail board member Irasema Renteria about faith, vulnerability, and the transformative power of trauma-informed practices. Irasema shares her journey as a parent and advocate, her perspective on the importance of curiosity and compassion, and how James Trail has opened unexpected doors. They discuss the beauty in small moments, the importance of listening to God's guidanc...

Meredith talks with Daniel Ziegler, James Trail board member, about faith, leadership, and the role of empathy in parenting, business, and relationships. They discuss the power of community and the importance of understanding trauma. Daniel graduated with a design degree from the University of Cincinnati and spent the next 6 years working in marketing for Back2Back Ministries , a global non-profit...