Let's Talk: A Foster Adopt Minnesota Podcast

Join us for an adoption discussion centered around author Joe Golemo’s life as an adoptee, and in his new book Design Flaws, a murder mystery set in the Twin Cities. Author Joe Golemo draws distinct parallels to his own life in his murder mystery Design Flaws. Joe grew up knowing he was adopted, but did not know his adoptive mother had stayed in contact with his birth mother. Through an ance...

Please join us for a conversation between four Korean Adoptees from YangJu Orphanage who found each other after 50 years. They will candidly discuss transitioning from squalor to growing up as minorities within their own families while their subconscious and conscious memories still haunt them. (48 mins) July 19, 2023 The post Korean Adoptees in America – YangJu Sisterhood appeared first on Foster...

Please join us as we chat with two of FAM’s Information and Referral team members about our new Foster Adopt Shop.   (19 mins) July 5, 2023 The post FAM’s Foster Adopt Shop appeared first on Foster Adopt Minnesota .

Please join us as we chat with Tom Ewald and Joe Thom, partners and parents of a wonderful adopted son. They will openly share their opinions about the joys and challenges of raising a child with trauma history. Tom Ewald and Joe Thom have been together 33 years. Eight years ago, they added their ten year old son to the family. Joe is a director in renewable energies and Tom is a pastor turned sta...

Please join us as we have a conversation with FAM’s Jessica Miller , former foster youth and adoptive mother. Jessica will share her lived experience and reveal what she wishes her foster parents had known. Jessica joined the Foster Adopt Minnesota team as an Education Coordinator in 2020. As a foster and adoptive parent, Jessica brings both experience and passion to our organization. She un...

There are many ups and downs adopting through foster care.  Pull up a chair and learn how two dads overcame additional challenges, barriers and stereotypes on their way to becoming a family of four. Our guest, Jeremiah, has been a foster parent for many years.  He will share how to be an effective communicator to be the best advocate for yourself and your family.   (34 mins) May 24, 2023 The...

Children coming from adoption are at a crossroads between being content with having a safe and loving environment and missing their biological parents. This podcast will give listeners a glimpse into what adoptees feel. Breanna will present ideas on how to best support your child in discovering who they are. Bre Gronli, LGSW MSW , uses her past to bring awareness to those who are experiencing trau...

Strong team communication skills support a culture of collaboration. For part one in our communication series, hear about the importance of communication within child welfare teams. Our guest will be Stacy Gehringer, MSW, LICSW (she/her/hers), Director of Outreach for the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work. We will discuss the interdi...

We will pick Dr. Chasnoff’s brain and learn more about his upcoming webinar that takes a deeper dive into prenatal substance exposure in children. You can register for Dr. Chasnoff’s webinar in April here . Ira J. Chasnoff, M.D. , an award-winning author, researcher and lecturer, is president of NTI Upstream and a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the University of Illinois College of Medi...

Keiran Vitek joins us to talk about grief and help us cope and carry our own individual and collective losses.  We will get a preview of her webinar “To Grief Theory and Beyond: Practical applications for coping and loving those who grieve.” Keiran Vitek is a Clinical Social Worker at The Village Family Service Center. She has received undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Hispanic Studies. Afte...

This podcast will explore frameworks for understanding escalation. In addition, we will discuss effective and corresponding interventions to match the level of escalation. Lastly, we will focus on self-management to enhance the de-escalation skills. You can register for Jimmie’s webinar in April here . Jimmie Heags, MA LSC, LPCC, LADC, ACS is a trainer and consultant with 20 years of experie...

Hear from child welfare professionals, Brianna and Stephanie Coleman, about their years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with marginalized identities.  They will also share the various types of safe care supports available in our communities.  You will leave feeling encouraged to open your heart and home to LGBTQ+ youth. Next up is Mariah Rooney.  Mariah will share how...

We will take a deeper dive into Barb Clark’s personal passion, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.  Learn how the world of FASD has changed throughout the years and what it means to parent those with FASD into adulthood. Barb Clark works at the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) and provides training on trauma-informed strategies, post adoption support, & her personal passion, F...

We are FAM-ily!  MN ADOPT is now Foster Adopt Minnesota! As we start a new year, we are excited to also begin this chapter of our organization. Since 1980, we have focused on the goal of ensuring every Minnesota child grows up in a safe and nurturing family. During this time, we have had several brand identities as an organization.  Hear from our guests Executive Director, Rachel Walstad and Commu...

Join us for a discussion of the memoir Goodbye Again. This book is the story of one birth mother’s relinquishment, reunion, secondary loss, and journey to acceptance and healing. Her heart-wrenching book details how she lost her son – twice. The first time to adoption and the second not long after reuniting with him. Candace Cahill is a first mother and a late discovery step-adoptee. S...

Please join us for a chat with Daisy and Coco as they relay their experiences of going back to their birth countries on a ten-month journey. Their long-term goal is to create and share “Flipping the Script” – a wellness workbook for young people. However, in order to help others achieve mental wellness, they will first deeply explore their own histories. We will follow them on their journey in unc...

Please join us for a chat with Daisy and Coco as they relay their experiences of going back to their birth countries on a ten-month journey. Their long-term goal is to create and share “Flipping the Script” – a wellness workbook for young people. However, in order to help others achieve mental wellness, they will first deeply explore their own histories. We will follow them on their journey in unc...

Please join us for a chat with Daisy and Coco as they relay their experiences of going back to their birth countries on a ten-month journey. Their long-term goal is to create and share “Flipping the Script” – a wellness workbook for young people. However, in order to help others achieve mental wellness, they will first deeply explore their own histories. We will follow them on their journey in unc...

Please join us for a chat with Daisy and Coco as they relay their experiences of going back to their birth countries on a ten-month journey. Their long-term goal is to create and share “Flipping the Script” – a wellness workbook for young people. However, in order to help others achieve mental wellness, they will first deeply explore their own histories. We will follow them on their journey in unc...

Finally, we have reached the final segment of our 5-part series for adoptive parents. Now that we have come to the point of finalization, we will make sure you have the resources you need for your family after the child’s team exits. In this episode, we will discuss what typically happens at a finalization and more details about the HELP Post-Adoption Navigator program at MN ADOPT. This program is...

Our series moves on to adoption placements. You are not alone in navigating the complexities of having a youth join your family. Learn from an experienced adoptive parent how you can advocate for your child and get the support you need to make the placement a success. Jeremiah is an adoptive parent with years of experience with the foster care system and ICWA. (39 minutes) October 26, 2022 The pos...

Join us for part 3 of our 5-part series geared toward families who are licensed and starting the adoption process. We will hear from a Child Specific Recruiter (CSR) about what goes into transitioning a youth to an adoptive home. You will get a better understanding about the roles of a youth’s team during this time, the importance of a transition plan, what families can do to better prepare for th...

Learn from Becker County social workers about how they search for the best match for youth in their care.  We will talk about how they review home studies, what happens at collateral meetings, how they prepare to tell a youth about a potential family, along with advice for families who are in the matching process. Together, our guests have 14-years of experience working at Becker County Human Serv...

“I’m licensed and there are hundreds of children in Minnesota who need adoptive families immediately.  Why is this taking so long!”  Many adoptive families find themselves asking this question after becoming licensed.  The first of this five-part series will provide adoptive families firsthand experience of what can be expected after the much-anticipated official licensing date.  Listen to our con...

We’re back with Brenda Benning discussing topics we’ll cover in our September 13 th webinar:  Defiance & Disrespect: Battles with Homework and Chores.  Listeners, be sure to register for the webinar on our website:  mnadopt.org. Brenda Benning works with families individually in home and group settings, both in person and virtually. Her primary focus is adoptive families with children healing...