Mending Families

On today’s episode, Melissa goes through some things for you to consider when searching for community. She also talks about the importance of community but a few red flags to consider to ensure that you are always on the path towards healing and growth. Community is hard to find sometimes so Melissa gives 3 points for you to consider as you “interview” communities and groups in your area.  Topics...

On today’s episode, Lisa shares with us how she got started in writing and what led to each book that she authored.  She also shares some exciting news about an upcoming project so you won’t want to miss out! Lisa is so raw and real as she talks about her own struggles as a parent which ultimately led to the community that she co-leads with Melissa Corkum, The Adoption Connection. If you are inter...

On today’s episode, Melissa gives you some things to consider when it comes to parenting. She also talks specifically to foster parents, adoptive parents, relative caregivers, social workers, and churches as she believes that our kids are “our” kids and we all play a role in their healthy development.  Topics Melissa mentions: *Be willing to do your own healing and look at the wounds you have that...

On today’s episode, we start the conversation by talking about pageantry and how Tori found herself with the title of Mrs. Universe in 2021. Tori shares how she does not see her title as something that defines her but something she has done as her heart is really to love others the way that she has felt loved by Jesus throughout her life. Listen in as Tori gives us insight into her relationship wi...

On today’s episode, Melissa opens up about what led her to finally going to therapy and how she ultimately ended up discovering EMDR.  Melissa will share with you a glimpse of how she knows that EMDR is helping her continue to move forward in healing. If you aren’t sure how to even start, this episode will give you the opportunity to hear about how therapy is definitely not linear! As always, cont...

Christina Knudsen is a Licensed Clinical Social worker who specializes in treating trauma. She is obsessed with yoga, her dog and her husband. They  live and work in their RV, traveling the country. Currently they are in Arizona and are enjoying the beautiful weather while they explore the Flagstaff area, before heading back “home” to Spokane for a brief stay. On today’s episode, Christina talks a...

On today’s episode, Melissa gives you some suggestions on caring for your nervous system if you are not in a space (or have time) to step into the Safe and Sound Protocol.  She breaks down the importance of caring for our nervous system and gives you four practical tips that you can start using today! Topics Melissa mentions: *Mending Families episode #4 has great resources for trying out yoga on...

On today’s episode, Melissa shares about how she uses the Enneagram in her personal life, as well as her professional life and how she has found it to be so helpful. She also talks about Blocked Care and Compassion Fatigue, which you can read more about in her new book, Reclaim Compassion. Melissa also gives us some great insight into Polyvagal Theory (I promise it’s not boring!) and how she uses...

On today’s episode, Melissa shares her thoughts on grief and loss based on her own personal experiences and what she understands about loss. This episode is shorter as Melissa was fighting a cold, but she packs in some good things to think about when it comes to loss, our kids, and supporting those around us who are experiencing loss themselves. Listen to this short and sweet episode to get a bett...

On today’s episode, Hannah tells us about Beachbody and how she has been able to make her daily exercise a habit that she rarely even thinks about. She shares about some of the hard things that she has been through in the past 8 years, including losing her mom and her son being diagnosed with cancer at just 5 months old. Hannah is an inspiration and has such encouraging things to say….enjoy! If yo...

On today’s episode, Melissa chats with you about ways that you can step into being a healthy support system to someone in your life who is either parenting kids who have experienced adversity, or IS a kid experiencing adversity. It only takes one adult in the life of a child to help them build resilience and that one adult could be you! Whether you are a parent, relative, teacher, coach, or Sunday...

On today’s episode, Danielle shares with us how she knows when to say yes which ultimately led her to becoming a foster parent. She gives us some positive things to think about when it comes to foster care and also tells us how she is able to balance all that she has going on, while still staying present for her kids. Danielle even has words of wisdom for those who are not parenting currently but...

On today’s episode, Melissa gives a brief explanation of what Trust Based Relational Interventions are.  She breaks down TBRI’s 3 principles for us (Connecting, Empowering and Correcting) and gives a few real-life examples of how to apply these principles in our everyday life.  For a more in-depth look at TBRI, reach out to Melissa to arrange a training or parent coaching session. She can be reach...

Claire Collins Thompson is  a wife, mother of one beautiful boy, and licensed mental health therapist specializing in IFS and EMDR modalities. She runs a private practice in Spokane, WA and in her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, camping, traveling and being on the water as much as possible. On today’s episode, Claire shares with us about her journey of surviving cancer and how...

On today’s episode, Melissa shares her personal story of growing up in a chaotic, unpredictable home which led to her searching for something to fill what was missing. After noticing that she was repeating the same patterns from her childhood, she slowly started her journey towards healing. Without the difficulties she faced, she would not be where she is today. Listen in to learn more about what...

I had Haley as a teen and we have been through so many ups and downs, but are on the side of healing past hurts, as well as our relationship. It’s been so fun watching her grow and see her follow in my footsteps as a social worker. Haley has her Bachelors in Social Work and works for a local counseling agency as a crisis response counselor. She lives with her dog, Hank, and uses art as an outlet t...

On today’s episode, Melissa gives an expanded explanation of the risk factors related to trauma and how it affects our kids (or honestly our own) whole selves. She discusses the importance of understanding where trauma can come from and how it can also lead to some difficulties in connection and attachment. Finally, Melissa leaves you with two strategies to try this next week to start the journey...

On today’s episode, Bekah shares how she has survived motherhood thus far and shares her struggles of finally getting a diagnosis for her daughter after a year of hard. She takes us back to 8 years ago when she was a foster parent in Honduras and the stories she tells will shock  you as much as they give you chills.  We touch briefly on trauma and the support she received while fostering internati...

On today’s episode, Melissa shares her personal experiences and advice on one of the topics that she and Cassie discussed during the previous episode…foster parenting.  If you are considering foster care, or even if you are already in a foster home, this episode is for you as Melissa shares 3 things to consider. She also gives some great resources, as well as online and in-person options for yoga...

On today’s episode, Cassie takes us through what led her family to do foster care and how that ultimately led her to realize that she needed to work on her own personal growth and healing. Cassie has great insight and advice for those considering foster care while also sharing some of the resources she has found helpful both for herself and her kids. This episode is jam packed with so many topics...

On today’s episode, Melissa shares her thoughts on one of the topics that she and Jon discussed during the previous episode…spanking. Yes, it can be controversial, but it doesn’t have to be. Melissa hopes to normalize having conversation about spanking and open mindedness when it comes to alternatives. She shares a few things for those who choose to spank to consider, some alternatives to spanking...

On today’s episode, Jon shares his feelings about becoming a dad “overnight” when he married Melissa. His perspective on how he thought he would parent shifted when he was able to learn more about how discipline affects kids and that there are other options to discipline that encourage healthier emotional intelligence. Jon touches on corporal punishment and how he came to a place that he realized...

Are you in the trenches of parenting kids from adversity and trauma? Do you find yourself wondering why the "typical parenting strategies" are not working for your family? That those strategies seem to make matters worse? Are you a friend or family member of someone parenting kids from hard and you just don't know how to help? In fact, maybe you don't even fully understand why the struggle is so r...