Michael D. Davis-Thomas Aka MDDTSpeaks

Resilient Voices & Beyond

Education EN ↓ 146 episodes

Resilient Voices & Beyond is a podcast that amplifies the voices of those who were once silenced and aims to empower a new generation of foster care alum leaders. Through conversations with community partners, leaders, advocates, and activists, this podcast educates listeners on reforms, policies, and advocacy related to foster care, adoption, kinship, CCIs, JJ, and the child welfare system. The podcast challenges stigmas and labels surrounding these topics and creates a dialogue on reform and advocacy that is already happening or needs to happen. The core values of Resilient Voices & Beyond i...

Author

Michael D. Davis-Thomas Aka MDDTSpeaks

Episodes

“Not a victim, but a Warrior” 20.02.2022 1:03:44

In this episode, I got to speak with LT. Christina Meredith. Christina is FCA, Author, Former Miss CA, foster care activist/advocate, and mental health advocate. She also is the founder of the nonprofit Christina Meredith Foundation and a Signal Intelligence officer in the US ARMY. Christina took us through her life journey while dropping knowledge and wisdom for us to take along with us and more....

"Life has no limitations, except the ones you make" 19.02.2022 54:03

In this episode, I had a great time talking with Makeda James who is a BSW student, foster care alumni, advocate, veteran, and more. Makeda took us through her foster care experience and journey to adulthood while dropping knowledge and wisdom.

"Changing ourselves, creates change in others" 18.02.2022 55:22

On this episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond I had the distinct pleasure of talking with Dinah Lee Schaller, LCSW, SSW, CDCI. Dinah Is the lead social worker at the Lenore Croudy Family Life Center. She also is an education and social work champion she has had over 20 years of experience working with many different demographics and more...

"It is time to align hope with action." 11.02.2022 1:25:01

In this episode, I had a blast taking with the one and only Maddy Day. She is a woman of many hats and titles but I know her most for her advocacy work around education for foster youth and so forth. Maddy lead us through her story and journey but also talked about some very strong points about our child welfare system and more....!

"BEATING THE ODDS" 11.02.2022 54:36

In this episode, I had the great honor of speaking with Cordelia Cranshaw Coach, Author, & Miss District of Columbia USA 2019, advocate, LCSW... and more! She took me through her experience in care to transition into being on her own and more...

"Providing supports and resources to alumni of the foster care system and underserved youth." 10.02.2022 1:07:17

In this episode, I had a wonderful time and experience talking with the CEO and Founder of Fosterpreneur Erica Myers. Erica explain her personal journey but also dropped some knowledge and wisdom while educating us on her program and more...

“Always remember that your Present situation is not your Final destination.” The best is yet to come. 09.02.2022 17:06

In this episode, I had a wonderful time talking to Davoncia Pharr about her experience in care and her journey into college, and more...

“When you Foster Youth, You Foster Success!” 09.02.2022 55:07

In this episode, I had the great pleasure of talking with Cedric Riley a powerful motivational speaker, Tv show host ( America's Next Motivator! ), Resiliency Expert, and more...

"Healing makes room for us to fight in the places where it's necessary and love in the places we long to." 05.02.2022 51:35

In this episode, I had a wonder time talking with Sonia L. S. Aldape, LCSW she shared her story and expertise, and more...

"Without community there is no liberation" 04.02.2022 39:37

In this episode, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Kara Bissen about her journey and story. She also gave us some deep insight into her experience as a youth care worker and social worker and more...

“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.” 30.01.2022 41:42

This episode had an awesome time talking to Whitney Snow about her journey to adulthood and many success but also the struggles she had to persevere through along the way.

“Education is around us every day, providing us with opportunity…Be wise enough to see it, take action..... 29.01.2022 29:50

“Education is around us every day, providing us with opportunity…Be wise enough to see it, take action, and live out your wildest dream.” In this episode, i had the great pleasure of talking with Shanell Lavallie about her story and journey to being an educator and more...

"All statistics have outliers" 29.01.2022 1:05:29

In this episode, I had a very special guest Heaven Shaman. She took us through her story/journey to adulthood and more...

“This too shall pass” 28.01.2022 39:53

In this episode, I had the distinct pleasure of talking with Miyah Louis a Fellow Michigan FCA. She took us through her journey and experiences and more.....

"I believe we are called to serve and once you accept the calling the purpose becomes clear." 27.01.2022 58:55

In this episode, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Travis Davis. He is a foster/adoptive parent, President: Miami Dade County Foster & Adoptive Association, advocate, mentor, role model, and more. Tune in to hear about his story/journey persuing his calling than working in his calling.

“What you do is valid and crucial in times of need in life. Sometimes all it takes is you planting a seed in someone else's life even if you 26.01.2022 38:17

In this episode, I had the great pleasure of talking with Jessica Ray an MSW student. In this episode, She shares her story and journey as a social work student and more...

“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” 24.01.2022 43:13

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Rebecca Kinard. A foster care alumni and social worker. She shares her story and journey to being a social worker and more tune in.....

"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." 22.01.2022 1:05:04

On this episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond I had the great pleasure of talking to Marcus Batson aka Brotha Encouragement. We dived deep into his story and journey as a foster care alumni, advocate, and professional that has worked in and around the child welfare system.

"Empowering Youth & Unlocking Hidden Potential" 15.01.2022 49:36

On this episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond we have a special guest my former Life Skills coach Darius Pettway President Darius Pettway Life Skool. He is a mentor, youth advocate, author, and more...

"Launching Youth To New Heights" 14.01.2022 26:08

In this episode, we interviewed Kelly Ryan. She is the founder and Executive Director of EOY Foundation, Foster Care Advocate, and Mentor.

#FosterYouthVoices "Fighting to reform the child welfare system. 08.01.2022 35:24

This episode is an in-depth interview with the Executive Director of NFYI Rebecca Louve Yao. In this episode, she shares her experiences as a foster care alumni, social worker, advocate, mentor, child welfare champion, and more...