ReStoried

Today, we are thrilled to welcome Jamie Finn to the podcast! Jamie is a bestselling author, the founder and President of Foster the Family, the host of the Real Mom podcast, and the founder and owner of Goods and Better. She is a sought-after speaker for retreats, conferences, and events, offering encouragement and support to foster and adoptive parents. Through her popular social media accounts,...

We’re wrapping up the year with something special and light-hearted—a “Hot Seat” episode featuring our amazing staff!  Join us as we put Lisa, Nicole, Brian, and Mel in the Hot Seat with rapid-fire questions, surprising answers, and plenty of laughs. Get to know the people behind the scenes a little better as they share their quirks, favorite moments, and maybe even a few unexpected secrets! This...

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate all that God has accomplished through Hope Bridge this year. This episode is a heartfelt look back at the milestones we’ve reached, the lives we’ve impacted, and the ways God’s strength and provision have carried us through every step of the journey. Before we dive into setting goals and dreaming big for 2025, we want...

In this episode, we’re excited to highlight Brian’s new role at Hope Bridge as the Director of Discipleship. We dive into the heart behind this position, exploring what it looks like in practice and how it’s being implemented to further our mission. This role is all about supporting our team’s spiritual growth and helping us stay rooted in our purpose as we serve foster families. We also discuss t...

Loneliness is an epidemic in today’s world—but there’s hope in community. In this episode, we explore why community matters and how it serves as the heart of everything we do at Hope Bridge. We’re also unveiling the theme of the 2025 Mobilize Ohio Conference: Belonging . Together, we’ll dive into the heart behind this theme and why creating spaces of belonging is essential for foster care, adoptio...

In this episode, we sit down with Chef Kibby, a biological, foster, and adoptive dad who discovered a unique way to build trust and connection with his kids through the everyday act of cooking and sharing meals. At the start of 2020, Chef Kibby seemed to have it all—a thriving catering business, a new event space, a podcast, and a side gig teaching college courses. But at home, things were falling...

In this episode, we’re diving into GivingTuesday —a global day dedicated to generosity and making an impact. Learn what GivingTuesday is all about, why it’s such an important time of year, and how you can partner with Hope Bridge to support vulnerable families and communities. We discuss our mission at Hope Bridge and our monetary goal for this year. Every dollar raised will directly support progr...

November is National Adoption Month, a time to shine a light on the critical need for adoptive families and to celebrate those who have welcomed children into their homes.  In this episode, we share our personal journeys, having both adopted three children from foster care and discuss the unique challenges adoptive families often face. We also dive into important resources and tips for families na...

In this episode, we dive into the unique challenges the holiday season brings for foster and adoptive families.  For children from hard places, the holidays can be an especially sensitive time, filled with triggers and memories that may bring up grief or trauma. We discuss practical tips for navigating this season with empathy and care, including strategies for managing routines that often go awry...

In this episode, we are joined by Johnna Stein, Vice President of Training at Promise686. As affiliates of Promise686 here at Hope Bridge, we share a common mission to support vulnerable children and families. Promise686’s vision is rooted in God’s promise "to set the lonely in families," and they are dedicated to mobilizing church communities to care for children in need. In addition to...

October is National Pastor Appreciation Month, and in this episode, we reflect on the often-overlooked work pastors do every day. Pastors don't just preach on Sundays; they are present with us during life’s most significant moments—both the joyful milestones and the heartbreaking challenges. Whether it’s celebrating a new chapter, grieving a loss, or walking through illness, pastors are alway...

In this episode, we explore the impact of living in the community and how it plays a powerful role in foster care recruitment. We share our personal foster care stories and experiences and reflect on how our journeys began by being surrounded by people who were obedient to their calling as foster parents. While formal recruitment efforts are important, we explore how simply living out our day-to-d...

Did you know this week is National Hospitality Week?   In this episode, we’ll explore the significance of this meaningful initiative, which began in 2021 and is observed during the week of October 14th. We’ll also highlight the immense challenges child welfare workers face, including long, inconsistent hours, low pay, and the resulting burnout and emotional exhaustion.  National Hospitality Week i...

In this heartfelt episode, we dive into the meaning of holiday traditions and how they create lasting memories with family. However, for some, like teens and alumni of the foster care system, the holidays can be a difficult reminder of lost connections. That's why events like Thanksgiving Together are so important. We’re shining a light on ACTION Ohio's annual Thanksgiving dinners for fo...

In this episode of ReStoried, we're diving deep into the common myths and misconceptions surrounding foster parenting. Whether you've been considering becoming a foster parent or you're simply curious about the process, this episode is designed to provide clarity and comfort.  We know that taking the first step toward fostering can be overwhelming, and the myths out there can make i...

In this inspiring episode, we explore a powerful story of redemption through an interview with Bethany, a dedicated foster mom, and Jaliyah, the biological mother of Bethany's former foster children. Their journey has been marked by many challenges, but their unwavering commitment to each other has led to a heartwarming reunion. Jaliyah worked incredibly hard to regain custody of her children...

We’re excited to kick off a new series, “Hear Their Stories and Know Their Names,” dedicated to highlighting individual stories within the foster care, adoption, and kinship communities. In this series, we aim to rewrite the narrative by sharing powerful stories of redemption and hope. By putting names and faces to these stories, we not only recognize the deep need for support in this space but al...

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome Julia Fabich, a dedicated educator and passionate advocate for children. Julia grew up in a single-parent household in Ashland, Ohio, an experience that deeply influenced her desire to give back to her community. She has been teaching elementary students in the Canton City School District for ten years and holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership,...

In this heartfelt episode, Nicole sits down with her two kids, Greyson and Chy’Anna, alongside her husband, Johnny, to share their family’s inspiring journey. Both Greyson and Chy’Anna were adopted by Nicole and Johnny, and together, they open up about their experiences, challenges, and the love that binds them as a family.  Tune in for an intimate conversation that highlights the beauty of adopti...

In this episode of the ReStoried Podcast, we're joined by Carley Anne Barnes, a biological and adoptive mom, former foster mom, and high school teacher. With her unique experience raising kids with special needs and supporting children with IEPs and gifted learners, Carley shares valuable insights on how to start the school year off on the right foot. Join us as we dive into a thoughtful conv...

In this episode, we interview Mike Davidson, who shares his experience as a full-time kinship caregiver for his seven grandchildren, aged 1 to 15. Mike talks about the challenges and rewards of balancing his dual roles as a father to his son and a caregiver to his grandkids. He discusses how Hope Bridge has supported him by providing a home and other resources, and he reflects on his belief that &...

In this episode of ReStoried, we sit down with Nik and Becky Schweikert, who recently made a life-changing decision to sell their house in Carroll County, located just a few blocks from Children's Services.  Feeling called, Nik accepted a coaching position in Georgia, taking their family of four far from where they had envisioned spending the rest of their lives. Their home was sold to The Ch...

In the concluding episode of our "Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot" movie debriefing series, we have a conversation with Katie Schrock, a passionate advocate for foster families.  Katie discusses her experiences supporting these families by nannying and working with Hope Bridge. This practical episode explores how you can get involved with Hope Bridge and support the foster care c...

In part two of our mini-series debriefing the movie The Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot , I sit down with Corey Adkins, a current foster parent and board member at Hope Bridge, to gain his perspective on what Possum Trot means for us locally. Corey shares his feelings about the church's complacency in America, questioning whether we're truly living out our faith beyond checking o...

In this episode of the ReStoried podcast, we begin a special mini-series on conversations about the movie "A Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot."  Our guest is Jared Priset, pastor at Church of the Lakes. Pastor Jared and his wife have been dedicated foster parents for the past three years, living out their faith by leaning into the brokenness around them, just as Jesus did.  We dig...