Stable Moments Podcast

Use the WONDER Method to respond in a trauma-informed way when a child is triggered. Get a free WONDER Method download at www.stablemoments.com/wonder

Many foster children aren't able to think about the future. They wonder when their dad might get out of Jail or that there is no future for them, so this is how we can help.

Children in foster care may have only bad memories of the holidays. Maybe they remember it as a time where Santa always forgot their house. Maybe they remember their mom being stressed about not being able to afford Christmas. Perhaps they did have memorable Christmas but their special Christmas didn’t include a tree or gifts but a special trip to Waffle House every year. There was once a year tim...

Being both flexible and structured are big parts of the Stable Moments model…but wait, how can you be flexible AND structured? The truth is, kids, and most humans need a whole bunch of things…but we like to come up with blanket approaches - it’s easier for us. It’s actually the reason for our divisiveness and polarity as a country - many of us see one right answer, but it isn’t that simple. Many t...

I got my first hate mail, attacking the Stable Moments model saying we're causing more trauma by allowing people who aren't credentialed to work with kids with complex trauma needs. In this episode, I read you the message and respond, letting you know we are all good enough to play an active role in the lives of these children.

In this episode, we talk about how to use your feelings as a guide to work on the things within yourself that need healing so you can show up fully for those you were created to serve! Take the ACES quiz here Get your Resilience Score here    

Ángela Quijada-Banks, (she/her) is an NAACP Image Awards Nominee and American Award-winning author of the Black Foster Youth Handbook. As a transformational speaker, she has touched thousands with her message to alchemize your pain to purpose and power. Through her holistic health coaching she supports spiritual wives in business to heal their acne, recover from iron deficiency anemia and prioriti...

Join us as we sit down with Marla Higginbotham to learn about the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program and how you can get involved in this important work. With CASA programs across the country, everyone can become a CASA. Marla has spent the last 20+ years working in the nonprofit sector helping shape public policy initiatives focused on both community engagement and children’s educat...

Shenandoah Chefalo is a graduate of Michigan State University, holding a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science, a Certified Coach, and a member of the Foster Leaders Movement. She is a sought after speaker on topics surrounding youth in foster care and the science and impact of trauma and resilience on various social issues; She is also the President and Owne...

Shenandoah Chefalo is a graduate of Michigan State University, holding a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science, a Certified Coach, and a member of the Foster Leaders Movement. She is a sought after speaker on topics surrounding youth in foster care and the science and impact of trauma and resilience on various social issues; She is also the President and Owne...

We work under the assumption that everyone is doing their very best. We know it's easy to point fingers at the foster system, the kids, the parents. If you believe that everyone is doing their best, it allows us to communicate with empathy instead of judgment. 

Beth Tyson, MA, is a psychotherapist, childhood grief and trauma expert, and a children's book author.  She recently co-authored and released a new book - The Parenting Odyssey: Trials, Treasures, and Triumphs of Parenting in a Pandemic. The purpose of the book is to reduce isolation for those parenting in a pandemic by sharing heartfelt testimonials and stories from real parents. Get the boo...

In this episode, Leah shares how education helped her make it through years in foster care and how being ill-equipped to raise her brothers led her to start Fostering Greatness, Inc - an organization helping foster youth transition into healthy adulthood. Leah's strongest desire in life is to share her own story in expectation of encouraging those that have been affected by the many facets of fost...

In this episode I sit down with Naomi Riley to discuss how  the Foster Care System, Family Courts, and Racial Activists Are Wrecking Young Lives. Naomi argues that our focus on reunification has built a system that is more accomidating of adults than protective of kids.  Naomi Schaefer Riley is a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute focusing on issues regarding child welf...

In this episode we sit down with Jacqui Jackson to discuss how we can use strategic prayer to alleviate suffering for children in foster care. Jacqui Jackson, M.Ed, is CEO of Ignite Hope, a former Foster Child, International Adoptee, and a mother to Adoptive and Biological children alike. She is a passionate advocate for the right of every child to have a safe family and executes this calling by s...

The P.A.C.E. framework teaches us to be playful, accepting, curious and empathetic. Jessica Sinarski is a highly sought-after therapist, author, and speaker. Extensive post-graduate training and 15+ years as a clinician and educator led her to create BraveBrains , a resource and training platform for home, school, and community. She makes brain science practical, helping parents and professionals...

Join us while we chat with the Founder of The Behavior Hub Lauren Spielmyer. She shares her four part framework to teaching emotional literacy and regulation that work well for children with complex trauma as it takes how the brain works into its approach. Over the past 10 years, she has helped SOOOO many people learn about the brain and how it impacts learning and emotional well-being, which in t...

Ginger sits down with us to discuss her work as a Social Worker, Adoptive Mom, Parenting Program Director and now co-host of the podcast from Attachment Trauma Network , Regulated and Relational .  Check out the podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe.

Join us while Natalie Chavis Fisher takes us into adoption court to show us how the opioid epidemic is impacting the foster care crisis. Natalie  is a best-selling author, third-generation attorney and executive  producer for the feature documentary Foster Care: Perfect Imperfection . She is a  leading expert in foster care adoption committed to helping improve the lives of  vu...

Tiffany Sudela-Junker is mother by adoption to two children with vastly different trauma-based special needs. With her own growth process as an example, Tif mentors and advocates for a “empathy + connection before correction” approach to parenting. Stressing EXTRA empathy, mindfulness, humor, attunement, self-compassion and reciprocal atonement as key ingredients to helping tough kids achieve high...

Join us as Ce Eshelman, LMFT walks us through how to discover what happened in our childhood and how that impacts how we show up to working with children today.  Ce Eshelman, LMFT, is an attachment specialist, author, and founder of The Attach Place Center for Strengthening Relationships. With 27 years of experience and training in marriage and family therapy, she began specializing in attach...

 Steve always knew he wanted a family. Raised catholic he grew up thinking he was destined to marry a woman and have children. When he was confronted with his attraction to men and the eventual realization that he was gay, he gave up, that dream of having a family and chose the route of gay singledom. As the times changed and he gained greater self acceptance he re-ignited his dream for a fam...

Barry Farmer is a Native of Richmond, Virginia. He grew up in Kinship Care with his grandmother from ages 5-18. For the last 15 years he's been devoted to working inside and outside the classroom with youth and their families. At age 20, Barry became a foster father with a local therapeutic agency to further help youth within his community. At age 22 he adopted his oldest son. Three years later, B...

Join Angela Flores, Juvenile Justice Worker, as she explores the intersections between juvenile justice and child protective services.  As a child who has experienced generational foster care, she offers services to children in her community and has a vision to attend law school, to further contribute to the justice system.

Both Alexis and Justin are proud foster care alumni as well as recent graduates, authors, and business owners. They both join us this week to share their honenest and vulnerable story and to promote their book Re-Defining Normal. After both spent time in fostercare they met in college and through a healing journey have developed a healthy relationship with eachother, getting married this year. Tog...