Thriver Stories

In this episode of Thrivers Stories, MK Sills shares her profound journey through the foster care system, detailing her experiences from a seemingly normal childhood to the traumatic events that led her into care. She discusses the challenges of transitioning into foster care, navigating high school, and the impact of media exposure on her identity. MK emphasizes the importance of redefining onese...

Join us for an inspiring episode of Thriver Stories with host Isabel Stasa as she sits down with Taylor Rockhold, a passionate youth advocate and former foster youth. In this conversation, Taylor shares her experiences within the juvenile justice system, her challenges growing up in foster care, and her ongoing journey toward healing and independence. Through her personal story, Taylor highlights...

Join us on Thrivers Stories Podcast for a powerful conversation with the amazing Michael D. Davis-Thomas (@MDDTSpeaks). 🎙️We delve into Michael's incredible journey of:➡️ Overcoming adversity and trauma➡️ Finding resilience through faith 🙏➡️ The importance of self-care and forgiveness➡️ Healing from grief and navigating family relationships 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦➡️ Turning pain into purpose ✨This episo...

Ever wondered what it's like to navigate life's transitions after foster care? 🤔Join us as we chat with the incredible Tay Lee (@taystunnaaaa), a former foster youth who bravely shares her journey through the system and into adulthood. 💪We dive deep into:➡️ Entering foster care as an older youth➡️ Adapting to structured environments➡️ The emotional rollercoaster of transitioning to college 🎢➡️...

In this episode of the Thrivers Stories podcast, host Isabel Stasa and guest Jas Snell delve into the complexities of relationships, particularly in the context of the foster care system. They explore how early experiences shape perceptions of trust and vulnerability, the importance of informal relationships, and the shifts in mindset needed to foster healthy connections. The conversation emphasiz...

Summary In this episode of the Thrivers Stories podcast, Isabel Stasa and Rimy Morris discuss the complexities of relationships within the foster care system. They explore how unique family dynamics can flourish despite societal expectations, the importance of communication and grace, and the role of older siblings in navigating the child welfare system. Rimy shares her experiences and insights fr...

In this conversation, Isabel Stasa and Carloe Moser explore the complexities of relationships, particularly in the context of trauma and foster care. They discuss how relationships shape our identities, the importance of empathy and forgiveness, and the role of vulnerability in building lasting connections. Carloe shares his personal journey of navigating relationships after experiencing trauma, e...

In this episode, Isabel Stasa and Faith Sharp delve into the complex topic of grief, exploring its various forms and the challenges of navigating relationships while grieving. They discuss the societal perceptions of grief, the importance of community support, and the necessity of acknowledging and processing grief, even in the context of living relationships. The conversation highlights the role...

Summary In this episode of Thrivers Stories, Isabel Stasa and Rhiannon Matulewich discuss the critical intersection of mental health and foster care. Rhiannon shares her personal journey through foster care, her experiences with bipolar disorder, and the importance of understanding and empathy in navigating mental health challenges. They explore the systemic issues within foster care, including th...

In this episode of Thriver Stories, Isabel Stasa and Ash Barcus discuss the critical intersection of mental health, disability, and the foster care system. Ash shares their personal experiences navigating care with disabilities, highlighting the systemic issues that lead to misdiagnosis, lack of healthcare access, and the internalization of harmful messages about disability. The conversation empha...

In this episode, Isabel Stasa and Brandon Youngblood discuss the importance of education for individuals with lived experience in foster care. They highlight the barriers and challenges that these individuals face, such as placement disruptions, unstable housing, and lack of financial resources. They emphasize the need for consistent support systems and mentors to help navigate the educational jou...

In this episode of Thrivers Stories, Isabel Stasa interviews Eugenia Wallace, an NFYI delegate and advocate for foster youth. They discuss the challenges and barriers that people wiht lived experience in foster care face in higher education and the importance of providing resources and support. Eugenia shares her personal journey through higher education and the difficulties she encountered as a y...

Brina Williams shares their experience transitioning into higher education as a young person with lived experience in foster care. They discuss the importance of campus-based support programs and how they provide holistic support in various life domains. Brina also highlights the challenges and barriers that young people in foster care face when pursuing higher education, such as financial assista...

Summary In this episode of Thriver Stories, host Isabel Stasa interviews Stormy Lucas Savage, a foster care advocate, about the experience of being tokenized in the foster care advocacy space and the need for equitable opportunities. Stormy shares his journey into advocacy and the pros and cons he encountered along the way. He emphasizes the importance of breaking through the glass ceiling of advo...

Dr. Danisha Keating discusses the concept of story thieves, which refers to individuals who take other people's stories for their own benefit without giving credit. She shares her personal experience of encountering story thieves in the foster care advocacy space. Dr. Keating highlights how fear and distrust impact advocates' ability to have collective power and take collective action. She...

In this episode of Thrivers Stories, Faith Sharp discusses her experience as an advocate in the foster care space and the need for improvement in the advocacy experience. She shares how she got involved in advocacy and the various opportunities she has pursued. Faith emphasizes the importance of community and connection among advocates and the need for authentic engagement and support from organiz...

In this conversation, host Isabel Rodriguez interviews Scout Hartley, a longtime advocate and public administration scholar, about the foster care movement and the importance of intergenerational collaboration. They discuss the need to burst the bubble of the movement and expand its reach beyond the child welfare space. They highlight the power of lived experience and the value of including older...

In this episode, host Isabel Rodriguez interviews Tony Parsons, an advocate and expert in the child welfare space. They discuss the harms of tokenization in advocacy and the importance of authentic engagement and lived expertise. Tony shares his journey into advocacy and the lessons he has learned along the way, including the emotional toll of the work and the need for self-care. They also explore...