![Episode 228 - Bi-racial Foster & Adoptive Families Experience Racism with Deana Zoeller]()
July 6, 2020
"I smirked. That doesn’t happen anymore." This was the reaction, then prospective foster parent, Deana Zoeller, had when her mentor warned about racism. She didn’t believe the veteran adoptive mom of bi-racial children. But now, ten years and 3 adoptions later—Deana and her family have experienced racism first-hand.
Today, Deana and Doug Zoeller lovingly refer to themselves as white chocolate parents of three—dark chocolate, caramel, and coffee ice cream sons. All adopted from foster care. Deana shares, “A diverse family is the most beautiful way to show God’s workmanship and share the Gospel. Instead of being divided by our differences, we must be united in His beauty.”
Deana Zoeller joins host, Sandra Flach, to discuss her family’s experience with racism. Listen to their conversation as they talk about how white parents can help their black children navigate racism, embrace their identity, and celebrate their differences.
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![Episode #227 - Until There’s More Than Enough For Children in Foster Care with Jason Weber]()
June 29, 2020
Jason Weber, National Director of Foster Care Initiatives at Christian Alliance For Orphans (CAFO), states that two of the most common words associated with foster care in the U.S. are “not enough.”
- Not enough resources to meet all of the needs
- Not enough support for struggling biological, kinship, foster, and adoptive families
- Not enough families for kids who need them.
According to Weber, it doesn’t have to be this way. There are easily more than enough resources, support, and families in every community to solve the national foster care crisis.
Over the past two decades a foster care movement has emerged from faith communities across the country. Local foster care movement is made up of families (foster, kinship, adoptive, and biological) cared for by churches working collaboratively with each other and other community partners (government, placement agencies, bridge and service organizations, and local businesses).
Jason sites that if 10% of the churches in every county actively engage in foster care ministry by the end of 2025, there will be more than enough resources, support, and families—in fact we could see more families waiting for children than there are children waiting for families.
Host, Sandra Flach, recently sat down with Jason Weber to discuss his new book, Until There’s More Than Enough—Working Together to Transform Foster Care Where You Live. The book is an excellent resource for those who care about children in foster care and want to engage their church in the movement.
Links to resources discussed in this episode:
www.morethanenoughtogether.org
www.cafo.org
www.mtebook.com
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![Episode #226 - Soul-Care for Wounded Healers with Amy Willmann]()
June 22, 2020
In recent months, because of Covid-19 and the resulting shut-down, two topics have organically risen to the surface of our Orphans No More podcast: the impact the national crisis is having on children (especially those with trauma histories) and the importance of self-care for parents and caregivers.
In addition to the trauma caused by the pandemic, information overload, the myth of multi-tasking, and the blurred lines between work and home responsibilities have many of us experiencing toxic levels of stress. As wounded healers, parents and caregivers must pay attention to our own mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. If we are going to help our children navigate through this season, we must rejuvenate and nourish our own souls.
Sandra Flach, host of our Orphans No More podcast, sat down with Amy Willmann, Director of Whole Hearted Soul Care to discuss why soul-care is vital and how we can enter into the shalom presence of God to find rest for our souls.
Links to resources discussed in this episode:
Email Amy at Amy_Willmann@yahoo.com
On FaceBook @Whole Hearted Soul Care
Book: Every Breath We Take by Terry Wardle
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![Episode #225 - Adoption Through the Rearview Mirror with Karen Springs]()
June 15, 2020
Karen Springs spent more than fourteen years living in Kyiv, Ukraine, advocating for orphaned and at-risk children. She hosted hundreds of families as they traveled to Ukraine to adopt. Through years of ministry and connecting with adoptive families, Karen had a front seat view of adoption at the beginning of a family’s journey. Down the road, as she began hearing from parents, months and even years after their adoptions, she discovered that adoption isn’t always a happily-ever-after adventure.
In an effort to gain a more thoughtful and educated approach to adoption advocacy, Karen embarked on a 14,200-mile road trip across the United States. She visited 63 families whom she had hosted in Ukraine to get their perspective on adoption—after their children came home. She asked questions and parents transparently shared their stories. The result is Karen’s book, Adoption Through the Rearview Mirror—Learning from Stories of Heartache and Hope.
Links to resources discussed in this episode:
KarenSprings.com
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![Episode #224 - Chronic Stress from Covid19 Impacts Children & Parents with Jayne Schooler]()
June 8, 2020
Adults and children are experiencing higher levels of stress as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Loss of routine, separation from friends and extended family, and increased anxiety are having a devastating impact on all children, especially those with trauma histories.
This week, Sandra Flach, host of our Orphans No More podcast, sat down with Jayne Schooler—child development specialist, trainer, speaker, and author of Wounded Children, Healing Homes and Telling the Truth to Your Adopted Child. In Episode #224, Jayne shares how social distancing and extended distance learning can be more damaging to our children than the virus itself.
Jayne and Sandra also discuss how toxic stress in parents can spill over onto their children. It’s imperative for caregivers, especially in this high-stress season, to care for their own emotional health. Jayne references the book The Sacred Rest, by Saundra Dalton-Smith. While this book does not specifically focus on foster or adoptive parents, it details the seven areas of rest for recovery, renewal, and restoration every one of us needs at this time.
Links to resources discussed in this episode:
Back2Back.org
TraumaFreeWorld.org
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![Episode #223 - Parenting Solutions for Foster & Adoptive Parents with Melissa Corkum]()
June 1, 2020
Adoptive and foster parents often struggle with their children’s difficult behaviors. Trauma caused by neglect, abandonment, abuse, and loss impact the brain development of our children which, in turn, can present in their daily lives as out-of-control behavior. Now, especially during these tumultuous days in which we live—from Covid19 and the resulting shutdown to escalating racial tensions kids and parents are experiencing stress and fear in greater capacity than ever before.
Host, Sandra Flach, recently sat down with adoptive mom, Melissa Corkum, to discuss how parents can both help their children and care for themselves as together we navigate this uncertain season. Melissa is a transracial adoptee and a transracial adoptive mom. She’s also an Empowered To Connect Parent Trainer and co-host of The Adoption Connection podcast.
On Episode #223, Sandra and Melissa discuss how current events can trigger our children and even cause them to regress back into behaviors once healed. They also talk about the importance of parental self-regulation and self-care to be able to more effectively meet the needs of their children.
Links to resources discussed in this episode:
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![Episode #222: The Connected Parent with Adoptive and Foster Mom, Lisa Qualls]()
May 25, 2020
The Connected Child, authored by the late Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross, has been a life saver for multitudes of foster and adoptive families. Through Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), Drs. Purvis and Cross have provided parenting tools unique to the challenges presented in parenting children with trauma backgrounds.
Dr. Purvis passed away in 2016 leaving a huge hole in the heart of the foster and adoptive community. But her legacy lives on in a new book about to be released in July 2020. The Connected Parent, co-authored by Purvis and adoptive mom and TBRI practitioner, Lisa Qualls, offers hope to every child, every parent, and every family.
Our own Sandra Flach sat down with Lisa Qualls for a conversation about her book. Listen in as Lisa, mom of twelve, shares her painful adoption journey and how Dr. Purvis’s TBRI methods changed her family.
Links to resources discussed in this episode:
OneThankfulMom.com
The ConnectedParent book
The Adoption Connection podcast
EmpoweredtoConnect
May 18, 2020
Just Say Yes and God Does the Rest
Jaime Richardson is mom to 13 children--six from foster care, 1 embryo adoption, 1 domestic, and 5 international special needs adoptions. In January 2020, Jaime and her husband Chris, were in Ukraine to finalize the adoption of 3 children when complications arose. The Richardson's were forced to leave one of the children behind in a hospital. They planned to return for their son in a few weeks, then the worldwide pandemic closed international travel.
Join host, Sandra Flach, as she talks with Jaime Richardson about foster care, special needs adoption, and how God moved mountains in the midst of the Covid19 crisis. Episode #221 features discussion about:
-Foster Care
-Adoption
-China Adoption
-Ukrainian Adoption
-Special Needs Adoption
May 11, 2020
Foster youth face overwhelming adversity which, statistically, few overcome. Many kids remain stuck in a system that perpetuates futures filled with hopelessness. But that's not the case for former foster youth, Carrie Relf. Though her foster care experience was typical, her outcome has been extraordinary. Carrie attended college earning her Masters in Social Work, married, and pastors a church with her husband. Her passion to help others shines through in her career as a social worker and entrepreneur. Join us as Carrie tells her story and shares what made the difference in her life. Episode 220 features discussion about:
May 4, 2020
Foster and adoptive moms face unique challenge everyday as they pour out and parent children with trauma histories. During this time of national crisis, these challenges are compounded by the need to homeschool children with special needs, sheltering in place, and the stress brought on by the Covid19 shutdown. Now, more than ever, parents must carve out time for some self care.
Join us for Episode #219 as host, Sandra Flach, talks with guest, Tracie Loux. Tracie is an author, artist, teacher and adoptive mom. She recently created the beautiful illustrations for the Second Mother bible study for foster and adoptive moms.
This episode features discussion about:
-Adoption
-Special Needs Adoption
-Self care
