Becoming a Foster Mom Changed All My Relationships - Bonus Episode
Release Date: 01/05/2021
The Magic of the Match
Just As Special
Hope felt like she had way more help than she could use as one foster parent which led her to start thinking about how she could help other families who could benefit from even just one more friend. The Neighbor Program has since grown to serve families across the Colorado and even the nation. Learn more about how you can become a .
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Get Angry & Change It
Just As Special
A youth who was labeled “a danger to others” by the foster care system shares what that meant for her and what that means for the system as a whole. Learn more at .
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The Power of a Country Club Lunch
Just As Special
Former pro basketball player, Nick Thompson, became a child welfare revolutionary when he opened up a non-traditional group home for boys aged 10-15 years old with his wife. Unlike other residential care facilities, Brad's House never utilizes restraining or seclusion tactics to handle big behaviors, relies on strong community involvement, and is a normal house in a suburban neighborhood. The result is that boys who are used to being stuck in the system are finally empowered to heal themselves by discovering their unique passions and identities. Learn more at .
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Room to Breathe
Just As Special
A 12-year-old LGBTQ+ tween shares what it's like to be in foster care and go through the adoption process from their perspective — and dispenses much sage advice for foster and adoptive parents along the way.
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The Fanciest Person On Stage
Just As Special
Charell Star is a former youth in care and current foster care advocate, NYC television personality, and so much more. She draws on her personal experiences in the system to give us practical ways we can support youth in building a successful future for themselves — and how to cultivate a deep sense of joy no matter the struggles we are facing.
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What Horses Teach Us about Kids in Foster Care: Part 2
Just As Special
This episode delves into how to set healthy boundaries — with the foster care system, with the kids in our care, and with ourselves. Just like in , Dave and Lottie use examples of their work with horses to bring their lessons to life. See photos and more at .
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What Horses Teach Us About Kids in Foster Care: Part 1
Just As Special
It turns out horses and kids in foster care have a lot in common. Lottie Grimes and Dave Wyner are both longtime trauma counselors and co-founders of which provides free equine-assisted . Just As Special host Natasha attended this training before sitting down with Dave and Lottie to delve deep into how horses can teach us to better care for kids in foster care. This episode is made possible with support from .
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This Foster Care Life: How to Show Up in a Broken System
Just As Special
This is the third episode of our This Foster Care Life miniseries where we bring you multiple perspectives around the same topic. In this episode, you will hear from: Ashley Schuster Downend: a foster parent and public policy professional who grapples with tough questions we should all be asking ourselves. Aubree: a white foster mom raising black foster kids in the New York City area. Nikki Brown: a foster mom who shares the challenges of moving states while fostering. This episode was made possible by generous support from . Learn more at .
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Fostering Creatively: A 100 lb Bike Ride & YouTube Star
Just As Special
Nichole shares what she enjoys about being a single foster mom and how she creatively tackles foster care challenges. See photos and an update about Nichole and the kids in her care at .
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Year in Review: Good intentions don't guarantee good impact
Just As Special
Join foster mom, Natasha and foster care volunteer, Rachel as they reflect on lessons learned in 2021 to carry into the new year.
info_outlineNatasha went from having no kids to being a foster mom of a teenage girl in 2020.
Natasha talks with her sister and foster care volunteer, Rachel, about what she wish she knew before becoming a foster parent and what she has learned along the way.
Natasha and Rachel also talk about what's to come for the Just As Special podcast in 2021.
Learn more at JustAsSpecial.com.