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Episode 82: Interview with Jacob's Hope

Fostering Voices Podcast

Release Date: 02/08/2020

Episode 210: Missing Children - Who's Looking? show art Episode 210: Missing Children - Who's Looking?

Fostering Voices Podcast

Summary: Today, we’re talking about the heartbreaking reality of missing children. If you live in Arizona, you’ve likely heard the tragic story of Emily Pike—who disappeared from a group home and was later found dismembered off Highway 60 near Globe. One case like this is one too many. Every day, children who go missing—many of them runaways—face unimaginable danger. Joining us is Leila Woodard, founder of the Arizona Missing Children's Task Force. Leila is a powerful voice and driving force behind this collaborative initiative, which brings together nonprofit organizations across...

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Fostering Voices Podcast

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Fostering Voices Podcast

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Fostering Voices Podcast

Summary: In this episode, Meagan Ku returns to explore the mental health challenges facing today’s teens—and how parents can respond with wisdom and awareness. As a mom of three teenagers, Meagan shares personal insight and professional perspective on what's really going on with youth today, and why it's so different from past generations. Kim and Brian dive into tough questions: What are we missing? What do we need to see more clearly? We also revisit Meagan’s previous episode (Ep. 206) and catch up on what’s new in her world. From the alarming youth mental health stats in Arizona to...

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Fostering Voices Podcast

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Fostering Voices Podcast

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Episode 204: The Road to an Autism Diagnosis show art Episode 204: The Road to an Autism Diagnosis

Fostering Voices Podcast

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Fostering Voices Podcast

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Episode 202: Pediatric Feeding Disorder: When Food Becomes the Enemy show art Episode 202: Pediatric Feeding Disorder: When Food Becomes the Enemy

Fostering Voices Podcast

Summary: Did you know that Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) affects more children than autism, yet it remains largely unknown unless it directly impacts your family? Based on a national prevalence study, an estimated 1 in 23 children are diagnosed with PFD, a condition that goes beyond picky eating and is not related to body image issues like other eating disorders. Instead, it presents unique challenges for both children and their families, affecting nutrition, development, and daily life. In this episode, we welcome Stacy Bradley, a dedicated mom of four, two of whom joined her family...

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Episode 201: Connecting with Friends: Chris and Jihae Watson show art Episode 201: Connecting with Friends: Chris and Jihae Watson

Fostering Voices Podcast

Summary: Today is a special day on Fostering Voices! A couple of episodes ago, we celebrated our 200th episode and reflected on how this podcast began—not with us, but with a powerful vision. Fostering Voices started as an idea to spark meaningful conversations and raise awareness about the urgent need for community engagement in foster care. It all began with Chris and Jihae Watson, a microphone, and their living room. Two years ago, Foster Arizona was gifted this incredible platform, and we thought it was the perfect time to check in with the Watsons to see where life has taken them. In...

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Jacob's Hope is an organization here in Arizona, that seeks to provide care, support, and education for newborns who have been substance exposed. It started from the hearts of Jo and Brian Jones, who adopted their son, Jacob, who was substance exposed.

This week we had the pleasure of interviewing Jo, the president and co-founder of Jacob's Hope, as well as Syria Watson, the community relations liaison. Syria also happens to be our aunt, and Jo is also a great friend of hers, and Chris' grandmother and Jo's mom have been best friends for over 40 years! Small world!

As foster parents, we can have our substance exposed children receive care and treatment at Jacob's Hope. You can call 480-398-7373. But the best thing for you to do is to take your baby to the pediatrician, or the hospital, to receive a diagnosis for your child. 

To learn more about Jacob's Hope and their amazing team, and what they do, check out their website. Though they are currently not in need of volunteers to hold the babies, they are always open to taking newborn sized diapers, as well as these items from their wish list, and financial donations as well!

You can allocate your Amazon Smiles to Jacob's Hope, as well as your Fry's money. And if you search through United Ways list of organizations, you will find them there as well!

It is just about tax season, and if you are getting ready to file your taxes, you can listen to this episode to help you with that!

If you live in Arizona, there is a huge one-day conference going on called Kids Blitz. This is a great opportunity to get your education hours in to keep your foster care license up. This will be on Saturday, March 5th, 2020, and Jacob's Hope will be there!

Good Word of the Day

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:40

Thankful for the way that the Bible can convict us and move us to care for others the way Christ cares for us. 

The random question of season 5 is 'Who would play you in the movie of your life?'

Syria said Diane Keaton, cause it's the only correct answer. And Jo went with Emma Thompson, which is also a great answer because they are both prevailing, resilient, classic women.

We hope you enjoyed this episode! Thank you for listening, and we hope that you will check out Jacob's Hope, and you can connect with them on Instagram .

And you can connect with us as well! On Instagram and on our website!