Episode 116: Protecting Your Family From Tech with Some Tech
Release Date: 04/06/2021
Episode 181: It's OK to Say, "I'm Not OK."
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: Today, it’s just the two of us, engaging in a candid conversation about mental health. Ironically, we find ourselves easing into a month dedicated to both mental health and foster care awareness. For those who have experienced life within the foster care system, the intricate connection between these two realms becomes evident. So, let’s dive into the spaces where our mental well-being has been profoundly affected and the valuable lessons we’ve gleaned along the way. With that, let’s begin this authentic conversation. 🌟 Resource Links: Connect with us! Email:...
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Episode 180: How Caregiver Stress Impacts Our Bodies
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In honor of Stress Awareness Month, our podcast delves into the crucial topic of stress reduction and self-care. While this is important for everyone, it holds even greater significance for caregivers of children with special needs and those working in social services fields. The toll of constant stress can adversely affect our health, leading to feelings of depression, anxiety, inadequate sleep, lack of physical activity, and imbalanced diets. These factors increase the risk of serious health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. But how do we address this challenge? Today,...
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Episode 179: What is Critical Memory Integration and How Can it Help?
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: Today, we’re delving into an exciting new therapy modality called Critical Memory Integration. This groundbreaking approach focuses on healing trauma by exploring unresolved critical memories and integrating them with neutral memories, fostering resilience in individuals. At the forefront of this creation, our incredible team of panelists joins us today. You might recognize one of our team members—Estefana Johnson—who shared her insights in our Valentine’s episode. Estefana is a cherished friend of Foster Arizona. Alongside Estefana, we have two remarkable psychologists: Dr....
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Episode 178: Learning and Growing Together - On Location at Foster Cooperative Training Day: Part 2
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: Welcome back to the Fostering Voices podcast! In today’s episode, we’re picking up where we left off last week. Our microphones are live on location at Foster Cooperative’s first training day of 2024, where we’re soaking up knowledge and growing together. 🌱 Last time, you had the pleasure of meeting some of our incredible presenters. This week, get ready to hear from three more remarkable human beings. They’ll share their stories, insights, and passion for fostering. 🎙️ So, without further ado, let’s dive into this enriching conversation! Buckle up, because here we...
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Episode 177: Learning and Growing Together - On Location at Foster Cooperative Training Day: Part 1
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: Today is all about something extra special! We've packed our gear and hit the road to bring you an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience. Right now, we're on location at Foster Cooperative's training day, immersing ourselves in a day of learning and growth. Foster Arizona, a beacon of support and empowerment, hosts these training events twice a year. And let me tell you, each time is a unique journey filled with eye-opening insights. Today, we're not keeping those gems to ourselves – we're bringing you along for the ride! Join us as we dive into various topics and explore valuable...
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Episode 176: All You Need is Love (Not!)
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: It’s officially Hallmark’s week of love! 🌟 When it comes to parenting kids with trauma, we often hear the words, “All You Need is Love.” But is that really true? This week, we dive deep into this question. We’re thrilled to have Estefana Johnson joining us in the conversation. Estefana, a clinical social worker, began her career working with youth in residential treatment facilities. She’s a mover and a shaker, bringing innovative approaches to trauma therapies. Plus, she’s a favorite trainer at our semi-annual Foster Cooperative training events. And let’s not...
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Episode 175: I Want to Foster! Now What?
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: Discover the profound journey of becoming a foster parent in a nation grappling with a staggering shortage. In this episode, we explore the critical issue of the national decline in foster parent numbers, intensified by a 60% drop since the onset of the pandemic. Arizona, mirroring this trend, has witnessed a drastic decrease from 5,559 licensed foster homes in 2019 to a mere 2,798 as of November 2023 – marking a nearly 50% loss. Against this backdrop, our guests, Elisia and Jade from Step Stone Youth Agency, shed light on the challenges and rewards of foster parenting. At a time...
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Episode 174: Moms Get Real
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: Welcome to the Fostering Voices podcast with your host Kim! Join us as we shake things up in this episode by delving into some authentic mom talk. We've given Brian the boot for now to bring you a heartfelt discussion on the joys and challenges of parenting within the realms of foster care and adoption. As a mom personally touched by these experiences, connecting with others who share similar journeys has been both empowering and deeply meaningful. In today's episode, we're joined by the wonderful Elisia and Ally, fellow moms navigating the unique landscape of foster care and...
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Episode 173: Kids’ Perspective on Foster Care and Adoption
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: Welcome back to the Fostering Voices podcast! Happy 2024, everyone! We're thrilled to kick off another year of heartfelt conversations and insightful stories. In today's episode, we have a special discussion with our 'bigs'—Maisey, Liesey, and Sam—sharing their unique perspectives on foster care and adoption. Join us as we delve into their experiences, gaining valuable insights into the world of fostering and adoption through their eyes. Thanks for tuning in, and let's embark on this journey of understanding and empathy together! Resource Links: Connect with us! Email:...
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Episode 172: Foster Care Land Between: Planning Your Future in the Unknown
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: As we wrap up 2024, we're diving into the complexities of foster care planning. Unlike the conventional New Year's resolutions, the foster care journey is a unique landscape filled with uncertainties. In today's raw and unfiltered discussion, it's just the two of us sharing our personal experiences without any guests. We want to pull back the curtain on the challenges and emotions that come with navigating the foster care land between. As we all contemplate what the coming year holds, those entrenched in foster care face a different set of considerations. Planning takes on a whole new...
info_outlineTechnology is great and terrible for our families. Millions upon millions of families have come before us with little to no technology. And they did pretty well for themselves. But here we are with too much technology and what are we supposed to do now?
Todd Watson, CEO of Showit (the sponsor of our podcast!) and Chris' cousin, is on the podcast! This interview is packed with so much incredible info on how to keep our families safe in this technological world.
Where to start
We cannot expect to protect our kids from everything. That is a truth pill we have to swallow, right off the bat. But let's also remember that as adults, a lot of us need this info, whether we have kids or not. A lot of us grown ups are just as bad, if not worse, than kids with their devices!
In episode 31, we talked with Robert Watson about porn and sex. One thing that he told us was that your kids are not always looking for porn, but porn is looking for them! So teach them that there are just so many things they should not click on. And talk to them about staying safe online.
Todd also mentioned that simply having a phone, and having texting capabilities is a form of social media. So even if your kids are not on social media (which we strongly recommend that they avoid it til they are at least 16, if not longer!), you still have to check up on them! If they can text, they are not getting a break from school life, or social life. When we were younger, when we left school for the day, that was it. We didn't bring the drama home with us. Make sure your kids are doing ok with who is texting them, and what people are texting them. Even deleted texts can haunt you forever - so be careful. And tell your kids to be careful.
Some tools
Here are some of the apps and tools that Todd mentioned in this episode
- qustodio.com
- bark.com
- Griffin Wifi router
- set pins on Netflix
Best parenting advice
As always, our biggest pieces of advice for having a healthy home are to eat meals together and build your relationships! If eating dinner every night together is out of the question, then eat bowls of cereal together in the morning. Just make sure you have time to look each other in the eyeballs and say "how was your day? how is your heart?"
Good Word of the Day
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
-Proverbs 22:6
Todd talked a lot about training our kids for character! SO GOOD! We can't control our kids and their actions. We can try to help them make better choices, and we can try to protect them from certain things. But if we train them to have good character, they will make a lot of those good choices for themselves!
We mentioned that Rules Without Relationship Lead to Rebellion. Work on your relationship with your kids and your loved ones. Help them to understand the rules, and even have ownership in them! Hopefully this will mitigate some of the rebellion! Friends, none of us are going to get this right 100% of the time. Our kids will slip up. And so will we! So let's have grace, AND wisdom!
Connect with Todd
You can hear more about Todd's journey as a foster family in episode 6!
You can connect with him on social media, even though he is rarely on it. (So, good luck!)
Connect with Us!
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