Episode 206: Top 5 Tips for Parenting
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: We're back with a bonus episode to celebrate April's five-Tuesday month! This special release features Meagan Ku, who first joined us in February for our Foster Cooperative training event. Her insights were so impactful, we had to bring her back for more. Meagan has spent over a decade working with children and families, specializing in support for those impacted by neglect, abuse, and attachment challenges. Her deep passion for helping youth and their caregivers shines through as she equips them with practical tools for resilience, healing, and connection. In this episode, we dive...
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Episode 205: Fighting for Change
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In this episode, we're diving into the power of advocacy and what it means to fight for lasting change—especially for those who are often invisible and unheard. At the top of that list: Arizona kids in foster care. In this episode, we sit down with Darcy Olsen, founder of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, to explore what it takes to change systems and laws to protect the most vulnerable. Since 2017, Darcy has been at the forefront of this critical work, tackling tough issues head-on and pushing for better outcomes so that every child can grow up feeling safe, supported,...
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Episode 204: The Road to an Autism Diagnosis
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In this heartfelt episode, we invite you to join us on a journey of learning, empathy, and growth as we recognize Autism Awareness Month. After our own child received an autism diagnosis last year, we’ve experienced firsthand the challenges and questions that come with navigating this path. With 1 in 36 children—1 in 30 boys—receiving an autism diagnosis by age 8, the need for community education and family support is greater than ever. We’re honored to welcome Dr. Christopher J. Smith, an experimental psychologist and leader at the Southwest Autism Research & Resource...
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Episode 203: Finding Joy in Everyday Spaces
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In today’s episode, we’re diving into a question that so many of us wrestle with: How do we shift our focus from the daily grind and truly embrace joy? Joining us is Anika Robinson—foster parent of over 15 years, dedicated mom and wife, and founder of ASA Now, a local non-profit. With a life constantly in motion, Anika has learned firsthand how to balance the chaos while still making space for joy. Tune in as we explore her journey, insights, and practical ways to find joy in every season of life. Resource Links: How Gratitude Rewires Your Brain - Christina Costa - Gratitude...
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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
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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Episode 199: Good Boundaries in Love
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In this episode, Brian and Kim dive into the theme of love—not just for others, but for ourselves—by exploring the power of healthy boundaries. First, we break down Boundaries 101, discussing what boundaries really mean, why they aren’t about being mean, and how they help us navigate relationships with clarity and confidence. Then, we get real about balancing life’s demands—from managing time and energy in our most important relationships to setting boundaries at work, home, and even with our kids. Because guess what? Parents are people too! We also tackle boundaries in...
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Episode 200: Know the Risk: Sex Trafficking
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: Welcome to an extra special episode of Fostering Voices as we celebrate our 200th milestone! This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the vision and dedication of Chris and Jihae Watson, who worked tirelessly to create this impactful educational space. We’re deeply grateful to continue fostering authentic conversations within our community, tackling real issues with compassion and honesty. In this episode, we take on a critical and urgent topic: sex trafficking. What risks do our children face? Who is most vulnerable to victimization? And what can we do to protect our...
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Episode 198: New Year - New You?
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: Happy New Year, and welcome to 2025! While the start of a new year often brings talk of resolutions, research from Pew shows that 70% of Americans skip them—mostly because they’re too easy to break. So, how can we approach personal growth in a way that truly sticks? In this episode, we explore realistic ways to make incremental changes toward the life you envision. Joining us are Toni and James McSwain, parents of six sons and founders of Divine Movement, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping individuals with the tools and mentorship needed to achieve their goals. Toni, a certified...
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Episode 197: Championing Community Change
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In the final episode of our mini-series, we explore the transformative power of community support and how it can truly change and uplift lives. Over the last two episodes, we heard from two inspiring individuals who have directly benefited from the incredible work of Foster Arizona. Now, we’re flipping the script. Today, we’re thrilled to spotlight Christian and Patrick Andrew, two dedicated supporters who exemplify how we can all make a difference in our own unique ways. Often, we think creating impact means making big, life-altering commitments like opening our homes. But the...
info_outlineHere are our top 5 books from 2021 with honorable mentions of the other 40+ books we read this year. We love to read as a way to grow our minds to different ideas and perspectives and we hope you enjoy these books as much as we do!
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
2:46 - Intro to High and Low from 2021
6:47 - Actual(!) High and Low from 2021
11:44 - The Books of 2021
13:28 - Quick Thank You to Our Sponsors
14:06 - The Books of 2021 cont.
31:09 - Good Word Of The Day!!!
33:21 - Continued Focus on Health
Gigantic 2021 Book Review
Jihae Books
- 1 The Madness of Crowds by Douglas Murray
- 2 Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
- 3 Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
- 4 No Greater Love by AW Tozer
- 5 The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World John Mark Comer
- 6 Business Made Simple: 60 Days to Master Leadership, Sales, Marketing, Execution, Management, Personal Productivity and More Don Miller
- 7 The Tanning of America: How Hip-Hop Created a Culture That Rewrote the Rules of the New Economy Steve Stoute
- 8 The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World Rosaria Butterfiled
- 9 Crying in H Mart: A Memoir Michelle Zauner
- 10 Never Lose a Customer Again: Turn Any Sale into Lifelong Loyalty in 100 Days Joseph Coleman
- 11 I Am Here: The Journey from Fear to Freedom Ashley Lemieux
- 12 Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life CS Lewis
- 13 Eat a Peach David Chang
- 14 Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage Dan Crenshaw
- 15 Real Artists Don't Starve: Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age By: Jeff Goins
- 16 Come As You Are: Revised and Updated: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life By: Emily Nagoski PhD
- 17 The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Re-Read Books
Chris’s Books
- 1 Wizard's First Rule: Sword of Truth, Book 1 Terry Goodkind
- 2 What Got You Here Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful Marshall Goldsmith
- 3 His Needs, Her Needs: Building a Marriage That Lasts By: Dr. Willard F. Harley Jr.
- 4 Nonviolent Communication: Create Your Life, Your Relationships, and Your World in Harmony with Your Values Marshall Rosenberg PhD
- 5 Public Speaking for Success Jim Rohn
- 6 It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership – Colin Powell
- 7 Twelve Pillars – By: Jim Rohn , Chris Widener
- 8 More Than a Carpenter Josh McDowell
- 9 Tangled Up in Blue: Policing the American City – Rosa Brooks
- 10 Re-read The Compound Effect
Read Together
- 11 Feeding the Mouth That Bites You: A Complete Guide to Parenting Adolescents and Launching Them into the World Kenneth Wilgus PhD
- 12 Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew By: Sherrie Eldridge
- 13 The Anatomy of Peace, Expanded Second Edition: Resolving the Heart of Conflict The Arbinger Institute
- 14 The Outward Mindset: Seeing Beyond Ourselves The Arbinger Institute
- 15 Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box The Arbinger Institute
- 16 A Promised Land by Barack Obama
- 17 How To Have Your Best Year Ever Jim Rohn
- 18 Your Turn: How to Be an Adult by Julie Lythcott Haims
- 19 Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life – By: Craig Groeschel
Keeping Score:
Jihae - 29 Books
Chris - 19 Books
Jihae is the 2021 FV Pod Book Reading Champion!!
Other Links:
Lily’s devo she did on the Bible App - Growing Your Faith
Patrick Lencioni 5 Dysfunctions of a Team
At The Table with Patrick Lencioni: The Five Dysfunctions …
Dave Ramsey Goal Sheet
Bek and Kev goal setting with kids
Good Word of the Day
“Don’t ask yourself how you can be more efficient, ask yourself how you can be more effective.” – Carey Nieuwhof
Wishing you all a great new year of healthy bodies, spirits, and minds!
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