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_outlineIf you want to start a podcast, this is the episode for you! We sat down for over an hour with Davey Jones, of Davey and Krista , The Brands that Book Podcast, and the Till Agency.
As you can see, we are on Episode 99, and the Brands that Book Podcast is at 96 episodes at the time of this episode going live. So, we definitely know a thing or two about starting a podcast, and maintaining it. The only thing that isn't amazing on this episode is that the audio isn't the best when Chris or I are speaking... This is admittedly the first remote interview that we are airing, and so we are still learning and expanding our podcast as well! But Davey sounds great! And this podcast is also available on YouTube in case you like to watch people talk about podcasts.
So, some advice:
- Don't get stuck on all the things you think you should do - and just do what you can do. If you have Wifi, a good phone, and a great idea for a podcast - you are basically ready to start podcasting!
- Think about your audience, and who they are, what they want to hear, when they want to hear it, and make a battle plan through that lens. Davey releases episodes every Wednesday, and we release episodes every Sunday, for 20 weeks straight. Then we take a 6-8 week break! Your audience will come to learn your schedule, and then come to expect episodes from you on those days! Even if it's once a month!
- Davey recommends having a website as the second thing to invest in when starting your podcast! Your podcast will live on a hosting platform (ours is Libsyn, Davey's is Fireside), and people will listen to it on iTunes, Spotify, and other places where you can listen to podcasts. BUT, if you don't have a website for yourself/your podcast, you don't really 'own' your podcast. If Libsyn disappeared tomorrow - we would still have our website, and our episodes on their own posts. If you need a website - you should check out Showit.co - our fantastic podcast sponsor!
Davey and Krista are also website designers who design on Showit. They also have a design template specifically for podcasters, and it is AMAZING! We are about to re-release our website using their new template!
Equipment
- A cell phone if you want to go very basic - but still good! on iPhones, there is an app called 'Voice Memo', and the quality of that mic is actually really great! And the mic that comes in your airpods, and even the ear buds that come with your phone are really great. A Kristen Friend, who was on episode 68, records and uploads her podcast completely from her phone. You can find out more at Anchor.
- Blue Yeti. This is the most popular, and easy-to-use mic. You just plug it right into your computer via the USB port. It's about $129 so it won't set you back very much at all.
- We use this mic. Well, 4 of them. But keep in mind that we are 3 years into our podcast, and we primarily do in-person, group interviews. And we have this mixer for the 4 mics, and headphones.
- Davey uses the Shure SM7B. This is the same kind of mic that Michael Jackson used to record Thriller. You're welcome for that piece of trivia.
- Davey mentioned the lavalier mic that plugs into your phone. We haven't used this before, but this appears to be a very affordable way to get a mic for your phone.
Services
- We mentioned earlier that you will need to find a podcasting host. Others include Zencast, and Blubrry. Most services range from $7-$20, depending on your storage/size needs.
- We upload our podcast onto Audacity, and that's where we edit it. Others use Garage Band on their Macs. This is FREE!!!!
- Davey uses We Edit Podcasts, to edit his podcasts and get transcripts. There are other services you can use at Fiverr for a little less, depending on your needs.
- Davey also mentioned that they use Fusebox to have a great podcast player on their website. This costs about $8/month .
You surely don't need ALL of these tools and services. It's best to start off with the most basic things, and add on as your podcast gains momentum.
Another great piece of advice for podcasters is to remain flexible enough to recognize that you can pivot at any moment. Maybe you will add more episodes per week/month. Or maybe you will add a cohost, or intro music, or who knows? But not feeling like you are trapped with one thing you thought you 'had to do' will help you to enjoy podcasting all the more.
You are going to want to upload your podcast onto iTunes, as it is one of the most popular platforms for consuming podcasts. To get ready for that, you will need to have at least one episode of your podcast recorded. Then you will also need art work (a little thumbnail), a title, a description for your podcast, and which category you want to be in (we are in family, Davey is in business.) Submitting to iTunes takes some time, so it will take 24-48 hours to connect and validate your podcast.
The Good Word of the Day
Davey encouraged all of us to think of just the next step. Whether in business, or in life, this is good advice! We can easily feel overwhelmed, or anxious about all that is out there to do, and deal with. But just think of the next thing you need to do: feed your kids, and yourself, get some work done.
We are SO THANKFUL for Davey and Krista and their time and support! Check out our new website next week! And feel free to connect with them at the above links we provided, as well as on social media!
Join us again next week for episode ONE HUNDRED!