Episode 224: Focus In, Freak Out Less
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In this episode of the Fostering Voices podcast, Brian and Kim explore what happens when we shift our focus inward—toward what we can control, what we need, and how we choose to respond—and how that shift shapes our relationships with others. They kick things off with a few real-life moments we can all relate to, from navigating chaotic drivers to the unique stress of New Year’s Eve, using these everyday experiences as a springboard for deeper reflection. From there, the conversation turns toward intentionality: how we want to show up in the world, the power of choosing our...
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Episode 223: The Unofficial 2025 Recap - Vehon Version
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: Happy 2026! In this reflective kickoff episode, Brian and Kim look back on 2025 through their shared perspective as the Vehons—an honest conversation about a year that taught them deeply, stretched them unexpectedly, and surprised them with moments of real joy. Together, they unpack what 2025 revealed: the lessons that shaped them, the challenges that pushed them beyond their comfort zones, and the places where joy showed up in meaningful ways. From there, they turn the corner toward the new year, naming what they are intentionally carrying forward into 2026—and what they are...
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Episode 222: Trauma Parenting Will Expose Your Scars
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In this episode, you’re invited into a personal, honest conversation about what really happens when you say yes to trauma parenting. Peter Mutabazi joins you for a heartfelt discussion about why fostering doesn’t just change the lives of children—it changes the adults who step in for them. If you’re fostering now or considering stepping into this world, this episode speaks directly to you. Peter shares how his journey began as a ten-year-old homeless child in Uganda and how the kindness of others shaped the man he is today. He opens up about becoming a foster parent to more...
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Episode 221: November’s Presidential Executive Order: Fostering the Future
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In this week’s episode of Fostering Voices, Kim and Brian dig into the recent presidential executive order released on November 13th: Fostering the Future for American Children and Families. After receiving many questions about what the order means for the foster care community, Kim and Brian break down the key components, highlight potential benefits, and raise important concerns. They begin with an overview of the order’s call to modernize the child welfare system, including improved data collection, better information sharing, and enhanced collaboration with non-government...
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Episode 220: The Role Trauma and Stress Play in Disease
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: This week, we’re diving into a topic that many of us would rather avoid—how stress and trauma affect our bodies. If you’re like Kim, it’s not a conversation you’re eager to have, but it’s one that matters deeply if we want to live as our healthiest, most authentic selves. Joining the discussion is our friend and regular guest, Estefana Johnson, who helps unpack what happens “when the body says no.” Together, we explore the hidden ways internal stress and unresolved trauma can shape our health, behaviors, and overall wellbeing. From understanding Adverse Childhood...
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Episode 219: When Grandparents Become Parents
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: This week, we’re diving into an important and often overlooked topic — when grandparents step into the role of parent. In 2024, Duet reported that more than 64,000 grandparents in Arizona are raising their grandchildren, and census data shows the state ranks above the national average for grandparents providing care. For every one child raised by kin within the foster care system, there are eight being raised by kin outside of it. In this episode, we’re honored to talk with Oralia, a grandmother navigating the challenges and joys of raising her grandchildren, and Lisa from Duet,...
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Episode 218: Supporting Young Adults with Addiction
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: This week on the podcast, we wrap up our series on substance use with an honest and compassionate conversation about supporting young adults who are struggling with addiction. Joining us again are Kim McWilliams and Sarah Grado, who bring both personal insight and professional experience to this deeply important topic. We begin by exploring why this issue is so relevant today—looking at current statistics, the driving factors behind them, and the real-life experiences of youth that go beyond the numbers. From there, we shift to the power of connection on the other side of addiction:...
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Episode 217: The Impact of Marijuana on the Adolescent Brain
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: In our last episode, we explored how substances affect infants. But what about adolescents? Is marijuana really a big deal for today’s youth, and what do parents and communities need to know to keep them safe? In this episode, we welcome Kim McWilliams, an award-winning licensed counselor, and Sarah Grado, Executive Director of Not My Kid, a local Arizona nonprofit dedicated to substance use prevention and recovery. Together, they shed light on the realities of marijuana use among teens, the ripple effects it creates at school, at home, and among peers, and how communities are...
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Episode 216: The Impact of Substance Use on the Infant Brain
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: From the very first breaths of life, some babies face challenges most of us can hardly imagine. Born substance-exposed, these newborns often enter the world in pain, their tiny bodies working through the effects of addiction before they even have a chance to begin. In the Phoenix Valley, Jacob’s Hope is stepping into that story with compassion and care. Their mission is twofold: to nurture newborns who are substance-exposed and to walk alongside mothers who are fighting to overcome addiction, offering them the support they need for a healthier future. Today, we’re joined by two...
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Episode 215: Empowering Children with Learning Disabilities
Fostering Voices Podcast
Summary: School is back in session, and for parents raising kids who need extra support, the start of the year can bring more than just new routines; it can stir up anxiety, frustration, and countless questions about navigating the system to get the right resources. In this episode, we sit down with Joey Taylor, an education advocate, foster parent, and adoptive parent whose journey is as inspiring as it is unique. Raised and educated in Arizona, Joey’s path has taken him from the halls of jail to the desks of exceptional students, and into the homes of families in crisis. His experiences...
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In this episode we delve into the transformative journey of becoming a foster parent. Join us as we sit down with Katie O’Dell, the passionate Executive Director of AZ127, a steadfast advocate for fostering life within a supportive community. AZ127 firmly believes that children require families, and families thrive with a strong support network. Together, we explore the profound steps, challenges, and rewards on the path to becoming a foster parent. Katie shares her invaluable insights, highlighting the vital role that community plays in this process. Tune in as we embark on this inspiring journey, discovering the power of love, compassion, and unity in building a brighter future for children in need.
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Connect with us!
Email: info@fosteraz.org
Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast
Instagram: @FosteringVoices
Chapters:
00:08 - On Today's Episode
00:35 - Welcome Katie O'Dell!
01:03 - Katie's Story
04:12 - Invisibility in Our Own Community
05:58 - What Happens to the Invisible?
07:23 - Advocating for the Invisible
09:15 - The Stereotype of The Invisible
10:03 - Mobilizing Faith Communities
11:27 - Families Need Communities
13:51 - Fostering is Hard
14:59 - Wrap Around Care Community
17:10 - Lonliness in America
18:05 - Offering Care
19:08 - We are "Judgy" People
21:28 - We can Change our Communities
22:44 - Walking the Talk
26:55 - Foster Parents are Real People
28:00 - Take the Next Step
30:03 - Anyone can Step Up
31:14 - It will Change Your Life!
31:58 - Every Little Thing Counts!
33:31 - The Takeaway
33:48 - Step Into Caring for the Vulnerable
34:31 - Resources
35:19 - Start Asking Questions
36:02 - Join the Conversation!
36:30 - Thank You!