Shows
Bonus BabiesMark Daley: How Do We Address The Smoke Rising From FamiliesSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with social activist, entrepreneur, and foster turned adoptive father, Mark Daley. Mark has over two decades of experience in message development, communication strategy, and public policy, including as a communications director and spokesperson for then-Senator Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign. He has worked with more than thirty members of Congress, numerous governors, and other elected officials. He is the founder of One Iowa, the state’s largest LGBTQ+ equality organization, and TheFosterParent.com, a national platform to connect interested families with foster organizations. He's written a wonderful book about...2025-08-0743 minBonus BabiesGreg Brake: Foster Warriors 24-Hour ChallengeSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with Greg Brake, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Foster Warriors. Greg has built companies including a 200+ person legal & technology team that have handled some of the nation's most critical matters such as the World Trade Center disaster. He created the initial model to determine the value of a life lost in 9/11 and handled numerous regulatory inquiries which include but are not limited to: NYSE & Archipelago, Oracle & Peoplesoft, Harrah's & Ceasars. He built global litigation systems, cyber security, and data breach response and remediation solutions Greg loves solving complex p...2025-07-2653 minBonus BabiesAndrew Bridge: Tear It DownSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with attorney, child advocate, and bestselling author Andrew Bridge. Andrew spent 11 years in Los Angeles County foster care, before earning a scholarship to Wesleyan University and graduating from Harvard Law School. He is a Fulbright Fellow and a Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Writing Resident.His work has garnered coverage in The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Showtime, The Observer, The CBS Early Show, NBC Nightly News, Time Magazine, PBS, Psychology Today, NPR, and Observer Magazine.He began his legal career representing children...2025-07-0451 minBonus BabiesAlexis Longmire: I Made Me, Who I Am Today, I Did ThisSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with former foster youth Alexis Longmire who is an entrepreneur and fashionista. Lex is a fashion journalist, stylist, traveling wardrobe consultant and a proud Los Angeles native. When she was 10, she discovered her passion for styling and has never looked back! As she gained experience, Lex immersed herself in runway fashion, fashion magazines, cutting edge designers, and Instagram influencers. She graduated from the University of Arizona with degrees in Fashion Retailing and Consumer Science.Lex has styled music videos, photo shoots, album covers, fashion shows, events...2025-06-0851 minBonus BabiesShimeka Lott: The People Coming In For The Rescue Don't Need to Be Perfect But Need To Operate With A Perfect HeartSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with former foster mom, Shimeka D. Lott. Shimeka is the visionary Founder and CEO of the Ashlynn B. Jackson Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting the lives of young people and underserved communities. With over 25 years of experience volunteering and leading community-driven initiatives, Shimeka’s passion for service runs deep. Whether it’s feeding the unhoused, supporting annual Thanksgiving and Christmas drives, or distributing hygiene kits on Skid Row, she is a constant presence in her community, driven by a mission to make a tangible difference. One...2025-05-111h 06Bonus BabiesGreg Rosenmerkel: I Am Glad That I Can Try To Help A Little BitSend us a textPart II - Jayne Amelia talks with Colonel (Retired) Gregory J. Rosenmerkel who is a CASA in Colorado and was recently assigned a sibling set of three boys. Rosie grew up in Waukesha, WI and earned his commission and degree in Civil Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988. He spent over 25 years as an Air Force officer/engineer with assignments to 11 different locations in the US and overseas. He commanded units at both squadron and group levels and he led teams on deployments to Somalia, Panama, Haiti, Iraq, Af...2025-04-2739 minBonus BabiesNicole Goswami : Your Daughter Will Always Know YouSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with foster mom, Nicole Goswami, hoping to adopt a baby who she has raised since weeks old. Nicole does many things but most importantly a foster mom. This is her first time fostering and Jasmyn has filled her heart with so much love and joy. Nicole works in many different fields including marketing and advertising and provides executive support as well. Nicole has been the Head Coach for the Bennington Marauders Swim Club since 2005 and is passionate about teaching and coaching. As a former member of the Marauders a...2025-04-2155 minBonus BabiesGreg Rosenmerkel: Based On Our Life Experience We Tend To Think What The Necessary Elements Are For A Child's Physical and Emotional Safety, And They're Not The SameSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with Colonel (Retired) Gregory J. Rosenmerkel who is a new CASA in Colorado and about to start his CASA training. Rosie grew up in Waukesha, WI and earned his commission and degree in Civil Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988. He spent over 25 years as an Air Force officer/engineer with assignments to 11 different locations in the US and overseas. He commanded units at both squadron and group levels and he led teams on deployments to Somalia, Panama, Haiti, Iraq, Afghanistan and several other locations. 2025-04-1731 minBonus BabiesChristine Goddard: I Now Realize Why You Were There Always In My LifeSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with CASA Christine Goddard shortly after the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles took the foster home of her CASA kiddo as well as her bio family's home.Christine Goddard, has been a Court Appointment Special Advocate (CASA) for ten years, working on vital tasks like appropriate placements, health care and educational rights for foster youth. While advocating on behalf of foster youth in court, along with her bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Juvenile Delinquency through a trauma-informed lens, she developed hope and understanding of pa...2025-03-3047 minBonus BabiesDanisha Keating: What Purpose Do You Have, What Passions Do You Have That We Can EncourageSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with former foster youth and now child advocate Dr. Danisha Keating. In this conversation, Danisha shares her challenging journey from being a child in the foster care system to earning her PhD. She discusses the significant obstacles she faced, including experiencing homelessness from ages 18 to 24, moving frequently, and dealing with an unsupportive family. Danisha recounts her educational journey that began with difficulty completing her bachelor's degree, which took eight years due to numerous hurdles. She also talks about her familial background, being one of eleven children in a...2025-03-161h 02Bonus BabiesJeanette Yoffe: You Need To Go Into The Grief, Into The Loss, Into The Trauma To HealSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with Jeanette Yoffe, M.A., M.F.T., who is a therapist specializing in adoption and foster care and the Director and Founder of Celia Center, the non-profit she named after her first mother, Celia. *In this episode we talk about:Treating the Whole Family- Emphasis on the importance of treating the entire family unit, not just the child.- Benefits of a holistic approach by acknowledging all members and including the constellation of all family in addressing the r...2025-03-021h 06Bonus BabiesGlenda Wright: I Don't Match A StereotypeSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with former foster youth, advocate and attorney Glenda Wright. Glenda recently graduated from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law, where she received her Juris Doctorate in May 2022. Glenda has also earned her Bachelor of Science in Business with a minor in legal studies from Murray State University. While attending law school, Glenda participated in several extracurricular activities, including serving as senior editor of the Northern Kentucky Law Review and president of the Phi Alpha Delta: Hoffman Chapter. In August 2020, Glenda and her business partner, Tyler Hunter, launched...2023-12-0859 minBonus BabiesDr. Bruce Sogolow: Children Do Everything They Do To Try To Meet A NeedSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with therapist Dr. Bruce Sogolow. Dr. Bruce has been a psychotherapist for nearly 40 years. He relates that “There was a kind of inevitability that led to my practice of specializing in ‘walking along side’ of families with children who suffered from attachment challenges.” His most valuable teachers along the way were children and parents whose trust in others was deeply wounded in their early lives: through a deep dive into non-violent communication, he discovered that their trust could be relationally developed through compassion, empathy, and curiosity. For ov...2023-11-2757 minBonus BabiesWarren Press: Elizabeth And I Are The Ones Who Are Unbelievably Lucky To Get To Be Their ParentsSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with her friend and (very loving and proud) adoptive parent, Warren Press. Warren lives in Los Angeles with his wife Elizabeth Mestnik and their 14-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter. Their journey to parenthood was a tad unconventional and each child took longer to reach their home than the typical gestation period. Warren and Elizabeth traveled to China to adopt their daughter while their 14-year-old son was born and adopted a little closer to home in Los Angeles. Their family encompasses several ethnicities and cultures, all of w...2023-11-131h 05Bonus BabiesRachel Elovitz: I Am Going To Do A Damn Good Job Because I Genuinely CareSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with guardian ad litem and child advocate/attorney, Rachel Aliza Elovitz. Rachel has worked as a family law attorney for more than 27 years. In that capacity, she has represented fathers seeking to legitimate children (who were born out of wedlock), grandparents seeking visitation rights with grandchildren, third party relatives seeking custody of children who are being abused or neglected by their parents, parents hoping to protect their children from another parent's abuse - and parents who have been falsely accused of abuse in an effort to alienate them fr...2023-10-2755 minBonus BabiesTige Charity: There's No Greater Agony Than Bearing An Untold Story Inside YouSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with the powerhouse founder of Kids in The Spotlight, Tige Charity. In Tige's words: As a visionary with a strong faith & a passion for serving others, I have devoted my career to empowering young people in foster care to address and overcome trauma through the power of storytelling. In 2009, I founded Kids in the Spotlight, Inc. (KITS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides year-round 10-week script-to-screen workshops to train youth in foster care to write, cast, & star in their own short films telling their stories their way. We pr...2023-10-2049 minBonus BabiesRomi Lassaly and Pat McCabe : One Caring Person Can Make All The DifferenceSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with Romi Lassally and Patrick McCabe, co-founders of Ready To Succeed which has supported college bound students impacted by foster care or “scholars” (as they call them which is fantastic!) by helping them get into school, stay in school, and flourish after school with resources, relationships with passionate professionals, career coaching, and more.From the Ready To Succeed website:“In January 2016, two non-profit veterans, Romi Lassally and Patrick McCabe, saw the opportunity to transform outcomes with targeted support—to take the foster youth that were motivated...2023-10-1352 minBonus BabiesChrisie Morris: I Will Not Let The Darkness Change My HeartSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with artist and animator, and former foster youth Chrisie Morris. Chrisie is a junior at Cal State University Long Beach pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Art in Illustration for Pre-Production. She’s currently working as a Visual Development Artist at Mr. Clown’s Productions through the prestigious Television Academy Foundation Fall 2023 Internship Program. Additionally, Chrisie has completed two internships at DreamWorks Animation this year working as a Production Assistant on Gabby’s Dollhouse, Kung Fu Panda: Dragon Knight, and Curses. Chrisie is an active scholar in the foster-youth professi...2023-10-0658 minBonus BabiesGavin Glynn: You Have Get Them To TrustSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with single foster dad and entertainment producer Gavin Glynn. Gavin and his then partner fostered to adopt a young boy, then Gavin went on to foster a foursome sibling set when he was a single dad. In order to keep all the kids in the house, Gavin gave up his lucrative but very demanding career as a producer in the entertainment business and became an educator. He says raising his family, in spite of the many challenges, is the most rewarding thing he has ever done and would do...2023-09-2956 minBonus BabiesElizabeth Garcia Herrera: I've Got To Do My Part Of Not Repeating The Same Mistakes As My FamilySend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with foster alum Elizabeth Garcia Herrera. Liz and her sisters (America's story is Episode 16 of Season 3) were placed in foster care when their mother could no longer look after them. Liz was 17 and spent several confusing years struggling to get on her feet but she put herself through college and now works as a supervisor in child welfare. She's married with two small children and her mom helps to care for them. Elizabeth is a Program Supervisor for the Healthy Families America Home Visitation program at SHI...2023-09-2255 minBonus BabiesAmerica Gutierrez: I Am Not Going To Be Silenced AnymoreSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with foster care alum America Gutierrez. America is a passionate advocate for mental health, firmly guided by the belief that our voices are our most potent tools. With unwavering determination, she fearlessly shares her personal journey, notably her harrowing experiences within the foster care system. Through her advocacy efforts, she aims to illuminate critical conversations surrounding the welfare of youth who, like her, have faced profound challenges.Born to Mexican immigrant parents, America inherited a spirit of resilience from her mother, who instilled in her the un...2023-09-2045 minBonus BabiesGeorgette Todd: That's When Everything ChangedSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with former foster youth and now child advocate Georgette Todd. Georgette is a speaker, author, and a foster care and child abuse prevention advocate. Georgette spent her teenage years bouncing around from home to home in the broken foster care system before she emancipated at age 18, with no safety net or anyone to depend on. Through sheer determination, Georgette went all the way with her education and graduated at the top of her class, serving as the commencement speaker at her college graduation. She is the first in h...2023-09-1148 minBonus BabiesRon Jenkins: One Of The Reason Kids Don't Get Help Is Because They Don't Learn How To Trust AgainSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with child advocate and mentor Ron Jenkins. Ron is a former foster youth who along with his siblings was placed in foster care after his mother died of cancer when he was two years old. He bounced around in foster care for several years until he was adopted by a friend of his mom, but that didn't turn out well for any of the kids in that home. His foster mother was a cruel and abusive drug dealer, and Ron was sexually abused but two women before he w...2023-08-1152 minBonus BabiesLorry Leigh Belhumeur: What's Happened To You, How Can I Help?Send us a textJayne Amelia speaks with Dr. Lorry Leigh Belhumeur, a renowned leader in the field of mental health and wellness, with over 30 years of experience serving children and their families. Dr. Lorry’s unwavering commitment to empowering young individuals and the adults who care for them, along with her exceptional leadership skills, has positioned her as a highly respected figure in the field. She's a licensed psychologist with a Ph.D. from UCLA, author, speaker, trainer, and long-time CEO of a nonprofit where she's a driving force behind evidence-based strategies for toxic str...2023-08-0450 minBonus BabiesPaul Freese: Who Are You, Why Are You Here, What Will Become Of You, What Impact Will You Have?Send us a textJayne Amelia speaks with advocate Paul L. Freese, Jr. Paul has worked as a public interest attorney for more than 25 years and provides consulting on holistic innovations and solutions to poverty, with special focus upon traumatized populations. He specializes in strategic project development to achieve upstream early intervention impact. He has devoted his career to humanizing our child welfare, health and corrections systems by applying emerging insights from neuroscience on trauma informed care promoting emerging evidence based best practices to integrate and apply such insights. His work is guided by the co...2023-07-2155 minBonus BabiesJeremy Buchanan: I Was Thirsty. I Think Anybody Who Wants To Make It... Be Thirsty.Send us a textJayne Amelia speaks with creative and foster care alumni Jeremy Buchanan. Jeremy was raised in Illinois, Georgia, and California. He moved around a lot as a kid and attended more elementary schools than he can even count. He was first placed in foster care as a young boy and then again as a teenager when he became a "runner" as he says. Not one of his many foster homes were good to him… or for him…but by sheer will and determination, and with good mentors he eventually found for himself, Jerre...2023-07-1459 minBonus BabiesBarbara Lane: They Did Everything They Could To Break My Bonds To My Sisters But It Didn't WorkSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with Reverand Barbara Lane. Rev. Lane is the author of "Broken Water: An Extraordinary True Story." Barbara is the ninth of eleven sisters, abandoned by their birth parents, who were all placed in St. Dominic’s Orphanage in St. Louis, then eventually separated into different homes and finally reunited 43 years later. Her book tells the powerful true story of her journey through the many years she spent trying to reconnect with her long-lost sisters and solve the intriguing mystery of her family of origin – all while surviv...2023-07-0756 minBonus BabiesCharity Chandler-Cole: I Am Capable Of Achieving Whatever I Want To AchieveSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with Charity Chandler-Cole. Charity is an author, scholar and activist and "... the CEO of CASA of Los Angeles, Court Appointed Special Advocates for youth impacted by the Foster Care and Juvenile Justice Systems. Born and raised in Los Angeles and having harshly endured its child welfare and juvenile justice systems, she has spent over a decade helping to influence and impact social structures, policies and systems that have negatively and disproportionately impacted and oppressed foster youth and vulnerable communities. Charity works passionately to address the issues and challenges...2023-06-3048 minBonus BabiesMike Wiskar: Music Saved My Life As A Kid, Teenager, Adult...TotallySend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with award-winning musician and adoptee Mike Wiskar. Mike is a Leo-nominated composer, songwriter, independent music producer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist. He was also adopted as a baby and raised in a caring home by a family who loved him very much. Even so, he longed to know his birth family and finally met his bio mom and his extended family only recently.A graduate of the Music Program at MacEwan University as well as Langara's Digital Music Production Program, Mike began his music career in his teens...2023-06-2353 minBonus BabiesPeter Mutabazi: My Role As A Dad...I Can Do As Much As Momma Can DoSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with adoptive dad to one and foster dad to many Peter Mutabazi. "As a child I ran away from an abusive home and was helped by the kindness of strangers. As an adult I found myself in a position of being able to help foster children, so I began taking children into my home years ago to give back what was so freely given to me. It's my mission to give back as much as I can to the vulnerable among us. That's what drives his foundation Now...2023-06-1746 minBonus BabiesSteve Pemberton: You Need To Speak To Them In The Language Of Their DreamsSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with foster care alumnus Steve Pemberton. Steve is a best selling author, philanthropist, businessman and acclaimed speaker. Steve's "story is about defying seemingly insurmountable odds to become a trail-blazing corporate executive, enlightened diversity leader, visionary youth advocate, and acclaimed speaker. His best-selling memoir, A Chance in the World: An Orphan Boy, A Mysterious Past, and How He Found a Place Called Home , recounts his triumphant life journey and drive to become a man of resilience, determination and vision. Now an upcoming major motion picture, A Chance in the...2023-06-091h 02Bonus BabiesNoah Nash: We All Are Special In Our Own WaysSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with Dr. Noah Nash. Noah is a foster care alumnus from very early childhood, as well as an educator and creative web designer-developer who is amplifying stories, products and projects with people, for people — as he says. His portfolio includes work in international children's rights, emerging technologies, social impact and philanthropy. Noah's ethos is empowering more people to mindfully leverage technology en route to materializing the world we all wish to see. As a co-host of the Revolution of Care (ROC) podcast (a media initiative of Peace4Kids.org...2023-06-0254 minBonus BabiesJacqueline Robles: I Saw People Die, I Saw People Get Addicted To Drugs And Fall Victim To The StreetsSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with Jacqueline Robles, a former foster youth, and a relentless determined powerhouse of a young woman who aged out of the system and made her own way... jumping through hoop after hoop with the hoops always changing and ever higher.Identifying as both Indigenous and Latina, Jacqueline is set on a career to “level the playing field” for communities of color. Jacqueline’s expertise lies in community engagement, policy, and working with historically disadvantaged communities to make the world a better place. Jacqueline is now an Inclus...2023-05-261h 03Bonus BabiesRegina Louise: I'm Done With That Carrot-ing LoveSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with foster care alumnus and abolitionist, Regina Louise. Regina is a sought-after speaker, teacher, coach, and author. Recently she was the recipient of the prestigious Christopher Award, given to producers for stories that “affirm the human spirit.” In 2019 she received the Jordan Award for service in transforming foster care through advocacy and the arts; the Community Service Award for Children and Families from the Seneca Foundation; and the NAIMC Vision Award for original programming that “reflects the lives, spirit, and contributions of people of color and represents the ethnic...2023-05-1949 minBonus BabiesElle Fox: It's So Worth It Even With The Pain That You Feel At The EndSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with artist and foster sibling, Elle Fox. Elle, a high school student, has been sketching for as long as she can remember. Growing up in a family that fostered children, Elle draws on her experience of life, love, and loss while sharing her heart and home for a period of time with numerous babies and children. As an author, illustrator, and entrepreneur, Elle launched Elle Fox Art to showcase her illustrations and share the aspects of life that Inspire her. "Hello, I'm Elle Fox and I l...2023-05-1234 minBonus BabiesAdisa: The Tenacity To Live Is Greater Than The Scars From The Struggle To LiveSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with former foster youth, Adisa. Adisa compares himself to a lion cub who had to fight for survival all his young life against the bigger badder lions all so hungry and looking to feed. Born in Long Beach to a single mom who was declared unfit to raise her children, he grew up on the streets of Los Angeles. Adisa and his siblings were removed from her and placed in foster care. Adisa was only nine at the time (but already considered himself a "hoodlum" as he says) a...2023-05-0554 minBonus BabiesMimi Savage: Be Of Service...Share...GiveSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with therapist Dr. Mimi Savage. In this episode Mimi describes her upbringing: "My parents are not who I am. My mother's a white woman, my father's a black man. I am born of the two of them, a melange, a mixture. But I had to find my way. And it's not just about race. As I say this to your listeners, everyone needs to find their way. And it's foster care, it's psychiatric units, it's the world, it's the women on skid row whom I've become very...2022-10-2147 minBonus BabiesJeremiah McWright: Sorry You Guys Got To GoSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with former foster youth Jeremiah McWright. Jeremiah is from Sacramento, California. At 15, his four siblings and he were removed from their family and put into the system. After two years and 15 placements, Jeremiah was shipped to a low-level group home in San Francisco. He started his career at 17 in San Francisco as a cinematographer for the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. He's since spent over 2000 hours behind the camera in situations of every kind; find his work here. Soon after moving, he joined the San Francisco chapter of C...2022-10-1452 minBonus BabiesJennifer Stern: I Can't Imagine Anything Worse Than Losing Your ChildSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with foster and adoptive mom, Jennifer Stern. Jennifer and her husband decided to become a foster family after realizing their dinner table was too quiet and knowing they had space in their home and hearts to welcome more children. They wanted to foster after learning how great the need is for foster families who can provide a safe and loving home for children in the system. They are grateful every day for their non-traditional path toward expanding their family. Jennifer is a mom to two daughters; when she i...2022-10-0747 minBonus BabiesKendra Lukens : I Feel Like I Never Really Had A ChildhoodSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with Kendra Lukens. In her words: “My name is Kendra, I spent my entire life going in and out of the foster system after the death of my father in 2012. This started a spiral of abusive homes, and losing hope in a lot of people. After recently aging out at 18, I started a podcast of my own, HEAR US YELL, where I’m able to bring more people together through a common factor of the foster system. I will also be going to college to study crimi...2022-09-3037 minBonus BabiesEmi Niefeld: So Many Things I Could Not Have KnownSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with Emi Nietfeld. Emi is the author of the memoir Acceptance, published by Penguin Press. A former foster youth, she graduated from Harvard in 2015 and worked as a software engineer at Google and Facebook. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Vice, and Slate, been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and noted in The Best American Essays. She lives in New York City with her family. Emi is now a full-time writer and speaker. https://linktr.ee/eminietfeldBook link: https://www.p...2022-09-2357 minBonus BabiesBreyon Johnson: If I Just Give Up Now Then I'm Letting Them WinSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with Breyon Johnson. Breyon is a former foster youth and now a student at Santa Monica college studying to be a storyboard artist and writer. She’s currently working as an intern at Better Youth, a nonprofit that helps youth who face adversity get their foot in the door in entertainment to work in film, video games and animation; and she's also working at Skydance. Breyon worked at other internships making films and creating content that can help former foster youth just like her. She’s also written a fil...2022-09-1647 minBonus BabiesDavid Ambroz: And Yet Here I Am And I Remain OptimisticSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with activist David Ambroz. David is a national poverty and child welfare expert and advocate, and author of a new memoir “A Place Called Home.” He was recognized by President Obama as an American Champion of Change. Currently serving as the Head of Community Engagement (West) for Amazon, Ambroz previously led Corporate Social Responsibility for Walt Disney Television, and has served as president of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission as well as a California Child Welfare Council member.After growing up homeless and then in foste...2022-09-0953 minBonus BabiesSyd Stewart: I Deserve Grace Just Like I Extend GraceSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with Syd Stewart. Syd is a poet, actor and filmmaker, and the author of two books of poetry, A Rock and A Hard Place (iUniverse, 2010) and Babylon Graffiti (Zeitgeist Press, 2019). Syd was featured in films Hughes’ Dream Harlem and Everyday People, and has appeared in The New York Times, Variety, and People Magazine. Most recently, Stewart’s work was selected by the National Endowment For The Arts’ 50th Anniversary. Just recently, she was a staffed television writer on the dramedy series Johnson, that aired on Bounce TV and produc...2022-09-0238 minBonus BabiesÅngela Quijada Banks: I Learned To Really Operate On Reciprocity of RelationshipsSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with Ångela Quijada Banks. Ångela is a former foster youth and an NAACP Image Awards Nominee and American Award-winning author of the Black Foster Youth Handbook. As a certified holistic health coach she supports women impact leaders to get re-energized for life and reconnected to their purpose, passions and personal relationships. She is the founder of Soulful Liberation, a movement to liberate oneself and also the community. As a transformational speaker and artist, she has impacted thousands with a message to alchemize pain to purpose and power through holis...2022-08-2656 minBonus BabiesAkhim Dev: Hear Me As Loud As I Can Say ItSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with filmmaker Akhim Dev. Dev has over 20 years of experience in broadcast television and digital content. His credits include writing and directing on "The 3G of US" for SBS, "Storm Surfers" for Firelight Productions, and "The Final Sacrifice" for Discovery and National Geographic. His new film "The Children In The Pictures" takes us inside Task Force Argos, a renowned Australian-based police investigative team, as they go undercover to rescue children from online sexual exploitation and abuse. Since 2009, Task Force Argos have identified and rescued over 1100 children from their...2022-08-1959 minBonus BabiesKimberly Bell: You Took The Time To Invest In Yourself, You Took The Time To Love YourselfSend us a textJayne Amelia Larson speaks with adoptee and survivor Kimberly Bell. Kimberly is an inspirational speaker, minister, mentor, and the author of "The Epitome of Kimmy: Accept & Embrace It All” an eye-opening memoir depicting her true story of a life of abandonment, sexual and physical abuse from a very young age, and her healing journey that followed. She’s originally from Salisbury, Maryland, and holds two degrees; one in Human Growth & Development/Psychology and the other in Theology. She has served on the ministerial staff at St. James A.M.E. Zion Churc...2022-08-1044 minBonus BabiesJeffrey Jamerson: The Most Powerful In The World Is The StorytellerSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with Jeffrey Jamerson. Jeffrey has over 25 years of experience in the public sector serving at-risk youth and families in various capacities, most recently as the Vice President of Programs and Services at Aviva Family & Children’s Services in Los Angeles, CA. Over the past few years Jeff has created a shift in how therapy is conducted with foster children, he has integrated Narrative and Expressive Arts modalities with Digital Media Art, which he calls Expressive Remix Therapy. Jeffrey has a BS in Human Services from the University of Phoenix, a MA...2022-08-0555 minBonus BabiesSana Latrease Cotten: I Learned That She Too Was Trafficked By Her Mom So It Was A Generational ThingSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with Sana Latrease Cotten, who was trafficked by her mother and grandmother as a young child, put in foster care and was then adopted but even so never really felt she belonged with her new family. Later, when she learned of her own mother's traumatic past, Sana learned how to forgive her and also to advocate for others in need. "Sana is the Founder of Unashamed, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which fosters emotional health in disadvantaged families that have experienced incarceration, foster care, and teen p...2022-07-2941 minBonus BabiesJordan Bartlett: Business As A Force For Creating This Community Of People That Can Do GoodSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with Jordan Bartlett who was adopted at birth by a loving family. As a young college student, Jordan met his biological sister (for the very first time) who'd been placed in foster care, bounced from home to home, and had a very rough time. As a young businessman, he committed myself to helping kids in care as they age out, and he's a CASA too! Jordan is the Co-Founder and Director of Good at Doing Good Works, a certified B-Corporation that provides resources and opportunities for y...2022-07-2248 minBonus BabiesMary Rathbone: I Will Look Back On It And Say It Was One Of The Greatest Achievements Of My LifeSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with foster parent, Mary Rathbone. Mary, her husband Alan and their daughter Chloe started their foster care journey in 2017. Their very first placement was a sibling group of four, aged 6, 4, 3 and 1. Mary admits that after a month she nearly had a nervous breakdown with the adjustments in lifestyle and mindset fostering requires. Having worked at top hotels in NYC and Chicago before spending ten years in technology in Seattle and seven years working overseas, she believes she could do all her previous jobs blindfolded easier than it has b...2022-07-1558 minBonus BabiesLisa Marie Arnett: I Still Hold People 100% AccountableSend us a textJayne Amelia Larson speaks with former foster youth and survivor, Lisa Marie Arnett. Lisa Marie endured 36 placements and horrific abuse from the age of 2 on until she aged out of foster care at 18. She was then homeless for 3 years but even so, she managed to put herself through college and then joined the Army. She's now a helicopter mechanic, and raising a beautiful young daughter and practicing 'gentle parenting' which she never had but has learned to practice to raise a happy healthy daughter. She has a background contributing to and...2022-07-081h 04Bonus BabiesRaquel Wilson: School Was Literally The Only Thing They Couldn't Take Away From MeSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with Raquel Wilson, a former foster youth and now advocate from Compton. Raquel is the the program manager for the Fostering Media Connections Youth Voice program, and has been an advocate for youth affected by the foster care system, juvenile justice system, homelessness, or coined “at-risk” and has dedicated over 10 years to empowering youth and helping them develop both personally and professionally. She holds a master’s degree in Grant Writing, Management, & Evaluations and recently earned an MBA in Nonprofit Management from Concordia University of Chicago. Raquel i...2022-07-0141 minBonus BabiesCathy Horan Walker: Just Pay It ForwardSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with CASA Cathy Horan Walker. CASA Cathy Horan Walker is from Monterey, California. She promised herself she would become a CASA after her two sons graduated highschool and that’s what she did. Cathy believes it was her calling to become a CASA and her CASA kiddo Ryan Moses says she saved his life many times over. “I was a middle school math teacher for 26 years before I moved on to become a Financial Advisor 25 years ago. I have been married to my husband for 45 years and h...2022-06-2438 minBonus BabiesRyan Moses: You're The Only Person Who's Going To Be Able To Turn This AroundSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with former foster youth Ryan Moses. Ryan went into foster care when he was a small child and had 12 placements in 8 different school districts. At 10 he advocated for himself, called the Monterey CASA office and got himself a CASA who changed his life. But he still had to overcome massive challenges including substance abuse that almost took his life; he continues to advocate for himself, and now he does so for other foster youth as well. He’s the Founder and CEO of DoGud Clothing, a streetwear clothing br...2022-06-1748 minBonus BabiesAllison Lieberman: These Children Become Sexually Exploited Children By Being Sold To Other PeopleSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with Allison Lieberman. Allison is a licensed marriage and family therapist, postpartum anxiety expert, mom of 2, and 2x postpartum anxiety survivor. Part of Allison's early training including treating foster kids at emergency shelters and crisis centers where many of the young women and men are very vulnerable to being sex trafficked, and she describes how that happens in this episode. Allison is the co-founder of Rooted in Harmony Counseling, a California-based group therapy practice dedicated to helping moms with anxiety, relationships, and parenting. She is the host of...2022-06-1047 minBonus BabiesRachel Malley: I Love That I Get To Have Such A Direct ImpactSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with CASA volunteer and book publisher, Rachel Malley. Rachel started volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in 2019 when she learned about the power of best-interest advocacy for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. During that time she has worked with three wonderful children, and witnessed the ups and downs of Care and Protection cases. At the time of this writing, all the of the three children are in loving and supportive homes. In addition to her role as a CASA, for the last five years Rachel ha...2022-06-0347 minBonus BabiesMaria Harding: They Picked Up A Kid And Turned Her Into A Functional AdultSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with adoptee Maria Harding. Maria was adopted at birth but always considered a problem child by her mother. Her parents split when she was little and when her mother remarried, she was adopted by her mom's new husband but things only got worse for Maria with her adoptive mother. Her mother put her in foster care when she was 11 , and she was in and out of foster homes, group homes, and her mother's home for the next seven years. When Maria aged out at 18, she searched for her fi...2022-05-2741 minBonus BabiesHank Fortener: At The Root Of All Our Societal Causes Is Going To Be An Instability For Our KidsSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with Hank Fortener, the founder of AdoptTogether, "who understands the burdensome blessing that is the adoption process". His family fostered 36 children and adopted 6 from 5 different countries while he was growing up. He knows firsthand how painful & euphoric adopting a child can be, and it is this experienced heart for adoption that drives AdoptTogether. In the past 10 years they've helped over 5,000 families raise over 30 million dollars to adopt children from 67 countries. And to find out more about adopting or supporting families who want to adopt pl...2022-05-2051 minBonus BabiesMegan Elizabeth Ward: Reunification Is The Priority, However There Comes A Time When Permanency Needs To Outweigh ReunificationSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with Megan Elizabeth Ward. Megan and her wife, Amanda McMillan, started fostering in the Fall of 2017 as a kinship family via ICPC. Following a successful reunification, Amanda and Megan transitioned to a DFCS partnership home and haven’t looked back since. Fast forward almost 5 years and 40+ placements, Amanda and Megan have provided a loving home to kiddos of all ages, backgrounds, and needs – sometimes for just a few hours and sometimes for many years. They have been most dedicated to a sibling set of toddlers and a sibling set of...2022-05-1349 minBonus BabiesZaid Gayle: They Treat Us Like We're BrokenSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with Peace4kids.org Co-Founder and Executive Director Zaid Gayle.During his tenure at Peace4Kids, Zaid has had the opportunity to blend his experience in the film industry as a Coordinator and Assistant Director to ensure that media is an integral part of improving the lives of foster youth. Most specifically, Zaid was the lead in designing and launching the Peapod Music & Arts Academy in 2008 at the Watts/Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club. The Peapod Music & Arts Academy was the vision of Black Eyed Peas band...2022-05-071h 09Bonus BabiesDavid Hudson: She Says Keep Driving If You Want To Meet Your FatherSend us a textJayne Amelia Larson talks with Dave Hudson who was born in Watts and adopted at birth. Later as an adult, with the help pf Pam Slaton, he met his biological father and siblings but unfortunately his mother had passed before he could find her.David is an Emmy® Award-winning creative executive with more than two decades of experience in creating content for both television and digital platforms. Hudson is Head of Original Programming for the new Scripps Networks (ION, Bounce, Laff, Court TV, Court TV Mystery, Grit, Defy...2022-04-2951 minBonus BabiesGay Courter: We Sued The State Of Florida For Improperly Caring For A ChildSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with amazing, astounding and ever persistent Gay Courter.Gay Courter is the author of 7 bestselling novels with over three million copies in print worldwide including The Midwife, The Midwife’s Advice, Code Ezra, River of Dreams, Flowers in the Blood, and The Girl in the Box. Her non-fiction works include The Beansprout Book and How To Survive Your Husband’s Midlife Crisis, and I Speak for this Child: True Stories of a Child Advocate, which was nominated for a Pulitizer Priz for non-fiction. She is also a...2022-04-081h 13Bonus BabiesNia Garcia: To Me... That Is Not A MomSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with Nia Garcia. The smart and lovely Nia Garcia is a former foster youth who was abused by her drug addicted mother and stepfather who then threw out of her family home when she was only 13… she ended up living in shelters after several foster homes, then on the streets. She self-harmed for many years and then got addicted to meth to try to numb her pain, but with a lot of hard work and determination she’s now recovered and has made herself a new and happy life...2022-04-021h 18Bonus BabiesDebbie Dullabaun: I Stayed WIth Him, And It Was The Best Thing EverSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with CASA Debbie Dullabaun who has been of service to her community for close to 30 years.In 1998 after the death of her six year old son, Dale Lee Dullabaun III, Debbie began to work in his memory with several non-profit organizations. Along with volunteering for many years with the American Red Cross and the San Fernando Valley Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART), in 2020 Debbie became a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer representing the needs of youth in the Los Angeles child welfare system. Debbie has...2022-03-2547 minBonus BabiesKanesha Allison: Her Presence Was Very Strong Because She Was There EverydaySend us a textJayne Amelia talks with the lovely and gracious Kanesha Allison.Kanesha and her five siblings were taken into kinship care with her grandmother when she was a little girl until eventually reunited with her mom five years later, but she was able to see her mom everyday and that made all the difference. Now as an adult and single mom, she has taken in her young nephew who needs special care — so it’s come full circle; and she says he's helping her as much as she's helping him.Kanesha works...2022-03-1840 minBonus BabiesJohna Rivers: Hold On And Be StrongSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with powerhouse foster care alumnus, performance artist, and founder of Reel to Reel Global Youth Film Festival, Johna Rivers.Johna Rivers is a 28 year old trailblazer. They are a foster care alumnus from WATTS who was abused, starved, neglected as a child and teenager but turned trauma into triumph. They are the co-founder for Real To Reel Global Youth Film Festival, a platform for young film makers to highlight issues plaguing their local or global communities. They're also an amazing performing artist performing live a...2022-03-1144 minBonus BabiesDennis Rosenbaum : I Am Talking About ResilienceSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with Dennis Rosenbaum who was a school psychologist for 38 years and then became a CASA."I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I grew up in a middle-class Jewish household where the importance of education was emphasized. Yet, as a young person who came of age in the 50’s and 60’s, the racial disparity in opportunity available to some people and not others became uncomfortably apparent to me. The inclination for me to do something constructive to change that reality was fostered by the inspirational civil...2022-03-0445 minBonus BabiesRob Rodriguez: I Take All Of My Trauma, Flip That Around And Create TriumphSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with former foster youth and LGBTQIA+ advocate Rob Rodriguez.Rob Rodriguez is a proud gay, nonbinary, Latino, born and raised in New York City. Currently residing in Los Angeles, they are now making social impact in the LGBTQIA+ community one movement at a time. They are a survivor of abuse and an inspiring success story of what it takes to survive the foster care system for seven years. They are the creative force behind and Director of Marketing & Social Responsibility of the first LGBTQIA+ resource center in...2022-02-2358 minBonus BabiesLeslie Nolan: It's Healing When You ConnectSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with the powerhouse Leslie Nolan who was trafficked at a young age after fleeing an abusive family; she eventually put her father in jail for his sexual abuse to prevent him from abusing others. "Leslie Nolan is the Design and Wellness Labs Associate Lab Leader at Karana Rising. She assists the Design and Wellness team in the execution of workshops, programs, and launches. She is a survivor of childhood, verbal, and emotional abuse, as well as sexual assault and a familial cult. She spent years of her early a...2022-02-1841 minBonus BabiesMelanie Velasquez: Okay Let's Take This Bastard to JailSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with Melanie Velasquez. Melanie is a former foster youth from the San Fernando Valley who was abused by her own family at a very young age, and then as a young adult had the courage to put her father in prison. She’s a brave young lady with a terrible but ultimately triumphant story to tell. She's 24 years old now and living happily on her own. She says: “I love helping out others. My goal is to work with youth and help them become the person they w...2022-02-0843 minBonus BabiesDeena Murray: It Does Break Your HeartSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with foster mom and adoptive mom Deena Murray. Deena serves as a consultant to Million Kids for Development, Events and assisting with Operations. She is the Director and Producer of VIP Events for RCDL Enterprises and is a Certified Meeting Professional. Deena has provided foster parent services for four Southern California counties and has been a foster parent to over 25 youth. She, and her husband, ended up adopting twelve of the children they fostered. Deena has conducted research and provided outreach to support families an...2022-02-0447 minBonus BabiesDaron Bennett: Become The GoodSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with crypto kid Daron Bennett. In this episode we discuss his journey from generational poverty to inspiring others. Daron is a foster care alumnus who grew up on the hard rough and tumble streets of Los Angeles. Violence, abuse, and neglect were ever present in his young life but he was determined to break free from the devastating cycle of trauma. At age 11, he taught himself how to read by going to the library and copying down words in the dictionary over and over and over until he...2022-01-2852 minBonus BabiesCody Renegar: Changing The StarsSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with foster care alumnus Cody Renegar who is a hairstylist and fine artist, and author of the memoir "Changing the Stars" (2021). We thank him for his frankness, courage, and generous spirit!Here's what Jayne Amelia covers with Cody Renegar in this episode:1. How did Cody overcome a horrific cycle of abuse and neglect to become a healed, caring, and strong man?2. How did Cody's early experiences of compassion and resilience shape his present-day spirituality?3. What was the transformative moment that e...2022-01-2140 minBonus BabiesAngelo Melendez: I'm Not Going To Gangbang, I'm Never Going To Be A GangbangerSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with former foster youth Angelo Melendez. When Angelo was orphaned at the age of 2, he was sent to live in foster care in an all boys group home. Luckily he soon went into the care of loving foster parents, Howie and Carol Cohen, who call him "the one" and wanted to adopt him. Angelo spent several happy years with them in Beverly Hills until the court decided that he should be sent to live with his biological relatives, whom he didn't know, in the barrio in East LA wi...2021-09-1048 minBonus BabiesAlexis Obinna: My Business Is Me. That's My Number One PrioritySend us a textJayne Amelia talks with former foster youth and advocate Alexis Obinna. Alexis is one of the founders and a current member of the Los Angeles Reproductive Health Equity Project Youth Advisory Board.During Alexis's time in California’s foster care system, volunteering at church was fun and better than staying at home. During college, Alexis was able to grow and learn more about support groups and organizations that are available to youth in foster care. Each year, Alexis helps run an annual event called “Independent City” where younge...2021-09-0351 minBonus BabiesHowie Cohen: May Not Have My Blood, But We Have The Same HeartSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with former foster parent, Howie Cohen. The LA Times dubbed him “A Real-Life Don Draper.” In an advertising career that spanned five decades, Howie Cohen wrote the immortal words for Alka Seltzer, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing” and “Try it, you’ll like it” both in the Clio Hall of Fame. Howie got his start as the youngest copy trainee at Doyle Dane Bernbach where he literally learned to write copy on the famous VW Bug campaign. He then moved to Wells, Rich and Greene where he...2021-08-2737 minBonus BabiesKylie : Just Us Listening, Actually ListeningSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with a devoted and talented child therapist, Kylie. Kylie is a School Therapist working for a non-profit organization providing therapy to students ages 5-22 who live in the residences on campus, or come from homes in the nearby community. These are children who need additional support and aren't able to thrive in a general school environment due to many different reasons such as involvement in CPS, past trauma, violent behaviors, learning disabilities and more. Kylie first worked in Hollywood where she was booked live music shows and secured...2021-08-2043 minBonus BabiesPeter Samuelson: It's a Team Sport, I'm a Team LeaderSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with producer, entrepreneur, and serial philanthropist, Peter Samuelson. Peter Samuelson is the Co-Founder and President of First Star, and CEO of PhilmCo Media llc. Mr. Samuelson is a serial pro-social entrepreneur. In 1982 he co-founded the Starlight Children’s Foundation; by 1990 the positive psychological impact of Starlight seeded his next pro-social endeavor, Starbright World, co-founded with Steven Spielberg. 1999 saw the formation of First Star, 2005 EDAR Everyone Deserves a Roof, and 2013 saw him launch ASPIRE, the Academy for Social Purpose in Responsible Entertainment. In the midst of all this Peter has...2021-08-131h 02Bonus BabiesAnita: It Was An Entire Family Raising This ChildSend us a textJayne Amelia Larson talks with foster parent and adoptive mother, Anita, who when she was single and only 22-years-old welcomed an 11-year-old girl, Ashleigh, into her home thinking it was for short respite care, maybe a week or a month... and ended up caring for her for years and then adopting her. Anita says: "I would not have been able to do this if I didn't have the support system that I had with my family and friends, I've always been determined, I've always been very motivated, but again, I walked into this, n...2021-08-0647 minBonus BabiesTeena Festa: I've Always Loved So Genuinely, So CompletelySend us a textJayne Amelia talks with Teena Festa who is a new CASA volunteer and also a former foster youth. After having a very difficult time in foster care, as well as struggling with mental health and addiction as a young adult, Teena persevered and decided to try and help people like her. On top of being a CASA, she is working on her psychology degree with a concentration on child and adolescent development, and plans to work with children in the system. Teena's experience and history have provided her with unique insight a...2021-07-3058 minBonus BabiesTamar: You're Not Alone And You Can Do It.Send us a textJayne Amelia talks with former foster youth Tamar, who is also a proud and happy young mother. "I’m Tamar and a sophomore student at Orange Coast College. I am in the process of achieving an Associates degree for transfer in Political Science, Communications, Psychology, as well as Liberal Arts. I am an active member on my campus and am involved in programs such as Guardian Scholars, EOPS, CARE, the speech and debate team, and two honor societies. I am passionate about self-advocacy and social injustice activism, and use my voice to...2021-07-2450 minBonus BabiesSid Gardner: You Have To Walk The Walk If You're Going To Talk The TalkSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with Sid Gardner who co-parented four biological, step, and adoptive children during the past 50 years. Mr. Gardner is a Southern California native and serves as President of Children and Family Futures which he co-founded with his wife, Dr. Nancy Young. He served as Director of the Center for Collaboration for Children at California State University, Fullerton from 1991-2001. He is the author of Beyond Collaboration to Results, published by Arizona State University, which assesses the recent history of community collaboratives in the context of the growing move toward...2021-07-1750 minBonus BabiesMegan Green: But Of Course As A Kid, When You Don't Know The Story You Make Up StoriesSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with the gracious and always growing, Megan Green, Founder/CEO of Motivate Vibe Grow and Crownworkshops all over the world. "Service isn’t one act of kindness," she says. "It has been a lifestyle for me. I have been a leader and advocate for marginalized groups and people of color throughout my whole career. I have dedicated my life to serving others since my college days advocating for people suffering from homelessness in Philadelphia to now volunteering my hair care and styling services to the Skid Row homeless pop...2021-07-0942 minBonus BabiesDiane Martell: You're Going To Be OkaySend us a textJayne Amelia talks with foster care alumnus Diane Martell who has talent and grit too. She's an experienced learning & organizational development consultant, is known for supporting clients in reimagining current processes, procedures and team talent, and maximizing performance as they develop plans for the future. With 30+ years working in both the profit and nonprofit sectors, Diane is a catalyst for well-organized change. She has led as a collaborative executive, responsible for the development and implementation of global strategies engaging front-line, management, executive and consumer stakeholders. In the nonprofit sector, Diane concentrates h...2021-07-0248 minBonus BabiesWende Julien: The Opportunity To Be In Their Lives Is A Blessing For MeSend us a textJayne Amelia Larson talks with the powerhouse Wendelyn Julien who served as CEO of CASA of Los Angeles from 2016-2021, and is now the Executive Director of the new Probation Oversight Commission at Los Angeles County. She is an attorney with over 20 years of experience in social justice work with a focus on improving our community for young people. Wende is a biological parent of three, adoptive parent of one, and has been a foster parent twice. She serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer and is about to embark on...2021-06-2553 minBonus BabiesJaronna Yates: I Know My Mommy Loved Me, I Always Knew ThatSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with former foster youth Jaronna Yates. Jaronna has worked in the entertainment industry for the past 22 years, spanning across three major studios, and is currently the Sr. Project Director with Illumination Entertainment heading up the Global Project Management Team for their Marketing Division. From ages five to 13, Jaronna was raised in a Catholic orphanage and lived in several foster homes in Louisville, KY. She was officially placed for adoption at age nine, eventually reuniting with her mother in her late teens. Jaronna has been an avid volunteer for o...2021-06-1149 minBonus BabiesToni Cunningham: For Me It's About Not Failing, I Refuse To Let Myself To Be Anything Less ThanSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with former foster youth Toni Cunningham. Anthony Cunningham, better known as Toni, is currently in his fourth year in the Recreation Tourism Management program at Cal State Northridge. Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles in the foster care system, Toni has overcome the many obstacles that have been placed is his path. Toni can be described as resilient, hard-working, and a ray of light. He's currently holding a Student Programs Assistant position with the University Student Union at CSUN and a counselor and planning committee position...2021-06-0637 minBonus BabiesVaughn Laws: I Finally Reached The Head Of The Snake And The Head Of The Snake Is Telling Me You Called Too LateSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with former foster youth Vaughn Laws. "My name is Vaughn and I wish I knew where I was headed, but this adventure that has been life left me a husk of who I used to be. I've come through a lot and managed to keep my wits about me and pretty much out of trouble. I am currently aspiring to be a graphic designer. I had more ambition when I was a teen since I thought I wasn’t going to be doing everything on my own. However, I learned lif...2021-05-2847 minBonus BabiesJuan Valles: When I Serve These Children, I Can See The Face Of God In ThemSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with children's attorney Juan Valles. Juan was born in Downey, California, and grew up in Southeast Los Angeles County. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, with a B.A. in linguistics, Juan spent several years working in higher education administration. In particular, he worked with undergraduates in advising, career planning, and student discipline. He later completed a Master's in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University before attending law school in New York City at Fordham University. While at Fordham, Juan discovered the intersection of foster care systems and...2021-05-2146 minBonus BabiesVenus Manuel and Lori Nelson: They Saved Each OtherSend us a textJayne Amelia Larson talks with former foster youth Venus Manuel and her case worker Lori Nelson, a former social worker working in the LA County foster care system. Venus spent her adolescence and teen years bouncing from foster home to home, and credits one great social worker, Lori Nelson, with saving her life. And Lori says they saved each other. Venus is now an Independent Living Coordinator with the Los Angeles County Probation Department working with foster youth and says, “I will continue to champion this cause by being a voice for...2021-05-0749 minBonus BabiesLori Nelson: Even Though It Took A Toll, You See I'm Not DoneSend us a textJayne Amelia talks with Lori Nelson, former social worker working in the foster care system and now with the LA County Probation Department. "Lori was born a crusader with a heart for lost pets, the kid bullies made fun of and the person to run to and run away with when things were scary and unsafe. Lori’s childhood experiences led her to work in the helping profession in various human services organizations bringing value to clients fostering lasting and positive relationships. Lori graduated from the University of Southern California with a...2021-04-2946 minBonus BabiesVenus Manuel: That Started Our Odyssey Through The Foster Care System Of 9 Different Homes In 3 YearsSend us a textJayne Amelia interviews former foster youth, Venus Manuel, a shining example of how nurture does not always triumph over nature. From an early childhood rampant with sexual and physical abuse followed by a string of nine foster care homes, the development of another disillusioned dysfunctional youth seemed tragically imminent. However, the strength, passion and individuality inherent in Venus provided her with the abilities to not only rise above her beginnings, but stand as a true pillar of society. After graduating from Palmdale High School in 1996, Venus was emancipated from fos...2021-04-231h 02Bonus BabiesJaci Cortez: The People That Hurt Me The Most Was My Own FamilySend us a textJayne Amelia talks with Jaci Cortez, former foster youth identifying as LGBTQIA and now a foster youth advocate. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Jaci is of Guatemalan and Asian Indian descent, and was in foster care from the ages of 4-21. She has a Communications Degree from Rio Hondo College, and now serves as a consultant to nonprofit organizations and programs that serve current and former foster youth. Jaci is working toward her dream of launching her own nonprofit organization, Sunflower Foster Youth Investment, to help current and former...2021-04-1655 minBonus BabiesDorrie Woods: We Call Them Our Bonus BabiesSend us a textJayne Amelia introduces the BONUS BABIES podcast and talks with her first guest, foster parent and Peace4kids.org volunteer, Mrs. Dorrie Woods. After a rewarding career in education, Dorrie retired to a life of family and volunteering with Center of Hope Youth Ministries, Miracle Workers, Carson Foster Parent Association, and Peace4Kids which offers a peaceful respite to children in the system and their families. She’s a Fun Ambassador at the Compton Adult School where one of the highlights was sparking and following through on a prom for intellectually del...2021-04-1035 min