Shows
Behind the Curtain: Honest Conversations about Foster Care and AdoptionBreaking Cycles, Building Support: How Safe Families Helps Families in CrisisThis episode is Part 2 of Rebecca's conversation with Tammy Pulsifer. Here is the link to go back and listen to Part 1: Part 1 with Tammy PulsiferTammy Pulsifer, Director of Community Engagement at Safe Families for Children Tallahassee, shares how their organization builds support systems for vulnerable families to prevent children from entering foster care. The conversation explores the profound isolation that leads to foster care placement and how Safe Families creates communities of support for parents in crisis.• Safe Families provides a "circle of support" for families who have no one to call during crises2025-07-2922 min
Behind the Curtain: Honest Conversations about Foster Care and AdoptionSafe Families: Preventing Foster Care Through Community SupportTammy Pulsifer, Director of Community Engagement at Safe Families for Children in Tallahassee, shares how their organization prevents children from entering foster care by supporting families in crisis through community intervention and radical hospitality.• Born to missionary parents and raised internationally in Guam, Saipan, Korea, Hawaii, and England before settling in Tallahassee• Found purpose through local philanthropy work before joining Safe Families in 2021• Safe Families creates "circles of support" around families experiencing temporary crises like housing instability, job loss, and mental health challenges• The organization focuses on strengthening the entire family unit rather than separati...2025-07-2233 min
Behind the Curtain: Honest Conversations about Foster Care and Adoption120 Kids Later: What Loryn Smith Learned About FaithLoryn Smith brings 30+ years of child welfare experience as owner of Finally Home Christian Adoption Services, sharing her journey of fostering 120 children and adopting many into her family.• Service without sacrifice is a counterfeit• Being faithful is our responsibility; outcomes belong to God• Finding freedom in being "just a character" in God's bigger story• Relationships with children matter more than their achievements• Living in today rather than worrying about tomorrow• Creating community with people who understand your challenges• Evicting unhelpful thoughts that rent space in your mind• Redefining success beyond cultural expecta...2025-07-1551 min
Behind the Curtain: Honest Conversations about Foster Care and AdoptionTry SofterRebecca and Olivia explore the concept of "trying softer" and how loosening our grip on control can transform our lives, especially in the demanding world of foster care and adoption.• Recognizing when we're trying too hard from a place of insecurity or fear of being "found out" as not good enough• Understanding how our tendency to meet everyone else's needs often comes at the cost of our own wellbeing• Examining the difference between authentic presence versus performing or dissociating• Learning that sustainable care means acknowledging our limits and practicing self-care• Discovering what it means to "...2025-07-0843 min
Behind the Curtain: Honest Conversations about Foster Care and AdoptionSingle Foster Motherhood: Journeying Alone But Never LonelyStephanie Miller shares her journey as a single foster and adoptive mom to three young children, revealing both the exhausting challenges and profound joys of parenting alone.• Adopted a five-year-old last December and a 16-month-old around Halloween, while currently fostering another five-year-old• Drew inspiration from her cousin who fostered and adopted three siblings as a single mother• Openly discusses the fears she faced - financial concerns, physical exhaustion, and emotional capacity• Explains the hardest part is never getting a break, even after bedtime when household tasks remain• Finds joy in getting "all the snuggles"...2025-07-0134 minBehind the Curtain: Honest Conversations about Foster Care and AdoptionRebecca Unedited: Surviving SummerRebecca shares how intentionally noticing positive moments and seeking connection opportunities with her children is transforming her summer parenting experience, despite the challenging start.• Summer began with significant struggles, including a moment when Rebecca needed to leave the house after a lawn chair broke in her hands• Progress with one child who historically couldn't participate in simple conversations without going into fight/flight/freeze mode• Celebrating her young son's decision not to "scream like a pterodactyl" during a frustrating moment• Working through attachment challenges with her daughter who typically ignores her after absences• Finding si...2025-06-2432 minBehind the Curtain: Honest Conversations about Foster Care and AdoptionTips and Tricks for Successful Road TripsRebecca Harvin and Courtney Studard share their hard-won wisdom on traveling with children of all ages, from essential packing strategies to entertainment tips that really work. We offer practical advice for making family travel more enjoyable, less stressful, and filled with meaningful memories rather than meltdowns.• Start children traveling young whenever possible - they adapt quickly and become great travelers• Lower your expectations dramatically - it's a trip, not a vacation• Always have a designated driver and entertainer in the car• Pack novel toys and activities, introducing a new one every 15 minutes• Reserve special ro...2025-06-0352 min