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PODCAST

Wards of the State

Dillard Management LLC

Hosted by Karlos Dillard — author, speaker, and outspoken foster care advocate — this powerful podcast pulls back the curtain on the hidden realities of the foster care and adoption systems. Each week, Karlos sits down with former foster youth and adoptees to share raw, unfiltered stories of resilience, survival, and truth. With his background in entertainment and production, Karlos brings a unique blend of depth, authenticity, and unexpected humor to each episode. Expect real conversations that are

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

28:31

Biological Parents Special: Laura

Wards of the State ·

2024/06/18

Hey Light Shiners! I am joined by Laura a birth mom who almost lost her kids to the system because of a mental health crisis. She speaks about co-parenting with an abusive Ex-spouse and how she was alienated as a mom. Follow the guest on social media! @Iwinnard1982 also check out her business at Crystal Hope Creations Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=trueIf you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here

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51:32

Biological Parent Special: CJ (update)

Wards of the State ·

2024/06/05

Hey Light Shiners! I am joined by CJ a birth father who was on the show 2 years ago. He gives us an update and how he has been advocating for himself and his daughter. Follow the guest on social media! @ChildlessparentWatch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFZxNnCSntbuvjrxjjvZco3BmsCVNELmU1WzlYPCOongNNiA/viewform?usp=pp_url

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89:36

Biological Family Special: ShaVonnda

Wards of the State ·

2024/05/16

Hey Light Shiners! I am joined by ShaVonnda, a birth aunt who helped her brother fight the family policing system and tried to adopt his daughter out to foster parents. They fought for 8 years and won! Follow the guest on social media! @kinship.is.care (tiktok) @Emily_brooks_foundationSupport this family and fight back! https://www.gofundme.com/f/u2prd-bringing-emily-home?qid=64b886178566f29b75ddd2a49f67e4c7Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon

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40:03

Ep: 68 "George"

Wards of the State ·

2024/04/18

Hey Light Shiners! I am joined by George a native adoptee who had a net positive adoption experience. He talks about how his adoptive parents keep his birth family and culture involved while growing up and why ICWA is so important.Follow the guest on social media! @Ibakedinupiaq Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here

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48:26

Ep: 67 "Scottie"

Wards of the State ·

2024/04/03

Hey Light Shiners! THERE IS A SUICIDE TRIGGER WARNING in this episode. I am joined by Scottie a same-race Black adoptee who shares about their net-positive adoption experiences and religion trauma. We do speak about assisted suicide so please use caution listening and speak to mental health professionals If you are having suicidal thoughts. Always Shine Your Ligjht.Follow the guest on social media! @scottieslittlelife Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon

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39:54

Ep: 66 "Petrea"

Wards of the State ·

2024/03/25

Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Petrea an international adoptee who was adopted from Russia. She speaks on her net-positive adoption and how isolating it was to grow up in a single-mother household. Follow the guest on social media! @dosvidaniyababy6669 Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here

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48:56

Ep: 65 "Tiffany"

Wards of the State ·

2024/03/11

Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Tiffany and adoptee who shares her story about her adoption, her adoptive parents divorce and how that affected her life. Follow the guest on social media! @Sistatiph Join the BLACK MOTHERS MARCH! https://www.blackmothersmarch.com/Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here

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62:56

EP: 64 "Shellie"

Wards of the State ·

2024/02/27

Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Shellie who speaks about how her adoptive parents paid for her and how that made her feel. Follow the guest on social media! @ShellBell Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFZxNnCSntbuvjrxjjvZco3BmsCVNELmU1WzlYPCOongNNiA/viewform?usp=pp_url Please help us keep shining light

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69:31

Ep: 63 "Sandra"

Wards of the State ·

2024/02/05

Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Sandra a foster youth and adoptee whose story will shock you. She shares her experience of being adopted twice...will at least she THOUGHT she was adopted. Follow the guest on social media! @chickanddog PRESELL for BOOK @ HEREWatch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here

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64:01

The Truth About Will

Wards of the State ·

2024/01/26

Hey, Lightshiners! In this episode, I am interviewing Will Powerrr an adoptive father who went viral on TikTok for brushing his Transracial adoptee's hair. After going viral and facing backlash Will came onto my Tiktok Live to share his lived experience. Please be sure to check out the 2024 Black Mothers March on Washington Black Mothers March

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54:14

Ep: 62 "Rosie"

Wards of the State ·

2024/01/17

Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Rosie who speaks about her childhood and reuniting with her birth family. She explains that reunification is not easy and explains why.Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=trueIf you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFZxNnCSntbuvjrxjjvZco3BmsCVNELmU1WzlYPCOongNNiA/viewform?usp=pp_url Please help us keep shining light on

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52:53

Ep: 61 "Ginger"

Wards of the State ·

2023/12/28

Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Ginger, a foster youth bounced between many foster placements and group homes. She speaks about how she could age out and access the resources but how difficult that process was. Follow the guest on social media! @gingerchaney07Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here:

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37:51

Ep: 60 "Holly"

Wards of the State ·

2023/12/20

Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Holly who explains to us how she was illegally adopted and how that affected her life.Follow the guest on social media! @YAYAWatch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFZxNnCSntbuvjrxjjvZco3BmsCVNELmU1WzlYPCOongNNiA/viewform?usp=pp_url Please help us keep shining light on the

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55:07

Ep: 59 "Keziah"

Wards of the State ·

2023/11/30

Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Keziah an adoptee who was separated from her twin sister at birth. She speaks about the death of her adoptive mother and how her adoptive father supported her. Keziah also talks about how it is growing up without her Romani culture. Follow the guest on social media! @ Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here

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37:33

Ep: 57 "David"

Wards of the State ·

2023/11/08

Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by David a foster youth who shares his experiences bouncing between group homes and foster homes as a child growing up. He shares how he created safety nets for himself like going to college to become successful/ Follow the guest on social media! @ Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here

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46:43

Ep: 56 "Barbara"

Wards of the State ·

2023/11/04

Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Barbara a former foster youth and adoptee. With over 25 years of private practice as a ministerial counselor, Barbara Lane has dedicated herself to serving individuals and families. Her educational background in human development, social sciences, and family psychology, with a specialization in child abuse, fuels her passion for sharing expertise on topics close to her heart. Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon

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36:21

Ep: 55 "Diamond"

Wards of the State ·

2023/10/24

Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Diamond who aged out of foster care. She shares her experience entering the foster care system and how it has affected her. Follow the guest on social media! @Theelevenshop_ Watch the video of this episode only onPatreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here

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54:37

Ep: 54 "Kristyn"

Wards of the State ·

2023/10/10

Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Kristyn an adoptee who was given up at birth by her biological mother. She speaks about how her adoption was positive overall but had an issue with reunification as an adult.Follow the guest on social media! @ThaNuggetsMom17Do you want to see Karlos speak as a Keynote Speaker in Virginia in November? Check out the Identity Theft Conference. Get more info here https://e.givesmart.com/events/wGC/ Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon

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40:08

Ep: 53 "Cult Adoptee"

Wards of the State ·

2023/09/28

Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Cult Adoptee who was adopted into a religious cult… hence their name! They tell us about their experience as a young child being brainwashed into a cult that made them think that everything they did wrong would send them to hell. Follow the guest on social media! @cultadoptee Wanna see Karlos speak as a Keynote Speaker in Virginia in November? Check out the Identity Theft Conference.Get more info here https://e.givesmart.com/events/wGC/ Watch the

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64:06

Ep 52: "Cammie"

Wards of the State ·

2023/09/21

Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Cammie a fictive kin adoptee whose birth mother died of cancer and was placed for adoption. Cammie talks about the trials she experienced as a Black child growing up in a white household. This is a POWERFUL episode. Follow the guest on social media! @Thespeckled1 Do you want to see Karlos speak as a Keynote Speaker in Virginia in November? Check out the Identity Theft Conference. Get more info here https://e.givesmart.com/events/wGC/ Watch the video

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