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PODCAST

The Foster Friendly Podcast

Courtney Williams, Brian Mavis, Travis Vangsnes

Welcome to The Foster Friendly Podcast. We’re bringing foster care closer to home by sharing stories from the front lines. We"re talking with former foster youth, foster parents and others who are finding unique and powerful ways to dramatically improve the experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care. The Foster Friendly podcast is brought to you by America’s Kids Belong, a nonprofit that helps kids in foster care find belonging in both family and community.

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

50:29

Practical Tips and Patient Perseverance in Dealing...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/09/17

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Travis Vangsnes and Courtney Williams welcome Danny and Ashley Smith, who share their journey as foster parents and their experiences working with children in foster care in various settings. They discuss the importance of consistency, understanding root causes of behaviors, and the challenges faced by foster parents. They also have some really practical tips to help navigate difficult behaviors. They remind foster parents to focus on

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39:18

Representing All Parties Involved in Foster Care with...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/09/10

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney Williams engage with Ryan O'Donnell, a tech entrepreneur and former foster parent, who discusses his journey from organizing a record-breaking food drive to creating a technology platform aimed at improving communication and collaboration within the foster care system.Ryan shares his personal experiences as a foster parent, the challenges he faced, and how these experiences inspired him to develop 'Your

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37:49

Go Upstream: A Powerful Book About Foster Care and 10...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/09/03

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams, Travis Vangsnes, and Brian Mavis discuss Brian's new book, 'Go Upstream,' (releasing soon) which explores the connection between foster care and various social issues such as homelessness, addiction, and trafficking. The conversation emphasizes the importance of early intervention in children's lives and the role of family in healing social wounds. Brian outlines ten social wounds that often affect youth in foster care

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30:05

Transformed: From Foster Care to Miss Kentucky with...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/08/27

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis Vangsnes and Courtney Williams interview Ariana Rodriguez, Miss Kentucky 2025. Ariana shares her inspiring journey from being a homeless child in foster care to winning the title of Miss Kentucky! She discusses her advocacy work through The Lucky Ones Foundation, which aims to empower youth in foster care and educate the public about the foster care system. Ariana emphasizes the importance of amplifying the voices of children in

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46:19

Fostering to Adoption to Advocacy: Building Stronger...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/08/20

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian and co-host Travis welcome Greg and Valerie, a couple who have made a significant impact in the foster care community. They share their journey of becoming foster parents, the challenges and joys of raising four adopted children, and the lessons learned along the way. The conversation touches on the importance of sibling relationships, the chaos of parenting, and the resilience required in foster care. Greg and Valerie emphasize the

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44:10

Creating Safe Spaces of Belonging for Every Youth...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/08/13

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian and co-host Travis welcome Kim Botto, an author and advocate for children in foster care and those with disabilities. They discuss the importance of trauma-informed care, the need for inclusive spaces in churches, and the role of hope and belonging in the lives of children. Kim shares her experiences and insights on how to create environments where every child can thrive, emphasizing the need for safe adults who believe in them. The

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34:07

Fostering Front Door: An Exciting New Initiative From...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/08/06

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney Williams welcome Laura Mobley, who shares her extensive experience in the foster care and adoption space. They discuss the launch of the Fostering Front Door initiative, aimed at providing a curated resource for individuals interested in foster care. The conversation highlights the importance of community support, the differences between fostering and adoption, and the need for accessible information to

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34:41

Seeing Foster Care and Faith Converge on the Big...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/07/30

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Courtney Williams and co-host Travis Vangsnes interview Erin Dooley, an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker. Erin shares her journey from being a volunteer to becoming a foster parent and eventually creating the impactful short film 'Adopting Faith.' The conversation delves into the themes of faith, family, and the importance of community support in foster care. Erin emphasizes that while not everyone can foster, there are many ways

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29:15

Powerful Children’s Book Illuminates Truths About...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/07/23

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney and Travis speak with Jessica Mathisen, a former elementary school teacher and a foster adoptive mom. They discuss Jessica's journey into foster care and adoption, her experiences as a foster parent, and her recent children's book, No Matter Where I Go: God's Love for Kids in Foster Care, aimed at helping kids understand foster care. The conversation delves into the misconceptions surrounding foster care, the challenges faced by

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38:41

A Legacy of Support and Care: A Mayor Champions...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/07/16

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian and co-host Travis engage with Mayor Tommy Allegood of Acworth, Georgia. They discuss his nonpartisan approach to leadership, the significant growth of Acworth under his tenure, and his commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents. Working alongside Georgia Kids Belong, Acworth became Georgia’s first official "Foster Friendly City" in 2023, with Mayor Allegood championing the commitment to recruit and retain enough

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51:27

One Year Anniversary of the Podcast: The Most...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/07/09

In this episode, the hosts reflect on their first year of podcasting, sharing funny moments, inspiring stories, and the diverse topics covered. They discuss the motivations behind the podcast, the importance of community support, and the changes in the foster care system. The conversation emphasizes the need for advocacy and the impact of personal experiences in fostering.Three episodes highlighted from their conversation: Episode 33: Teens Openly Share Their Experiences as Birth Children

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35:43

Introducing the Campus Housing Affordability for...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/07/02

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney Williams engage with Congressman Greg Landsman, who discusses his advocacy for children and families, particularly those in the foster care system. Landsman shares his journey from local politics to Congress, emphasizing the importance of community support and early childhood education. He introduces his bill aimed at allowing foster care youth to use housing vouchers for on-campus living, highlighting the

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42:53

From Meth to Social Worker, a Powerful Reunification...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/06/25

In this deeply moving episode, Travis and Courtney sit down with Brenna Hunter, a mother whose children were removed from her care in 2020 due to substance use. Today, she’s not only a reunited parent, but also a parenting time specialist working to support other families in the child welfare system.Brenna bravely shares her story—growing up in a conservative home, falling into addiction, losing custody of her children, and the painful yet powerful journey to recovery and reunification. She

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52:48

Home Sweet Home: Ashley and Ashton Share About Their...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/06/18

In this episode, Ashley Darrow and her son Ashton share their emotional journey through addiction, foster care, and reunification. Ashley discusses her struggles with addiction and the impact it had on her relationship with Ashton, who reflects on his experiences in foster care and the challenges of being separated from his mother. The conversation highlights themes of love, resilience, and the complexities of family dynamics in the face of adversity. This conversation also explores the

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58:15

A Foster Mom and Birth Mom Share Their Moving Story...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/06/11

This episode of the Foster Friendly podcast features a heartfelt conversation between hosts Brian and Travis, and guests Ashley Darrow and Selena Whitley, who share their intertwined stories of struggle, hope, and healing within the foster care system. Ashley recounts her journey through addiction and the challenges she faced as a mother, while Selena discusses her family's decision to foster children. Together, they explore the complexities of reunification, the impact of preconceived

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43:20

Reunification: An Honest Conversation Around Foster...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/06/04

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, the hosts discuss the complexities of foster care reunification, sharing personal stories and insights. They explore the emotional challenges faced by birth families, the statistics surrounding reunification rates, and the importance of supporting these families. The conversation highlights the mixed feelings surrounding reunification, the goals of child welfare, and the impact of time spent in care on reunification outcomes. In this

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34:18

Helpful Tips and Advice When the Going Gets Tough for...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/05/28

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis Vangsnes and Courtney Williams welcome back Bethany Hall, a licensed family nurse practitioner and director of training at Chosen. They discuss the importance of foster care awareness, the impact of movies on perceptions of foster care, and the ongoing need for support in the foster care system. Bethany shares insights on the significance of one-on-one coaching for foster families and the necessity of understanding attachment

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37:47

Overcoming Odds: From Street Child in Uganda to...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/05/21

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney Williams interview Peter Mutabazi, a remarkable individual who shares his journey from a challenging childhood in Uganda to becoming a foster parent in the United States. Peter discusses the importance of kindness, education, and the role of men in foster care, as well as the unique dynamics of adopting children of different races. He emphasizes the need for love and safety in the lives of children in

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37:24

Frontlines of Foster Care: A Conversation with Laura,...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/05/14

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis Vangsnes and Courtney Williams engage with Laura (Foster Parent Partner), a prominent figure in the fostering community, to discuss the importance of Foster Care Awareness Month. Laura shares her journey into engaging foster care, the impact of her social media presence, and the challenges faced by foster parents. The conversation also emphasizes the need for trauma-informed care, community involvement, and the importance of

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52:20

Stories on Foster Care, Leadership, and Celebrating...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/05/07

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-hosts Courtney and Travis celebrate the 10th anniversary of America's Kids Belong (AKB). They discuss the organization's journey from its inception, driven by personal experiences as foster parents, to its current status as a trusted nonprofit in the foster care space. The conversation highlights little things like the evolution of AKB's logo, to bigger things like the importance of trust in their operations, and the

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