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PODCAST

Fostering Voices Podcast

A Foster Arizona podcast featuring Authentic Conversations with Real People talking all things Foster Care and beyond. Hosted by Kim and Brian Vehon.

kids & family personal journals

All Episodes

44:02

Episode 222: Trauma Parenting Will Expose Your Scars

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2025/12/09

Summary: In this episode, you're invited into a personal, honest conversation about what really happens when you say yes to trauma parenting. Peter Mutabazi joins you for a heartfelt discussion about why fostering doesn't just change the lives of children—it changes the adults who step in for them. If you're fostering now or considering stepping into this world, this episode speaks directly to you. Peter shares how his journey began as a ten-year-old homeless child in Uganda and how the kindness of

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36:03

Episode 221: November's Presidential Executive Order:...

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2025/11/25

Summary: In this week's episode of Fostering Voices, Kim and Brian dig into the recent presidential executive order released on November 13th: Fostering the Future for American Children and Families. After receiving many questions about what the order means for the foster care community, Kim and Brian break down the key components, highlight potential benefits, and raise important concerns. They begin with an overview of the order's call to modernize the child welfare system, including improved data

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44:50

Episode 219: When Grandparents Become Parents

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2025/10/28

Summary: This week, we're diving into an important and often overlooked topic — when grandparents step into the role of parent. In 2024, Duet reported that more than 64,000 grandparents in Arizona are raising their grandchildren, and census data shows the state ranks above the national average for grandparents providing care. For every one child raised by kin within the foster care system, there are eight being raised by kin outside of it. In this episode, we're honored to talk with Oralia, a

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44:51

Episode 217: The Impact of Marijuana on the...

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2025/09/30

Summary: In our last episode, we explored how substances affect infants. But what about adolescents? Is marijuana really a big deal for today’s youth, and what do parents and communities need to know to keep them safe? In this episode, we welcome Kim McWilliams, an award-winning licensed counselor, and Sarah Grado, Executive Director of Not My Kid, a local Arizona nonprofit dedicated to substance use prevention and recovery. Together, they shed light on the realities of marijuana use among teens,

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48:53

Episode 215: Empowering Children with Learning...

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2025/09/09

Summary: School is back in session, and for parents raising kids who need extra support, the start of the year can bring more than just new routines; it can stir up anxiety, frustration, and countless questions about navigating the system to get the right resources. In this episode, we sit down with Joey Taylor, an education advocate, foster parent, and adoptive parent whose journey is as inspiring as it is unique. Raised and educated in Arizona, Joey’s path has taken him from the halls of jail to

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47:06

Episode 210: Missing Children - Who's Looking?

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2025/06/24

Summary: Today, we’re talking about the heartbreaking reality of missing children. If you live in Arizona, you’ve likely heard the tragic story of Emily Pike—who disappeared from a group home and was later found dismembered off Highway 60 near Globe. One case like this is one too many. Every day, children who go missing—many of them runaways—face unimaginable danger. Joining us is Leila Woodard, founder of the Arizona Missing Children's Task Force. Leila is a powerful voice and driving force behind

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52:34

Episode 208: The Child Catcher

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2025/05/27

Summary: New York Times bestselling author Andrew Bridge joins us to share his powerful journey from foster care to Harvard Law and beyond. In this episode, we discuss his memoir Hope’s Boy and his new release The Child Catcher, a bold exposé on the child welfare system. Andrew reflects on beating the odds, the stigma surrounding foster youth, and the billion-dollar business of foster care. With deep personal insight and a call for justice, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone who cares

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43:03

Episode 207: What is Happening with Our Teens

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2025/05/13

Summary: In this episode, Meagan Ku returns to explore the mental health challenges facing today’s teens—and how parents can respond with wisdom and awareness. As a mom of three teenagers, Meagan shares personal insight and professional perspective on what's really going on with youth today, and why it's so different from past generations. Kim and Brian dive into tough questions: What are we missing? What do we need to see more clearly? We also revisit Meagan’s previous episode (Ep. 206) and catch

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41:54

Episode 205: Fighting for Change

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2025/04/22

Summary: In this episode, we're diving into the power of advocacy and what it means to fight for lasting change—especially for those who are often invisible and unheard. At the top of that list: Arizona kids in foster care. In this episode, we sit down with Darcy Olsen, founder of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, to explore what it takes to change systems and laws to protect the most vulnerable. Since 2017, Darcy has been at the forefront of this critical work, tackling tough issues

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51:46

Episode 203: Finding Joy in Everyday Spaces

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2025/03/25

Summary: In today’s episode, we’re diving into a question that so many of us wrestle with: How do we shift our focus from the daily grind and truly embrace joy? Joining us is Anika Robinson—foster parent of over 15 years, dedicated mom and wife, and founder of ASA Now, a local non-profit. With a life constantly in motion, Anika has learned firsthand how to balance the chaos while still making space for joy. Tune in as we explore her journey, insights, and practical ways to find joy in every season

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44:59

Episode 201: Connecting with Friends: Chris and Jihae...

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2025/02/25

Summary: Today is a special day on Fostering Voices! A couple of episodes ago, we celebrated our 200th episode and reflected on how this podcast began—not with us, but with a powerful vision. Fostering Voices started as an idea to spark meaningful conversations and raise awareness about the urgent need for community engagement in foster care. It all began with Chris and Jihae Watson, a microphone, and their living room. Two years ago, Foster Arizona was gifted this incredible platform, and we

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40:46

Episode 200: Know the Risk: Sex Trafficking

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2025/01/28

Summary: Welcome to an extra special episode of Fostering Voices as we celebrate our 200th milestone! This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the vision and dedication of Chris and Jihae Watson, who worked tirelessly to create this impactful educational space. We’re deeply grateful to continue fostering authentic conversations within our community, tackling real issues with compassion and honesty. In this episode, we take on a critical and urgent topic: sex trafficking. What risks do our

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33:42

Episode 197: Championing Community Change

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2024/12/10

Summary: In the final episode of our mini-series, we explore the transformative power of community support and how it can truly change and uplift lives. Over the last two episodes, we heard from two inspiring individuals who have directly benefited from the incredible work of Foster Arizona. Now, we’re flipping the script. Today, we’re thrilled to spotlight Christian and Patrick Andrew, two dedicated supporters who exemplify how we can all make a difference in our own unique ways. Often, we think

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39:33

Episode 191: Fostered for Greatness

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2024/09/24

Summary: In this episode, we are honored to sit down with Mari Ramsey, whose inspiring journey began when he and his brother entered foster care at the age of 14. While many teens in his situation end up in group homes, Mari was fortunate to find a loving foster family where he could thrive. Through the challenges he faced, Mari discovered his passion for music, faith in God, and a calling to share his story with others. Join us as we listen to Mari’s heartfelt reflections on his experiences, the

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37:39

Episode 190: Real Talk: Group Homes in Arizona

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2024/09/10

Summary: In today’s episode, we dive into the world of group homes for children in foster care. When family or foster families aren't an option, group homes become the next step for many kids. But what is life really like inside these homes? We’re joined by Shevaun Sullivan, Director of Group Home Relations at OCJ Kids, who shares her insights from years of experience. Shevaun discusses the day-to-day realities for kids in these environments and highlights the crucial role the community plays in

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22:21

Episode 189: Learning & Growing Together - On...

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2024/08/27

Summary: Join us on location at Central Christian Church in Glendale, Arizona, for Foster Arizona’s semi-annual Foster Cooperative Training. This episode is packed with insightful talks from experts dedicated to empowering caregivers and community champions. Discover valuable knowledge and practical tools to better support the children who need us most. As we learn and grow together, we enhance our ability to make a meaningful impact in their lives. Tune in to be inspired and equipped to show up

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42:17

Episode 188: How Art Helps Build Resilience

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2024/08/13

Summary: In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the concept of building resilience, particularly in children. We often hear about the importance of resilience, but what does it really mean? And more importantly, how can we help our kids develop this crucial skill? Resilience isn’t just about surviving challenges—it’s about learning to bounce back and thrive in the face of adversity. While there are many ways to nurture resilience, today, we’re focusing on a powerful and perhaps unexpected tool:

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45:03

Episode 187: Behavior Interventions that Work for Us

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2024/07/23

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41:16

Episode 186: Vacation Planning & Tips - Vehon Style

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2024/07/09

Summary: As summer blazes in Arizona, we’re constantly on the move, seeking cooler escapes to preserve our sanity. Traveling with a family of nine is no small feat, and we’ve gathered a treasure trove of tips and tricks to make it smoother. In this episode, we dive into Intentional Travel. Fresh from a recent timeshare presentation, we discuss the joys and challenges of discovering new experiences together and the importance of adventure in our family. We’ll share our favorite adventures and how we

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39:25

Episode 184: The Link Between Foster Care and Social...

Fostering Voices Podcast ·

2024/06/11

Summary: In honor of June being Family Reunification Month, today's episode sheds light on a crucial yet often overlooked issue in our community: the challenges and misconceptions surrounding birth families involved in the foster care system. As foster parents, we initially held unfair biases towards these families. However, through our journey, we've learned that various factors make some families more at risk of system involvement than others. To deepen this conversation, we are thrilled to

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