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PODCAST

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care

Welcome to the By Their Side Podcast, where we explore the intricacies of foster care and child welfare advocacy through candid discussions with industry professionals and people with lived experience. Join your host, Micaela Tracy, as we delve into topics such as trauma, attachment, and effective advocacy strategies. Produced in collaboration with Voices for CASA Children, each episode offers invaluable insights and perspectives to empower and inform. Join us as we journey alongside those dedicated

kids & family

All Episodes

47:55

Occasional Angels with Foster Care Advocate David Ambroz

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2025/11/21

Welcome to By Their Side, everyone! This episode features an interview with David Ambroz, a national poverty and child welfare expert and the author of the bestselling memoir A Place Called Home: A Memoir! Ambroz shares his powerful personal story of growing up homeless and in the foster care system and how those experiences shaped his lifelong mission to help children and families break the cycle of poverty! David explains that for him, "home" as a child was simply wherever he and his family could

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42:32

Unpacking the Scary Stuff with Jessica Sinarski, LPCMH

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2025/10/31

I am joined in this episode by Jessica Sinarski, a licensed professional counselor, author, and founder of BraveBrains. Jessica discusses her book What's Inside Your Backpack? which explores how caring adults can help children who have experienced trauma to feel safe, seen, and supported. Throughout the story, her book aims to convey that children are not alone in carrying the "heavy backpacks" of their trauma and that there are ways to find support and face those difficult emotions in empowering

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31:34

Beyond Foster Care with Army Veteran, Tristian Smith

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2025/10/17

Welcome back to the show, dear listeners! I am joined in this episode by Tristian Smith, former Army officer, author, and Nebraska CASA volunteer who grew up in the foster care system living in nearly 30 different homes from ages 8 to 18. After experiencing abuse and instability in the system, Tristian went on to graduate college, serve in the military, and now advocates for children in foster care via his volunteer work. Throughout our conversation, Tristian shares his personal story - how he was

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38:48

Growing the Village for Foster Families with Gaile...

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2025/09/26

Thanks for tuning back in to By Their Side, dear listeners! For this episode, I interview Gaile Osborne, the executive director of the Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina. Listen in as Gaile shares her personal experience as a foster and adoptive parent, having opened her home to over 28 children living in foster care. Gaile highlights the critical role of having a "village" of support for foster parents, whether through paid help like nannies and nurses, or a network of family and friends. She

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34:21

Every Role Matters with Neil Underwood

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2025/08/08

Welcome back to By Their Side, everyone! Joining me today is someone with a raw, real, and inspiring story to share. Neil Underwood is the General Manager of Autonation Toyota Tempe, and he comes onto the show for this episode to share his past as a child living through what so many kids in the foster care system are living through today. Before he was leading teams and earning industry-wide awards in the automotive industry, Neil was a teenager sleeping in his car between foster placements,

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58:10

CASA Conversations with Denise and Patty

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2025/06/20

I hope that you will listen in to this episode of By Their Side as I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with two dedicated CASA volunteers, Patty and Denise! Both have incredibly rich experiences in the field, and they join me to share their personal journeys and insights into their important work. Denise, who I collaborate with at Voices for CASA Children, speaks about her motivation to join CASA after advocating for her daughter with special needs, and her story is truly a powerful

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45:03

Neuroscience, Trauma, and the Path to Resilience with...

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2025/06/05

Join me for this episode of By Their Side as I have an insightful conversation with Rick Griffin, a renowned expert in trauma-informed care and the neuroscience behind resilience. Rick shares some truly fascinating insights that have completely shifted my perspective. I had always thought of resilience as simply the ability to "bounce back" from adversity, but Rick explains that it's so much more complex than that; it's about the delicate balance of the brain's reward system and how trauma can tip

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37:17

More than a Crown with Cordelia Cranshaw

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2025/04/09

Thank you so much for tuning into By Their Side, my friends! Joining me today is Cordelia Cranshaw! Cordelia is a coach, therapist, storyteller, and the founder of From Survivor to Thriver, an organization that is committed to empowering youth in foster care. Cordelia’s journey is truly nothing short of inspiring. She grew up in the foster care system and experienced generational trauma, but she overcame personal struggles and is now a beacon of strength for others facing similar challenges. Listen

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41:55

The Power of Belonging with Gaelin Elmore

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2025/02/20

Thanks for tuning in to another episode of By Their Side, friends. I am joined today by the great Gaelin Elmore, former NFL player and current passionate advocate for youth facing adversity. As a child, Gaelin was very much a part of the foster system, but his experience, while inspiring because of how he overcame such challenges, was not a happy one. Listen as Gaelin reflects on his journey through foster care and how he discovered an incredibly important truth, that belonging is the key to

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27:09

Hope as a Turning Point with Lindsey Shine & Samara...

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2025/01/28

**Available Resources for Parents** Nationwide: 2-1-1 Postpartum Support International Suicide Prevention Hotline- 1.800.273.8255 Knee to Knee National Parent Youth Helpline- 855.427.2736 National Maternal Mental Health Hotline-1-833-TLC-MAMA National Domestic Violence Hotline- 1.800.799.7233 PSI Depression hotline- 1.800.944.4PPD Arizona Specific: 2-1-1 Arizona Family Involvement Center Prevent Child Abuse Arizona Welcome back to By Their Side, listeners! I am so thrilled to be joined in this

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35:46

Hope as a Turning Point with Lindsey Shine & Samara...

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2025/01/28

**Available Resources for Parents** Nationwide: 2-1-1 Postpartum Support International Suicide Prevention Hotline- 1.800.273.8255 Knee to Knee National Parent Youth Helpline- 855.427.2736 National Maternal Mental Health Hotline-1-833-TLC-MAMA National Domestic Violence Hotline- 1.800.799.7233 PSI Depression hotline- 1.800.944.4PPD Arizona Specific: 2-1-1 Arizona Family Involvement Center Prevent Child Abuse Arizona Welcome back to By Their Side, listeners! I am so thrilled to be joined in

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53:31

Navigating Big Emotions with Allison Davis Maxon...

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2024/11/08

I am so thrilled to have had the chance to connect with Allison Davis Maxon, a name that is truly synonymous with expertise in child welfare and children's mental health. Allison's insights and contributions to the fields of developmental trauma and adoption are nothing short of transformative. Not only does Allison hold the position of Executive Director at the National Center on Adoption and Permanency, she also brought her expertise to Hollywood, serving as a foster care consultant for the

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41:14

Authentic Advocacy with Maryann McEvoy, Ed.D.

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2024/08/12

For this episode, I had the great pleasure of chatting with Maryann McEvoy, an experienced advocate with quite an impressive background that spans across state government, nonprofit leadership, and the United Nations. With over twenty years of experience, Maryann’s journey offers a profound exploration into what it truly means to be an advocate. Maryann's passion for advocacy stems from a deep desire to empower and protect vulnerable children, and throughout my enlightening conversation with her,

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44:39

Connective Coping Skills with Meghan Hays Davis, MAS,...

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2024/06/30

Join me this week as I sit down with Meghan Hays Davis, a seasoned trainer for CASA volunteers in Maricopa County! Meghan’s expertise in child welfare and developmental psychology truly shines through as she simplifies complex topics like trauma and child development. With a background in social work and family practice, Meghan discusses how trauma impacts young children, emphasizing the critical role of relationships in healing. Join us as we discuss the important distinctions between and

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44:10

Safe Spaces for Transracial Adoptees with Cameron Lee...

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2024/05/28

On this episode, I’m sitting down with Cameron Lee Small who is a licensed clinical counselor, national trainer, and adoptee advocate. As an adoptive parent myself, this topic is very near and dear to my heart, so I am so thrilled to have Cameron share his invaluable insights. Cameron's personal journey as an international adoptee from Korea informs his impactful work today. Through his private practice, Therapy Redeemed, as well as his upcoming book, The Adoptee's Journey: From Loss and Trauma to

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45:28

What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder? with Barb Clark

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2024/04/19

I have the incredible opportunity this episode to discuss the intricacies of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) with Barb Clark, an esteemed expert in the field. As someone who works closely with children, exploring this topic was eye-opening for me, resonating deeply with the struggles and challenges many young ones face. Barb, a mother of five, shares her personal journey and insights gained from her eldest daughter's FASD diagnosis, offering a wealth of knowledge and perspective. Throughout

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44:26

The Secret Sauce (Relationships!) with Keri Richmond

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2024/03/21

I am thrilled to be sharing with you this amazing conversation with the wonderful Keri Richmond, a remarkable changemaker, storyteller, podcaster, and fierce advocate for children and families. Keri's journey, marked by her time in the foster care system and a turbulent adoption, has shaped her into an international speaker, podcast host, and policy advocate for foster care reform, and as we delve into her story, we explore the complexities of trauma and its enduring impact on individuals and

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40:27

Strengths-Based Strategies for Supporting Children in...

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2024/02/22

*Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions that may be sensitive or triggering for some listeners, including references to suicide. Listener discretion is advised In this enlightening episode of the show, I am joined by Kevin Powell, an experienced licensed psychologist, trainer, and consultant with over three decades of experience. Diving into Kevin's remarkable journey, we explore the roots of his passion for human services, shaped by his parents' influence and his own experience with

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42:56

Nurturing Birth Parent Connections with Ashley Mitchell

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2024/02/22

*Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions that may be sensitive or triggering for some listeners, including references to suicide. Listener discretion is advised Welcome back to By Their Side! In this powerful episode, we dive into the often underappreciated perspective of birth mothers with Ashley Mitchell, the inspiring force behind Big Tough Girl ™. She shares her personal journey of placing her son for adoption in 2006 and the challenges she faced in the aftermath, and we explore the

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38:25

Fostering Healing Through Connection with Dafna...

By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care ·

2024/02/22

Welcome to the By Their Side podcast, dedicated to advocating for children living in foster care. I'm Micaela Tracy, your host, and in today's episode, we delve into the transformative insights of Dafna Lender, a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience specializing in therapy and developmental psychotherapy. As we navigate through Dafna's journey, you'll discover the profound impact of Integrative Attachment Family Therapy, her model born out of early struggles as a social

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