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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

31:37

Go Upstream: A Call to Action in Response to the 10...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/10/31

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Brian Mavis discuss the themes of foster care and adoption as outlined in Brian's book, Upstream. They explore the importance of self-assessment for potential foster parents, the preparation needed for welcoming a child, and the realities of transitioning from foster care to adoption. The conversation emphasizes the need for community support, the role of businesses and faith communities in fostering a supportive

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37:49

Finding Family in Unexpected Places: The Inspiring...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/10/29

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Courtney Williams and co-host Travis Vangsnes welcome Liz Sutherland, a former foster youth and author. Liz shares her journey through foster care, the challenges of aging out, and the importance of resilience and support.She discusses her experiences of finding family in unexpected places, the power of education, and the impact of her memoir, 'No Ordinary Liz.' Liz also highlights the need for kindness and unconditional love for children

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51:29

Creating a More Supportive and Connected Foster Care...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/10/22

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Travis Vangsnes engage with Jason Weber, a seasoned advocate for foster care and co-founder of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO). They explore Jason's journey into fostering, the challenges faced in the foster care system, and the importance of community collaboration. Jason emphasizes the need for unconditional love and support for children in foster care, while also discussing the vision of 'More Than

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42:50

Go Upstream: The Social Wounds Homelessness,...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney and Brian Mavis delve into the critical social issues surrounding foster care, including homelessness, incarceration, teen pregnancy, and generational foster care. They discuss the alarming statistics related to these social wounds and emphasize the importance of family connections and mentorship in preventing these issues. The conversation highlights personal stories and insights, aiming to raise awareness and encourage

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50:05

From Foster Care to City Hall: The Story, Lessons,...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/10/15

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Travis Vangsnes and co-host Courtney Williams welcome Jason Salamun, the mayor of Rapid City, South Dakota. They discuss Jason's journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a community leader. Jason has a profoundly unique lens of seeing foster career and ways to support foster families having been in foster care, to later being a pastor, and then eventually a mayor galvanizing his city on the many ways to become involved. Jason

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47:22

Building a Church With a Heart for Foster Care and...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/10/08

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian Mavis and Travis engage with Kelly and Tracie Ward, a couple deeply involved in foster care and adoption. They share their personal journey, the challenges and joys of fostering, and how their church has embraced a mission to support families in crisis. The Wards emphasize the importance of community involvement, the need for churches to open their homes, and the profound impact of fostering on both children and families. They

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47:21

Go Upstream: The Social Wounds Sex Trafficking,...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/10/02

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, Courtney and Brian Mavis delve into critical social issues affecting foster youth, including sex trafficking, addiction, and poverty. They discuss the alarming realities of sex trafficking in the U.S., particularly how foster youth are disproportionately affected. The conversation shifts to the cycle of addiction, exploring how trauma leads to substance abuse among youth in care. Finally, they address the economic challenges faced by former

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38:01

Foster Parenting and Electronics: Navigating the...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/10/01

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Brian, Courtney, and Travis discuss the challenges of parenting in the digital age, particularly focusing on the impact of electronics on children and foster youth. They explore the complexities of managing technology access, the implications of the Foster Youth Bill of Rights, and the importance of establishing rules for electronics in the home. The conversation also delves into the dangers of technology for kids in foster care, the

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45:50

From Foster Care to Bestselling Author: An Inspiring...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/09/24

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis Vangsnes and Courtney Williams interview bestselling author Kate Angelo, who shares her inspiring journey from foster care to becoming a successful writer. Kate discusses the impact of her traumatic childhood experiences on her writing and the themes of belonging and family in her work. She emphasizes the importance of empathy, relationship skills, and mentorship for foster youth, and how her own experiences have shaped her

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51:23

Go Upstream: The Social Wounds Trauma, Physical...

The Foster Friendly Podcast ·

2025/09/18

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Courtney and Brian Mavis delve into the critical social wounds affecting youth in foster care, focusing on trauma, physical illness, and suicide. They discuss the complexities of trauma experienced by foster youth, the link between trauma and physical health issues, and the alarming rates of suicide among this vulnerable population. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding these issues to foster healing and support for

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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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73 results

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