The BE A FOSTER Podcast
By BE A FOSTER
The BE A FOSTER PodcastMay 01, 2020
Season 3|Episode 11 - Rebecca (Becky) Kopp-Dunham - Sexual Behaviors & Sexual Abuse in (Foster) Youth & Potential Impacts on (Foster) Families
It's here! SEASON 3 - EPISODE 11 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! This is the FINAL episode of SEASON 3! This season focuses on providing insight into specific topics such as, grief and loss, trauma, mental health, attachment, hoarding food, bed wetting, therapy, and so forth.
Listen to this episode to hear from Rebecca (Becky) Kopp-Dunham on the topic of Sexual Behaviors & Sexual Abuse in (Foster) Youth & Potential Impacts on (Foster) Families. Becky is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker through Abound Counseling | Lutheran Social Services. In this episode, Becky will provide a little insight into the very sensitive topics of Sexual Behaviors and Sexual Abuse. She discusses how to recognize the differences and the similarities between the two topics, tips to support the youth who may have been directly or indirectly impacted by either topic, the potential impacts on foster parents and others in the home, and so much more.
You can also join us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Breaker, or you can listen right on our website at BeAFoster.org.
Season 3|Episode 10 (Part 2) - Rebecca (Becky) Kopp-Dunham - Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
It's here! SEASON 3 - EPISODE 10 (Part 2 of 2) of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! This season focuses on providing insight into specific topics such as, grief and loss, trauma, mental health, attachment, hoarding food, bed wetting, therapy, and so forth.
Listen to this episode to hear from Rebecca (Becky) Kopp-Dunham on the topic of TF-CBT, aka Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Becky is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker through Abound Counseling | Lutheran Social Services. In this special 2-part episode, Becky will provide a little insight as to what TF-CBT is, sign and symptoms of it, how it can impact Foster Parents, and so much more.
You can also join us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Breaker, or you can listen right on our website at BeAFoster.org.
Season 3|Episode 10 (Part 1) - Rebecca (Becky) Kopp-Dunham - Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
It's here! SEASON 3 - EPISODE 10 (Part 1 of 2) of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! This season focuses on providing insight into specific topics such as, grief and loss, trauma, mental health, attachment, hoarding food, bed wetting, therapy, and so forth.
Listen to this episode to hear from Rebecca (Becky) Kopp-Dunham on the topic of TF-CBT, aka Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Becky is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker through Abound Counseling | Lutheran Social Services. In this special 2-part episode, Becky will provide a little insight as to what TF-CBT is, sign and symptoms of it, how it can impact Foster Parents, and so much more.
You can also join us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Breaker, or you can listen right on our website at BeAFoster.org.
Season 3|Episode 9 - Charley Joyce - Mother Rage
It's here! SEASON 3 - EPISODE 9 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! This season focuses on providing insight into specific topics such as, grief and loss, trauma, mental health, attachment, hoarding food, bed wetting, therapy, and so forth.
Listen to this episode to hear from Charley Joyce on the topic of Mother Rage. Charley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker through Abound Counseling | Lutheran Social Services. In this episode, Charley will provide a little insight as to why Foster Youth sometimes project anger onto Foster Moms.
You can also join us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Breaker, or you can listen right on our website at BeAFoster.org.
Season 3|Episode 8 - Katie Krueger - Secondary Trauma
It's here! SEASON 3 - EPISODE 8 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! This season focuses on providing insight into specific topics such as, grief and loss, trauma, mental health, attachment, hoarding food, bed wetting, therapy, and so forth.
Listen to this episode to hear from Katie Krueger on the topic of Secondary Trauma. Katie is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with Abound Counseling | Lutheran Social Services in Bismarck, ND. Listen to this episode to learn about the signs and symptoms of secondary trauma, specific examples of how this may look in foster parents, and options to prevent and heal from secondary trauma. We also discuss different types of trauma, such as neglect and sexual abuse, and how exposure to those traumas can cause different types of symptoms.
You can also join us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Breaker, or you can listen right on our website at BeAFoster.org.
Season 3|Episode 7 - Katie Krueger - Burnout, Compassion Fatigue|Satisfaction, Secondary Trauma
It's here! SEASON 3 - EPISODE 7 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! This season focuses on providing insight into specific topics such as, grief and loss, trauma, mental health, attachment, hoarding food, bed wetting, therapy, and so forth.
Listen to this episode to hear all about burnout, compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and secondary trauma with Katie Krueger. Katie is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with Abound Counseling | Lutheran Social Services in Bismarck, ND. Listen to this episode to learn about the similar, yet distinct differences of burnout, compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and secondary trauma, the stigma of secondary trauma and why it’s frequently dismissed and/or misunderstood, how to normalize it, and some signs and symptoms of secondary trauma.
You can also join us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Breaker, or you can listen right on our website at BeAFoster.org.
Season 3|Episode 6 - Diane Woolsey - Speech Therapist (Speech-Language Pathologist)
It's here! SEASON 3 - EPISODE 6 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! This season focuses on providing insight into specific topics such as, grief and loss, trauma, mental health, attachment, hoarding food, bed wetting, therapy, and so forth.
Listen to this episode to hear all about Speech Therapy with Diane Woolsey. Diane is a Speech Therapist, aka a Speech-Language Pathologist, with Little Miracles, Inc. in Grand Forks, ND. She provides therapy sessions at both of their locations, including Little Miracles Pediatric Therapy Clinic and Little Miracles Child Care Center. Listen to this episode of the BE A FOSTER Podcast to learn more about Speech Therapy, what it entails, and how to determine if your child could benefit from sessions with a therapist like Diane.
You can also join us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Breaker, or you can listen right on our website at BeAFoster.org.
Season 3|Episode 5 - Jordan Bahr - Physical Therapist
It's here! SEASON 3 - EPISODE 5 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! This season focuses on providing insight into specific topics such as, grief and loss, trauma, mental health, attachment, hoarding food, bed wetting, therapy, and so forth.
Listen to this episode to hear all about Physical Therapy (PT) with Jordan Bahr. Jordan is a Physical Therapist with Little Miracles, Inc. in Grand Forks, ND. She provides therapy sessions at both of their locations, including Little Miracles Pediatric Therapy Clinic and Little Miracles Child Care Center. Listen to this episode of the BE A FOSTER Podcast to learn more about Physical Therapy, what it entails, and how to determine if your child could benefit from sessions with a therapist like Jordan.
You can also join us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Breaker, or you can listen right on our website at BeAFoster.org.
Season 3|Episode 4 - Kayla Borszich - Occupational Therapist
It's here! SEASON 3 - EPISODE 4 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! This season focuses on providing insight into specific topics such as, grief and loss, trauma, mental health, attachment, hoarding food, bed wetting, therapy, and so forth.
Listen to this episode to hear all about Occupational Therapy (OT) with Kayal Borszich. Kayla is an Occupational Therapist with Little Miracles, Inc. in Grand Forks, ND. She provides therapy sessions at both of their locations, including Little Miracles Pediatric Therapy Clinic and Little Miracles Child Care Center. Listen to this episode of the BE A FOSTER Podcast at 12PM today, Friday, August 14th at anchor.fm/beafoster, to learn more about Occupational Therapy, what it entails, and to determine if your child could benefit from sessions with a therapist like Kayla.
You can also join us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Breaker, or you can listen right on our website at BeAFoster.org.
Season 3|Episode 3 - Rebecca (Becky) Kopp-Dunham - Rural Mental Health and Foster Care
It's here! SEASON 3 - EPISODE 3 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! This season focuses on providing insight into specific topics such as, grief and loss, trauma, mental health, attachment, hoarding food, bed wetting, and so forth.
Listen to this episode to hear from Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Rebecca (Becky) Kopp-Dunham, who is also certified in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), which is an evidence-based treatment for children. She also holds a certificate in permanency and adoption competency. As the wife of a Minnesota farmer, Becky has a special interest in identification and treatment of mental health issues related to farm stress. Through Abound’s Farm-to-Farm Therapy program, she provides in-person and telehealth services to farm families. During this episode, Becky will be discussing ‘Rural Mental Health and Foster Care.’
Season 3|Episode 2 - Tracey Klobuchar - Parenting Strategies to Support (Foster) Youth During the Pandemic
It's here! SEASON 3 - EPISODE 2 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! This season focuses on providing insight into specific topics such as, grief and loss, trauma, mental health, attachment, hoarding food, bed wetting, and so forth.
Listen to this episode to hear from Licensed Master Social Worker and Therapist, Tracey Klobuchar with Nexus-PATH Family Healing, who will be discussing ‘Parenting Strategies to Support (Foster) Youth During the Pandemic.’
Season 3|Episode 1 - Charley Joyce - Behavior with a Purpose
It's here! SEASON 3 - EPISODE 1 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! This season focuses on providing insight into specific topics such as, grief and loss, trauma, mental health, attachment, hoarding food, bed wetting, and so forth.
Listen to this episode to hear from Licensed Clinical Social Worker, founder of Abound Counseling, and co-author of Behavior with a Purpose, Charley Joyce! During this episode, Charley discusses the book, Behavior with a Purpose, and thoughtful solutions to common problems of adoptive, foster and kinship youth, such as Hoarding Food, Wetting, Stealing, Defiance, Lying, and Cruelty to Animals. This episode is also a sneak-peek into our Virtual Book Club with Charley that will be starting on Thursday, July 9th, 2020!!!!!
Carissa Cox - Nexus-PATH - Recruitment and Licensing Specialist
It's here! SEASON 2 - EPISODE 8 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! Listen to this episode to hear from Carissa Cox and to learn more about Nexus-PATH Family Healing! Carissa shares more about the mission and services of Nexus-PATH, the difference between Treatment Foster Care and Regular Foster Care, the Licensing Process, their Foster Parent Zoom Inquiry Meetings, a few common questions about Foster Care, and so much more!
Carissa is a Recruitment and Licensing Specialist with Nexus-PATH, where her focus centers on spreading awareness in the community about the need for Foster Parents, and also licensing Foster Families. She’s been with Nexus-PATH for nearly 13 years where she has worked as a Treatment Foster Care case manager for 3 years, in Community-Based Services for 7 years, and in her current role for the past 3 years.
Charley Joyce - Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Grief and Loss
IT'S HERE! SEASON 2 - EPISODE 7 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! Listen to this episode to hear from Charley Joyce, who wrote and submitted the “Grief and Loss” article for Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota in the current issue of It's Her Brand Magazine-North Dakota. He joins us to put a voice to that article and to share a little more about his experience with grief and loss as it relates to the Foster Community. Charley has transitioned into retirement from his practice at Abound Counseling after more than 40 years of helping children and families connect, heal, and move forward.
Charley Joyce, LICSW, began his career as a VISTA volunteer and has worked as the clinical director of a psychiatric facility, as an outpatient therapist, supervisor of outpatient therapists, as a foster care caseworker, clinical director of foster care services and as the owner of his private practice. He has written several online courses through FosterParentCollege. com and has taught college courses on an undergraduate and graduate level. He has presented numerous trainings on a variety of child welfare topics. He has published as a co-author and as a contributing author. Charley resides in Fargo, ND and is a husband, father, grandfather and volunteer Big Brother.
Meg Morley - Youthworks ND - Guardian Ad Litem Program
IT'S HERE! SEASON 2 - EPISODE 6 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! Listen to this episode to hear from Meg Morley, who is featured in the current issue of It's Her Brand Magazine-North Dakota. She's joining us to put a voice to her article and to share a little more about her experience with Youthworks of North Dakota and their Guardian Ad Litem Program, as well as her passion for the Foster Community!
“I am not a foster parent, but I have the privilege of being involved with the foster care system every single day. I am a licensed attorney in North Dakota, and I always wanted to focus my legal career on child advocacy, particularly in the area of deprivation." ~ Meg Morley
Karli Moch - The Ride of Our Lives
IT'S HERE! SEASON 2 - EPISODE 5 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! Listen to this episode to hear from Karli Moch, who is featured in the current issue of It's Her Brand Magazine-North Dakota. She's joining us to put a voice to her article and to share a little more about her family's experience with infertility, adoption, and what ultimately inspired them to pursue Foster Care.
“A rollercoaster ride is an experience in which circumstances change rapidly and in a volatile manner from one extreme to another. When we first started researching adoption, this seemed to be a common analogy used in terms of the “ride” we were about to get on. I would say in one short year on this journey, the amount of twists, turns, highs, and lows have been nothing short of a large roller coaster. To understand our story, it is best to start back before we got on this beautiful rollercoaster ride that we know as “hoping to adopt.”" ~ Karli Moch
Leanna Ihry - We Love Because He First Loved Us
IT'S HERE! SEASON 2 - EPISODE 4 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! Listen to this episode to hear from Leanna Ihry, who is featured in the current issue of It's Her Brand Magazine-North Dakota. She's joining us to put a voice to her article and to share a little more about her experience and passion as a Foster Mom and Advocate.
“Has God ever put something on your heart so strongly that you couldn’t turn away from it, even though that would be the easiest thing to do? For me, this happened in 2011 when a couple from our former church was adopting a little boy from Uganda. I was in a Bible study group called “Mornings for Moms” with the adoptive mother. Each Thursday at the end of our time together, our group of Jesus-loving mamas covered each other in prayer. We prayed fervently for months upon months for the adoptive family and for their son to come home. As God wrote their adoption story, he was also writing our family story – though I didn’t realize it then." ~ Leanna Ihry
Erin Romans - Something to Give & "Failed" Placements
IT'S HERE! SEASON 2 - EPISODE 3 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! Listen to this episode to hear from Erin 'Pavlak' Romans, who is featured in the current issue of It's Her Brand Magazine-North Dakota. She's joining us to put a voice to her article and to share a little more of her passion as a Foster Mom and Child and Family Advocate, as well as her experience with “Failed” Placements. “Before we were married, my husband and I talked about our future and what it would look like. Never in our wildest dreams could have we imagined what God had in store for us! Like many couples, we talked about our desire to have biological children. We also talked about our desire to help children who couldn’t help themselves; to be a voice and an advocate for children who need someone to support them during what could potentially be some of the hardest times of their life. This desire eventually led us to foster care." ~ Erin Romans
Ashley Rae - The Impacts of Quarantine and Social Distancing On the Foster Community
IT’S HERE! SEASON 2 - EPISODE 2 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! Listen to this episode to hear from cofounder of the BE A FOSTER Movement and host of the BE A FOSTER Podcast, Ashley Rae, who is featured in the April|May|June 2020 issue of It's Her Brand Magazine. Ashley puts a voice to her article and shares a little more about her experience and passion as a Foster Mom, Foster Advocate, and the current Mrs. Central States International 2020 where she represents the BE A FOSTER Movement as her official platform!
“The many short-term and long-term effects of the Corona- virus have increased the impacts felt by the world’s already at-risk families and children. Due to an increase in child abuse and neglect during recent times of quarantine and social distancing, NOW MORE THAN EVER, you are called to LOVE and serve the needs of the children who are finding their way into the system. With more than 437,000 U.S. children in foster care, and an average of only 200,000 licensed foster homes, 30-60% of which drop out each year, the need for loving foster families is great. And, if not as a foster family, there are endless ways to support the foster community..” ~ Ashley Rae
Melissa Ernst - FOSTERing Positive Mentorship Relationships
IT’S HERE! SEASON 2 - EPISODE 1 of the BE A FOSTER Podcast! Listen to this episode to hear from Melissa Ernst, who is featured in the April|May|June 2020 issue of It's Her Brand Magazine. Melissa puts a voice to her article and shares a little more about her experience and passion as a Foster Mom, advocate, and the current Mrs. Red River Valley International 2020 - Melissa Ernst where she represents her platform, FOSTERing Positive Mentorship Relationships!
“Regardless of what the ultimate outcome of that family’s unique situation may be, it can still be beneficial and incredibly important for us to have positive relationships with bio families through the process. If we want to see more successful reunifications, we need to remove judgement and open our minds to building a relationship with bio families. That is what I strive to model each day.” ~ Melissa Ernst
A Leap of Faith - Marcia (and Bill) Lund (North Dakota)
With 23 years of experience as a foster family and over 100 foster care placements, Marcia Lund, along with her husband Bill, have an abundance of experiences to share with the foster community and those navigating the foster care journey. Their overall love of children not only inspired them to take a leap of faith by welcoming foster children into their home initially, but it motivated them to continue on with the journey for so many years. “Foster care is the hardest job you’ll ever love. If your heart has been calling you to do it, I encourage you to take the leap of faith.” ~ Marcia Lund.
Listen to this episode of the BE A FOSTER podcast to hear from Marcia Lund!
A Unique Perspective - Nancy Yon (North Dakota)
Nancy Yon was a dedicated Assistant State’s Attorney for 18 years with the Grand Forks County State’s Attorney’s Office in North Dakota. Specializing in child protection cases, she was passionately committed to ensuring that the children in her community were safe and protected, and that their best interests were represented in court during child protection, foster care, and termination of parental rights proceedings. Her professional experience as an Assistant State’s Attorney, combined with her personal experience as a licensed foster parent, gives her a unique perspective of the foster care system. Listen to this episode of the BE A FOSTER Podcast to hear the insightful advice Nancy Yon wants to share with those navigating the foster care journey.
An Unexpected Journey - Part 2 - The Johnsons (North Dakota)
An unexpected journey from Kinship to Foster Care to Adoption has blessed one family in ways they never imagined. Listen to this episode of the BE A FOSTER Podcast for a candid conversation with Travis Johnson and Shannon Johnson to learn a little more about their kinship to foster to adoption journey...and everything in between!
An Unexpected Journey - Part 1 - The Johnsons (North Dakota)
An unexpected journey from Kinship to Foster Care to Adoption has blessed one family in ways they never imagined. Listen to this episode of the BE A FOSTER Podcast for a candid conversation with Travis Johnson and Shannon Johnson to learn a little more about their kinship to foster to adoption journey...and everything in between!
Blessed thru Infertility - Erin Romans (North Dakota)
Infertility, a condition shared by 6.1 million U.S. women, can be a devastating and incredibly challenging journey. In this episode of the BE A FOSTER Podcast, hear one family’s experience with infertility and how they’ve come to view their infertility as a blessing. Our guest, Erin 'Pavlak' Romans, shares with us how infertility has provided her family with the opportunity to grow in non-traditional ways.
Billboard from God - Brittany Shives (California)
Listen to this episode of the BE A FOSTER Podcast to hear from our guest, Brittany Shives, a devoted wife and mother of two who shares her family’s passion for serving the children in the California foster care system, and the billboard from God that helped them recognize their calling.
Together We Rise - Lauren Weeks (California)
The BE A FOSTER Podcast
Lauren Weeks
Together We Rise
Listen to this episode of the BE A FOSTER Podcast and to hear from our guest, Lauren Weeks! Lauren is a National Ambassador for a non-profit organization called Together We Rise. The vision of Together We Rise is to improve the lives of children in foster care, who often find themselves forgotten and neglected by the public. Lauren was crowned Mrs. International 2018, where she spent a year of her life traveling and promoting Together We Rise. She is also a wife and mother to two young boys, and she’s excited to share with us easy and practical ways we can all help children in foster care.
Let Your Kids Surprise You - Melissa Ernst (North Dakota)
The BE A FOSTER Podcast
Melissa Ernst
Let Your Kids Surprise You
Melissa, mother of Episode 2 guest, Hailey Ernst, shares with us her family’s journey with foster care. From the ability to handle loss to the need to let kids surprise us, Melissa shares some of the many lessons they’ve learned throughout the journey. Listen to this episode of the BE A FOSTER Podcast to learn more about Melissa, her family’s passion to support the children in the foster care system, and the family legacy they want to leave behind!
The Kindness Over Everything Project - Hailey Ernst (North Dakota)
Listen to this episode of the BE A FOSTER Podcast to hear from Hailey Ernst, founder of the Kindness Over Everything Project; a charitable organization focused on providing kids in foster care in North Dakota with opportunities and experiences that will enhance their connections with positive role models in the community. Not only does Hailey share her passion behind the Kindness Over Everything Project, but she shares the lessons she’s learned as a foster sibling, and a special message that she wants all of you to hear!
Navigating the Path Unplanned - Andrew & Ashley Klinger (North Dakota)
While doing their best to navigate #thePathUnplanned, Ashley Rae shares her family’s personal experiences with infertility, adoption, and foster care and how they’ve learned to embrace the journey and find joy in even the most challenging of moments, as those moments have, yet again, provided them with the ‘ability’ to become the parents they were meant to be and to grow as individuals, as a couple, and as a family.
The Path Unplanned - Andrew & Ashley Klinger (North Dakota)
After trying to conceive children for nearly 4 years, Andrew and Ashley Rae Klinger’s struggles with infertility continue to result in their inability to conceive; a condition shared by 6.1 million U.S. women. However, the couple has found their ‘inability’ to conceive to be a blessing, as it has provided them with the ‘ability’ to recognize that God has a different plan for their lives; a plan that has led them down the wonderful path of adoption and foster care.