Fostering Change
Society & Culture
About
Fostering Change with Rob Scheer Hosted by Comfort Cases founder Rob Scheer , this inspiring podcast shares powerful stories of resilience, compassion, and community. Each week, Rob sits down with guests who are making a difference in the foster care system — from former foster youth and foster parents to advocates, authors, and celebrities whose lives have been touched by foster care. With warmth, humor, and heart, Rob leads conversations that remind us all how dignity, hope, and love can change a child’s life forever. 💙 Have a story to share or a question for Rob? 📧 Email: info @comfortcases.org Follow us on social media: @comfortcases Learn more at comfortcases.org Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank
Episodes
- Emergence: From Group Homes to Groundbreaking Science with David Sussillo
Neuroscientist David Sussillo discusses his memoir, "Emergence," detailing his journey from a childhood marked by instability and group homes to becoming a leading researcher. The episode explores how trauma shapes development and the impa…
- First-Time Fostering: What It Really Takes to Say Yes
Rob Scheer welcomes author Laura, The Foster Parent Partner, to discuss the practical realities of foster parenting for National Foster Care Awareness Month. The episode explores the day-to-day aspects, common fears, and the importance of…
- Both Sides of Then: Understanding Where We Come From with Jennifer Griffith
Jennifer Griffith, author of "Both Sides of Then," joins Rob Scheer on "Fostering Change" to discuss how maternal relationships, abandonment, and generational trauma shape identity. The conversation explores themes relevant to youth in fos…
- Build the Table: Creating Opportunity, Connection, and Lasting Impact for Youth with Jodi Grinwald
Jodi Grinwald rejoins Fostering Change to discuss her philosophy of "building the table" to create opportunities and connection for youth. The conversation highlights the transformative power of arts access for children facing hardship and…
- Called to Help: The Many Paths to Building and Supporting Families with Katy Encalade
Katy Encalade, President and CEO of Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions, joins Fostering Change to discuss the various ways individuals can support children and build families, including foster care, egg donation, and surrogacy. Drawing on her…
- Thinking Inside the Box: How Business Can Drive Real Impact with Mordy Kurtz from The Boxery
Mordy Kurtz from The Boxery joins Rob Scheer on Fostering Change to discuss how businesses can drive impact, particularly in supporting children in foster care. The episode highlights The Boxery's logistical support for Comfort Cases and M…
- Raising the Voice of Youth Aging Out of Foster Care!
This episode of Fostering Change features Sarah Baumgartner, Brian Robinson, and Princess Martinez Casanova discussing support for youth aging out of foster care. They emphasize the importance of corporate partnerships, advocacy, and resou…
- Preserving Childhood: Safeguarding Memories for Youth in Foster Care with Karen Segal
Karen Segal, founder of Photo Safe, joins Rob Scheer to discuss the critical role of childhood photographs in identity and belonging for youth in foster care. Photo Safe provides professionally taken and framed photographs, ensuring these…
- The Untold Story Behind Somewhat Familiar: Pedro Andrade Reveals How It All Started!
Pedro Andrade, host of HBO Max
- Not Quite Home: When Systems Meant to Help Fall Short
Rob Scheer talks with Temple Lentz, author of "Not Quite Home," about how social service systems, despite good intentions, can fall short for vulnerable families. They examine the gap between policy and reality, the unintended harm caused…
- Migrating Toward Wholeness: Adult Adoptees, Storytelling, & the Long Arc of Healing - Dr Liz Debtta
This episode of Fostering Change features Dr. Liz DeBetta discussing the lifelong identity journey of adoption, particularly for adult adoptees. The conversation with host Rob Scheer covers adoption-related grief, healing, and the use of s…
- Fractured Hope to Reform: One Mother’s Fight for Justice in Child Welfare with Rachel Bruno
Rob Scheer talks with Rachel Bruno, an advocate and author, about her experience with the child welfare system. They discuss the importance of accountability, due process, and incorporating lived experience into reform policies.
- Funding the Mission: Stephen Garten on Financial Resilience for Nonprofits
Stephen Garten, founder of Charity Charge, talks with Rob Scheer about financial systems for nonprofits. They cover how traditional banking falls short and how Charity Charge provides specific tools like credit cards and bookkeeping to sup…
- Breaking the Silence: Menstrual Health, Dignity, and the Power of Partnership with Yvonne Esipila
This episode addresses menstrual and postpartum poverty, focusing on its impact on girls in foster care and globally. It features Yvonne Esipila, CEO of the PATESI Foundation, discussing the partnership with Comfort Cases to provide menstr…
- Solving the Foster Parent Shortage with StepStone Family & Youth Services
Fostering Change addresses the national foster parent shortage with Kelsey Davis and Stacy Brindley from StepStone Family & Youth Services. They discuss recruitment challenges, misconceptions, the importance of supporting foster families,…
- A Soft Place to Land: How Isaiah 117 House Is Transforming Removal Day for Children in Crisis
This episode discusses the Isaiah 117 House model, which provides a comforting environment for children during foster care removal. Lindsay Lendyak explains how this approach replaces stressful waiting periods with a stable space, offering…
- What’s OK? Helping Youth Navigate Boundaries, Sexting, and Cyber Safety with Jenny Coleman
Jenny Coleman joins Rob Scheer on Fostering Change to discuss the challenges young people face with digital safety, including sexting and cyberbullying. The conversation highlights the rise of AI-generated inappropriate images and introduc…
- Turning Tassels, Changing Futures: Shanté Elliott Is Redefining Education for Kids in Foster Care!
Dr. Shanté Elliott, who experienced foster care, founded TasselTurn to support children in foster care and housing insecure students in their educational journeys. The organization uses personalized coaching, incentives, and technology to…
- Leading with H.O.P.E.: Building Resilience in Youth, Families, and Classrooms with Dr. Brandi Kelly
On Fostering Change, host Rob Scheer speaks with Dr. Brandi Kelly about her H.O.P.E. framework, which focuses on Habits, Optimistic Outlook, Purpose, and Excellence to cultivate resilience and emotional wellness in youth, particularly thos…
- Fostering the Village: Supporting Caregivers to Transform Child Outcomes with Becky Santoro
Becky Santoro, Co-Founder of Foster Village Charlotte, explains how supporting caregivers, including foster, kinship, and birth families, helps children thrive. The episode covers their community-driven model, the Connection Cottage visita…
- From Foster Care to a Billion-Dollar Brand: Carolyn Aronson’s Journey of Resilience and Reinvention
Rob Scheer interviews Carolyn Aronson, the founder and CEO of It’s A 10 Haircare. Aronson shares her journey from foster care to building a billion-dollar beauty brand, highlighting resilience, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy.
- Jen Lilley on Faith, Foster Care, and the Life-Changing Power of Saying Yes!
Actress and foster care advocate Jen Lilley joins Rob on Fostering Change to discuss her faith, her experiences with foster and adoptive motherhood, and her books "Wake Up Your Faith" and the forthcoming "Called to Foster?". They also touc…
- No Kid Sleeps on the Floor: Luke Mickelson and the Sleep in Heavenly Peace Movement
Luke Mickelson founded Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) in 2012 with the mission to ensure no child sleeps on the floor. The organization has since grown into a global movement, delivering nearly 300,000 beds to children and empowering commun…
- Fostering Hope for the Holidays: Empowering Teens in Care Through Community with Dionna Carter
Dionna Carter, founder of Foster Teen Christmas Outreach, joins Rob Scheer to discuss how her initiative has raised over $1.3 million in gift cards for teens in foster care since 2019. They also cover the Foster Hope Holiday Fest, a resour…
- It’s Okay to Talk About Adoption: Changing the Conversation to Help More Kids Find Families
This episode features adoption advocate Marcy Bursac discussing her book, "It’s Okay to Talk About Adoption." She highlights the importance of normalizing adoption conversations to help children in foster care find families faster, address…
- Breaking Barriers: Becky Fawcett on Making Adoption Accessible - Fostering Change Podcast
On Fostering Change, host Rob Scheer talks with Becky Fawcett, founder of the adoption grant program Helpusadopt.org. They discuss the financial challenges of adoption, the organization's mission to help families overcome costs, and the im…
- Connected, We Thrive: Building Schools That Heal for Adoptive, Foster & Kinship Kids - Laura Adams
Laura Adams, founder of iCARE4AAFF, discusses the urgent need for trauma-informed professional development in schools to support adoptive, foster, and kinship children. She highlights how her Connection Kits™ foster healing-centered enviro…
- Love Does Not Conquer All: Peter Mutabazi on the Truth About Foster Care, Parenting, and Hope
Peter Mutabazi joins Fostering Change to discuss his book "Love Does Not Conquer All," sharing insights on parenting children with trauma, preparing them for independence, and the need for empathy in the foster care system.
- Losing a Child While They’re Still Alive: Navigating Estrangement, Addiction & Ambiguous Loss
On Fostering Change, host Rob Scheer discusses ambiguous loss, addiction
- From Foster Care to Family Law: Susan Chesnutt on Justice, Healing, and Child Welfare
Susan Chesnutt, an attorney and former foster youth, shares her experiences with the child welfare system on Fostering Change. She discusses her work as a child abuse investigator and family law attorney, emphasizing the importance of a tr…
- Can’t Keep Me Down: Baron Li on Turning Trauma into Purpose - Fostering Change Podcast
Baron Li discusses his experiences as a former foster youth who survived severe abuse and an attempted murder, detailing how he transformed this trauma into purpose. He explains his work with Four Tiers Contracting, providing employment fo…
- CASA’s Fight to Protect Children’s Voices | Tracey Heisler on Advocacy, Cuts & Hope
Rob Scheer interviews Tracey Heisler, Executive Director of CASA SHaW, about the organization's work advocating for children in the child welfare system. The discussion covers how CASA impacts children's lives, the risks posed by funding c…
- From Trash Bags to Triumph: Charell Star’s Inspiring Foster Care Journey - Fostering Change Podcast
Host Rob Scheer interviews Charell Star, author of "Trash Bag Tales," discussing her experiences in foster care, using humor and honesty to change perceptions, and moving beyond survival to claim a fulfilling life. The episode revisits a c…
- From Foster Care to PhD 🎓 | Dr. Danisha Keating on Healing, Resilience & Taking Her Voice Back
Dr. Danisha Keating discusses her personal journey from foster care to achieving a PhD, detailing how she navigated trauma and systemic challenges. She emphasizes the importance of education as a lifeline and reclaiming one's narrative.
- Turning a Moment Into a Movement | Dana Marlowe of I Support the Girls x Comfort Cases
Dana Marlowe, founder of I Support the Girls, joins Fostering Change host Rob Scheer to discuss how a simple question evolved into a global movement. They cover starting a nonprofit, fostering partnerships, and the importance of providing…
- Living with FASD: Patti Kasper’s Journey & International FASD Awareness Day | Fostering Change
On International FASD Awareness Day, Patti Kasper, who discovered she had FASD as an adult, joins Rob Scheer to discuss the hidden challenges faced by undiagnosed adults. Kasper, a Neurobehavioral Coach, shares her journey of discovery and…
- From Blankets to Building Communities: The Inspiring Story of Bob Dalton | Fostering Change
Bob Dalton, founder of Sackcloth & Ashes, joins Fostering Change to discuss the importance of community, his company's buy-one-give-one blanket model, and his new app, LOCL, which aims to foster local connections.
- Resilience, Recovery & Foster Care Reform | Lara Love Hardin & Jennifer Perry | Fostering Change
Jennifer Perry and Lara Love Hardin join Rob Scheer on Fostering Change to discuss foster care reform. Lara Love Hardin shares her personal experiences with addiction, incarceration, and separation from her children, detailing her journey…
- The Power of Giving Back: Jamie Truman’s Mission to Change Lives | Best of Fostering Change
Jamie Truman of Truman Charities, an organization that hosts fundraising events to support charities, including Comfort Cases, is featured in this episode. Over 15 years, Jamie and her husband Jerry have raised over $2 million. Truman is a…
- The Urgent Truth About Foster Care & LGBTQ+ Families | Fostering Change: Best Of!
This Best Of episode of Fostering Change features a discussion with Kate Trambitskaya of Spence-Chapin and Brian Rosenberg of GWK Academy. They address the effects of federal cutbacks on foster youth and LGBTQ+ families and explore avenues…
- The Croc King: Meet the Man with 3,000+ Pairs of Crocs with a Connection to Foster Care!
In this episode of Fostering Change, host Rob Scheer speaks with Doogie Sandtiger, also known as "The Croc King," who owns over 3,000 pairs of Crocs. Sandtiger shares how Crocs became a symbol of independence for him, relating to his child…
- The Shocking True Story of Andrew Bridge with Rita Soronen
Andrew Bridge, a former foster youth and author, recounts his 11 years in the Los Angeles County foster care system. He discusses his journey to becoming a Harvard Law graduate and his work to protect children, including his book "The Chil…
- Dr. Kisha Davis Shares the Remarkable Story Behind "The Making of a Pearl"
Dr. Kisha Davis joins Fostering Change to discuss her biography "The Making of a Pearl," which chronicles the life of her grandmother, Ida Pearl Green. Dr. Davis also shares details about her career in public health and her community invol…
- What Charell Star Learned in Foster Care Will Change How You See It!
Charell Star returns to Fostering Change to discuss her book "Trash Bag Tales and Other Stories from an Accidentally Happy Life," which shares her experiences in foster care. Star was previously featured in "Humans of New York" and the doc…
- Corporate Responsibility Shining Through: Supporting Youth in Foster Care
This episode of Fostering Change features Aimee Christian from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield discussing improvements to the foster care system. Topics include changing vocabulary to avoid labeling youth, focusing support on the entire fami…
- From Foster Parent to Founder! How Amy Vale Is Bringing Comfort to Kids in Foster Care!
Amy Vale, founder of For the Cubs, shares her experience as a foster parent and how it inspired her to create sensory tools, such as the weighted plush bear Percy, designed to aid emotional regulation in children and adults.
- From Addiction to Advocacy: Lara Love Hardin's Journey of Redemption
Lara Love Hardin shares her experiences with opioid addiction, incarceration, and the loss of her children. She discusses her recovery, rebuilding her life, and advocates for improvements to the foster care system.
- Why Older Kids in Foster Care Deserve a Forever Family with Randi Thompson of Kidsave
Randi Thompson from Kidsave joins Fostering Change to discuss the need for permanent families for older children and teens in foster care. The episode highlights Kidsave's programs, such as Weekend Miracles, which aim to create lasting con…
- From Foster Care to Fierce Advocate: Tristian Smith’s Journey Against All Odds | Fostering Change
Tristian Smith, a former foster youth who experienced numerous placements and schools, shares his story of resilience and advocacy. After serving in the U.S. Army, he now works as a CASA, Foster Care Review Board Member, and mentor.
- Shawn Henss & the Heartfelt Mission of Giving Sole
Shawn Henss, founder of Giving Sole, discusses his non-profit organization which provides new shoes to children in foster care. The organization, founded in 2018, has distributed over 3,000 pairs of shoes in Arizona.