The Aging Out Podcast
Kids & Family
About
This is a podcast series to explore the resources and strategies that are effective in helping youth prepare for aging out of the foster care system and transitioning into adulthood.
Episodes
- Episode 13: Interview with Greg Rapport, Executive Director of Age Out Angels (Trenton, NJ)
Saadhya Bahudodda interviews Greg Rapport, Executive Director of Age Out Angels, about the organization's mission to help foster youth transition to independence through mentorship and educational programs. The discussion covers challenges…
- Episode 12: Interview with Lee Marshall, Founder and CEO of Kids to Love (Madison, AL)
Lee Marshall, founder and CEO of Kids to Love, discusses the nonprofit's work supporting youth in foster care through various programs and initiatives. The conversation touches on her personal journey, the organization's impact, and the im…
- Episode 11: Interview with Tim Pippert, Executive Director and Savannah Mitchell, Graduate Assistant, of Augsburg Family Scholars (Minneapolis, MN)
In this episode, Jasleen Virk interviews Tim Pippert and Savannah Mitchell of Augsburg Family Scholars. They discuss the program's mission to support students with foster care backgrounds and highlight the Fostering Independence Grant for…
- Episode 10: Interview with Maddy Day, co-Founder of Fostering Academic Achievement Nationwide
This February 2026 episode features an interview with Maddy Day, co-Founder of Fostering Academic Achievement Nationwide (FAAN). Day discusses her career path, the founding of FAAN in 2016, and the organization's growth in supporting equit…
- Episode 9: Interview with Zach Blend, CEO of the Goshen Valley Foundation (Cherokee County, GA)
Cheri Mitchell interviews Zach Blend, CEO of the Goshen Valley Foundation, about child welfare and experiences supporting youth aging out of foster care. The discussion highlights Goshen New Beginnings, an independent living program design…
- Episode 8: Interview with Alyssa Dennison-Glasgow, Regional Program Director at Olive Crest (Las Vegas, NV)
In this December 2025 episode, MSSP intern Saadhya Bahudodda interviews Alyssa Dennison-Glasgow, regional program director at Olive Crest in Las Vegas. Alyssa discusses how her early experiences working in juvenile justice and child advoca…
- Episode 7: Interview with Jamie Bennett, Executive Director of Cetera (Tampa, FL)
In this November 2025 episode, MSW intern Jasleen Virk interviews Jamie Bennett, co-founder and executive director of Cetera. Jamie shares her personal foster care journey and how it fueled her passion to advocate for young people in foste…
- Episode 6: Interview with Sarah Pauter, Executive Director from John Burton Advocates for Youth (San Diego, CA)
In this October 2025 episode, MSS intern Cheri Mitchell interviews Sarah Pauter, Executive Director of John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY). Sarah shares how her lived experience in foster care motivated her to become an outspoken advoca…
- Episode 5: Interview with David Meyers and Lori Tiller from Embark Georgia (Athens, GA)
In this September 2025 episode, Associate Director Sarah Wasch interviews David Meyers, Director, and Lori Tiller, Director of Research & Evaluation, of Embark Georgia. Together, they share their professional journeys that led them to the…
- Episode 4: Interview with Liz Northcutt from City Living NY (New York, NY)
In this August 2025 episode, MSS intern Hannah Bennett interviews Liz Northcutt, Executive Director and Founder of City Living NY. Liz shares her inspiring journey - from social policy intern to CASA Borough Coordinator to forensic social…
- Episode 3: Interview with Fritzie Saintoiry from Genesis Hopeful Haven (Miami, FL)
In this July 2025 episode, MSSP intern Liya Cha interviews Fritzie Saintoiry, the CEO and President of Genesis Hopeful Haven in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Fritzie shares her personal story, turning her grief over losing her son into a lif…
- Episode 2: Interview with Gianna Mulkay from Foster Love (Brea, CA)
In this June 2025 episode, MSW intern Sabrina Vargas talks with Gianna Mulkay, Executive Director of Foster Love, to discuss the organization’s incredible journey from its roots on a college campus to the impactful nonprofit it is today. G…
- Episode 1: Interview with Lynn Tonini from the Aging Out Institute (Harrisburg, PA)
In this May 2025 episode, the inaugural episode following the transition of the podcast from the Aging Out Institute to the Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research at the University of Pennsylvania, MSW Intern Kate Greco in…
- Episode 107: Interview with Gretchen Dupps with Cleveland Angels (Cleveland, OH)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Gretchen Dupps, the Founder and Executive Director of Cleveland Angels located in Cleveland, Ohio. Gretchen shared her own exposure to the foster care system in her own family, who took in foster you…
- Episode 106: Interview with Amanda Simonetta with The Felix Organization (Locust Valley, NY)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Amanda Simonetta, the Executive Director of The Felix Organization in Locust Valley, New York. Amanda discussed her background as a school guidance counselor, which then led to being the first Camp D…
- Episode 105: Interview with Alissa Jecklin with Good Samaritan Boys Ranch (Springfield, MO)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Alissa Jecklin, Director of Transitional Living with Good Samaritan Boys Ranch in Springfield, Missouri. Alissa shared how she discovered the needs of youth in foster care through a summer job while…
- Episode 104: Interview with Deana Mendez with Finally Family Homes (Santa Clarita, CA)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Deana Mendez, Case Manager at Finally Family Homes in Santa Clarita, California. Deana told about her journey to working at this organization and explained about the host home program that provides h…
- Episode 103: Interview with Prince George's County CASA (Riverdale, MD)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Yolanda Johnson, Executive Director, and Cheryl Richards, Case Supervisor for Transition-Aged Youth, for the Prince George's County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in Riverdale, Maryland. Yo…
- Episode 102: Interview with Stephanie Rampone from DFW Angels (Dallas, TX)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Stephanie Rampone, Director of Development for the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Angels in Dallas, TX. Stephanie shared her unexpected journey from the fashion industry to working with youth in foster care…
- Episode 101: Interview with Liberty Thompson from JEM Friends, Inc. (Boise, ID)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Liberty Thompson, Executive Director of JEM Friends, Inc. in Boise, Idaho. Liberty shared how her interest in the challenges that youth aging out of care face developed from a friendship with a girl…
- Episode 100: Interview with Tyila Cooks from Lifebridge Child Advocacy (Midland, GA)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Tyila Cooks, Executive Director of Lifebridge Child Advocacy in Midland, Georgia. Tyila shared about her own background, which included adopting foster children to be part of her own family. Started…
- Episode 099: Interview with Amy Navarro with Treehouse (Seattle, WA)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Amy Navarro, Director of the Launch Success Program with Treehouse in Seattle. Amy explained her introduction to the challenges of foster care while serving with Americorp and the journey she took to…
- Episode 098: Interview with Hannah Hodgson Katzman with Family Harvest Farm (Martinez, CA)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Hannah Hodgson Katzman, Associate Director of Family Harvest Farm in Martinez, California. Hannah described the mission of her organization, the John Muir Land Trust, which is to protect open spaces.…
- Episode 097: Interview with Sherrie Weis with YouthCare (Seattle, WA)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Sherrie Weis, Case Manager at YouthCare in Seattle, Washington. Sherrie described her organization's mission to help homeless youth, many of whom have a connection with or have aged out of foster car…
- Episode 096: Interview with Tige Charity with Kids in the Spotlight (Burbank, CA)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Tige Charity, CEO of Kids in the Spotlight in Burbank, California. Tige shares about the unique employment support services that Kids in the Spotlight provides youth aging out of foster care, which f…
- Episode 095: Interview with Maria Paparella with Chair-ity (Akron, OH)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Maria Paparella, Founder and Executive Director of Chair-ity in Akron, Ohio. Maria explained the origins and growth of her organization, which provides furniture to youth aging out of foster care and…
- Episode 094: Interview with Mark Mecum from Ohio Children's Alliance (Columbus, OH)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Mark Mecum, CEO of Ohio Children's Alliance in Columbus, Ohio. Mark explains the work that his organization does for youth aging out of foster care through the Ohio Bridges Program, the state's exten…
- Episode 093: Interview with Lee Marshall from Kids to Love (Madison,AL)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Lee Marshall, CEO and Founder of Kids to Love in Madison, Alabama. Lee describes the path she took to leading Kids to Love and the programs and services that Kids to Love offers youth in foster care,…
- Episode 092: Interview with Bruce Wingate with Foster Care Furniture (Boise, ID)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Bruce Wingate, President of Foster Care Furniture in Boise, Idaho. Bruce describes how his organization provides training in woodworking and carpentry for youth who have aged out of foster care. Thei…
- Episode 091: Topic Discussion - Helping Foster Youth Acquire and Retain Employment
In this episode, Lynn Tonini facilitates a conversation between two individuals connected with organizations that help youth aging out of foster care find and retain employment: Hope Broomham with Jim Riley Outreach (Plano, TX) and Andraya…
- Episode 090: Interview with Brian Meza with Petra Cares (Cypress, TX)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Brian Meza, Executive Director of Petra Cares, a charitable arm of Petra Auto Products based in Cypress, Texas. Brian explained the history of Petra Cares, which provides an automotive foundations co…
- Episode 089: Interview with Donna Skora, Founder of Surrogate Grandparents USA (Summerfield, FL)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Donna Skora, Founder of Surrogate Grandparents USA, based in Summerfield, FL. We discussed the reason that she started this Facebook page, which is dedicated to connecting people in order to develop…
- Episode 088: Interview with Joy Rios, Executive Director of Connect with a Wish (Virginia Beach, VA)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Joy Rios, Founder and Executive Director of Connect with a Wish, located in Virginia Beach, VA. We talked about Joy's journey as an adoptive parent, which exposed her to the issues that youth in fost…
- Episode 087: Interview with Matt Bell, CEO of Pivotal (San Jose, CA)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Matt Bell, CEO of Pivotal, located in San Jose, CA. We talked about the journey that brought Matt to the CEO role last year at Pivotal. We then discussed the roots of Pivotal's mission, which was giv…
- Episode 086: Interview with Brandon Anderchuk, Executive Director of Hope’s Path (Spring, TX)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Brandon Anderchuk, Executive Director of Hope's Path located in Spring, TX. We discussed Brandon's background and the journey that brought him to taking on the leadership role at Hope's Path. We then…
- Episode 085: Topic Discussion - Helping Foster Youth Acquire and Maintain Housing
In this episode, Lynn Tonini facilitates a conversation between three individuals connected with organizations that help youth aging out of foster care find and maintain housing: Betty Beatty with Empty Frames Initiative (Everett, WA), Car…
- Episode 084: Interview with Nicole Davis, Executive Director of Operation: Achieve Independence (Spring, TX)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Nicole Davis, Executive Director of Operation: Achieve Independence (OAI) located in Spring, TX. We discussed Nicole's background and the journey that brought her to working with youth aging out of f…
- Episode 083: Topic Discussion - Transitional Housing Options
In this episode, Lynn Tonini facilitates a conversation between three individuals connected with organizations that provide transitional housing for youth aging out of care: Mike Williams with DASH Foundation (Miami, FL), Shiesha Bell with…
- Episode 082: Interview with Carmelita Coleman, Executive Director of SaySo (Greensboro, NC)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Miss Carmelita Coleman, Executive Director of Strong Able Youth Speaking Out (SaySo) in Greensboro, NC. We discussed Miss Carmelita's background and what brought her to working with foster youth. We…
- Episode 081: Topic Discussion - Helping Foster Youth Build Financial Competency
In this episode, Lynn Tonini facilitates a conversation between three individuals connected with organizations that support youth aging out of foster care by helping them build financial competency: Michael Williams with DASH Foundation (M…
- Episode 080: Topic Discussion - Helping Foster Youth Reach Education Goals
In this episode, Lynn Tonini facilitates a conversation between three individuals connected with organizations that support youth aging out of foster care by helping them reach their education goals: Elizabeth Bruchez with DPHHS (Lewistown…
- Episode 079: Topic Discussion - The Foster Youth Coffee Shop Support Model
In this episode, Lynn Tonini facilitates a conversation between three individuals who work with youth aging out of foster care by employing and mentoring them in a coffee shop: Bethany Priebe with Cultivate Coffee (Phoenix, AZ), Emily Schm…
- Episode 078: Interview with Ashlee Briddell with HomeSweetHome Foundation (Hagerstown, MD)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Ashlee Briddell, CEO and Founder of HomeSweetHome Foundation in Hagerstown, MD. We discussed Ashlee's background in foster care herself and her educational achievements despite her challenges. We the…
- Episode 077: Interview with Dr. Ashley Cross from The Hub585, Inc. (Rochester, NY)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Dr. Ashley Cross, Executive Director of The Hub585, Inc. in Rochester, NY. We started the interview with an interesting discussion about the importance of hope and resiliency and how they are connect…
- Episode 076: Interview with Eric Gilmore from Immerse Arkansas (Little Rock, AR)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Eric Gilmore, Executive Director of Immerse Arkansas in Little Rock. Started in 2010, Immerse Arkansas has been building a continuum of support for foster youth age 14-18 and youth who have aged out…
- Episode 075: Topic Discussion ”Helping Foster Youth Build Coping Skills”
In this episode, Lynn Tonini facilitates a conversation between three individuals who work with youth aging out of foster care: Cheryl Williams, Founder and Executive Director of Fundamentals for Foster Care (San Antonio, TX); Erin NeSmith…
- Episode 074: Interview with Barbara Sabol with Home Works USA (Lawrence, KS)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Barbara Sabol, Senior Advisor of Home Work USA in Lawrence, Kansas. At 85 years old, Barbara is helping to launch an intentional, tiny home community for youth aging out of foster care that is design…
- Episode 073: Topic Discussion ”Helping Foster Youth Build Decision Making Skills”
In this episode, Lynn Tonini facilitates a conversation between three individuals who work with youth aging out of foster care: Erica Anderson, Founder of We Inspire Greatness (Kansas City, MO), Irving Chavez, Chief Impact Officer at Just…
- Episode 072: Interview with Aundre’ Wright with Adonai Transitional Housing (Phoenix, AZ)
In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Aundre' Wright, Co-Founder and CEO of Adonai Transitional Housing in Phoenix, Arizona. Aundre' explains his organization's history and partnership with the state of Arizona to provide transitional ho…
- Episode 071: Topic Discussion ”Helping Foster Youth Build Healthy Relationships”
In this episode, Lynn Tonini facilitates a conversation between the Executive Directors from three different organizations that serve youth aging out of foster care: Rachael Smith with Hope and Vine (Wake Forest, NC), Susan Punnett with Fa…