Bonus Babies
The Anthem Awards-winning BONUS BABIES podcast is the only series of its kind to explore the foster care system through the immersive, 360-degree perspective of a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer. Through powerful firsthand accounts from foster youth, former foster children, caregivers, attorneys, social workers, therapists, adoptees, foster and adoptive parents, and community advocates, the podcast delivers an unflinching look at the realities of life within the child welfare system.
Hosted and created by Jayne Amelia Larson, a CASA volunteer herself, BONUS BABIES examines the foster care “maze” in much the same way a CASA approaches a case: by listening to every voice, seeking out every perspective, and ensuring that the experiences of vulnerable children are seen, heard, and understood. The series documents both the heartbreaking failures and inspiring successes of the system while fostering open, honest conversations about trauma, resilience, advocacy, and belonging.
By blending investigative curiosity with compassionate storytelling, BONUS BABIES creates a platform that educates audiences, amplifies lived experience, and encourages meaningful social engagement. The podcast has resonated with listeners around the world for its emotional depth, cinematic production quality, and commitment to illuminating stories that are too often overlooked.
Original music is composed by Christina Apostolopoulos. Audio engineering and mixing are provided by Adam Harr of Blue Oak Mastering. Cover art is by John Crowther, and the Executive Producer is Jake Eberle.
Bonus Babies
Dana Hargus: And Nobody Is Bothered By This But Me?
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Jayne Amelia speaks with therapist and founder of Restore Of Ada, Dana Hargus, M.Ed., LPC. Dana is a foster mom and adoptive mom, and now a grandmother of many children. Dana was raised in the Ada area and has a bachelor's in education and special education and a master's degree in school counseling. After successfully working with students with behavioral and developmental issues, she returned to earn her degree in counseling. She has been working as a counselor for over twenty years.
Dana owns Biofeedback and Counseling Inc. of Ada which serves the Central Oklahoma area with twelve counselors. Restore utilizes biofeedback, relational coaching, and nutritional therapy as an adjunct to (or independently of) traditional talk therapy. When talk therapy is not enough, Restore may help.
Restore of Ada is a wellness company offering innovative programs and well-researched therapies, dedicated to renewing hope by healing the mind, body and spirit. These programs were designed to jumpstart the healing process by promoting a calm, regulated nervous system, training clients to better care for themselves and their relationships.
Restore of Ada was formed in 2024 in Ada, Oklahoma and is unique in its application of several healing interventions: trauma and resiliency science through life coaching, nutritional interventions, and other additional modalities of healing. Founder Dana Hargus, a counselor with over twenty years of experience, was inspired to start Restore Of Ada when she acknowledged that once-a-week talk therapy sometimes isn’t enough to treat those suffering from persistent emotional, physical and relational traumas.
While traditional counseling can provide powerful outcomes, she recognized the need for an accelerated healing program for those struggling with addictions, attachment disorders, autoimmune disease, anxiety, PTSD, depression, ADD, chronic pain, behavioral issues and many more. This led to the creation of the innovative healing program Restore House, an accelerated 9-week healing program, designed to address physical, emotional, and neurological traumas through both virtual and in-person experiences, as well as ongoing coaching and community support.
Restore Of Ada is a place to heal the body, soul and spirit.
See bonusbabies.org to learn more about what we are doing and please donate to support us by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution. EVERY PENNY OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION GOES TO RECORDING AND PLATFORMING THESE STORIES. Yeah!
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