ReStoried
What kind of stories come to mind when you think of foster care?
Many stories are filled with heartbreak, pain, and sorrow. But what if we could step in and see them turned into stories of hope?
Hope Bridge is on a gospel-led mission to transform the foster care landscape in Ohio. We're here to raise awareness and empower churches and communities to step into action by supporting vulnerable children and families in their local communities.
We’re certainly not the Author of these stories, and it’s true that we can't change the past, but we are called to be key characters in THE story that God has written for His creation.
His is a story of redemption and restoration, a story of HOPE.
In this podcast, we will share how we link arms with churches, county workers, foster families, and those in the community to rewrite the narrative for vulnerable children and families.
We’ll be shining a light on stories of hope, redemption, and transformation and sharing practical ways that you can step in and get involved.
Subscribe now, and together, let's make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
Welcome to "ReStoried," a podcast by Hope Bridge.
Episodes
133 episodes
132. For the One: When Foster & Biological Moms Choose Each Other
In this really special episode for Foster Care Awareness Month, Nicole sits down with DiEmma, the biological mom of her three adopted kids—for an honest conversation about what it actually looks like to choose relationship in the middle of real...
131. For the One: Seeing People Like Jesus Does
In this special episode of Restoried, we’re coming together as the four directors of HopeBridge to launch something that is deeply personal to us: our new campaign and heart posture, “For the One.” This conversation is really ab...
130. Spiritual Formation: How Scripture Memorization Shapes Who We Become
In this episode of Restoried, Brian Troyer discusses the power of scripture memorization as a key practice for spiritual formation. Moving beyond simply studying the Bible, he emphasizes how hiding God’s Word in our hearts transforms the way we...
129. Mobilize Ohio 2026 Reflections: What Stuck With Us
In this episode, we’re taking time to reflect on some of our favorite takeaways from Mobilize Ohio 2026. Every year, we’re amazed by the way God shows up in this space, and this year was no different. Our theme was Surrounded
128. Volunteer Where You Are, With What You Have
In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, this episode of Restoried highlights the incredible impact of volunteers at Hope Bridge and the vital role they play in supporting foster families, single moms, and vulnerable children. While n...
127. Be the Safe Place: A Conversation for Child Abuse Prevention Month with Stephanie Ellison
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and in this episode of Restoried, we sit down with author, speaker, and advocate Stephanie Ellison to talk about the realities of child abuse, especially the parts we don’t always see. <...
126. Spiritual Formation: The Gift of Sabbath
In this episode of Restoried, we’re talking about Sabbath, what it actually looks like in real, everyday life. It’s not just about taking a day off, but about creating a rhythm of stopping, resting, delighting, and spending time with G...
125. Beyond Burnout: Moral Injury in Social Work
In this episode, we are having a conversation on a powerful concept many child welfare workers feel but don’t always have language for: moral injury. We unpack the difference between simple burnout and the deeper, so...
124. Replay- Encouragement for Child Welfare Workers with Blake Boyer
In honor of Social Work Appreciation Month, we’re resharing one of our earlier conversations with Blake Boyer.Blake is a Christian social worker whose passion is encouraging and equipping believers who are fostering, adopting, and...
123. A Life Wrecked for the Gospel: Kirsten Smith’s Adoption Journey
In this episode, we sit down with Kirsten Smith, Summit County Coordinator for Hope Bridge, to hear her incredible journey as a mother of nine adopted children from foster care. Kirsten shares openly about her family’s story, beginning w...
122. Single Mom, Full Circle: Cat’s Journey with Hope Bridge
On this episode of Restoried, Mel sits down to talk with Jen Zwick and Cat Tortola about hope, faith, and transformation. Cat isn’t just a graduate of the Hope Bridge Single Moms Program; she’s now the Single Mom Program’s coordinator,...
121. Spiritual Formation: Practicing Pilgrim Feast
In this episode of Restoried, Brian and Anne revisit the spiritual formation practice of Pilgrim Feast, a rhythm inspired by the biblical feasts where God’s people gathered to remember His faithfulness and celebrate together. Pi...
120. Finding Hope in the Middle of Hard with Jamie Fuller
In this episode of Restoried, we sit down with Jamie Fuller to hear her family’s unexpected journey into kinship care. It’s a story shaped by loss, faith, and God’s redemptive work. What Jamie thought would be a season of empty nesting...
119. Marriage, Foster Care, and Gritty Faith
Foster care doesn’t just enter a home; it enters a marriage. With Valentine’s Day approaching, this episode of Restoried opens an honest conversation about how foster care changes marriage when court dates, therapy, and survival replac...
118. Stacking the Stones: Staying Faithful in the Hard Seasons with Ryan North
In this episode of Restoried, we sit down with Ryan North of One Big Happy Home for a real and encouraging conversation about foster care, adoption, connected parenting, and staying faithful in hard seasons. With more than 30 foster pl...
117. Spiritual Formation: Living Generously
Today, we’re continuing our spiritual formation series by talking about the discipline of generosity. Jesus has so much to say about generosity in the Bible, and we’re reminded that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive. ...
116. The Gift of Raising Differently Abled Children with Kim Bezek
Today on Restoried, we’re joined by Kim Bezek, one of our breakout speakers for Mobilize Ohio. Kim is a children’s ministry director at a local church and a mom of five, parenting kids with a wide range of abilities, including D...
115. Replay- How to Talk to Your Kids About Adoption & Foster Care — Even If It's Not Your Family’s Story with Trisha White Priebe
This week, we’re replaying one of our favorite conversations with Trisha White Priebe, an adult adoptee, writer, and speaker, and a mainstage speaker at Mobilize Ohio 2026.As we lead up to Mobilize Ohio, this week we’re replaying a power...
114. From Chaos to Calling: Reuben Watson’s Story
On this episode, we sit down with Reuben Watson, one of the breakout speakers for Mobilize Ohio, to hear his incredible story of faith, resilience, and redemption. Reuben grew up in foster care, facing abuse and neglect, and even ...
113. Come and See What God Has Done in 2025
In our annual December end-of-year update episode, we take time to reflect on all the incredible ways God has been moving through Hope Bridge over the past year. This season has brought so much growth and blessing, like settling into our new ho...
112. Surrounded: A Sneak Peek at Mobilize Ohio 2026
Even though it’s December, we’re jumping ahead to spring to talk about Mobilize Ohio 2026 on March 21st! In this episode, we’re talking into this year’s theme, “Surrounded,” what to expect, and how the conference has...
111. Spiritual Formation: Pruning & Simplicity
In this episode, we are discussing our next spiritual formation discipline: Pruning & Simplicity. Pruning is about cutting back so we can grow more fruitfully. It’s recognizing the areas of our lives that are chaotic or d...
110. Replay- Navigating the Holiday Season as Foster and Adoptive Families
We’re bringing back this episode because it’s the perfect one to revisit as we head into Thanksgiving and Christmas. The holidays can be really special, but they can also be a lot, especially for foster and adoptive families. In thi...
109. From One Adoptive Mom to Another
November is National Adoption Month, and we’re taking some time to talk about the real, everyday side of adoption, from one adoptive mom to another. We’re sitting down as two adoptive mamas, one a little more seasoned, one st...
108. Spiritual Formation: Making Time with God Intentional
In today’s episode, we’re jumping back into our spiritual formation series and talking all about spending intentional time with God. This isn’t about following a strict formula or checking off a spiritual to-do list. It’s about genuinely connec...