Behind the Curtain: Honest Conversations about Foster Care and Adoption
Each episode will feature a conversation between host Rebecca Harvin and foster/adoptive caregivers or members of the community who support foster care and adoption.
Episodes
40 episodes
Turning Shame Into Care: A Guide To Trauma, Incontinence, and Advocacy with Peter Mutabazi and Mica Phillips
We open the door on incontinence in foster and adoptive homes and talk plainly about shame, trauma, and the mental load. Peter Mutabazi, founder of Now I am Known, shares the daily realities of children with incontinence issues and advocacy win...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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51:29
Rebecca Unedited: How A 1% Shift Can Rebuild Peace And Connection
If you're a foster parent or adoptive parent who wants to build a life that you recognize at 80. Or, if resolutions leave you burned out by February, you’re not broken—you’re using the wrong tool. Rebecca opens the door to a gentler, smarter ap...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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32:00
Parenting For The Long Game
In part two of two, we explore authoritative parenting as a blend of warmth and structure that forms character for the long game. Faith and research meet in practical steps that build trust, align kids with reality, and make the teen years a jo...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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1:14:12
Warmth And Discipline: Raising Resilient Kids In Foster And Adoptive Homes
In part one of two, we explore kind, authoritative parenting for foster and adoptive families, weaving research, faith, and real-life practice into a clear path that balances warmth with firm guidance. Rachel Medefind shares how discipline mean...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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42:19
Adoption Stories: From Neighbor to Mom, When Adoption Intersects Your Life
In this episode, we explore foster parenting advice and adoption resources through the story of a neighbor's crisis that led to adopting two teens. Mary shares her transition from a career police officer's mindset to trauma-informed parenting, ...
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Season 3
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Episode 20
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52:09
Soul Care for Weary Foster and Adoptive Caregivers: Support and Restoration
In this episode of 'Behind the Curtain: Honest Conversations about Foster Care and Adoption,' we explore essential soul care for foster and adoptive caregivers experiencing burnout. We share honest stories of exhaustion, striving, and the simpl...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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57:14
Foster Care Stories: The Role of the Guardian Ad Litem and How it Impacts Children in Foster Care
Two friends pull back the curtain on what a Guardian ad Litem does, why the role matters, and how one steady volunteer can change a child’s case. Andrea shares training, time commitment, school advocacy wins, and the power of speaking for the c...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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1:02:04
BRB: We Hit Pause Before Season 3 starts on December 2nd
Big news first: we’re taking a short breather so we can come back strong on December 2 with Season Three of Behind the Curtain. While we pause, we’re pointing you to two powerful replays and a brand-new support that can change the daily rhythm ...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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3:43
Girl Lost (and Found): Kate Angelo's Journey From Foster Care to Bestselling Author
Kate Angelo shares her transformative journey from foster care to bestselling author, revealing how small interventions changed her life trajectory and shaped her mission to help others heal from trauma.• Experiencing stability when a f...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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55:45
Former Foster Care Youth Turned Bestseller: Kate Angelo's Story of Resilience
In part one, Kate Angelo shares her extraordinary journey from a chaotic childhood with exotic pets, parental kidnappings, and neglect to finding purpose after aging out of foster care.• Former foster youth who became a bestselling auth...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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39:24
A Look at Foster Care Through the Lens of a Former Foster Youth: Brianna’s Journey
Brianna Groah and her former case manager Kinsey Howell share the raw reality of foster care from the perspective of a child who lived through it. With honesty and vulnerability, they reveal what makes the difference between mere survival and g...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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1:12:06
Breaking Down IEPs: A Foster Parent's Guide to School Advocacy
Educational advocate Trina Middleton shares her 30+ years of special education experience to help parents navigate the complex world of school advocacy for children with special needs, particularly in foster and adoptive families.• Reco...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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55:58
When Friendship Meets Fostering: The Power of Having Someone Who Gets It
The Jantoyas, Elizabeth Janssen and Lisa Montoya, share their journey as best friends, foster and adoptive moms, and tireless advocates for children in the foster care system. They discuss how their friendship formed over fostering challenges a...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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1:03:18
Breaking Cycles, Building Support: How Safe Families Helps Families in Crisis
This episode is Part 2 of Rebecca's conversation with Tammy Pulsifer. Here is the link to go back and listen to Part 1: Part 1 with Tammy PulsiferTammy Pulsifer, Director...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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22:57
Safe Families: Preventing Foster Care Through Community Support
Tammy Pulsifer, Director of Community Engagement at Safe Families for Children in Tallahassee, shares how their organization prevents children from entering foster care by supporting families in crisis through community intervention and radical...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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34:27
120 Kids Later: What Loryn Smith Learned About Faith
Loryn Smith brings 30+ years of child welfare experience as owner of Finally Home Christian Adoption Services, sharing her journey of fostering 120 children and adopting many into her family.• Service without sacrifice is a counterfeit<...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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52:18
Try Softer
Rebecca and Olivia explore the concept of "trying softer" and how loosening our grip on control can transform our lives, especially in the demanding world of foster care and adoption.• Recognizing when we're trying too hard from a place...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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45:10
Single Foster Motherhood: Journeying Alone But Never Lonely
Stephanie Miller shares her journey as a single foster and adoptive mom to three young children, revealing both the exhausting challenges and profound joys of parenting alone.• Adopted a five-year-old last December and a 16-month-old ar...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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36:02
Rebecca Unedited: Surviving Summer
Rebecca shares how intentionally noticing positive moments and seeking connection opportunities with her children is transforming her summer parenting experience, despite the challenging start.• Summer began with significant struggles, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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33:29
Tips and Tricks for Successful Road Trips
Rebecca Harvin and Courtney Studard share their hard-won wisdom on traveling with children of all ages, from essential packing strategies to entertainment tips that really work. We offer practical advice for making family travel more enjoyable,...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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54:02
A Journey to Motherhood Through Faith, Infertility, Foster Care and Adoption
Jenn Ditges shares her powerful journey from infertility to motherhood through foster care and adoption, revealing how she came to mother six children after experiencing twelve pregnancy losses.• Always dreamed of being pregnant since w...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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48:18
Foster Care: The Altar of Motherhood
Jessica Miles shares her raw, powerful story of loving through the hardest seasons of foster care, demonstrating how her own difficult childhood prepared her to show up authentically for children experiencing trauma. She offers profound insight...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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47:03
Single, Fostering and Figuring it Out: One Foster Mom's Journey into the Unknown
Kate shares her journey from teacher to single foster parent, reflecting on the profound identity shift that occurs the moment a child enters your home and the unique challenges of navigating the system alone.• Background in early child...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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38:17
Rebecca Unedited: Motherhood Unfiltered
Welcome back to season two where we dive into the complicated reality of Mother's Day for foster and adoptive moms, exploring how joy and grief often coexist in our parenting journey. I share my personal struggles with balancing celebration, co...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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25:18
Rebecca Unedited: Unknotting Our Stories
Vulnerability and authenticity are explored through personal experiences of motherhood, therapy, and relationships. By unpacking the burdensome narratives around love and acceptance, the episode inspires listeners to reflect on their own storie...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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38:14