All Episodes

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S1 E82 Dec 31, 2025

A Soldier’s Big Heart: Jackson’s Gift to Foster Youth with Sarah Davis and Andrea Forringer

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Travis Vangsnes welcome Andrea Forringer and Sarah Davis, from Jackson's Gift, an organizat...

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S1 E81 Dec 24, 2025

Replay: How to Best Navigate the Holidays as a Foster Family with Bethany Hall

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis and Courtney, along with guest Bethany Hall, discuss the complexities of navigating the holidays for child...

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S1 E80 Dec 17, 2025

Digital Safety for Foster Homes: Insights from Cybersecurity Experts

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Courtney Williams engages with cybersecurity experts Chad Rychlewski and Kae David to discuss the critical importa...

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S1 E79 Dec 10, 2025

The Alarming Connection Between Foster Care and Sex Trafficking with Hollie Strand

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney engage with Hollie Strand, a forensic examiner with extensive experience in child...

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S1 E78 Dec 03, 2025

WinShape Homes: Leading the Way Through Collaboration in Foster Care with Callie Priest

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Travis Vangsnes welcome Callie Priest, the director of strategic partnerships for WindShap...

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S1 E77 Nov 26, 2025

Cross Cultural Adoption Insights and Their Native American Adoption Story with Greg and Sam Hollback

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Travis Vangsnes welcome Greg and Sam Hollback, a couple who have adopted two Native America...

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S1 E76 Nov 19, 2025

Navigating the Unique Challenges of Transracial Adoption with Isaac Etter

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney and Travis engage in a deep conversation with Isaac Etter, a transracial adoptee and social entrepreneur...

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S1 E75 Nov 12, 2025

Gaining a Better Understanding of Grief and Loss in Adopted Children with Pam Bauer

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney engage with Pam Bauer, a mother of 14 adopted children, to discuss the complexiti...

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S1 E74 Nov 05, 2025

Adopting From Foster Care: Common Myths and Helpful Tips and Insights

In this kickoff to National Adoption Month, host Brian Mavis sits down with his cohosts (and adoptive parents) Courtney and Travis to discuss the real-world challenges...

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S1 E73 Oct 31, 2025

Go Upstream: A Call to Action in Response to the 10 Social Wounds Affecting Foster Care

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Brian Mavis discuss the themes of foster care and adoption as outlined in Brian's book, Ups...

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S1 E72 Oct 29, 2025

Finding Family in Unexpected Places: The Inspiring Story of Foster Care Alum Liz Sutherland

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Courtney Williams and co-host Travis Vangsnes welcome Liz Sutherland, a former foster youth and author. Liz shares...

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S1 E71 Oct 22, 2025

Creating a More Supportive and Connected Foster Care Ecosystem with Jason Weber

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Travis Vangsnes engage with Jason Weber, a seasoned advocate for foster care and co-founde...

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S1 E70 Oct 16, 2025

Go Upstream: The Social Wounds Homelessness, Incarceration, Teen Pregnancy, and Generational Foster Care

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney and Brian Mavis delve into the critical social issues surrounding foster care, including homelessness, i...

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S1 E69 Oct 15, 2025

From Foster Care to City Hall: The Story, Lessons, and Inspiring Vision of Mayor Jason Salamun

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Travis Vangsnes and co-host Courtney Williams welcome Jason Salamun, the mayor of Rapid City, South Dakota. They d...

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S1 E68 Oct 08, 2025

Building a Church With a Heart for Foster Care and Birth Families with Kelly and Tracie Ward

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian Mavis and Travis engage with Kelly and Tracie Ward, a couple deeply involved in foster care and adoption. T...

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S1 E67 Oct 02, 2025

Go Upstream: The Social Wounds Sex Trafficking, Addiction, and Poverty in Foster Care

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, Courtney and Brian Mavis delve into critical social issues affecting foster youth, including sex trafficking, addiction...

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S1 E66 Oct 01, 2025

Foster Parenting and Electronics: Navigating the Challenges of Smartphones, Screens, and Social Media

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Brian, Courtney, and Travis discuss the challenges of parenting in the digital age, particularly focusing on the ...

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S1 E65 Sep 24, 2025

From Foster Care to Bestselling Author: An Inspiring Conversation with Kate Angelo

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis Vangsnes and Courtney Williams interview bestselling author Kate Angelo, who shares her inspiring journey ...

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S1 E64 Sep 18, 2025

Go Upstream: The Social Wounds Trauma, Physical Illness, and Suicide in Foster Care

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Courtney and Brian Mavis delve into the critical social wounds affecting youth in foster care, focusing on trauma...

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S1 E63 Sep 17, 2025

Practical Tips and Patient Perseverance in Dealing with Challenging Behaviors with Danny and Ashley Smith

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Travis Vangsnes and Courtney Williams welcome Danny and Ashley Smith, who share their journey as foster parents a...