What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting

Christine Marie
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The Go-to Podcast for Christian Women Who Want to Grow Their Family through Foster Care or Adoption: 　 Do you struggle with constant overwhelm or have way more questions than answers while navigating the foster care system? Are you feeling like you’re losing yourself while trying to help your foster child or heal your adopted children? Do you feel completely ill-equipped with the needs of the kiddos in your home or that you took on more than you should have? What if there was a way that you could navigate the complexities of the foster care system, gain powerful insights into the adoption journey and find more peace and less chaos while balancing it all? Hi new friend, I’m Christine Marie, Christian Biblical Mindset coach, Mom of 4- Adoptive Mom of 2 and previous foster parent of 77 children. I can’t wait to share with you everything I have learned in my 10 year journey as a Foster Mom… and now adoptive mom. 　 On this podcast, we are going to cover- -How to grow your family through foster care and adoption while fully trusting in Gods’ plan, timing and provision. -How to navigate a complicated foster care system without losing yourself or your mind in the process. -How to balance the needs of your birth children, foster kiddos and adoptive children. -How to balance your marriage, family, career and mental health. -How I found my own personal healing through all the brokenness. I am thankful you are here and can’t wait to get started. 　 So, go grab your cup of coffee, make sure to reheat it and let’s jump in! XO, Christine 　 Connect with me personally in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cortisol_coach Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thechristinemarieofficial Email: cmhartmann@fulhart.org

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    When Your Adoptive Child Walks Away: Trusting God When You’ve Done All You Can

    Welcome to the What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting podcast. I’m Christine Marie — adoptive mom, former foster parent, and biblical mindset coach. Whether you’re in the early stages of foster care, navigating adoption, or standing in a season of unknowns — this space was created for you. Today’s episode is different. It’s not polished or perfectly planned — it’s real. It’s raw. It’s what I’m walking through right now. Last night, my daughter chose to leave. And after years of fighting, praying, loving, and believing for healing, I came to a place I never thought I’d be: surrender. Not because I stopped loving her — but because love doesn’t force. Love releases. Love trusts. This episode is a reflection on what it means to surrender your child to God when nothing makes sense. It’s for the mama who’s exhausted. The one who’s grieving. The one who has done everything “right” and still feels like it’s falling apart. If you’ve ever had to release control, grieve what could have been, or trust God with the child you love — I pray this message meets you in that sacred space. ☕ Grab your coffee and settle in — this one will stretch you, strengthen you, and remind you why love is always worth it.   XO-Christine 💕 PS — Want to join a supportive space for women who are navigating foster care, adoption, or just want to love others well? Come join us here: 👉 facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen

    20 min

  2. 2 AUG

    The Truth About Open Adoption: A Birth Mom’s Story of Loss, Love, and Reform with Sydney Curtin

    This week’s episode is one I hope every adoptive and foster parent listens to - and listens with an open heart. I’m honored to sit down with Sydney Curtin - birth mom, author of Courageous Considerations, speaker, life coach, and founder of Curtin Call - as she shares the raw and painful truth about her adoption story, and why she’s now advocating for ethical reform across the entire industry. In 2019, Sydney made what she believed was the most loving and selfless decision a mother could make - placing her daughter for adoption. What followed was a heartbreaking unraveling of promises made to her and her child. From being coerced into signing away her rights to experiencing the gut-wrenching reality of an unenforceable open adoption, Sydney’s story exposes what many don’t realize about the current adoption system. Together, we talk about: • The myth of open adoption • Why adoption must be treated as a lifelong relationship, not a transaction • How faith, courage, and grief shape the journey for birth moms • What it looks like to center the child while honoring both families involved Sydney’s book, Courageous Considerations, is a powerful tool designed to help both adoptive and natural families ask the hard questions before, during, and after placement. Because adoption, when done right, is not the severing of one family - it’s the joining of two. Whether you’ve adopted, are considering adoption, or want to better understand the full picture of what ethical, relational adoption can look like - this conversation will challenge you, stretch you, and invite you into something deeper. ☕ Grab your coffee, get comfy, and let’s dig in. XO, Christine Marie 💕 PS — Want to join a supportive space for women who are navigating foster care, adoption, or just want to love others well? Come join us here: 👉 facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen   Connect with Sydney Curtin: 🌐 Website: www.coachcurtin.com 📘 Courageous Considerations – now available on her website 📲 TikTok & Instagram: @Coach_SydneyCurtin 📘 Facebook: Sydney N. Curtin

    41 min

  3. 20 JUN

    How to Navigate College Admissions & Scholarships for Foster and Adoptive Children

    If the college admissions process feels overwhelming… you’re not alone. And if you’re a foster or adoptive parent? There are even more layers to navigate. This week on What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting, I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Cynthia Nash, a college admissions and financial aid coach with over 20 years of experience at top-tier universities like Northwestern and Vanderbilt- and friend, this conversation is packed with gold. Cynthia has helped students earn millions in scholarships and grants, including: • Five students admitted to Vanderbilt- four on full rides • Three students at Johns Hopkins- two attending completely free • A Posse Scholar at Middlebury- with all four years fully covered And that’s just the beginning. Whether you’re parenting a child from foster care, adoption, or not—you’ll walk away from this episode equipped with tools and insight to help your teen step into a future they didn’t think was possible. In this episode, we talk about: • How to navigate the college admissions process with clarity • How foster and adoptive kids need different support • Where to find scholarships and financial aid that most families miss • The power of vision, mentorship, and strategy in shaping a child's future • And why education can be one of the most powerful generational tools of healing Whether your child is in 9th grade or nearing graduation- this episode will give you real steps, renewed hope, and a fresh vision for what’s possible. Now, grab your cup of coffee, get comfy, and let’s dig in! XO, Christine Marie 💕 Join Our Community! After you listen, I’d love for you to come be part of our inner circle of foster and adoptive mamas! Our Facebook group is your gateway to valuable resources, support, and connection with other women who truly get it. Join us here: 👉 facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen https://www.youtube.com/@fosteringandadopting   Get Cynthia’s Free College Admissions Guide: Download now: www.amazingjourneycollegecounseling.com Contact Cynthia Nash Email: amazingjourneycc@gmail.com Learn About Her Coaching Programs: • Group Coaching for rising seniors (starts 6/1/25) • Elite Coaching for pre-med & engineering students (Junior–Senior year) Email Cynthia for details and availability: amazingjourneycc@gmail.com

    40 min

  4. 16 JUN

    Helping Adoptive Families Heal: A Conversation with April Ficklin, TBRI® Practitioner

    This week on What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting, I had the absolute honor of sitting down with April Ficklin, a TBRI® Practitioner, adoptive mom, and the Director of Family Support Services for Flourishing Families of South Carolina. April brings both professional wisdom and personal experience to this conversation. Her work is centered on helping adoptive families find real connection, healing, and hope through Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and her heart for trauma-informed care is nothing short of powerful. In this episode, we talk about: • The realities adoptive families face behind closed doors • How trauma impacts connection and what we can do about it • Why adoptive moms often feel unseen, and how to change that • How April is equipping families and organizations across South Carolina • And how faith plays a vital role in every part of this healing journey Whether you’re new to adoption or knee-deep in the hard parts, this conversation will remind you that healing is possible and you don’t have to do this alone. ☕ Now, grab your cup of coffee, get comfy, and let’s dig in! XO, Christine Marie 💕 Join Our Community! After you listen, I’d love for you to come be part of our inner circle of foster and adoptive mamas! Our Facebook group is your gateway to valuable resources, support, and connection with other women who truly get it. Join us here: 👉 facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen https://www.youtube.com/@fosteringandadopting Connect with April Ficklin: Instagram: www.instagram.com/april_ficklin Facebook: www.facebook.com/april.ficklin Learn more: www.flourishingfamiliessc.org Email: april@flourishingfamiliessc.org

    45 min

  5. 15 JUN

    Adoptee to Adoptive Mom: Rebecca Del Pozo’s Powerful Adoption Story

    In this episode of What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting, I’m sitting down with my friend Rebecca Del Pozo- an adoptee, an adoptive mom, and a fierce advocate for families who’ve walked this road from every angle. This conversation is honest, vulnerable, and deeply encouraging. Rebecca doesn’t just talk about adoption- she’s lived it in every form. From the unexpected twists and tender moments to the hard decisions and holy perspective shifts, she shares how the Lord has used adoption to shape her family, her faith, and her purpose. If you’ve ever wrestled with the "why" behind your story, or wondered if you’re the right person for the calling in front of you, Rebecca’s story will meet you right where you are- and lift your eyes higher. ☕ Now, grab your cup of coffee, get comfy, and let’s dig in! XO, Christine Marie 💕 Join Our Community! After you listen, I’d love for you to come be part of our inner circle of foster and adoptive mamas! Our Facebook group is your gateway to valuable resources, support, and connection with other women who truly get it. Join us here: facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen 🎙️ More from Rebecca: Ready to stop winging it and start leading your life on purpose? Grab her book here: https://amzn.to/3XyAqWv Moms in Real Estate—join her community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionairerealestatemoms Want Rebecca to train your team? Email: https://www.facebook.com/Rebecca.Volden.DelPozo Website: www.RebeccaDelPozo.com

    34 min

  6. 13 MAY

    Inside Foster Care: Mental Health, Trauma-Informed Parenting & Real Solutions with Dr. John DeGarmo

    Welcome back to the What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting podcast! I’m Christine Marie — adoptive mom, former foster parent, and biblical mindset coach — and today’s guest is someone whose voice and impact in the foster care space cannot be overstated. I’m honored to sit down with Dr. John DeGarmo, founder and director of The Foster Care Institute, international speaker, best-selling author of 10 books, and foster/adoptive dad to over 60 children. Dr. DeGarmo has worked alongside child welfare agencies across the globe and is a leading voice for system change and trauma-informed parenting. In this conversation, we dive into the realities of foster care that few are willing to talk about — from the mental health crisis and over-medication of foster youth to the growing burnout among caregivers. We also talk about practical tools and mindsets that can help foster and adoptive parents stay grounded, effective, and full of hope even in the hardest seasons. Whether you’re currently fostering, considering it, or simply want to better support foster families in your community, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and truth. ☕ So grab your coffee, get comfy, and let’s dig in. XO, Christine Marie 🎧 In this episode, we cover: The over-medication crisis in foster care How trauma shows up in children and how to respond with connection The importance of mental health support for foster families What foster parents need most (and why many are walking away) Dr. DeGarmo’s personal journey and why he still believes in the system, despite its flaws About Dr. John DeGarmo: International keynote speaker and trainer Best-selling author of 10 books on foster care and parenting TED Talk presenter and media contributor Expert witness for foster care and child welfare legal cases Recipient of the Good Morning America Ultimate Hero Award and the Heroes of the Homeless Award Connect with Dr. DeGarmo: Website: www.drjohndegarmofostercare.com More Resources: The Foster Care Institute 💕 Join Our Free Community of Christian Foster & Adoptive Moms: 👉 facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen 🎥 YouTube Channel

    32 min

  7. 20 APR

    You Left the 99 to Save the 1: Devin Schubert’s Story of Fatherhood, Foster Care, Adoption, Trauma & Redemption

    This one is for the foster and adoptive parents carrying the weight no one sees—who keep showing up, even when it feels like everything is falling apart. Today, I’m sitting down with Devin Schubert—an adoptive dad of three—for a conversation about the cost of obedience, the depth of trauma, and the God who restores what we thought was lost forever. After adopting his son, Devin walked through five years of chaos: -Explosive trauma -Daily police calls -System after system that failed -And the heartbreak of watching his marriage fall apart When his wife left, Devin stepped into solo fatherhood, determined to fight for his son—alone. Until the fight nearly killed him.  Diagnosed with trauma shock  Given 3 months to live Flat on his back, ready to give up, Jesus walked in and said: “You left the 99 to save the 1. Now I’m giving you the 99 to tell your story to the nations.” And now—four years later—his son is being reunited with him and moving back home in just 4 months. This episode is a story of resilience, radical love, and full-circle redemption for every parent who’s ever wondered, “Is it worth it?” Tune in now and be reminded: God sees your sacrifice. He restores what was lost. And the story isn’t over yet. ☕ Grab your coffee, get comfy, and let’s dig in. XO, Christine Marie 📌 Connect with Devin: www.facebook.com/schubertdevin www.storiestostages.com 🎥 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@fosteringandadopting 💕 Join our community: facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen

    39 min

  8. 19 APR

    Behind the Scenes of Foster Care: DJ Noble on Faith, Family & Embracing the Journey

    Today, I’m joined by the incredible DJ Noble, a former radio host, teacher, and long-time foster parent with a powerful 15-year journey that spans across Virginia and Kansas. In this episode, we’re talking about the REAL side of foster care—the emotions, the relationships, the red tape, and the redemption. Together, we unpack: ✨ What it’s like navigating two different state systems ✨ How to honor and embrace biological families ✨ The impact fostering can have on your own bio kids ✨ Practical advice for navigating relationships, grief, and growth DJ brings so much wisdom—not just from his professional background in sociology, urban affairs, and theology—but from living this life every single day. With his wife, Sanna, they’ve raised two biological sons and fostered dozens more. Right now? They’ve got three boys in their home and are still showing up with heart, humor, and purpose. This conversation is full of real talk, practical insight, and encouragement for anyone currently fostering or considering the call. Listen now to hear how DJ balances faith, family, and fostering—and why the way we view biological families could change everything. Check out DJ’s podcast “Off The Grid” at www.IndiesCollective.com for more of his powerful voice and mission. ☕ Grab your coffee, get comfy, and let’s dig in! XO, Christine Marie 📌 Follow for more faith-based foster care conversations: @cortisol_coach 💕 Join the community: facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fosteringandadopting

    46 min
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The Go-to Podcast for Christian Women Who Want to Grow Their Family through Foster Care or Adoption: 　 Do you struggle with constant overwhelm or have way more questions than answers while navigating the foster care system? Are you feeling like you’re losing yourself while trying to help your foster child or heal your adopted children? Do you feel completely ill-equipped with the needs of the kiddos in your home or that you took on more than you should have? What if there was a way that you could navigate the complexities of the foster care system, gain powerful insights into the adoption journey and find more peace and less chaos while balancing it all? Hi new friend, I’m Christine Marie, Christian Biblical Mindset coach, Mom of 4- Adoptive Mom of 2 and previous foster parent of 77 children. I can’t wait to share with you everything I have learned in my 10 year journey as a Foster Mom… and now adoptive mom. 　 On this podcast, we are going to cover- -How to grow your family through foster care and adoption while fully trusting in Gods’ plan, timing and provision. -How to navigate a complicated foster care system without losing yourself or your mind in the process. -How to balance the needs of your birth children, foster kiddos and adoptive children. -How to balance your marriage, family, career and mental health. -How I found my own personal healing through all the brokenness. I am thankful you are here and can’t wait to get started. 　 So, go grab your cup of coffee, make sure to reheat it and let’s jump in! XO, Christine 　 Connect with me personally in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cortisol_coach Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thechristinemarieofficial Email: cmhartmann@fulhart.org

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