Dream Small Podcast

Jason and Whitney Small
  • 5.0 (17)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED DAILY

Big impact doesn’t always come from big platforms. More often, it’s found in the everyday yeses of foster and adoptive parents. The Dream Small Podcast, hosted by Jason and Whitney Small—parents of seven, foster and adoptive advocates, and storytellers—encourages foster parents, adoptive parents, and anyone walking the road of foster care and adoption. Each episode shares honest conversations, practical wisdom, and faith-filled stories from real foster and adoptive family life. With humor, hope, and a deep love for Jesus, Jason and Whitney talk about the highs and lows of parenting kids from hard places—navigating court dates, trauma, reunification, adoption, and the daily moments that test and grow your faith. If you’re looking for a foster care podcast or adoptive parent podcast that reminds you you’re not alone, Dream Small will encourage you to trade fame for faithfulness and trust that every small act of love matters. Because in foster care, adoption, and everyday parenting, the smallest yes can make the biggest difference.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 39 - Foster Care Goodbyes: The Hardest Part of Loving Foster Kids

    Foster care is built around one painful reality that many people don't talk about: goodbye is the goal. In this episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney open up about the different kinds of goodbyes foster parents experience. Some are joyful. Some are heartbreaking. Some come without warning. From reunification with biological parents to unexpected court decisions, to realizing a child needs a different forever home, foster care is full of emotional transitions that few people truly understand. In this honest and vulnerable conversation, we share: • The different types of goodbyes foster parents face • Why loving foster children always carries risk • How we processed one of the hardest decisions we've ever made • What happens when a child leaves without warning • Ways foster parents can process grief in healthy ways If you're a foster parent, considering fostering, or simply want to better understand the reality of foster care, this episode will give you a deeper look into the emotional side of the journey. Because sometimes loving a child well means letting them go. The 5 Types of Foster Care Goodbyes 1. Reunification With Biological Parents This is the best-case scenario in foster care. When parents do the hard work and are able to safely bring their child home, it's something worth celebrating. But even when it's a good outcome, it still hurts to say goodbye to a child you've loved. 2. When the System Sends a Child Home Too Soon Sometimes the system makes decisions that foster parents struggle to understand. When children return home before parents are truly ready, foster parents are often left with grief, fear, and unanswered questions. In those moments, faith becomes a major anchor. 3. Moving to a Pre-Adoptive Home Not every foster family is meant to be a child's forever family. Sometimes the most loving decision is recognizing when a child needs a different home that can provide permanence. This was the difficult situation our family recently walked through. 4. When a Placement Isn't the Right Fit Foster parents often feel pressure to say yes to everything. But sometimes the healthiest decision for both the family and the child is to recognize when a placement simply isn't a good fit. This doesn't mean you failed. It means you recognized your limits. 5. The Goodbye You Never Saw Coming One of the hardest moments in foster care is when a child leaves without warning. Court decisions can change quickly, and sometimes foster families don't even get a chance to say goodbye. These are the moments that often hurt the most. Processing Foster Care Grief Even after a child leaves, the goodbye doesn't end immediately. The empty bed. The missing car seat. The quieter house. Grieving those changes is normal and healthy. One way Whitney processes this grief is by keeping a journal with: Each foster child's nameThe time they spent in our homeBible verse for themA personal prayer We also keep photos of every child who has lived with us as a reminder of the lives we've been honored to be part of. Encouragement for Foster Parents If you're a foster parent who has experienced these kinds of goodbyes, remember: Your love mattered. Even if you weren't their forever family, you were the family they needed in that season. And sometimes the greatest act of love in foster care is being willing to open your heart, knowing it might break. Connect With Us If this episode encouraged you, share it with another foster parent or someone considering foster care. You can follow the Dream Small Podcast and join the conversation as we continue exploring what it looks like to live a meaningful life through small, intentional acts of love. Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast Facebook: Dream Small Podcast Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow If this episode encouraged you, please share it with another foster or adoptive family. You can also support the podcast financially here: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support Music credit: "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    39 min

  2. FEB 24

    Episode 38 - How to Keep Your Marriage Strong While Fostering and Parenting Kids with Trauma

    Episode Summary Marriage is hard. Add kids. Add trauma. Add foster care. Add special needs. Now multiply the stress. In this episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney talk honestly about what it takes to protect and strengthen your marriage while fostering and parenting children with trauma, disabilities, and high needs. With divorce rates hovering around 50 percent and dramatically higher among families raising children with disabilities, this conversation matters. We are not claiming to be perfect. But after nearly 14 years of marriage, multiple foster placements, adoptions, court cases, sleepless nights, and emotionally charged seasons, we have learned a few things that have helped us stay connected. If you are a foster parent, adoptive parent, special needs parent, or just a tired spouse trying to stay close, this episode is for you. What We Cover in This Episode • Why roughly 50 percent of marriages end in divorce • Why parenting increases divorce risk • The staggering divorce statistics among families raising children with disabilities • How fostering stretches your marriage in unique ways • The number one key to staying connected: communication • Assuming positive intent in your spouse • How to check in emotionally during stressful seasons • What to do when one spouse is emotionally done for the day • Serving each other instead of keeping score • Protecting physical intimacy after kids • Why marrying the right person is the ultimate life cheat code • Putting Jesus at the center of your marriage Key Takeaways Assume the best in your spouse. Don’t assume they are against you. Assume positive intent.Communicate daily, even briefly. A simple “How are you really?” can protect your connection.Say when you are done. It is not weakness to admit you are emotionally empty.Parent as a team. Especially in foster care, you must be aligned.Marriage takes sacrifice. Selfishness is one of the biggest marriage killers.Intimacy requires intentionality after kids. It does not just happen automatically anymore.Faith matters. A Christ centered marriage changes everything. Encouragement for Foster and Special Needs Families The stress is real. The exhaustion is real. The court days are heavy. The behaviors can be overwhelming. But your marriage can survive it. Not perfectly. Not without hard conversations. But it can grow deeper if you choose to fight for each other instead of against each other. Connect With Us We would love to hear what has helped strengthen your marriage. Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast Facebook: Dream Small Podcast Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow If this episode encouraged you, please share it with another foster or adoptive family. You can also support the podcast financially here: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support Music credit: "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    51 min

  3. FEB 17

    Episode 37 - Adoption Day: What It Really Feels Like to Finalize an Adoption From Foster Care

    Adoption day is often imagined as a magical finish line. A perfect moment where everything suddenly changes. But the reality is both simpler and deeper than that. In this deeply personal episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney share the real story behind the day their daughter’s adoption became official. Just four hours after leaving the courthouse, they sit down to reflect on the logistics, emotions, surprises, and sacred moments that marked the day she officially became theirs forever. This episode pulls back the curtain on what adoption day actually looks like, from the sudden call announcing the date, to the courtroom experience, to the unexpected realization that in many ways, nothing changed at all because she had already been their daughter in their hearts long before it became legal. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Surprise and Waiting Leading Up to Adoption Day After months of uncertainty, court dates, and waiting on the system, the adoption date finally arrived with only about ten days' notice. What had felt distant and uncertain suddenly became real overnight. We talk about: • Living in the uncertainty of the foster care system • The emotional rollercoaster of waiting for permanency • How quickly everything can suddenly change • Preparing your heart and your home for adoption day What Adoption Day Actually Looks Like Logistically Many people imagine adoption day as a dramatic life-changing moment. But the reality is often far more practical and surprisingly ordinary. We walk through: • What happens at the courthouse • Who attends and what roles they play • How the judge interacts with the child and family • Funny, unexpected moments during the hearing • The waiting, the photos, and the practical flow of the day The Small Faithfulness That Changes Lives Forever Adoption day is not the beginning of love. It’s the recognition of love already lived out in ordinary, faithful, daily moments. This episode is a reminder that God often works through small yeses, quiet obedience, and everyday faithfulness to change lives forever. Because forever families are built one small act of faithfulness at a time. This Episode Is For You If: • You’re a foster parent wondering what adoption day looks like • You’re considering foster care or adoption • You’ve adopted and want to reflect on your own story • You love hearing real stories of God’s faithfulness • You want encouragement that small acts of obedience matter Support the Dream Small Podcast If this episode encouraged you, you can help us continue sharing stories of faith, foster care, and everyday obedience: Support the podcast financially: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support Contact and Follow Dream Small: Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast Facebook: Dream Small Podcast Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow Music credit: "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    37 min

  4. FEB 10

    Episode 36 - How One Nonprofit Is Changing the Foster Care Experience in Indiana

    Foster care is hard. Not just emotionally, but practically. Kids often arrive with nothing. Families are stretched thin. Support can feel fragmented or temporary. In this episode of the Dream Small Podcast, we sit down with Renae, Executive Director of Resources of Hope, a nonprofit based in Whiteland, Indiana, that is quietly and faithfully wrapping around foster, kinship, and adoptive families with the kind of support that actually meets real needs. Renae shares her own foster care journey, including the painful experience of stepping away from fostering after a difficult placement, and how God used that story to shape her deep empathy and leadership today. From there, we dive into the heart of Resources of Hope and the many ways they are serving families across Indiana. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Renee’s Personal Foster Care Story Renee opens up about her lifelong desire to foster, how she and her husband stepped into foster care in 2017, and the difficult reality that led them to step back. That painful season became the foundation for how she now leads Resources of Hope with compassion, understanding, and a deep respect for foster families. What Resources of Hope Really Does Resources of Hope exists to wrap around foster families for the long haul, not just in a one-time moment of crisis. Their programs are built by listening to foster parents and responding to what families actually need, not what outsiders think they need. The Clothing Boutique (Not Just a Closet) Their largest program is the clothing boutique, which serves an average of 82 children per month. Children receive up to two weeks worth of clothing, including pajamas, socks, shoes, underwear, diapers, hygiene items, bedding, and more. Families can return as children grow or change sizes, because foster care is not static. This ongoing access is a lifeline for families navigating constant change. Teen Connect A Friday night program for youth ages 12 to 17 in foster, kinship, or adoptive care. Teens share meals, talk through highs and lows, and participate in practical life-skill activities like car care, self-defense, and basic home skills. It is not therapy, but it is meaningful connection and support. Birthday Blessings Every child deserves to be celebrated. Resources of Hope provides a full birthday experience in a bag, including new toys, books, clothing or pajamas, party supplies, and a birthday dinner. These bags are intentionally customized and affirm each child’s identity and dignity. Foster Parent Training and Support Groups Resources of Hope offers DCS-approved trainings and monthly support groups that count toward required foster parent hours. One huge differentiator is that they provide childcare, removing one of the biggest barriers foster parents face when trying to attend training. Recharge Events These events offer foster parents a few hours of childcare so they can rest, reconnect, or simply breathe. Resources of Hope partners with churches and youth groups to make these nights possible. Butterfly Blessings Recognizing the lack of support in many rural areas, Resources of Hope launched Butterfly Blessings to bring clothing and resources directly to families up to an hour and a half away. Partnering with churches, they set up pop-up boutiques so families can shop locally and with dignity. Holiday and Community Events From the annual picnic to Hope for the Holidays, these gatherings go far beyond a simple event. Families share meals, shop for every child in their home, receive holiday food, and experience community with others who understand foster care life. Teen Shopping Spree Each May during Foster Care Awareness Month, teens new to care receive a $200 shopping spree focused on essentials first. Sponsors make this possible by directly funding individual teens. All In for Foster Youth: Casino Night Fundraiser Resources of Hope’s largest annual fundraiser is the All In for Foster Youth Casino Night, held each March. This event is not only a fun night out, it is a critical source of funding that supports nearly 25 percent of the organization’s annual budget. Casino Night is designed for adults to gather, enjoy great food, play casino-style games, and rally around foster youth in a meaningful way. What to Expect Dinner catered by a local Greenwood catererCasino-style games including poker, blackjack, craps, and more (no experience required)Professional dealers who teach you how to playSilent auction with high-quality items and experiencesPrize drawings at the end of the nightPowerful stories about the impact Resources of Hope is making How You Can Participate (https://www.resourcesofhope.org/casinonight) Purchase an individual ticket or a full tableSponsor the event or a specific programDonate an item or experience for the silent auctionAttend, invite friends, and help spread the word Even if you are not local to Central Indiana, you can still support Casino Night through sponsorships, auction donations, or direct giving. Why This Episode Matters This conversation highlights what meaningful foster care support looks like when it is done with humility, listening, and long-term commitment. Resources of Hope is a powerful example of how small, faithful acts can create real stability for families walking a hard road. Whether you are a foster parent, church leader, volunteer, or someone wondering how to help, this episode offers a clear picture of how community can step in and make a difference. How You Can Help • Volunteer your time • Donate clothing and supplies (quality matters) • Sponsor a teen shopping spree • Partner as a church or organization • Spread the word about Resources of Hope Connect with Resources of Hope Renae’s email: R.Furnee@resourcesofhope.org Website: www.resourcesofhope.org Casino Night: https://www.resourcesofhope.org/casinonight facebook.com/resourcesofhope instagram.com/resourcesofhope Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/17077V7EW8QXW/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex Connect With Us Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast Facebook: Dream Small Podcast Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow Love the show and want to help us keep it going? Support the podcast here: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support Music credit: "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    41 min

  5. JAN 27

    Episode 35 - The Truth About Foster Care Money: Per Diems, Reimbursements, and Reality

    There’s a common myth that foster parents “do it for the money.” In this episode of the Dream Small Podcast, we walk through the real financial support foster parents receive in Indiana, including per diem rates, reimbursements, adoption subsidies, and why none of it comes close to covering the true cost of caring for a child. If you’ve ever wondered: Do foster parents get paid?How much money do foster parents receive?Is foster care financially sustainable? This episode gives honest, firsthand answers based on real-life experience. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 1. Foster Care Per Diem Rates in Indiana Foster parents receive a daily per diem intended to offset basic living expenses. Rates vary by age and level of need determined by a CANS score. Approximate daily rates: - Level 1: $27 - $35 - Level 2: $36 - $43 - Level 3: $48 - $55 - Level 4: $72 - $79 These funds cover essentials like food, clothing, and hygiene items, not income. 2. Initial Clothing Allowance Indiana provides a one-time $200 clothing voucher when a child is placed, helping cover immediate needs like clothing, shoes, and baby supplies. No sales tax applies. 3. Annual and Special Allowances $300 annual personal allowance per child$50 birthday allowance$50 Christmas allowance (Some agencies may supplement these amounts.) 4. Medicaid and WIC All foster children receive Medicaid coverage. Children under five may also receive WIC benefits to help cover formula and basic nutrition. 5. Adoption Through Foster Care Adoptive families may continue to receive: Ongoing per diem supportMedicaid coveragePartial adoption legal fee coverageA federal adoption tax credit 6. Kinship Care vs Licensed Foster Care Kinship caregivers often receive fewer benefits unless licensed. Licensing unlocks additional financial supports. 7. The Big Takeaway Foster care payments are reimbursements, not income. Families who do foster care well almost never break even. Who This Episode Is For: Prospective foster parentsNew foster familiesKinship caregiversAnyone curious about foster care finances If this episode was helpful, please consider sharing it with someone who has questions about foster care or who may be considering becoming a foster parent. You can support the Dream Small Podcast by following, rating, and reviewing the show on your favorite podcast platform. To financially support the podcast, visit: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support Contact: Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast Facebook: Dream Small Podcast Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow Music Credit: “Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    38 min

  6. JAN 20

    Episode 34 - A Long Week in a Foster Family: Real Life, Sick Kids, and the Power of Community

    Some weeks feel like a year. And for foster and adoptive families, those weeks often come with sick kids, missed church services, packed calendars, emotional exhaustion, and moments where you wonder how everything is going to get done. In this episode, Jason and Whitney invite you into one very long, very real week in their home. From fevers and stomach bugs to basketball games that start early, overlapping school schedules, missed Bible studies, and late night cleanup, they walk listeners through the day by day reality of life in a large foster and adoptive family. But this episode is not just about the hard stuff. It is also a heartfelt reflection on the beauty and necessity of community. Jason and Whitney share powerful examples of people who stepped in during this exhausting week and made a tangible difference. A former teacher pouring into their son’s creativity, church members offering transportation and childcare, and friends quietly showing up in faithful, practical ways. This episode is raw, honest, and deeply encouraging. It offers a realistic glimpse into foster care life while reminding listeners that no family is meant to do this alone. Whether you are a foster parent, adoptive parent, part of a church community, or someone wondering how you can support vulnerable children and families, this conversation will help you see that small acts of faithfulness truly matter. In this episode, you will hear: What a typical overwhelming week can look like in a foster and adoptive homeHow sickness and packed schedules multiply stress for large familiesWhy authenticity matters when sharing foster care storiesReal examples of community stepping in and serving in meaningful waysHow people can answer the biblical call to support vulnerable children without fostering themselvesEncouragement for parents who feel exhausted, unseen, or stretched thin This episode is a reminder that dreaming small looks like showing up, lending a hand, and being faithful in the everyday moments. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the podcast, leaving a rating, and writing a review. These small actions help the podcast reach other families who may be looking for encouragement and hope. If you would like to support the Dream Small Podcast financially, you can do so here: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support We would love to connect with you. Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast Facebook: Dream Small Podcast Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow Music credit: “Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    38 min

  7. JAN 13

    Episode 33 - From Grassroots to Gospel Impact: Building a Thriving Foster Care Ministry in the Church with Deidra Smith

    What does it actually take for a church to support foster and adoptive families well, not just in theory, but in real, practical ways? In this powerful episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney sit down with Deidra, a mom of 12 children (a mix of biological, adopted and foster) and a leader in a thriving foster care and adoption ministry. Deidra shares her family’s incredible story and sheds some light on how a grassroots church effort grew into a fully supported, staff-led ministry that has changed the lives of countless families. From care communities and support groups to closets, meal trains, and trauma-informed training, this conversation offers a clear, hopeful blueprint for churches wondering how to step into foster care ministry, and for foster families longing to know they’re not alone. Whether you’re a foster parent, church leader, volunteer, or someone simply asking, “What can I do?” - this episode will challenge and encourage you to dream small, love intentionally, and show up faithfully. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: How Deirdre’s family grew from 8 kids to 12 through foster care and adoptionWhy foster care is impossible to sustain without communityHow a foster care ministry can start small and grow over timeWhat “care communities” are - and why they matterPractical ways churches can support foster families beyond good intentionsWhy many foster families quit after the first placement, and how the church can change thatEncouragement for churches and individuals who feel overwhelmed but willing Key Takeaway: You don’t have to do everything but you do have to do something. Foster care ministry works best when the church commits to walking alongside families for the long haul. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it, following the show, and leaving a rating or review, it truly helps more people find the podcast and encourages us to keep going. Want to support the Dream Small Podcast financially? 👉 https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support Connect with us: Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast Facebook: Dream Small Podcast X / Twitter: @DreamSmallShow Music Credit: “Paradise Found” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    41 min

  8. JAN 6

    Episode 32 - Wait… That’s a Rule?! The Foster Care Rules Nobody Warns You About

    Foster care comes with paperwork, training, and background checks, but no one really prepares you for the surprise rules. In this episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney pull back the curtain on the unexpected, confusing, and weird rules they’ve encountered throughout their foster care journey. From needing court approval to take a foster child out of state, to regulations around haircuts, ear piercings, medical appointments, and even sleepovers, this conversation is equal parts informative, humorous, and eye-opening. If you’ve ever considered fostering, support foster families, or are already licensed and nodding along thinking, “Yep… that happened to us too,” this episode is for you. The Smalls also explore why these rules exist, how much they vary by state and county, and how experience, relationships, and caseworker discretion often shape what actually plays out in real life. Along the way, they share real stories, from a surprise ear-piercing during a visit to the logistical headache of documenting every single dose of Tylenol. In this episode, we cover: Why you often need court approval to cross state lines with a foster childThe surprising rules around haircuts, hairstyles, and ear piercingsMedical appointment restrictions you might not expectMedication rules (yes... even over-the-counter meds)Why foster care regulations vary so widely by state, county, and caseworkerHow trust and experience can impact flexibilityThe emotional toll of navigating constant regulations while parenting kids from hard places Whether you’re a current foster parent, considering fostering, or simply want to better understand the foster care system, this episode offers honesty, perspective, and plenty of “wait… WHAT?” moments. Contact Us: Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast Facebook: Dream Small Podcast Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow Support the Podcast: If you’d like to help us continue sharing stories that encourage faithfulness in the small things, you can support the show here: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support 🎶 Music Credit: “Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    43 min
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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Big impact doesn’t always come from big platforms. More often, it’s found in the everyday yeses of foster and adoptive parents. The Dream Small Podcast, hosted by Jason and Whitney Small—parents of seven, foster and adoptive advocates, and storytellers—encourages foster parents, adoptive parents, and anyone walking the road of foster care and adoption. Each episode shares honest conversations, practical wisdom, and faith-filled stories from real foster and adoptive family life. With humor, hope, and a deep love for Jesus, Jason and Whitney talk about the highs and lows of parenting kids from hard places—navigating court dates, trauma, reunification, adoption, and the daily moments that test and grow your faith. If you’re looking for a foster care podcast or adoptive parent podcast that reminds you you’re not alone, Dream Small will encourage you to trade fame for faithfulness and trust that every small act of love matters. Because in foster care, adoption, and everyday parenting, the smallest yes can make the biggest difference.

Information

  • Creator
    Jason and Whitney Small
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jason and Whitney Small
  • Show Website
    Dream Small Podcast