Dream Small Podcast

Jason and Whitney Small
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Daily

The Dream Small Podcast is a foster care and adoption podcast hosted by Jason and Whitney Small, foster and adoptive parents who have welcomed more than 14 children into their home and adopted three. Through honest conversations and real life stories, the podcast encourages foster parents, adoptive families, and those considering foster care. Each episode explores the realities of foster care, adoption, and parenting children from hard places, offering practical encouragement and hope for families navigating the foster care journey. Jason and Whitney share lessons from their own experience, faith, and conversations around trauma informed parenting, family life, and supporting vulnerable children. Whether you are a current foster parent, an adoptive parent, considering becoming a foster parent, or someone who supports foster families, the Dream Small Podcast exists to encourage and equip you along the way. Jason and Whitney believe that changing a child’s life rarely happens through big moments. More often, it happens through small, faithful acts of love lived out every day. If you're thinking about becoming a foster parent or walking the foster care journey, this podcast will help you navigate the challenges, celebrate the wins, and stay encouraged along the way.

  1. Jun 23

    The Freedom To Parent Your Family Differently

    The Freedom To Parent Your Family Differently What happens when the best decision for your family doesn't make sense to everyone else? In this episode, we share the story behind a vacation decision that surprised some people: taking only our three oldest children on a family trip while our younger children stayed home. What started as a practical choice became a powerful reminder that parents have the freedom and responsibility to make decisions based on the unique needs of their own family. Too often, parents feel pressure from culture, social media, friends, family members, and even other Christians about how they should raise their children. But many parenting decisions are not about right versus wrong. They are about wisdom, season, calling, and faithfully stewarding the children God has entrusted to you. We discuss how foster care helped us become more confident in making unconventional decisions, why healthy families must adapt as seasons change, and how to seek God's wisdom instead of the approval of others. If you've ever felt judged, second guessed yourself, or wondered whether you're doing enough as a parent, this conversation is for you. In This Episode • Why we chose to vacation with only our three oldest children • The difference between cultural expectations and biblical wisdom • How comparison can undermine confidence in parenting • Why healthy families adapt as seasons change • Practical examples of parenting differently in our own home • How foster care shaped our perspective on family decisions • Why every child may need a different parenting approach • The importance of seeking wisdom instead of approval • Learning to be comfortable being misunderstood • Trusting God with the results of your parenting decisions Key Takeaways • Different does not mean wrong • Every family has unique needs, challenges, and seasons • Parents are called to steward the children God entrusted to them • Not every parenting decision is a moral issue • Comparison often leads parents away from wisdom • Confidence grows when decisions are rooted in prayer and Scripture • Healthy families remain flexible as circumstances change Memorable Quotes "Other people may not understand your parenting decisions. Other people may not agree with your parenting decisions. And guess what? They don't have to." "We get to decide what works best for the family God has given us." "Healthy families have to adjust with the seasons." "Different doesn't mean wrong." "God has entrusted your children to you. Do what's best for your children." Scripture Referenced 1 Corinthians 12 The body of Christ has many parts, each serving a unique purpose. Question For Reflection What parenting decision have you been delaying because of pressure from culture, social media, friends, or family? What might change if you sought God's wisdom before seeking everyone's approval? Resources & Connect Resources & Connect Support Dream Small If Dream Small has encouraged you and you'd like to help us continue creating content that supports foster families, adoptive families, and parents, you can support the podcast here: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support Invite Us To Speak Jason and Whitney are available to speak at churches, foster care events, conferences, retreats, and community organizations on topics including foster care, adoption, parenting, faith, leadership, and serving right where you are. For speaking inquiries, email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Connect With Us dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast Facebook: Dream Small Podcast X: @DreamSmallShow YouTube: @dreamsmallpodcast If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a little encouragement today. Music Credit "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons.

    39 min

  2. Jun 16

    When Everyone Changes: Surviving The Constant Turnover In Foster Care

    Just when you've finally built trust with a case worker, therapist, or visit supervisor...they're gone. If you've been in foster care for any length of time, you know the feeling. You're explaining the history all over again, rebuilding relationships, and wondering if anyone else remembers what your child has already been through. In this episode, we share some very real frustrations from our own current foster care journey and talk honestly about the constant turnover that seems to define the system. We discuss why it happens, why it hurts so much, and some practical ways foster parents can survive the revolving door without becoming cynical. Most importantly, we remind ourselves that while people come and go, Jesus never changes. Your consistency may be one of the greatest gifts a child ever experiences. Whether you're a foster parent, adoptive parent, or someone who simply wants to better understand the challenges families face, we hope this conversation encourages you to keep showing up faithfully, right where you are. In This Episode • Why turnover is so common in foster care • The emotional toll of constantly rebuilding relationships • Why documentation can become one of your greatest tools • Leading with grace while still holding people accountable • The importance of staying child focused • How new people can sometimes bring fresh perspective and renewed hope • Why Christ remains our foundation when everything else changes Scripture Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Resources & Ways to Connect Support the Dream Small Podcast If this podcast has encouraged you or helped you on your foster care or adoption journey, we'd be honored if you'd consider supporting the ministry. Your generosity helps us continue creating free, hope-filled content for foster families and those considering saying yes. Support the show: https://dreamsmallpodcast.com/support Invite Us to Speak Jason and Whitney love encouraging foster families, churches, ministries, and community organizations through honest storytelling and practical encouragement rooted in faith. If you're interested in having us speak at your church, conference, foster parent support group, or event, we'd love to connect. Speaking inquiries: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Subscribe to Our Newsletter Join our email community for weekly encouragement, devotionals, and updates from the Dream Small Podcast. Subscribe: https://dreamsmallpodcast.com Connect With Us Website: https://dreamsmallpodcast.com Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast Facebook: Dream Small Podcast X: @dreamsmallshow If This Episode Encouraged You Please follow the show, leave a five star review, and share this episode with a friend or fellow foster family. Every share helps us reach more people with the hope that small, everyday faithfulness can change lives. Music Credit "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons.

    36 min

  3. Jun 9

    How to Survive Summer Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Joy)

    Summer is supposed to be the season of slowing down, making memories, and enjoying extra time together as a family. But for many foster, adoptive, and biological families, summer can quickly feel overwhelming. The routines disappear. The schedules change. The snacks never end. The laundry piles up. The house is never quite clean. And somehow everyone is hungry again twenty minutes after they just ate. In this episode, Jason and Whitney share an honest conversation about navigating summer as foster parents raising a large family. From managing camps, appointments, technology, and chores to handling emotional dysregulation, changing routines, and the unique challenges children from hard places often face, they discuss practical ways to survive the summer season while still enjoying it. Summer can be especially challenging for children who thrive on predictability. For many foster and adoptive families, the structure provided by school creates a sense of safety and stability. When that routine suddenly disappears, children may struggle with increased anxiety, emotional outbursts, boredom, or behavioral challenges. At the same time, parents often feel pressure to create the "perfect summer" filled with activities, trips, and memorable experiences. Jason and Whitney challenge that mindset by encouraging families to focus less on perfection and more on connection. Some of the most meaningful memories are often found in the simplest moments: family walks, backyard adventures, jumping on the trampoline in the rain, or spending uninterrupted time together. In This Episode: • Why summer can feel more difficult than expected for foster and adoptive families • The importance of balancing freedom with structure • How routines create safety and stability for children • Why boredom can actually be healthy and productive • Managing technology and encouraging creativity • Practical tips for camps, appointments, transportation, and scheduling • Pool safety reminders every parent should hear • Setting healthy boundaries and protecting your family's peace • Why children often remember simple moments more than expensive experiences • How to create meaningful summer memories without exhausting yourself Our Challenge For You This Week Take a few minutes as a family and ask a simple question: What do we want this summer to feel like? Not what you want to spend. Not what you want to accomplish. Not what everyone else is posting on social media. What memories do you want to make? What family rhythms do you want to build? What moments of connection do you want to create? Then choose one simple step this week that moves your family in that direction. Maybe it's a family walk. Maybe it's a backyard movie night. Maybe it's a tech-free evening. Maybe it's simply being more present with your children. The most meaningful summers are rarely the busiest ones. Support Dream Small If Dream Small has encouraged you in your foster care, adoption, parenting, or faith journey, would you consider supporting the podcast? Your support helps us continue creating conversations that encourage families and shine a light on the realities of foster care. Support the podcast at: https://www.dreamsmallpodcast.com/support Invite Dream Small To Speak Jason and Whitney regularly speak at churches, foster parent groups, conferences, and community events about foster care, adoption, faith, leadership, and building strong families. For speaking inquiries, contact: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Connect With Dream Small Facebook: Dream Small Podcast Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast YouTube: Dream Small Podcast Music Credit "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons.

    42 min

  4. Jun 2

    What Happened After We Said Yes To Foster Care | 8 Years Later

    What Happened After We Said Yes To Foster Care Eight years ago, we said yes to foster care. At the time, we had no idea how much that simple decision would change our lives. We couldn't have imagined the children who would come through our home, the adoptions that would follow, the reunifications we would celebrate, or the lessons God would teach us along the way. For our 50th episode, we're taking a step back and sharing the story behind Dream Small. What began after the heartbreak of a miscarriage eventually led us into foster care. We talk about how we first became licensed, what it was like welcoming our very first placement, the trauma that opened our eyes to realities we had never fully understood, and the moments that shaped our family over the past eight years. Along the way, we've welcomed 14 foster placements into our home, adopted three incredible children, experienced both heartbreak and joy, and learned that God often works through ordinary acts of obedience. In this episode, we share the hardest parts of foster care, the beautiful moments that made it worthwhile, the importance of community, and why we continue to trust God with whatever comes next. Whether you've been listening since the beginning or you're brand new to Dream Small, this episode is the most complete version of our story we've ever shared. In This Episode • How a miscarriage helped launch our foster care journey • Why we chose foster care before adoption • The story of our first placement and the lessons that changed us forever • What we've learned from eight years of foster care • The hardest realities foster families face • The beauty of reunification, adoption, and healing • How community carried us through difficult seasons • Why saying yes to God changed our family forever • The Scriptures that sustained us throughout the journey • The story behind the name Dream Small Key Scriptures Galatians 6:9 Luke 16:10 2 Corinthians 4:18 Romans 12:1 Support The Podcast Speaking Requests If your church, conference, or organization would like Jason and Whitney to speak about foster care, adoption, faith, leadership, or living a meaningful life through small acts of faithfulness, you can contact them at: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Join our weekly devotional newsletter here: https://captivate.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c75f5dfcf9d690c6c9f256d22&id=d17b98130b Follow & 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.

    1h 2m
  5. No Child Should Spend Their Worst Day In A Cubicle | Jenni Tice of Lily Pad

    May 26

    No Child Should Spend Their Worst Day In A Cubicle | Jenni Tice of Lily Pad

    What happens to children in the hours after they enter foster care? Most people never think about it. They picture courtrooms, foster homes, case workers, and placements. But before any of that happens, many children spend hours and sometimes even nights sitting in government offices, conference rooms, and cubicles waiting to learn where they will sleep, whether they will stay with siblings, and what comes next. In this episode, we sit down with Jenni Tice, co founder and Executive Director of Lily Pad, a faith based nonprofit creating trauma informed spaces for children experiencing foster care and victims of trauma. What began as one foster family's desire to do something better has grown into dozens of transformed spaces across South Carolina with expansion now reaching other states. Lily Pad creates living room style environments inside DSS offices and law enforcement agencies so children and vulnerable individuals have “a soft place to land” during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Jenni and her husband Ben have fostered more than 40 children over fourteen years. Their own foster journey included adoption, reunification, heartbreak, and eventually meeting Ashlyn, a former foster youth whose story helped inspire the creation of Lily Pad. During our conversation we discuss: Jenni and Ben’s foster care journey and how saying “yes” changed their familyThe heartbreaking moment that sparked Lily Pad’s missionWhat children actually experience while waiting in DSS officesWhy trauma informed environments matterThe role churches and volunteers play in maintaining Lily Pad spacesHow Lily Pad expanded from one room to more than 40 locationsExpansion into law enforcement spaces supporting children and victims of traumaThe power of dignity, compassion, and creating safe spaces This conversation is emotional, hopeful, and deeply practical. It is also a reminder that not everyone is called to foster, but everyone can help create a softer landing place for children and families in crisis. Learn more about Lily Pad, see room transformations, donate, or volunteer here: Website: Lily Pad Official Website Room Gallery: Lily Pad Before & After Rooms Instagram: @lily.pad.inc Support The Podcast Speaking Requests If your church, conference, or organization would like Jason and Whitney to speak about foster care, adoption, faith, leadership, or living a meaningful life through small acts of faithfulness, you can contact them at: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Join our weekly devotional newsletter here: https://captivate.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c75f5dfcf9d690c6c9f256d22&id=d17b98130b Follow & 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.

    1h 5m

  6. May 19

    What Foster Parents Wish You Knew: Insights and Realities

    May is Foster Care Awareness Month, and in this episode we wanted to do something different. Instead of only sharing our own thoughts, we asked foster parents what they wish everyone else understood about foster care. Their responses were honest, vulnerable, challenging, and deeply insightful. We talked about comments foster families hear all the time: “I could never do foster care because I’d get too attached.”“They’re lucky to have you.”“You knew what you were signing up for.” Most people who say these things mean well. We know that. But this episode is an invitation to see foster care from the inside and understand the realities many families live every day. We discuss: why foster parents do become deeply attachedwhy attachment is actually healthy and necessarytrauma and why it changes parentingmisconceptions around adoption and healingbiological parents and compassionreunification and complicated griefhow foster care impacts biological children toowhy foster parents need support more than praisepractical ways anyone can help foster families We also share stories from our own journey and highlight people in our community who have stepped in and made an incredible difference for our family. Our hope is simple: More understanding.More compassion.More support.Because you do not have to foster to make a difference. Support The Podcast https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support Speaking Requests If your church, conference, or organization would like Jason and Whitney to speak about foster care, adoption, faith, leadership, or living a meaningful life through small acts of faithfulness, you can contact them at: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Join our weekly devotional newsletter here: https://captivate.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c75f5dfcf9d690c6c9f256d22&id=d17b98130b Follow & 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.

    43 min

  7. May 12

    We Blame Foster Care Case Workers For A Broken System They Didn’t Create

    What is it really like to be a foster care case worker? In this powerful and emotional conversation, we sit down with former Indiana DCS case worker, foster/adoptive mom, and child advocate Moriah Coons to talk about the side of foster care most people never see. From overwhelming caseloads and dangerous home visits to heartbreaking court decisions and emotional burnout, Moriah gives an honest look at the impossible weight many case workers carry every single day. She shares stories from the front lines of child welfare that reveal just how complicated the foster care system really is and why so many good case workers end up exhausted, overwhelmed, and misunderstood. But this conversation is not about defending a broken system. It is about humanizing the people inside it. Moriah also shares incredible moments of hope and redemption, including adoption stories, reunifications, and the moments that reminded her why the work mattered in the first place. Whether you are a foster parent, adoptive parent, CASA worker, social worker, church leader, or someone simply trying to better understand foster care, this episode will challenge the way you think about the system and the people trying to hold it together. In this episode, we discuss: What foster care case workers actually face behind the scenesWhy communication can feel so difficult in foster care casesThe emotional toll of carrying impossible decisionsHow judges, policies, and courts impact child safety decisionsWhy many foster care workers burn outThreats, trauma, and overwhelming caseloadsThe heartbreaking realities of neglect and domestic violence casesHow churches and foster families can support case workersStories of adoption, healing, and redemption Some moments from this episode that will stick with us: “Every single time I walked up the stairs, I was terrified the baby would be dead.”“They’re not thriving. They’re surviving.”“For every one bad egg, there’s a million more trying to do the right thing.”“They’re just normal people trying to make a difference.” Moriah Coons was born and raised in Texas and studied Bible, Theology, Children’s Ministry, and Special Needs Ministry at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. She served as a Family Case Manager with Indiana DCS before transitioning into victim advocacy and domestic violence support work. Today, she serves as the Foster And Adoption Family Support Lead at Trader’s Point Christian Church (https://tpcc.org/fam). Moriah and her husband Austin were licensed foster parents for nearly four years and recently adopted a sibling group of three. She also serves on the Executive Board for Champions For Children, an organization focused on making Indiana children safer. If this episode encouraged or challenged you, would you take a moment to follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone else? Those small actions truly help us continue growing this community and spreading awareness around foster care, adoption, and living faithfully right where God has placed us. Support The Podcast https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support Speaking Requests If your church, conference, or organization would like Jason and Whitney to speak about foster care, adoption, faith, leadership, or living a meaningful life through small acts of faithfulness, you can contact them at: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Join our weekly devotional newsletter here: https://captivate.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c75f5dfcf9d690c6c9f256d22&id=d17b98130b Follow & 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.

    37 min

  8. May 5

    How to Support Foster Families

    Foster care was never meant to be done alone. In this episode, we kick off Foster Care Awareness Month with a conversation that is both deeply personal and incredibly practical. After years of fostering, one thing has become clear to us: the families who last are not the strongest or the most prepared. They are the ones who are supported. There are roughly 200,000 licensed foster homes in the United States and nearly 400,000 children in care. While that gap matters, there is another reality that often gets overlooked. Not everyone is called to foster, but everyone can do something. This episode is for anyone who has ever thought, “I want to help… I just don’t know how.” We share real stories from our own journey. The meals that showed up at just the right time. The people who stepped in to help with childcare. The unexpected financial support. The handwritten notes that reminded us we were not alone. Even the moments where someone simply stayed present with us when things were hard. These weren’t grand gestures. They were small, faithful acts of care that made it possible for us to keep going. We also walk through practical ways you can support foster families in your own community. Whether you are part of a church, a friend, a neighbor, or someone who simply cares, there are tangible steps you can take starting today. Because the truth is simple: You don’t have to foster to change a foster child’s life. And in many ways, the greatest need in foster care today is not just more families stepping in. It is more people willing to stand beside those who already have. As Whitney shared in this episode, foster care is an emotional rollercoaster, and no one is meant to ride it alone. The support system around a family often determines whether they can continue saying yes. So if you have ever wondered how to make a difference, this episode will give you clarity, direction, and encouragement to take that first step. Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply stay. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why support systems matter more than strength in foster careThe real reason many foster families burn outSimple and practical ways to support foster familiesHow small acts of care create lasting impactWhy you don’t have to foster to make a difference Practical Ways to Support Foster Families Provide meals during placements or transitionsOffer childcare or respite supportHelp with transportation for appointments and visitsWrite encouraging notes or check in consistentlySupport financially when unexpected needs ariseHelp create or prepare a child’s space in the homeBe present during hard seasons without trying to fix everything A Simple Challenge Think of one foster family in your life or in your community. This week, take one step. Send a message. Drop off a meal. Offer to help. It doesn’t have to be big to matter. Small acts of faithfulness can change everything. Support The Podcast https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support Speaking Requests If your church, conference, or organization would like Jason and Whitney to speak about foster care, adoption, faith, leadership, or living a meaningful life through small acts of faithfulness, you can contact them at: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com Join our weekly devotional newsletter here: https://captivate.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c75f5dfcf9d690c6c9f256d22&id=d17b98130b Follow & 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.

    41 min
See All (54)

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

The Dream Small Podcast is a foster care and adoption podcast hosted by Jason and Whitney Small, foster and adoptive parents who have welcomed more than 14 children into their home and adopted three. Through honest conversations and real life stories, the podcast encourages foster parents, adoptive families, and those considering foster care. Each episode explores the realities of foster care, adoption, and parenting children from hard places, offering practical encouragement and hope for families navigating the foster care journey. Jason and Whitney share lessons from their own experience, faith, and conversations around trauma informed parenting, family life, and supporting vulnerable children. Whether you are a current foster parent, an adoptive parent, considering becoming a foster parent, or someone who supports foster families, the Dream Small Podcast exists to encourage and equip you along the way. Jason and Whitney believe that changing a child’s life rarely happens through big moments. More often, it happens through small, faithful acts of love lived out every day. If you're thinking about becoming a foster parent or walking the foster care journey, this podcast will help you navigate the challenges, celebrate the wins, and stay encouraged along the way.

Information

  • Creator
    Jason and Whitney Small
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jason and Whitney Small
  • Show Website
    Dream Small Podcast

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