Every Child Belongs

Kim Botto

Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they've experienced trauma. We'll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more. Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids and student ministries.

  1. 16h ago

    What People Assume About Our Family Isn't True : Kayla North

    What does belonging actually look like for families raising neurodivergent children, children with trauma histories, and kids with significant disabilities? In this episode of Every Child Belongs, Kim Botto sits down with foster and adoptive mom, educator, and trauma-informed parenting advocate Kayla North for a deeply honest conversation about parenting, empathy, church belonging, and helping every child discover their place in the world. Kayla and her husband Ryan have fostered around 30 children over the years and are raising six children, several of whom are neurodivergent or have significant developmental differences. Through their ministry at One Big Happy Home, Kayla helps parents, churches, educators, and caregivers better understand trauma, attachment, and practical ways to support children who experience the world differently. Together, Kim and Kayla talk about the assumptions people make about families with disabilities, the hidden realities of parenting children with invisible struggles, how to build empathy in both kids and adults, and why churches must move beyond simply saying "everyone is welcome." This conversation is full of practical wisdom, emotional honesty, and hope for parents who sometimes feel unseen or isolated. "Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely" by Kim Botto https://amzn.to/3Utuw6V (affiliate links) Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they've experienced trauma. We'll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more. Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids in student ministries.

    38 min

  2. Jun 25

    Disability Ministry Isn't What Most Churches Think : Ryan Faulk

    What if the problem isn't that churches don't care… but that they don't know where to start? In this episode of Every Child Belongs, Kim Botto sits down with ministry leader Ryan Faulk to talk about what it really means to help neurodivergent and disabled kids belong in church communities. Ryan serves as Director of Children and Disability Ministry at Cornerstone Church in California and has spent years helping churches move beyond good intentions into meaningful discipleship. Ryan shares how he "accidentally" created a low-sensory youth ministry environment that drew neurodivergent students in, and how that experience completely changed the way he viewed church, inclusion, and discipleship. Together, Kim and Ryan discuss student ministry transitions, sensory environments, disability ministry silos, church fears around feeling "unequipped," and why every church must move from passive welcome to active belonging. This conversation is deeply practical for pastors, ministry leaders, volunteers, and parents alike. Ryan offers simple but powerful frameworks that help churches think differently about disability ministry, including one unforgettable analogy about goldfish transitions and another about gardening that may completely reshape how you think about supporting kids and families. "Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely" by Kim Botto https://amzn.to/3Utuw6V (affiliate links) Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they've experienced trauma. We'll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more. Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids in student ministries.

    48 min

  3. Jun 11

    When "Bad Behavior" Is Trauma & How to Respond Differently : Lori Crosby

    What if the "misbehavior" you're seeing… isn't misbehavior at all? Lori Crosby, licensed marriage and family therapist and co-founder of the Reach Hurting Kids Institute, joins Kim to unpack how trauma impacts children and how we can better support them at home and in church. Drawing from her own story of loss and healing, Lori shares why behavior is always communication, and how small shifts in how we respond can make a lifelong difference for a child.  This conversation is both deeply personal and incredibly practical, covering everything from play therapy to summer routines to creating safe, welcoming environments for kids who've experienced hard things. Lori Crosby is a licensed marriage and family therapist, registered play therapist, and co-founder of the Reach Hurting Kids Institute. She co-authored Trauma-Informed Children's Ministry and helps equip churches to better support kids and families navigating trauma. Resources & Links Reach Hurting Kids Institute https://reachhurtingkids.com/ Trauma-Informed Children's Ministry (book) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1666715743 "Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely" by Kim Botto https://amzn.to/3Utuw6V (affiliate links) Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they've experienced trauma. We'll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more. Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids in student ministries.

    46 min

  4. May 28

    When You Love Your Child But Don't Like Them : Lisa Qualls

    What happens when you love your child… but being around them feels overwhelming? In this deeply honest conversation, Kim Botto sits down with adoptive mom, author, and TBRI practitioner Lisa Qualls to talk about something many parents feel—but few say out loud: blocked care. Lisa shares her personal story of adoption, trauma, and parenting through extremely hard seasons. From feeling confident as a mom… to experiencing dread, exhaustion, and emotional shutdown—this episode gives language to what so many parents silently carry. If you've ever felt like you're just surviving… or wondered why connection feels so hard… this conversation will help you understand what's really happening—and how healing begins. "Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely" by Kim Botto https://amzn.to/3Utuw6V (affiliate links) Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they've experienced trauma. We'll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more. Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids in student ministries.

    47 min

  5. May 14

    What Belonging Really Requires : Dr. Curt Thompson

    What does it really take for someone to feel like they belong? In this episode of Every Child Belongs, Kim talks with psychiatrist, author, and speaker Dr. Curt Thompson about belonging, shame, suffering, rupture and repair, and the kind of community that helps people heal. Drawing from his work, his books, and his experience serving at Hope Heals Camp, Curt shares why belonging is never just a vague idea. It is something we experience in relationships, in being known, and in spaces where people are welcomed without shame. If you are a parent, caregiver, pastor, ministry leader, or someone longing for deeper community, this conversation will encourage and challenge you. In this episode, they discuss: -why belonging is built through relationships -why so many families feel isolated in church spaces -what makes church wounds feel especially painful -how shame affects the way we respond to others -why real healing happens in community -how to start creating spaces where every child and family can feel at home "Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely" by Kim Botto https://amzn.to/3Utuw6V (affiliate links) Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they've experienced trauma. We'll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more. Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids in student ministries.

    51 min

  6. Apr 30

    Trauma, Community, and Hope: Why We All Need Safe People : Meredith Shuman

    In this episode of Every Child Belongs, Kim sits down with Meredith Shuman, founder of James Trail, trauma-informed trainer, therapist, adoptive mom, and passionate advocate for families impacted by trauma.   Meredith brings nearly three decades of experience working with children, families, churches, and organizations across the U.S. and around the world. Together, Kim and Meredith explore why community and felt safety are essential for healing, especially for adoptive, foster, and kinship families navigating complex trauma.   You'll hear Meredith unpack: -What trauma really is and why it affects far more families than we realize -Why many families struggle to find safety and belonging in church spaces -How reading the Bible through a trauma-informed lens changes how we see people like Moses and Gideon -What global churches understand about trauma that the U.S. often misses -Why nature is such a powerful tool for regulation, healing, and hope -Practical ways parents can advocate for kids in medical and high-stress environments -Why the holidays can be especially difficult for kids with trauma histories and how community helps carry the load   This conversation is honest, hope-filled, and deeply practical for parents, caregivers, church leaders, and anyone who wants to help create environments where kids and families can truly belong.   Connect with Meredith and James Trail: Website: https://www.jamestrail.org/   "Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely" by Kim Botto  https://amzn.to/3Utuw6V (affiliate links)   Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they've experienced trauma. We'll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more.   Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids in student ministries.

    49 min

  7. Apr 16

    Sensory-Friendly Haircuts for Neurodivergent Kids : Henry Tribes

    Kim talks with Henry "Tribes", a Dallas barber known for sensory-friendly haircuts for neurodivergent kids and the inventor of the Weighted Cape. Henry shares how a weighted blanket inspired a new kind of haircut cape, which opened his eyes to families who needed more than a traditional barbershop experience. Henry explains what makes a session successful: preparation with parents before the appointment, reading nonverbal cues, letting kids set the pace, and bringing calm, flexible, positive energy into every interaction. He also highlights the importance of honoring parents, including the hard days when a haircut does not happen, and why he commits to never quitting on a child. This conversation offers practical strategies for anyone who works with neurodivergent kids, plus Henry's vision for sensory-friendly support becoming the standard in industries like health care, education, and travel. Henry's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henrytribes/ Henry's Website: https://theweightedcape.com/ "Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely" by Kim Botto https://amzn.to/3Utuw6V (affiliate links) Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they've experienced trauma. We'll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more. Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids in student ministries.

    35 min

  8. Apr 2

    Friendship First: The Simple Shift That Changes a Church : Ryan Wolfe

    What changes a church more than a new program? Sometimes it's a friendship. Kim sits down with Ryan Wolfe, President of Ability Ministry, for a conversation that's both practical and deeply personal. Ryan shares the stories of Clyde and Coral, two friends who shaped his calling and helped him see the difference between doing ministry for people with disabilities and doing ministry with them (and ultimately by them). You'll also walk away with tools you can use right away, including Ability Ministry's free, professional one-page resources (intake forms, volunteer training, disability awareness tools, visual schedules, and more) and DisabilityIsBeautiful.com, a free stock photo library that helps churches reflect the people they hope to welcome. Whether you're a church leader trying to take next steps or a parent wondering if your child will truly be seen, this episode will encourage you and give you a starting point. Ability Ministry Website: https://abilityministry.com/ "Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely" by Kim Botto https://amzn.to/3Utuw6V (affiliate links) Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they've experienced trauma. We'll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more. Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids in student ministries.

    46 min
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5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they've experienced trauma. We'll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more. Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids and student ministries.

Information

  • Creator
    Kim Botto
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Every Child Belongs

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