Fostering Change

Rob Scheer
  • 4.9 (40)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Fostering Change with Rob Scheer Hosted by Comfort Cases founder Rob Scheer, this inspiring podcast shares powerful stories of resilience, compassion, and community. Each week, Rob sits down with guests who are making a difference in the foster care system — from former foster youth and foster parents to advocates, authors, and celebrities whose lives have been touched by foster care. With warmth, humor, and heart, Rob leads conversations that remind us all how dignity, hope, and love can change a child’s life forever. 💙 Have a story to share or a question for Rob? 📧 Email: info@comfortcases.org Follow us on social media: @comfortcases Learn more at comfortcases.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Supporting Youth in Foster Care Through Community & Mentorship with Beth Ryan and Jorie Das

    1D AGO

    Supporting Youth in Foster Care Through Community & Mentorship with Beth Ryan and Jorie Das

    As National Foster Care Awareness Month comes to a close, this episode of Fostering Change focuses on something deeply important: what happens when organizations stop working in silos and start working together for young people. This week, Rob Scheer is joined by two Los Angeles-based leaders making a meaningful impact in the lives of youth connected to foster care: Beth Ryan, Executive Director & Founder of Stepping Forward LA, and Jorie Das, Executive Director of Friends of the Children Los Angeles. Together, their organizations are helping young people navigate some of the most difficult transitions imaginable — aging out of foster care, finding stability, building community, and creating long-term support systems rooted in consistency and trust. Beth Ryan’s work through Stepping Forward LA focuses on youth transitioning out of foster care, with programs centered around mentorship, housing support, internships, workforce readiness, and a first-of-its-kind app designed by and for foster youth. Jorie Das leads Friends of the Children Los Angeles, which provides long-term professional mentorship to youth facing systemic barriers through a unique 12+ year commitment model focused on stability, prevention, and long-term success. Throughout the conversation, Rob, Beth, and Jorie explore how collaboration between nonprofits can strengthen outcomes for youth — and why consistent relationships remain one of the most powerful tools for healing and success. Episode Highlights Why aging out of foster care remains one of the biggest challenges facing young adults How mentorship and long-term relationships improve outcomes for youth The importance of nonprofit collaboration instead of competition How Los Angeles reflects both the scale of the foster care crisis and the opportunity for innovation Why Foster Care Awareness Month must lead to meaningful action and engagement About the Guests Beth Ryan is the Executive Director & Founder of Stepping Forward LA, a nonprofit supporting youth aging out of foster care through mentorship, housing support, workforce development, and community-based solutions. As the organization approaches its 10-year anniversary, Stepping Forward LA continues expanding its impact across Los Angeles. Jorie Das is the Executive Director of Friends of the Children Los Angeles, an organization providing long-term professional mentorship to youth facing systemic barriers. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded across Los Angeles County, helping youth and caregivers through a prevention-focused model built on consistency and trust. Key Questions from This Episode What prompted the creation of Stepping Forward LA and Friends of the Children Los Angeles? What are the biggest challenges youth face when aging out of foster care? Why does long-term mentorship matter so much? How can nonprofits collaborate more effectively to support youth? What role do community, housing, and workforce development play in long-term stability? How can people move beyond awareness and take meaningful action? Connect with the Guests Stepping Forward LA 🌐 Website: Stepping Forward LA 📸 Instagram: @steppingforwardla Friends of the Children Los Angeles 🌐 Website: Friends of the Children Los Angeles 📸 Instagram: @friendsla Closing Thought Real change rarely happens alone. This conversation is a reminder that when organizations, mentors, communities, and advocates work together, young people experience something powerful: consistency, connection, and the belief that they are not navigating life alone. 🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube! Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation: 👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 min
  2. From Foster Care to Family: A Story of Healing and Second Chances with Christie Werts

    MAY 19

    From Foster Care to Family: A Story of Healing and Second Chances with Christie Werts

    On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by Christie Werts, a former foster youth, Army veteran, author, and adoptive mother whose life has come full circle through foster care. Christie shares her journey in her book, Life’s Sad Story, God’s Love Story, tracing a path from childhood trauma and separation to healing, compassion, and building a family of her own. This is an especially emotional conversation for Rob, who reflects openly on the painful experience of his own mother leaving him and his siblings — and the lasting impact that loss has had throughout his life. Together, Rob and Christie explore how childhood trauma shapes identity, how healing can emerge in unexpected ways, and what it means to return to the foster care system — not as a child, but as a parent determined to create something different. At the center of Christie’s story is compassion: a decision to foster and later adopt her husband’s ex-wife’s child in order to keep siblings connected and together. And by the end of the conversation, Christie leaves listeners with a message that becomes the emotional heartbeat of the episode: this is ultimately a love story — about God, healing, and hope. As Christie shares: “There’s a love story ahead of you. And it’s gonna be ok.” Episode Highlights Christie’s journey from foster youth to foster and adoptive parent The emotional impact of childhood separation and abandonment How trauma and healing can exist side by side A remarkable decision to keep siblings together through adoption The role of faith, compassion, and second chances in rebuilding family About the Guest Christie Werts is a former foster youth, Army veteran, author, speaker, and mother of five whose life has come full circle through foster care and adoption. After experiencing trauma in the system as a child, she later returned to foster care as a parent, ultimately adopting a child connected to her own family. Through her book, Life’s Sad Story, God’s Love Story, Christie shares a deeply personal journey of resilience, faith, healing, and compassion. Key Questions from This Episode What inspired you to write Life’s Sad Story, God’s Love Story? How did your childhood experiences in foster care shape your life? What led you to step back into foster care as a parent? How did the decision to adopt your husband’s ex-wife’s child come about? What did healing look like for you over time? How have kindness and compassion shaped your family today? What message do you hope listeners take from your story? Connect with Christie 📱 TikTok: @Cjthemom5 📘 Facebook / Instagram: Christie Werts 🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube! Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation: 👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 min
  3. Emergence: From Group Homes to Groundbreaking Science with David Sussillo

    MAY 12

    Emergence: From Group Homes to Groundbreaking Science with David Sussillo

    On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by David Sussillo, a neuroscientist, author, and former youth who experienced a childhood marked by instability, poverty, and time in group homes. His story begins in environments many children in foster care and group settings know all too well — uncertainty, trauma, and systems that don’t always provide the support they should. But his story doesn’t end there. Through a combination of resilience, critical intervention, and moments where someone stepped in, David found a path forward. Today, he is a leading neuroscientist who has worked at Stanford, Google, and Meta, studying the very thing that shaped his life: the human brain. His memoir, Emergence, is not just a story of survival — it is a powerful reminder of what can happen when even one opportunity changes the trajectory of a child’s life. This conversation challenges us to ask a difficult but necessary question: how many children are out there right now, just one moment away from a different future? Episode Highlights Growing up in instability, poverty, and group home environments How trauma shapes memory, identity, and development The role of mentors, teachers, and small interventions From survival to success in neuroscience and research Reflecting on resilience, loss, and the paths not taken About the Guest David Sussillo is a neuroscientist, author, and adjunct professor at Stanford University. After a childhood marked by instability and time in group homes, he earned a PhD in computational neuroscience from Columbia University and has worked at leading institutions, including Google Brain and Meta. His memoir, Emergence: A Memoir of Boyhood, Computation, and the Mysteries of Mind, tells the story of his journey from trauma to transformation. Key Questions from This Episode What led you to write Emergence now? What was it like to revisit your childhood experiences through writing? How did you navigate growing up in group homes and unstable environments? Who were the people who helped change your path? What role did small moments or opportunities play in your journey? How do you reflect on your success alongside those who didn’t have the same outcome? What would you say to a young person facing similar challenges today? Closing Thought Sometimes it doesn’t take everything changing — it takes one moment, one person, one opportunity. And for a child navigating instability, that can be the difference between surviving and becoming something far beyond anyone's expectations. Connect with David 🌐 Website: https://www.davidsussillo.com 🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/SussilloDavid 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-sussillo-736a1290/ 🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube! Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation: 👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 min
  4. First-Time Fostering: What It Really Takes to Say Yes

    MAY 5

    First-Time Fostering: What It Really Takes to Say Yes

    This episode kicks off National Foster Care Awareness Month — a time not just to reflect, but to act. On today’s Fostering Change, Rob Scheer welcomes back Laura, The Foster Parent Partner, a therapeutic foster parent, mentor, and now author of First-Time Fostering, releasing May 12. This conversation focuses on a question many people ask, but far fewer answer: what does it actually take to become a foster parent? Not the idea of it — the reality. Laura brings practical, real-world insight into what fostering looks like day to day, what new foster parents need to understand, and how to move from thinking about it to stepping into it. As a returning guest, she builds on her previous conversation with Rob to go deeper into the emotional, logistical, and human side of fostering. As we begin National Foster Care Awareness Month, this episode serves as a starting point for those considering how they can be part of the solution. Episode Highlights Why National Foster Care Awareness Month should lead to action, not just recognition The gap between thinking about fostering and actually saying yes What foster parenting really looks like day to day Common fears and misconceptions that hold people back How support, mentorship, and community make fostering possible About Laura Known as The Foster Parent Partner, Laura is a therapeutic foster parent, content creator, and mentor who supports individuals navigating the foster care journey. Through her platform, she helps new foster parents move through the licensing process and prepare for their first placement with confidence. Her new book, First-Time Fostering, is a practical, honest guide designed to equip future foster parents with the tools, expectations, and clarity needed to take that first step. Key Questions from This Episode What inspired you to write First-Time Fostering — and who is it for? What makes this book different from others about foster care? Why does Foster Care Awareness Month matter, and how should people respond? What are the biggest fears that stop people from fostering? What does fostering really look like on a daily basis? What role does community play in helping foster parents succeed? What should someone do if they’re on the fence right now? Closing Thought Awareness is only the beginning. What matters is what comes next. Foster care doesn’t need more observers — it needs more people willing to step in, show up, and say yes. 🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube! Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation: 👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 min
  5. Both Sides of Then: Understanding Where We Come From with Jennifer Griffith

    APR 28

    Both Sides of Then: Understanding Where We Come From with Jennifer Griffith

    On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by Jennifer Griffith, author of Both Sides of Then: Finding Love After Abandonment and host of the About Your Mother podcast. This conversation centers on a deeply personal and universal question: how much of who we become is shaped by the relationship we have—or don’t have—with our mother? Jennifer’s memoir explores abandonment, generational trauma, and the search for understanding and connection. While her story is not rooted in foster care, the themes resonate deeply. Many children in foster care experience separation from their biological parents, particularly their mothers, making this conversation especially relevant to identity, belonging, and emotional development. Together, Rob and Jennifer explore how early relationships shape us, how patterns are passed down, and how telling the truth about our stories can open the door to healing and transformation. Episode Highlights How maternal relationships influence identity and self-worth The lasting emotional impact of abandonment and separation Understanding and breaking cycles of generational trauma Why storytelling can be a powerful tool for healing How these themes connect to the experiences of youth in foster care About the Guest Jennifer Griffith is an author, speaker, and host of the About Your Mother podcast, where she explores the stories that shape identity and relationships. Her debut memoir, Both Sides of Then: Finding Love After Abandonment, examines generational trauma, resilience, and the lasting influence of family history. Through her work, she encourages others to better understand their past and find meaning in the connections that define them. Key Questions from This Episode What did writing your story teach you about understanding where we come from? Why is the “mother story” such a powerful lens for identity? What does healing look like when relationships are complicated or absent? How do early experiences of separation shape a child’s sense of self? Where does healing begin for someone carrying a difficult family story? Connect with Jennifer 🌐 Website: https://byjennifergriffith.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byjennifergriffith/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byjennifergriffith/ Closing Thought Understanding where we come from doesn’t always give us easy answers — but it can give us clarity. And sometimes, that clarity is the first step toward healing, growth, and a different path forward. 🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube! Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation: 👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 min
  6. Build the Table: Creating Opportunity, Connection, and Lasting Impact for Youth with Jodi Grinwald

    APR 21

    Build the Table: Creating Opportunity, Connection, and Lasting Impact for Youth with Jodi Grinwald

    On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer welcomes back Jodi Grinwald, founder of Today is the Day, co-founder of Applaud Our Kids Foundation, and author of the new book Today is the Day: LIVE IT!. Jodi is a returning guest to the podcast, and we’re excited to continue this important conversation around opportunity, connection, and impact. Jodi’s work is grounded in a simple but powerful idea: if the table doesn’t exist, build it — and make sure others have a seat. Her new book, Today is the Day: LIVE IT!, expands on that philosophy, encouraging readers to take action, lead with purpose, and create meaningful impact in their own lives and communities. 👉 Learn more and purchase the book: https://todayisthedayliveit.com/live-it This episode also builds on a recent crossover conversation — Rob was a guest on Jodi’s podcast, Today is the Day Changemakers. 🎧 Watch Rob’s episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1rN8EtfTJM&t=501s Through Applaud Our Kids, Jodi is helping children gain access to music, dance, and acting programs that might otherwise be out of reach. While her work is not exclusively focused on foster care, the connection is clear. Children experiencing instability or hardship often miss out on opportunities that build confidence, identity, and a sense of belonging. This conversation explores what it means to create those opportunities — and why access, connection, and creative expression can change the trajectory of a child’s life. Episode Highlights What it means to “build the table” and create opportunities for others Why access to the arts can be transformational for children The role of connection in building confidence and long-term impact How purpose can drive action, even when the path is unclear Why opportunity and exposure matter for youth facing hardship About the Guest Jodi Grinwald is a leadership and connection strategist, speaker, and founder of Today is the Day Changemakers—a global platform and podcast that reaches listeners in more than 135 countries. She helps organizations strengthen the connections that power performance, shape culture, and accelerate growth. She is also the co-founder and CEO of the Applaud Our Kids Foundation, expanding access to performing arts education for children ages 7–18. Jodi is the author of Today is the Day: LIVE IT! along with 30 other leadership voices. The book is a powerful reflection on courage, leadership, resilience, and connection—calling individuals to step into purpose, create opportunity, and lead with intention. Key Questions from This Episode What does “build the table” mean, and how can people apply it in their own lives? Why is access to the arts so important for children and youth? How can programs like Applaud Our Kids support children experiencing instability? What role does creative expression play in identity and confidence? How can someone take the first step toward making a difference? About Applaud Our Kids Foundation The Applaud Our Kids Foundation provides access to performing arts education for children ages 7–18, helping them build confidence, discipline, and a sense of identity through creative expression. Connect with Jodi 🌐 Websites: TodayistheDayLiveIt.com ApplaudOurKids.org 📸 Instagram: @todayisthedayliveit @applaudourkids 🔗 LinkedIn: Jodi Grinwald 📘 Facebook: Today is the Day Live It Applaud Our Kids Closing Thought Creating change doesn’t always require building something new — sometimes it means opening a door that should have been open all along. This episode is a reminder that when we create space for young people to explore who they are, we help shape who they can become. 🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube! Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation: 👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    11 min
  7. Called to Help: The Many Paths to Building and Supporting Families with Katy Encalade

    APR 14

    Called to Help: The Many Paths to Building and Supporting Families with Katy Encalade

    On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by Katy Encalade, President and CEO of Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions, who has spent more than two decades helping to create and support families. Katy brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to this conversation. She has been a foster parent, an egg donor, and a surrogate — offering a rare view across multiple paths of supporting children and building families. Her experience as a foster mom serves as a meaningful bridge, grounding this conversation in the realities of child welfare while expanding the lens to include other ways people can step in to help. While Fostering Change often focuses on foster care, adoption, and permanency, this episode broadens that perspective. Katy encourages listeners to consider that there are many ways to support children and families — whether by opening your home, helping someone become a parent by choosing to be a surrogate or egg donor, or finding other ways to show up with compassion and responsibility. Episode Highlights How foster care, surrogacy, and egg donation connect through a shared purpose of supporting children and families The importance of lived experience, including Katy’s time as a foster parent Why stability, care, and belonging remain central across all family-building paths The role of ethics, transparency, and trust in family-building work Encouraging people to explore different ways they can help support children and families About the Guest Katy Encalade is the President and CEO of Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions, an organization that has helped create more than 2,000 families worldwide. A former foster parent, egg donor, and surrogate, she brings both personal experience and professional expertise to her work. Katy has spent more than two decades advocating for ethical, transparent, and relationship-driven approaches to family-building, previously served as Board Chair of the Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy, and now serves as Board Chair of Families Out Loud. Connect with Katy 🌐 Website: www.CreateAHappyFamily.com 📘 Facebook: Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions 📸 Instagram: @createahappyfamily 🎵 TikTok: @createahappyfamily 🔗 LinkedIn: Katy Encalade 🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube! Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation: 👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13 min
  8. Thinking Inside the Box: How Business Can Drive Real Impact with Mordy Kurtz from The Boxery

    APR 7

    Thinking Inside the Box: How Business Can Drive Real Impact with Mordy Kurtz from The Boxery

    On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by Mordy Kurtz of The Boxery, a company that demonstrates how even behind-the-scenes business operations can play a meaningful role in supporting children in foster care. At Comfort Cases, partnerships are essential. The Boxery has been a valued partner, providing boxes and shipping materials that help deliver Comfort Cases to children across the country. While this support may not always be visible, it is critical to ensuring that essential items reach youth who need them. Mordy leads marketing and growth at The Boxery, bringing creativity and purpose to an industry often viewed as purely transactional. Through initiatives like Givebox, the company is demonstrating how businesses can integrate giving into their everyday operations and make a meaningful impact in their communities. This conversation explores how companies of any size or industry can align their operations with purpose and become active participants in supporting causes like foster care. Episode Highlights The role of operational partnerships in supporting nonprofit impact How The Boxery contributes to Comfort Cases through logistics and infrastructure Bringing creativity and brand voice to a traditional industry The importance of customer-focused, solution-driven marketing How initiatives like Givebox integrate giving into everyday business operations About the Guest Mordy Kurtz leads marketing and growth at The Boxery, where he focuses on creative branding, customer-first marketing, and building systems that help businesses operate more effectively. With more than 15 years of experience, including work with nonprofits, he brings a purpose-driven approach to business and is helping expand The Boxery’s impact through initiatives like Givebox. About the Partnership The Boxery supports Comfort Cases by providing essential packaging and shipping materials for nationwide distribution. This partnership highlights the importance of infrastructure and logistics in delivering resources to children experiencing foster care. Connect & Learn More 🌐 Website: theboxery.com 📘 Facebook: The Boxery 📸 Instagram: @theboxery 🐦 X (Twitter): @TheBoxery 🧵 Threads: @theboxery 🎵 TikTok: @theboxery 🔗 LinkedIn: Mordy Kurtz | The Boxery 📧 Email: marketing@theboxery.com 🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube! Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation: 👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    12 min
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4.9
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

Fostering Change with Rob Scheer Hosted by Comfort Cases founder Rob Scheer, this inspiring podcast shares powerful stories of resilience, compassion, and community. Each week, Rob sits down with guests who are making a difference in the foster care system — from former foster youth and foster parents to advocates, authors, and celebrities whose lives have been touched by foster care. With warmth, humor, and heart, Rob leads conversations that remind us all how dignity, hope, and love can change a child’s life forever. 💙 Have a story to share or a question for Rob? 📧 Email: info@comfortcases.org Follow us on social media: @comfortcases Learn more at comfortcases.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Rob Scheer
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    302
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Comfort Cases
  • Show Website
    Fostering Change

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