The Adoption & Foster Care Journey

Sandra Flach
  • 5.0 (20)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Host Sandra Flach is a mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption—one kinship and 4 international. Her youngest 2 are teens diagnosed with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). With over 30 years of parenting experience and 20 plus years as an adoptive and kinship parent, she’s made mountains of mistakes and learned loads of lessons. She understands the difficult road of parenting children with trauma histories—and she is still in the trenches! The Adoption & Foster Care Journey is a podcast to encourage, educate, and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care, and kinship care. We aim to support adoptive and foster families by sharing encouraging real-life stories and equipping them with modern-day research and parenting techniques.

  1. 15h ago

    Episode 545 - From Empty Nest to a Full House with Holly Seaver

    “Behold, I am going to do something new,  Now it will spring up; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.” -Isaiah 43:19   On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with Holly Seaver. Holly is a Christian, wife, mom of a multiracial and multicultural adoptive family, foster mom, and children’s book author. Her writing is inspired by her family’s lived experience including titles such as “My New Home & Me” and "Jack & Max & the Happy Home—A Foster Care Story”   Listen in as Holly shares her family’s journey from empty nest to full house after she and her husband felt led to become foster parents. Fostering led to adopting—something they never planned to do. Now their nest is full! Along the way she started writing children’s books for kids in foster care.   Enjoy Holly’s inspiring story and be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: https://hollyseaverbooks.com/ Free Breath Prayer Download See Available Trainings The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

  2. Aug 10

    Episode 544 - Frontal Lobe Impairment: A Topic all Adoptive & Foster Parents Need to Know with Dr. Jerrod Brown

    “You will keep in perfect peace All who trust in You, All whose thoughts are fixed on you!” -Isaiah 26:3   On this episode, host Sandra Flach, talks with our favorite returning guest, Dr. Jerrod Brown, about Frontal Lobe Impairment and what it means for children impacted by FASD, trauma, and other neuro-developmental differences.   Dr. Brown explains how the frontal lobe plays an important role in: self-regulation, executive functioning, decision making, communication, and adaptive functioning. When these areas of the brain are impaired, what looks like defiance or poor behavior may actually be a sign that a child is struggling with a brain-based difference.   Dr. Brown has 6 PhD’s and specializes in topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth fire-setting. You can check out his full bio on our website along with dozens of our bonus episodes featuring Dr Brown.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: Bonus Episodes with Dr. Brown Dr. Brown’s email: Jerrod01234Brown@alive.net Free Breath Prayer Download See Available Trainings The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

  3. Aug 3

    Episode 543 - A Conversation About Hope, Healing, and Foster Care with Scott Fuller of Murphy-Harpst Children’s Centers in Georgia

    "An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside Him. Then He said to them, 'Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.'" -Luke 9:46-48   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate, and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care, and kinship care.   On this episode, host Sandra Flach talks with Scott Fuller, Vice President of Advancement at Murphy-Harpst Children's Centers, a ministry that has been serving vulnerable children in Georgia for more than 100 years.   Scott shares his unexpected journey from church planting to advocating for children in foster care, along with a powerful story of hope that demonstrates what can happen when children receive consistent care, compassionate support, and adults who believe in their future.   Together, Sandra and Scott discuss the life-changing work of Murphy-Harpst, the importance of community for foster and adoptive families, how trauma-informed care helps children heal and thrive, and the Bible passage that transformed Scott's understanding of ministry and service.   Whether you're a foster or adoptive parent, someone who supports vulnerable children, or simply looking for encouragement, this conversation is a reminder that God often accomplishes His greatest work through ordinary people who faithfully say "yes."   Listen to Sandra's conversation with Scott Fuller on Episode 543 wherever you get your podcasts.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: https://murphyharpst.org/ sfuller@murphyharpst.org Free Breath Prayer Download See Available Trainings The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

  4. Jul 27

    Episode 542 - FASD Q & A: Confabulation & Consequences with Sandra Flach

    "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." -Matthew 11:28 & 29 MSG   Children with trauma and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) often aren't choosing challenging behaviors—they're struggling with brain-based differences that affect memory, impulse control, and executive functioning. In this week's episode of The Adoption & Foster Care Journey Podcast, Sandra Flach explores: What confabulation is (and why it's often mistaken for lying) Why consequences and punishment frequently don't work How shifting from consequences to accommodations can transform your relationship with your child   When we recognize the difference between can't and won't, we can replace frustration with compassion and create the supports our children truly need.   Listen now and discover practical, brain-based strategies that can bring more peace and connection to your parenting journey.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: Free Breath Prayer Download See Available Trainings The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

  5. Jul 20

    Episode 541 - When Adoption Changes You: A Conversation with Dr. Mark Andrews

    "I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" -Jeremiah 32:27   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   In this episode host Sandra Flach sits down with Dr. Mark Andrews, adoptive father and founder of Adoptive Family Resources, to talk about his family's adoption journey and how it shaped his life's work of supporting foster and adoptive families.   Mark shares how learning about trauma, attachment, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) transformed both his parenting and his professional ministry. Together, they discuss the importance of understanding the brain behind the behavior, finding the right support, and remembering that we don't have to walk this journey alone.   If you're raising children impacted by trauma or prenatal substance exposure—or you simply need a reminder that God sees your family and is with you every step of the way—this conversation will encourage and equip you.   As Mark reminds us, "The Lord loves your child even more than you do."   Listen wherever you get your podcasts!   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: Adoptive Family Resources See Available Trainings The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

  6. Jul 13

    Episode 540 - Beyond Milestones—What Every Foster & Adoptive Parent Should Know with Dr. Trevor Carlson

    "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." -Proverbs 22:6   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   In this week's episode of The Adoption & Foster Care Journey, Sandra Flach sits down with pediatric physical therapist and foster dad Trevor Carlson to explore how trauma, neglect, and prenatal substance exposure can impact a child's development—from tummy time to walking. Trevor shares practical, hope-filled strategies to help caregivers support healthy development while reminding us of one essential truth: connection comes before correction. In this episode, you'll discover: Why developmental milestones matter—but don't tell the whole story How trauma can affect a child's physical development Simple ways to encourage tummy time and movement Why safety and connection are the foundation for growth Encouragement for parents raising children with developmental delays Whether you're parenting a newborn, toddler, or a child with a history of trauma, this conversation will equip you with practical tools and a fresh perspective.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: Tummy Time Book therapykids.org See Available Trainings The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

  7. Jul 6

    Episode 539 - Migraines & Adverse Childhood Experiences with Dr. Jerrod Brown

    “And He (Jesus) awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” -Mark 4:39   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with returning guest favorite, Dr. Jerrod Brown. Dr. Brown has 6 PhD’s and specializes in topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. You can check out his full bio on our website along with dozens of our bonus episodes feating Dr. Brown.   Here Dr. Brown unpacks the prevalence of migraine headaches among children with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Listen in or watch on our YouTube channel to learn risk factors, symptoms, and lifestyle medicine choices to improve outcomes.   You can find episode 539 wherever you get your podcasts!    Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: Dr. Jerrod Brown’s Email See Available Trainings The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

  8. Jun 29

    Episode 538 - What White Parents Raising Black Children Need to Know with Michael Gaither

    “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -Philippians 4:13   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode host Sandra Flach talks with Michael Gaither. Michael is a Black adoptee raised by a white family in Lincoln, Nebraska. He spent 49 years living the transracial adoption experience before reuniting with his biological family and finally understanding what it meant to see himself in someone else. With 30 years in education as a teacher, principal, district administrator, and executive leadership coach, Michael founded Beyond the Moment Adoption Studio, a digital resource for white parents raising Black children.   Listen as Michael shares his story and recommends 7 Conversations Every White Parent Must Have With Their Black Children on Episode 538 wherever you get your podcasts.    Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media.   Links mentioned in this episode: https://beyondthemomentadoptionstudio.com/ See Available Trainings The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

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About

Host Sandra Flach is a mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption—one kinship and 4 international. Her youngest 2 are teens diagnosed with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). With over 30 years of parenting experience and 20 plus years as an adoptive and kinship parent, she’s made mountains of mistakes and learned loads of lessons. She understands the difficult road of parenting children with trauma histories—and she is still in the trenches! The Adoption & Foster Care Journey is a podcast to encourage, educate, and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care, and kinship care. We aim to support adoptive and foster families by sharing encouraging real-life stories and equipping them with modern-day research and parenting techniques.

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