ReStoried

Hope Bridge/Adkins Media Co.
  • 5.0 (20)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

What kind of stories come to mind when you think of foster care? Many stories are filled with heartbreak, pain, and sorrow. But what if we could step in and see them turned into stories of hope? Hope Bridge is on a gospel-led mission to transform the foster care landscape in Ohio. We're here to raise awareness and empower churches and communities to step into action by supporting vulnerable children and families in their local communities. We’re certainly not the Author of these stories, and it’s true that we can't change the past, but we are called to be key characters in THE story that God has written for His creation. His is a story of redemption and restoration, a story of HOPE. In this podcast, we will share how we link arms with churches, county workers, foster families, and those in the community to rewrite the narrative for vulnerable children and families. We’ll be shining a light on stories of hope, redemption, and transformation and sharing practical ways that you can step in and get involved.  Subscribe now, and together, let's make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Welcome to "ReStoried," a podcast by Hope Bridge.

  1. 10H AGO

    125. Beyond Burnout: Moral Injury in Social Work

    In this episode, we are having a conversation on a powerful concept many child welfare workers feel but don’t always have language for: moral injury.  We unpack the difference between simple burnout and the deeper, soul-level injury that happens when we know what compassionate, ethical care should look like, yet are forced to operate inside systems that often make that impossible.   We reflect on how this plays out across social work, foster care, and kinship care, where both workers and families can feel powerless, conflicted, and even complicit while trying to do the right thing.  This is a heavy but important conversation for those serving in helping professions, and we end by encouraging those carrying these burdens, naming that moral injury is real, and reminding you that ultimate justice and restoration belong to God.    Episode Highlights:   Social Work Appreciation Month  Moral Injury  The Weight of Child Welfare  Soul Care     Find More on Hope Bridge/Links from this Episode:  Follow The Christian Social Worker on Instagram Follow Socialworkaholic on Instagram   The Legacy Scholarship from The Christ Foundation  Visit Our Website  Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Join us for our Annual Benefit Dinner!

    48 min

  2. MAR 16

    124. Replay- Encouragement for Child Welfare Workers with Blake Boyer

    In honor of Social Work Appreciation Month, we’re resharing one of our earlier conversations with Blake Boyer. Blake is a Christian social worker whose passion is encouraging and equipping believers who are fostering, adopting, and supporting children and families involved in the child welfare system. She also mentors social workers as they navigate the challenges of this important work. In this episode, Blake shares honestly about the realities of the child welfare system and the unique pressures social workers often face. She offers practical encouragement for those serving on the front lines and reminds us that even when the work is hard and the outcomes aren’t always visible, God is still at work. Whether you are a social worker, foster or adoptive parent, or someone who cares about children and families in crisis, this conversation is a powerful reminder that faith, perseverance, and community matter in this work. Episode Highlights:  Blake’s BackgroundChallenges for Social Workers Setting Boundaries as a Social Worker Blake’s Passion for Change Encouragement for Foster Families and Social Workers  Find more on Guest: Blake’s InstagramBlake’s Blog  Find More on Hope Bridge: Visit Our Website Follow us on InstagramJoin us for our Annual Benefit Dinner!

    33 min

  3. MAR 9

    123. A Life Wrecked for the Gospel: Kirsten Smith’s Adoption Journey

    In this episode, we sit down with Kirsten Smith, Summit County Coordinator for Hope Bridge, to hear her incredible journey as a mother of nine adopted children from foster care. Kirsten shares openly about her family’s story, beginning with her and her husband Josh navigating infertility and feeling God’s call toward adoption. She reflects on bringing home sibling groups, the challenges of raising children from trauma, and the unexpected ways God has provided for their family, including a miraculous gift of a bigger home and navigating her own health struggles with thyroid cancer.  Kirsten also opens up about the ongoing challenges of parenting a child with serious mental health needs, including multiple inpatient psychiatric stays, and how her faith has sustained her through seasons of uncertainty, grief, and fear. She emphasizes the importance of trusting God’s plan, embracing His timing, and stepping into foster care and adoption even when the path feels overwhelming.   This episode is full of hope, honesty, and encouragement for anyone involved in foster care, adoption, or walking a season of unexpected trials.    Episode Highlights:   From infertility to adoption Raising kids from trauma God’s unexpected provision Faith through health struggles Navigating mental health challenges Trusting God’s plan Encouragement for foster parents   Find more on Guest:  Support Kirsten’s Son in Funding His Residential Treatment In the Room by Maverick City Music Lifesong for Orphans    Find More on Hope Bridge:  Chat with a Hope Bridge Staff Member Visit Our Website  Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook  Join us for our Annual Benefit Dinner!

    56 min

  4. MAR 2

    122. Single Mom, Full Circle: Cat’s Journey with Hope Bridge

    On this episode of Restoried, Mel sits down to talk with Jen Zwick and Cat Tortola about hope, faith, and transformation. Cat isn’t just a graduate of the Hope Bridge Single Moms Program; she’s now the Single Mom Program’s coordinator, helping other single moms navigate life, growth, and family. She shares her journey from feeling stuck and overwhelmed to finding support, community, and confidence through Hope Bridge.  Cat shares about her experience moving into transitional housing, stepping into church for the first time, getting baptized, and even partnering with Habitat for Humanity to rehab her own home. Along the way, Cat learned practical life skills, discovered her potential, and gained the confidence to take bold steps forward. She also shares her hopes for the future: mentoring other single moms and creating a space where they feel truly seen, heard, and supported.  If you’re looking for inspiration or want to see how community and God’s faithfulness can change lives, this episode is for you. Whether you’re a single mom looking for support or just want to see hope in action, tune in to hear how you can get involved, get connected with Hope Bridge, or cheer for these amazing women on their journey.    Episode Highlights:   Meet Cat!  Overcoming fear and doubt Embracing community support Growth through guidance Faith-fueled transformation Empowerment for single mom   Find More on Hope Bridge/Links from this Episode:  Single Mom Connection Form  Empower U March Visit Our Website  Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook  Join us for our Annual Benefit Dinner!

    38 min

  5. FEB 23

    121. Spiritual Formation: Practicing Pilgrim Feast

    In this episode of Restoried, Brian and Anne revisit the spiritual formation practice of Pilgrim Feast, a rhythm inspired by the biblical feasts where God’s people gathered to remember His faithfulness and celebrate together. Pilgrim Feast invites families to reframe vacations and special time away as gifts from God; moments to worship, reconnect, and intentionally celebrate His goodness.  Anne shares how her family prayerfully planned a focused trip with their four older children after a long fostering season, choosing unplugged time in the mountains to reconnect and reflect on God’s faithfulness. Brian shares about his family’s trip to Missouri and how shifting their mindset, seeing vacation as God’s generosity rather than something earned, changed the experience.  They acknowledge the realities of parenting, tight budgets, and blended family dynamics, encouraging listeners to lower expectations of perfection and focus on connection. Pilgrim Feast does not have to be expensive or elaborate. It can be a staycation, a weekend getaway, or even a single intentional day marked by rest, favorite foods, tech boundaries, and meaningful conversation.  The challenge is simple: dream about it, pray about it, put it on the calendar, and trust God to restore your family through celebration.  Episode Highlights:   Celebrate God’s faithfulness. Receive rest as a gift. Choose connection over perfection. Intentional > expensive. Pray, plan, calendar it.   Links from this Episode:  Pilgrim’s Feast with Young Kids  Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026 Register for the Pastor + Ministry Leaders Brunch    Find More on Hope Bridge:  Visit Our Website  Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook  Join us for our Annual Benefit Dinner!

    34 min

  6. FEB 16

    120. Finding Hope in the Middle of Hard with Jamie Fuller

    In this episode of Restoried, we sit down with Jamie Fuller to hear her family’s unexpected journey into kinship care. It’s a story shaped by loss, faith, and God’s redemptive work. What Jamie thought would be a season of empty nesting turned into something she and her husband, JP, never imagined. They welcomed their two nephews after the tragic loss of their parents.  Jamie shares honestly about what it’s like to suddenly step into trauma-informed parenting while also grieving the life she thought she would have. She talks about the emotional weight, the impact on her whole family, and the loneliness that can come with caring for kids from hard places.  One of the most powerful parts of Jamie’s story is how finding people who truly understood changed everything. From her first Hope Bridge moms’ night to attending Mobilize Ohio, Jamie describes what it meant to finally be in rooms where she didn’t have to explain her story. It was a place where she and JP felt seen, supported, and less alone.  This episode is a reminder that healing takes time, that joy and grief can exist at the same time, and that community really matters. If you’re walking a foster or kinship journey or supporting families who are, this conversation is for you. Mobilize Ohio and Hope Bridge are places where your story can make sense, too.    Episode Highlights:   Jamie’s Story  Kinship Care Trauma Informed Parenting  Mobilize Ohio  Finding Community    Find More on Hope Bridge:  Visit Our Website  Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook  Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026 Join us for our Annual Benefit Dinner!

    52 min

  7. FEB 9

    119. Marriage, Foster Care, and Gritty Faith

    Foster care doesn’t just enter a home; it enters a marriage. With Valentine’s Day approaching, this episode of Restoried opens an honest conversation about how foster care changes marriage when court dates, therapy, and survival replace date nights and quiet conversations.  Lisa is joined by her husband JJ as they reflect on eight years as licensed foster parents and over a decade supporting children and families in foster care. They share how foster care changed their marriage, from communication and emotional connection to dividing responsibilities and making decisions together.  They discuss real challenges, including exhaustion, grief, spiritual warfare, and times of being out of sync. They explore how spouses carry weight differently and how tension can arise if not addressed.  The conversation also covers practical realities, including managing responsibilities, navigating caseworker roles, and checking in regularly to avoid resentment.  At the heart of the episode is hope. Lisa and JJ share how God used the hardest seasons to strengthen their marriage. Through prayer, shared heartbreak, and choosing each other daily, their marriage grew deeper and anchored in Christ.    Episode Highlights:   Foster care impacts marriage Balancing grief and logistics Communication is key Shared hardships strengthen love Relying on God Intentional connection matters Practical tips for parents  Find More on Hope Bridge:  Visit Our Website  Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook  Join us for our Annual Benefit Dinner!

    43 min

  8. FEB 2

    118. Stacking the Stones: Staying Faithful in the Hard Seasons with Ryan North

    In this episode of Restoried, we sit down with Ryan North of One Big Happy Home for a real and encouraging conversation about foster care, adoption, connected parenting, and staying faithful in hard seasons. With more than 30 foster placements and years of lived experience, Ryan shares what he and his wife, Kayla, have learned about building strong relationships with kids impacted by trauma.  Ryan talks about why connection matters more than predictions or diagnoses, how creativity and flexibility can make a huge difference, and what it looks like to keep showing up even when things feel overwhelming. He also shares honestly about marriage, self-care, and how caregivers can support one another so they don’t burn out along the way.  This episode is full of practical wisdom, hope, and reminders to celebrate progress — even the small wins. If you’re in the thick of foster care, adoption, or kinship parenting, this conversation will encourage you to keep going and remember that the work you’re doing truly matters.  Don’t miss hearing Ryan speak in person at Mobilize Ohio 2026! Register using the link below.    Episode Highlights:   Connection over outcomes Creativity and flexibility Staying faithful long-term Marriage under pressure Celebrating small wins   Find more on Guest:  One Big Happy Home  One Big Happy Home on Social  The Empowered Parent Podcast  Follow Ryan on Instagram    Find More on Hope Bridge:  Visit Our Website  Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook  Join us for our Annual Benefit Dinner!

    42 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

What kind of stories come to mind when you think of foster care? Many stories are filled with heartbreak, pain, and sorrow. But what if we could step in and see them turned into stories of hope? Hope Bridge is on a gospel-led mission to transform the foster care landscape in Ohio. We're here to raise awareness and empower churches and communities to step into action by supporting vulnerable children and families in their local communities. We’re certainly not the Author of these stories, and it’s true that we can't change the past, but we are called to be key characters in THE story that God has written for His creation. His is a story of redemption and restoration, a story of HOPE. In this podcast, we will share how we link arms with churches, county workers, foster families, and those in the community to rewrite the narrative for vulnerable children and families. We’ll be shining a light on stories of hope, redemption, and transformation and sharing practical ways that you can step in and get involved.  Subscribe now, and together, let's make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Welcome to "ReStoried," a podcast by Hope Bridge.

Information

  • Creator
    Hope Bridge/Adkins Media Co.
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    126
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 ReStoried
  • Show Website
    ReStoried

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