All Things Foster: A place for Coffee, Connection, and Community

Matt Darrah: Executive Director Panhandle Orphan Care Network
  • 3.7 (3)
  • Kids & Family
  • Updated Weekly

All Things Foster is a place for foster families to learn about resources that are available to them, as well as a place to have community and connection through this difficult calling.

  1. 1d ago

    The 5-Minute Habit That Changed Everything

    The 5-Minute Habit That Changed Everything | Featuring Mo CooperWhat if just five minutes every morning could transform your health, your mindset, and your relationships? In this episode of All Things Foster, Matt Darrah sits down with Mo Cooper, wellness coach, and speaker to discuss how small, intentional habits can create lasting change. Mo shares her powerful story of overcoming multiple sclerosis, navigating single motherhood, placing a child for adoption, and discovering that true healing begins with finding peace within yourself. Whether you're a foster or adoptive parent, a caregiver, or simply someone feeling overwhelmed by life, this conversation is filled with practical encouragement and hope. In This Episode:Mo's journey from MS diagnosis to living a thriving, healthy lifeWhy your nervous system is the foundation of your healthThe power of starting your day with just five intentional minutesHow gratitude and "I Am" statements can reshape your mindsetWhy lasting transformation starts with small, consistent habitsThe connection between emotional healing and physical healthFinding purpose through difficult seasonsHow choosing peace impacts not only you—but everyone around youConnect with Mo Cooper🌐 Website: https://momindbodysoul.com Connect with All Things Foster🌐 Learn more about Panhandle Orphan Care Network: https://www.panhandleornetwork.org 👍 If you enjoyed this episode: Like this videoSubscribe to All Things FosterShare this conversation with someone who needs encouragement today#AllThingsFoster #MoCooper #Wellness #MentalHealth #Healing #FosterCare #Adoption #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #HealthyHabits #Faith #Gratitude #NervousSystem #TraumaHealing #Podcast

    24 min

  2. Jun 30

    From Career to Calling: Building a Business with Purpose

    From Career to Calling: Aligning Faith and Business with Dale YoungIn this episode of All Things Foster, Matt sits down with Dale Young, a Christian business coach, author, and former IT professional who spent nearly five decades in the technology industry before stepping fully into his God-given calling. Dale shares his journey from a successful career in IT to helping Christian entrepreneurs align their businesses with their faith. Through personal stories of transformation, loss, growth, and redemption, he explains why understanding your identity, gifts, and calling is essential to building a business that creates lasting impact. The conversation explores the difference between simply having a career and living out a calling, how faith should influence every area of life—including business—and what it means to leave a legacy that truly matters. In This EpisodeDale's transition from a 48-year IT career into Christian business coachingThe life-changing moment that made him realize he wanted more than just a jobWhy faith and business should not exist in separate worldsCommon mistakes Christian entrepreneurs makeUnderstanding your God-given gifts and strengthsThe importance of identity and community in discovering your purposeHow to uncover your calling and "why"The difference between an inheritance and a legacyBuilding a business that creates impact for future generationsResources MentionedDale YoungWebsite: coachdale.comFree Spiritual Gifts Assessment available on his websiteBookThe Power of Aligning Your Faith in Business A proven way to create clear direction, fulfilling results, and joyful peace. Available on Amazon. About Dale YoungDale Young is a Christian business coach who helps entrepreneurs align their faith and business to create greater purpose, impact, and fulfillment. After spending 48 years in the IT industry, Dale transitioned into coaching and now equips Christian business owners to discover their God-given identity, strengths, and calling. Connect With All Things FosterIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could benefit from this conversation. All Things Foster is a place for coffee, connection, and community as we support foster and adoptive families and those who care about children and families in need. Panhandle Orphan Care Network #AllThingsFoster #ChristianEntrepreneur #FaithAndBusiness #DaleYoung #Leadership #Purpose #Calling #Legacy #BusinessCoach #ChristianLeadership #FosterCareCommunity

    20 min

  3. Jun 23

    Beyond Band-Aids: Addressing the Root Cause of Allergies

    In this episode, host Matt Darrah speaks with Christine Lauer as she shares her unconventional approach to identifying and resetting allergies and sensitivities, especially in children, using applied kinesiology and laser therapy. She discusses her personal journey, the science behind her methods, and practical tips for self-testing and improving health naturally. https://www.panhandleorphan.org/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 01:00 Christine's Personal Journey with Allergies 02:08 Understanding Applied Kinesiology for Allergy Testing 03:11 How Muscle Weakness Indicates Allergens 03:55 Laser Therapy to Reset Allergic Responses 05:14 Christine's Path to Unconventional Allergy Treatment 07:13 Self-Testing Techniques and Home Methods 08:47 The Impact of Diet and Environmental Factors 10:40 Personal Success Stories and Results 13:00 How to Learn Self-Testing and Manage Allergies 15:20 Common Dietary Triggers and Hidden Toxins 17:27 The Role of Food in Chronic Conditions 18:28 Closing Remarks and Resources resources https://www.noallergiesplease.com/selftest/ No Allergies Please - https://www.noallergiesplease.com/

    19 min

  4. Jun 16

    From Overwhelmed to Grounded: A simple tool for caregivers

    In this insightful interview, host Matt Darrah interviews Vivianne Israel who shares practical self-care techniques rooted in neurobiology to help individuals manage stress, improve sleep, and enhance overall well-being, especially for caregivers and foster families. key topics Self-care beyond 'me time'Neurochemical triggers for relaxationPractical techniques for stress reductionImpact of stress on caregivers and foster familiestakeaways True self-care is the foundation for effective caregiving.A two-minute practice can shift you out of stress quickly.Drop your shoulders to send a message of safety to your brain.Practicing these techniques regularly makes them second nature.Sleep and emotional regulation are deeply connected to neurobiology.guest name Vivianne Israel titles The 2-Minute Self-Care Technique That Transforms Stress ManagementNeurobiology Secrets for Better Sleep and Emotional Resilience Chapters 00:00Introduction to True Self-Care 03:00Understanding Stress and Self-Care Practices 05:45Implementing Quick Self-Care Techniques 08:40The Importance of Consistency in Self-Care 11:42Exploring Resources and Courses for Self-Care 14:44The Impact of Self-Care on Mental Health 17:41Conclusion and Call to Action https://www.panhandleorphan.org/ Resourceshttps://viviannewintersisrael.com/

    22 min

  5. Jun 9

    Holding Space: A Foster Care Series on Grief Part 4

    This episode wraps up a series on grief in foster care and adoption, emphasizing hope, healing, and the importance of community support. Featuring insights from professionals and adoptive parents, it explores how to navigate grief, avoid burnout, and find hope in challenging circumstances. key topics The impact of grief in foster care and adoptionStrategies to avoid compassion fatigue and burnoutThe importance of community and support networksHope and healing through intentional self-careLanguage and perceptions around adoptive familiesGuests: Laura Bounds, Amanda Rogers, Diane Ridgway https://www.panhandleorphan.org/ Episode Sponsor: https://kindredconstruct.com/ Bracken Hochstein 806-341-6205 Chapters 00:00Introduction to Grief in Foster Care 01:27Introduction to Grief in Foster Care 04:31Understanding Avoided Grief 07:10The Importance of Emotional Health 09:41Navigating Grief and Loss 12:23The Impact of Community Support 15:11The Complexity of Foster Parent Guilt 18:08Finding Hope in Difficult Times 25:57Navigating Grief and Hope in Parenting 36:05The Impact of Love and Healing on Families 40:44Self-Care and Community Support in Difficult Times 46:17The Call to Foster Care and Its Rewards ResourcesCodependent No More by Melody BeattieProQOL Compassion Fatigue ScalePANS and PANDAS informationGuest linksLaura Bounds - Cal Farley'sAmanda Rogers - Cal Farley'sDiane Ridgway - Amarillo Children's Home

    50 min

  6. Jun 2

    Holding Space: A Foster Care Series on Grief and Healing Part 3

    Host Matt Darrah is joined by Laura Bownds for the third episode of this four part series. We are also joined by Amanda Rodgers and Dianne Ridgeway. We continue to explore the theme of grief in the context of foster care and adoption. We delve into the experiences of grief from various perspectives, including foster parents, adoptive parents, and professionals working in the field. The episode emphasizes the importance of maintaining connections with biological families and the role of support and community in navigating grief. We also disucss the profound experience of grief in the context of foster care and adoption, highlighting the challenges faced by parents and children. It emphasizes the importance of support and community in navigating the complexities of grief in these situations. Takeaways Grief in foster care and adoptionMaintaining connections with biological families Grief in foster care and adoptionSupport and community are crucial Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Disclaimer05:07 Understanding Grief in Foster Care and Adoption19:38 Grief and Loss in Transitional Living and Graduation panhandleorphan.org Episode Sponsor: https://thestretchingplace.com/ (806) 646-5880

    50 min

  7. May 26

    Holding Space: A Foster Care Series on Grief and Healing Part 2

    Join host Matt Darrah with special guest Laura Bownds in a conversation that delves into the topic of grief in foster care, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing the grief experienced by children and foster parents. We explore the challenges and emotional complexities involved in navigating grief within the foster care system, highlighting the need for open and honest conversations, coping mechanisms, and support for both children and foster parents. The conversation delves into the emotional impact of caregiving and foster care, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and expressing grief and emotions. It explores the need for support, counseling, and regular emotional assessment for caregivers and foster parents. Additionally, it highlights the impact of a child's departure on caregivers and the grief experienced by other children in the home. The discussion also addresses disenfranchised grief, emotional suppression, and the importance of avoiding emotional autopilot through self-care. We emphasized tools for working through grief and promoting emotional expression and, along with a call to action to support foster care initiatives. Takeaways Grief in Foster CareUnderstanding Child's Grief Grief and emotions must be acknowledged and expressed to avoid emotional suppression.Support groups, counseling, and regular emotional assessment are crucial for caregivers and foster parents.Grief affects not only the caregiver but also the other children in the home, and it's important to provide tools for them to cope with their feelings. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Grief in Foster Care04:54 Understanding Child's Grief24:03 Foster Parents' Grief29:59 Grief of Other Children in the Home36:06 Disenfranchised Grief and Emotional Suppression42:19 Avoiding Emotional Autopilot and Self-Care48:24 Promoting Emotional Expression and Support panhandleorphan.org Episode Sponsor: West Texas Wellness Center: https://westtexaswc.com/ 806-352-1500

    53 min

  8. May 19

    Holding Space: A Foster Care Series on Grief and Healing Part 1

    The podcast episode features a discussion on grief and its impact on children in foster care. Our guest, Laura Bownds, shares insights on supporting children through grief, understanding trauma, and creating a safe and familiar environment for children in care. The conversation covers the importance of building trust and connection with foster children, understanding and supporting different age groups, addressing transitioning and regression, practical steps for foster families, and the permission to grieve and providing support. Takeaways Understanding the impact of grief on children in foster careCreating a safe and familiar environment for children in care Building trust and connection is crucial for foster children.Understanding and supporting different age groups is essential for effective caregiving. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Acknowledgment05:14 Challenges in Accessing Support10:19 Supporting Children Through Grief (Continued)21:06 Creating Familiarity and Control for Children26:12 Building Trust and Connection33:04 Practical Steps for Foster Families49:13 Permission to Grieve and Providing Support https://www.panhandleorphan.org/ Episode Sponsor: AW Broadband https://awbroadband.net/ Brian 806-670-2073

    55 min
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3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

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All Things Foster is a place for foster families to learn about resources that are available to them, as well as a place to have community and connection through this difficult calling.

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