Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life

National Center for Youth Law
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Sexuality

Welcome to Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life, a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. When you are in foster care, there aren’t always people to answer the big questions or to make it easy to open up about sensitive stuff. That’s why we’re bringing these conversations to you. We hope these episodes spark questions and provide resources —for you,— to find answers, feel empowered, and have community. Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law and supported through agrant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Please like and subscribe to our podcast to get future episodes. Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org. ©National center for Youth Law

  1. 3d ago

    An honest conversation on healing from sexual trauma

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode: Our all-former-foster-youth crew takes an honest, compassionate look at healing from sexual trauma. We talk about what it means to reclaim your story— deciding if, when, and with whom to share it. Together, we explore what it looks like to heal on your own terms, without pressure or timelines imposed by society. We also offer practical tips & helpful resources to help you navigate your own healing journey. Take it from us: healing *is* possible, but it looks different for everyone. You deserve the patience, support, and space to heal at your own pace.  Resources:  www.RAINN.org: an anti-sexual violence organization and operator of the National Sexual Assault Hotline who offer confidential support services. Top 10 tips for developing healthy relationships: PDF download Video series Blog article On the RHEP website Content Advisory: The stories we are sharing sometimes touch on different kinds of trauma, please take care of yourself while you listen. Host: Emilio (them/ella/èl), RHEP Youth Advisory Board member Participants:  Ayshah (she/her), RHEP Youth Advisory Board member  Elyzabeth (she/her), RHEP Youth Advisory Board member  About Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life: Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. It is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law.  Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is supported through a grant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. We are very grateful for their support. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Hilton Foundation.  Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is produced in California. Laws, policies and programs discussed in this episode may be specific to California. Watch our episodes at https://rhep.info/self-taught. Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org Email us with questions, comments, and feedback at fosterreprohealth@youthlaw.org.

  2. Sep 15

    Finding joy in your sexuality & expression: Advice from the foster youth community

    Send us Fan Mail Our all-former-foster-youth squad chats about self-discovery, challenging gender norms, and self-care. Our speakers also discuss how to create a supportive community, and how to love yourself, even in a world that seems full of hate. You deserve self-love and the opportunity to find others who appreciate you for you!  Content Advisory: The stories we are sharing sometimes touch on different kinds of trauma, please take care of yourself while you listen. Host: Emilio (them/ella/èl), RHEP Youth Advisory Board member Participants:  Quinn, RHEP Youth Advisory Board member  Tamar (she/her), RHEP Youth Advisory Board member  About Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life: Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. It is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law.  Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is supported through a grant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. We are very grateful for their support. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Hilton Foundation.  Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is produced in California. Laws, policies and programs discussed in this episode may be specific to California. Watch our episodes at https://rhep.info/self-taught. Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org Email us with questions, comments, and feedback at fosterreprohealth@youthlaw.org.

  3. Sep 1

    Abortion care: your needs before (and after) matter

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss the stigma that comes with choosing abortion care, especially for the foster youth community. Our all-former-foster-youth crew clears up important medical terms – like the differences between in-clinic abortions and medication abortions. We also give tips on how to prepare for your medical visit and consider your needs for childcare, transportation, a support person, etc. We talk about what the abortion experience can be like, and how you can be a supportive friend in the process. The decision is yours, and we are here to empower you with knowledge and confidence.  Resources:  Self-Taught: Abortion Care According to Former Foster Youth  Self-Taught: Knowing Your Rights to Healthcare Is this clinic right for me or my friend? (a guide from RHEP) A Teen’s Guide to Abortion (From Peer Advocates of Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley) California Abortion Access  https://abortion.ca.gov A resource made in partnership with RHEP and other trusted organizations and leaders in California.  Abortion Stigma Campaign on RHEP’s Instagram: @rhep_ca Content Advisory: The stories we are sharing sometimes touch on different kinds of trauma, please take care of yourself while you listen. Host: Derenice (she/her), RHEP Youth Advisory Board member Participants:  Wednesday (she/her/they/them), RHEP Youth Advisory Board member  Jessica (she/her), RHEP Youth Advisory Board member About Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life: Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. It is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law.  Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is supported through a grant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. We are very grateful for their support. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Hilton Foundation.  Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is produced in California. Laws, policies and programs discussed in this episode may be specific to California. Watch our episodes at https://rhep.info/self-taught. Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org Email us with questions, comments, and feedback at fosterreprohealth@youthlaw.org.

  4. Aug 19

    How foster youth can navigate bias and stigma in sexual & repro healthcare

    Send us Fan Mail Unfortunately, not all medical workers treat foster youth with respect. In this episode, we share how we have sometimes had to stick up for ourselves to get the sexual and reproductive health care we need (and deserve!). Listeners: you have the right to ask questions, say no, and make choices about your own health. You should feel respected and listened to by your doctors— and if you don’t, it’s okay to look for someone new.  Resources: Finding LGBTQ+ inclusive medical care (RHEP blog) Self-Taught: What Are Foster Youth’s Rights To Healthcare? Uber Health Is this the right clinic for me or my friend?  TeenSource clinic finder Foster Youth Bill of Rights in California  Resources for California Foster Youth: Sexual, Reproductive, and Mental Health Medi-Cal Services Content Advisory: The stories we are sharing sometimes touch on different kinds of trauma, please take care of yourself while you listen. Host: Emilio (them/ella/èl), RHEP Youth Advisory Board member Participants:  Elyzabeth (she/her), RHEP Youth Advisory Board member Jessica (she/her), RHEP Youth Advisory Board member Quinn, RHEP Youth Advisory Board member  About Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life: Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. It is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law.  Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is supported through a grant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. We are very grateful for their support. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Hilton Foundation.  Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is produced in California. Laws, policies and programs discussed in this episode may be specific to California. Watch our episodes at https://rhep.info/self-taught. Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org Email us with questions, comments, and feedback at fosterreprohealth@youthlaw.org.

  5. Aug 4

    Prioritizing your mental health in a relationship

    Send us Fan Mail We’re kicking off Season 3 with a convo our all-former-foster-youth podcasters are so eager to explore— How can we prioritize our mental health while navigating romantic relationships?  Derenice and Myh’Keith explain ways to talk openly—even about the hard stuff. They also explain how “growth-bonding” can be a great way to build your relationship.   We get into the red flags that might signal a relationship is not right for you. Remember: your relationship with yourself is just as important as your relationship with someone else. We hope to help you understand that meeting your needs is not selfish. In fact, doing so can actually help you become a better partner in the long run.  Resources: Our Top 10 tips for developing healthy relationships: PDF download Video series Blog article On the RHEP website Learn how to engage in honest communication, even in times of conflict:  ”The Most Effective Way to Make a Request” “All About Communication” Get help learning when it’s time to grow and when it’s time to move on:  “9 Questions to Assess the Health of Your Relationship” “Warning Signs of Abuse” 4 Tips for Having a Difficult Conversation With Your Partner How to Balance Your Independence and Interdependence for Healthy Relationships Content Advisory: The stories we are sharing sometimes touch on different kinds of trauma, please take care of yourself while you listen. Host: Derenice (she/her), RHEP Youth Advisory Board member Participant:  Myh’Keith (he/him), RHEP Youth Advisory Board member About Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life: Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. It is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law.  Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is supported through a grant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. We are very grateful for their support. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Hilton Foundation.  Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is produced in California. Laws, policies and programs discussed in this episode may be specific to California. Watch our episodes at https://rhep.info/self-taught. Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org Email us with questions, comments, and feedback at fosterreprohealth@youthlaw.org.

  6. 02/12/2024

    Caring For Yourself With A Newborn

    Send us Fan Mail Kat, Phillisha, Cody, and Sarah share stories and tips about the ups and downs they faced when accessing prenatal care (medical care for someone who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant).  The team talks about little-discussed topics— like caring for yourself after the baby is born and struggling with postpartum depression as a young parent. We created this bonus episode just for you and all the expectant and parenting youth in need of relatable, informative insight.  Content Advisory: The stories we are sharing sometimes touch on different kinds of trauma, please take care of yourself while you listen. Host: Kat, Youth Advisory Board Member Participants:  Phillisha, Youth Advisory Board member Cody, Youth Advisory Board member Sarah Ferguson, Birthing The Block  About Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life: Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. It is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law.  Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is supported through a grant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. We are very grateful for their support. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Hilton Foundation.  Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is produced in California. Laws, policies and programs discussed in this episode may be specific to California. Watch our episodes at https://rhep.info/self-taught. Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org Email us with questions, comments, and feedback at fosterreprohealth@youthlaw.org.

  7. 02/12/2024

    It’s Complicated: Mental Health and Foster Care

    Send us Fan Mail Kat, Elyzabeth, Alexis, and Esme talk about the unique challenges (former) foster youth face when accessing the mental healthcare services they need. Esme, Community Policy Associate, Mental Health Team at National Center for Youth Law, points to key resources that you might find useful, drawn from “A Young Person’s Guide to Accessing Affordable Mental Health Care.” Guests share their stories, including the little and big ways that they take care of themselves. As always, we keep it real.    Resources: A Young Person’s Guide to Accessing Affordable Mental Health Care: https://youthlaw.org/resources/young-persons-guide-accessing-affordable-mental-health-services-under-medi-cal Foster Youth Bill of Rights for the State of California: https://fosteryouthhelp.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/276/2020/10/Foster-Youth-Bill-of-Rights-WIC-16001.9_ADAComplaint.pdf A Home Within provides free weekly one-to-one therapy to people who have experienced foster care: https://www.ahomewithin.org/  Content Advisory: The stories we are sharing sometimes touch on different kinds of trauma, please take care of yourself while you listen. Host: Kat, Youth Advisory Board Member  Participants:  Elyzabeth, Youth Advisory Board member Alexis, Youth Advisory Board member Esmeralda Cortez Rosales, Community Policy Associate, Mental Health Team at National Center for Youth Law About Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life: Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. It is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law.  Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is supported through a grant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. We are very grateful for their support. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Hilton Foundation.  Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is produced in California. Laws, policies and programs discussed in this episode may be specific to California. Watch our episodes at https://rhep.info/self-taught. Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org Email us with questions, comments, and feedback at fosterreprohealth@youthlaw.org.

  8. 02/12/2024

    Abortion Care According to Former Foster Youth

    Send us Fan Mail RHEP Youth Advisory Board members Tamar, Phillisha, and Cody discuss abortion care in this open, unflinchingly honest episode.  They share what went into their own decisions when they were pregnant, expand on different kinds of abortion (medication or procedural), explain how to weigh your options, lean on supportive people & more. Alex Morse, Planned Parenthood Community Health Educator, joins the conversation and gives accurate, easy-to-understand abortion care information. It’s your choice—but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.  Resources: www.ExhaleProVoice.org provides after-abortion support.  www.connectandbreathe.org provides after-abortion support.  www.plannedparenthood.org www.abortionfinder.org can help you find an abortion provider near you, nationwide.  https://abortion.ca.gov can help you find an abortion provider and resources in California. www.teenhealthlaw.org provides information on teens' legal rights to consent as it relates to their health and healthcare. 101 Guide to Abortion from Planned Parenthood Teens Guide to Abortion from Planned Parenthood Abortion Rights for California Youth from Planned Parenthood Youth: A Guide for Adult Advocates Content Advisory: The stories we are sharing sometimes touch on different kinds of trauma, please take care of yourself while you listen. Host: Tamar, Youth Advisory Board Member  Participants:  Phillisha, Youth Advisory Board member Brandy, Youth Advisory Board member Alex Morse, Planned Parenthood Community Health Educator About Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life: Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. It is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law.  Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is supported through a grant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. We are very grateful for their support. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Hilton Foundation.  Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is produced in California. Laws, policies and programs discussed in this episode may be specific to California. Watch our episodes at https://rhep.info/self-taught. Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org Email us with questions, comments, and feedback at fosterreprohealth@youthlaw.org.

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5
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3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life, a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. When you are in foster care, there aren’t always people to answer the big questions or to make it easy to open up about sensitive stuff. That’s why we’re bringing these conversations to you. We hope these episodes spark questions and provide resources —for you,— to find answers, feel empowered, and have community. Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law and supported through agrant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Please like and subscribe to our podcast to get future episodes. Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org. ©National center for Youth Law

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