Best Reactive Attachment Disorder Podcasts (2025)

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Understanding FASD in Foster Care & Adoption with Sandra Flach 54:35

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1d ago54:35

54:35

Sandra Flach shares her family's journey with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and provides essential knowledge for foster and adoptive parents raising children with prenatal alcohol exposure. • FASD affects 1 in 20 children in the United States—more prevalent than autism • Only 10% of children with FASD display the facial features needed for diagno…

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Mobilizing the Church for Foster Care with Dr. John DeGarmo 38:11

23d ago38:11

38:11

Dr. John DeGarmo, founder of the Foster Care Institute and foster parent to over 60 children, takes us on a powerful journey into the heart of foster care ministry. Having witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of faith communities on vulnerable children, Dr. John makes a compelling case for why foster care represents "the next great mission…

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REWIND: When The Journey Gets Hard, Faith Is Your Lifeline 33:17

1M ago33:17

33:17

Struggling to find the strength to keep going in your foster care journey? This powerful conversation with missionary and adoptive mom Mandie Summers reveals how faith becomes the essential foundation when the system feels broken and the burden feels too heavy. Mandy never imagined herself as a foster parent until a casual dinner conversation with …

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REWIND: The Unspoken Side of Foster Care & Adoption- When Home Isn't Safe Anymore 1:06:35

1M ago1:06:35

1:06:35

What happens when love isn't enough? When trauma runs so deep that having your child live at home becomes unsafe for everyone involved? This raw, vulnerable conversation with Anna Bernacki pulls back the curtain on one of foster care and adoption's most painful realities – the moment when residential treatment becomes necessary. Anna brings a uniqu…

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REWIND- When Your Tank Runs Empty 34:59

2M ago34:59

34:59

The emotional toll of fostering and adopting can leave even the most dedicated parents running on empty. In this powerful conversation, Nicole T. Barlow welcomes Melissa Smallwood, a counselor and family coach whose perspective is uniquely informed by her experience on both sides of the foster care equation – first as a foster youth who entered the…

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REWIND- Building Community Around Foster Families 46:39

2M ago46:39

46:39

What if your entire city rallied around foster families? Rebecca from Georgia Kids Belong reveals how that vision is becoming reality through the Foster Friendly initiative, a movement transforming how communities support foster care. Rebecca shares the powerful work of their I Belong Project, which creates advocacy videos for children waiting for …

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REWIND: Supporting Biological Kids in the Foster Care and Adoption Journey 39:27

2M ago39:27

39:27

What happens to the children who were already in the home when foster kids arrive? Daniela Coats offers a perspective rarely heard in foster care conversations- that of the birth child. Growing up as the oldest of three biological siblings in a family that began fostering when she was seven, Daniela experienced firsthand the complex emotions that c…

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REWIND: Lessons in Resilience with Raquel McCloud 1:02:50

2M ago1:02:50

1:02:50

Raquel McLeod shares her powerful journey as a birth mother, child of kinship care, and kinship adoptive mom, illustrating how resilience can be cultivated through intentional practices and consistent support. • The nine elements that build resilience include having one stable adult, cultivating self-worth, and prioritizing physical wellness • Phys…

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Praying for the Wounded Child: A Conversation with Virginia Wells 26:54

3M ago26:54

26:54

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Virginia Wells—author, licensed social worker, and adoptive mom—to explore the intersection of faith, adoption, and healing. Virginia shares wisdom from her powerful book Praying for a Wounded Child, offering real-life encouragement and deeply spiritual insights for parents navigating trauma, loss, a…

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E28: Sagging, and earrings, and belts, oh my! 21:34

3M ago21:34

21:34

Confession: It is sometimes hard for me to allow Lane to express himself through his appearance, whether it’s coloring his hair, wearing goofy earrings, or sagging his pants. However, I realize if I stifle this important teen outlet of creativity, the risk of rebelling increases exponentially. I have no research or data to back this up. It’s just m…

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REWIND: Being a Learner as a Foster or Adoptive Parent 37:18

3M ago37:18

37:18

Ever felt like the gap between what you know about trauma and how you respond to it is impossibly wide? In this soul-nourishing conversation with Katrina Campbell, Director of Training at FaithBridgeU, we explore how continuous learning transforms not just our parenting but our spiritual lives. "Suffering moved in with me," Katrina shares, capturin…

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REWIND: The Marriage Behind the Mission- Navigating Foster Care as a Couple 30:56

3M ago30:56

30:56

Parenting children from hard places requires an extraordinary partnership between spouses. In this candid conversation, Nicole interviews her husband Bruce about how they've navigated the challenges and joys of foster parenting as a team. When Nicole first felt called to foster care, Bruce's immediate response was a firm "no." His journey from relu…

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E27: Let's talk about chores, baby! 21:46

3M ago21:46

21:46

Confession: I secretly judge parents and caregivers who do not expect their child or teen to help out around the house with regular chores. I don’t know how many of them are out there, but I certainly know a few personally. I don’t typically judge others, however, I’m gonna get on my soapbox about this one. Also included in this episode: *my shift …

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REWIND: Staying Calm in Chaos: Tools for Foster & Adoptive Parents 23:48

3M ago23:48

23:48

Ever found yourself triggered by your child's meltdown, wondering how to break the cycle of dysregulation? This summer rewind episode tackles one of the most challenging aspects of foster and adoptive parenting: staying calm when everything around you is chaos. Drawing from personal experience as both a certified parent trainer and adoptive mom to …

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E26: Twerking as a therapeutic tool 22:42

3M ago22:42

22:42

Confession: I recently learned in a family therapy session that one cannot be angry and twerk at the same time. Fun fact! Also included in this episode: *more valuable content from Daniel Siegel's book Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain *the handy model of the brain *why the ages of 12-24 are the most dangerous of our lives *the…

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Finding Justice in a Broken Foster Care System 25:18

3M ago25:18

25:18

We confront the reality of injustice in foster care and explore how to effectively advocate for change without burning out or losing sight of our purpose. From recognizing that not every battle is ours to fight, to making strategic relationships within the system, these seven practical tips help foster parents navigate the broken parts of the syste…

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Speaking the Heart Language of Adopted and Foster Children 18:17

3M ago18:17

18:17

Send us a text In this heartfelt episode, adoption author Sherrie Eldridge shares deeply personal insights and practical advice for adoptive and foster parents seeking to connect with their children truly. Drawing from her book 20 Things Adoptive Parents Need to Succeed, Sherrie explores how well-intentioned words can be misinterpreted by adopted c…

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E25: I am Lane's bowling lane bumpers 30:34

4M ago30:34

30:34

Confession: I have started referring to myself as Lane’s bumpers on a bowling lane. I can guide and provide for him, keeping him out of the gutters in adolescence, while at the same time understanding he has free will. I need to trust in his ability to make good choices in the teen years. Lane needs to trust that I will be there for him, even when …

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Becoming Yourself in the Middle of Motherhood with Emma Fulenwider 32:02

4M ago32:02

32:02

Send us a text On this episode, we sit down with Emma Fulenwider—author, literary agent, TEDx speaker, and mother navigating the complexities of modern parenting—to explore what it truly means to belong in a world full of pressure, perfectionism, and plastic toys. Emma shares her personal journey from being an "odd kid" who learned to mimic others …

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E24: I used to think the teen years had to be survived 24:48

4M ago24:48

24:48

Confession: I used to think that the teenage years were something I had to suffer through before Lane grew up to be an adult. But I just found a book that changed all that. I now understand the massive changes the teen brain is undergoing and I look forward to helping Lane harness the power of his powerful new brain so he can thrive in his adolesce…

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Foundations for the Foster Care Journey 32:25

4M ago32:25

32:25

The foundations you build before welcoming foster children into your home will determine whether you merely survive or truly thrive in this challenging calling. Drawing from both professional expertise and personal experience, this episode walks you through four essential preparations every prospective foster parent needs to prioritize. How are you…

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E23: High school- I have to let go and accept what is 17:06

4M ago17:06

17:06

Confession: I have to let go of what I thought high school would be like for Lane and accept the fact that he needs more specialized and individualized attention that simply is not available in a traditional high school. Luckily, there are lots of options out there for kids like mine. The trick is figuring out which one will be the best for Lane. S…

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Seeing and Filling Gaps in Foster Care with Amanda Preston 48:16

4M ago48:16

48:16

What happens when your foster care journey leads you to places you never imagined? Amanda Preston knows this path intimately - from young newlyweds dreaming of "opening an orphanage" to becoming adoptive parents of eight children, veteran foster parents of 16 years, and eventually establishing a mental health clinic supporting neurodivergent famili…

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E22: My best friend ghosted me 25:15

4M ago25:15

25:15

Confession: My best friend of over 30 years ghosted me two years ago. Believe it or not, she shut me out of her life not once, not twice, but a total of three times over the course of our friendship. Also included: *how and when we met *how we stayed close, despite the 1000s of miles between us *our roadtrip to attend the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta *…

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When Love Isn’t Enough: Amy VanTine on Parenting Through RAD 38:41

4M ago38:41

38:41

Send us a text In this deeply moving episode, Sherrie Eldridge welcomes Amy Vantine, a mother, educator, and co-founder of RAD Advocates, to share her harrowing and inspiring journey of parenting a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). From her early dreams of motherhood to the trauma, confusion, and eventual heartbreak of dissolving an ad…

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E21: The more I learn, the less I know 26:36

4M ago26:36

26:36

Confession: I am constantly reminded that the more I learn, the less I know. This week that lesson came in the form of videos on vestibular and proprioceptive systems. What I learned in these videos was super informative and I wish I had learned about it when Lane was young. I also reflect on the the joys and frustrations of my motherhood journey. …

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Beyond the Buzzwords: Why Trauma Knowledge Transforms Parenting with Melissa Pemberton 43:06

5M ago43:06

43:06

Stepping into foster care or adoption without understanding trauma is like trying to navigate unfamiliar terrain without a map. That's why this conversation with Melissa Pemberton, a trauma-aware licensed therapist and parent coach with over 20 years of experience in child welfare, is absolutely essential listening for anyone caring for children fr…

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E20: The embarrassing shoe throwing incident 24:25

5M ago24:25

24:25

Confession: Before I was introduced to TBRI, I once had an epic meltdown, which included throwing all of my shoes on the floor of my bedroom in a rage. I threw every single pair of my shoes as hard as I could onto the hardwood floor while screaming at the top of my lungs. Not my finest moment, but I did apologize to Lane about it afterwards and we …

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E19: I wish I had found TBRI sooner! 35:08

5M ago35:08

35:08

Confession: I wish I had found TBRI Trust Based Relational Interventions when Lane was in Kindergarten instead of 8th grade. In my humble opinion, it is THE SINGLE MOST POWERFUL intervention program foster and adoptive families need to be trained in. Included in this episode: *more on my high-functioning depression *powerful activities from my IOP …

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Breaking the Cycle: Parenting with Trauma Awareness with April Ficklin 58:05

5M ago58:05

58:05

What happens when the romanticized dream of adoption crashes into the complex realities of parenting children from trauma? April Ficklin knows this collision intimately. From a teenage mission trip where she first felt called to adoption, to the Good Friday when her family doubled overnight with the addition of two siblings from foster care, April'…

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E18: Let that shit go! 27:19

5M ago27:19

27:19

Confession: Reliving Lane’s Kindergarten year has been much more difficult than I imagined it would be. Luckily, it didn’t seem to have any lasting impact on Lane. In fact, he doesn’t remember any of it! Included in this episode: *another funny story from my childhood *blog entry written on 8/23/15: Lane is making great gains *disastrous meeting wi…

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E17: I was so optimistic and naive 29:43

5M ago29:43

29:43

Confession: Rereading my blog entries about Lane’s adoption day makes me a bit sad. I was so optimistic and naive. I never would have imagined ending up where we are now. I share two blog entries written right before and immediately after Lane's adoption day in addition to more horror stories of Lane's Kindergarten teacher. Included in this episode…

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Faith in the Trenches 20:00

5M ago20:00

20:00

God shows up in extraordinary ways for foster parents when we embrace the truth that we're participating in His holy work of restoration and redemption. • His grace is sufficient for our weakness, covering our doubts, fears, and mistakes • New mercies arrive each morning—only when we need them, not a moment sooner • Hard things are exactly what Jes…

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E16: I used to be proud to be a teacher... 31:10

6M ago31:10

31:10

Confession: I used to be proud of my career in elementary education…until I had a child who didn’t fit the mold and only then realized how the kids on the ends of the bell curve were not thriving. And in many cases, kids like mine are made to feel like a bad kid or stupid because they do not get the attention and supports they need to experience su…

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Beyond Behavior Management: The Parent's Journey to Felt Safety 35:26

6M ago35:26

35:26

The tension between fostering deep relationships and managing difficult behaviors sits at the heart of every foster and adoptive parent's journey. In this deeply personal exploration, we uncover why our focus often shifts from connection to control—and the surprising neurological reasons behind it. When behaviors are under control and there's order…

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E15: My own worst enemy 24:08

6M ago24:08

24:08

Confession: I used to be my own worst enemy with negative self-talk that I wasn’t even aware I was engaging in. Now that I know, I’m working to becoming my own best friend with self-compassion, self-love, and positive self-talk. I'll share how gratitude is my superpower (when I practice it consistently), my new favorite gratitude journal, and a tri…

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Before You Correct in Trauma Parenting 22:41

6M ago22:41

22:41

What happens in that critical moment when your child's behavior pushes your buttons? That split second before you respond determines whether your correction will actually work or simply bounce off ineffectively. Foster and adoptive parents know the struggle all too well—the same behaviors repeating despite countless corrections. But what if the key…

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E14: I swear a lot! 29:13

6M ago29:13

29:13

Confession: I swear a lot. Well, maybe not a lot, but I definitely swear. Some believe that it’s healthy for you to get it out, but, like all things, only in moderation. Also included: stories from my childhood, more about the How We Feel app, the 5 lies depression tells you, and funny stories about swearing! Oh, and how the Let Them Theory is help…

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Can You Really Help a Child If You Haven't Healed? 21:26

6M ago21:26

21:26

We explore the critical importance of healing for foster and adoptive parents, emphasizing how past experiences shape our parenting. Understanding ourselves allows us to nurture our children effectively while providing the love they need. • Exploring the concept of healing and being a steady presence • The impact of past traumas on parenting styles…

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E13: I had no idea how to process uncomfortable emotions...until recently 28:55

6M ago28:55

28:55

Confession: I didn’t learn how to process my emotions until my mental health crisis when Lane was in 7th grade. To those of you who are emotionally healthy, that may sound crazy. But it’s true. I share how music therapy helped me process emotions, as well as a helpful analogy to understand why processing your feelings is so important. You'll also h…

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When We Aren't Enough- Navigating Out of Home Care with Anna Bernacki 1:05:49

6M ago1:05:49

1:05:49

We explore the complexities of foster care and adoption and the emotional toll trauma takes on families, emphasizing the importance of candid conversations about these challenges. Anna Bernacki shares her personal journey through adoption and how faith has guided her family. • The importance of discussing difficult topics within foster care • Diffe…

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E12: I suffer from depression 23:05

7M ago23:05

23:05

Confession: I suffer from depression: major depressive disorder. But because I am high-functioning and an extrovert, very few people in my life know this about me- even many close friends and family members. I reflect on why my depression seems to hide in plain sight as well as explain some of my most troublesome symptoms of depression. I also shar…

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The Things We Don't Say Out Loud in Foster Care and Adoption 23:14

7M ago23:14

23:14

The latest episode explores the multifaceted challenges of foster care and adoption, inviting listeners to engage with the often unspoken truths of this journey. By addressing hard topics with compassion, the episode emphasizes the importance of validating the experiences of caregivers and children alike while encouraging open conversations. • Vali…

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E11: Woefully underprepared 26:27

7M ago26:27

26:27

Confession: Despite my extensive background working with children as an educator, I was woefully underprepared to parent a child with developmental trauma. Also included are stories of Lane's dancing abilities and how they showed themselves at a very young age! Included in this episode: *Lane's dancing at a wedding *the terms "wounded children" and…

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Spiritual Armor for Foster and Adoptive Families 22:02

7M ago22:02

22:02

This episode explores the spiritual warfare that foster parents face as they navigate their unique challenges. By emphasizing the importance of guarding our minds, nurturing relationships, prioritizing self-care, and cultivating gratitude, we equip ourselves to combat discouragement and support each other through this journey. • Understanding spiri…

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E10: Comparison is the thief of joy 31:16

7M ago31:16

31:16

Confession: In those early years, I often looked at other families and thought, “It must be nice to have a kid who…” (dot, dot, dot, fill in the blank). I still catch myself doing it sometimes, even now. But comparison is the thief of joy. I’m learning to let that shit go! I share how comparisons with other families caused me suffering, as well as …

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E9: To medicate or not to medicate? That is the question... 24:53

7M ago24:53

24:53

Confession: I can’t imagine what it would have been like to parent my son without the help of medication to manage his symptoms of ADHD and ODD. I explain that although I am no expert and I believe this is a decision not to be taken lightly, medication certainly helped Lane. I don't judge families who don't medicate their child; I ask that you not …

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6 Signs That You Are Headed For Burnout 21:27

7M ago21:27

21:27

Overwhelming exhaustion is a challenge that many foster and adoptive parents experience, often without acknowledgment. This episode discusses burnout's signs, neurological impact, and practical steps toward healing and renewal. • Exploring the definition of burnout what it looks like in parents • Recognizing signs indicating a move in that directio…

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E8: I don't have a daddy! 29:31

8M ago29:31

29:31

Confession: When Lane was little, not having a daddy was much harder on him than being adopted was. As a single adoptive mama, this was not something I was prepared for. I also provide an update on my parents as they start to rebuild their lives in their temporary housing after losing everything in the Palisades fire of January 7, 2025. Included in…

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Fostering Compassion: The Heart of the Father 17:31

8M ago17:31

17:31

The episode dives deep into the challenges foster parents face, emphasizing the necessity of grace for both parents and children. It explores the importance of self-care amidst stress and the transformative power of faith through the story of the Prodigal Son. • Sharing personal struggles with stress and parenting • The vital need for self-care amo…