Welcome back to Fostering Compassion, the podcast that goes beyond thoughts and prayers to provide real support. In this episode, we dive into the power of nonviolence just in time for the Season of Nonviolence.

Our last episode touched on crucial issues like the Child Tax Credit and foster youth support. Exciting news on bipartisan bills addressing these concerns. But now, let's shift gears to nonviolence – a theme close to my heart.

As we kick off the Season of Nonviolence, inspired by Gandhi and MLK Jr., we delve into the principles that shape peaceful change. Did you know it only takes 3.5% of a population to engage in nonviolent resistance to bring about change?

Join me in exploring historical nonviolent movements, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Greensboro lunch counter sit-in, and the impactful ACT UP demonstrations during the AIDS epidemic. These stories remind us that nonviolence can truly reshape societies.

We'll also look ahead, discussing current issues and how we can incorporate nonviolence into our lives. Want creative ways to take action? Check out the 198 nonviolent actions at aeinstein.org.

Don't miss this insightful journey into nonviolence, courage, and compassion. Tune in, engage, and let's foster a culture of peace together.

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Reach out: Tibby@FosteringCompassionpod.com

• Child Tax Credit
• Bill Before Congress Would Provide Foster Youth With Guaranteed Income
• The Flint, Michigan, Sit-Down Strike
• Arab Spring  
• US Campaign for Palestinian Rights
• Carnegie Global Protest Tracker
• 198 nonviolent actions  
• Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict Erica Chenoweth Maria J. Stephan
• This Is an Uprising: How Nonviolent Revolt Is Shaping the Twenty-First Century Mark Engler, Paul Engler
• The Force of Nonviolence: The Ethical in the Political Judith Butler

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In this episode focused on Poverty Awareness Month, Tibby discusses insights from Matthew Desmond's book "Poverty by America," highlighting the cyclical challenges people who live in poverty face. The episode emphasizes the need for a shift in societal perspectives, challenging the misconception that poor individuals aren't paying their fair share. Tibby delves into the causes of poverty, such as housing shortages, zoning laws, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. She underscores the importance of policies like the child tax credit, highlighting its positive impact on child poverty rates. The discussion extends to issues like wage theft, difficulties in accessing assistance programs, and the role of mass incarceration in perpetuating poverty. Tibby suggests solutions, including reinstating the child tax credit, easing TANF restrictions, closing tax loopholes, and supporting unions. She also encourages individuals to take action at the community level, emphasizing the power of leveraging influence within institutions to instigate positive change. The episode concludes with a call to reflect on ethical beliefs and take collective action to address systemic issues contributing to poverty.
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Reach out: Tibby@FosteringCompassionpod.com

• U.S. prison labor programs violate fundamental human rights, new report finds
• Exploitation of Incarcerated Workers (ACLU)
• Study: Wage Theft Runs Rampant During Recessions
• How companies rip off poor employees — and get away with it (AP)
• Company wage tracker (Economic Policy Institue) 
• States send kids to foster care and their parents the bill (NPR)
• NJ: groundbreaking fair housing model must be safeguarded and strengthened
• Record Rise in Poverty Highlights Importance of Child Tax Credit (Center or Budget and Policy Priorities)
• Gentrification’s Role in the Eviction Crisis (Eviction Lab)
• 'This isn't trivial': Applying for welfare benefits is too difficult, low-income Americans say (USA Today)
• Customer Service Experiences and Enrollment Difficulties Vary Widely (Urban Institute) 
• These states will see a minimum-wage increase in 2024 (USA Today)

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In this engaging episode, Tibby takes you on a journey to discover the perfect volunteer opportunity that aligns with your values and interests. From sharing personal experiences with CASA to providing practical tips on choosing a cause that resonates, this episode is a heartfelt exploration of the impact of volunteer work. Learn how to draw inspiration from current events, align your efforts with personal values, and even explore career-related volunteer opportunities. The host shares stories of volunteering in a variety of ways and dives into creative ways to give back, including mental health first aid certification and socially conscious shopping. Whether you're new to volunteering or looking to rekindle your passion for making a difference, this episode offers insightful advice and actionable tips. Join Tibby in discovering the transformative power of meaningful volunteer work and be inspired to take that step towards creating positive change in your community. Don't miss out – tune in now and find your path to making a real impact!

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Reach out: Tibby@FosteringCompassionpod.com

Mayo Clinic: 3 Health Benefits of Volunteering
boycott
Donegood.co
bLab
girlswhocode.com/get-involved
mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course
ESG, SRI, and Impact Investing: What's the Difference?
Death in the Sandbox: West Chicago, IL., Neighborhood Quakes Over Radioactive Soil
canine.org

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In this episode,  Tibby discusses her personal experience and thoughts on the foster care system. She highlights the shortage of foster homes, unsuitable living conditions in some foster homes, and the issue of children sleeping in government offices and hotels. She also addresses the failure of the foster care system, inadequate treatment and mental health care for foster youth, and the challenges they face. She explores the reasons for child welfare involvement, racial disparities in the system, and the impact of the opioid crisis on foster care.
 
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Reach out: Tibby@FosteringCompassionpod.com

Sources:
How many kids are in foster care? (USA Facts)
Median months in foster care  (USA Facts)
Ohio's Foster Care Crisis Forcing Hundreds of Kids to Sleep in Offices (Clevescene)
Five years on, the Family First act has failed in its aims (The Hill)
State sued for holding foster children in jail due to lack of housing (Chicago Sun Times)
Foster Children Held in Jails, Shelters — Workers Threatened, Attacked: A State Agency in Crisis (The Illinois Answers Project)
Ohio kids being sent out of state for mental health treatment. Address crisis now (Columbus Dispatch)
Illinois DCFS Director Marc Smith found in contempt of court for 12th time over improper placement of child (CBS News)
What are the outcomes for youth placed in group and institutional settings? (Casey Family Programs)
Away From Home Study (ThinkofUs.org)
Foster Youth Mental Health (National Foster Youth Institute)
AAP-AACAP-CHA Declaration of a National Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health (American Academy of Pediatrics)
How a System Designed to Protect US Children Actually Traumatizes Them (Human Rights Watch)
Poverty and Child Neglect: How Did We Get It Wrong? (National Conference of State Legislatures)
Black Children Continue to Be Dispr

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Host Tibby Starks interviews guest Sarah Buffie, MSW, LSW of Soul Bird Consulting to discuss her five core convictions that have completely changed how she approaches relationships. These convictions include the understanding that trauma is stored in the body, regulation is a practice, perceived and real threat feel the same in the body, trauma symptoms are survival strategies, and healing happens in relationship.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of community and relationships in the healing journey and acknowledges the mental health crisis that many individuals, including foster youth, are facing. Tibby and Sarah also discuss the overlap between physical and emotional pain and the impact of trauma on the brain. They encourage individuals to focus on small gestures of compassion and to change the system by changing themselves.

Sarah Buffie, MSW, LSW/Soul Bird Consulting:
Soul Bird Consulting | Instagram | Facebook

Email Tibby: Tibby@FosteringCompassionpod.com

• David Trelevin
• SPOT Theory 
• The Body Keeps the Score

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December 10th marks the 75th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights. In this episode, host Tibby Starks interviews DEI, policy expert, and Master of Human Rights Dalveer Hargobind Kaur about her life and work. Together, they challenge us to leverage kindness, compassion and hope to make a difference for others in our communities. 

Have You Heard George's Podcast?

Human Rights Books

Craig Mokhiber's resignation letter

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Email Tibby: Tibby@FosteringCompassionpod.com

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Hey ya'll, welcome back to Fostering Compassion! Did you know Homeless Youth Awareness Month is just wrapping up? In this episode, host Tibby Starks shines a light on this issue while dispelling a few myths about homelessness. She also sits down with JT Szabo, the Associate Director of Development & Communication of Daybreak Dayton, to talk about what the organization does now and what it aims to do in the future to aid the homeless youth in the community. And of course, as promised in every episode, Tibby shares what actionable steps you can take to help the homeless youth in your community today. Enjoy!


Get started here: ChildWelfare.Gov

Get Involved with Daybreak:  Website  |  Instagram  | Facebook  |  LinkedIn  |  YouTube


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Email Tibby: Tibby@FosteringCompassionpod.com

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If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help:
Call or Text 988.

The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.



Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or Text 1-800-487-4889

SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

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Welcome to the first episode of Fostering Compassion! If you're looking for a podcast that bridges the gap between “sending thoughts and prayers” to actually providing support that people need, you've found the right one! 

In this episode, host Tibby Starks shares what sparked her interest in Compassionate Advocacy, what the mission of this podcast is, and a few tips on how to strengthen your compassion skills so that you can be a soft place to land for the people you encounter and yourself. Enjoy, ya'll!

Follow: @FosteringCompassionpod

Reach out: Tibby@FosteringCompassionpod.com

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NYT Opinion: We Have Become a Lonely Nation. It’s Time to Fix That (Vivek H. Murthy,  Surgeon General )

Press Release: New Surgeon General Advisory Raises Alarm about the Devastating Impact of the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation in the United States: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/03/new-surgeon-general-advisory-raises-alarm-about-devastating-impact-epidemic-loneliness-isolation-united-states.html

Compassion does not fatigue! (Dr. Trisha Dowling)

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help:

Call or Text 988.

The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or Text 1-800-487-4889

SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

fosteringcompassionpod.com