The latest episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast is spent with Barry Farmer. He is not only an adoptive father but a strong voice for foster care and adoption advocacy. Barry walks us through his personal narrative — a tale of being raised under kinship care and later becoming a foster parent at quite a young age. Barry and hosts, Travis and Courtney, all represent transracial adoptive families and talk about their unique experiences and observations in this space, sharing a few laughs along the way. The difficulties and delights that come with transracial adoption are among the key points Barry delves into, underscoring the value of having a cultural grasp, which plays significantly into such adoptions. His discussion also touches on his advocacy initiatives as well as the support system he extends to fellow foster and adoptive families, thus painting a complete picture of his involvement within this space.

Barry sheds light on his journey as both a foster and adoptive parent: an exploration into some of the challenges and joys involved in raising older children from foster care— an often misconceived endeavor riddled with preconceived notions which, according to him, only serve to create unnecessary barriers between parents and these children who direly need love and affection. Farmer speaks about the importance of advocacy and speaking out for children in foster care who tend to be forgotten. He shares details about his radio show, the Barry Farmer Morning Show, as well as his involvement in community work that aims to provide support for foster care and adoption. Barry's inspiring story, positive life outlook, and light hearted observations will put a smile on your face as you listen.

Follow Barry on socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambarryfarmer/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barry.farmer.33

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Hosts Brian Mavis, Travis Vangsnes, and Courtney Williams present the Foster Friendly podcast in its debut episode. The show seeks to widen the Foster Friendly effort, which includes The Foster Friendly App, designed to support foster families. The goal of the podcast is to give foster and adoptive parents information and assistance. This show also seeks to amplify support for foster families, bridging gaps between businesses, faith groups, and public services to create communities where children and families thrive.

Each host introduces themselves and shares their individual stories of adoption and foster care. Courtney Williams begins by summarizing her 17-year journey, which started with problems related to infertility. She and her spouse have fostered about 60 kids over the years and eventually adopted six children. A touching story describes how their kids wrote a letter indicating their want to open their home and life to new foster children, encouraging them to keep fostering.

Travis Vangsnes tells his story, which began while he was employed as a mental health caseworker in St. Louis, Missouri. Prior to adopting two boys, they worked as house parents in a large group home in SC for kids in foster care of all ages. They were then briefly licensed foster parents. Travis also tells a funny anecdote of how, in the middle of a midlife crisis, he made the rash decision to purchase a Greyhound bus for an RV conversion, which he eventually sold.

Brian Mavis (co-founder of America's Kids Belong) talks about how his wife Julie motivated them to become involved in foster care. Julie felt called to serve children without families, and they started their adventure by looking into foster care after realizing how much the US needed foster homes. A caseworker's challenge to Brian to find more families than there were children in need of homes was a turning point in the story; it resulted in the establishment of America's Kids Belong.

The hosts highlight their commitment as an organization to helping foster and adoptive families throughout the episode, discussing both the difficulties and the blessings of their experiences. They lay out the objectives of the podcast, which include uplifting narratives, educating listeners on the needs of kids in the foster care system, and offering resources and support to foster/ adoptive parents and businesses and faith communities supporting them.

Learn more about America's Kids Belong.

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.

To sign up for our 2024 FosterCon Webinar Series, go to AmericasKidsBelong.org/lp/Fostercon-Webinars

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Foster Friendly Business or sponsoring the show, please visit AmericasKidsBelong.org/Foster-Friendly-Business