Days of Our Lives and Hallmark Channel star Jen Lilley is a foster-to-adopt mom and philanthropist who donates tons of her time, money and energy to championing the cause of foster youth. In this episode she takes time out of her busy filming schedule to discuss why she chose to spotlight foster care and adoption as her cause of choice.

In the episode Jen details how she and her husband decided to begin fostering and how they ultimately adopted two siblings, as well as eventually having two biological children, as well. She discusses her faith and how it helps guide her in all her decision making, and discusses being a celebrity ambassador for Childhelp.org as well as her work with Tulsa Girls Home (TulsaGirlsHome.org), relaying the magical synchronicities that led her to partner with Founder/CEO Brittany.

Jen also discusses the goal of reunification and how and why a child would be adopted when that goal isn't possible. She talks about how she managed / manages being a busy actress and foster mom/mom, and she shares about her previous work with "Christmas Is Not Cancelled" as well as her new venture with RaiseTheReel.com - a very special opportunity to become involved, help charity and filmmakers and have a walk on roll in one of her movies!

She also mentions CharityFinder.org as a great way to find legitimate charities to support, and mentions asking for an organization's 990 form https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-990 to see where their money is going.

Just a quick message of thanks and gratitude for supporting the show and an update on what's next.

We're currently working on a Season 2. I am also finishing up an offering that I hope to have out in early summer:

Two new books:

From Foster to Forever: Surviving the Journey (A handbook for Parents) and

From Foster to Forever: A workbook to help you decide if foster-to-adopt is for you.

I'll have a pre-order link up as soon as it's available.

In the meantime, if you have already left a rating/review wherever you listen to the show, thanks so much! If you haven't yet, I know we're all busy but it really helps get the show out to others and I would really appreciate it - plus, it's good karma! :)

Finally, if you know any folks with awesome foster to adopt stories who might like to be on the pod, please send them my way.

That's all for now. Bye!

I couldn't think of a better way to close out Season One than by sharing Stacey and Demi's unique story. It begins when Stacey was a new teacher in her first job. Demi was a pre-teen with a challenging family life. At school she was "always in trouble", but Stacey found a way to connect with her. When Demi ended up needing a foster home, the only person she could think of to call was Stacey. And so began their life together.

This is such a great conversation because we have both Stacey and Demi, able to share their story from both sides, foster mom and adoptee, with the gift of perspective and hindsight. They have such a beautiful relationship and they're both so strong and wise.

In the episode we delve into their twisty and often tumultuous road to forever. We talk about the difficulties on both sides of the relationship, growth and bonding out of chaos, and learning how to trust and feel safe. The "honeymoon" period vs. the reality of day to day living.

Demi dispels myths of all foster teens being into drugs and drinking and also discusses why she and her sister weren't placed together and what their active relationship with her birth family looks like today.

We touch on defiance, counseling, challenges, baggage, establishing a rhythm, routine and boundaries, and unconditional love, as well as healing, recovery and Demi's own journey into motherhood - and the many insights that is bringing.

It's such a rich exchange, and I'm so grateful for their openness and vulnerability in sharing their story on our show. I can't wait for you to listen.