Fostering Change

As we conclude our Best of Fostering Change series, we revisit one of our favorite conversations from Season 7 with Emmy Award-winning journalist and producer Pedro Andrade. Pedro is the creator and host of the HBO Max documentary series Somewhat Familiar, which follows his and his husband's journey to parenthood while exploring the many ways families are formed around the world. One episode of the series holds special meaning for the Fostering Change community. Pedro featured Rob Scheer and the Scheer family, sharing an honest and heartfelt look at foster care, adoption, and what permanency can look like in real life. In this conversation, Rob and Pedro continue that discussion, exploring how storytelling can broaden our understanding of family, elevate the voices of children in foster care, and inspire more compassionate conversations about belonging. Conversation Highlights How storytelling can reshape our understanding of family and belonging Why foster care deserves a place in global conversations about family Pedro's journey to parenthood through adoption The impact of featuring the Scheer family in Somewhat Familiar The role documentaries and media can play in reducing stigma and inspiring change Looking Ahead Thank you for joining us throughout our Best of Fostering Change summer series. Next week, we begin an exciting new chapter. Season 8 premieres with the same meaningful conversations, inspiring guests, and commitment to children and families, but under a brand-new name: Comfort Cases UnPacked We'll continue exploring the issues surrounding foster care while also unpacking the stories, challenges, solutions, and conversations that matter most. We hope you'll join us as we begin this exciting new season! Connect with Pedro Andrade Instagram: @pedroandradeTV Series: Somewhat Familiar with Pedro Andrade (HBO Max) Thank You for Listening If you've enjoyed these conversations, please follow, like, comment, and share the podcast. Your support helps us grow our audience and bring these important stories to more people. From all of us at Fostering Change, thank you for listening, for sharing this journey with us through seven incredible seasons, and for believing that every child deserves dignity, belonging, and hope. We'll see you next week for the premiere of Comfort Cases UnPacked.

With just two episodes remaining in our Best of Fostering Change series, we’re revisiting one of the most moving conversations from Season 7. Rob sits down with Lindsay Lendyak, South Carolina State Director for Isaiah 117 House, an organization transforming one of the most traumatic moments in a child’s life: the day they enter foster care. Rather than spending hours in a government office while caseworkers search for a placement, children are welcomed into a warm, home-like environment. There, they can enjoy a meal, receive clean clothes, play, rest, and simply be children. It’s a model built on dignity, compassion, and the belief that a child’s first hours in foster care shouldn’t add to their trauma. Conversation Highlights * What “Removal Day” is really like for children entering foster care * How Isaiah 117 House replaces fear and uncertainty with comfort, stability, and hope * The critical role trauma-informed volunteers play during a child’s first hours in care * Why supporting caseworkers and foster families strengthens the entire child welfare system * How Isaiah 117 House continues to expand its impact through community partnerships Looking Ahead There’s just one more Best of Fostering Change episode before we begin an exciting new chapter. This fall, we’ll return with Season 8 under our new podcast name: Comfort Cases UnPacked Same mission. Same meaningful conversations. A new name that better reflects our commitment to unpacking the issues, challenges, and solutions surrounding foster care and child welfare. We can’t wait for you to join us for this next chapter! Connect with Isaiah 117 House Website: isaiah117house.comYork County Facebook: facebook.com/isaiah117houseyorkcoscYork County Instagram: instagram.com/isaiah117houseyorkcoscYork County Linktree: linktr.ee/isaiah117houseyorkcoscGreenville County Linktree: linktr.ee/isaiah117housegreenvillescHorry County Linktree: linktr.ee/isaiah117househorrycosc Thank You for Listening If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, like, comment, and share Fostering Change. Your support helps us reach more people and continue these important conversations about foster care, adoption, and child welfare. Join us next week for our final Best of Fostering Change episode before we return this fall as Comfort Cases UnPacked. Thank you for listening—and thank you for being a GOOD HUMAN.

Our Best of Fostering Change series continues with an inspiring conversation that reminds us of the life-changing power of education. Rob sits down with Shanté Elliott—a former foster youth, learning scientist, social entrepreneur, and founder of TasselTurn, an innovative organization helping foster and housing-insecure students graduate from high school and successfully transition into adulthood. What began with a $300 grant has grown into a nationally recognized platform that combines mentorship, coaching, technology, and milestone-based incentives to help young people realize their potential. Through her own lived experience and groundbreaking research, Shanté is proving that when we invest in young people—and redesign systems to support them—extraordinary things can happen. The educational barriers many foster and housing-insecure youth face How TasselTurn is helping students stay engaged and reach graduation Why technology can be a powerful tool for creating opportunity and accountability How Shanté's own foster care journey inspired her life's work The importance of believing in young people's potential—and building systems that help them succeed We're now halfway through August, with just three more "Best of Fostering Change" episodes before we launch Season 8 this fall. When we return, you'll hear the same meaningful conversations and inspiring guests—but under our new podcast name: Comfort Cases UnPacked. We can't wait to share this exciting next chapter with you! Website: https://www.tasselturn.org Instagram: @tasselturn LinkedIn: TasselTurn If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to like, follow, comment, and share the podcast. Your support helps us reach more people, elevate important conversations, and advocate for children and families experiencing foster care. Thank you for listening—and thank you for being a GOOD HUMAN. Conversation HighlightsLooking AheadConnect with Shanté Elliott & Tassel Turn Thank You for Listening

Season 7 Episode 289

Season 7 Episode 288