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Fostering Change

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Comfort Cases founder Rob Scheer hosts this inspiring show about how communities can come together to bring dignity and hope to children in the foster care system. Guests will include former youth in foster care, foster parents, celebrities touched by the foster care system, child welfare advocates, and everyday people working to improve the lives of kids in care. Rob brings a sense of positivity and humor to his conversations. If you have a story to tell as it relates to foster care or any questions, please email fosteringchange@comfortcases.org. And please follow Comfort Cases @comfortcases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Location:

United States

Description:

Comfort Cases founder Rob Scheer hosts this inspiring show about how communities can come together to bring dignity and hope to children in the foster care system. Guests will include former youth in foster care, foster parents, celebrities touched by the foster care system, child welfare advocates, and everyday people working to improve the lives of kids in care. Rob brings a sense of positivity and humor to his conversations. If you have a story to tell as it relates to foster care or any questions, please email fosteringchange@comfortcases.org. And please follow Comfort Cases @comfortcases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Language:

English


Episodes

Hustling With Heart: How Mike Thorne is Helping Others Find Their Personal Trust Communities

3/28/2023
Mike Thorne’s focus of work is Human Transformation. He accomplishes this through an association with Vistage Worldwide, the largest Peer Advisory firm, and his work as Chairman of the National Council for Adoption. As the author of the new book, Hustle With Heart: Unlocking Self-Worth Through Personal Trust Communities, he works to help people transform and thrive - at home and at work - to find a better way forward with their lives. Mike is the former President of Yankee Candle and...

Duration:00:26:03

Helping Children Make a Unique Contribution to the World: Childhelp’s Michael Medoro

3/21/2023
Michael leads the executive efforts of the national nonprofit organization, Childhelp – a national leader in the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse. Childhelp believes that every child has a unique contribution to make to the world. Prior to his role with Childhelp, Michael has served in executive leadership roles with other national and international nonprofit organizations such as Easter Seals and Project CURE. Currently pursuing a PhD in Education from Seattle...

Duration:00:25:59

A Discussion About How the Pandemic Affected the Lives of Youth in Foster Care

3/14/2023
In this week's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer has an enlightening conversation with Bhavini Solanki, Director of Foster Care for Amerigroup’s Georgia Families 360 Program. In her role, she is responsible for the healthcare of children and youth in state custody, those who have been adopted through Georgia’s foster care system and a few hundred Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) managed members. Bhavini works collaboratively with all the state agencies to maintain quality outcomes...

Duration:00:29:55

Growing up Homeless and in Foster Care and Rise to Become a Nationally Renowned Advocate for Child Welfare

3/7/2023
David Ambroz, author of “A Place Called Home” is a national poverty and child welfare expert and advocate. He was recognized by President Obama as an American Champion of Change. In writing about the book, Hillary Clinton stated: “It’s impossible to read… and not want to redouble your efforts to fight the systems of poverty that have plagued America for far too long.” David currently serves as the Head of Community Engagement (West) for Amazon. Previously he led Corporate Social...

Duration:00:34:57

Learning to Live with “Grace and Empathy”

2/28/2023
In this week's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer talks with Marpheen Chan, Author of “Moon in Full: A Modern Coming of Age Story”. Mapheen is an advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. As a gay, first-generation Asian American born in California to a Cambodian refugee family and later adopted by an evangelical, white working-class family in Maine, Marpheen uses a mix of humor and storytelling to help people view topics such as racism, xenophobia, and homophobia through an...

Duration:00:27:25

Nolapapa Dispels the One Sided View of the Stereotypical American Family

2/21/2023
Happy Mardi Gras! Today Rob talks with New Orleans’ own Erik Adrian Alexander - otherwise known as the creator of the “Nola Papa” brand, website, podcast and a soon-to-come magazine! You’ll truly get a sense of his energy and motivation to make the world a better place for us all! Erik, married to his husband and has three children, also talks about his latest book, “The Adventures of Addie Underwater”, which was inspired by his daughters' love for mermaids. Erik shares his experience of...

Duration:00:21:15

A Very Special Valentine’s Day Episode: Rob Scheer Interviews his Son, Makai

2/14/2023
It was January 2009, and the doorbell rang at Rob and Reece Scheer’s townhouse in Washington, DC. Standing there was Sheri, a *“... social worker, holding the hand of a little boy with long cornrows and big, black eyes. He was two but he looked really little, less than a year old. Holding Sheri’s other hand was a young girl. ‘This is Amaya,’ Sheri said. ‘Amaya say hi to Mr. Rob. And this is Makai’. Makai didn’t react.” This was to be their third home since September. And that was Rob’s...

Duration:00:18:12

Kenisha Anthony - Living Life Despite Barriers

2/7/2023
A first-generation college graduate, award-winning advocate for youth, and author. Known for being resilient and bold, Kenisha Anthony is an outspoken activist utilizing her experiences to empower others. As a foster care visionary, she starred in the documentary, Foster Shock and has been featured on NPR and in Essence Magazine. Join our host Rob Scheer as he talks with Kenisha about her eye-opening memoir, LABELED, Story Key Notes: 🖐️ Purpose of writing memoir 🖐️ Lived experiences as...

Duration:00:28:48

National Miss Curvy 2022, Angelina Blare says: “Be the Change You Wish to See.”

1/31/2023
What happens when your adoption fails? And it’s your own grandmother who says it’s not working out? In this week’s episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer talks with a true survivor: Angelina Blare, National Miss Curvy 2022. Angelina is a member of QPI Nevada, member of the Child Justice Task Force for the State of Nevada and panel Speaking Guest for DCFS Nevada. She is using her platform to bring awareness to the many issues children in foster care face. Angelina is a young superstar - she...

Duration:00:23:40

From Chaos to Clarity with Marci Hopkins

1/24/2023
“Once I put down the drink, I just celebrated 7 years of sobriety... is when I really started healing from all of the pain from my trauma." Today, host Rob Scheer discuss addiction, abuse and amazing recovery with Marci Hopkins, author of “Chaos to Clarity: Seeing the Signs and Breaking the Cycles”. Marci is also host of the daily TV show, “Wake Up with Marci”, a show of “empowerment, celebrity inspiration, and learning to live our happiest lives!”. This week's episode of Fostering Change...

Duration:00:31:39

Dave Silbert's So What Else - Youth Development and Hunger Relief Non-Profit

1/17/2023
In this week's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer talks with Dave Silbert, Co-Founder & Executive Director of So What Else. For as long as he can remember, Dave has always wanted to help people and serve his community in whatever way he could. As a young adult, Dave gained extensive experience working with people as the Assistant Director of an in-patient rehabilitation facility in California. After returning to the East Coast, he started his own personal training and sports coaching...

Duration:00:23:04

Emily Chang Joins Rob Scheer to Discuss Social Legacy, and How to Lead With Authentic Purpose.

1/10/2023
In this week's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer talks with Emily Chang, author of The Spare Room. Emily has 23yrs corporate experience and executive leadership at P&G, Apple, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Starbucks. Now the CEO of McCann Worldgroup, China. Prior to joining McCann Worldgroup in 2020, Emily held executive marketing and commercial roles at P&G, Starbucks, Apple, and InterContinental Hotels Group. Known for designing innovative O+O branded experiences, she has led...

Duration:00:29:43

Debbie Riley, Discussing Mental Health Services for the Foster Care and Adoption Communities

1/3/2023
In this week's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer talks with Debbie Riley, LCMFT CEO and Co-founder of the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.), a nonprofit adoptive family support center in the DC metro area. A nationally recognized adoption expert and public speaker, Ms. Riley is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 40 years of professional experience, including extensive health care management, administration, design and development of nationally acclaimed...

Duration:00:26:15

Lauren Ruotolo, Inspirational Advocate for Women and the Disabled

12/27/2022
In this week's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer talks with Lauren Ruotolo. Lauren is the author of “Unstoppable in Stilettos”, inspirational speaker and award winning content producer. At 18 months Lauren was diagnosed with a rare disease called McCune Albright's Syndrome which left her walking with crutches full time at the age of 5 years old. After spending more than 20 years in magazine publishing and healthcare, Lauren now commits 100% of her time advocating for the 61 million...

Duration:00:29:32

Damon Davis Shares His Journey Through Life as an Adoptee to Becoming an Adoptive Parent Himself

12/20/2022
Please note that this episode was initially scheduled to air in November, National Adoption Awareness Month. We acknowledge all, such as our guest Damon Davis, who continue raising awareness about adoption. In this week's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer talks with author and podcast host Damon Davis. Host of the "Who Am I Really?" podcast (www.whoamireallypodcast.com) Damon interviews people who share their stories of adoption and their attempt to find their birth families. He has...

Duration:00:34:01

How this Child of Foster Care Grew Up to be a Wall Street Tycoon & a Proponent of Education and Philanthropy

12/13/2022
In this week's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer talks with Ed Hajim. Ed recounts in his memoir, ON THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED: An Unlikely Journey from the Orphanage to the Boardroom, how he grew-up mainly in orphanages and in foster homes with no consistent family or support system. Feeling at times lonely, angry, jealous and poor. YET, despite huge obstacles, Ed Hajim became a Wall Street executive, a business tycoon of the highest order. Ed learned to survive, to keep himself strong...

Duration:00:29:03

Actor, Author Mike Provenzano talks about giving back to youth in foster care

12/6/2022
In this week's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer talks with Mike Provenzano, Actor and Spokesperson. Mike is a father of 4 boys who became an award winning actor later in life and has been at it for about 6 years now. Mike is someone who enjoys helping others any way that he can, be it advice or any other way. He lived in foster care as a child and always looking for ways to give back. Story Key Notes: 🖐️”Roxy the Reindeer’s Magical Christmas Journey” 🖐️ Giving back and helping...

Duration:00:18:14

What Needs to Change in the Foster Care System - Cody Renegar

11/29/2022
In this week's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer talks with Cody Renegar, Hairstylist, Author and Artist.Cody is a hairstylist, fine artist, and author of the memoir "Changing the Stars." He currently lives in California with his husband, Terry. He has a son, Levi, who, with his partner, Alaya, has given Cody three grandkids. Cody is the hairstylist of choice for many Hollywood entertainment industry celebrities and A-listers. Los Angeles is his main stage, although he also maintains a...

Duration:00:20:25

Closing the Opportunity Gap with Rasie Bamigbade

11/22/2022
In this week's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer talks with Rasie Bamigbade ,Leadership Coach, Author & Speaker. Rasie is a leadership coach, bestseller author of Lead In Your Truth and Speaker. She helps business and corporate leaders lead their teams more effectively through self leadership. Closing the opportunity gap in leadership is at the core of Rasie's work. She does this through her successful coaching program and youth mentorship program. Story Key Notes: 🖐️ Clarity of...

Duration:00:21:38

On National Philanthropy Day We Talk About The Secret to Happiness: GIVING With Gideon Bernstein

11/15/2022
In this week's episode of Fostering Change, we celebrate National Philanthropy Day by bringing on a return guest. Rob Scheer talks with Gideon Bernstein, Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy and the author of The Workbook for Giving: Exercises for identifying the resources, giving goals, and giving strategies for you and your family. Gideon Bernstein has served as a trusted financial advisor to families in Orange County, California, for decades. Currently a...

Duration:00:24:15