This episode kicks off the Foster Friendly Podcast’s "aging out" series with Sensei Dave Armstrong, a foster care and juvenile justice alum, former Air Force veteran, mentor, author, and advocate. Dave shares how instability, trauma, and survival shaped his early years, and how two consistent adults helped redirect his life toward service, discipline, and purpose.

Travis, Kristin, and Dave discuss what foster parents need to understand about trust, why youth from foster care often gravitate toward the military, and how authentic, steady adult support can change a child’s trajectory. Dave also explains the thinking behind his book, his nonprofit work, and why he believes every caring adult should pick one kid and stay with them.

Book Sensei Dave to speak and checkout his books and resources:
https://www.upna.net/speaking

Takeaways

• Sensei Dave's background and journey from foster care to military service
• The importance of authentic relationships and trust-building with foster youth
• The role of mentorship and consistent adult presence in youth development
• The impact of martial arts on discipline, respect, and personal growth
• The significance of understanding trauma and individual needs in foster care
• Strategies for foster parents to build trust and resilience
• The connection between military service and life skills for foster youth
• The importance of hope and positive identity in overcoming adversity
• Authentic relationships and consistency are crucial for foster youth to build trust.
• Martial arts can teach discipline, respect, and humility, transforming lives.
• Foster parents should avoid expecting immediate trust; trust is earned over time.
• Every child is unique and requires tailored support and understanding.
• Mentors and caring adults can significantly alter the trajectory of foster youth.
• Building a safe, supportive environment is essential for healing and growth.
• Foster youth need to feel that their lives matter and that they have agency.
• Resilience can be cultivated through hope, purpose, and positive relationships.
• The military provides structure, discipline, and a sense of belonging that can benefit foster youth.
• Impacting even one child's life can be a profound and lasting legacy.

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

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.

Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis Vangsnes and Kristen Allender reflect on the impactful leadership of Brian Mavis (co founder of America's Kids Belong) who is taking on a new ministry role and stepping out of the organization and the podcast. They share his memorable quotes and leadership principles that have shaped AKB's work in the nonprofit sector, emphasizing the importance of community support, family over programs, and the need for asset-based approaches to community change.

The conversation shifts to the Foster Friendly initiative, highlighting its recent achievements in Tennessee, including an innovation award and the activation of over a thousand businesses to support foster families! They also delve into the Foster Friendly app, explaining its purpose and how it connects foster families with community resources. Finally, they look ahead to upcoming conversations and initiatives, emphasizing the importance of sharing stories and experiences from those who have experienced foster care.

Download the Foster Friendly App:
https://americaskidsbelong.org/foster-friendly-communities/foster-friendly-app/

Pickup a copy of Brian's book- Go Upstream: Diving Into Foster Care To Heal 10 Social Wounds
https://a.co/d/04kn7GW0

Learn more how your business can become Foster Friendly:
https://americaskidsbelong.org/foster-friendly-business/

Takeaways

• Brian Mavis transitioned to a local pastoring role, leaving a significant impact on America's Kids Belong.
• Personal hobbies, like horseback riding, can provide essential self-care and stress relief.
• The right people in an organization matter more than impressive credentials.
• A great family is more beneficial than any program for children in need.
• Real community change should focus on existing assets rather than deficits.
• Leadership should prioritize retention of current supporters before recruiting new ones.
• Humility in leadership includes acknowledging past mistakes and learning from them.
• Community support systems are crucial for fostering families.
• Equine therapy can be a valuable resource for emotional well-being.
• Collaboration among sectors is essential for effective community change. Trust is essential in the nonprofit sector.
• Collaboration can lead to greater impact.
• Brian Mavis was a visionary leader.
• Foster Friendly has activated over a thousand businesses.
• The Foster Friendly app connects families with resources.
• Community support is crucial for foster families.
• Innovative solutions can emerge from unexpected partnerships.
• Recognizing the contributions of individuals is important.
• Future conversations will focus on aging out of foster care.
• National Adoption Awareness Month will bring new resources.

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

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.

Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, Travis and Courtney celebrate the show’s 100th episode while welcoming Kristin Allender as the podcast’s new cohost. As Courtney prepares to step away, Kristin shares her background as an adoptee, social worker, longtime Executive Director of Tennessee Kids Belong, and now CEO of America's Kids Belong. She reflects on a career that has taken her from child abuse investigations in Los Angeles to helping build foster-friendly communities across the country.

The three look back on memorable episodes, lessons learned, and the perspectives that have shaped the podcast over its first 100 episodes. Courtney shares how hearing from foster parents, former foster youth, adoptees, and other voices has encouraged her even after 20 years of fostering. The conversation also explores the importance of keeping children at the center of foster care decisions and creating communities that support foster families rather than simply recruiting more of them.

Kristin shares an inspiring example of what it means for everyone to find their role in foster care. She tells the story of a Tennessee car dealership that began helping foster families access larger vehicles so siblings could remain together—and how that simple idea inspired other dealerships to get involved. The episode closes with a look at what’s ahead for the podcast, including an upcoming series featuring former foster youth who have aged out of care, and Courtney offers a final message of gratitude to listeners who have supported the show through its first 100 episodes.

Takeaways

• The Foster Friendly Podcast celebrates its 100th episode.
• Kristin Allender is joining the podcast as its new cohost.
• Kristin’s experience as an adoptee helped lead her toward a career in social work.
• Her career has included child abuse investigations, adoption work, and leadership within America’s Kids Belong.
• Courtney reflects on the encouragement and practical tools she has gained from the podcast while fostering.
• Listening to different perspectives can help even experienced foster parents continue learning and growing.
• Children must remain the priority in every part of the foster care system.
• Foster families need strong communities of support if they are going to thrive.
• Recruiting foster families without simultaneously building support around them can contribute to burnout and attrition.
• Everyone can play a role in foster care, even if they never become a foster or adoptive parent.
• Businesses can use their unique resources and expertise to remove practical barriers for foster families.
• A Tennessee car dealership helped foster families access larger vehicles so sibling groups could stay together.
• Small acts of community support can create ripple effects far beyond a single family.
• The podcast has worked to elevate the voices of former foster youth and others with lived experience.
• Upcoming episodes will include a series focused on young adults who have aged out of foster care.
• Courtney encourages listeners to continue supporting the podcast as it enters its next chapter.
• Every child deserves to have a voice, to be loved, and to be seen.

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

Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.

Meet kids awaiting adoption.

Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.

Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.