In this heartfelt episode of The Call to Foster Podcast, hosts Shasta Miller, Jessica Huckstep, and Ashton Kever sit down with Yolanda, a kinship foster parent, and her 13-year-old nephew, Jeremiah, to share their inspiring story. Yolanda opens up about her own experience in foster care as a child and how it shaped her decision to step in when Jeremiah needed a safe, loving home. Together, they discuss the challenges and joys of fostering teens, the importance of family bonds, and practical advice for navigating technology, setting boundaries, and finding support.

Jeremiah offers a unique perspective from a youth in care by sharing what helped him feel safe, his coping strategies, and his honest advice for future foster parents. From powerful insights on “loving beyond the hurt” to the role of community and counseling, this episode is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and real-life experiences that every foster parent or prospective foster family needs to hear.

If you’ve ever considered fostering or want to better understand the impact you can make, this conversation will leave you inspired and informed. Learn how to get started on our website.

In this episode, Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton, talk with Makenzie Muse. Makenzie is an older youth in foster care with a passion for independence. She shares her story and encourages foster parents to just listen. She also speaks highly of her foster placement and highlights that foster parents don't have to make big, grand gestures to win over the kids in their care. Sometimes, they just need the quality time and attention.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website.

In this episode, Ashton and Shasta welcome a few guests who are making a difference in the lives of foster parents and children across Missouri. Their guests are:

• Jennifer Adams from FosterAdopt Connect
• Riannon Franklin from the Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association
• Kenya Willis from the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition

Together, they explore many of the resources available to the Missouri foster care community, including support and independence programs tailored for older youth, innovative respite field trips, and family finding initiatives. Discover the physical resources available, such as clothing and food, and learn about the comprehensive foster parent training and support groups.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website.

Listen along as Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton chat with Becca Underwood about her experiences as a foster parent. Becca works with an organization called CarePortal, which helps families around the country meet needs that contribute to children entering the state welfare system. Through her work, Becca was prepared to take on the care of a couple of children on a temporary basis through her job; however, the children were brought into care just before her team was able to make it happen. She and her family had never intended to get into foster care, but they stepped up and were able to work with the state to help take care of those children.

Becca also has two children whom she's adopted internationally, and she discusses the differences between that and local adoption through foster care.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website.

In this episode, Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton chat with Katie Tipton, a former foster youth who shares her experience and advice for current and future foster parents. Katie shares a lot of insight about the trauma a child coming into care might have and she encourages caregivers to remember that kids in care essentially come with a resume, but it is up to you to give them a chance to be more than their past.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

In this episode, hosts Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton speak with Barry and Hannah Cahill. These two foster parents are an incredible team with huge hearts. A biological family of five, the Cahills stay very busy providing the best care for all of the children in their home. When they started their foster parenting journey, it wasn't with teenagers in mind. After their first placement, a teenage girl, they decided to only foster teenage girls, even adopting their daughter, Felicity.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

In this episode, our hosts talk with an older youth with experience in the foster care system. Kurtis Dehart shares his story and provides hope to anyone considering fostering or worried about fostering teenagers. He's driven and responsible and shares the importance of helping teens, especially foster youth, become independent and responsible adults! If you've ever considered fostering, you don't want to miss this episode!

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

In this episode, Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton talk to DeeDee Button. DeeDee is a former foster parent, adoptive parent, licensed foster parent trainer, a college student seeking a degree in social work, a foster parent ambassador, and the creator and owner of a nonprofit called "The Chaos Closet." DeeDee is doing it all and showing the world that supporting foster parents and foster children can extend far beyond becoming a foster parent. When she was young, her mother was a social worker and regularly shared stories of her work that made an impact on DeeDee. Listen along as she shares her story and passion!

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm