Advertise on podcast: Trauma for Breakfast

Join me today as I speak with David Barko, the director of the Family Resource Center at Dignity Health – Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) in Prescott Valley, Arizona. David is an advocate for early childhood in numerous ways and has been a critical voice in moving the prenatal care team for woman with substance abuse issues forward across many barriers.  We know from decades of research and studies that the first five years of life are the single greatest amount of brain growth and development.  It’s the time when so much of a person’s neurological and emotional foundations are literally being formed.  Children are, in every definition, filled with potential. This podcast episode dives into this critical period and also brings in some of the science of epigenetics. You won't want to miss this one!

How do you handle the loneliness and isolation that comes with foster care and adoption? Can we talk about big behaviors and how to help redefine success? And could we please all agree that adoption does not erase trauma? Today's podcast contains some humor and honest words from a foster and adopt mom, me....your host who is now sitting on the other side of the interview table.

This was such a fun two-part episode to record! During these episodes my husband Darren and I share our experiences as a man and a woman serving as foster and adopt parents. In this episode, I interview my husband Darren Gagnon about his experiences as a foster and adoptive father. Hear about his perspectives and strengths that he brought to our partnership as parents and caregivers over the past 20 years. Next week, I will share Part 2, where Darren interviews me. I hope you enjoy both perspectives as much as I do.

For young men and women aging out of foster care at age 18 the odds of becoming thriving, successful adults aren’t very good. In fact, statistics show that 50 percent have no high school diploma, 60 percent have been convicted of a crime and 50 percent will be unemployed by the age of 24. The Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation wants to improve those odds through its Keys to Success (KTS) program. This one-of-a-kind program offers career, education, and employment development services tailored to meet the unique needs of the young men and women who are leaving the foster system. Join me as I speak with Diane Daily, the Program Director for (KTS) Keys to Success. Below you will find her words about the program -  For most of us, our earliest memories are of parents and family talking to us about our interests, skills, passions, and futures; about the importance of getting an education. As parents we help our children navigate getting their first job, making sure they get to and from work, supporting their growth to become good employees. Unfortunately, most young people in the foster care system have the opposite experience. No one is providing this guidance or support and every aspect of their lives is focused on surviving today – tomorrow is unfathomable. Because of the instability in their lives, many youth in foster care have limited or a misinformed understanding of employment opportunities, and even fewer have had the support required to develop a vision for their future.  Research indicates that youth who emancipate from foster care experience poor outcomes such as homelessness, unemployment, unplanned pregnancy, low educational attainment, legal system involvement, and substance abuse. The Keys to Success (KTS) program fills this gap by providing youth with the career planning, education, and employment development services that helps them to discover their potential and a pathway to successful adulthood. KTS has been developed to be a resource to insure youth transitioning from foster care have the support and resources required to meet their potential and become thriving members of our community.

David J. Pope draws on more than forty years of experience in the addiction and mental health fields as a licensed mental health/addiction therapist in Nebraska, Iowa, and Arizona.  On today's podcast he provides you with practical tips and guidelines for better understanding trauma and addiction. You will love his approach to supporting those who are struggling and his guidance in understanding the myths of trauma.

Our children live in a time of prosperity, yet we are seeing teens experiencing high rates of anxiety and depression. Join me for part 2 with clinical psychologist, Dr Adam Dell as we discuss possible root causes and practical ways to protect our kids.

Our children live in a time of prosperity, yet we are seeing teens experiencing high rates of anxiety and depression. Join me with clinical psychologist, Dr Adam Dell as we discuss possible root causes and practical ways to protect our kids.

Join me for PART 2 with the Rapping Dad  Meet Derek Clark, an international motivational speaker, 250 million views on his Rapping Dad videos and author of the critically acclaimed "I Will Never Give Up" book series and "Never Limit Your Life: From Personal to Professional". Derek Clark’s life is one of resilience and redemption. As a child he suffered unthinkable child abuse, abandonment and emotional distress before being turned over to the psychiatric hospital at age five. His 13 years in the San Francisco bay area foster care system reflected an early life of humiliation, aggression, emotional distress, overwhelming anxiety and being wrongfully labeled. Eventually, with the help of foster parents and mentors he defied the artificial limitations imposed upon him.

Join me with the Rapping Dad  Meet Derek Clark, an international motivational speaker, 250 million views on his Rapping Dad videos and author of the critically acclaimed "I Will Never Give Up" book series and "Never Limit Your Life: From Personal to Professional". Derek Clark’s life is one of resilience and redemption. As a child he suffered unthinkable child abuse, abandonment and emotional distress before being turned over to the psychiatric hospital at age five. His 13 years in the San Francisco bay area foster care system reflected an early life of humiliation, aggression, emotional distress, overwhelming anxiety and being wrongfully labeled. Eventually, with the help of foster parents and mentors he defied the artificial limitations imposed upon him.

Join me as I spend time with Jodi Spataro speaking about childhood adversity and the keys she accessed to build resiliency. Jodi is a nonprofit industry leader with over 27 years of working and volunteering in the nonprofit sector. She is a recipient of the Woman of the Year from the Greater Elkhart Chamber and the Woman to Watch from the YWCA. She has presented nationally on fundraising and board governance topics. But best of all, Jodi has an incredible story of hope and endurance.  You will love hearing her story today.

The judge looked at her and said, "The system has failed you". This episode was not without tears. Jessica's story will move you and open your eyes to generational drug and alcohol abuse, systemic child welfare issues and the need for us to listen to the words of those who have survived their childhoods, in spite of our interventions. Jessica's story is one of the most powerful things I have ever heard.  Trigger Warning - child abuse

Here is episode # 2 of Empathy versus Enabling How do we know when we are being empathetic in our relationships with others or just enabling bad choices?  Join Doug Dolan and Stacey as they discuss a concept that is universal to all relationships; the fine line between helping and hurting.

How do we know when we are being empathetic in our relationships with others or just enabling bad choices?  Join Doug Dolan and Stacey as they discuss a concept that is universal to all relationships; the fine line between helping and hurting.

This podcast episode is probably the most important episode I have recorded. By the end of Pt. 2, my producer and I were in tears. It is a profound look at caregiver fatigue and burnout that is full of application for those who are daily pouring into a bottomless hole.  The work we do is costly and even the best of people are people at best. Dr. Dell helps us to look at compassion satisfaction which is found in heaps and piles when we start and its the driver and motivator in helping us have a "WHY". When we have a "WHY", then we can find the "HOW".   Dr. Adam Dell is Board Certified in Clinical Psychology and currently serves as the Director of Emotional Wellbeing at the Notre Dame Wellness Center. Dr. Dell received his Bachelor of Science in Counseling and Master of Arts degree in Interpersonal Relations at Grace College, and his Doctor of Psychology degree from Indiana State University. He accomplished a residency program at JBSA-Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio and served 6+ years as an active duty psychologist for the US Air Force including one overseas deployment. He garnered clinical experience in private practice and civilian hospital settings. Dr. Dell and his wife, Janine, were foster parents in 3 states over the past decade. Dr. Dell enjoys teaching and currently serves as an Adjunct faculty member for the graduate counseling programs at Wheaton College & Colorado State University.

(Episode note - I would recommend finding a quiet space to listen to this episode. This is Pt 2, so make sure you have listened to Pt. 1 first.) This podcast episode is probably the most important episode I have recorded. By the end of Pt. 2, my producer and I were in tears. It is a profound look at caregiver fatigue and burnout that is full of application for those who are daily pouring into a bottomless hole.  The work we do is costly and even the best of people are people at best. Dr. Dell helps us to look at compassion satisfaction which is found in heaps and piles when we start and its the driver and motivator in helping us have a "WHY". When we have a "WHY", then we can find the "HOW".   Dr. Adam Dell is Board Certified in Clinical Psychology and currently serves as the Director of Emotional Wellbeing at the Notre Dame Wellness Center. Dr. Dell received his Bachelor of Science in Counseling and Master of Arts degree in Interpersonal Relations at Grace College, and his Doctor of Psychology degree from Indiana State University. He accomplished a residency program at JBSA-Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio and served 6+ years as an active duty psychologist for the US Air Force including one overseas deployment. He garnered clinical experience in private practice and civilian hospital settings. Dr. Dell and his wife, Janine, were foster parents in 3 states over the past decade. Dr. Dell enjoys teaching and currently serves as an Adjunct faculty member for the graduate counseling programs at Wheaton College & Colorado State University.