Meredith talks with Daniela Coats, a therapist and the founder ofĀ With Siblings, an organization focused on supporting biological children in foster and adoptive families. They talk about Danielaās personal journey growing up with foster siblings, how that shaped her professional path, and what it means to create emotional space for all kids in a family. Daniela shares powerful insights on birth order, scripts for awkward questions, and how faith and therapy intersect in this work.š LinksLists of trainings that can be hosted live:Ā https://www.withsiblings.org/home/training-and-consultationPre-recorded trainings, worksheets, guide, and other free resources:Ā https://stan.store/with_siblingsThe Day Lily Turned (un)Invisible:Ā https://a.co/d/3lJ8y6J"Siblings... if only for a short time" ShirtsĀ https://www.bonfire.com/if-only-for-a-short-time/Be Still Counseling and Consulting:Ā https://www.bestilltherapy.com/daniela-coatsProduction Credits:Producer: Zach LuceroMarketing: Sydney JonesSocial: Griffin ShumanBooking: Gretchen Schrock
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47:23
Whatās Broken in Our Helping Systems?
What happens when the systems meant to help actually hurt? Shanelle is a pastorās wife, attorney, and Executive Director of the Racial Equity Collaborative. In this episode, she shares her passion for addressing racial disparities in the child welfare systemāand her commitment to community-driven solutions that bring lasting change.We talk about racial trauma, whatās often misunderstood about equity work, how faith informs her approach, and what it means to āhave equity eyes.āšĀ More from Shanelle & the Racial Equity Collaborative:WebsiteInstagramYoutubeSkin DeepProduction Credits:Producer/Cam Op: Zach LuceroMarketing: Sydney JonesCam Op/Social: Griffin ShumanBooking: Gretchen SchrockSpecial thanks to Westside Church and the RE Conference team for being gracious hosts!https://www.westsidefamily.church/https://www.realencouragement.org/
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22:44
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: The Hidden Challenge Facing Families
1 in 20 school-age kids in the U.S. are impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)āyet most go undiagnosed. Sandra Flach, host of The Adoption & Foster Care Journey podcast, shares her powerful insights as an adoptive mom, FASD educator, and advocate for trauma-informed care. If you're parenting a child from a hard place, navigating FASD, or supporting adoptive and foster families, this episode is for you.š¹ Learn how trauma and prenatal alcohol exposure impact the brainš¹ Understand why traditional discipline approaches donāt work for neurodivergent kidsš¹ Discover hope, community, and strategies for parenting children with FASDš CHAPTER MARKERS0:00 ā Intro07:41 ā The ADHD & FASD Overlap ā Why Kids Are Often Misdiagnosed12:56 ā Why Doctors & Schools Miss FASD ā The Gaps in Medical Training20:36 ā The Parenting Shift ā Why Traditional Discipline Fails These Kids34:12 ā FASD & Church Hurt ā How Faith Communities Can Do Better44:20 ā Invisible Disability, Real Challenges ā What Needs to Change50:02 ā Stories of Hope ā How Kids with FASD Can Thriveš¢ Further Resources from Sandra Flachš Podcast: https://www.justicefororphansny.org/podcastš FASD Training & Support: https://www.justicefororphansny.org/registrationš Hope for the FASD Journey Community: https://www.justicefororphansny.org/hope-communityš Sandra Flachās Website: https://www.sandraflach.com/š National FASD Resources: https://fasdunited.org/š² Connect with Sandra & Justice for Orphansā”ļø Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandraflach_jfo | https://www.instagram.com/justicefororphansā”ļø Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SandraFlach | https://www.facebook.com/JusticeForOrphansš¬ Production CreditsProducer: Zach LuceroMarketing: Sydney JonesSocial: Griffin ShumanBooking: Gretchen Schrock
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1:05:08
Disability & Ministry: Why 1 in 3 Families Are Leaving the Church
The church should be the most welcoming place on earthāso why do so many families with disabilities feel unseen and excluded? Rebecca Wall, Executive Director of WITH Ministries, shares powerful stories, eye-opening stats, and practical ways churches can shift from exclusion to belonging.In This Episode:ā Why so many families with disabilities are leaving the churchā The heartbreaking reality of being told, "Your child is a liability"ā How churches can shift fromĀ separate spacesĀ to trueĀ inclusionā Practical steps for church leaders, parents, and individuals to foster belongingLearn moreWebsite -Ā https://withministries.org/ResearchĀ & Resources-Ā https://withministries.org/equip/Access Subscription-Ā https://withministries.org/access/Instagram-Ā https://www.instagram.com/withministriesorg/Tim Tebow Foundation -Ā https://timtebowfoundation.org/Boundless Hope by Kim Botto -Ā https://store.kimbotto.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYNIi-I_5MhGe3hSOyb6iQkuT1zVgwZRcSqhyT8bRrQoMQ23_Vq55aRfkQ_aem_mxQRvtc7CSzeA2zrqpXuCQProducer: Zach LuceroMarketing: Sydney JonesSocial: Griffin ShumanBooking: Gretchen Schrock
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48:41
FASD & Trauma: Understanding the Root of Big Behaviors
Parenting kids who have experienced trauma or live with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) comes with unique challenges. In this episode, Meredith sits down withĀ Barb Clark, Director of Training atĀ Families Rising, to discuss parenting strategies that work, the power of connection, and how understanding brain-based differences can transform the way we support kids. With humor and real-life insights, Barb shares her journey as a parent to five adult children, including those affected by prenatal alcohol and drug exposure. She also highlights the most common misconceptions about FASD, why traditional parenting strategies often fail, and how professionalsācaregivers, therapists, social workers, and law enforcementācan better support impacted individuals.Barb is a nationally recognized trainer and the head coach of theĀ FASD Caregiver Kickstart Program, an international initiative helping families navigate the challenges of FASD. If youāve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or unsure how to help a child struggling with big behaviors, this episode is for you.Producer: Zach LuceroMarketing: Sydney JonesSocial: Griffin ShumanBooking: Gretchen SchrockšĀ Resources Mentioned:Families RisingĀ (Training, Resources, and Support):Ā www.wearefamiliesrising.orgFASD Training Webinar Series by Barb Clark:Ā https://wearefamiliesrising.org/training-series/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorders-training-series-webinar/FASD Success Caregiver Kickstart Program:Ā https://www.fasdsuccess.comFASD United (State Resource Directory):Ā https://www.fasdunited.orgReConference (Real Encouragement for Families):Ā https://www.realencouragement.orgFaithBridge Foster Care (Past Sessions by Barb):Ā https://faithbridgeu.com/Join the Notification List for Barbās Upcoming Book: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScESI1VSx_QOLu9GhKbskHHkO-BMvoJUy-nVgPbOfaTP5xPCg/viewformšĀ Follow Families Rising:⢠Website:Ā https://wearefamiliesrising.org⢠LinkedIn:Ā https://www.linkedin.com/company/58249251/⢠Facebook:Ā https://www.facebook.com/wearefamiliesrising⢠Instagram:Ā https://www.instagram.com/wearefamiliesrising⢠Twitter:Ā https://x.com/familiesrisingš¬Ā Join the conversation!Ā Whatās one takeaway from this episode that stuck with you? Drop a comment or send us a message.
Explore the world of trauma-informed care with 'James Trail Podcast.' Join Meredith Shuman, founder and therapist, as she shares insights and resources for families and organizations affected by trauma. Learn from experts, hear inspiring stories, and discover practical tips for creating safe, supportive communities. Whether you're a professional, caregiver, or someone impacted by trauma, this podcast offers hope, understanding, and tools for healing and flourishing. Discover your path to healing and wholeness with each episode.
https://www.jamestrail.org