Fostering Change

Last week, we celebrated Father's Day with a special conversation between Rob and his son, Tristan. This week, we're continuing that theme with a powerful discussion about what it means to show up for young people who need someone in their corner.Rob is joined by Corey McKinney, a speaker, mentor, author, and former foster parent whose life has been dedicated to helping young people navigate some of life's toughest challenges.Through his work with the Steve Harvey Mentoring Program and other youth-focused initiatives, Corey has spent more than three decades encouraging young people to overcome obstacles, believe in themselves, and build brighter futures. But some of his most meaningful lessons came through foster parenting.In his book Foster Dad, Corey shares the joys, challenges, heartbreaks, and unexpected rewards of opening your home to a child in need. More importantly, he shares what can happen when a young person experiences consistency, encouragement, and unconditional support.This is a conversation about mentorship, fatherhood, foster care, and the life-changing impact of simply being present.Conversation HighlightsWhat inspired Corey to become a foster parentThe experiences that led him to write Foster DadThe joys and challenges of opening your home to youth in foster careWhy attachment and connection are worth the riskThe importance of consistency and showing up for young peopleHow mentoring and foster parenting often intersectRemaining connected to former foster youth long after placement endsWhy positive adult relationships can change the trajectory of a young person's lifeAbout Corey McKinneyCorey McKinney is a professional speaker, mentor, author, and former foster parent dedicated to helping young people overcome gun violence, bullying, and peer pressure. A former Division I basketball player and longtime mentor with the Steve Harvey Mentoring Program, Corey has spent more than 35 years working with youth. He is the author of Coach Daryl's Colts and Foster Dad, inspired by his experiences as both a mentor and foster parent.Why This Episode MattersOne of the most common questions prospective foster parents ask is: "What if I get attached?"Corey's answer is simple: that's the point.Children and youth in foster care need adults who are willing to invest in them, encourage them, and remain present through both good and difficult moments.This conversation reminds us that foster parenting is not about being perfect. It's about being available. It's about showing up consistently and creating relationships that can last long after a placement ends.Whether you're a foster parent, mentor, coach, teacher, or simply someone who cares about young people, Corey's story demonstrates the profound difference one committed adult can make.🎧 Thank you for listening to Fostering Change. Join us next week for another conversation focused on creating brighter futures for youth experiencing foster care.Connect with Corey McKinneyWebsite: www.coreymckinney.netFacebook: CoreyMcKinneyInstagram: @TheCoreyMcKinneyTikTok: @TheCoreyMcKinneyLinkedIn: Corey McKinney🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who gets to tell the story of adoption?For generations, adoption narratives have often been shaped by agencies, systems, and families. But increasingly, adoptees themselves are taking ownership of those stories and offering perspectives that are more complex, nuanced, and deeply personal.This week on Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by acclaimed author, educator, and activist Shannon Gibney, whose award-winning memoir, The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be, explores transracial adoption, identity, race, belonging, and the lifelong process of understanding where we come from.As an adoptee, Shannon brings lived experience to a conversation that challenges assumptions and invites listeners to think more deeply about identity, voice, and perspective. Together, Rob and Shannon explore how adoption stories evolve over time, why adoptee voices matter, and what it means to reclaim ownership of one's own narrative.This is not a conversation about simple answers. It's a conversation about listening, understanding, and making space for experiences that have too often been left out of the discussion.Conversation HighlightsHow adoption narratives are evolving to include more adoptee-centered perspectivesThe unique complexities of transracial adoption and identity formationWhy race, culture, and belonging remain important parts of the adoption conversationHow Shannon uses "speculative memoir" to explore memory, identity, and possibilityWhat it means for adoptees to reclaim and tell their own storiesWhy listening to lived experience strengthens conversations about adoption and foster careAbout Shannon GibneyShannon Gibney is an award-winning writer, educator, and activist whose work explores race, identity, family, and adoption. She is the author of several acclaimed books, including The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be: A Speculative Memoir of Transracial Adoption, which received a Michael L. Printz Honor and a Minnesota Book Award.In addition to her writing, Shannon teaches at Minneapolis College and was named Educator of the Year in 2023. Her work encourages readers and audiences to engage thoughtfully with questions of identity, belonging, and social justice.Connect with Shannon Gibney🌐 Website: Shannon Gibney📧 Email: shannongibney@gmail.comClosing ThoughtIdentity is not a destination. It is a lifelong journey.This conversation reminds us that adoption is not a single event but an experience that continues to shape people across a lifetime. By listening to adoptee voices, we deepen our understanding of belonging, family, and the many ways people make sense of their own stories.🎧 Join us next week for another powerful conversation as Fostering Change continues to explore the people, ideas, and experiences shaping the future of foster care and adoption.https://youtu.be/k8YuD5iw_uE🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As National Foster Care Awareness Month comes to a close, this episode of Fostering Change focuses on something deeply important: what happens when organizations stop working in silos and start working together for young people.This week, Rob Scheer is joined by two Los Angeles-based leaders making a meaningful impact in the lives of youth connected to foster care: Beth Ryan, Executive Director & Founder of Stepping Forward LA, and Jorie Das, Executive Director of Friends of the Children Los Angeles.Together, their organizations are helping young people navigate some of the most difficult transitions imaginable — aging out of foster care, finding stability, building community, and creating long-term support systems rooted in consistency and trust.Beth Ryan’s work through Stepping Forward LA focuses on youth transitioning out of foster care, with programs centered around mentorship, housing support, internships, workforce readiness, and a first-of-its-kind app designed by and for foster youth.Jorie Das leads Friends of the Children Los Angeles, which provides long-term professional mentorship to youth facing systemic barriers through a unique 12+ year commitment model focused on stability, prevention, and long-term success.Throughout the conversation, Rob, Beth, and Jorie explore how collaboration between nonprofits can strengthen outcomes for youth — and why consistent relationships remain one of the most powerful tools for healing and success.Episode HighlightsWhy aging out of foster care remains one of the biggest challenges facing young adultsHow mentorship and long-term relationships improve outcomes for youthThe importance of nonprofit collaboration instead of competitionHow Los Angeles reflects both the scale of the foster care crisis and the opportunity for innovationWhy Foster Care Awareness Month must lead to meaningful action and engagementAbout the GuestsBeth Ryan is the Executive Director & Founder of Stepping Forward LA, a nonprofit supporting youth aging out of foster care through mentorship, housing support, workforce development, and community-based solutions. As the organization approaches its 10-year anniversary, Stepping Forward LA continues expanding its impact across Los Angeles.Jorie Das is the Executive Director of Friends of the Children Los Angeles, an organization providing long-term professional mentorship to youth facing systemic barriers. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded across Los Angeles County, helping youth and caregivers through a prevention-focused model built on consistency and trust.Key Questions from This EpisodeWhat prompted the creation of Stepping Forward LA and Friends of the Children Los Angeles?What are the biggest challenges youth face when aging out of foster care?Why does long-term mentorship matter so much?How can nonprofits collaborate more effectively to support youth?What role do community, housing, and workforce development play in long-term stability?How can people move beyond awareness and take meaningful action?Connect with the GuestsStepping Forward LA🌐 Website: Stepping Forward LA 📸 Instagram: @steppingforwardlaFriends of the Children Los Angeles🌐 Website: Friends of the Children Los Angeles 📸 Instagram: @friendslaClosing ThoughtReal change rarely happens alone.This conversation is a reminder that when organizations, mentors, communities, and advocates work together, young people experience something powerful: consistency, connection, and the belief that they are not navigating life alone.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by David Sussillo, a neuroscientist, author, and former youth who experienced a childhood marked by instability, poverty, and time in group homes.His story begins in environments many children in foster care and group settings know all too well — uncertainty, trauma, and systems that don’t always provide the support they should. But his story doesn’t end there.Through a combination of resilience, critical intervention, and moments where someone stepped in, David found a path forward. Today, he is a leading neuroscientist who has worked at Stanford, Google, and Meta, studying the very thing that shaped his life: the human brain.His memoir, Emergence, is not just a story of survival — it is a powerful reminder of what can happen when even one opportunity changes the trajectory of a child’s life.This conversation challenges us to ask a difficult but necessary question: how many children are out there right now, just one moment away from a different future?Episode HighlightsGrowing up in instability, poverty, and group home environmentsHow trauma shapes memory, identity, and developmentThe role of mentors, teachers, and small interventionsFrom survival to success in neuroscience and researchReflecting on resilience, loss, and the paths not takenAbout the GuestDavid Sussillo is a neuroscientist, author, and adjunct professor at Stanford University. After a childhood marked by instability and time in group homes, he earned a PhD in computational neuroscience from Columbia University and has worked at leading institutions, including Google Brain and Meta.His memoir, Emergence: A Memoir of Boyhood, Computation, and the Mysteries of Mind, tells the story of his journey from trauma to transformation.Key Questions from This EpisodeWhat led you to write Emergence now?What was it like to revisit your childhood experiences through writing?How did you navigate growing up in group homes and unstable environments?Who were the people who helped change your path?What role did small moments or opportunities play in your journey?How do you reflect on your success alongside those who didn’t have the same outcome?What would you say to a young person facing similar challenges today?Closing ThoughtSometimes it doesn’t take everything changing — it takes one moment, one person, one opportunity.And for a child navigating instability, that can be the difference between surviving and becoming something far beyond anyone's expectations.Connect with David🌐 Website: https://www.davidsussillo.com🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/SussilloDavid🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-sussillo-736a1290/🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nonprofits exist to serve people — not paperwork.But too often, outdated financial systems slow growth, strain leadership, and pull focus away from mission-driven work.This week on Fostering Change, Rob Scheer sits down with Stephen Garten, Founder & CEO of Charity Charge, a Public Benefit Corporation built exclusively to support the financial needs of nonprofit organizations.Stephen launched Charity Charge in 2015 after recognizing a widespread problem: nonprofits were forced to rely on banking and financial tools never designed for how they actually operate. Today, Charity Charge serves more than 3,000 nonprofits nationwide, offering nonprofit-specific credit cards, bookkeeping and compliance tools, gift cards, and over $60 million in working capital — empowering leaders to focus on impact instead of infrastructure.Rob and Stephen also reflect on their recent crossover conversation, following Rob’s appearance on Stephen’s podcast, The Charity Charge Nonprofit Spotlight, where they continued discussing leadership, transparency, and sustainability in the social sector.🎧 Watch or listen to Rob’s interview here:https://www.charitycharge.com/nonprofit-resources/rob-scheer-comfort-cases/Episode Highlights• Why traditional banking often fails nonprofit organizations• How Charity Charge was built specifically for mission-driven leaders• The connection between financial transparency and donor trust• Lessons learned from supporting thousands of nonprofits nationwide• What it takes to build long-term sustainability without losing sight of missionAbout the GuestStephen Garten is the Founder and CEO of Charity Charge, a Public Benefit Corporation providing financial infrastructure built exclusively for nonprofits. Since launching in 2015, Charity Charge has supported more than 3,000 organizations, delivered over $60 million in working capital, and granted more than $1 million through the Charity Charge Foundation.His work has been featured by Forbes, Fast Company, and The Today Show, and he hosts The Charity Charge Nonprofit Spotlight, highlighting nonprofit and social impact leaders across the country.Connect with Charity Charge🌐 Website: www.charitycharge.com📘 Facebook: facebook.com/CharityCharge📸 Instagram: @charitycharge🐦 X/Twitter: @charitycharge🔗 LinkedIn: Charity Charge🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Fostering Change continues into the new year, this episode tackles one of the most urgent issues facing child welfare today: the national shortage of foster parents and what it means for children who need safe, stable homes.Rob Scheer is joined by Kelsey Davis, National Director of Foster Parent Recruitment, and Stacy Brindley, National Treatment Director at StepStone Family & Youth Services. Together, they explore why fewer families are stepping forward, how misconceptions about fostering hinder progress, and why supporting foster parents is essential to better outcomes for children.With more than 343,000 children in foster care and fewer than 200,000 licensed foster homes nationwide, this conversation goes beyond the numbers. Kelsey and Stacy share how StepStone approaches recruitment differently, centers trauma-informed care, and treats the entire family as part of the healing process.Episode HighlightsThis episode explores why the foster parent shortage continues to grow and how it directly impacts children who need consistency and belonging. The discussion challenges common myths about fostering, explains why recruitment messaging must change, and emphasizes that strong outcomes depend on strong support for foster parents.Listeners also hear why trauma-informed care must include the whole family, not just the child, and how communities can get involved with StepStone through volunteering, respite support, and national initiatives beyond fostering.As Rob notes, “We must get more qualified families to support our youth in foster care.” And as Kelsey reminds us, fostering works best when families know they are not doing it alone.About the GuestsKelsey Davis is the National Director of Foster Parent Recruitment at StepStone Family & Youth Services. A former Title I educator with an MBA in Marketing, she leads national strategies to recruit, train, and retain foster families through people-centered, community-driven outreach.Stacy Brindley is StepStone’s National Treatment Director and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly 30 years of experience. She has worked across residential treatment, therapeutic foster care, independent living, and in-home services, and now leads trauma-informed and evidence-based practices nationwide.Learn MoreWebsite: https://www.stepstoneyouth.com/🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Fostering Change continues into the new year, this episode tackles one of the most urgent — and evolving — challenges facing young people today: staying safe, informed, and supported in a digital world.Rob Scheer is joined by Jenny Coleman, a nationally recognized expert in child welfare and abuse prevention, and a former foster parent whose work is grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience.Jenny serves as Director of Stop It Now!, a national organization focused on preventing child sexual abuse through education and early intervention. She also leads What’s OK?, a first-of-its-kind online platform and free helpline where teens and young adults can anonymously ask questions about relationships, boundaries, sexting, consent, and online behavior — without fear or shame.In this conversation, Jenny helps parents, caregivers, and educators better understand how to talk with young people about tough topics — especially as AI-generated and non-consensual images become an increasing form of peer-driven harm.Episode HighlightsYouth Safety in the Digital AgeHow sexting, cyberbullying, and online exploitation are changing — and what adults need to know.New & Alarming TrendsWhy recent data shows a sharp rise in AI-generated inappropriate images targeting teens, most often created and shared by peers.What’s OK?How this research-backed platform empowers youth ages 14–21 to ask honest questions and get reliable guidance.What Caregivers Can DoPractical steps for parents and caregivers, including how to respond, stay connected, and support youth without judgment.A Foster Care PerspectiveWhy trauma-informed, prevention-focused conversations are especially critical for foster and adopted youth.About Jenny ColemanJenny Coleman, MA, LMHC, has spent more than 30 years working in child welfare as a clinician, educator, and prevention advocate. She is the Director of Stop It Now! and leads What’s OK?, an innovative online resource for youth navigating questions about sexual behavior, consent, and boundaries. A former foster parent and longtime foster care trainer, Jenny brings a compassionate, prevention-centered approach to keeping young people safe.ResourcesStop It Now!: www.stopitnow.orgWhat’s OK?: www.whatsok.org✨ Why This Episode MattersThis episode is a reminder that prevention starts with conversation. When young people have access to trustworthy information — and adults willing to listen without judgment — safety and resilience follow.🎧 Fostering Change continues next week with another powerful conversation.Thank you for being part of a community committed to protecting, educating, and supporting young people — especially when the topics are hard, but the stakes are high.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy New Year from all of us at Fostering Change! We hope you had a joyful holiday season filled with rest, connection, and moments that centered what matters most. As we step into 2026 together, we’re excited to continue bringing you meaningful conversations that uplift, educate, and inspire. Season 7 is already shaping up to be one of our most impactful yet — and we’re thrilled to kick off the year with today’s guest.🎙 Introduction This week, Rob Scheer is joined by Dr. Brandi Kelly, an award-winning educator, licensed clinical social worker, leadership coach, and founder of Spark HOPE Edu. For more than 20 years, Dr. Kelly has served children and families as a school social worker, principal, and superintendent, always guided by her belief in the transformative power of H.O.P.E. — Habits, Optimistic Outlook, Purpose, and Excellence.Her approach blends emotional wellness, compassionate leadership, and practical tools that empower students — especially those experiencing trauma, foster care, or instability — to build resilience and recognize their inherent worth. Through Spark HOPE Edu and her coaching programs, Dr. Kelly now equips caregivers, educators, and community leaders to create environments where every child feels safe, supported, and capable of thriving.Her message is the perfect way to begin a new year: intentional, uplifting, and rooted in the belief that we can all lead with hope.Main Topic / ThemeHow Dr. Kelly’s H.O.P.E. framework cultivates resilience, emotional wellness, and confidence in children — particularly those who have experienced trauma — by equipping the adults who support them to lead with compassion, clarity, and purpose.Key Discussion PointsResilience Through H.O.P.E. How Habits, Optimistic Outlook, Purpose, and Excellence help youth overcome adversity and build self-worth.Education + Healing Why collaboration between educators, caregivers, and social workers is essential for children in foster or kinship care.Leadership for Youth Helping children see themselves as leaders regardless of their circumstances.Coaching for Connection Dr. Kelly’s January 2026 six-week cohort designed to help adults strengthen resilience and relational skills using the H.O.P.E. model.Guest BioDr. Brandi Kelly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, award-winning educator, and founder of Spark HOPE Edu. Over her two-decade career, she has served as a school social worker, principal, and superintendent — earning multiple leadership awards. Her H.O.P.E. framework (Habits, Optimistic Outlook, Purpose, Excellence) provides a roadmap for helping youth—and the adults who guide them—build resilience and belonging. She is the author of Lead with H.O.P.E. and host of the Lead with HOPE podcast.Connect with Dr. KellyWebsite: www.sparkhopeedu.com Facebook: @LTW24 Instagram: @leadwithhope.23 LinkedIn: Dr. Brandi Kelly✨ A New Year Note from Fostering ChangeAs we launch into 2026, we want to thank you — our listeners — for being part of this powerful community. We hope your holiday season was restful and meaningful, and that this new year brings purpose, possibility, and renewed hope.We’re excited to continue this incredible Season 7 journey with you. Fostering Change returns next Tuesday with another inspiring conversation as we work together to support children, families, and caregivers across the country.Here’s to a year of compassion, courage, and making a difference — one story, one act, and one child at a time.Happy New Year, and thank you for being GOOD HUMANS. 🎉🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.