Welcome to Fostering Bridges—a podcast dedicated to uplifting, supporting, and empowering foster, adoptive, and kinship parents. Whether you’re in the early days of your journey or have years of experience, this space is for you. We dive into real conversations, share stories of resilience, and explore the resources, strategies, and heart-centered approaches that help build stronger families.In each episode, you’ll hear from experts, fellow parents, and advocates who understand the challenges and joys that come with fostering and adopting. We’ll talk about everything from self-care to navigating the system, creating lasting connections, and honoring the unique needs of every child.This is Fostering Bridges—where we come together to learn, grow, and build the bridges that help our families thrive.

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In this inspiring episode of Fostering Bridges, host Duane Stark sits down with <a href="https://house.texas.gov/members/3580" rel="nofollow">Texas State Representative Cody Harris</a> for a candid conversation about faith, family, and the journey from fostering to adoption.Cody and his wife didn’t plan to adopt at first—but when God opened the door, they said yes. Their story unfolds with honesty, humor, and heartfelt reflection as they talk about:<ul><li>The moment they got the call about their future daughter</li><li>The ups and downs of the foster-to-adopt process</li><li>How faith sustained them through uncertainty</li><li>The vital role the church can play in supporting foster families</li><li>What adoption has taught them about grace, belonging, and God’s love</li></ul>This episode is a powerful reminder that adoption is more than paperwork—it’s a picture of redemption, restoration, and unconditional love.🎙️ Fostering Bridges is dedicated to uplifting, supporting, and empowering foster, adoptive, and kinship parents through real stories and practical encouragement.Listen now and be encouraged to keep fostering hope, healing, and faith—one story at a time.#FosterCare #Adoption #FaithAndFamily #CodyHarris #DuaneStark #FosteringBridges #Podcast

From Foster Care to Forever Family – with Rep. Cody Harris

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Some kids in foster care get overlooked—not because they aren’t amazing, but because they’re older, part of a sibling group, or have extra needs. In this episode, host Duane Stark visits with Gillian Sheridan, Director of the Heart Gallery of East Texas, to talk about how one photo and one story can completely change a child’s future.Gillian explains how the Heart Gallery advocates for children who are waiting for adoption, shares the story behind its statewide relaunch, and offers practical ways churches, businesses, and individuals can get involved. Together, they discuss what it looks like when a community comes together to give kids the permanent families they deserve.Listen in to hear:<ul><li>What the Heart Gallery is and how it helps specific children find forever families</li><li>Why Texas launched Heart Galleries in every region</li><li>Real outcomes from East Texas and how collaboration makes a difference</li><li>How to get involved—whether by praying, hosting a display, volunteering, or supporting foster families</li></ul>Learn more by searching Heart Gallery of East Texas or The Fostering Collective East Texas to connect, host a display, or explore training opportunities.If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend or leader who could help open a door for a child. 💙#FosterCare #Adoption #HeartGallery #FosteringBridges #EastTexas #KinshipCare #TraumaInformed #CommunitySupport YouTube:<a href="https://youtu.be/BNikM0ZA8J0" rel="nofollow">https://youtu.be/BNikM0ZA8J0</a> Facebook Short:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/4180158758902749" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/reel/4180158758902749</a> Website:<a href="http://www.fosteringbridges.com/podcast" rel="nofollow">www.fosteringbridges.com/podcast</a>

“One Photo Can Change a Life” — Gillian Sheridan on Heart Gallery of East Texas

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/10/14/1/bbbcccc5-3362-47b9-8cb2-f987ac495244_dolores_-_fostering_bridges_podcast.mp3

In this episode of Fostering Bridges, Duane Stark talks with Dolores Price, who shares the remarkable story of how she and her husband Hunter went from a quiet home of two to a full house of six—all within just 48 hours.What began as a plan to adopt one baby turned into welcoming four pre-teens into their family. Dolores reflects on the heartbreak of infertility, the surprise of sudden parenthood, and the faith that carried them through each unexpected turn.🎧 In this conversation:<ul><li>How one weekend changed their lives forever</li><li>The challenges and blessings of fostering older children</li><li>Learning to trust God’s plan even when it looks different than expected</li><li>Why presence matters more than perfection</li></ul>💬 “We thought we needed an infant—God knew we needed four big kids.”Subscribe for more real and encouraging stories from foster, adoptive, and kinship families who are building bridges of hope one home at a time.#FosteringBridges #FosterCare #AdoptionStory #FaithAndFamily #Parenting #FosterParents #AdoptionJourney #RealStories

From Two to Six Overnight: A Foster Mom’s Incredible Leap of Faith

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Join host Duane Stark on Fostering Bridges as he sits down with Kristin Orphan, co-founder of Finally Home, a nationwide ministry supporting foster, adoptive, and kinship families. Kristin shares her powerful journey—from unexpected kinship care to full-time ministry—and the lessons learned when obedience leads through seasons of sacrifice. Discover how Finally Home equips families with practical resources, trauma-informed tools, and community connections to help every child feel safe, stable, and finally home. 🔗 Learn more at <a href="http://www.fosteringbridges.com" rel="nofollow">www.fosteringbridges.com</a> and <a href="http://www.finallyhome.net" rel="nofollow">www.finallyhome.net</a>.

Finally Home: Saying Yes When It Costs Everything - Kristin Orphan

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/3/22/17/9cfb1aaf-f28d-48c4-8ce0-dc7cae5f2328_senator_gelser_blouin_-_fostering_bridges_pod.mp3

Senator Gelser Blouin (Oregon Legislature), recipient of the <a href="https://www.levin-center.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Press-Release-Senator-Gelser-2021-Carl-Levin-Award-2.pdf" rel="nofollow">2021 Carl Levin Award for Effective Oversight</a>, discusses the process of passing child welfare legislature and where to start if you have an idea for policy change. <a href="https://fosteringbridges.com/podcast" rel="nofollow">https://fosteringbridges.com/podcast</a>

In It Together - Senator Gelser Blouin (Oregon Legislature)

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/3/22/17/d28ff5cb-1d9d-4d7a-9c0f-91361843cb0b_tonya_fuller_-_bridges_podcast.mp3

Tonya Fuller, Faith-Based and Community Engagement Specialist for the Texas Department of Families and Protective Services shares insights into the process of children entering foster care and how community members can help.

Give Us An Opportunity - Tonya Fuller (Texas DFPS)

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Ruth Babel shares her experience taking in 88 children over a decade and provides tips on working with the bio parents of foster children. https://fosteringbridges.com/podcast

Don't Be Afraid To Love Them - Ruth Babel

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Jana Morris discusses being &#34;called&#34; into foster care. https://fosteringbridges.com/podcast

It's a Calling - Jana Morris

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/3/3/23/fa0f34d4-b5b0-4211-aa6e-22e8216e7c17_john_thigpen_-_fostering_bridges_podcast.mp3

John Thigpen shares his experience of going from being an empty nester to having a baby in the house, challenges, decisions, and the joy of saying yes to hard things.<a href="https://youtu.be/fVRqfXPEVAM" rel="nofollow">Watch on Youtube.</a>https://fosteringbridges.com/podcast

From Empty Nest to Baby in a Crib

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In this episode, Brooke Gray of Every Child shares how everyday individuals can get involved in foster care even if they cannot take a child into their house. <a href="https://fosteringbridges.com/podcast" rel="nofollow">https://fosteringbridges.com/podcast</a>

A Place For Every Child - Brooke Gray of Every Child

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Justin Hayes of The Fostering Collective shares how they mobilize community members to engage in the foster care system through a personalized experience of helping individuals find their fit. https://www.thefosteringcollective.org/ https://fosteringbridges.com/podcast

Find Your Fit - Justin Hayes

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In this episode, Duane Stark shares his thoughts on why he doesn&#39;t like people calling him a saint when they learn about his experiences as a foster and adoptive dad. Visit the YouTube link below for the video:https://youtu.be/iquuzzvWYfY?si=B0MD02HplFkY2-Da

Don't Call Me A Saint - Duane Stark

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/2/14/4/e2f84a83-5cfa-4e70-8416-23e75671c2e4_fostering_bridges_podcast_-_rothrock_1_.mp3

Matthew Rothrock (Oregon) shares some of the challenges of foster care while discussing how plans, expectations, boundaries, and desires can all change with little to no notice. <a href="https://fosteringbridges.com/podcast" rel="nofollow">https://fosteringbridges.com/podcast</a>

It Often Doesn't Go As Planned - Matthew Rothrock

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/2/5/16/c60bad3f-d1ef-4054-8feb-38bbfe06ec47_fostering_bridges_podcast_-_matt_heverly_1_.mp3

Matt Heverly shares some of the challenges and blessings of being a foster parent. Resources &amp; websites mentioned in this episode:<a href="https://edgewaterfellowship.org/" rel="nofollow">Edgewater Christian Fellowship</a><a href="https://edgewaterfellowship.org/safe-families/" rel="nofollow">Safe Families</a><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+58%3A12&version=NIV" rel="nofollow">Isaiah 58:12</a>Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins    and will raise up the age-old foundations;you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,    Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Say Yes To God - Matt Heverly

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/1/30/3/5cb8d692-7ce5-4f05-96d3-304b913b78df_fostering_bridges_podcast_-_bobbitt.mp3

In this episode, we talk with Amy Bobbitt of East Texas. Amy has been a Foster Home Developer with MCH Family Outreach for the past six years. We discuss what is involved with becoming certified as a foster parent and the role of a child-placing agency. You can visit MCH.org or call 903-509-1171 to connect with Amy.https://www.mch.org/services/foster-care/https://fosteringbridges.com/

Becoming A Foster Parent In East Texas - Amy Bobbitt

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/1/26/1/a734e7c8-5053-4096-b264-9e428b724752_ehind_the_scene_with_a_long-term_foster_family.mp3

In this episode, we take a behind-the-scenes look at a long-term foster family (The Matz Family - Oregon). Frank discusses family roles, bonding with foster children, and relational challenges.

Embrace The Mess - Frant Matz

Welcome to Fostering Bridges —a podcast dedicated to uplifting, supporting, and empowering foster, adoptive, and kinship parents. Whether you’re in the early days of your journey or have years of experience, this space is for you. We dive into real conversations, share stories of resilience, and explore the resources, strategies, and heart-centered approaches that help build stronger families.

In each episode, you’ll hear from experts, fellow parents, and advocates who understand the challenges and joys that come with fostering and adopting. We’ll talk about everything from self-care to navigating the system, creating lasting connections, and honoring the unique needs of every child.

This is Fostering Bridges —where we come together to learn, grow, and build the bridges that help our families thrive.