Fostering Change

On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by Jennifer Griffith, author of Both Sides of Then: Finding Love After Abandonment and host of the About Your Mother podcast.This conversation centers on a deeply personal and universal question: how much of who we become is shaped by the relationship we have—or don’t have—with our mother?Jennifer’s memoir explores abandonment, generational trauma, and the search for understanding and connection. While her story is not rooted in foster care, the themes resonate deeply. Many children in foster care experience separation from their biological parents, particularly their mothers, making this conversation especially relevant to identity, belonging, and emotional development.Together, Rob and Jennifer explore how early relationships shape us, how patterns are passed down, and how telling the truth about our stories can open the door to healing and transformation.Episode HighlightsHow maternal relationships influence identity and self-worthThe lasting emotional impact of abandonment and separationUnderstanding and breaking cycles of generational traumaWhy storytelling can be a powerful tool for healingHow these themes connect to the experiences of youth in foster careAbout the GuestJennifer Griffith is an author, speaker, and host of the About Your Mother podcast, where she explores the stories that shape identity and relationships. Her debut memoir, Both Sides of Then: Finding Love After Abandonment, examines generational trauma, resilience, and the lasting influence of family history. Through her work, she encourages others to better understand their past and find meaning in the connections that define them.Key Questions from This EpisodeWhat did writing your story teach you about understanding where we come from?Why is the “mother story” such a powerful lens for identity?What does healing look like when relationships are complicated or absent?How do early experiences of separation shape a child’s sense of self?Where does healing begin for someone carrying a difficult family story?Connect with Jennifer🌐 Website: https://byjennifergriffith.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byjennifergriffith/🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byjennifergriffith/Closing ThoughtUnderstanding where we come from doesn’t always give us easy answers — but it can give us clarity. And sometimes, that clarity is the first step toward healing, growth, and a different path forward.

On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer welcomes back Jodi Grinwald, founder of Today is the Day, co-founder of Applaud Our Kids Foundation, and author of the new book Today is the Day: LIVE IT!.Jodi is a returning guest to the podcast, and we’re excited to continue this important conversation around opportunity, connection, and impact.Jodi’s work is grounded in a simple but powerful idea: if the table doesn’t exist, build it — and make sure others have a seat.Her new book, Today is the Day: LIVE IT!, expands on that philosophy, encouraging readers to take action, lead with purpose, and create meaningful impact in their own lives and communities.👉 Learn more and purchase the book: https://todayisthedayliveit.com/live-itThis episode also builds on a recent crossover conversation — Rob was a guest on Jodi’s podcast, Today is the Day Changemakers.🎧 Watch Rob’s episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1rN8EtfTJM&t=501sThrough Applaud Our Kids, Jodi is helping children gain access to music, dance, and acting programs that might otherwise be out of reach. While her work is not exclusively focused on foster care, the connection is clear. Children experiencing instability or hardship often miss out on opportunities that build confidence, identity, and a sense of belonging.This conversation explores what it means to create those opportunities — and why access, connection, and creative expression can change the trajectory of a child’s life.Episode HighlightsWhat it means to “build the table” and create opportunities for othersWhy access to the arts can be transformational for childrenThe role of connection in building confidence and long-term impactHow purpose can drive action, even when the path is unclearWhy opportunity and exposure matter for youth facing hardshipAbout the GuestJodi Grinwald is a leadership and connection strategist, speaker, and founder of Today is the Day Changemakers—a global platform and podcast that reaches listeners in more than 135 countries. She helps organizations strengthen the connections that power performance, shape culture, and accelerate growth.She is also the co-founder and CEO of the Applaud Our Kids Foundation, expanding access to performing arts education for children ages 7–18.Jodi is the author of Today is the Day: LIVE IT! along with 30 other leadership voices. The book is a powerful reflection on courage, leadership, resilience, and connection—calling individuals to step into purpose, create opportunity, and lead with intention.Key Questions from This EpisodeWhat does “build the table” mean, and how can people apply it in their own lives?Why is access to the arts so important for children and youth?How can programs like Applaud Our Kids support children experiencing instability?What role does creative expression play in identity and confidence?How can someone take the first step toward making a difference?About Applaud Our Kids FoundationThe Applaud Our Kids Foundation provides access to performing arts education for children ages 7–18, helping them build confidence, discipline, and a sense of identity through creative expression.Connect with Jodi🌐 Websites:TodayistheDayLiveIt.comApplaudOurKids.org📸 Instagram:@todayisthedayliveit@applaudourkids🔗 LinkedIn:Jodi Grinwald📘 Facebook:Today is the Day Live ItApplaud Our KidsClosing ThoughtCreating change doesn’t always require building something new — sometimes it means opening a door that should have been open all along. This episode is a reminder that when we create space for young people to explore who they are, we help shape who they can become.

On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by Katy Encalade, President and CEO of Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions, who has spent more than two decades helping to create and support families.Katy brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to this conversation. She has been a foster parent, an egg donor, and a surrogate — offering a rare view across multiple paths of supporting children and building families. Her experience as a foster mom serves as a meaningful bridge, grounding this conversation in the realities of child welfare while expanding the lens to include other ways people can step in to help.While Fostering Change often focuses on foster care, adoption, and permanency, this episode broadens that perspective. Katy encourages listeners to consider that there are many ways to support children and families — whether by opening your home, helping someone become a parent by choosing to be a surrogate or egg donor, or finding other ways to show up with compassion and responsibility.Episode HighlightsHow foster care, surrogacy, and egg donation connect through a shared purpose of supporting children and familiesThe importance of lived experience, including Katy’s time as a foster parentWhy stability, care, and belonging remain central across all family-building pathsThe role of ethics, transparency, and trust in family-building workEncouraging people to explore different ways they can help support children and familiesAbout the GuestKaty Encalade is the President and CEO of Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions, an organization that has helped create more than 2,000 families worldwide. A former foster parent, egg donor, and surrogate, she brings both personal experience and professional expertise to her work. Katy has spent more than two decades advocating for ethical, transparent, and relationship-driven approaches to family-building, previously served as Board Chair of the Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy, and now serves as Board Chair of Families Out Loud.Connect with Katy🌐 Website: www.CreateAHappyFamily.com📘 Facebook: Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions📸 Instagram: @createahappyfamily🎵 TikTok: @createahappyfamily🔗 LinkedIn: Katy Encalade

On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by Mordy Kurtz of The Boxery, a company that demonstrates how even behind-the-scenes business operations can play a meaningful role in supporting children in foster care.At Comfort Cases, partnerships are essential. The Boxery has been a valued partner, providing boxes and shipping materials that help deliver Comfort Cases to children across the country. While this support may not always be visible, it is critical to ensuring that essential items reach youth who need them.Mordy leads marketing and growth at The Boxery, bringing creativity and purpose to an industry often viewed as purely transactional. Through initiatives like Givebox, the company is demonstrating how businesses can integrate giving into their everyday operations and make a meaningful impact in their communities.This conversation explores how companies of any size or industry can align their operations with purpose and become active participants in supporting causes like foster care.Episode HighlightsThe role of operational partnerships in supporting nonprofit impactHow The Boxery contributes to Comfort Cases through logistics and infrastructureBringing creativity and brand voice to a traditional industryThe importance of customer-focused, solution-driven marketingHow initiatives like Givebox integrate giving into everyday business operationsAbout the GuestMordy Kurtz leads marketing and growth at The Boxery, where he focuses on creative branding, customer-first marketing, and building systems that help businesses operate more effectively. With more than 15 years of experience, including work with nonprofits, he brings a purpose-driven approach to business and is helping expand The Boxery’s impact through initiatives like Givebox.About the PartnershipThe Boxery supports Comfort Cases by providing essential packaging and shipping materials for nationwide distribution. This partnership highlights the importance of infrastructure and logistics in delivering resources to children experiencing foster care.Connect & Learn More🌐 Website: theboxery.com📘 Facebook: The Boxery📸 Instagram: @theboxery🐦 X (Twitter): @TheBoxery🧵 Threads: @theboxery🎵 TikTok: @theboxery🔗 LinkedIn: Mordy Kurtz | The Boxery📧 Email: marketing@theboxery.com

On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by Karen Segal, founder of Photo Safe, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting what many children in foster care often miss: photographs and personal memories.For most families, childhood photos are a given. They capture milestones, friendships, and the small moments that help us understand who we are and where we come from. But for many children experiencing foster care, frequent moves and disrupted connections mean those memories are rarely preserved.Photo Safe was founded to close that gap. Through a network of volunteer photographers, the organization has provided more than 60,000 professionally taken and framed photographs to youth connected to foster care and their families.At the heart of Photo Safe’s work is a commitment to safety and confidentiality. Every image is securely archived and preserved so children can access their memories safely now and decades into the future.In this conversation, Rob and Karen explore why photographs matter for identity, how preserving childhood moments can help young people build a sense of belonging, and why something as simple as a picture can become a powerful anchor in a child’s life.Episode HighlightsWhy childhood photographs play a vital role in identity and emotional developmentThe often-overlooked reality is that many youth in foster care grow up without documented memoriesHow Photo Safe protects images through secure archival systems and strict confidentialityThe lasting emotional impact of framed photographs and preserved milestonesHow preserving memories helps youth maintain a connection to their own storyAbout the GuestKaren Segal is the founder of Photo Safe, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving childhood photographs for youth in foster care. After a 30-year career in financial technology with firms including Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, and Barclays, she now serves as a Quality Executive at Ernst & Young. Through Photo Safe’s volunteer network of photographers, the organization has provided more than 60,000 framed photographs to children and families connected to foster care while maintaining rigorous standards of privacy, security, and long-term archival preservation.Connect with Photo Safe🌐 Website: www.photosafe.org📘 Facebook: facebook.com/photosafe.org

On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by his friend, Pedro Andrade, an Emmy Award–winning journalist, producer, and global storyteller whose work explores identity, culture, and what it truly means to be a family.Pedro is the host and producer of the HBO Max documentary series Somewhat Familiar, which follows Pedro and his husband as they adopt a baby and travel the world exploring how families are formed across cultures and communities.One episode of the series is especially meaningful to the Fostering Change community. Episode five featured Rob Scheer and the Scheer family, offering an honest look at foster care, adoption, and what permanency can look like in real life.In this conversation, Rob and Pedro revisit that experience and explore how storytelling can expand our understanding of family, bring visibility to foster care, and inspire more compassionate conversations about belonging.Episode HighlightsHow media and storytelling can redefine traditional ideas of familyWhy foster care stories deserve a place in global conversations about belongingPedro’s experience of becoming a parent and how it shaped his perspective on adoptionWhat the Scheer family story revealed about permanency and resilienceThe role of documentaries in shifting public understanding and reducing stigmaAbout the GuestPedro Andrade is an Emmy Award–winning journalist, producer, and global storyteller known for his work exploring culture, identity, and human connection. He is the host and producer of the HBO Max documentary series Somewhat Familiar, which follows Pedro and his husband as they navigate adoption while exploring family structures around the world. Through his work, Pedro highlights diverse stories of belonging and invites audiences to see family through a wider, more compassionate lens.Connect with Pedro📸 Instagram: @pedroandradeTV🎬 Series: Somewhat Familiar with Pedro Andrade on HBO Max

On this episode of Fostering Change Podcast, Rob Scheer is joined by Temple Lentz — nonprofit CEO, local elected official, and debut novelist — for a thoughtful conversation about what happens when the systems designed to protect vulnerable families don’t always work the way they’re supposed to.Temple is the author of the novel Not Quite Home, which explores the cracks in America’s social service safety net. While the book is fiction, its themes are grounded in real-world experience. Having worked both inside nonprofit leadership and as an elected official, Temple brings a rare systems-level perspective to the conversation.Together, Rob and Temple discuss the gap between policy and lived reality, how well-intentioned systems can sometimes cause unintended harm, and why storytelling may be one of the most powerful tools we have to illuminate the need for reform.Episode Highlights• Why systems meant to help families often fall short• The unintended consequences of well-intentioned policies• What people misunderstand about how social service systems actually function• Why fiction can humanize policy failures more effectively than reports and data• How civic engagement and storytelling can open doors to meaningful reformAbout the GuestTemple Lentz is a nonprofit CEO, local elected official, and debut novelist. She earned a BA from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Claremont Lincoln University. Her writing has appeared in outlets including the Portland Mercury, Vancouver Business Journal, Live Wire! Radio, New City Chicago, and the Windy City Times.Her first novel, Not Quite Home, examines the human impact of systemic gaps within America’s social safety net.Connect with Temple🌐 Website: templelentzbooks.com📘 Facebook: Temple Lentz📸 Instagram: @gototemple🐦 X/Twitter: @gototemple🧵 Threads: @gototemple🔗 LinkedIn: Temple Lentz

On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer sits down with Dr. Liz DeBetta — an award-winning writer, educator, and solo performance artist whose work explores adoption, trauma, identity, and healing through storytelling.Dr. Liz is the founder of Migrating Toward Wholeness, a trauma-informed, arts-based healing framework, and the author of Adult Adoptees and Writing to Heal. Her work centers on an often-overlooked truth: adoption isn’t a moment — it’s a lifelong identity journey.This conversation is especially meaningful for Rob, who reflects on his own experience adopting his son Alex, who joined the Scheer family at 18 and was formally adopted at 22 — a powerful reminder that belonging and permanency have no age limit.Together, Rob and Dr. Liz explore how adults navigate adoption-related grief and identity, why healing can unfold later in life, and how storytelling becomes a transformative tool for reclaiming voice and wholeness.Episode HighlightsLate and adult adoption as meaningful and transformativeHow writing and embodied storytelling support trauma integrationWhat “wholeness” means for identities shaped by early lossThe role adoptive families play in supporting adult adoptees over timeAbout the GuestDr. Liz DeBetta is an award-winning writer, educator, and solo performance artist whose work focuses on adoption, trauma, and identity through narrative expression. She is the founder of Migrating Toward Wholeness™, the author of Adult Adoptees and Writing to Heal, and the creator of the acclaimed one-woman show Un-M-Othered, which examines adoption and patriarchy through embodied storytelling. Holding a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies, she blends research, lived experience, and art to support healing and identity integration.Connect with Dr. Liz🌐 Website: www.lizdebetta.com📘 Facebook: Dr. Liz DeBetta📸 Instagram: @dr.liz.debetta🎵 TikTok: @dr.liz.debetta🔗 LinkedIn: Liz DeBetta, Ph.D.