HeyJaredThe Foster Friendly Podcast
Welcome to The Foster Friendly Podcast. We’re bringing foster care closer to home by sharing stories from the front lines.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 8
- Latest publication
- Sep 30, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Jul 8, 2026
Latest episodes
Foster Care Alum Shares on Trafficking, Trauma, and Finding Hope with Sofia Pantoja (opens the original)
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In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Kristin Allender and Travis Vangsnes interview Sophia Pantoja who shares her experiences growing up in the foster care system. Sophia discusses her journey from entering care at age ten due to her parents' drug addiction to her experiences in various foster homes and a group home. She reflects on the challenges she faced, including behavioral issues, feelings of isolation, and the impact of her upbringing on her maturity. Sophia also shares a
From Foster Care to the Air Force to the Stage with Sensei Dave Armstrong (opens the original)
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This episode kicks off the Foster Friendly Podcast’s "aging out" series with Sensei Dave Armstrong, a foster care and juvenile justice alum, former Air Force veteran, mentor, author, and advocate. Dave shares how instability, trauma, and survival shaped his early years, and how two consistent adults helped redirect his life toward service, discipline, and purpose. Travis, Kristin, and Dave discuss what foster parents need to understand about trust, why youth from foster care often gravitate towa
A Tribute to Brian Mavis’s Leadership Impact and Big Wins for Foster Care (opens the original)
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In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Travis Vangsnes and Kristen Allender reflect on the impactful leadership of Brian Mavis (co founder of America's Kids Belong) who is taking on a new ministry role and stepping out of the organization and the podcast. They share his memorable quotes and leadership principles that have shaped AKB's work in the nonprofit sector, emphasizing the importance of community support, family over programs, and the need for asset-based approaches to comm
Celebrating Our 100th Episode and Meet Our New Cohost Kristin Allender (opens the original)
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In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, Travis and Courtney celebrate the show’s 100th episode while welcoming Kristin Allender as the podcast’s new cohost. As Courtney prepares to step away, Kristin shares her background as an adoptee, social worker, longtime Executive Director of Tennessee Kids Belong, and now CEO of America's Kids Belong. She reflects on a career that has taken her from child abuse investigations in Los Angeles to helping build foster-friendly communities across the c
Courtney’s Farewell Episode: Celebrating Her Incredible Impact at America’s Kids Belong (opens the original)
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In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, the team bids farewell to Courtney, who is stepping down from her role as cohost of the podcast and being on staff at America's Kids Belong. The conversation reflects on her contributions, the new chapter in her life, and the impact she has made on the podcast and the foster care community. Travis and Brian share their memories and surprise tributes (including from her husband Bobby), highlighting Courtney's leadership and dedication to fostering a
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