Episode 231: High Risk: What Weed is Doing to Young Brains
Host Brian and guest Kim explore the profound risks of cannabis use on young brains, particularly for vulnerable youth, offering compassionate pathways to support and recovery.
20 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT
Episode 230: A Grown Up Love Story: Adoption after Later Stages
Summary:
Today, we're joined by Leah and Brian from the Gift of Adoption Fund to explore how families are supported as they welcome youth who have faced adversity into permanent, loving homes. With more than 6,500 children served and over $22 million in adoption funding provided, their work is creating tangible pathways to stability and belonging.
While many people associate adoption with infants, this conversation broadens the lens to highlight critical needs within our communities. Leah and Brian share their personal journeys into adoption advocacy, what drew them to this work, and the moments that have shaped their impact.
We also take a closer look at the realities inside the foster care system, including guardianship transitions, relative licensing, private adoptions from foster care, and the role of pre-adoption grants. Beyond the system, we discuss emerging needs like young adult adoptions, what families should expect in the process, and why stepping into this space matters now more than ever.
This episode offers both insight and inspiration, grounded in real stories of lives changed through connection and commitment.
Resource Links:
Gift of Adoption Grants
Apply for a Gift of Adoption Grant Now (https://giftofadoption.org/apply-for-a-grant/)
Foster Arizona - Learn more about foster care and adoption
Foster Arizona | Foster & Adobt
(https://fosterarizona.org/foster-and-adopt)Connect with us!
Email: info@fosteraz.org
Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast
Instagram: @FosteringVoices
Web: www.fosterarizona.org
7 Apr 2026
Episode 229: ENOLA: You're Not Alone
Summary:
Isolation is one of the most consistent challenges we hear from the young adults we serve. Many feel like they are navigating life on their own, and that sense of disconnection doesn't just affect them—it impacts their families as well. In this episode, we explore what it looks like to break that isolation and how we can step in with meaningful support.
We're joined by Wendi Cross, author of Not Forgotten and CEO of xHope. Wendi shares how her personal journey—including adoption, ministry, and building community—shaped her passion for helping others experience connection. Her story highlights how access to relationships and resources can shift not just circumstances, but mindset.
We talk about the real need behind the issue: connection. What happens when it's present, and what happens when it's missing. Through stories and practical insight, this conversation brings clarity to the role we can all play.
Finally, we ask a simple but challenging question: what does it look like to be a safe connection for someone else? From recognizing healthy relationships to showing up with encouragement, honesty, and awareness, this episode offers a grounded and hopeful path forward.
Resource Links:
Not Forgotten by Wendi Cross: Book | X Hope Inc
xHOPE Missions (https://www.xhopemissions.org/)
Connect with us!
Email: info@fosteraz.org
Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast
Instagram: @FosteringVoices
Web: www.fosterarizona.org
Inside a recent episode
Episode 231: High Risk: What Weed is Doing to Young Brains
Published 12 May 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Right. Yeah. The other thing that's really interesting is there's a lot of studies that have been coming out. One of them from California that I think was 450,000 young adults participate. And I love that it wasn't just like a quick study that they did, but it was over a period of time. So they were able to see more information about like the impact of the substances on the young adult brain as they were using substances. So these studies were like released just this spring. Mm-hmm. So very, very new data that's coming out. And not just this study, but there's a lot of studies that have been in the works that I didn't know about. […]
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