From Foster Care to Family Law - A Child Welfare Focus

About From Foster Care to Family Law - A Child Welfare Focus

This is Susan Chesnutt of The Chesnutt Law Firm. This is my podcast From Foster Care to Family Law: A Child Welfare Focus. I was raised in the foster care system, I was a child abuse investigator for the Department of Children and Families, and now I am an attorney practicing family law where my passion is to focus on the best interests of the children involved. In my podcast, I will be meeting industry experts exploring the seemingly impossible scenarios that families often struggle to manage. Each episode will include insights and concepts from professionals that deal with these issues.

Publisher

Susan Chesnutt

Category

kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 May 2020

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

59 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   #59 Gaile Osborne: When Connection Matters More Than Correction

   What happens when building trust matters more than correcting a child’s behavior in the moment? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt speaks with Gaile Osborne about trust-based relationships, trauma-informed parenting, and intentional responses that help children feel safe and connected. Gaile shares how her experiences as a foster and adoptive parent led her to pursue Trust-Based Relational Intervention and rethink how she responds to difficult behaviors. The conversation also explores caregiver self-awareness, giving children appropriate control, asking for help, and recognizing when a placement may not be the right fit. In this episode, Susan and Gaile Osborne discuss: Building trust through everyday interactions Understanding trauma and behavior Trust-Based Relational Intervention and caregiver training Giving children appropriate control and choices Support, respite, and finding the right placement Key Takeaways: [0:02:00] Put the Relationship First - When a child is dealing with stress or difficult behavior, preserving trust and being a safe place can matter more than correcting the behavior in that moment. [0:07:15] Small Moments Can Build Big Trust - Spending even five intentional minutes giving a child focused attention can strengthen a relationship over time and create a foundation for greater connection. [0:16:42] Respond To Feelings Without Taking Them Personally - Staying present, validating a child's frustration, and looking at what happened to the child can help caregivers respond without turning difficult behavior into a personal conflict. [0:38:30] Let Children Earn Appropriate Control - Giving children choices and gradually increasing their independence as they demonstrate responsibility can build trust while helping them develop confidence in making decisions. [0:49:51] Asking For Help Can Protect The Relationship - Caregivers can benefit from coaches, respite, honest support, and other resources that help them recognize when they need a break or when a placement may not be the right fit for a child. “You can demand respect all day long, but until you earn it, you're not going to get it.” - Gaile Osborne About Gaile Osborne: Gaile Osborne is a foster and adoptive parent, special education teacher, advocate, and executive director of the Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina. After becoming a foster parent in 2008 and adopting two children with significant trauma histories, she advocated for better training and support for foster families. She now leads efforts to support families and advance policy change, including North Carolina’s Foster Parents Bill of Rights. This episode is sponsored by Guardians for New Futures (GFNF4Kids), which supports the unfunded needs of abused children through community education and advocacy. Learn more or get involved at www.GFNF4kids.org (http://www.gfnf4kids.org). Connect with Gaile Osborne: Website: https://www.ffa-nc.org/our-stories/Gaile-osborne (https://www.ffa-nc.org/our-stories/gaile-osborne) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Gaile-osborne-719b8935 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaile-osborne-719b8935) Connect with Susan: Website: https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/ (https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/) Podcast: https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/podcasts/ (https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/podcasts/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-chesnutt-27077bb9/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-chesnutt-27077bb9/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechesnuttlawfirm/ (https://www.instagram.com/thechesnuttlawfirm/) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBwfp_IVpeX-YHKpxZ5L0g (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBwfp_IVpeX-YHKpxZ5L0g) Avvo: https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/32960-fl-susan-chesnutt-3330241.html (https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/32960-fl-susan-chesnutt-3330241.html) Connect with GFNF4Kids: Website: www.gfnf4kids.org (http://www.gfnf4kids.org) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guardiansfornewfutures/ (https://www.facebook.com/guardiansfornewfutures/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gfnf4kids/ (https://www.instagram.com/gfnf4kids/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gfnf4kids (https://www.linkedin.com/company/gfnf4kids) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu1YDp4Qn1WxpEs1s1Oqktw (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu1YDp4Qn1WxpEs1s1Oqktw)

2. 

   15 Sept 2026

   #58 Tamara Harris: Breaking the Patterns We Carry Into Relationships

   What if the way you respond to conflict in your relationships is connected to what you learned about relationships as a child? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Tamara Harris, a licensed clinical social worker and Florida Supreme Court mediator, to explore how childhood experiences, trauma, emotional regulation, and unresolved patterns can shape adult relationships and co-parenting. You will hear how recognizing those patterns can help you respond differently, communicate more effectively, and keep children from being caught in the middle of family conflict. In this episode, Susan and Tamara Harris discuss: Childhood experiences and adult relationships Trauma, attachment, and emotional responses Therapy and breaking unhealthy patterns Co-parenting and parallel parenting Parenting coordination and family conflict Key Takeaways: [0:04:45] Children Learn Relationships By Watching Them - Creating a home with safety, love, healthy boundaries, and positive relationships can shape how children understand relationships as adults. [0:09:45] Look Back Before You Move Forward - Examining childhood experiences and the environment someone grew up in can reveal patterns that continue shaping relationships and behavior. [0:22:50] Breaking Patterns Starts With Recognizing Them - Identify unhealthy family cycles, recognize overlooked red flags, and seek support to understand which patterns you do not want to carry forward. [0:38:25] Structure Can Make Co-Parenting Easier - Consistent rules, emotional regulation before communication, and shared schedules can give children stability while reducing conflict between parents. [0:45:37] Parenting Coordination Keeps Children at the Center - Creating a roadmap for schedules, activities, holidays, and the child’s needs can help parents make decisions based on changing family circumstances rather than ongoing conflict. “Our story begins in childhood. And so, it shapes like where we go into our adult relationships.” - Tamara Harris About Tamara Harris: Tamara Harris, LCSW, LICSW, QS, specializes in high-conflict divorce, parenting coordination, mediation, and rebuilding after relationship trauma. With more than 20 years of experience in child welfare and behavioral health leadership, she brings extensive clinical and systems experience to helping families manage conflict, repair communication, and protect children through family transitions. She is a Florida Supreme Court certified mediator, Collaborative Law certified, and an Internal Family Systems-trained practitioner licensed in Florida, Massachusetts, and Utah. Tamara also holds an MSW from the University of Central Florida and is pursuing a PsyD in Behavioral Health Leadership at Walden University. This episode is sponsored by Guardians for New Futures (GFNF4Kids), an organization dedicated to supporting the unfunded needs of abused children while increasing community awareness and education to further protect kids. To donate, get involved, or learn more, visit www.GFNF4kids.org (http://www.gfnf4kids.org). Connect with Tamara Harris: Website: https://envizionstrategicconsulting.org/ (https://envizionstrategicconsulting.org/) Email: tharris@envizionstrategicconsulting.org (mailto:tharris@envizionstrategicconsulting.org) Phone: (321) 344-4901 Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tamara-d-harris-palm-bay-fl/921467 (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tamara-d-harris-palm-bay-fl/921467) Connect with Susan: Website: https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/ (https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/) Podcast: https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/podcasts/ (https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/podcasts/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-chesnutt-27077bb9/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-chesnutt-27077bb9/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechesnuttlawfirm/ (https://www.instagram.com/thechesnuttlawfirm/) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBwfp_IVpeX-YHKpxZ5L0g (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBwfp_IVpeX-YHKpxZ5L0g) Avvo: https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/32960-fl-susan-chesnutt-3330241.html (https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/32960-fl-susan-chesnutt-3330241.html) Connect with GFNF4Kids: Website: www.gfnf4kids.org (http://www.gfnf4kids.org) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guardiansfornewfutures/ (https://www.facebook.com/guardiansfornewfutures/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gfnf4kids/ (https://www.instagram.com/gfnf4kids/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gfnf4kids (https://www.linkedin.com/company/gfnf4kids) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu1YDp4Qn1WxpEs1s1Oqktw (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu1YDp4Qn1WxpEs1s1Oqktw)

3. 

   25 Aug 2026

   #57 Dr. Frank Putnam: Old Before Their Time and the Lasting Impact of Childhood Trauma

   What if childhood trauma changes the body as much as it changes the mind? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Dr. Frank Putnam to explore decades of groundbreaking research on the lifelong effects of child abuse, revealing how early trauma can alter biological development, mental health, and future relationships. You will hear why prevention matters as much as intervention, how supportive relationships can change a child’s trajectory, and what professionals and communities often misunderstand about trauma. This conversation offers a deeper understanding of child welfare and challenges you to rethink how healing begins. In this episode, Susan and Dr. Frank Putnam discuss: The biological effects of childhood trauma Longitudinal research on child abuse and development Prevention and intervention in child welfare The role of supportive relationships in healing Foster care and trauma-informed approaches Key Takeaways: [0:00:00] Childhood Trauma Leaves Lifelong Biological Scars - Early childhood trauma affects more than emotional well-being by accelerating biological aging, increasing the risk of chronic disease and earlier mortality. [0:27:39] One Trusted Adult Can Change Everything - Children who develop strong relationships with supportive adults such as teachers, coaches, mentors, or relatives are more likely to experience healthier long-term outcomes despite early adversity. [0:48:23] Healing Requires More Than Removing Harm - Children who have experienced abuse need practical guidance to recognize unsafe situations, build healthy coping skills, and reduce the risk of future revictimization. [1:11:57] Feeling Safe Is Just as Important as Being Safe - Recovery begins when children not only escape danger but also regain a genuine sense of security after prolonged trauma. [1:42:17] Behavior Often Reflects What Trauma Has Changed - Many long-term behavioral and health challenges stem from developmental changes caused by chronic childhood trauma rather than willful misconduct. “If we can break these cycles, what we see is that we're not just stopping a case, we're stopping generations.” (Referring to generations of trauma and abuse.) - Dr. Frank Putnam About Dr. Frank Putnam: Dr. Putnam is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and an authority on the lifetime effects of childhood maltreatment. He is co-founder, with the late Dr. Penelope Trickett, of the Female Growth and Development Study (FGDS), an ongoing 35+ year, multigenerational study of the enduring biopsychosocial effects of childhood sexual abuse on female development. His latest book, Old Before Their Time (2025), offers the first full account of the FGDS, detailing its stunning biomedical findings in a narrative accessible to both professionals and the general public. This episode is sponsored by Guardians for New Futures (GFNF4Kids), an organization dedicated to supporting the unfunded needs of abused children while increasing community awareness and education to further protect kids. To donate, get involved, or learn more, visit www.GFNF4kids.org (http://www.gfnf4kids.org). Connect with Dr. Frank Putnam: Website: https://frankputnam.com/ (https://frankputnam.com/) Book: Old Before Their Time: https://www.amazon.com/Old-Before-Their-Time-Investigating/dp/1032974826 (https://www.amazon.com/Old-Before-Their-Time-Investigating/dp/1032974826) Connect with Susan: Website: https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/ (https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/) Podcast: https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/podcasts/ (https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/podcasts/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-chesnutt-27077bb9/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-chesnutt-27077bb9/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechesnuttlawfirm/ (https://www.instagram.com/thechesnuttlawfirm/) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBwfp_IVpeX-YHKpxZ5L0g (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBwfp_IVpeX-YHKpxZ5L0g) Avvo: https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/32960-fl-susan-chesnutt-3330241.html (https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/32960-fl-susan-chesnutt-3330241.html) Connect with GFNF4Kids: Website: www.gfnf4kids.org (http://www.gfnf4kids.org) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guardiansfornewfutures/ (https://www.facebook.com/guardiansfornewfutures/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gfnf4kids/ (https://www.instagram.com/gfnf4kids/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gfnf4kids (https://www.linkedin.com/company/gfnf4kids) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu1YDp4Qn1WxpEs1s1Oqktw (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu1YDp4Qn1WxpEs1s1Oqktw)

Who has been a guest on From Foster Care to Family Law - A Child Welfare Focus

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Todd Mohink
• Beth Proudfoot
• James Dutton
• Noel Thompson
• Sandra Fava Esq

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

379,950

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.3 / 5

6 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

38

Social presence

100

YouTube

76

Engagement

71

Contact From Foster Care to Family Law - A Child Welfare Focus

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Books guests

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