Send us a text J ayne Amelia talks with amazing, astounding and ever persistent Gay Courter. Gay Courter is the author of 7 bestselling novels with over three million copies in print worldwide including The Midwife, The Midwife’s Advice , Code Ezra , River of Dreams , Flowers in the Blood , and The Girl in the Box. Her non-fiction works include The Beansprout Book and How To Survive Your Husband’s Midlife Crisis, and I Speak for this Child : True Stories of a Child Advocate, which was nominated ...
Apr 08, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with Nia Garcia. The smart and lovely Nia Garcia is a former foster youth who was abused by her drug addicted mother and stepfather who then threw out of her family home when she was only 13… she ended up living in shelters after several foster homes, then on the streets. She self-harmed for many years and then got addicted to meth to try to numb her pain, but with a lot of hard work and determination she’s now recovered and has made herself a new and happy life...
Apr 02, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Send us a text Jayne Amelia speaks with CASA Debbie Dullabaun who has been of service to her community for close to 30 years. In 1998 after the death of her six year old son, Dale Lee Dullabaun III, Debbie began to work in his memory with several non-profit organizations. Along with volunteering for many years with the American Red Cross and the San Fernando Valley Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART), in 2020 Debbie became a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer representing the need...
Mar 25, 2022•48 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with the lovely and gracious Kanesha Allison. Kanesha and her five siblings were taken into kinship care with her grandmother when she was a little girl until eventually reunited with her mom five years later, but she was able to see her mom everyday and that made all the difference. Now as an adult and single mom, she has taken in her young nephew who needs special care — so it’s come full circle; and she says he's helping her as much as she's helping him. Kane...
Mar 18, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Send us a text Jayne Amelia speaks with powerhouse foster care alumnus, performance artist, and founder of Reel to Reel Global Youth Film Festival, Johna Rivers. Johna Rivers is a 28 year old trailblazer. They are a foster care alumnus from WATTS who was abused, starved, neglected as a child and teenager but turned trauma into triumph. They are the co-founder for Real To Reel Global Youth Film Festival, a platform for young film makers to highlight issues plaguing their local or global communiti...
Mar 11, 2022•45 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Send us a text Jayne Amelia speaks with Dennis Rosenbaum who was a school psychologist for 38 years and then became a CASA. "I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I grew up in a middle-class Jewish household where the importance of education was emphasized. Yet, as a young person who came of age in the 50’s and 60’s, the racial disparity in opportunity available to some people and not others became uncomfortably apparent to me. The inclination for me to do something constructive to change t...
Mar 04, 2022•45 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Send us a text Jayne Amelia speaks with former foster youth and LGBTQIA+ advocate Rob Rodriguez. Rob Rodriguez is a proud gay, nonbinary, Latino, born and raised in New York City. Currently residing in Los Angeles, they are now making social impact in the LGBTQIA+ community one movement at a time. They are a survivor of abuse and an inspiring success story of what it takes to survive the foster care system for seven years. They are the creative force behind and Director of Marketing & Social...
Feb 23, 2022•58 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Send us a text Jayne Amelia speaks with the powerhouse Leslie Nolan who was trafficked at a young age after fleeing an abusive family; she eventually put her father in jail for his sexual abuse to prevent him from abusing others. "Leslie Nolan is the Design and Wellness Labs Associate Lab Leader at Karana Rising. She assists the Design and Wellness team in the execution of workshops, programs, and launches. She is a survivor of childhood, verbal, and emotional abuse, as well as sexual assault an...
Feb 18, 2022•41 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with Melanie Velasquez. Melanie is a former foster youth from the San Fernando Valley who was abused by her own family at a very young age, and then as a young adult had the courage to put her father in prison. She’s a brave young lady with a terrible but ultimately triumphant story to tell. She's 24 years old now and living happily on her own. She says: “I love helping out others. My goal is to work with youth and help them become the person they want to become...
Feb 08, 2022•43 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Send us a text Jayne Amelia speaks with foster mom and adoptive mom Deena Murray. Deena serves as a consultant to Million Kids for Development, Events and assisting with Operations. She is the Director and Producer of VIP Events for RCDL Enterprises and is a Certified Meeting Professional. Deena has provided foster parent services for four Southern California counties and has been a foster parent to over 25 youth. She, and her husband, ended up adopting twelve of the children they fostered. Deen...
Feb 04, 2022•48 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with crypto kid Daron Bennett. In this episode we discuss his journey from generational poverty to inspiring others. Daron is a foster care alumnus who grew up on the hard rough and tumble streets of Los Angeles. Violence, abuse, and neglect were ever present in his young life but he was determined to break free from the devastating cycle of trauma. At age 11, he taught himself how to read by going to the library and copying down words in the dictionary over and...
Jan 28, 2022•53 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Send us a text Jayne Amelia speaks with foster care alumnus Cody Renegar who is a hairstylist and fine artist, and author of the memoir "Changing the Stars" (2021). We thank him for his frankness, courage, and generous spirit! Here's what Jayne Amelia covers with Cody Renegar in this episode: 1. How did Cody overcome a horrific cycle of abuse and neglect to become a healed, caring, and strong man? 2. How did Cody's early experiences of compassion and resilience shape his present-day spirituality...
Jan 21, 2022•41 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Send us a text BONUS BABIES producer Jake Eberle introduces this between seasons bonus episode which includes special moments from Season 1 with Teena Festa (#17), Howie Cohen (#21), and Venus Manuel with Lori Nelson (#5), as well as upcoming excerpts from Season 2 with Daron Bennett and Cody Renegar. Thanks for listening and we will be dropping new episodes soon. Please visit our website bonusbabies.com if you'd like to make a tax-deductible charitable donation to support our work. See bonusbab...
Dec 10, 2021•31 min0
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with former foster youth Angelo Melendez. When Angelo was orphaned at the age of 2, he was sent to live in foster care in an all boys group home. Luckily he soon went into the care of loving foster parents, Howie and Carol Cohen, who call him "the one" and wanted to adopt him. Angelo spent several happy years with them in Beverly Hills until the court decided that he should be sent to live with his biological relatives, whom he didn't know, in the barrio in East...
Sep 10, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with former foster youth and advocate Alexis Obinna. Alexis is one of the founders and a current member of the Los Angeles Reproductive Health Equity Project Youth Advisory Board. During Alexis's time in California’s foster care system, volunteering at church was fun and better than staying at home. During college, Alexis was able to grow and learn more about support groups and organizations that are available to youth in foster care. Each year, Alexis helps run...
Sep 03, 2021•51 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with former foster parent, Howie Cohen. The LA Times dubbed him “A Real-Life Don Draper.” In an advertising career that spanned five decades, Howie Cohen wrote the immortal words for Alka Seltzer, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing” and “Try it, you’ll like it” both in the Clio Hall of Fame. Howie got his start as the youngest copy trainee at Doyle Dane Bernbach where he literally learned to write copy on the famous VW Bug campaign. He then moved to Wells, R...
Aug 27, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with a devoted and talented child therapist, Kylie . Kylie is a School Therapist working for a non-profit organization providing therapy to students ages 5-22 who live in the residences on campus, or come from homes in the nearby community. These are children who need additional support and aren't able to thrive in a general school environment due to many different reasons such as involvement in CPS, past trauma, violent behaviors, learning disabilities and more...
Aug 20, 2021•43 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with producer, entrepreneur, and serial philanthropist, Peter Samuelson. Peter Samuelson is the Co-Founder and President of First Star, and CEO of PhilmCo Media llc. Mr. Samuelson is a serial pro-social entrepreneur. In 1982 he co-founded the Starlight Children’s Foundation; by 1990 the positive psychological impact of Starlight seeded his next pro-social endeavor, Starbright World, co-founded with Steven Spielberg. 1999 saw the formation of First Star, 2005 EDA...
Aug 13, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Send us a text Jayne Amelia Larson talks with foster parent and adoptive mother, Anita, who when she was single and only 22-years-old welcomed an 11-year-old girl, Ashleigh, into her home thinking it was for short respite care, maybe a week or a month... and ended up caring for her for years and then adopting her. Anita says: "I would not have been able to do this if I didn't have the support system that I had with my family and friends, I've always been determined, I've always been very motivat...
Aug 06, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with Teena Festa who is a new CASA volunteer and also a former foster youth. After having a very difficult time in foster care, as well as struggling with mental health and addiction as a young adult, Teena persevered and decided to try and help people like her. On top of being a CASA, she is working on her psychology degree with a concentration on child and adolescent development, and plans to work with children in the system. Teena's experience and history hav...
Jul 30, 2021•58 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with former foster youth Tamar, who is also a proud and happy young mother. "I’m Tamar and a sophomore student at Orange Coast College. I am in the process of achieving an Associates degree for transfer in Political Science, Communications, Psychology, as well as Liberal Arts. I am an active member on my campus and am involved in programs such as Guardian Scholars, EOPS, CARE, the speech and debate team, and two honor societies. I am passionate about self-advoca...
Jul 24, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with Sid Gardner who co-parented four biological, step, and adoptive children during the past 50 years. Mr. Gardner is a Southern California native and serves as President of Children and Family Futures which he co-founded with his wife, Dr. Nancy Young. He served as Director of the Center for Collaboration for Children at California State University, Fullerton from 1991-2001. He is the author of Beyond Collaboration to Results , published by Arizona State Unive...
Jul 17, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with the gracious and always growing, Megan Green, Founder/CEO of Motivate Vibe Grow and Crownworkshops all over the world. "Service isn’t one act of kindness," she says. "It has been a lifestyle for me. I have been a leader and advocate for marginalized groups and people of color throughout my whole career. I have dedicated my life to serving others since my college days advocating for people suffering from homelessness in Philadelphia to now volunteering my ha...
Jul 09, 2021•43 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with foster care alumnus Diane Martell who has talent and grit too. She's an experienced learning & organizational development consultant, is known for supporting clients in reimagining current processes, procedures and team talent, and maximizing performance as they develop plans for the future. With 30+ years working in both the profit and nonprofit sectors, Diane is a catalyst for well-organized change. She has led as a collaborative executive, responsibl...
Jul 02, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Send us a text Jayne Amelia Larson talks with the powerhouse Wendelyn Julien who served as CEO of CASA of Los Angeles from 2016-2021, and is now the Executive Director of the new Probation Oversight Commission at Los Angeles County. She is an attorney with over 20 years of experience in social justice work with a focus on improving our community for young people. Wende is a biological parent of three, adoptive parent of one, and has been a foster parent twice. She serves as a Court Appointed Spe...
Jun 25, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Send us a text Ashleigh Nichols is a creative New York-based artist, web designer, developer, and illustrator living in Brooklyn with a penchant for all things creative. Ashleigh grew up in a suburban town just outside of D.C. and now calls Brooklyn home. She graduated from The New School with concentrations in Visual Arts and Writing and began coding in 2016. She has worked for large non-profits doing development, special events, and marketing. She enjoys reading, volleyball, making things, and...
Jun 18, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with former foster youth Jaronna Yates. Jaronna has worked in the entertainment industry for the past 22 years, spanning across three major studios, and is currently the Sr. Project Director with Illumination Entertainment heading up the Global Project Management Team for their Marketing Division. From ages five to 13, Jaronna was raised in a Catholic orphanage and lived in several foster homes in Louisville, KY. She was officially placed for adoption at age nin...
Jun 11, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with former foster youth Toni Cunningham. Anthony Cunningham, better known as Toni, is currently in his fourth year in the Recreation Tourism Management program at Cal State Northridge. Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles in the foster care system, Toni has overcome the many obstacles that have been placed is his path. Toni can be described as resilient, hard-working, and a ray of light. He's currently holding a Student Programs Assistant position with ...
Jun 06, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with former foster youth Vaughn Laws. "My name is Vaughn and I wish I knew where I was headed, but this adventure that has been life left me a husk of who I used to be. I've come through a lot and managed to keep my wits about me and pretty much out of trouble. I am currently aspiring to be a graphic designer. I had more ambition when I was a teen since I thought I wasn’t going to be doing everything on my own. However, I learned life deals out its harshest less...
May 28, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Send us a text Jayne Amelia talks with children's attorney Juan Valles. Juan was born in Downey, California, and grew up in Southeast Los Angeles County. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, with a B.A. in linguistics, Juan spent several years working in higher education administration. In particular, he worked with undergraduates in advising, career planning, and student discipline. He later completed a Master's in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount Universit...
May 21, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 7
