I hope that you will listen in to this episode of By Their Side as I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with two dedicated CASA volunteers, Patty and Denise! Both have incredibly rich experiences in the field, and they join me to share their personal journeys and insights into their important work. Denise, who I collaborate with at Voices for CASA Children, speaks about her motivation to join CASA after advocating for her daughter with special needs, and her story is truly a powerful rem...
Jun 20, 2025•58 min
Join me for this episode of By Their Side as I have an insightful conversation with Rick Griffin, a renowned expert in trauma-informed care and the neuroscience behind resilience. Rick shares some truly fascinating insights that have completely shifted my perspective. I had always thought of resilience as simply the ability to "bounce back" from adversity, but Rick explains that it's so much more complex than that; it's about the delicate balance of the brain's reward system and how trauma can t...
Jun 05, 2025•45 min
Thank you so much for tuning into By Their Side, my friends! Joining me today is Cordelia Cranshaw ! Cordelia is a coach, therapist, storyteller, and the founder of From Survivor to Thriver, an organization that is committed to empowering youth in foster care. Cordelia’s journey is truly nothing short of inspiring. She grew up in the foster care system and experienced generational trauma, but she overcame personal struggles and is now a beacon of strength for others facing similar challenges. Li...
Apr 09, 2025•37 min
Thanks for tuning in to another episode of By Their Side, friends. I am joined today by the great Gaelin Elmore, former NFL player and current passionate advocate for youth facing adversity. As a child, Gaelin was very much a part of the foster system, but his experience, while inspiring because of how he overcame such challenges, was not a happy one. Listen as Gaelin reflects on his journey through foster care and how he discovered an incredibly important truth, that belonging is the key to sur...
Feb 20, 2025•42 min
**Available Resources for Parents** Nationwide: 2-1-1 Postpartum Support International Suicide Prevention Hotline - 1.800.273.8255 Knee to Knee National Parent Youth Helpline - 855.427.2736 National Maternal Mental Health Hotline-1-833-TLC-MAMA National Domestic Violence Hotline- 1.800.799.7233 PSI Depression hotline- 1.800.944.4PPD Arizona Specific: 2-1-1 Arizona Family Involvement Center Prevent Child Abuse Arizona Welcome back to By Their Side, listeners! I am so thrilled to be joined in this...
Jan 28, 2025•27 min
**Available Resources for Parents** Nationwide: 2-1-1 Postpartum Support International Suicide Prevention Hotline - 1.800.273.8255 Knee to Knee National Parent Youth Helpline - 855.427.2736 National Maternal Mental Health Hotline-1-833-TLC-MAMA National Domestic Violence Hotline- 1.800.799.7233 PSI Depression hotline- 1.800.944.4PPD Arizona Specific: 2-1-1 Arizona Family Involvement Center Prevent Child Abuse Arizona Welcome back to By Their Side, listeners! I am so thrilled to be joined in this...
Jan 28, 2025•36 min
I am so thrilled to have had the chance to connect with Allison Davis Maxon , a name that is truly synonymous with expertise in child welfare and children's mental health. Allison's insights and contributions to the fields of developmental trauma and adoption are nothing short of transformative. Not only does Allison hold the position of Executive Director at the National Center on Adoption and Permanency, she also brought her expertise to Hollywood, serving as a foster care consultant for the h...
Nov 08, 2024•54 min
For this episode, I had the great pleasure of chatting with Maryann McEvoy, an experienced advocate with quite an impressive background that spans across state government, nonprofit leadership, and the United Nations. With over twenty years of experience, Maryann’s journey offers a profound exploration into what it truly means to be an advocate. Maryann's passion for advocacy stems from a deep desire to empower and protect vulnerable children, and throughout my enlightening conversation with her...
Aug 12, 2024•41 min
Join me this week as I sit down with Meghan Hays Davis, a seasoned trainer for CASA volunteers in Maricopa County! Meghan’s expertise in child welfare and developmental psychology truly shines through as she simplifies complex topics like trauma and child development. With a background in social work and family practice, Meghan discusses how trauma impacts young children, emphasizing the critical role of relationships in healing. Join us as we discuss the important distinctions between and compl...
Jun 30, 2024•45 min
On this episode, I’m sitting down with Cameron Lee Small who is a licensed clinical counselor, national trainer, and adoptee advocate. As an adoptive parent myself, this topic is very near and dear to my heart, so I am so thrilled to have Cameron share his invaluable insights. Cameron's personal journey as an international adoptee from Korea informs his impactful work today. Through his private practice, Therapy Redeemed, as well as his upcoming book, The Adoptee's Journey: From Loss and Trauma ...
May 28, 2024•44 min
I have the incredible opportunity this episode to discuss the intricacies of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) with Barb Clark, an esteemed expert in the field. As someone who works closely with children, exploring this topic was eye-opening for me, resonating deeply with the struggles and challenges many young ones face. Barb, a mother of five, shares her personal journey and insights gained from her eldest daughter's FASD diagnosis, offering a wealth of knowledge and perspective. Througho...
Apr 19, 2024•45 min
I am thrilled to be sharing with you this amazing conversation with the wonderful Keri Richmond, a remarkable changemaker, storyteller, podcaster , and fierce advocate for children and families. Keri's journey, marked by her time in the foster care system and a turbulent adoption, has shaped her into an international speaker, podcast host, and policy advocate for foster care reform, and as we delve into her story, we explore the complexities of trauma and its enduring impact on individuals and s...
Mar 21, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 4
*Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions that may be sensitive or triggering for some listeners, including references to suicide. Listener discretion is advised In this enlightening episode of the show, I am joined by Kevin Powell , an experienced licensed psychologist, trainer, and consultant with over three decades of experience. Diving into Kevin's remarkable journey, we explore the roots of his passion for human services, shaped by his parents' influence and his own experience wit...
Feb 22, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 3
*Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions that may be sensitive or triggering for some listeners, including references to suicide. Listener discretion is advised Welcome back to By Their Side! In this powerful episode, we dive into the often underappreciated perspective of birth mothers with Ashley Mitchell, the inspiring force behind Big Tough Girl ™. She shares her personal journey of placing her son for adoption in 2006 and the challenges she faced in the aftermath, and we explore t...
Feb 22, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Welcome to the By Their Side podcast, dedicated to advocating for children living in foster care. I'm Micaela Tracy, your host, and in today's episode, we delve into the transformative insights of Dafna Lender, a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience specializing in therapy and developmental psychotherapy. As we navigate through Dafna's journey, you'll discover the profound impact of Integrative Attachment Family Therapy, her model born out of early struggles as a soci...
Feb 22, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 1
