We’re continuing our Spiritual Formation Series here at Hope Bridge, and this month, we focused on an especially timely theme: Experiencing God’s gift in nature. Whether it’s a walk in the woods, sitting on your porch, or just paying attention to the sky—it all counts. Nature has a way of slowing us down and pointing us back to our Creator. And guess what? Science backs it up. Spending time outside is good for our spiritual, mental, and emotional health—it’s not just a nice idea, it’s truly life...
Jun 30, 2025•34 min
At Hope Bridge, two of our biggest priorities are supporting single moms and engaging the local church. But bringing those two things together isn’t always simple. In this episode, we’re discussing a sensitive but important topic: church hurt—specifically, how it affects single moms. This conversation is not meant to overgeneralize or place blame. We are incredibly grateful for the many churches we partner with that do amazing work to support families. At the same time, we also want to honor the...
Jun 23, 2025•24 min
In this episode, we’re focusing on the heart behind our Single Moms Program at Hope Bridge. If you’re a single mom, we want you to hear this clearly: you are not failing, and you are not alone. There’s a whole community of women who want to walk alongside you, encourage you, and support you through whatever season you’re in. We talk about the support groups, resources, and connection opportunities available to help you feel seen, strengthened, and surrounded. And if you’re not a single mom but k...
Jun 16, 2025•20 min
On today’s episode, we’re joined by Carly Souza, the director of Fostering Hope in Las Vegas. Fostering Hope is an organization that supports foster families, children in foster care, and biological parents by creating pathways for reconciliation and full restoration. Fostering Hope builds care communities and offers support groups that surround and uplift those impacted by foster care—meeting practical needs while fostering lasting relationships. She also opens up about her and her husband’s pe...
Jun 09, 2025•43 min
We’re back with another episode in our Spiritual Formation series, and today we’re focusing on the practice of scripture memory. This conversation is all about what it means to tuck God’s Word into our hearts—setting our minds on truth and learning to depend on Him in our everyday lives. We talk about the many benefits of memorizing scripture, including how it strengthens our faith, renews our minds, and anchors us in God’s promises. Whether you’re brand new to this practice or looking for a fre...
Jun 02, 2025•33 min
In this episode, Trisha White Priebe—an adult adoptee, writer, and speaker—joins the show to talk about something we don’t always think about: how families who aren’t part of the adoption or foster care world can still help their kids understand it. There are plenty of resources out there for adoptive families, but what about the parents whose kids have classmates or friends who are adopted or in foster care? How do those families start the conversation? Trisha shares practical, thoughtful ways ...
May 26, 2025•53 min
In this episode of The ReStoried Podcast, we sit down with Vince Smith, former foster parent and director of Keystone Family Alliance, an organization committed to educating, motivating, and equipping churches across Pennsylvania to care for vulnerable children both locally and globally. Vince shares his journey as a foster parent to 35 children and the heart behind his work with Keystone Family Alliance. He opens up about the alarming needs in the child welfare system and how the church can—and...
May 19, 2025•25 min
In honor of Foster Care Awareness Month, we're sharing a replay of a powerful and important conversation with Brannon Marshall and Judy McClintock as they share practical ways to empower churches to support foster families. In this episode, we're joined by Brannon Marshall, the pastor of North Canton Chapel, and Judy, the director of family life. Their perspectives provide valuable insights into the churches' role in supporting foster families. Brannon’s deep involvement in our community offers ...
May 12, 2025•43 min
May is Foster Care Month, and we're kicking it off with an incredible conversation with Billie Jo Muckley. Billie Jo has been a foster mom for over 21 years. In this episode, she shares the heart behind her long journey in foster care and how her faith in God gives her the strength to keep going, even when things get hard. Billie Jo also opens up about how she and her husband stay strong as a couple while navigating the challenges of foster parenting. She reminds us that foster care is something...
May 05, 2025•34 min
What do you think of when you hear the word fasting ? In today’s episode, we continue our spiritual formation series with a look at the powerful practice of fasting. Often misunderstood or overlooked, fasting is more than just giving something up—it's an invitation to deny ourselves in order to become more aware of God’s presence. We explore how fasting helps us grow in self-awareness, cultivate spiritual hunger, and quiet the noise of daily life so we can truly hear from God. Whether you're new...
Apr 28, 2025•28 min
In this episode, we’re excited to introduce Jen Zwick, the Family Support Specialist in the Single Moms Program at Hope Bridge. Jen shares her heart for walking alongside single mothers and highlights some of the challenges these families often face. Did you know that 1 in 4 children under the age of 18 are raised by a single mother? That’s about 13 million children growing up without a father. In Ohio, nearly two-thirds of all children living in poverty are in single-mother or grandmother-led h...
Apr 21, 2025•20 min
In this episode of ReStoried, we are in conversation with Dr. Nicole Wilke—a researcher, missionary, author, and therapist—about her new book Overcoming: What Scripture and Science Say About Resilience . Nicole has such a hopeful and practical perspective, especially for foster and adoptive parents or anyone caring for kids who’ve been through hard things. We discuss why it’s so important to look at trauma and resilience through both a biblical and scientific lens, how early adversity impacts ki...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Today, we’re sharing some of our favorite tips and lessons we’ve learned along the way in our foster care journeys. After years of experience, we’ve picked up a few things that have helped us navigate both the challenges and joys of fostering. In this episode, we’re chatting about the importance of staying flexible, building a solid support system, and rolling with the ups and downs. Whether you’re just starting out, thinking about becoming a foster parent, or have been in it for a while, we hop...
Apr 07, 2025•29 min
Today, we sit down with Bishop W.C. Martin, whose story inspired the movie Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot . Alongside his wife, Donna, and 22 families in their small East Texas church, they adopted 77 children from the foster care system, sparking a movement of faith and action. Bishop Martin shares why adoption is God’s work and why every community needs its own Possum Trot. While not everyone is called to foster or adopt, he emphasizes that everyone can support in some way. “If people...
Mar 31, 2025•36 min
Today on ReStoried, we’re joined by Kim Botto, a passionate advocate for kids and families. With over 30 years of experience working with children and teens in churches, schools, nonprofits, and foster care initiatives, Kim has a heart for creating safe spaces where kids can heal and thrive. She’s a Trauma Free World Affiliate Trainer, a TBRI Practitioner, and holds a Master’s in Family Ministry—but more than that, she truly cares about making a difference. In this episode, we discuss how we can...
Mar 24, 2025•44 min
How do you make sure that your heart is set on Jesus and not always focused solely on the work at hand? In this episode, we talk about the importance of spiritual formation and how we can intentionally keep our focus on Jesus in the midst of life's busyness. It’s easy to get caught up in doing good work, but how do we ensure that our hearts remain centered on Him? We’ll explore two spiritual rhythms that have helped us stay grounded: Pilgrim’s Feast – A yearly time set aside for reflection and r...
Mar 17, 2025•36 min
Many people enter foster care with the hope of adoption, but is that wrong? This question has sparked discussion and even some controversy in the foster care community. For some, the desire to adopt stems from infertility or simply wanting to grow their family. In this episode, we discuss the realities of fostering with the heart to adopt and what it means to balance that desire with the primary goal of foster care—family reunification. We discuss the process of dual licensing, the differences b...
Mar 10, 2025•33 min
In this episode, we discuss the heart behind our Single Moms Program and the vital support it provides. Our approach focuses on prevention, intervention, and restoration, with this program serving as a key piece of prevention—offering resources, encouragement, and community to help single moms thrive. We also explore the stereotypes single moms often face and how quickly circumstances can shift, making it easy for a capable mom to become vulnerable. Many people don’t realize the challenges singl...
Mar 03, 2025•38 min
In this heartfelt episode of the ReStoried Podcast, we sit down with Sarah Sikora—a dear friend, former foster youth, adoptee, and adoptive mama—whose life has come full circle. Born addicted to drugs, Sarah faced many challenges growing up in foster care, navigating life with multiple siblings and a longing for stability. Now, as a wife and mother to her own biological children, she has also pursued adoption, and this month, she is officially welcoming two daughters into her family. Sarah share...
Feb 24, 2025•39 min
In this week’s compelling episode of the ReStoried Podcast, we welcome Curt Thompson, MD, a renowned psychiatrist, speaker, and author, who masterfully weaves together neuroscience, faith, and the power of storytelling. Curt Thompson, MD, shares how our deep longing to be known is connected to telling truer stories about ourselves. He explores how embracing authenticity can lead to deeper relationships, greater meaning, and a more integrated, creative life. We also discuss the profound need for ...
Feb 17, 2025•43 min
In this episode, we sit down with Lisa C. Qualls—author, speaker, and adoptive mom—to discuss the complexities of adoption, parenting, and connection. Lisa brings a wealth of wisdom from her personal experience as both a birth mom and adoptive mom, as well as her expertise as a TBRI Practitioner and Christian spiritual director. She is the co-author of The Connected Parent (written with Dr. Karyn Purvis) and the host of The Adoption Wise Podcast . Through her work, Lisa equips parents with pract...
Feb 10, 2025•30 min
In this episode, we’re sharing the story behind The Willow House, an exciting new hub created to support foster, adoptive, and kinship families in Carroll County. The Willow House provides essential resources and spaces designed to make a meaningful impact in the lives of these families. Some of the key features include a clothing closet, a welcoming space for visits with biological families, a support group meeting area, a freezer meal prep kitchen, and space for care bag assembly and storage. ...
Feb 03, 2025•30 min
In this episode, we speak with Jesse Coontz, founder of Moms on Target: A Safe & Supportive Community for Moms to Raise Happy, Healthy Children. Jesse shares her journey and the inspiration behind creating a nonprofit dedicated to empowering single moms. We explore how providing meaningful support to moms can help prevent family involvement in the child welfare system and foster healthier communities. Jesse discusses the challenges single moms face and how a supportive community can break ge...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 17 min
In this episode, we’re excited to sit down with Daniela Coats, a speaker at our upcoming Mobilize Ohio Conference, founder of With Siblings, licensed social worker, and children’s book author. Daniela’s passion for serving foster families focuses on supporting the often-overlooked biological children in foster and adoptive families. As a “birth kid” in a foster family, Daniela experienced the challenges and rewards of being a temporary sibling to many children. Her parents eventually adopted her...
Jan 20, 2025•47 min
In this episode, we sit down with Anne Pace, a new staff member at Hope Bridge who has a personal history with foster care and adoption. Anne serves as the Family Advocacy Ministry (FAM) Specialist, where she provides coaching and support to partner churches, equipping them to minister to foster and adoptive families in their congregations. Through our affiliation with Promise686, Hope Bridge helps churches establish Family Advocacy Ministries that offer practical ways to care for vulnerable chi...
Jan 13, 2025•23 min
Today, we are thrilled to welcome Jamie Finn to the podcast! Jamie is a bestselling author, the founder and President of Foster the Family, the host of the Real Mom podcast, and the founder and owner of Goods and Better. She is a sought-after speaker for retreats, conferences, and events, offering encouragement and support to foster and adoptive parents. Through her popular social media accounts, Jamie shares the realities of foster parenting, inspiring thousands with her honesty and wisdom. As ...
Jan 06, 2025•43 min
We’re wrapping up the year with something special and light-hearted—a “Hot Seat” episode featuring our amazing staff! Join us as we put Lisa, Nicole, Brian, and Mel in the Hot Seat with rapid-fire questions, surprising answers, and plenty of laughs. Get to know the people behind the scenes a little better as they share their quirks, favorite moments, and maybe even a few unexpected secrets! This is the perfect way to close out the year on a fun and personal note. Whether you’ve been with us all ...
Dec 30, 2024•39 min
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate all that God has accomplished through Hope Bridge this year. This episode is a heartfelt look back at the milestones we’ve reached, the lives we’ve impacted, and the ways God’s strength and provision have carried us through every step of the journey. Before we dive into setting goals and dreaming big for 2025, we want to honor the work that’s been done, express gratitude for the incredible support we’ve received, an...
Dec 23, 2024•42 min
In this episode, we’re excited to highlight Brian’s new role at Hope Bridge as the Director of Discipleship. We dive into the heart behind this position, exploring what it looks like in practice and how it’s being implemented to further our mission. This role is all about supporting our team’s spiritual growth and helping us stay rooted in our purpose as we serve foster families. We also discuss the importance of spiritual formation in the workplace. Spiritual formation is the process of being f...
Dec 16, 2024•40 min
Loneliness is an epidemic in today’s world—but there’s hope in community. In this episode, we explore why community matters and how it serves as the heart of everything we do at Hope Bridge. We’re also unveiling the theme of the 2025 Mobilize Ohio Conference: Belonging . Together, we’ll dive into the heart behind this theme and why creating spaces of belonging is essential for foster care, adoption, and kinship families. We’re thrilled to introduce two incredible speakers for the 2025 Mobilize O...
Dec 09, 2024•28 min
