How do you respond when a child in foster care says, “Can I live with you?” Or when they lie, steal, or share something deeply personal? In this episode, we’re diving into real-life trauma-informed responses for the “sticky situations” that come up when working with kids who’ve experienced trauma—especially those in foster care. You’ll learn: ✔️ What to say (and what not to say) in tough moments ✔️ How to hold boundaries with empathy ✔️ Why certain behaviors are really bids for connection ✔️ How...
Jun 25, 2025•37 min
At Stable Moments®, we make a bold claim: we are ending the foster care crisis — one mentor at a time. In this episode, I'm sharing an important presentation about the real roots of the foster care crisis and what it actually takes to end it. While systemic change is necessary, true transformation happens when we invest in the individual child — helping them heal, build self-worth, develop life skills, and break generational cycles. It's not just about finding more beds for kids in care — it's a...
Apr 30, 2025•25 min
Ever wonder why emotional regulation is so hard for kids with developmental trauma? Or how your energy might be the most powerful tool in helping them regulate? In this week’s episode, we’re diving deep into co-regulation—what it is, why it matters, and how mentors and caregivers can show up intentionally for kids who've experienced foster care or early trauma. Here’s a quick glimpse of what we unpack: 🧠 How trauma impacts brain development and the ability to process emotions 🧘♀️ Why it’s not...
Mar 25, 2025•30 min
In this episode, we dive into the power of Meaningful Moments Cards—a trauma-informed tool designed to help mentors build trust and foster essential life skills in children, especially those in foster care. 🌟 We explore the six core life skill categories these cards focus on: 💙 Emotional Awareness 💪 Self-Regulation ✅ Responsibility 🌱 Independence ⭐ Self-Worth 🤝 Healthy Relationships Discover how these 54 open-ended conversation cards can spark meaningful dialogue, strengthen mentor-mentee b...
Feb 26, 2025•41 min
In this episode, we dive into why your personal healing is the foundation of effective, trauma-informed care. From understanding the ripple effect of your own healing to breaking down barriers that hold you back, this episode will inspire and empower you to do the most important work of all—your own. ✨ What We Cover: What is trauma-informed service and why it matters. How unresolved personal trauma can impact your ability to serve. Why "healed people heal people" is more than just a phrase. The ...
Jan 29, 2025•14 min
Welcome to Stable Moments! In today's video, we're diving into essential life skills for young adults transitioning out of foster care. Our mentorship sessions are designed with trauma-informed, color-coded activities, but we understand the unique needs of youth preparing to enter adulthood. 🌟 What You'll Learn: Tailored Activities: Discover age-appropriate life skill activities specifically for youth aging out of foster care. Developing Strengths & Interests: Learn how to help kids identif...
Sep 25, 2024•25 min
Explore the complex reasons behind why children with developmental trauma steal and learn effective strategies to address and support their needs. Check out our trauma-informed mentorship model at www.stablemoments.com
Apr 24, 2024•27 min
In this episode, I'll be delving into the concepts of Big T and little t trauma in the realm of trauma, especially as they pertain to our work with kids in foster care. Join me as we explore how understanding these distinctions can better equip us as mentors to support these children. We'll start by examining the origins of the Big T and little t terminology and how it has evolved over time. Through personal anecdotes and insights, I'll share how these labels may not accurately capture the full ...
Mar 27, 2024•22 min
In this episode we dive into Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and their profound impact on human development. Join as we explore how ACES shape both physical and mental health outcomes throughout an individual's life, particularly in the context of foster care and adoption. In this episode, we uncover the significance of trauma-informed approaches in addressing complex trauma experienced by children in foster care and adoption systems. We highlight the importance of understanding ACES and th...
Feb 28, 2024•26 min
In this episode, we dive into the therapeutic power of mentorship for children with complex trauma. Explore 4 transformative ways mentors can heal trauma by showing up, demonstrating genuine interest, navigating relationships, and being positive role models. Discover the magic of mentorship in fostering resilience and healing for kids in need. 🌟 #ChildMentorship #TraumaHealing #MentorshipMagic 🔗 Don't miss our free webinar at stablemoments.com for more valuable insights. 👩💼 As a social work...
Jan 31, 2024•28 min
In this episode we explore why children with complex trauma lie, and the Fact or Fiction activity we can use to support children who lie as a coping mechanism.
Nov 29, 2023•24 min
In this episode, Joan Ulsher shares how her traumatic childhood led her to be a child advocate and shares her new book Misplaced Childhood empowering others to become child advocates. After foster care, Joan is returned home and subjected to more abuse. How can she be saved? Misplaced Childhood chronicles one woman’s powerful journey to overcome a tragic past and use her “lived experiences” to inspire others. Wounded by poverty, child abuse, and foster care, Joan Ulsher discovers a purpose-fille...
Aug 30, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Many parents, mentors, and program directors feel the need to fix the foster kids we serve. It’s natural, but we don’t fix here, so I’m going to dive into what we do do, and how we can support everyone while just being in the thick of it.
Jun 28, 2023•28 min
On this week's episode we dive into some sticky situations submitted by Stable Moments locations. Many people ask "how does the approach look in action?" Here are some practical trauma-informed responses listeners can use when they are faced with sticky situations.
May 24, 2023•42 min
Up to 70% of children in #fostercare have #fetalalcoholspetrumdisorder, which is a condition caused by exposure to alcohol in the womb and can lead to physical, behavioral, and cognitive impairments. FASD is often underdiagnosed and many children with #FASD may be classified under other diagnoses such as #ADHD or developmental delay. On this month's Episode Laura Hernandez informs us of the impact FASD and how we can be supporting to children experiencing #FASD. Laura is the founder of www.mamas...
Apr 25, 2023•52 min
In this episode I break down how to build objectivity and open mindedness so you can show up more for those you serve, whether it be children in foster care, their parents, your volunteers or just people in general.
Mar 29, 2023•27 min
Use the WONDER Method to respond in a trauma-informed way when a child is triggered. Get a free WONDER Method download at www.stablemoments.com/wonder
Mar 01, 2023•27 min
Many foster children aren't able to think about the future. They wonder when their dad might get out of Jail or that there is no future for them, so this is how we can help.
Dec 28, 2022•19 min
Children in foster care may have only bad memories of the holidays. Maybe they remember it as a time where Santa always forgot their house. Maybe they remember their mom being stressed about not being able to afford Christmas. Perhaps they did have memorable Christmas but their special Christmas didn’t include a tree or gifts but a special trip to Waffle House every year. There was once a year time to eat out and everyone was happy. Maybe they recognized a different holiday. Maybe they were Jeho...
Nov 30, 2022•26 min
Being both flexible and structured are big parts of the Stable Moments model…but wait, how can you be flexible AND structured? The truth is, kids, and most humans need a whole bunch of things…but we like to come up with blanket approaches - it’s easier for us. It’s actually the reason for our divisiveness and polarity as a country - many of us see one right answer, but it isn’t that simple. Many things can be true at the same time, and our approach has to offer more than one answer, especially t...
Oct 26, 2022•32 min
I got my first hate mail, attacking the Stable Moments model saying we're causing more trauma by allowing people who aren't credentialed to work with kids with complex trauma needs. In this episode, I read you the message and respond, letting you know we are all good enough to play an active role in the lives of these children.
Aug 31, 2022•37 min
In this episode, we talk about how to use your feelings as a guide to work on the things within yourself that need healing so you can show up fully for those you were created to serve! Take the ACES quiz here Get your Resilience Score here
Jul 27, 2022•22 min
Ángela Quijada-Banks, (she/her) is an NAACP Image Awards Nominee and American Award-winning author of the Black Foster Youth Handbook. As a transformational speaker, she has touched thousands with her message to alchemize your pain to purpose and power. Through her holistic health coaching she supports spiritual wives in business to heal their acne, recover from iron deficiency anemia and prioritize their well-being without the sacrifice of their relationships,purpose or passions. As a nationall...
Jun 29, 2022•53 min
Join us as we sit down with Marla Higginbotham to learn about the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program and how you can get involved in this important work. With CASA programs across the country, everyone can become a CASA. Marla has spent the last 20+ years working in the nonprofit sector helping shape public policy initiatives focused on both community engagement and children’s education and well-being. After a successful 4 years as Executive Director CASA for Union County, Marla to...
May 25, 2022•42 min•Ep. 62
Shenandoah Chefalo is a graduate of Michigan State University, holding a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science, a Certified Coach, and a member of the Foster Leaders Movement. She is a sought after speaker on topics surrounding youth in foster care and the science and impact of trauma and resilience on various social issues; She is also the President and Owner of Chefalo Consulting: Trauma-Informed Specialist that helps private, governmental, and public org...
Apr 27, 2022•48 min•Ep. 61
Shenandoah Chefalo is a graduate of Michigan State University, holding a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science, a Certified Coach, and a member of the Foster Leaders Movement. She is a sought after speaker on topics surrounding youth in foster care and the science and impact of trauma and resilience on various social issues; She is also the President and Owner of Chefalo Consulting: Trauma-Informed Specialist that helps private, governmental, and public org...
Apr 13, 2022•56 min•Ep. 60
We work under the assumption that everyone is doing their very best. We know it's easy to point fingers at the foster system, the kids, the parents. If you believe that everyone is doing their best, it allows us to communicate with empathy instead of judgment.
Feb 23, 2022•34 min•Ep. 59
Beth Tyson, MA, is a psychotherapist, childhood grief and trauma expert, and a children's book author. She recently co-authored and released a new book - The Parenting Odyssey: Trials, Treasures, and Triumphs of Parenting in a Pandemic. The purpose of the book is to reduce isolation for those parenting in a pandemic by sharing heartfelt testimonials and stories from real parents. Get the book http://www.bethtyson.com Facebook Group: Emotiminds IG https://www.instagram.com/bethtyson_traumacare/...
Jan 26, 2022•52 min•Ep. 58
In this episode, Leah shares how education helped her make it through years in foster care and how being ill-equipped to raise her brothers led her to start Fostering Greatness, Inc - an organization helping foster youth transition into healthy adulthood. Leah's strongest desire in life is to share her own story in expectation of encouraging those that have been affected by the many facets of foster care and to instill the message of hope that anyone can become successful despite any adversities...
Dec 29, 2021•50 min•Ep. 57
In this episode I sit down with Naomi Riley to discuss how the Foster Care System, Family Courts, and Racial Activists Are Wrecking Young Lives. Naomi argues that our focus on reunification has built a system that is more accomidating of adults than protective of kids. Naomi Schaefer Riley is a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute focusing on issues regarding child welfare as well as a senior fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum. She also writes about parenting, higher educati...
Nov 24, 2021•50 min•Ep. 56
