Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Empress a former foster youth that aged out. We talk about independent living programs, foster care statistics and spreading awareness. Be sure to follow the guest on social media @Empresstlove333 Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1v7bvzVA12m64Ujr-I9eQcR5UKO8vOIMjDdNic0YYLFg/pref...
Jul 06, 2022•39 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Intersectional adoptee who shares their experiences as an international transracial adoptee as well as a first mom. There is so much intersectionality in this episode be sure to listen! Be sure to follow the guest on social media @intersectionaladoptee Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/f...
Jun 02, 2022•36 min
if you are aware of the story if the illegal adoption on TIKTOK that happen this week here is the truth
May 28, 2022•1 hr 21 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Dee also known as @HonestBirthMom on Tiktok and she shares her experienceas a first mother in private adoption. We speak about how she was lied to and coerced and what assistance birth parents need. Be sure to follow Dee on Tiktok @honestbirthmom Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d...
May 18, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Hey Light Shiners! We have a special month of episodes this month where we will highlight first/birth parents. In this episode, I am joined by CJ a first father whose child was given up for adoption without his consent. He speaks about how this affected him and why he thinks racism was the main reason it happened. Follow CJ on Social Media at https://www.tiktok.com/ @childlessparent and his website https://cjmiler105.com/ Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/u...
May 09, 2022•1 hr 24 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Leija an adoptee whose parents were immigrants and lost custody of her. She talks about her relationship with her adoptive parents and her reunification with her biological family. Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1v7bvzVA12m64Ujr-I9eQcR5UKO8vOIMjDdNic0YYLFg/prefill Please help ...
Apr 26, 2022•49 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Angela Proudfoot a Crown Ward who suffered severe abuse at the hands of her biological parents. They speak about how the cps system in Canada failed them and how they and many others are fighting back! Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1v7bvzVA12m64Ujr-I9eQcR5UKO8vOIMjDdNic0YYLFg...
Apr 21, 2022•59 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Lucy, a former foster youth who was bounced between several homes. She explains the abuse she went through in those homes and how she reunified with her father in the end. Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1v7bvzVA12m64Ujr-I9eQcR5UKO8vOIMjDdNic0YYLFg/prefill Please help us keep s...
Apr 15, 2022•54 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Theo a queer adoptee who was adopted by religious senior citizens and they explain to me how the age gap and religious views made it hard to grow up them. Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1v7bvzVA12m64Ujr-I9eQcR5UKO8vOIMjDdNic0YYLFg/prefill Please help us keep shining light on t...
Apr 07, 2022•43 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by LadySnow a Bi-Racial, Transracial adoptee who was born with cerebral palsy. She speaks about reunification with her biological father but her biological mother does not want a relationship. We also speak on how adoptees like herself are medically abused by their adoptive parents. Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up he...
Mar 29, 2022•41 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Sonya who entered foster care at 2 years old. Her parents were mentally disabled and struggled to complete their family plan so the state terminated their rights. Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1v7bvzVA12m64Ujr-I9eQcR5UKO8vOIMjDdNic0YYLFg/prefill Please help us keep shining li...
Mar 15, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Kieonna who spent the majority of their childhood in foster care with the same foster parents. ** the audio on my end went wacky towards the end of the interview so I apologize in advance*** Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1v7bvzVA12m64Ujr-I9eQcR5UKO8vOIMjDdNic0YYLFg/prefill Pl...
Mar 08, 2022•58 min
Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Lee Lee, a former foster youth who was in over 50 foster placements. She shares the horrors she survived at the hands of those who were supposed to protect her while others looked away. She also shares with us her story of overcoming the tribulations she went through and how she is giving back to the Foster Care system. Follow Lee Lee on social media! https://www.tiktok.com/ @leeleeclark?lang=en https://risingwithhope.godaddysites.com/ Watch the vid...
Mar 01, 2022•1 hr 18 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Penny who was Transracially adopted into an older Caucasian family. Her parents came from a generation of Jim Crow but did not see color, and that ended up being detrimental for her. She also shared her experience with reunification with her biological family and how that process was. Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign ...
Feb 21, 2022•1 hr 9 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Valeria, who only has experience in group homes both open and closed facilities. The facilities were St Johns home in Grand Rapids and Wedgwood’s residential home in Grand Rapids. At Wedgwood, a friend in there un-alived themselves and their mother wasn’t much better. We speak about how their time in these facilities has affected their life. Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=...
Dec 22, 2021•49 min
Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Issac, a transracial adoptee. Isaac has used his story of being adopted and growing up in a white world to curate deep conversations about race in America. With his unique insight on racial tensions between the white and black communities, they have been able to curate impactful conversations where everyone learns to value each other and their experience, while learning about systemic racism, privilege, and their role in it. Watch the video of this ...
Nov 11, 2021•47 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Nina an adoptee. We talk about her adoption and her journey reunifying with her biological family! Watch the video of episodes only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1v7bvzVA12m64Ujr-I9eQcR5UKO8vOIMjDdNic0YYLFg/prefill Please help us keep shining light on the truths of the foster care system by donating. Please clic...
Oct 21, 2021•45 min
Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Josh, a former ward of the state who is currently a foster parent. We speak about his lived experience in the Indiana foster system, Teens in the system, black trash bags, the system in general. There is a beautiful special surprise so make sure you tune in! Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com...
Oct 15, 2021•59 min
What’s good light shiners! In this episode, we get Shahems lived experience in kinship care. We discuss how similar foster care and kinship care is and the effects it’s had. Shahem is a licensed therapist and social worker and focuses on advocating for the Black and brown youth in his community. Teaching about the disparities they face. We also discuss Tiktok and how it is a useful tool to educate people about the foster care system but how racist it can be. Follow Shahem on social media: IG htt...
Sep 30, 2021•49 min
Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Monique, a former Crown Ward who is currently involved in a lawsuit against The Crown for failure to inform foster children of their rights to sue for abuses. We discuss the similarities and differences between being a foster child in Canada vs the USA as well as the ongoing battles of former foster children to secure housing, education, employment, and the general battle to transition into society after being a Ward. Be sure to follow Monique on so...
Sep 18, 2021•1 hr 23 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Crystael a former foster youth who was transracially adopted by Black people. We talk about how it was difficult being the only White person in her family growing up and how that has been as an adult. Be sure to follow Crystael on social media @crystaelcorbin Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.googl...
Sep 09, 2021•1 hr
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by author and former foster youth Brittany. We speak about her lived experience in foster care and her memoir. A Suitcase and a Dream is the story of a 9-year-old girl faced with the atrocities of abuse, hunger, homelessness, abandonment finally ending up in the foster care system. Grab a copy here! https://www.amazon.com/Suitcase-Dream-Brittney-Sherell/dp/1937400077 Follow Brittney on social media @suitcasedreamfostercare Watch the video of this e...
Sep 02, 2021•51 min
Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Bennett a former foster youth who was in and out of the foster system 3 times! Bennett shares his lived experience being a first-generation American whose father struggled to keep custody. His story is captivating and profound. Be sure to follow Bennett on social media @bennettknows. Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up he...
Aug 26, 2021•48 min
Hey hey, Light Shiners! This is a VERY special episode for me. I am joined by Jasmine a former foster youth and my sisters' foster sister. I first met her when I was visiting my sister when I was 8 years old at their foster home. Jasmine shares her experience in the foster system and how it overall was a positive experience. You won't want to miss this episode! Be sure to follow Jasmine on social media @jaszzy___ If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.co...
Aug 19, 2021•1 hr 12 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this week's episode, I am joined by Katie, a young person that has been greatly affected by the foster care system. They discussed how child protective services lied to them and their biological mom and how foster care robbed them of their chidlhood. Be sure to follow Katie on social media! @themillerfamily2030 Please be sure to leave a 5-star rating and review to keep more amazing episodes coming!
Aug 12, 2021•23 min
Hope all of you light shiners are having an amazing week. In this episode, Ellery shares the incredible story of her life in and out of the foster system. We speak about abuse in the foster care system and the fog it creates. The lack of adult supervision to foster parents and the system treating kids as pawns. Be sure to follow Ellery on social media @ElleryMalmgren If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1v7bvzVA12m64Ujr-I9eQcR5UKO8vOIMjDdNi...
Aug 05, 2021•58 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this week's episode, I am joined by Davon, a twin, former foster youth, and adoptee. He speaks on how the system is failing foster kids. We also talk about his lived experience and what we can do to make a change as former foster youth Be sure to follow Davon on Tiktok! @woodstwins1 Please be sure to leave a 5-star rating and review to keep more amazing episodes coming!
Jul 29, 2021•32 min
Hey Light Shiners! Welcome to Wards of the State Podcast, a safe place for former foster youth to share their lived experience and others to learn. In this episode, I am joined by Brandi, a mother, sister, and former foster youth. She speaks about the use of psychopharmacology on minors in the late 90s-early 00s. Abusive foster parents and group homes and how foster care destroys family bonds Be sure to follow Brandi on Tiktok! @amayashannis Please be sure to leave a 5-star rating and review to ...
Jul 22, 2021•56 min
Hey Light Shiners! Welcome to Wards of the State Podcast, a safe place for former foster youth to share their lived experience and others to learn. In this episode, I am joined by Jamerika Haynes-Lewis, a former foster youth adoptee, and Miss Evergreen State 2020. She speaks about her experience being a Black girl in Foster Care, financial literacy, and aging out. Be sure to follow Jamerika on IG https://www.instagram.com/jamerika_b/ and her other social media platforms. Twitter: @CleverJamComms...
Jul 15, 2021•24 min
Tune in for the first Episode on 7/15/21. If you can't wait you can see the video interview on my Patreon (Karlos Dillard). Always Shine Your Light
Jul 09, 2021•1 min
