In this week’s episode of Fostering Change Rob Scheer talks with Audra O’Neil.Audra is an author, widow, and mother of twin thirteen year-old boys. Her husband Chad died in November of 2105, five months after being diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. Being a reading and writing teacher and coach, Audra felt called to use the gift of writing to share her journey through the pitfalls and trials of young widowhood. After meeting other young widows, and absorbing their stories, Audra has found a reservoir of strength from which to draw. She is hoping to support others like herself through her newly…
Author: Rob Scheer
In this week’s episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer talks with Richard Valenza. Richard is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Raise A Child Inc., the nationwide leader in the recruitment, retention and support of LGBTQ+ and all prospective parents interested in building loving families for children in foster care™. In its eleven-year history, RaiseAChild has served more than 35,000 prospective and current foster and foster-to-adopt parents across the United States. In establishing RaiseAChild, Rich has drawn on 30 years’ success in marketing and development for major television networks, international apparel brands, and nonprofit organizations. Today, Valenza continues to…
In this week’s episode of Fostering Change Rob Scheer talks with Chris Simonsen , CEO at Orangewood Foundation. Chris spent many years of his career in various financial executive roles in the for-profit world. Fifteen years ago, he made a significant “life decision” by accepting the CFO position at a small nonprofit in Orange County, CA called Orangewood Foundation. This became one of the best decisions he has ever made. Orangewood Foundation supports teens and young adults in Orange County, California. Many of them have either spent time in the foster care system, are struggling with homelessness or are survivors…
In this week’s episode of Fostering Change Rob Scheer talks with Julie and David Bulitt. Julie and David have been married for more than 35 years and have four daughters, two of whom are biological and two adopted, and three grandchildren. Together, Julie and David are the authors of the award -winning book, The 5 Core Conversations for Couples, relationship coaches and speakers. Watch Full Interview: https://youtu.be/LgauxpcHFHk Story Key Notes: Overview of 5 core conversations – what are they, why couples need to communicate in these areasFocus on parenting (one of the core conversations is titled “Parents and partners”)Can share…
In this week’s episode of Fostering Change Rob Scheer talks with Einat Nathan.Einat started a small, weekly magazine column in Israel based on the concept that the classic parenting method of being a “know-it-all expert” doesn’t resonate with children, and that while the parent-child relationship is not an equal relationship, it is a relationship where the value of equality should be present. Einat shared personal parenting struggles, from screen time arguments to how to suggest dieting to your kids (hint: don’t), along with how she solved these issues. The column eventually grew into a cultural phenomenon and a #1 bestselling…
In this week’s episode of Fostering Change Rob Scheer talks with Anthony Trucks, Coach, Speaker, Author, Former NFL, CEO at Identity Shift. Anthony is an experienced president with a demonstrated history of working in the health wellness and fitness industry. Strong business development professional skilled in Athlete Development, Coaching, Sales, Football, and Event Management. Watch Full Interview: https://youtu.be/Q1nBb3XYefs Story Key Notes: The Six Types of Failure: Learn how to stop placing importance on fear of failing and learn instead to reframe failures as you learn when you fail forward.The Difference Between Healthy Guilt and Unhealthy Guilt: It has the power…
In this week’s episode of Fostering Change Rob Scheer talks with Brittany Burcham . Brittany has been an emergency and respite foster parent for teens in Birmingham, AL, since 2019. Last year, she started a TikTok called @fostertheteens and has since gained almost a MILLION FOLLOWERS on TikTok and Instagram. It was one of her teen fosters that pushed her to create her TikTok account, fostertheteens, last April in order to talk about what it’s like to foster a teenager. Watch Full Interview: https://youtu.be/fhLnkciWSTo Story Key Notes: The Misconceptions of Fostering TeensThe Need for Families Willing to Foster TeensThe Difficulties…
In this week’s episode of Fostering Change Rob Scheer talks with Kate Somerville and Maggie Linn. Kate Somerville, a trailblazing brand in the world of prestige skincare, has been healing skin and transforming lives for over two decades. With these core values in mind, the brand announced a long-term partnership with Foster Nation, an organization empowering foster youth aging out of the system to become the nation’s future leaders through career mentorship. Watch Full Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnAJAMbszlU Story Key Notes: The Kate Somerville x Foster Nation partnershipHow Maggie and Kate came together, their storiesWhy Foster Care is important to both of…
Maggy Krell is a legal trailblazer who has taken on impactful cases as a criminal prosecutor and human rights lawyer. She was a prosecutor for 15 years, serving as Supervising Deputy Attorney General in California and cross-designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney.Her most notable accomplishments stem from her tireless efforts to combat human trafficking and protect and empower survivors, including her ground-breaking prosecution of the sex-trafficking website, Backpage.com. Krell also served as Chief Legal Counsel for Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California where she fought to protect and expand reproductive rights and access to healthcare. Krell currently runs her…
Kristina Lowenstein is the co-founder and executive director of The Honeycomb Project. She was 13- years-old when she landed her first job making dip cones at an ice cream shop. After many more years, and a few more jobs, she shifted her focus to the nonprofit sector where she worked for organizations such as The Field Museum and 2016 Chicago Olympic Bid. Kristina studied Political Science as an undergrad at NYU and attended Northwestern University’s Kellogg Executive Scholars program. She is a 2017 Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow. The Honeycomb Project is one of few organizations in the county focused on…
John Barlow John is a success story, from a Foster Care perspective. He spent a short period of time in Foster Care as a baby and was adopted by parents that provided an excellent life. He grew up in various states around the country and had incredible experiences from every location. He started his career in a sales capacity at a few different companies and then started VIDA Tequila with his wife, Lisa Barlow, in the early 2000’s. Along with VIDA, they have started additional companies including Fresh Wolf – which they created alongside their two sons, Jack (17) and…
Hearts of Gold, a nonprofit organization with a mission and purpose of supporting andempowering homeless single mothers in the New York area and mostly from a domesticviolence background to reclaim their lives. Homeless mothers struggle every day to overcomethe key elements that define poverty – limited access to education, social discrimination, andlack of participation in the decision-making processes that govern their lives. Deborah started her career as a fashion model, then worked extensively as a stylist beforeopening her upscale women’s French boutique, Noir et Blanc in Manhattan in 1989. Shegraduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts, and…