What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting

• How to Navigate College Admissions & Scholarships for Foster and Adoptive Children

  If the college admissions process feels overwhelming… you’re not alone. And if you’re a foster or adoptive parent? There are even more layers to navigate. This week on What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting, I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Cynthia Nash, a college admissions and financial aid coach with over 20 years of experience at top-tier universities like Northwestern and Vanderbilt- and friend, this conversation is packed with gold. Cynthia has helped students earn millions in scholarships and grants, including: • Five students admitted to Vanderbilt- four on full rides • Three students at Johns Hopkins- two attending completely free • A Posse Scholar at Middlebury- with all four years fully covered And that’s just the beginning. Whether you’re parenting a child from foster care, adoption, or not—you’ll walk away from this episode equipped with tools and insight to help your teen step into a future they didn’t think was possible. In this episode, we talk about: • How to navigate the college admissions process with clarity • How foster and adoptive kids need different support • Where to find scholarships and financial aid that most families miss • The power of vision, mentorship, and strategy in shaping a child's future • And why education can be one of the most powerful generational tools of healing Whether your child is in 9th grade or nearing graduation- this episode will give you real steps, renewed hope, and a fresh vision for what’s possible. Now, grab your cup of coffee, get comfy, and let’s dig in! XO, Christine Marie 💕 Join Our Community! After you listen, I’d love for you to come be part of our inner circle of foster and adoptive mamas! Our Facebook group is your gateway to valuable resources, support, and connection with other women who truly get it. Join us here: 👉 facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen https://www.youtube.com/@fosteringandadopting   Get Cynthia’s Free College Admissions Guide: Download now: www.amazingjourneycollegecounseling.com Contact Cynthia Nash Email: [email protected] Learn About Her Coaching Programs: • Group Coaching for rising seniors (starts 6/1/25) • Elite Coaching for pre-med & engineering students (Junior–Senior year) Email Cynthia for details and availability: [email protected]

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• Helping Adoptive Families Heal: A Conversation with April Ficklin, TBRI® Practitioner

  This week on What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting, I had the absolute honor of sitting down with April Ficklin, a TBRI® Practitioner, adoptive mom, and the Director of Family Support Services for Flourishing Families of South Carolina. April brings both professional wisdom and personal experience to this conversation. Her work is centered on helping adoptive families find real connection, healing, and hope through Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and her heart for trauma-informed care is nothing short of powerful. In this episode, we talk about: • The realities adoptive families face behind closed doors • How trauma impacts connection and what we can do about it • Why adoptive moms often feel unseen, and how to change that • How April is equipping families and organizations across South Carolina • And how faith plays a vital role in every part of this healing journey Whether you’re new to adoption or knee-deep in the hard parts, this conversation will remind you that healing is possible and you don’t have to do this alone. ☕ Now, grab your cup of coffee, get comfy, and let’s dig in! XO, Christine Marie 💕 Join Our Community! After you listen, I’d love for you to come be part of our inner circle of foster and adoptive mamas! Our Facebook group is your gateway to valuable resources, support, and connection with other women who truly get it. Join us here: 👉 facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen https://www.youtube.com/@fosteringandadopting Connect with April Ficklin: Instagram: www.instagram.com/april_ficklin Facebook: www.facebook.com/april.ficklin Learn more: www.flourishingfamiliessc.org Email: [email protected]

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• Adoptee to Adoptive Mom: Rebecca Del Pozo’s Powerful Adoption Story

  In this episode of What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting, I’m sitting down with my friend Rebecca Del Pozo- an adoptee, an adoptive mom, and a fierce advocate for families who’ve walked this road from every angle. This conversation is honest, vulnerable, and deeply encouraging. Rebecca doesn’t just talk about adoption- she’s lived it in every form. From the unexpected twists and tender moments to the hard decisions and holy perspective shifts, she shares how the Lord has used adoption to shape her family, her faith, and her purpose. If you’ve ever wrestled with the "why" behind your story, or wondered if you’re the right person for the calling in front of you, Rebecca’s story will meet you right where you are- and lift your eyes higher. ☕ Now, grab your cup of coffee, get comfy, and let’s dig in! XO, Christine Marie 💕 Join Our Community! After you listen, I’d love for you to come be part of our inner circle of foster and adoptive mamas! Our Facebook group is your gateway to valuable resources, support, and connection with other women who truly get it. Join us here: facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen 🎙️ More from Rebecca: Ready to stop winging it and start leading your life on purpose? Grab her book here: https://amzn.to/3XyAqWv Moms in Real Estate—join her community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionairerealestatemoms Want Rebecca to train your team? Email: https://www.facebook.com/Rebecca.Volden.DelPozo Website: www.RebeccaDelPozo.com

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• Inside Foster Care: Mental Health, Trauma-Informed Parenting & Real Solutions with Dr. John DeGarmo

  Welcome back to the What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting podcast! I’m Christine Marie — adoptive mom, former foster parent, and biblical mindset coach — and today’s guest is someone whose voice and impact in the foster care space cannot be overstated. I’m honored to sit down with Dr. John DeGarmo, founder and director of The Foster Care Institute, international speaker, best-selling author of 10 books, and foster/adoptive dad to over 60 children. Dr. DeGarmo has worked alongside child welfare agencies across the globe and is a leading voice for system change and trauma-informed parenting. In this conversation, we dive into the realities of foster care that few are willing to talk about — from the mental health crisis and over-medication of foster youth to the growing burnout among caregivers. We also talk about practical tools and mindsets that can help foster and adoptive parents stay grounded, effective, and full of hope even in the hardest seasons. Whether you’re currently fostering, considering it, or simply want to better support foster families in your community, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and truth. ☕ So grab your coffee, get comfy, and let’s dig in. XO, Christine Marie 🎧 In this episode, we cover: The over-medication crisis in foster care How trauma shows up in children and how to respond with connection The importance of mental health support for foster families What foster parents need most (and why many are walking away) Dr. DeGarmo’s personal journey and why he still believes in the system, despite its flaws About Dr. John DeGarmo: International keynote speaker and trainer Best-selling author of 10 books on foster care and parenting TED Talk presenter and media contributor Expert witness for foster care and child welfare legal cases Recipient of the Good Morning America Ultimate Hero Award and the Heroes of the Homeless Award Connect with Dr. DeGarmo: Website: www.drjohndegarmofostercare.com More Resources: The Foster Care Institute 💕 Join Our Free Community of Christian Foster & Adoptive Moms: 👉 facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen 🎥 YouTube Channel

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• You Left the 99 to Save the 1: Devin Schubert’s Story of Fatherhood, Foster Care, Adoption, Trauma & Redemption

  This one is for the foster and adoptive parents carrying the weight no one sees—who keep showing up, even when it feels like everything is falling apart. Today, I’m sitting down with Devin Schubert—an adoptive dad of three—for a conversation about the cost of obedience, the depth of trauma, and the God who restores what we thought was lost forever. After adopting his son, Devin walked through five years of chaos: -Explosive trauma -Daily police calls -System after system that failed -And the heartbreak of watching his marriage fall apart When his wife left, Devin stepped into solo fatherhood, determined to fight for his son—alone. Until the fight nearly killed him.  Diagnosed with trauma shock  Given 3 months to live Flat on his back, ready to give up, Jesus walked in and said: “You left the 99 to save the 1. Now I’m giving you the 99 to tell your story to the nations.” And now—four years later—his son is being reunited with him and moving back home in just 4 months. This episode is a story of resilience, radical love, and full-circle redemption for every parent who’s ever wondered, “Is it worth it?” Tune in now and be reminded: God sees your sacrifice. He restores what was lost. And the story isn’t over yet. ☕ Grab your coffee, get comfy, and let’s dig in. XO, Christine Marie 📌 Connect with Devin: www.facebook.com/schubertdevin www.storiestostages.com 🎥 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@fosteringandadopting 💕 Join our community: facebook.com/groups/fostercareandadoptionforchristianwomen

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