Aged Out: The Stories that Built Us

Before finding his place in the world, Ryan faced unimaginable hardships. Raised in an unstable environment, his early years were marked by turmoil, as he grappled with his identity amidst the backdrop of foster care. But adolescence had an unexpected twist in store for him. Faced with a life-altering decision, Ryan had mere minutes to choose between living with his aunt and uncle or remaining in foster care. The weight of this decision hung heavily over him, even today Ryan considers how this decision had the power to redefine his entire future.

In the face of adversity, Ryan found the strength to not only survive but to thrive. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the military, earned a college degree in psychology, and set out to help children navigating circumstances similar to his own. Today, Ryan stands as a beacon of hope and an advocate for those in need, working at a child placement agency to make a difference in the lives of countless youth.

Tune in as we delve into Ryan's incredible journey – a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of making a positive impact on the world.

If you are a former foster child who aged out of the system and want to share your story, email us at [email protected]! You deserve to be heard.

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Credits:

• Interviewee: Ryan Harris
• Interviewers: Isabela Possino and Annie Taylor
• Editor: Soheil Abdmousavi
• Editing Team: Kaci Jones & Caleb Beaman

Music Credits

• Nostalgia by Tobu https://soundcloud.com/7obu
• Music Promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/03Aky9bhOMU

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SMU or the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation.

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Betty moved to the United States with her father and younger sister when she was nine years old. When Betty was seventeen, her father went back to Africa, leaving Betty and her sister behind in foster care. Relying on her faith, Betty prayed for a loving home that would keep her with her sister. Betty feels incredibly lucky to have been placed with foster parents that she now calls family.

Betty feels that foster kids are unfairly stereotyped as “bad kids” and she wants people to know that they are more than just a kid in the system. Now in college at West Texas A&M, Betty is studying mechanical engineering and running on the track team. Despite hard circumstances, Betty approaches life with a positive attitude, believing that “everyone has a beautiful smile.”

If you are a former foster child who aged out of the system and want to share your story, email us at [email protected]! You deserve to be heard.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!

Credits:

●      Interviewee: Betty Bajika

●      Interviewers: Ashley Hutcheson and Lexy Young

●      Editor: Soheil Abdmousavi

●      Editing Team: Ashley Hutcheson and Lexy Young

●      Music Credit:

○      Nostalgia by Tobu https://soundcloud.com/7obu

○      Music Promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/03Aky9bhOMU 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SMU or the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation.

In this episode, we hear the story of Leroy, who went into foster care in November 2005 due to abuse and neglect. He spent two years in foster care, during which time all of his siblings were in different homes. After two and a half years, he went back to live with his mom, but unfortunately, the abuse started back up again. After being saved by CPS, he went through several foster placements, attended multiple schools, and finally graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. Now, he's creating a program from scratch called the Youth Impact Project Manager, where he is working diligently to support youth groups. We also hear about his relationships with his siblings, his experiences with his immigration and CPS attorneys, and his relationship with his caseworkers. Despite the many obstacles he faced, Leroy persevered and is now making a positive impact on the lives of others.

If you are a former foster child who aged out of the system and want to share your story, email us at [email protected]! You deserve to be heard.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!

Credits:

• Interviewee: Leroy Berrones Soto 
• Interviewers: Karen Nobrega and Jordyn Lubin 
• Editor: Soheil Abdmousavi
• Music Credit:
  • Nostalgia by Tobu https://soundcloud.com/7obu
  • Music Promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/03Aky9bhOMU

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SMU or the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation.

This week's episode picks back up with Mikayla! In part two, hear how attorneys and advocates helped her navigate the system and her journey through the aging out process.

If you are a former foster child who aged out of the system and want to share your story, email us at [email protected]! You deserve to be heard.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @agedoutproject!

Credits:

• Interviewee: Mikayla Slaydon
• Interviewers: Peyton McAlister and Catherine Pieratt
• Editor: Soheil Abdmousavi
• Editing Team: Peyton McAlister and Catherine Pieratt
• Music Credit:
  • Nostalgia by Tobu https://soundcloud.com/7obu
  • Music Promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/03Aky9bhOMU

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SMU or the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation.

This week's episode features Mikayla Slaydon! Hear Mikayla talk about how her experiences growing up shaped who she is today. From living with her pastor and being placed into foster care, to being valedictorian of her high school and getting 4.0s in college, Mikayla’s story is one you don’t want to miss!

If you are a former foster child who aged out of the system and want to share your story, email us at [email protected]! You deserve to be heard.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @agedoutproject!

Credits:

• Interviewee: Mikayla Slaydon
• Interviewers: Peyton McAlister and Catherine Pieratt
• Editor: Soheil Abdmousavi
• Editing Team: Peyton McAlister and Catherine Pieratt
• Music Credit:
  • Nostalgia by Tobu https://soundcloud.com/7obu
  • Music Promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/03Aky9bhOMU

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SMU or the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation.

Mandalyn entered foster care at 16 years old after her father threatened to kill her. This occurred after she was removed from her mother’s home due to her mother's addiction to methamphetamine. Mandalyn was bounced around from kin to friends to foster homes and was even homeless at times. Despite a father who pulled her out of school in 8th grade, and never staying in one school for more than a year and a half, Mandalyn persevered. She overcame a caseworker who told her she was too dramatic for a family setting, 6 psychiatric hospitals, and a disinterested lawyer. Mandalyn herself said it best, “don’t subject yourself to what your file says.” She was told she was a lost cause, but Mandalyn is currently finishing high school and working at TRAC running the youth leadership committee, with college on the horizon. 

If you are a former foster child who aged out of the system and want to share your story, email us at [email protected]! You deserve to be heard.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!

Credits:

Interviewee: Mandalyn Finley

Editor: Soheil Abdmousavi

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or posiiton of SMU or the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation.

Born to two non-citizens, Jai McClean decided to stay back in the United States so that she could complete her high school career to fulfill her lifelong goal to someday attend college—even if that meant entering the foster care system to get it done. “I don’t know where these aspirations came from, but I just knew that they were there and I wanted to make that happen.” But Jai’s upcoming graduation with a microbiology degree in June of 2023 did not come without hardship—follow along with the Aged Out podcast to listen in on her admittedly scary yet rewarding experience in the foster care system, through which her relationship with her biological mother and siblings transformed, her faith was strengthened, and her educational ambitions were achieved.

If you are a former foster child who aged out of the system and want to share your story, email us at [email protected]. You deserve to be heard.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!

Credits:

Interviewee: Jaimecca McClean

Interviewers: Riley Wilson & Cameron Jones 

Editor: Soheil Abdmousavi

Dorthy’s story is one of turning tragedy to triumph.

Dorthy entered foster care at five years old after the police and social workers suddenly showed up at her home. Dorthy’s mom tried to fight back but all seven of her kids, including Dorthy, were removed from the home. Shocked and confused Dorthy ended up in a facility that housed many other kids. Dorthy had a wonderful childhood, and it wasn’t until later in life that she learned her parents had substance abuse problems. Dorthy eventually overcame the traumatic removal from her home and placement into foster care when she was adopted by her aunt and uncle. Since getting out of foster care, Dorthy has recently graduated SMU’s Dedman School of Law and has kids of her own.

If you are a former foster child who aged out of the system and want to share your story, email us at [email protected]. You deserve to be heard.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

Credits:

• Interviewee: Dorthy Lukens
• Interviewers: Tiereney Bowman and Rachel Post
• Editor: Soheil Abdmousavi

“We are all redeemable” expresses Kim Murphy. Kim was the former staff attorney for the SMU W.W. Caruth, Jr. Child Advocacy Clinic. Kim talks about how she became involved in child welfare and what led her to help the youth who age out of foster care. Kim then explains the difference between an attorney who is representing CPS, the child’s parents, and the child. And how she toggles between knowing what is in the best interest of her client, the child, when other parties are stating that something else is. Kim ends by stating, in her opinion, what the best interest is for youths who are aging out of foster care and the challenges that come with being a youth who aged out of foster care. But how every one of these kids can overcome these challenges, because we are all redeemable.

Tia entered foster care at 14 years old after her mother called the police reporting that Tia had tried to overdose. After a stay in the hospital, she was placed in an RTC. She has 11 siblings and was the only one that was placed in the foster care system which caused her relationship with her siblings to be strained. Her self-motivation helped her to overcome her hardships and lack of a support system. It has enabled her to move into a transitional living program after aging out and eventually move out on her own. Tia is currently working and going to school with the goal of getting a master’s degree in social work and one day becoming a foster parent herself. She believes that teachers, lawyers, and caseworkers should try to really be there for the foster children and be a listening ear always trying to check up on the children and making sure that they are doing okay.

If you are a former foster child who aged out of the system and want to share your story, email us at [email protected]! You deserve to be heard. 

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

Credits:

• Tia Jackson
• Editor: Soheil Abdmousavi
• Editing team: Megan Flores
• Interviewer: Megan Flores
• Music Credit:
  • Nostalgia” by Tobu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fFMjGs2mvs

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SMU or the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation