Beyond the Home Study

Thanks for joining us for this fun, off-the-cuff episode! We’re ditching the usual format and just catching up on real life—what’s been happening in our homes, what’s making us laugh, and what’s stretching us in this season.

From Easter celebrations to the everyday rhythms of family life, this conversation moves through the real highs and lows of parenting little ones in a way that feels honest and familiar. It’s a mix of stories, a little chaos, and moments that might just make you think, “same here.”

We’re all figuring it out as we go, and we’re really glad you’re here!

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Thanks for joining us for our final episode in the March Behavior Series! In this episode, we host a casual book club conversation on The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel M.D. , Tina Payne Bryson.

Earlier this month, we invited you to read along with us, and now we’re sharing our honest thoughts—what we loved, what didn’t quite land for us, and whether we’d recommend it to a friend.

Listen in as we break down some of the key concepts from the book, how they show up in real-life parenting, and where theory can feel different than practice (especially in the middle of everyday moments with kids).

This episode is a relaxed, real-life reflection on one of the most popular parenting books out there—and a chance to think through what actually feels helpful in your own home.

If you read along with us (or even if you didn’t), we’d love for you to join the conversation!

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Thanks for joining us for a bonus conversation in our March Behavior Series. In this episode, we sit down with adoptive mom Jess Pruess as she shares her journey through adoption, early behavioral challenges, and learning to advocate for her son.

Jess opens up about the gap between expectations and reality, recognizing early signs of trauma, and learning to trust her instincts when something felt off.

Listen in as we talk about early intervention, therapy supports like speech and occupational therapy, navigating school challenges, and her son’s ADHD diagnosis. Jess also shares what it’s looked like to grow in confidence as an advocate and parent.

This episode is a reminder that you are the right parent for your child—and that trusting your gut and seeking support can make all the difference.

Check out these resources mentioned in the episode:

- The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel van der Kolk

- The Primal Wound by Nancy Newton Verrier

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Thanks for joining us for another conversation in our March Behavior Series. In this episode, we sit down with adoptive mom Kristi Powell as she shares her firsthand experience parenting children with significant trauma and big behaviors.

Kristi opens up about adopting four biological siblings from Brazil during the pandemic, and what it looked like to navigate intense transitions, unexpected challenges, and the realities of trauma in everyday family life.

Listen in as we talk about what’s really underneath extreme behaviors, why traditional parenting approaches often fall short, and how safety, connection, and the right support can make all the difference. Kristi also shares practical insights on pursuing therapy, building a support system, and holding onto hope in the midst of hard seasons.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by big behaviors or wondered how to better support a child from a hard place, this episode is for you.

Check out Kristi's books here!

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Welcome back to our March Behavior Series on Beyond the Home Study.

In this episode (Part 2 of 2), we continue our conversation with TBRI practitioners Amie Huggins and Marti Smith as we talk even more about the relationship between trauma and behavior.

Listen in as we dig into why behavior charts often miss the mark for kids from hard places, how schools can better support regulation and connection, and we chat about their new book, Creating a Connected Classroom.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s really going on underneath big behaviors (especially in school settings), this episode is for you.

Get Creating a Connected Classroom here!
Want to connect with our guests? Send them an email!

Marti Smith, OT & Amie Huggins, M.Ed

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Welcome back to our March Behavior Series on Beyond the Home Study.

In this episode (Part 1 of 2), we sit down with TBRI practitioners Amie Huggins and Marti Smith to talk about what’s really going on underneath the behaviors we see in foster and adoptive children.

We explore how Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and occupational therapy help us better understand things like regulation, sensory needs, and proprioception — and why behavior is communication, not blatant defiance.

Listen as we break down practical ways to respond to big behaviors while building safety, connection, and trust with the kids in our care.

Get Creating a Connected Classroom here!

Want to connect with our guests? Send them an email!

Marti Smith ,OTR & Amie Huggins, M.Ed

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It's March and this month we’re talking all about behavior.

Today's episode is about the realities of parenting foster and adopted children: big behaviors, unmet expectations, emotional triggers, and the differences between bio and adopted dynamics.

Listen as we talk through the moments that leave you exhausted, second-guessing yourself, and wondering if you’re doing any of this right.

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Website: www.yourehomenetwork.com

Welcome to Wins, Woes & What’s Happening — our monthly download on life.

We’re covering our personal wins, what's been weighing on us this month, and new legislation affecting the system. Plus, what we’re watching when our brains are officially done for the day.

Real life. Real foster care. No sugarcoating.

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In this powerful episode of Beyond the Home Study, we sit down with former foster youth and author Lainie Hartley to hear the story behind the system.

Lainie shares what foster care felt like from her side — the pain, the hope, and the complicated relationships between foster and birth families. She challenges us to lead with empathy, not assumptions, and introduces her Bridge Program, designed to help foster and birth parents build understanding instead of division.

This conversation will challenge the way you think about foster care — and maybe even the way you parent within it.

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In this episode of Beyond the Home Study, we sit down with Karen Henderson, Director of Programs at CASA of the River Region, to talk about the life-changing impact of a CASA volunteer (Court Appointed Special Advocate) in the foster care system.Karen shares how CASA advocates support children through the court process, provide a consistent adult presence, and help ensure a child’s voice is heard. We also discuss secondary trauma, the need for volunteers (especially for teens) and the powerful story of a teenager who went from not wanting to attend school to graduating and inviting his CASA advocate to the ceremony.If you’ve ever wondered whether one adult can truly make a difference in foster care, this episode is for you.

Learn more about CASA of the River Region:

https://www.casariverregion.org/volunteer

Embrace a Child CASA Event:

https://www.casariverregion.org/embrace-a-child

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