Dream Small Podcast

In the Thanksgiving episode of The Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney open the door to their joyful, loud, messy, and love-filled home. Whether you're driving to family gatherings, prepping holiday meals, or simply needing encouragement this week, this conversation is full of warmth, humor, and reminders of God’s goodness.

This episode dives into:

• The joyful chaos of parenting seven kids
• Why gratitude matters — even in seasons that feel overwhelming
• Their daughter’s hilarious 6th-grade teacher and the viral “because he’s fat” family joke
• The emotional, courageous decision that allowed their 2-year-old foster daughter to officially become adoptable
• The story of saying an unexpected “yes” that changed their family forever
• The unique privilege of being a dad (and mom) to kids who didn’t share their DNA
• How foster care has strengthened their marriage, stretched their faith, and shaped their children into more compassionate humans
• Remembering that gratitude doesn’t ignore hardships — it reframes them
• The beauty of being chosen to love children for a season or for a lifetime
• Learning to see God’s faithfulness in everyday “small” moments

If you are a foster parent, adoptive parent, or someone considering taking that step, this episode will encourage your heart, make you laugh, and may even bring a few tears (Jason included!).

Scripture of the Episode:

“Be thankful in all circumstances.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

Perfect for listeners searching:

foster care stories • adoption encouragement • Christian parenting • family joy • trauma-informed parenting • Thanksgiving gratitude • foster parent podcast • adoptive family podcast

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Music: “Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The holidays can be magical… and they can also be really hard — especially for kids who carry deep histories, big questions, or painful memories. In this episode, Jason and Whitney get honest (and hilarious) about what it really looks like to navigate Thanksgiving and Christmas with foster and adoptive children.

From unexpected triggers (yes, even turkey and side dishes), to family dynamics, to overstimulation, to kids suddenly melting down in the middle of the “perfect” holiday moment — this episode is packed with real stories, practical strategies, and a whole lot of grace.

Whether you’re a new foster parent, a seasoned adoptive parent, or just someone trying to love kids well during the holidays, this conversation will encourage you, equip you, and remind you: you’re not alone, and you’re doing holy work.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Why holidays can trigger big emotions in foster and adoptive kids
• How smells, sounds, family traditions, and even snow can bring up unexpected memories
• Real-life stories from our home (including plate-throwing, pajama-dress snow adventures, and our hatred for the elf)
• How to honor your kids’ past traditions while building healthy new ones
• Prepping foster kids — and prepping extended family — for holiday gatherings
• Balancing grace and boundaries
• Practical ways to build in quiet moments when the overstimulation hits
• Gift ideas, coordinating with bio parents, and navigating DCS resources
• Why flexibility over tradition is the motto for surviving the holidays
• How the hope of Jesus reframes the entire season for our families

Practical Tips You’ll Walk Away With:

• How to reduce sensory overload
• Scripts and ideas for preparing kids ahead of time
• Ways to talk to extended family before a holiday gathering
• Trauma-informed gift-giving ideas
• How to create space, margin, and “trauma room” during busy days
• What boundaries matter most — and which traditions can bend
• How to keep Christ at the center of the holiday mess

Connect With Us - We’d love to support you on your foster care or adoption journey!

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

• Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

• Support the show: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

• Music Credit: "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this vulnerable episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney open up about one of their hardest seasons as foster parents. After months of prayer, tears, and tough conversations, they share honestly about what it means to stay faithful — even when faithfulness doesn’t feel easy or rewarding.

From early-morning reflections after a rare night away to wrestling with questions of long-term placement, Jason and Whitney explore how God’s call to faithfulness often requires showing up again and again and again. They discuss what it looks like to love a child through trauma, to seek discernment in hard decisions, and to remember that “God’s mercies are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23).

Whether you’re a foster parent, adoptive parent, or simply walking through a tough season where consistency feels costly, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone — and that God is always faithful.

Key Topics Covered:

• The unseen cost of faithfulness in foster care
• Wrestling with the question: “Are we what’s best for this child?”
• Recognizing Satan’s shortcuts vs. God’s steadfast calling
• Avoiding false idols of “what could have been”
• Finding hope in Galatians 5:22–23 and Lamentations 3:22–23
• Why faithfulness isn’t glamorous — but it’s holy

Memorable Quotes:

“Faithfulness isn’t about perfect results. It’s about showing up again and again and again.”

“The enemy loves to offer shortcuts — but they’re always counterfeit versions of God’s best.”

“Every morning, His mercies are new. That’s how we keep going.”

Scriptures Mentioned:

Galatians 5:22–23, Lamentations 3:22–23

If you’re in a hard season:

Pause. Pray. Remember how God has shown up before — and trust that He’ll do it again.

💖 Support the show: dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Connect with Us:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

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Music credit: “Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

We wanted to share the sermon from our church this past weekend. It resonated with us deeply so we wanted to share it with all of you. Enjoy!

ROTTEN (Faithfulness Pt 8)

Nov 2, 2025

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Mount Pleasant Christian Church

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Make an IMPACT

The Bible teaches us that tithing is an act of obedience and that we should trust God with every aspect of our lives, which also includes our finances. Sacrificing a portion of our income helps us look beyond ourselves and makes us more aware of the needs of others. We offer many ways for you to make an IMPACT and give back. Take a look at some of the options below:

https://mpcc.info/give

Why is it so hard to stay consistent… even when we really want to?

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬‬

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Faithfulness

Semper Fi

Semper Fidelis

“Always Faithful”

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭23‬‬

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭14‬-‭15‬‬

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭16‬-‭18‬‬

“The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭19‬-‭21‬‬

“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together! ’

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭22‬-‭23‬‬

“The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’ “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

God isn’t impressed by the size of your return; He’s moved by the sincerity of your effort.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭24‬-‭25‬‬

“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭26‬-‭27‬‬

“But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’

The servant didn’t fail because he tried and lost… he failed because he never tried at all.

Faithfulness isn’t about being perfect; it’s about doing something with what God gave you.

1. Start Small. Stay Steady.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭16‬:‭10‬‬

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

2. Be the Same Person in the Dark as You Are in the Light.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭15‬‬

He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are; your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

- Coach John Wooden

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬‬

Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

3. Keep Showing Up When It Would Be Easier to Quit.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭58‬‬

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

“They were my kids. You don’t quit on your kids.”

“Faithfulness is a long obedience in the same direction.”

Where have you stopped showing up?

Action Steps for this Week:

Faithfulness isn’t something you feel… it’s something you practice. Here are three ways to put Spirit-driven faithfulness into motion this week:

Action Steps:

1. Stay Close to the Source. Before you scroll, rush, or react… PAUSE.

Take two minutes. Breathe. Let the noise settle. Ask the Spirit to center you, to fill what’s empty, to grow what you can’t fix.

Remember, faithfulness doesn’t start in motion, it starts in stillness.

2. Show Up When It’s Easier to Quit.

There’s always a reason to stop… too tired, too busy, too disappointed. But faithfulness is built when you show up anyway.

Maybe that means praying again, serving again, forgiving again, or giving again… not because it’s easy, but because it matters.

The enemy loves a quitter. The Spirit builds finishers.

3. Finish What God Started.Maybe there’s something you’ve buried… a habit, a calling, a relationship, a step of obedience. Ask God to give you the courage to pick it back up and trust Him with the outcome.

The same Spirit who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.

If you are looking for a church home, we would love for you to join us at Mount Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood, Indiana. To learn more, check out: www.mpcc.info.

Support the Dream Small Podcast:

https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Connect with us:

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

• X/Twitter: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music: “Paradise Found” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons BY 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney open up about one of the hardest experiences they’ve ever faced as foster and adoptive parents — attending their first foster care mediation.

They walk listeners through what mediation actually looks like, who’s in the room, and the heavy reality of sitting across from a biological mom who deeply loves her child while navigating the legal process that could end her parental rights.

Through honesty, faith, and even a little humor, Jason and Whitney wrestle with questions like:

• What does love look like when it’s this complicated?

• How do you balance heartbreak and hope?

• Where is God in the middle of broken systems and human stories?

You’ll hear raw emotion, practical insight, and a reminder that love and loss often coexist in foster care — and that God’s redemption is quietly at work in every heart involved.

If you’re a foster parent, adoptive parent, or someone who wants to understand the deep faith it takes to say yes to a child in need, this episode will move and encourage you.

Scriptures referenced: themes from 1 Corinthians 13 (love that endures) and Proverbs 3:5-6 (trusting God’s plan) and Galatians 6:9.

👉 Listen now and share this episode with anyone walking through foster care or adoption.

Support the Dream Small Podcast:

https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Connect with us:

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

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🎵 Music: “Paradise Found” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons BY 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this heartfelt (and often hilarious) conversation, Jason and Whitney pull back the curtain on what life looks like as a family of nine—newborn and all—and why community is the difference between surviving and thriving as foster parents.

From mysterious “toilet paper genies” to Amazon angels who send kickballs, the Smalls share real stories of how their village has shown up in unexpected ways—and why isolation can be one of the hardest battles foster families face.

Whitney also gives a sneak peek into her upcoming article in Foster Families Today, titled “Community in the Chaos: Why Foster Families Should Not Do This Alone.” Together, the two unpack the deeper truth that God designed us for connection, not self-sufficiency.

Whether you’re a foster parent, a friend of one, or simply someone looking to love your neighbor better, this episode will make you laugh, nod, and maybe even rethink what community really means.

In this episode:

• Why isolation is one of the biggest challenges foster families face

• The myth of “you signed up for this” and why it’s a lie

• How to ask for (and receive) help without guilt

• Real-life stories of people showing up in simple, powerful ways

• A reminder that saying “yes” again and again requires others walking with you

💛 Support the Dream Small Podcast

If this episode encouraged or inspired you, would you consider supporting the show?

Your gift—big or small—helps us share stories of faithfulness, foster care, and everyday hope with even more people.

🎧 Click here to support the podcast

Thank you for being part of this community that believes small acts of obedience can make a big impact.

Connect with us:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

In this heartfelt and joy-filled episode, Laney takes over the microphone to interview her dad for a special father-daughter conversation about faith, family, and the wild adventure of fostering. From learning patience through parenting to seeing God’s hand in every twist and turn, this candid discussion will inspire you to trust God even when life feels chaotic.

What You’ll Hear About in This Episode:

• How parenting reveals God’s grace and deepens faith
• What it’s really like to raise a big family — the chaos, the laughter, and the love
• The story behind their family’s call to foster and adopt
• Moments when God showed up in powerful, miraculous ways
• How to keep trusting God when life doesn’t go as planned
• Lessons learned from each of the kids — and how children can shape a parent’s faith
• Why saying “yes” to hard things can bring the deepest fulfillment

Key Takeaways:

• Faith in Action: Parenting and fostering are daily opportunities to live out Romans 12 — being a living sacrifice and trusting God in every challenge.
• Grace on Repeat: Just as God shows us grace, parents must extend it constantly, even when life is messy.
• Purpose in Chaos: A big, busy family may be chaotic, but it’s also a picture of love, laughter, and sanctification.
• Obedience Over Comfort: There’s never a perfect time to foster, adopt, or say “yes” to God’s call — but obedience leads to eternal impact.
• Dream Small: God can use the small, faithful steps of everyday obedience to do extraordinary things.

Memorable Moments:

• Laney’s thoughtful questions that reveal a young heart full of wisdom and compassion.
• Stories of miracles — from health scares to unexpected blessings.
• Heart-to-heart reflections on trusting God during miscarriage, cancer, and uncertainty.
• Laughter over dad jokes, family chaos, and the beauty of imperfection.

Scripture Highlights:

• Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”
• James 1:27 – “Pure and genuine religion means caring for orphans and widows in their distress.”
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you…”
• Romans 12:1 – Living as a sacrifice that honors God.
• Ephesians 3:20 – “He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.”

Call to Action

If this conversation encouraged you, please subscribe, rate, and share the Dream Small Podcast! You can also connect with us on social media or visit our website to learn more about fostering, faith, and family.

Support the Dream Small Podcast:

If this episode encouraged you, consider supporting our mission to inspire others to live faithfully in the small things. Your generosity helps us keep sharing stories that matter.

👉 Support the podcast here.

Connect with Us:

📧 [email protected]

📸 Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

📘 Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

🐦 Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music: “Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this moving continuation of her story, Bre opens up about what it was like to navigate foster care as a teenager—shifting homes, faiths, and expectations while searching for belonging. She shares the emotional tension of moving between families with vastly different religious beliefs, the impact of being “the new kid” again and again, and the powerful difference one man named Don made through simple, steadfast love.

Jason and Whitney listen as Bre reflects on the foster parents who shaped her, the struggles that challenged her faith, and what she wishes every foster parent understood about the teens in their care. This honest and hope-filled conversation will move anyone who has ever wondered how to love kids from hard places well.

Whether you’re a foster or adoptive parent, teacher, social worker, or simply someone who cares about vulnerable youth, Bre’s story will leave you inspired to show up—because sometimes one caring adult can change everything.

Key Topics & Takeaways:

• The faith confusion that comes from moving between drastically different foster homes

• Overcoming stereotypes and isolation as a teen in foster care

• The life-changing influence of one consistent, caring adult

• What Bre wishes every foster parent knew

• Why genuine faith is shown in action, not just words

Support the Dream Small Podcast:

If this episode encouraged you, consider supporting our mission to inspire others to live faithfully in the small things. Your generosity helps us keep sharing stories that matter.

👉 Support the podcast HERE.

Connect with Us:

📧 [email protected]

📸 Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

📘 Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

🐦 Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music: “Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this powerful 20th episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney sit down with their friend Bre, who courageously shares her story of growing up in foster care, navigating trauma, and breaking free from generational cycles.

Bre is the second oldest of eleven siblings and entered foster care as a teenager after years of instability and hardship. In this conversation, she opens up about:

• What it was like to be separated from her siblings and move through multiple foster homes.
• The painful realities of neglect, false assumptions, and lack of support that many foster teens face.
• How she learned resilience through broken systems, financial struggles, and the weight of raising her younger siblings.
• The turning points that helped her reject destructive cycles and choose a different future.
• The role of faith, perseverance, and intentional choices in becoming the mom and wife she always longed to have herself.

Bre’s honesty gives foster parents, adoptive parents, and anyone walking alongside vulnerable kids a rare glimpse into the lived reality of the foster care system. Her perspective is raw, emotional, and filled with hope.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• What does foster care feel like through the eyes of a child?
• How can foster parents better support teens in care?
• Is it possible to break free from generational trauma?

…this conversation will inspire, challenge, and encourage you.

✨ Share this episode with foster parents, adoptive families, social workers, or anyone who cares about kids from hard places. Bre’s story is a testimony of redemption and the impact of choosing faithfulness in the small things.

Connect with us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast
• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast
• Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music Credit: "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In Episode 19 of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney open up about one of the most defining moments of their foster care journey — the return of their “always yes” child.

Years earlier, this little girl had entered their home as a scared toddler, quickly bonding with their family. But in a painful and unexpected turn, the foster care system sent her back home before it was safe, leaving their family grieving a sudden loss with no closure. For three years, Jason and Whitney prayed for her, never knowing if they would see her again.

Then, in the middle of the hardest season of their lives — Whitney’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, Jason’s dad quickly deteriorating from dementia, and the everyday chaos of raising five (at the time) kids — the phone rang late on a Friday night. It was DCS, and the little girl they had never stopped loving needed a home again.

In this powerful episode, Jason and Whitney share:

• The heartbreak of sudden reunification and how the foster care system sometimes fails children
• The reality of foster parenting in seasons of personal crisis
• How they wrestled with God’s timing when the call came during cancer treatment and grief
• The emotional homecoming — what it was like to see their “forever yes” walk back through the door three years later
• Why saying yes to foster care and adoption rarely makes sense logically, but always reflects God’s love
• How community support — friends, church, and even strangers — carried them through this season

This conversation is raw, honest, and full of hope. It’s a story of foster care, faith, obedience, and the power of saying yes even when life feels impossible. Whether you’re a foster parent, adoptive parent, or simply someone seeking encouragement in following God’s call, this episode will remind you that love is an action — and sometimes the smallest yes can change a child’s life forever.

We’d love to hear from you! Has God ever asked you to step into something hard when the timing made no sense? Message us and share your story — your obedience might encourage someone else to keep going.

Connect with us:

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

• Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music credit: "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under CC BY 4.0