Dream Small Podcast

In this episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney share the incredible story of how God worked through friends, neighbors, and their church community to prepare their family for a brand-new foster placement — a five-week-old baby.

After wrestling with the decision for months and wondering if they were “too old for babies,” Jason and Whitney prayed for clarity. God answered in unmistakable ways: from baby clothes showing up at just the right time, to neighbors offering cribs and car seats, to surprise meals, strollers, and even toilet paper left in their garage “from a friend of Jesus.”

You’ll hear:

• How Galatians 6:2 and Proverbs 3:5–6 came alive in real time as their community carried their burdens.
• The funny and heartwarming stories of unexpected blessings — big and small — that confirmed God’s calling.
• Why saying “yes” to foster care isn’t just about one family, but about the body of Christ stepping in together.
• Practical encouragement for anyone wondering how to support foster families (hint: it doesn’t always take much to make a huge impact).

This episode is a reminder that in the middle of heavy weeks and hard seasons, God still shows up — often through the everyday faithfulness of His people.

If you’ve ever questioned whether small acts of kindness matter, this story will encourage you to keep your eyes open for how God is moving in your own life.

Let’s Connect

• 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 this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney sit down with Clara — their former nanny and long-time family friend — to share a unique perspective that often goes unheard: what it’s like to grow up as a foster sibling.

Clara was only in second grade when her parents became foster parents, and over the years their home welcomed more than 50 children. As the oldest sibling, Clara experienced the ups and downs of foster care in ways that shaped her faith, her resilience, and even her career path. From the surprise of meeting her very first foster sisters to the chaos of courtroom visits, she opens up about the challenges of being a foster sibling, the seasons of bitterness she faced as a teenager, and how her parents found ways to make sure their biological children still felt seen and loved.

Jason and Whitney also reflect on how Clara became part of their own story, stepping into the role of nanny at a pivotal time for their family. Her experience with trauma, medical needs, and everyday parenting made her more than a caregiver — she became family.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• Clara’s first memories of foster care and what it was like to welcome new siblings overnight
• The struggles biological children may feel when their parents foster, including resentment and loneliness
• How her parents wisely used respite care and intentional one-on-one time to support their bio kids
• Why building community for foster siblings is just as important as support for foster or adopted kids
• The unexpected ways foster care prepared Clara for future jobs, responsibilities, and leadership
• How God used her childhood experiences to give her grit, compassion, and wisdom beyond her years

Clara’s story is both heartfelt and practical, offering encouragement and guidance for foster parents, biological kids in foster families, and anyone curious about the impact of foster care on the whole household.

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/

Il2zP02awZc8RIBXdjW0

Ever wondered what daily life really looks like for a foster family? In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney pull back the curtain and share the organized chaos of their home—where visitors include case managers, therapists, guardians ad litem, and more.

A Foster Home is a busy place - where multiple visitors come into your home. This episode will give you a glimpse of some of the visitors. You’ll hear:

• What a DCS Family Case Manager (FCM) does and why they’re central to every case

• The difference between GALs (Guardians ad Litem) and CASAs and how they advocate for kids

• The juggling act of multiple providers in one home—and how faith sustains families through the overwhelm

• Encouragement for foster parents (and those considering fostering) to show grace to caseworkers

👉 Whether you’re a foster parent, considering the journey, or simply curious about how the system works, this episode offers both practical insight and heartfelt encouragement.

Sponsor:

This episode is brought to you by our friend Ray Podesta with Stone & Gable Realty. If you’re buying or selling a home in Central Indiana, contact Ray at 317-538-3226 or [email protected].

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 | creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney welcome their first non-family guest, Michelle, to share her powerful story of fostering and adoption.

Michelle and her husband fostered for 13 years, ultimately adopting five children. Her foster journey began with a surprise call late one night about twins—and what followed was a whirlwind of faith, heartbreak, disruption, and God’s provision.

Michelle opens up about:

• How infertility led them to private adoption and then foster care

• The unexpected late-night phone call that launched their fostering journey

• The challenges and heartache of disruption—and how God used it for a greater plan

• The importance of community and church support when saying “yes” to kids in need

• How God shifted their hearts from “growing a family” to “serving children and families”

Her story is a reminder that the path of fostering isn’t easy—but God is faithful, even in the hardest yes.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor:

A huge thank you to Ray Podesta, realtor with Stone Gable Realty. If you’re in Central Indiana and looking to buy or sell a home, reach out to Ray at 317-538-3226 or email him at [email protected].

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/

Back-to-school season can be stressful for any family—but for foster and adoptive parents, navigating school can feel especially overwhelming. In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney share their lived experiences of sending foster kiddos to school and offer practical advice for making the transition smoother.

From choosing the right school and advocating for trauma-informed teachers to preparing children with routines, comfort items, and role-playing, this conversation is packed with encouragement and real-life strategies. Whether you’re new to fostering or a seasoned resource parent, you’ll find wisdom and hope to help your child feel safe, supported, and ready to thrive in the classroom.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to evaluate school options for foster children
• Why trauma-informed teachers and staff make all the difference·        
• The importance of routines and preparation for school success
• Advocating for IEPs, 504s, and support services
• Helping kids feel safe, secure, and understood in new environments
• The vital role of community and your “village” in back-to-school transitions

Whether your child is starting kindergarten, entering middle school, or switching districts, this episode will remind you that you are not alone—and that your faithfulness in the small things truly matters.

🙌 Special Thanks to Our Sponsor:

A huge thank you to Ray Podesta, realtor with Stone Gable Realty. If you’re in Central Indiana and looking to buy or sell a home, reach out to Ray at 317-538-3226 or email him at [email protected].

📬 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 this heartwarming and faith-filled episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney share a week full of unexpected bird-watching, laughter, and incredible “only God” stories from their seven-year foster care journey.

From green heron drama in the front yard to miraculous provisions of strollers, bedrooms, and cribs, each story showcases how God often meets needs before we even know we have them. You’ll hear:

• The saga of Chuck and Duck, the neighborhood green herons who stole Whitney’s heart.

• How God provided the exact stroller they needed—down to the dollar.

• The offer to build a bedroom they initially declined… only to need it months later.

• A perfectly timed crib donation that made an urgent foster placement possible.

• Stories of children who came “just for the weekend” or “for six weeks” and became forever family.

• Why listening to God’s prompting—even when it doesn’t make sense—can lead to life-changing moments.

Whether you’re a foster parent, considering fostering, or simply in need of encouragement, this episode will remind you that God’s timing is always perfect and His provision is never late.

📌 Connect with Us:

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

• Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

💼 Sponsor – Ray Podesta, Realtor (Central Indiana)
Looking to buy or sell a home in Central Indiana? Contact Ray Podesta at Stone & Gable Realty for expert real estate guidance and personal service.
📞 Call/Text: 317-538-3226📧 Email: [email protected]🌐 Website: StoneAndGable.com

🎵 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 episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney pull back the curtain on what it's really like to prepare for a new foster care placement. Whether you're a brand-new foster parent or just curious about the process, this episode offers a real, relatable, and faith-rooted look into the emotional, mental, and physical preparations that come before that knock on the door.

You’ll hear:

• What emotional rollercoaster to expect when saying "yes" to a new placement
• Why it’s okay to feel overwhelmed — and how to stay grounded
• Questions to ask during “the call” (and why it’s okay to say no)
• Trauma-informed ways to welcome a child into your home
• Tips for preparing your space, your bio kids, and your support network
• Stories from the Smalls’ personal journey — including Grammy’s “placement magic” and car seat chaos

📖 Verse shared: Isaiah 41:10

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you…”

Resource mentioned: Raising Kids with Big Baffling Behaviors by Robyn Gobbel

Whether you're actively fostering, just exploring it, or supporting someone who is — this episode is packed with practical wisdom, grace, and a few laughs too.

Connect with us:

📧 Email: [email protected]

📷 Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

📘 Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

🐦 X/Twitter: @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/

This week, we’re talking about something that took us over seven years of foster parenting to embrace: respite care. We dive into what respite care is, why it’s essential (not selfish!), and how it can actually strengthen your calling as a foster parent.

You’ll hear:

• Why having “just four kids” felt like a vacation

• The emotional and spiritual cost of fostering

• Why rest is not only okay—it’s biblical

• How respite care prevents burnout and supports long-term placement stability

• Practical ways non-foster parents can make a huge difference by becoming respite providers

We also unpack stats on burnout, share some honest struggles, and reflect on how foster care is ministry—and ministry needs rhythm, including rest.

📖 Scriptures mentioned:

• Mark 6:31 – “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

• Isaiah 1:17 – “Defend the cause of the fatherless…”

• Romans 12:13, Genesis 2:2–3, Matthew 11:28–30, Luke 5:15–16, Ephesians 1:5, John 15:13

If you’re a foster parent feeling tired or guilty about needing a break—this episode is for you. And if you're not a foster parent, we’ll show you exactly how you can step in and be the support that keeps a family going.

👉 Share this episode with a foster parent or someone who wants to help.

📩 Contact 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
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney take a trip down memory lane, sharing some of their most meaningful, funny, and heartwarming moments from their foster care journey.

From unforgettable smiles to unexpected friendships, this episode is a celebration of how God shows up in the small things. You’ll hear:

• The moment a gummy baby smile turned exhaustion into joy
• The emotional rollercoaster of adoption day
• How a Walmart parking lot became a sacred place of encouragement
• Why being called “super Christians” left them both laughing—and reflecting
• The powerful ministry of foster care and how it’s changed their community

Whether you're a fellow foster parent, considering getting involved, or just curious about the day-to-day joys and chaos of a big family with a big mission—this episode will encourage you, make you laugh, and remind you that God works powerfully through obedience in the everyday.

🙏 Psalm 127:3-5 reminds us:

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him…”

📣 Get Involved

If this episode encouraged you, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing with a friend. It helps others find the show and spreads the mission of dreaming small to make a big difference.

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

📬 Connect With Us:

Let’s be real — fostering and adoption come with a unique set of challenges… and sometimes, even more challenging conversations. In this episode, we share the top awkward, cringey, or unintentionally hurtful things people have said to us as foster and adoptive parents — and we unpack why those comments can be difficult, and how to say something more helpful instead.

We’re talking about real-life phrases we’ve heard like:

• “Are you going to keep them?”
• “Which ones are yours?”
• “What happened to their real parents?”
• “You’re such a saint!”
• “I could never do that.”
• “You look tired.”
• “Everything happens for a reason.”
• “At least....”

But this episode isn’t just about the hard stuff — we’re keeping it funny and honest too. You’ll hear about:

• Whitney’s traumatic bathtub corn dog incident during a hair-washing session (yes, it’s as wild as it sounds)
• Our mini bernedoodle’s attempt to save the day
• The beauty and chaos of a full house
• And the sweetest moment when our little one says, “Mommy, tonight was really fun…”

We’re not here to shame anyone — we know most people mean well. But we hope this conversation helps others better understand how to support, speak to, and love on foster and adoptive families.

Whether you’re a foster parent, someone who loves one, or just want to be more thoughtful with your words — this episode is for you.

Let’s Connect:

📧 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/