Everything Foster Care.

Everything Foster Care.

Download on the App Store

Everything Foster Care. episodes

  • A Locked Bedroom, A Half Crown, And The Start Of A Writing Career

    Send us Fan Mail

    A child is handed a half crown, and the car ride home turns into a lesson about power, surveillance, and fear. That small moment opens up a much bigger story as I sit down with music writer and author Paolo Hewitt to talk about growing up in foster care, moving into a children’s home, and carrying the after-effects of being controlled, punished, and kept apart from the world.

    Paolo shares how he survived by building a life in his head and in his body: devouring books, disappearing into Greek mythology, focusing on football, and feeling his whole world shift when he first heard the Beatles. We talk about why these are not just hobbies but survival tools for many looked after children, and how creativity can be the most practical form of resilience when you feel trapped, useless, or unable to speak up.

    We also get honest about safeguarding and social work in the UK. Paolo remembers neighbours suspecting something was wrong but choosing not to interfere, and we dig into the impossible pressure on social workers, where decades of good work can be overshadowed by one visible failure. From there, the story turns towards stability and repair: the relief of safer care, the importance of not being moved endlessly, and the adults who made a children’s home feel like somewhere you could finally exhale.

    Then comes the spark that changes everything. A teenage Paolo discovers the New Musical Express and realises writing about music could be a life, even after a teacher laughs at his dream of becoming a writer. If you care about foster care, children’s homes, trauma recovery, and how talent forms under pressure, this conversation will stay with you. Subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review telling us what helped you feel seen when you were young.

    For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
    Available on Amazon now
     https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

    19 min
  • Support That Makes Fostering Work

    Send us Fan Mail

    Thinking about fostering or already caring and craving steadier ground? We talk to the team from Foster Talk about the varied and in depth that they provide in addition to your local authority or independent care agency and open the door on what real support looks like when you’re Fostering a child and navigating systems that don’t always feel simple. From day one clarity to worst day protection, this is a practical guide to feeling less alone and more prepared.

    We get specific about allegations: how often they arise, what happens first, and why independent support can make the difference between panic and perspective. You’ll hear how a dedicated Allegation Support Team of experienced social workers walks carers through each step, explains timescales, and helps keep focus when a supervising social worker must step back. We also tackle legal cover in plain English, including immediate representation and funded defence if police involvement occurs, so carers know their rights and options before they ever need them.

    Money matters get the time they deserve. Many carers don’t realise fostering income is disregarded in Universal Credit, or that tax and council support can help during gaps between placements. We talk through self-employment basics, benefit pitfalls, and how to plan for short-term, respite, and emergency arrangements without risking the household budget. Then we zoom out to Staying Put, the pathway that lets young people remain with carers after 18, and why that steady bridge into adulthood changes outcomes for life.

    Policy is shifting too. Foster Talk shares how their survey on allegations fed directly into Department for Education reforms now out for consultation, including proposals for holding payments during investigations. Along the way we cover modern safer caring: daily logs that protect and show progress, smart tech do’s and don’ts, and the power of webinars and peer learning. And yes, we highlight the lighter side—member discounts, Blue Light Card access, and small perks that make days out easier for families.

    If you want fostering to feel sustainable, informed, and hopeful, this conversation puts tools in your hands. Subscribe, share this with a carer who needs it, and leave a review with the one question you want answered next.

    For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
    Available on Amazon now
     https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

    43 min
  • Why Disability-Focused Fostering Is Easier Than You Think And Richer Than You Imagine

    Send us Fan Mail

    What if children with complex health needs didn’t have to grow up in hospitals or residential units, but could experience everyday family life instead with your help? 

    We sit down with Richard Powell, managing director of Credo Care, to unpack how specialist fostering makes that possible — and far more achievable than most imagine.

    Across 25 years, Credo Care has built a model that treats foster carers as professionals and partners. Richard explains how the message is clear: you don’t need to be a medic to foster brilliantly; you need willingness to learn, consistency, compassion and a brilliant team at your back.

    We also tackle the practical hurdles — from equipment and home adaptations to the patchwork of local funding — and how careful matching over weeks or months builds placements that last. 

    Richard shares why burnout prevention is built in, not bolted on: a large support‑worker team for everyday breathing room, dedicated respite carers who become part of the extended family, and a culture that honours joy alongside complexity. Outcomes reflect that care: few breakdowns, more permanence through adoption or special guardianship, and smooth transitions into adulthood via Shared Lives where needed.

    Along the way, we dispel the biggest myth in disability‑focused fostering: that high medical needs mean high difficulty. With training, mentoring, and steady coordination with hospitals and local authorities, families discover that complex care can weave into ordinary routines — school runs, clubs, and quiet nights in. 

    If you’ve wondered whether fostering could be for you, this conversation offers a grounded, hopeful roadmap and a challenge to think bigger about what home can mean.

    If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review with your top takeaway — your share might be the reason a child finds a family.

    For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
    Available on Amazon now
     https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

    42 min
  • Max, Care, and the Making of an Author

    Send us Fan Mail

    A name mispronounced, a laugh shared, and then the door opens onto a life where books were the only safe room in the house. We sit down with author and playwright Alan Dapré—63 children’s books and counting—to explore how a childhood in care, a brutal boarding school, and one compassionate nun shaped a creative practice built on dignity, humour, and hope. Alan takes us from libraries that felt like lifelines to Radio 4 plays about leaving care and ageing in care, and he shows how a single line—why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary—can become a working philosophy for kids who’ve been told to shrink.

    The heart of the conversation is Max, a rescue dog with a rough first year who became the star of a tender picture book. Max’s history (passed around, frightened, trigger-stacked) mirrors what many children carry, and his transformation under love becomes a simple, blazing point: you are not your past; you are how you’re held now. We talk about reading in the age of tablets, vanishing libraries, and why a toddler lost in a page world is still radical. Alan brings craft insights, too—why writing what you know isn’t a cage but a compass, and how cutting a line can make room for an actor to say everything with one word.

    Then comes a poem that stops time. Sixteen marks a cliff edge for too many young people in care—support drops, risk rises, and “corporate parenting” sounds like a bad joke when homework is done on a stool beside leaky pipes. From there we get practical: the perils of profit in placements, the need for local capacity, and a one-line banner anyone can carry—real homes for real kids. We also share our 10K-a-day fundraiser to build a proper platform for fostering stories that recruit new carers, one short, shareable clip at a time.

    If you care about children, books, or building a fairer system, this conversation will stay with you. Listen, share it with someone who needs a nudge to act, and leave a review so more people can find these stories.

    For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
    Available on Amazon now
     https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

    57 min
  • From Newt To Penguin: Writing For Neurodivergent Kids

    Send us Fan Mail

    A child doesn’t need every word to make sense; they need a safe space where rhythm, pictures, and patience invite them in. That’s the spirit of our conversation with author-illustrator Carly Ann Osborne, who blends classroom experience with creative storytelling to help neurodivergent children feel recognised. We explore how The Cute Newt draws from autistic traits and Quinn the Penguin captures ADHD energy, and why those pages matter most when a child says, “I do that.”

    Carly shares hard-won insights from working in a mainstream school with neurodivergent pupils: listen beyond words, follow the child’s lead, and give communication more than one doorway. Some children speak in stories or metaphors, others in gestures, drawings, or movement. We talk about co-regulation, the calming power of routine, and simple tools like visual supports and movement breaks that foster trust. Along the way, we swap stories about fostering, where needs vary widely and progress often shows up weeks or months after the first try—proof that patience beats pressure.

    We also dig into representation and access. From the first autistic Barbie to classroom bookshelves, seeing yourself on the page can dissolve shame and build confidence. Carly’s characters come from real encounters—a school pond full of newts, a traveller’s penguin photos, a child searching for a 3D-printed capybara—keeping the work grounded and relatable. And yes, we get into the realities of self-publishing versus traditional deals, how indie authors reach schools, and why clarity and craft matter more than celebrity. If you care about children’s mental health, inclusive education, and stories that validate different ways of being, you’ll find ideas you can use tonight at story time.

    Subscribe for more conversations on fostering, neurodiversity, and children’s books that open doors. Share this episode with someone who needs fresh tools and leave a review to help others find the show.

    For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
    Available on Amazon now
     https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

    20 min
  • What It Feels Like To Be In Care And Why More Carers Matter

    Send us Fan Mail

    What does care feel like when you are the child being moved, matched, and measured? 'The Hidden Poet' who helps us to understand what it's like to be a powerless child being moved from placement to placement.

    From the first emergency placement to the moment a teenager is told they are “independent” and handed a key. Through vivid poetry and first-hand stories, we trace how scarcity—too few social workers, foster carers, and children’s homes—turns protective intent into a carousel of rooms and rules, and why better matching depends on growing a diverse pool of carers.

    We look honestly at children’s homes without easy labels. For some, a residential home offers safety and structure that family life did not. For others, the best chance is a stable foster placement that lasts long enough for identity, school, and friendships to settle. 

    The thread running through it all is trust: how long it takes to build, how quickly it can be shaken by moves, and what happens when a young person finally feels safe enough to exhale. 

    A powerful reading of “Sixteen” lays bare the cliff edge at leaving care—bare rooms, bills, and danger at the door—and asks a hard question: would loving parents push a child out like this?

    Foster Carer Camilla explains why mentoring led her to foster, why she chose teenagers, and how months of slow, steady care can turn into the moment a child says, “I love you.” The message is clear and urgent: more carers mean better matches and fewer moves; stronger aftercare means a bridge, not a drop. If you care about children’s safety, dignity, and future, this conversation will stay with you.

    If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more people hear these stories and consider fostering. Your share might be the nudge that creates a new safe home.

    For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
    Available on Amazon now
     https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

    13 min
  • A Funeral Director Explains Why Personalised Goodbyes Heal Better Than Tradition

    Send us Fan Mail

    Grief doesn’t move in tidy stages, and goodbyes don’t have to look or sound the same. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with funeral director and embalmer Allyse Worland, a first‑generation professional who’s spent nearly seventeen years advocating for compassionate, modern funeral care. Allyse takes us inside a profession that’s shedding stereotypes—opening the doors to personal, participatory, and culturally sensitive services that genuinely help people heal.

    We talk about the quiet revolution from standardised, mournful ceremonies to celebrations of life that feel true to the person: favourite music rather than generic hymns, story‑rich eulogies, photo walls, community gatherings and rituals that invite the whole family to take part. Allyse explains why clear options matter, how listening comes before logistics, and what happens when a funeral home becomes a place of care year‑round—hosting grief groups, partnering with local organisations, and pointing people to trusted online resources.

    Money and stress sit close to the surface when loss hits. Allyse doesn’t dodge the reality of costs, state‑by‑state rules, or the rise of crowdfunding for unexpected deaths. Her remedy is transparency and dignity: explain the essentials, share alternatives without judgement, and build services around what the family values most. We also dive into the profession’s changing face—more young, first‑generation, and female directors—why mentorship beats gatekeeping, and how leadership rooted in safety and empathy outperforms old‑school authority.

    Children are too often the forgotten mourners. Allyse shares practical ways to include them—simple roles, honest words, and space for their questions—so they gain agency and lasting, loving memories. Threaded throughout is a bigger truth: grief is non‑linear, and rituals help us re‑stitch daily life after a pattern breaks. If you care about modern funerals, grief literacy, and services that feel human, this conversation offers grounded insight and real‑world tools.

    If this resonated, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more listeners find thoughtful conversations about end of life.

    For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
    Available on Amazon now
     https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

    39 min
  • Breaking Barriers in Foster Care

    Send us Fan Mail

    People, we need more people to consider becoming Foster carers which is a paid profession! See if this is for you and if you can get involved.

    Dive into the heart of foster care with Elle, the passionate founder of Eastern Fostering Services. Her journey from nurse to fostering advocate spans over three decades, rooted in a childhood where fostering was "in her blood" through her experience working with Barnardo's.

    Elle reveals the stark reality facing the UK's care system today – a deficit of 6,000 foster families while placement requests have skyrocketed from 50 to several hundred weekly. This growing crisis highlights why independent fostering agencies emerged as essential partners to local authorities, offering specialized support that consistently earns "good" to "outstanding" Ofsted ratings.

    The conversation takes us behind closed doors to understand the profound trauma many fostered children carry. From children who eat under tables rather than at them to those unable to use basic cutlery, these behaviors reflect deep wounds that require patience, understanding, and specialized support. As Elle poignantly explains, healing sometime requires double the time a child spent in trauma before meaningful progress emerges.

    We explore the potential of preventative "edge of care" services that could support birth families before separation becomes necessary, addressing the intergenerational cycles of trauma that often lead children into care. Elle challenges listeners to consider how society might better address root causes rather than symptoms – both in foster care and broader social issues.

    For anyone considering fostering, Elle offers candid insight: "It's probably the hardest thing you'll ever do, but also potentially the most rewarding". Success comes in "little wins" – those precious moments when a child begins to trust, to heal, to believe that not all adults are the same. The strength of community also shines through as we learn how foster families support each other, creating networks where both carers and children find understanding and belonging.

    Thinking about fostering or simply want to understand this vital service better? This episode offers a compassionate, eye-opening look at the challenges and profound rewards of providing a safe haven for our most vulnerable children.

    For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
    Available on Amazon now
     https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

    28 min
  • How Female Leaders Are Reshaping Workplaces with Compassion

    Send us a text

    The leadership landscape is changing, but not fast enough. Linda Fisk, founder of Leadership Global, pulls back the curtain on the persistent gender gap in corporate leadership during this revealing conversation about women's path to the C-suite.

    Drawing from her extensive background as a Chief Marketing Officer for major media corporations like Discovery Channel and Scripps Networks before becoming CEO of multiple organisations, Linda shares startling statistics that paint a stark picture: despite making up 58% of the civil workforce, women hold only 23% of C-suite positions in America, with women of colour comprising a mere 4%. The bias runs deep—both male and female managers are twice as likely to hire men over women, yet when gender is removed from applications, women's hiring rates jump by 25-46%.

    What makes this conversation particularly illuminating is Linda's exploration of how traditionally "feminine" leadership qualities are finally being recognised as valuable business assets. Research by the Hay Group confirms women outperform men in 11 of 12 key emotional intelligence competencies. These "soft skills"—authentic communication, team development, empathy, and humility—once dismissed as weaknesses, now represent the future of effective leadership.

    The pandemic has only widened existing gaps, with women facing higher rates of layoffs and career stagnation. Through Leadership Global, Linda has created a 10,000-member community across six continents dedicated to ensuring women have equal access to funding, opportunities, and connections typically reserved for men. Her vision isn't about displacing men but creating space at the table for diverse leadership that combines both mind and heart to build lasting, positive impact.

    Looking to support women leaders or become one? Connect with Linda on LinkedIn or visit LeadHership Global to learn how you can help break down barriers in your organisation.

    For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
    Available on Amazon now
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

    25 min
  • Meet the Guardian Angel for Your End-of-Life Planning

    Send us a text

    Death may be the ultimate truth serum, but most of us avoid discussing it until we absolutely must. In this deeply insightful conversation with professional fiduciary Sarah Eklein, we explore why end-of-life planning isn't just about legal documents—it's about creating what she beautifully calls "a legacy of love, not a mess."

    Sarah draws from her unique experience working with clients in their final life chapters to illuminate the tremendous gift of proper planning. As someone who regularly serves as a conservator, trustee, executor, and healthcare decision maker, she witnesses firsthand the stark difference between families who prepare thoughtfully and those who don't. The statistics are sobering: only one in three Americans create an estate plan, leaving countless families to navigate complex decisions during already emotional times.

    Our discussion ventures beyond conventional planning into fascinating territory—the emergence of "funerals" (celebrations of life held before death), the evolution of family structures that necessitates new support systems, and the delicate considerations surrounding assisted dying legislation. Throughout it all, Sarah emphasizes that while documents matter, the conversations that precede them matter even more.

    What's particularly striking is how focusing on our mortality can actually enrich our living. As Sarah notes, confronting death forces us into the present moment, helping clarify what truly matters. Her approach blends practical expertise with profound compassion, reminding us that comprehensive planning isn't morbid—it's one of the most loving gifts we can offer those we care about.

    Whether you're just beginning to consider your own wishes or helping a loved one navigate their final chapter, this conversation offers both the practical guidance and emotional wisdom to approach this universal journey with intention, clarity, and heart. Download Sarah's free Legacy of Love workbook from her website to start crafting your own meaningful plan today.

    For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
    Available on Amazon now
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

    33 min

About Everything Foster Care.

From the publisher's feed

This podcast is dedicated to talking to experts and others about all aspects of death and dying.  You know, that thing we don't really want to talk about!
As a hospice carer and former…