Imagine being consumed by addiction and isolated within a domestic violent relationship for years. Jackie, our guest this week, was living this exhausting life which ultimately led to her losing her twin boys to foster care. Right away Jackie knew she had to make a change. Her commitment to getting her children back was the catalyst to escaping a toxic relationship and getting sober. Jackie's journey has been tough, but she is a success story. Today, Jackie serves as a beacon of hope for those struggling with addiction and is committed to helping others realize it's never to let to change their life.

If you are struggling or know someone struggling with addiction, please point them to itsjackie_polk on Instagram. She is incredibly inspiring, and we hope her story touches someone who needs it.

Welcome back! This week, Maggie, a mama of 7 boys, joins us and shares her journey as a foster mother who worked tirelessly to ensure her boys remained connected and ultimately together forever. Throughout each case Maggie didn't take no for an answer and her relentless efforts resulted in siblings staying together and justice being served. Her family and her boys are lucky to have her, and we are so happy she took time to share her story with us.

Follow Maggie on Instagram @the.waxmama

This week we have a special mama, Rachel visiting with us on the podcast. She is an author, a homeschool teacher, and a mama to many. She is a fierce advocate for foster care, and she shares with us the importance of reunification as well as the rollercoaster that can come with being a foster parent. We hope you enjoy our conversation with her!

This week on Filter Free, we have Josie Anderson who talks to us about what led her to foster care, her experience as a medical professional as well as a CASA and her personal foster care experience as a foster mama. Josie is a follower of Christ, a wife, and a fierce advocate for children. We feel so fortunate she said YES to joining us!

Go follow her page on Instagram @fosterthevalley as she provides insightful content about so many things!

You may recognize Heather Bell for her bubbly personality on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. If you haven't already, go check her out at @justthebells10 and we can promise she will bring a smile to your face! This week we are so lucky as she joins us on the podcast to discuss her journey of becoming a foster mom, an adoptive mother, and how she is navigating her life as a content creator.

Mama Bell is inviting, relatable, and reminds us to simply be kind to one another. We hope you love her episode as much as we enjoyed creating it with her.

Please remember to like, share, and rate our podcast on Apple or Spotify!

Welcome back!

During this episode, Chelsea tells us what happened after that life changing phone call to the police. Join us as she talks vividly about her experience in foster care, her reunion with her mother, and life now.

TRIGGER WARNING: Assault, Drug Use, & Suicide.

The bravest thing someone can do is share their testimony with no reservations. Chelsea, a former foster youth, remembers CPS being in and out of her life from the age of 4. Her detailed recollection of events is jarring, but also a testament to how trauma can impact us. Join us as Chelsea shares her experiences as a child of a drug addicted parent, her outlook on foster care, and how she's built a life she's always dreamt of having.

Come back next week to join us for Part 2 of her story. See you then!

This week, Keri and Alexis sit down with Lauren, a current LMSW who has experience in case management, foster care, adoption, and advocacy. She educates us on what an advocacy center focuses on, the importance of reporting, and how to implement self-care in daily life. She also touches on how motherhood has impacted her career and her plans for the future!

Welcome back! This week Keri and Alexis sit down with Shelley Williams, a former foster mother, whose family adopted twin boys and helped care for more than 10 other children. Despite her family's home closing two years ago, Shelley felt called to continue serving kids within the foster care system in a new role. She shares with us her unique perspective from her current job and helps provide insight that everyone can benefit from. We hope you enjoy this episode!

This week Keri and Alexis traveled to visit with a few of their old co-workers. Shelby, Jessica, and Casey share their personal experiences within the foster care community as case managers. As a group, we discuss the importance of self-care, advocacy, and relationships. We also talk about the importance of setting boundaries and reaching out for support. Enjoy!

Don't forget to rate and follow the show!