During this episode, I interview my special guest, Barry Farmer. Barry grew up in kinship care and became a foster parent at the age of 20 and adopted his oldest son at the age of 22. Barry Farmer is a spokesperson for Adopt Us Kids. He’s an advocate, speaker, mentor, blogger, and podcast host of the Barry Farmer Show. Barry is a single adoptive father of three, and I’m confident you’ll be encouraged by his story.

Barry Farmer is a Native of Richmond, Virginia. He grew up in Kinship Care with his grandmother from ages 5-18. For the last 15 years he's been devoted to working inside and outside the classroom with youth and their families. At age 20, Barry became a foster father with a local therapeutic agency to further help youth within his community. At age 22 he adopted his oldest son. Three years later, Barry's two younger sons were placed in his home, making him a proud father of three amazing young men. With these additions to his family, he closed his home after 7 years as an active foster parent. Today, as a single father, Barry is a Spokesman for Adopt Us Kids, Foster Care Adoption Advocate for children awaiting adoption, Speaker, Mentor, Podcast Host of The Barry Farmer Show and The FosterCare & Adoption Life talk Web Series, as well as the Creator/Administrator of one of the largest online support group for Foster Care and Adoptive families.

During this episode, China Jackson and I define Conflict Circumvention and how it’s different from conflict resolution. We also discuss ways teachers, foster parents and service providers can teach young people to circumvent their conflicts. China and I also talk about some of his other film and music projects.

China Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Trine University and has over eight years of practical experience as a program coordinator for both conflict resolution and literacy enrichment programs which serve inner city schools.

During this episode, Eric and I will discuss how he builds supports and advocacy within the school district, and how this work impacts vulnerable families in Pasadena, California. We’ll also discuss the role mentors have played in his life, and his work as a Liaison for the DeVos Urban leadership Initiative. 

Eric V. Johnson has served urban youth for over 40 years as a pastor/director/educator. He currently serves as the Director of Partnerships & Collaborations for Stars, where he is responsible for building support and advocacy within the school district around systemic issues impacting vulnerable families in Pasadena, California.

Born during the “Jim Crow era” in our country, he is the son of a law enforcement officer, who with his partners were part of a notoriously abusive culture with no accountability. As a result, he endured tremendous physical and emotional abuse at home and later became a victim of molestation. Through his mother’s intervention, the church became a refuge and at an early age committed his life to changing that culture.  

“Pastors and mentors reached out to me as a teenager dealing with abuse and molestation. They gave me hope and let me see my God-given value. Ever since then my passion was to give that same hope to others.” This passion fuels his collaborative work which includes, administrating a Summer School on behalf of the local school district and serving as the Southern California Liaison for the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative.

Eric’s other passion is writing scripts for film, TV, animation and comics with his partners in their trans-media company, Blaqueink. “I love storytelling!! I love how this medium can impact people in a way that no pulpit can. I have no doubt that if Jesus was walking the Earth today, his parables would have been films and TV!” He pastors a house church with his wonderful wife, Ana Maria that reaches out to others in the industry.

Eric and Ana currently live in Arcadia. They have one daughter, Daniella, who is finishing her Masters program at USC in order to teach Special Needs students.

Andre Porter is a single foster father and works in a school district with alternative students who have intensive mental health needs. During this episode, Mr. Porter and I discuss resistance for being single foster fathers, we’ll talk about the challenges and successes of raising teen boys, and how we juggle career, personal life and home. 

Corporate America has afforded many valuable lessons for everyday living. Nothing is more fulling nor rewarding than being a part of nurturing young men and giving them the tools for success - Now and beyond Foster Care ! 

Only by Divine guidance can such a task be fulfilled.  In 1998, GOD told Andre Porter while house hunting " this home will be a Safe Haven for young men", later years GOD also spoke the words " although, he did not have a Father, I will use him to Father many".  Some 40 plus Foster Care Placements later, he deems every young man in his care as a top priority.  Insuring they are SAFE, COMFORTABLE and LOVED are the main components without compromise!

Working with Indiana Department of Corrections, Juvenile Probation, Indiana Department of Children Services, Warren School District, Mount Olive Church and the Department of Justice - having been exposed to support and resources that help place the "right youth in the right home (my home) " has proven beneficial.  

Nothing is more important than making sure we are making a difference in the lives of our children.  No excuses, make it happen ! 

Wishing he had the ability to support more youth in need of a home,  For whatever the reason, the demand continues to grow !

Bruce Wooldridge is an adoptive parent and the Special Education Coordinator at Indianapolis Lighthouse Charter School South. During this episode, Bruce and I discuss negative stereotypes of scholars who receive special education services, he'll also suggest some exceptional methods to use with exceptional learners, and we’ll talk about his experiences as an adoptive and foster parent.

Bruce Wooldridge's passion for educating special education scholars was ignited in high school.  He had the life changing opportunity to volunteer in the special education classroom. During this opportunity, Bruce realized all students have varied learning ability, and he wanted to help them reach their highest ability. Bruce's educational path led him to Western Kentucky University, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in 2001 in Exceptional Education with an emphasis in learning and behavior disorders. Being a lifelong learning, Bruce furthered his education by earning a Master’s Degree in Education and Principal Licensure. Bruce Wooldridge served as the Director of Special Education of the Charles A. Tindley Network Schools. His current educational role is the Special Education Coordinator at Indianapolis Lighthouse Charter School South. Bruce's commitment to destroying the negative sterotypes of special education scholars and improving the instruction to all scholars fuels his passion. Bruce is married to a special education teacher, Annette Wooldridge and they have five children together.

Grant is an adoption attorney with his family’s law firm Kirsh & Kirsh and the proud sponsor of this podcast. During this episode, Grant and I discuss non-traditional families that adopt, lies and misconceptions about adopting, and what motivates him to be a support to the cause of fostering and adopting.

Growing up as the son of an adoption attorney, Grant Kirsh has been surrounded by adoption his entire life.  As a second generation adoption attorney, he enjoys continuing his family’s legacy in Indiana.

Grant grew up in Carmel, Indiana, graduating from Carmel High School, Indiana University for his Bachelor’s Degree, and Indiana University School of Law for law school.  He is married to Emley, whom he has known since high school, and they have two lovely children:  Anna & Brogan.

Grant loves his family very much and enjoys spending the weekends with them on the lake, walking on the Monon and playing in the yard.  Grant, Emley and Anna have 3 dogs – Daisy, India, & Jake.  

During this episode, Anthony Beverly and I discuss reasons for violence in our communities, strategies foster parents and others can use to help young people prevent violence, and we’ll talk about the programs and services that Stop the Violence offers.

Anthony Beverly is a Servant Leader who believes in community. His purpose in life is helping inner city youth become men of God. He was first introduced to community activism at a very early age. Anthony Beverly graduated from Crispus Attucks High School (Indianapolis Public School). Thereafter, he attended Tennessee State University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Anthony Beverly’s experiences include over 20 years of youth and family ministry programming, advising, counseling and career planning. Anthony Beverly is the founder and of Stop the Violence Indianapolis, Inc.

Pastor Ken Johnson and I discuss his work with the Indianapolis Colts, how he and his wife Della has always opened his home to Other People's Kids, and we talk about him preparing for his legacy by planting a church, New Heights Church.

The urgent wail of a police siren provides the background noise for the street where young Ken Johnson walks. He walks the street, absently kicking a discarded beer bottle. The surroundings mirror his own heart; dark and bleak. The neighborhood carries the same poverty-stricken, drug-laced stench of the last four years he has lived. Clutched in his hands is a tattered football; a symbol of the young boy’s one passion. Even though his mother sets aside her own well-being to provide for him, it isn’t enough. By high school graduation, he will have memorized a total of eighteen addresses, each one another dismal ghetto.

As a young boy, Ken knew temptation and struggle intimately. Outside of his athletic ability, there was little hope for him to excel. He faced a future as just another urban statistic unable to fly above the tragedy of his own life. Despite success on the high school football field, he continually battled to overcome the obstacles of his desperate surroundings, fighting to pull free.

Then in 1979, Ken’s passion became his ticket out. His blue chip success on the high school football field earned him a scholarship to play for the University of Tulsa. His perseverance had finally paid off and he began his career as a college athlete. It was there that Ken was introduced to Jesus by his fellow teammates. After grappling with many difficult truths about himself and about God, Ken decided to follow Jesus and gave his life to Him. That decision that was the beginning of a deep transformation for Ken.

Throughout his college career, Ken navigated through adversity and obstacles one day at a time, growing in wisdom and self-esteem with each success. In 1984, he earned a B.S. in Education and was ready to take the next step in life – pro-football. But another obstacle stood in his path. A devasting knee injury would prevent him from chasing his dream.

Ken’s relationship with God empowered him to move beyond yet another crushing disappointment. He pulled himself up and decided to serve his country in the military. He then went on to become a police officer, devoting much of the next six years to the inner city neighborhoods of Tulsa.  It was there that he recognized the face of hopelessness in the youth, and it stirred a deep compassion inside him. He saw his own childhood reflected in their eyes, and his heart was moved to take action.

By this time, Ken had begun to soar on the wings of hope in his own personal journey. In every facet of his life, he continually made choices that strengthened his commitment to being a man of excellence in Christ. He wanted to share the transformative power of Jesus and eternal hope with people everywhere.

Through a series of choices and opportunities, Ken resigned from his commission with the Tulsa police department and moved on to a position in Indianapolis with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Soon thereafter, he became the Protestant Chaplain to the Indianapolis Colts, a station he still holds today. He uses his platform as a springboard to reach out across America, effectively inspiring and empowering people of all ages and from all walks of life.

Ken resides in Indianapolis, Indiana with his wife Della, who accepted in hand in marriage in 1983. They have three adult children, Dominick, Kristina, and national recording artist, Kendall.

Tomeka Johnson, Principal of Eastridge Elementary School and I will discuss some of the things that teachers and administrators are doing to prepare for students, we’ll talk about things parents can do to help their children get ready for Back-to-School, and we’ll suggest ways that the community can partner with our schools.

Tomeka Johnson was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN and attended Warren Central High School (Home of the Warriors). She attended Ball State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science and Education Degree in 2003 and Butler University were she received her master's degree in School Administration in 2014.

Shortly after returning to Indianapolis, Mrs. Johnson began teaching and developing her passion for working with youth in poverty. Between Indianapolis Public Schools and Warren Township Schools she has over 15 years of teaching and administrative service.

Currently Mrs. Johnson spends her time as the Principal of Eastridge Elementary.

Dr. Rascoe, Founder of Boys II Men Inc., and I will discuss his time as a teacher and administrator. We’ll talk about some of the challenges and common life experiences of the boys that he serves. And Dr. Rascoe will offer suggestions on how to help boys develop into men.

Dr. Lars Rascoe was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN and attended North Central High School. He attended Indiana State University where he earned his Bachelor of the Arts in Industrial Technology Education.

Shortly after returning to Indianapolis Dr. Rascoe began teaching and developing his passion for working with youth. Between Wayne Township, Washington Township, Pike Township, and Jewel Christian Academy he has over 25 years of teaching and administrative service.

Currently Dr. Rascoe divides his time between his philanthropic efforts with Boys II Men, serving on the Traders Point School Board, and mentoring youth throughout the city. He is a member of the eastern Star Church for 22 years.

In 1995, during Dr. Rascoe's time at Metropolitan School District of Pike Township's Guion Creek Middle School, he searched for an opportunity to challenge boys to mature into young men who become prophet, provider, and protector of the next generation of youth.