We’re wrapping up the year with something special and light-hearted—a “Hot Seat” episode featuring our amazing staff! 

Join us as we put Lisa, Nicole, Brian, and Mel in the Hot Seat with rapid-fire questions, surprising answers, and plenty of laughs. Get to know the people behind the scenes a little better as they share their quirks, favorite moments, and maybe even a few unexpected secrets!

This is the perfect way to close out the year on a fun and personal note. Whether you’ve been with us all year or are just tuning in, this episode is guaranteed to leave you smiling.

Grab your favorite holiday drink, settle in, and enjoy this special episode with us. See you in the Hot Seat! 🔥

Episode Highlights: 

• Get to Know Your Hope Bridge Staff 
•  Lighthearted Q&A fun
•  Team stories and behind-the-scenes insights
• A festive farewell to the year

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Visit Our Website 
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook 
• Foster Our Community Instagram 

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate all that God has accomplished through Hope Bridge this year. This episode is a heartfelt look back at the milestones we’ve reached, the lives we’ve impacted, and the ways God’s strength and provision have carried us through every step of the journey. Before we dive into setting goals and dreaming big for 2025, we want to honor the work that’s been done, express gratitude for the incredible support we’ve received, and acknowledge the lessons learned along the way.

In this episode, we’ll reflect on the highlights of 2024, celebrate the stories of transformation and hope, and share our deep appreciation for the volunteers, supporters, and community members who made it all possible. We’ll also discuss the importance of taking time to reflect before setting new goals, grounding our plans in gratitude and faith.

As we look ahead to the new year, we invite you to join us in praising God for His faithfulness and provision. Together, let’s move into 2025 with hearts full of gratitude and hope.

Episode Highlights: 

• White Elephant Gifts
• 2024 Highlights 
• Stories from Our Team Members from 2024
• Adding to the Team 

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Spiritual Formation Episode 
• Visit Our Website 
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook 
• Foster Our Community Instagram 

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

In this episode, we’re excited to highlight Brian’s new role at Hope Bridge as the Director of Discipleship. We dive into the heart behind this position, exploring what it looks like in practice and how it’s being implemented to further our mission. This role is all about supporting our team’s spiritual growth and helping us stay rooted in our purpose as we serve foster families.

We also discuss the importance of spiritual formation in the workplace. Spiritual formation is the process of being formed in the image of Christ for the sake of others. Brian shares practical ways we can incorporate this into our daily work lives, creating space for deeper faith and connection even amid the busyness. At Hope Bridge, where we are all foster or adoptive parents, the work we do to support foster families can sometimes lead to weariness and burnout. It’s a reminder that you can’t pour from an empty cup. By prioritizing spiritual formation, we not only refill our cups but also keep the main thing the main thing—becoming more like Jesus in the work we do each day.

Whether you’re involved in ministry, foster care, or any work focused on serving others, this episode will inspire and equip you to integrate faith into your daily routine, helping you stay grounded and refreshed in your calling.

Episode Highlights: 

• Brian’s New Role as Director of Discipleship
• The Importance of Spiritual Formation in the Workplace
• Practical Ways to Integrate Spiritual Practices into your Workday
• Using Spiritual Formation to Combat Burnout and Stay Christ-centered.

Resources From This Episode:

• Practicing the Way- Jon Mark Comer
• The Common Rule- Justin Whitmel Earley
• Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation
• Justice & the Inner Life Podcast

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Schedule a Cup of Coffee with Brian 
• Visit Our Website 
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook 
• Foster Our Community Instagram 

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

Loneliness is an epidemic in today’s world—but there’s hope in community. In this episode, we explore why community matters and how it serves as the heart of everything we do at Hope Bridge.

We’re also unveiling the theme of the 2025 Mobilize Ohio Conference: Belonging. Together, we’ll dive into the heart behind this theme and why creating spaces of belonging is essential for foster care, adoption, and kinship families.

We’re thrilled to introduce two incredible speakers for the 2025 Mobilize Ohio Conference:

• Dr. Curt Thompson: A psychiatrist, speaker, and author, Dr. Thompson connects our deep desire to be known with the need to tell truer stories about ourselves. He’ll guide us in forming meaningful relationships, discovering purpose, and living integrated, creative lives.
• Jamie Finn: Author of the bestselling book Foster the Family and founder of Foster the Family, Jamie is a dynamic speaker and advocate for foster and adoptive parents. She shares encouragement and wisdom drawn from her experience as a mother to 6+ children through foster care, adoption, and birth.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about building community, fostering belonging, and supporting those in the foster care journey.

Tune in now to hear the heart behind it all!

Episode Highlights: 

• The Importance of Community 
• Foster Care 
• The Impact of Loneliness and Isolation
• The Theme of Mobilie Ohio: Belonging 
• Speakers for Mobilize OH!

Find More on Hope Bridge/Links from this Episode:

• Register for Mobilize OH 2025!
• Learn more about Curt Thompson
• Learn more about Jamie Finn
• Get Connected with a Support Group
• Schedule Coffee with a Hope Bridge Team Member
• Visit Our Website 
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook 
• Foster Our Community Instagram 

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

In this episode, we sit down with Chef Kibby, a biological, foster, and adoptive dad who discovered a unique way to build trust and connection with his kids through the everyday act of cooking and sharing meals.

At the start of 2020, Chef Kibby seemed to have it all—a thriving catering business, a new event space, a podcast, and a side gig teaching college courses. But at home, things were falling apart. Parenting children from outside their family of origin presented challenges he wasn’t prepared for. His efforts to connect weren’t working, behaviors weren’t improving, and discipline felt futile. Feeling overwhelmed, he retreated into his work—until the pandemic forced him to pause and reevaluate.

When his business closed and his escape was gone, Chef Kibby faced a parenting crisis head-on. In that struggle, he stumbled upon a transformative realization: food isn’t just about nourishment—it’s about connection. By focusing on the simple act of feeding and being fed, Chef Kibby found a way to build trust, create safety, and deepen relationships with his children. Now, he’s on a mission to share this approach with other foster and adoptive parents, helping them find peace and connection through the language of the body.

Episode Highlights: 

• Introduction to Chef Kibby 
• Foster Care 
• How Food Connects Us
• Building Community through food 

Find more on Guest:

• Visit Chef Kibby’s Website
• The Hunger for Connection Podcast 
• Contact Chef Kibby
• Chef Kibby’s Instagram
• Chef Kibby’s Facebook
• Chef Kibby’s YouTube

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Visit Our Website 
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook 
• Foster Our Community Instagram 

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

In this episode, we’re diving into GivingTuesday—a global day dedicated to generosity and making an impact. Learn what GivingTuesday is all about, why it’s such an important time of year, and how you can partner with Hope Bridge to support vulnerable families and communities.

We discuss our mission at Hope Bridge and our monetary goal for this year. Every dollar raised will directly support programs that provide critical resources for foster families, single moms, youth aging out of the foster care system, and church engagement in the foster care space.

Our work focuses on three key areas:

• Intervention: Meeting immediate needs for families in crisis.
• Prevention: Offering resources and support to prevent foster care placements when possible.
• Restoration: Helping families and individuals heal and thrive.

Join us in making a tangible difference this GivingTuesday—together, we can create lasting change for those who need it most.

Tune in now and find out how you can be part of this mission!

Episode Highlights: 

• Giving Tuesday 
• Our Goal for Hope Bridge 
• Overview of Our Programs at Hope Bridge
• Volunteer Opportunities

Find More on Hope Bridge/Links from this Episode:

• Donate to our Giving Tuesday Campaign Here
• Visit Our Website 
• Sign Up for Our Newsletter 
• Sign Up to Volunteer
• Singe Moms’ Amazon Wishlist
• Hope Bridge/Foster Our Community Care Bags Amazon Wish List 
• Aging Out Youth Amazon Wishlist
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook 
• Foster Our Community Instagram 
• Learn More About Giving Tuesday

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

November is National Adoption Month, a time to shine a light on the critical need for adoptive families and to celebrate those who have welcomed children into their homes. 

In this episode, we share our personal journeys, having both adopted three children from foster care and discuss the unique challenges adoptive families often face.

We also dive into important resources and tips for families navigating life after adoption, focusing on building strong, supportive environments. Join us as we bring awareness to the needs of the adoption community and offer practical insights to help families thrive post-adoption.

Save the Date! We’re excited to announce the Mobilize Ohio Conference, happening on March 15th! This event is for foster, adoptive, and kinship families, as well as advocates, and centers around the theme of "Belonging." With impactful breakout sessions and incredible speakers, this conference is designed to equip and inspire.

Tune in to learn more, celebrate the families making a difference, and mark your calendars for an event you won’t want to miss!

Episode Highlights: 

• National Adoption Month 
• The Need for More Support for Adoptive Families 
• The Challenges Adoptive Families Face 
• Post Adoptive Resources
• Save the Date for the Mobilize OH Conference on March 15th!

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Get Connected to a Support Group
• Get Connected by Filling out a Family Registration Form 
• Visit Our Website 
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook 
• Foster Our Community Instagram 

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

In this episode, we dive into the unique challenges the holiday season brings for foster and adoptive families. 

For children from hard places, the holidays can be an especially sensitive time, filled with triggers and memories that may bring up grief or trauma. We discuss practical tips for navigating this season with empathy and care, including strategies for managing routines that often go awry and the added emotional toll that holiday gatherings can bring. 

Join us as we explore ways to support our kids—and ourselves—during this special yet complex time of year.

Episode Highlights: 

• What’s Your Favorite Christmas Carol?
• Navigating Relationships with Bio Parents During the Holidays 
• Setting Boundaries During the Holidays 
• Trauma & Triggers 
• Navigating Tough Conversations 

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Visit Our Website 
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook 
• Foster Our Community Instagram 

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

In this episode, we are joined by Johnna Stein, Vice President of Training at Promise686. As affiliates of Promise686 here at Hope Bridge, we share a common mission to support vulnerable children and families. Promise686’s vision is rooted in God’s promise "to set the lonely in families," and they are dedicated to mobilizing church communities to care for children in need.

In addition to her role at Promise686, Johnna is the author of Untangling Hope, a contemporary Middle-Grade novel that offers an honest, grace-filled portrayal of foster care. This coming-of-age story captures the themes of loss, resilience, and healing, bringing awareness to the foster care experience in a relatable way for younger readers.

Tune in to learn more about the vital work being done by Promise686 and Johnna’s inspiring journey in advocating for children and families.

Episode Highlights: 

• Johnna’s Background Story 
• Promise 686
• Johnna’s Book - Untangling Hope 

Find more on Guest:

• Learn more about Johnna
• Promise 686 
• Johnna’s Book- Untangling Hope 

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Visit Our Website 
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook 
• Foster Our Community Instagram 

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

October is National Pastor Appreciation Month, and in this episode, we reflect on the often-overlooked work pastors do every day.

Pastors don't just preach on Sundays; they are present with us during life’s most significant moments—both the joyful milestones and the heartbreaking challenges. Whether it’s celebrating a new chapter, grieving a loss, or walking through illness, pastors are always there, often behind the scenes, carrying the emotional and spiritual burdens of those they serve.

In the context of the child welfare system, pastors play an especially important role. Their support can be life-changing for foster families and children in care. In this episode, we highlight Brian’s personal story of how his pastor and church community have been by his side, providing crucial support during his foster care journey and even during his battle with cancer.

Join us as we explore the vital role pastors play in our lives and the foster care system and why their work deserves our gratitude not just this month but all year round.

Episode Highlights: 

• October is National Pastor Appreciation Month
• Pastors do more than preach on Sundays
• Pastors carry heavy emotional and spiritual burdens
• The critical role Pastors play  in the child welfare system
• Brian & Nicole’s Experience with Pastoral Support 

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Visit Our Website 
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook 
• Foster Our Community Instagram 

This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.