Today, we’re continuing our spiritual formation series by talking about the discipline of generosity. Jesus has so much to say about generosity in the Bible, and we’re reminded that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive. 

We discuss how generosity isn’t just a spiritual concept; it also has real mental and physical benefits, backed by science. 

We’re also joined by Lewis Yoder, Executive Director of the Christ Foundation, who shares how their organization lives out generosity by funding nonprofits through grants to help them make a bigger impact in their communities. 

And we talk about how generosity isn’t only about money. It can look like giving your time, using your gifts, showing up for someone, or simply being kind and intentional in everyday life. 

This episode is all about rethinking generosity and how it can become a natural part of how we live and love others. 

Episode Highlights:  

• Spiritual Discipline of Generosity 
• The Science of Giving 
• Stewardship 
• Faith in Action 

Find More on Hope Bridge: 

• Pastor & Ministry Leader Brunch  
• Mobilize Ohio 
• Visit Our Website  
• Follow us on Instagram 
• Follow us on Facebook  

Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026!

Today on Restoried, we’re joined by Kim Bezek, one of our breakout speakers for Mobilize Ohio. Kim is a children’s ministry director at a local church and a mom of five, parenting kids with a wide range of abilities, including Down syndrome and ADHD. 

Kim shares honestly about what it’s like to embrace a life that doesn’t look the way you originally imagined, and how that experience connects so deeply with foster and adoptive parenting. She talks about raising kids who don’t fit the “mold” and how that journey has stretched her, shaped her perspective, and deepened her faith along the way. 

We also discuss into the importance of advocating well for your kids, and learning how to extend grace while still speaking up with confidence and authority. Kim reminds us that whether you’re parenting kids with different needs or kids who’ve experienced trauma, advocacy starts with education. 

This is a conversation full of honesty, encouragement, and practical wisdom. It is one you won’t want to miss! 

Episode Highlights:  

• Meet Kim Bezek  
• Parenting Differently Abled Children  
• Releasing Control  
• Advocating for your children 
• Mobilize Ohio 2026 

Find more on Guest/Links mentioned in this episode: 

• The Adapted Way 
• Key Ministry 
• Raising Autistic Disciples on Instagram 
• How to Advocate and Stay Christian Book  

Find More on Hope Bridge: 

• Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026 
• Visit Our Website  
• Follow us on Instagram 
• Follow us on Facebook  

Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026!

This week, we’re replaying one of our favorite conversations with Trisha White Priebe, an adult adoptee, writer, and speaker, and a mainstage speaker at Mobilize Ohio 2026.

As we lead up to Mobilize Ohio, this week we’re replaying a powerful conversation with one of our mainstage speakers, and next week we’ll be sharing a brand-new episode featuring another Mobilize Ohio mainstage speaker. These conversations are meant to help prepare our hearts and minds for what’s ahead and highlight the voices shaping this year’s mainstage.

In this episode, Trisha joins the show to talk about something we don’t always think about: how families outside of the adoption or foster care world can help their children understand it. While many resources exist for adoptive and foster families, what about parents whose kids have classmates or friends who are adopted or in foster care? How do those families begin the conversation?

Trisha shares practical, thoughtful ways to help children build empathy and engage in respectful, age-appropriate conversations about adoption and foster care. She believes every child benefits from learning how to talk about different kinds of families—and that small, intentional conversations can make a big difference.

With honesty and compassion, Trisha brings her lived experience as an adoptee to the table, offering encouragement and hope to adoptees, birth families, and adoptive families alike. Her mission is simple: to help more people feel seen, supported, and understood.

Episode Highlights: 

• Meet Trisha White Priebe
• Foster Care & Adoption 
• Giving Children the Language to Talk about Adoption 

Find more on Guest:

• Trisha’s Website 
• Find Trisha on Facebook
• Find Trisha on Instagram
• Life Song 

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026
• Visit Our Website 
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook 

Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026!

On this episode, we sit down with Reuben Watson, one of the breakout speakers for Mobilize Ohio, to hear his incredible story of faith, resilience, and redemption. Reuben grew up in foster care, facing abuse and neglect, and even attempted suicide at just eight years old. Adopted as a teenager, he found hope and healing through Jesus, who carried him through every dark season and gave him a new purpose. 

Today, Reuben serves as Director of Unity in Action at the Lexington Leadership Foundation, helping people of faith partner with the state to address the child welfare crisis. Drawing from his own experiences in foster care, crisis units, and mental health challenges, he’s passionate about mentoring and empowering others while sharing the hope he found in Christ. 

In this episode, he shares how God turned his pain into purpose and how Jesus can bring hope and transformation even in the toughest seasons of life. 

Episode Highlights:  

• Reuben’s Testimony  
• Childhood trauma 
• Teenage adoption 
• Faith in Jesus 
• Healing & redemption 
• Mentorship & outreach 

Find more on Guest: 

• Follow Reuben on Instagram 
• Follow Reuben on Facebook 
• Lexington Leadership Foundation 

Find More on Hope Bridge: 

• Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026 
• Visit Our Website  
• Follow us on Instagram 
• Follow us on Facebook  

Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026!

In our annual December end-of-year update episode, we take time to reflect on all the incredible ways God has been moving through Hope Bridge over the past year. This season has brought so much growth and blessing, like settling into our new home at the Compassion Center, launching new support groups, introducing The Bridge to help meet practical needs, and celebrating our first mom graduating from our single mom program. We’ve been able to host more gatherings and events, expand our team, and deepen our commitment to keeping Jesus at the center by incorporating intentional spiritual formation practices. As we look ahead with anticipation, we’re excited to see how God will continue to work through Hope Bridge in the coming year. Stay tuned because there is so much more ahead! 

Episode Highlights:  

• God’s work through Hope Bridge this year 
• New home at the Compassion Center 
• New support groups and The Bridge 
• First mom graduates single mom program 
• Staff growth and spiritual formation 
• Exciting plans for the year ahead 

Find More on Hope Bridge: 

• Join the Bridge! 
• Get Involved in Our Work  
• Subscribe to Receive Hope Bridge Newsletters 
• Join our Prayer Network  
• Visit Our Website  
• Follow us on Instagram 
• Follow us on Facebook 

Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026!

Even though it’s December, we’re jumping ahead to spring to talk about Mobilize Ohio 2026 on March 21st! In this episode, we’re talking into this year’s theme, “Surrounded,” what to expect, and how the conference has grown over the years. 

We’ll revisit the very first Mobilize and the story behind Hope Bridge, then share how this year we’re focusing on foster and adoptive families. You’ll hear from Ryan and Kayla North, who speak and coach in the foster care and adoption space, and Trisha Priebe, an adoptee and advocate from LifeSong for Orphans, who brings incredible wisdom in this space! 

We’ll also hear from Sandra Flach, Reuben Watson, and some of our local leaders leading breakout sessions, giving practical ways to step into the work of caring for kids and families. 

The theme, Surrounded, is a powerful reminder that even when challenges feel overwhelming, we are never alone. We’re surrounded by God’s love and a community of believers ready to support kids and families in need.  

Tune in to hear all about what makes this year’s Mobilize so special! 

Episode Highlights:  

• Mobilize Ohio 2026 
• Who is Mobilize for?  
• The History  of Mobilize Ohio 
• What to expect this year 
• Theme: Surrounded   

Find More on Hope Bridge: 

• Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026! 
• Visit Our Website  
• Follow us on Instagram 
• Follow us on Facebook  

Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026!

In this episode, we are discussing our next spiritual formation discipline: Pruning & Simplicity. 

Pruning is about cutting back so we can grow more fruitfully. It’s recognizing the areas of our lives that are chaotic or distracting and making intentional choices to remove them. As we prune, we create space for God to work in us and in those around us. 

Simplicity goes hand-in-hand with pruning. It’s about streamlining our lives so we can focus on who God is and what He wants for us. It’s a reminder that busyness does not equal productivity, and that true spiritual growth often comes from removing the unnecessary. 

We’ll challenge you to ask: What is God calling you to prune in your life? and explore how simplicity can lead to a deeper connection with Him. 

Episode Highlights:  

• Spiritual Formation 
• Pruning 
• Simplicity  
• Slowing Down to the Pace of God 

Find More on Hope Bridge: 

• Visit Our Website  
• Follow us on Instagram 
• Follow us on Facebook  
• Join our Prayer Network! 
• Join The Bridge  

Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026!

We’re bringing back this episode because it’s the perfect one to revisit as we head into Thanksgiving and Christmas. The holidays can be really special, but they can also be a lot, especially for foster and adoptive families. 

In this replay, we chat about why this season can feel extra sensitive for kids from hard places, how old memories and big feelings can pop up, and why all the schedule changes and family gatherings can make things harder than usual. We also share simple, practical ways to support your kids (and yourself!) through the chaos and emotions of the holidays. 

Whether this is your first holiday season in foster care/adoption or you’ve been doing this for a while, we hope this episode gives you some encouragement, peace, and a few helpful ideas as you head into the next few weeks. 

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 

Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026!

November is National Adoption Month, and we’re taking some time to talk about the real, everyday side of adoption, from one adoptive mom to another. 

We’re sitting down as two adoptive mamas, one a little more seasoned, one still new to the journey, to talk honestly about what life looks like after adoption. Because let’s be real… once the paperwork is done, everyone tends to assume everything’s smooth sailing. But adoption day isn’t the finish line, it’s just another chapter in a story that keeps unfolding. 

We’re sharing some of the things we’ve learned along the way, the challenges that don’t always get talked about, and practical ways to find the support you need. We also get into mental health, post-adoption depression, and the importance of finding a community that truly understands. 

If you’re in that post-adoption season, or walking alongside someone who is, this episode is for you. 

Episode Highlights:  

• Post Adoption Resources  
• How Hope Bridge Supports Adoptive Families 
• Support Groups 
• Post Adoption Depression  

Find More on Hope Bridge/Links Mentioned in this Episode: 

• Episode with Lisa Qualls on Blocked Care 
• Get Coffee with Mel! 
• Email Mel at [email protected] 
• OhioKAN Website 
• Find a Support Group  
• Akron’s Childrens Adoptive Health Services 
• OhioRISE Program 
• OCWTP Free Educational Trainings 
• Ohio Education Training Voucher 
• FAFSA Financial Aid for Adopted and Foster Care Students 
• College Adoption Grant  
• PASSS Funding 
• Ohio Adoption Grant Program 
• Ohio Adoption Tax Credit   
• Visit Our Website  
• Follow us on Instagram 
• Follow us on Facebook  
• Foster Our Community Instagram  

Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026!

In today’s episode, we’re jumping back into our spiritual formation series and talking all about spending intentional time with God. This isn’t about following a strict formula or checking off a spiritual to-do list. It’s about genuinely connecting with Him in ways that feel natural and meaningful to you. Whether it’s through prayer, Scripture, stillness, or simply being aware of His presence during everyday moments, God delights in pouring into us and refreshing our souls. We want to become more like Christ, and being anchored in God’s presence is a key part of that journey. Tune in as we share some practical, down-to-earth tips for making time with God a more intentional and life-giving part of your day. 

Episode Highlights:  

• Spiritual Formation  
• Time with God  
• Practical ways to be more intentional with God  
• Creating Habits 

Find More on Hope Bridge: 

• Subscribe to our Prayer Newsletter 
• The Power of Habit Book 
• Visit Our Website  
• Follow us on Instagram 
• Follow us on Facebook  
• Foster Our Community Instagram  

Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026!