ReStoried

In this episode of Restoried, Brian and Anne revisit the spiritual formation practice of Pilgrim Feast, a rhythm inspired by the biblical feasts where God’s people gathered to remember His faithfulness and celebrate together. Pilgrim Feast invites families to reframe vacations and special time away as gifts from God; moments to worship, reconnect, and intentionally celebrate His goodness. 

Anne shares how her family prayerfully planned a focused trip with their four older children after a long fostering season, choosing unplugged time in the mountains to reconnect and reflect on God’s faithfulness. Brian shares about his family’s trip to Missouri and how shifting their mindset, seeing vacation as God’s generosity rather than something earned, changed the experience. 

They acknowledge the realities of parenting, tight budgets, and blended family dynamics, encouraging listeners to lower expectations of perfection and focus on connection. Pilgrim Feast does not have to be expensive or elaborate. It can be a staycation, a weekend getaway, or even a single intentional day marked by rest, favorite foods, tech boundaries, and meaningful conversation. 

The challenge is simple: dream about it, pray about it, put it on the calendar, and trust God to restore your family through celebration. 

Episode Highlights:  

• Celebrate God’s faithfulness. 
• Receive rest as a gift. 
• Choose connection over perfection. 
• Intentional > expensive. 
• Pray, plan, calendar it. 

Links from this Episode: 

• Pilgrim’s Feast with Young Kids  
• Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026 
• Register for the Pastor + Ministry Leaders Brunch  

Find More on Hope Bridge: 

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

Learn more about Hope for the Journey TBRI Training

Learn more about Building Trauma-Informed Spaces with Kim Botto 

In this episode of Restoried, we sit down with Jamie Fuller to hear her family’s unexpected journey into kinship care. It’s a story shaped by loss, faith, and God’s redemptive work. What Jamie thought would be a season of empty nesting turned into something she and her husband, JP, never imagined. They welcomed their two nephews after the tragic loss of their parents. 

Jamie shares honestly about what it’s like to suddenly step into trauma-informed parenting while also grieving the life she thought she would have. She talks about the emotional weight, the impact on her whole family, and the loneliness that can come with caring for kids from hard places. 

One of the most powerful parts of Jamie’s story is how finding people who truly understood changed everything. From her first Hope Bridge moms’ night to attending Mobilize Ohio, Jamie describes what it meant to finally be in rooms where she didn’t have to explain her story. It was a place where she and JP felt seen, supported, and less alone. 

This episode is a reminder that healing takes time, that joy and grief can exist at the same time, and that community really matters. If you’re walking a foster or kinship journey or supporting families who are, this conversation is for you. Mobilize Ohio and Hope Bridge are places where your story can make sense, too. 

Episode Highlights:  

• Jamie’s Story  
• Kinship Care 
• Trauma Informed Parenting  
• Mobilize Ohio  
• Finding Community  

Find More on Hope Bridge: 

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

Learn more about Hope for the Journey TBRI Training

Learn more about Building Trauma-Informed Spaces with Kim Botto 

Foster care doesn’t just enter a home; it enters a marriage. With Valentine’s Day approaching, this episode of Restoried opens an honest conversation about how foster care changes marriage when court dates, therapy, and survival replace date nights and quiet conversations. 

Lisa is joined by her husband JJ as they reflect on eight years as licensed foster parents and over a decade supporting children and families in foster care. They share how foster care changed their marriage, from communication and emotional connection to dividing responsibilities and making decisions together. 

They discuss real challenges, including exhaustion, grief, spiritual warfare, and times of being out of sync. They explore how spouses carry weight differently and how tension can arise if not addressed. 

The conversation also covers practical realities, including managing responsibilities, navigating caseworker roles, and checking in regularly to avoid resentment. 

At the heart of the episode is hope. Lisa and JJ share how God used the hardest seasons to strengthen their marriage. Through prayer, shared heartbreak, and choosing each other daily, their marriage grew deeper and anchored in Christ. 

Episode Highlights:  

• Foster care impacts marriage 
• Balancing grief and logistics 
• Communication is key 
• Shared hardships strengthen love 
• Relying on God 
• Intentional connection matters 
• Practical tips for parents 

Find More on Hope Bridge: 

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

Learn more about Hope for the Journey TBRI Training

Learn more about Building Trauma-Informed Spaces with Kim Botto 

In this episode of Restoried, we sit down with Ryan North of One Big Happy Home for a real and encouraging conversation about foster care, adoption, connected parenting, and staying faithful in hard seasons. With more than 30 foster placements and years of lived experience, Ryan shares what he and his wife, Kayla, have learned about building strong relationships with kids impacted by trauma. 

Ryan talks about why connection matters more than predictions or diagnoses, how creativity and flexibility can make a huge difference, and what it looks like to keep showing up even when things feel overwhelming. He also shares honestly about marriage, self-care, and how caregivers can support one another so they don’t burn out along the way. 

This episode is full of practical wisdom, hope, and reminders to celebrate progress — even the small wins. If you’re in the thick of foster care, adoption, or kinship parenting, this conversation will encourage you to keep going and remember that the work you’re doing truly matters. 

Don’t miss hearing Ryan speak in person at Mobilize Ohio 2026! Register using the link below. 

Episode Highlights:  

• Connection over outcomes 
• Creativity and flexibility 
• Staying faithful long-term 
• Marriage under pressure 
• Celebrating small wins 

Find more on Guest: 

• One Big Happy Home  
• One Big Happy Home on Social  
• The Empowered Parent Podcast  
• Follow Ryan on Instagram  

Find More on Hope Bridge: 

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

Learn more about Hope for the Journey TBRI Training

Learn more about Building Trauma-Informed Spaces with Kim Botto 

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  

Learn more about Hope for the Journey TBRI Training

Learn more about Building Trauma-Informed Spaces with Kim Botto 

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  

Learn more about Hope for the Journey TBRI Training

Learn more about Building Trauma-Informed Spaces with Kim Botto 

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 

Learn more about Hope for the Journey TBRI Training

Learn more about Building Trauma-Informed Spaces with Kim Botto 

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  

Learn more about Hope for the Journey TBRI Training

Learn more about Building Trauma-Informed Spaces with Kim Botto 

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 

Learn more about Hope for the Journey TBRI Training

Learn more about Building Trauma-Informed Spaces with Kim Botto 

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  

Learn more about Hope for the Journey TBRI Training

Learn more about Building Trauma-Informed Spaces with Kim Botto