The Detour Podcast

In Honor of National Adoption Month, Liz Sutherland joined us to tell her foster care story.

Liz grew up with no identity. She has no memory of her first few years of life, outside of being dropped off at a stranger's house when she was a child. Liz and her siblings lived in an abusive home with a woman they were told was their grandmother, until Liz finally gathered the courage to call social services. This separated her from her siblings, put her into the foster care system until she aged out at 18. Liz tells us about her story, how she survived & maintained hope and found her identity and a family at Walmart. You will be heartbroken by her story and then amazed by her positive outlook. You'll understand why she's a Foster Care Hero.

You can get her book "No Ordinary Liz" through her publisher Now Publishing, or Amazon. No Ordinary Liz. One woman’s incredible journey to survive foster care and discover her true identity. This is a complex, intriguing story filled with twists and turns as Liz unravels her complicated past. Part memoir, part guidebook, this book offers support and resources for agencies, foster youth and foster parents.https://www.amazon.com/No-Ordinary-Liz-Extraodinary-Family/dp/0999584588

Read her blog www.NoOrdinaryLiz.com

Liz is a speaker & advocates for other foster care kids in the Tampa Bay area. For inquiries and collaboration, email: [email protected]

Can you imagine receiving a diagnosis for your sick child that meant he would not be able to eat food? No food. No birthday cakes, no school snacks or pizza parties. No Halloween candy, Thanksgiving feast or Christmas cookies. Not even a regular sit down family meal. Can you imagine? 

At the age of four, Remington Walls was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis. This heartbreaking diagnosis meant Remington would not be unable to eat or drink regular food, possibly for the rest of his life.

Rem's mom, Stephanie tells us about this 15 year journey, how their family dealt with this life changing diagnosis and how they managed to get little Rem through that first year and the next 15, as an All-star high school baseball player and now on to college. You also learn why the family is now working to change legislation to support others who need costly supplemental nutrition. You will be touched by this story and inspired to think differently about food, family time and perseverance when "life isn't fair". 

 Home Plate by Stephanie & Remington Walls is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and through Now Publishing. https://www.amazon.com/Home-Plate-True-Story-Resilience/dp/173266112X

You can contact Stephanie for information or speaking opportunities at [email protected]

Read more about Eosinophil-Associated Diseases at www.apfed.org

Mirelle & Reto, who live in Switzerland, tried for 8 long years to have a family. After multiple miscarriages, In Vitro Fertilization attempts, and countless doctor visits, they were told there was no hope that Mirelle could carry their child.  They decided to adopt & when that fell through, too, they had one more risky chance to fulfill their dreams, they had to do something which was actually illegal in their country...SURROGACY!

After being matched with a mother through Circle Surrogacy, they had their first child David. Since it was such a wonderful experience for them, they decided to try again for a sibling! This time they were matched with Jenna, a first time surrogate from Florida. 

This is Part Two of a Two-part conversation with Jenna, the surrogate mother, and  Mirelle, the intended mother. They honestly share their individual experiences with the process of bringing Baby Louie into the world via surrogacy.As they share from Day 1 to delivery, you'll feel like you are right there during this incredibly heartwarming and amazing journey.

To learn more about surrogacy, visit www.circlesurrogacy.com

To read Jenna's blog, visit https://notthemamajustthestork.blogspot.com

Follow the Detour Podcast on

Facebook @thedetourpodcast 

Instagram @SheilaShynski

Mirelle & Reto, who live in Switzerland, tried for 8 long years to have a family. After multiple miscarriages, In Vitro Fertilization attempts, and countless doctor visits, they were told there was no hope that Mirelle could carry their child.  They decided to adopt & when that fell through, too, they had one more risky chance to fulfill their dreams, they had to do something which was actually illegal in their country...SURROGACY!

After being matched with a mother through Circle Surrogacy, they had their first child David. Since it was such a wonderful experience for them, they decided to try again for a sibling! This time they were matched with Jenna, a first time surrogate from Florida. 

This is Part One of a Two-part conversation with Jenna, the surrogate mother, and  Mirelle, the intended mother. They honestly share their individual experiences with the process of bringing Baby Louie into the world via surrogacy.As they share from Day 1 to delivery, you'll feel like you are right there during this incredibly heartwarming and amazing journey.

To learn more about surrogacy, visit www.circlesurrogacy.com

To read Jenna's blog, visit https://notthemamajustthestork.blogspot.com

Follow the Detour Podcast on

Facebook @thedetourpodcast 

Instagram @SheilaShynski

It's a year after we recorded "Shelly the Bellydancing Mama and her Fight with Breast Cancer"- the very first episode of this podcast. At the time of recording (Fall 2018), we didn't know that Shelly would be giving up her cancer-ridden body to move to Heaven just a month later. What was a friend helping another with a new podcast project became a recording would prove to be very important to her husband, children, family & friends.

This episode is with Brad, Shelly's widower, with a surprise appearance by Jasmine (Jazzy), their youngest child.  It's been A Year Without Shelly & they share what it's like to be a loved one of someone battling cancer, the experience of being Mom & Dad as one parent, being a child who has lost a parent, and how they are all doing now. If you listened to the first episode, heard about her death and wondered "How are they now?", you'll be amazed at what you hear.  If you haven't listened to Episode 1, scroll waaay back to the very first episode "Shelly The Bellydancing Mama & her fight with Breast Cancer' to hear how amazing Shelly was through this whole battle.

PS. Please rate and review this podcast! It really, really helps get it into the search options for those looking for new podcasts. Thanks a Bunch!

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Have you heard the awful stories on the news of Americans being killed, robbed & kidnapped while on vacation? At least 10 American citizens have died after an apparent sudden health issue in the Dominican Republic since June 2018! The FBI is investigating the very suspicious circumstances surrounding these deaths. It's enough to scare you into a STAYCation for sure, but our guest says we can travel safely with some precautions.

Cynthia Amaya has been in the hospitality & event planning industry for more than 20 years. She shares information and tips so we can enjoy all-inclusive resorts and traveling aboard. We need to understand the environment that we are entering and remember a few things before booking and while on-site.  Listen for valuable tips and insights on Staying safe at an All-Inclusive. 

Thank you so much! Please Rate & Comment after you've listened.

Find Cynthia Amaya on Facebook @CynthiaAmaya

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