In this episode of The Forgotten Podcast, host Jami Kaeb welcomes Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a board-certified internal medicine physician, bestselling author, and internationally recognized expert on rest, resilience, and wellbeing. Together, they explore the critical concept of sacred rest and why it is essential, rather than a luxury, for caregivers and foster parents supporting children from hard places. Dr. Saundra redefines rest as a restorative process of pouring back into places of emotional, mental, and physical depletion, explaining the spiritual truth that we ultimately rest at the level of our trust in God. Dr. Saundra breaks down the key differences between sleep and rest, emphasizing that while sleep addresses basic physical needs, it cannot heal depleted relationships, process heavy emotions, or restore creative problem-solving abilities. She introduces her Seven Types of Rest framework—encompassing physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, sensory, and creative rest—and shares how caregivers can identify their specific deficits. The conversation also examines the World Health Organization's criteria for burnout and offers practical ways to begin recovering without needing to create extra time, such as habit stacking restorative practices onto daily routines. The episode highlights the importance of distinguishing true self-care and personal boundaries from pampering, as well as setting up intentional rhythms like Sabbath or extended abiding time to prevent burnout. Dr. Saundra encourages weary listeners by reminding them that burnout is entirely reversible when approached with intentionality. By starting with small, daily restorative choices, caregivers can replenish their own soul and spirit, ensuring they remain sustainable in the vital work of loving and serving vulnerable children. About the Guest Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a board-certified internal medicine physician, bestselling author, and internationally recognized expert on rest, resilience, and wellbeing. She is the creator of the Seven Types of Rest framework and author of Sacred Rest, equipping audiences worldwide with practical tools to overcome burnout, increase productivity, and achieve sustainable success. Through her unique blend of medical research and biblical wisdom, Dr. Saundra empowers individuals to thrive both personally and professionally. In This Episode Understanding sacred rest as a restorative process and why we rest at the level of our trust in God. The critical distinctions between sleep and the Seven Types of Rest framework. Identifying the signs of burnout and using simple habits like habit stacking to restore energy without adding extra time to your day. Differentiating genuine self-care and intentional rhythms from pampering to build long-term sustainability as a caregiver. Resources + Links Learn more about The Forgotten Initiative - https://theforgotteninitiative.org/ Follow TFI on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theforgotteninitiative/

In this episode of The Forgotten Podcast, host Jami Kaeb welcomes Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a board-certified internal medicine physician, bestselling author, and internationally recognized expert on rest, resilience, and wellbeing. Together, they explore the critical concept of sacred rest and why it is essential, rather than a luxury, for caregivers and foster parents supporting children from hard places. Dr. Saundra redefines rest as a restorative process of pouring back into places of emotional, mental, and physical depletion, explaining the spiritual truth that we ultimately rest at the level of our trust in God. Dr. Saundra breaks down the key differences between sleep and rest, emphasizing that while sleep addresses basic physical needs, it cannot heal depleted relationships, process heavy emotions, or restore creative problem-solving abilities. She introduces her Seven Types of Rest framework—encompassing physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, sensory, and creative rest—and shares how caregivers can identify their specific deficits. The conversation also examines the World Health Organization's criteria for burnout and offers practical ways to begin recovering without needing to create extra time, such as habit stacking restorative practices onto daily routines. The episode highlights the importance of distinguishing true self-care and personal boundaries from pampering, as well as setting up intentional rhythms like Sabbath or extended abiding time to prevent burnout. Dr. Saundra encourages weary listeners by reminding them that burnout is entirely reversible when approached with intentionality. By starting with small, daily restorative choices, caregivers can replenish their own soul and spirit, ensuring they remain sustainable in the vital work of loving and serving vulnerable children. About the Guest Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a board-certified internal medicine physician, bestselling author, and internationally recognized expert on rest, resilience, and wellbeing. She is the creator of the Seven Types of Rest framework and author of Sacred Rest, equipping audiences worldwide with practical tools to overcome burnout, increase productivity, and achieve sustainable success. Through her unique blend of medical research and biblical wisdom, Dr. Saundra empowers individuals to thrive both personally and professionally. In This Episode Understanding sacred rest as a restorative process and why we rest at the level of our trust in God. The critical distinctions between sleep and the Seven Types of Rest framework. Identifying the signs of burnout and using simple habits like habit stacking to restore energy without adding extra time to your day. Differentiating genuine self-care and intentional rhythms from pampering to build long-term sustainability as a caregiver. Resources + Links Learn more about The Forgotten Initiative - https://theforgotteninitiative.org/ Follow TFI on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theforgotteninitiative/

Finding Sacred Rest (w/ Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith) Ep. 301

In this episode of The Forgotten Podcast, host Jami Kaeb welcomes Chris and Alicia Johnson to discuss caring for and prioritizing marriage during seasons of crisis and hard foster care placements. Chris, Vice President of Church Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services, and Alicia, a former pastor's wife and teacher, share their journey of raising ten children (seven adopted from foster care) and fostering over forty kids. They open up about the immense strain that taking in high-needs teenagers and sibling groups placed on their household, their co-parenting dynamic, and their marriage. The Johnsons discuss the emotional weight, trauma, and spiritual warfare involved in foster care and adoption, explaining how intense seasons bring existing marital gaps to the surface. Through personal anecdotes, they detail how they learned to navigate seasons of chaos by shifting from accusatory language to vulnerable "I feel" statements, establishing simple grounding habits, and protecting daily time for connection. They emphasize that maintaining a strong, unified marriage serves as a vital safety net that removes anxiety for children who have already experienced profound disruption and loss. Chris and Alicia also address overcoming the guilt parents feel when taking time away from their children, pointing out that modeling a healthy, loving, and forgiving marriage is one of the greatest gifts caregivers can give. They encourage listeners to lean into intentional Christian community, accept support from others without shame, and maintain an eternal perspective through life's hardest trials, offering a powerful reminder that fighting for a marriage is always worth the effort. About the Guest Chris and Alicia Johnson have been married for 31 years and are parents to 10 children (seven adopted through foster care) and grandparents to two children adopted through foster care. Chris serves as the Vice President of Church Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services, bringing over two decades of pastoral experience and previous service as Executive Director of the Kentucky Governor's Office of Faith and Community-Based Initiatives. Alicia has served as a pastor's wife, teacher, mentor, and special advisor to the First Lady of Kentucky. Together, they have fostered over 40 children and are passionate advocates for supporting families and vulnerable children. In This Episode The unique challenges and emotional weight of bringing high-needs teenagers and sibling groups into the home. Recognizing spiritual warfare and how hardship brings underlying marital gaps to the surface. Practical communication strategies for spouses, including using "I feel" statements to prevent defensiveness. The vital role of community support and avoiding the trap of trying to manage crisis seasons alone. Resources + Links Learn more about The Forgotten Initiative - https://theforgotteninitiative.org/ Follow TFI on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theforgotteninitiative/

In this episode of The Forgotten Podcast, host Jami Kaeb welcomes Chris and Alicia Johnson to discuss caring for and prioritizing marriage during seasons of crisis and hard foster care placements. Chris, Vice President of Church Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services, and Alicia, a former pastor's wife and teacher, share their journey of raising ten children (seven adopted from foster care) and fostering over forty kids. They open up about the immense strain that taking in high-needs teenagers and sibling groups placed on their household, their co-parenting dynamic, and their marriage. The Johnsons discuss the emotional weight, trauma, and spiritual warfare involved in foster care and adoption, explaining how intense seasons bring existing marital gaps to the surface. Through personal anecdotes, they detail how they learned to navigate seasons of chaos by shifting from accusatory language to vulnerable "I feel" statements, establishing simple grounding habits, and protecting daily time for connection. They emphasize that maintaining a strong, unified marriage serves as a vital safety net that removes anxiety for children who have already experienced profound disruption and loss. Chris and Alicia also address overcoming the guilt parents feel when taking time away from their children, pointing out that modeling a healthy, loving, and forgiving marriage is one of the greatest gifts caregivers can give. They encourage listeners to lean into intentional Christian community, accept support from others without shame, and maintain an eternal perspective through life's hardest trials, offering a powerful reminder that fighting for a marriage is always worth the effort. About the Guest Chris and Alicia Johnson have been married for 31 years and are parents to 10 children (seven adopted through foster care) and grandparents to two children adopted through foster care. Chris serves as the Vice President of Church Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services, bringing over two decades of pastoral experience and previous service as Executive Director of the Kentucky Governor's Office of Faith and Community-Based Initiatives. Alicia has served as a pastor's wife, teacher, mentor, and special advisor to the First Lady of Kentucky. Together, they have fostered over 40 children and are passionate advocates for supporting families and vulnerable children. In This Episode The unique challenges and emotional weight of bringing high-needs teenagers and sibling groups into the home. Recognizing spiritual warfare and how hardship brings underlying marital gaps to the surface. Practical communication strategies for spouses, including using "I feel" statements to prevent defensiveness. The vital role of community support and avoiding the trap of trying to manage crisis seasons alone. Resources + Links Learn more about The Forgotten Initiative - https://theforgotteninitiative.org/ Follow TFI on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theforgotteninitiative/

Prioritizing Your Marriage in Times of Crisis (w/Chris & Alicia Johnson) Ep. 300

In this episode with Jason Johnson, you’ll discover how to find the “perfect” time to foster or adopt, how to navigate the concern of loving a child that might leave your family, and learn a new way to look at comments from strangers about your adoptive or foster family.

In this episode with Jason Johnson, you’ll discover how to find the “perfect” time to foster or adopt, how to navigate the concern of loving a child that might leave your family, and learn a new way to look at comments from strangers about your adoptive or foster family.

Episode 2: Finding the "Perfect" Time to Foster or Adopt

Finding the "Perfect" Time to Foster or Adopt

Welcome to the very first episode of The Forgotten Podcast! In this episode, you’ll discover what to expect from The Forgotten Podcast, hear Jami’s story and how TFI started, as well as what adoption and foster care feel like through the eyes of children.

Welcome to the very first episode of The Forgotten Podcast! In this episode, you’ll discover what to expect from The Forgotten Podcast, hear Jami’s story and how TFI started, as well as what adoption and foster care feel like through the eyes of children.

Episode 1: The Forgotten Initiative: How It All Began

The Forgotten Initiative: How It All Began

We want to see people everywhere supporting the foster care community and experiencing Jesus together. So, in this podcast, we are sharing the stories of the foster care community to bring awareness that leads to action!

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