The More Than Enough Foster Care Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Austin Ludwig for a powerful conversation about the goodness of God, His redemptive heart, and the ways He’s worked in Austin’s life—often in unexpected and transformative ways. Austin is an artist, a passionate advocate for children in foster care, and a staff member at the Winshape Foundation, where he helps equip local churches in their mission to care for children in foster care. This honest, moving story is a beautiful reminder that even in brokenness, God is always at work.

This episode features an exclusive preview of the new audiobook version of Until There’s More Than Enough and then a conversation with Philip Pattison, the Executive Director of Foster the City. We explore how organizations can step into new spaces with care—so that unity grows—and so that kids and families are better off because of it.

How do you build a local foster care network that actually works—and lasts? In this episode, we explore three essential structures for sustainable collaboration, with real-life insights from leaders of Every Child Arkansas: Phil Goad, Derek Brown, and Shayne Baker. Learn how steering teams, backbone support, and working groups can bring lasting impact to your community.

In today’s episode, we explore the power of a local collaborative network where churches, organizations, agencies, and advocates are coordinating their efforts, working together to better support children and families in foster care. Jason is joined by Keith Fortier and Colin Wells, two members of a local network in Wake County, North Carolina, as they share stories of the impact they’ve seen in their own community.

Today we’re diving into something that sits right at the heart of what we’re all about — relationships. As believers, we know this isn’t just a nice idea. We’re uniquely called and equipped to offer the kind of relationships that go the distance — the kind that reflect the love and faithfulness of Jesus, even when things get messy. We’ll hear today from Amber Knowles with The Riverside Project in Houston and then Stephanie Ellison, the Foster Adoption Ministry Associate Director at Beltway Park Church in Texas. (Note: Her story is powerful, but it contains some sensitive themes that may not be ideal for younger listeners.)

Discover insights from a new US foster care and adoption survey conducted by Pinkston and the Christian Alliance for Orphans that can help us better understand what the public really thinks about foster care and what truly motivates people to get involved. Download the full report in the show notes. https://cafo.org/podcasts/more-than-enough-podcast/mtep-episode18/

In this episode, Jason talks with Ryan Skoog and Peter Greer, two of the authors of the book Lead with Prayer. We then hear from five foster care leaders, Heidi White, Shelly Radic, Rhonda Littleton, Janelle Shelton, and Andrew Holmes about how they prioritize prayer in their lives, work, and leadership, as they serve children and families all across the country.

In this episode, we imagine together what it looks like when the Church supports families even before child welfare needs to remove children from homes, as Jason talks with Clint Brauer, Jeff Chaisson, and Ariel Moore.

In our work we often have opportunities to share our personal stories — maybe from stage, maybe over coffee, or even in a grocery store aisle. However, we can’t talk for hours, and we don’t want to present a sanitized or unauthentic picture of our lives. We wonder, how can we balance the tensions between limited time and authenticity, vulnerability, and privacy? Today we are talking about telling our stories. We talk with Beth Guckenberger, an author, leader, and public speaker, about sharing stories that build connection and credibility, and still honor children’s privacy. We also talk with Tim Grissom, one of Jason’s former editors, and Mari Ramsey, a worship leader and former foster youth, about why he has chosen to travel the country, write a book, and tell his story.

Life is full of decisions. From what monopoly piece to choose to what you will be when you ‘grow up’. And when you choose a career, do you choose a future full of challenges, frustrations, and a low salary? If you choose a job in child welfare, yes. Social workers are people who have selected a career that isn't chosen by most. By even becoming a social worker they are choosing to walk into hard situations every day, knowing they will be perceived harshly and underappreciated. What should our response be to the social workers who have made this difficult choice? Today we talk with Rhonda Littleton, Nicole Taylor, and Joe Rogers to explore not only why we should support and encourage social workers, but what are great first steps to take when incorporating support for these vital helpers into our organizations and ministries.