Caring for orphans and vulnerable children doesn't happen in a vacuum. Throughout the world, there are certain contexts that are particularly challenging to help children and families, none more so than when there is war and conflict. For our third summer compilation, we'll be looking across three different countries in the world where conflict has made orphan care work more difficult and also all the more necessary. As we hear from Ruslan, Kara and Ashlee, let's commit to praying for peace and the protection for children.

Ruslan Maliuta - OneHope - Ukraine Kara Wilson Garcia - Project Red - El Salvador Ashlee Heiligman - Global Child Advocates - Myanmar

Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com

We're back with our second compilation episode for August where we're learning about the transition to family care from leaders within global care reform. We'll be looking at three levels of care reform. First, Delia Pop will be walking us through the research and international movement. Second, Jonathan Dowell will be showing us what this looks like at the country level in Kenya. And last, Spencer Reeves will be sharing about their journey at the organizational level of transition. Check out each of their organizations to learn more about family care.

Delia Pop - Tanya's Dream Fund - Bulgaria Jonathan Dowell - Weza Care Solutions - Kenya Spencer Reeves - Child Hope International - Haiti

Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com

This week we're jumping into our first summer compilation episode and we're learning from friends and colleagues throughout the world about leaving care. Nabs, Sinet, Grace and Tamrat give us first hand accounts of growing up in orphanages in the Global South. Beyond hearing their stories, they also provide insight for moving care forward. We'd encourage you to check out their respective organizations to learn more about care reform and pursuing family care in their respective countries.

Mohamed Nabieu - Helping Children Worldwide - Sierra Leone Sinet Chan - Cambodia Children's Trust - Cambodia Grace Njeri - Weza Care Solutions - Kenya Tamrat Kebede - Selamta Family Project - Ethiopia

Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com

In episode 201, we're talking with Simon Njoroge about his work in family based care, welfare reform and the adoption landscape in Kenya. A little change up, we gave Phil a break and recorded this episode live at the 1MILLIONHOME office in Tacoma, Washington. Apologies for slight audio issue at the start of interview, Brandon is a work in progress! We know you'll learn a lot from Simon and his experience as an adoptee, an advocate and an administrator working in orphan care.

Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com

In this special episode of Think Orphan, we celebrate the 200th episode! What started as an idea that Phil just hoped people would listen to has turned into a resource, a movement and a community focused on loving orphaned and vulnerable children with excellence. Join us for this episode where we bring back former hosts, hear from past guests and current listeners and of course look forward to the many more episodes to come.

Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com

In episode 199, we're talking with old friend and President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, Jedd Medefind. With his years of leadership in the OVC space, we pick Jedd's brain on what trends he's seeing and what the future might hold for advocates and practitioners alike. We then get into a longer conversation on Roe v. Wade and the practical implications if federal legislation on abortion changes.

Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com

In episode 198, we're speaking with Alycia Pinizzotto of Story International in Guatemala about piloting foster care in a new context, parenting teens and ministering in the midst of tragedy. Alycia brings a lot of first-hand experience and thoughtful reflections on ministering to orphans and vulnerable children, not only in Guatemala but in the US system as well.

Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com

In episode 197, we're speaking with author, professor and mother Brittany Salmon about the in's and out's of cross-cultural and trans-racial adoption. We learn not only from her family's experience but also research and writing that she's put together in her new book, It Takes More Than Love. After the interview, Brandon and Phil discuss race a little further and emphasize the importance of listening and building towards unity.

Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com

In episode 196, we're talking with Tori Hope Petersen. Tori is an author, speaker and foster care advocate with lived experience in the system (oh, yeah, she's also Mrs. Universe). We discuss what foster care looks like from the inside, what changes ought to be made and what compelled Tori to go from being a foster youth, to now welcoming kids in to her home as a parent.

Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com

In episode 195, we're talking with Dr. Scott Moeschberger. Scott is the Director of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Degree Program at Taylor University and a leading expert globally on violence against children. We discuss the program at Taylor and dig into his upcoming book "Building Cultures of Peace: Psychological Perspectives on Understanding and Addressing Violence Against Children".