Fear & Faith. Two words we don't usually hear together. How does fear hold us back, how does faith spur us on? Listen in as Matthew and I dive deep into how we grow and help our kids do the same.

In September 2006, Matthew co-founded the Heart Gallery of Broward in response to the need he observed in his community for this service. During its short tenure, Heart Gallery of Broward has achieved an above-average success rate of 40 percent, having already helped place 70 children in loving, permanent homes. Recognizing the benefits a national network of Heart Galleries could have, he co-founded and organized the Heart Gallery of America in August 2008. As co-founder of the national organization, Matt leads this group to share resources and broaden the pool of families seeking to adopt. 

The Heart Gallery of America, comprised of 100 individual heart galleries, also launched ww.heartgalleryofamerica.org, a comprehensive reference tool and informational index for prospective families. Recently, he founded the Florida Association of Heart Galleries to organize the 15 Florida Heart Galleries and advocate for adoption in the Florida State Capiton Region. In 2009, he received the Florida Governor’s Points of Light Award.

Matthew is married and has two daughters.

https://heartgalleryofamerica.org/about-heart-gallery/directors/

https://www.facebook.com/p/Heart-Gallery-of-America-100054215212909/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-straeb-8a12934/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

 What help us feel that we are thriving? Feeling it. Not thinking it. Not judging it. Feeling it. Listen as Jodi and I dive deep into the feeling of thriving. Insights aplenty on peace, purpose, people and more. You are going to love this...

Jodi loves being a wife to Jerry and mom to her large family of world-changers, including eight children, five adopted.  In 2009, as she faced the orphan crisis worldwide, God gave her the dream to unite the women everywhere who love and serve the orphan.  She served twelve years as Global Director of Orphan Sunday for the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), is a seminary graduate and Certified Chaplain.  She is the author of three books, including Healing for Every Heart in Adoption, Second Mother: A Bible Study Experience for Foster and Adoptive Moms and Fasten Your Sweet Belt: 10 Things You Need to Know About Older Child Adoption.

https://jodijacksontucker.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jodijacksontucker/

https://secondmothers.org/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

How do we celebrate ourselves when we don't know how we came about, feel unwanted or an accident? Listen in as adoptee, adoptive parent and adoption professional Anita shares profound insights on finding meaning, a reason for being and more. She also shares how following Christ has helped her along the way.

Find out more about Anita here:

https://www.brookhills.org/staff-elders/anita-bucher/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-bucher-a8233725/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

So many of have so much going on we can't see the wood for the trees. Today's interview is a chance to stand back and see the big picture - what helps us thrive, what helps our kids thrive and much more. Listen in - adoption professional Cindy really knows her stuff!

https://www.allforkids.org/

https://www.facebook.com/AllForKids.CA/

https://www.facebook.com/AllForKids.CA/

https://x.com/AllForKidsCa

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-stogel-2a1093171/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

How do we free ourselves from the past? By seeing that it doesn't define us. Listen in as Krystal, adopted in her 30's talks about getting stronger through adversity, processing tough emotions and more.

Connect with Krystal here https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystal-trocki-1372321a3/

Find out about her employer here https://26health.org/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

What if there's part of us that's not traumatised? Because it can't traumatised? Wouldn't that be a great place to find and live from? Listen in as we dive deep into thriving, touch on religion and explore the part of us that's beyond trauma.

Adoptive mother Dana Hargus, M.Ed., LPC, is a seasoned health professional with over 25 years of experience in trauma-informed care. Before becoming a counselor, she spent nine years as an educator, building a foundation of compassion and connection that continues to guide her work today. Dana is the owner of a thriving private counseling practice and the visionary behind Restore of Ada, a new healing center devoted to wholeperson wellness and rapid nervous system resetting.

https://restoreofada.com/

https://www.facebook.com/restoreofada

https://www.instagram.com/restoreofada/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-hargus-681519340/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

What happens when your search for belonging leads to both love and heartbreak? Listen in as adoptee Lisa shares what she's learned from her rollercoaster ride of reunion including lovebombing, jet black darkness and, eventually, light. Very powerful. Deeply profound. Listen with big ears.

Find out more about Lisa here:

https://www.instagram.com/drmommypoppins/?hl=en-gb

https://www.theadoptednurse.com/

https://www.facebook.com/lisa.astalos.chism/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Do you feel disconnected from your cultural heritage or identity? Tami did - even though she wasn't adopted. She was determined her daughter who was born in Ethiopia would feel connected with her heritage. Listen in as we dive into cultural heritage, identity and more.

Here's a bit about Tami from her website:

I grew up disconnected from my Dominican and Jamaican roots, always feeling like I wasn't “enough” of anything—not Latina enough, Caribbean enough, not even Black enough. I carried shame, confusion, and uncertainty about whether I even had the right to claim a heritage I barely knew. 

When I began exploring my roots, there were no guides, no roadmaps, or no one to show me where to start. I had to find my own way—slowly, and in a way that felt authentic to me.

When I adopted my Ethiopian-born daughter, I promised she wouldn’t grow up with that same disconnection. That promise became my purpose.

I’m living this work every day—raising an Ethiopian daughter, caring for my aging mother, and navigating my own Dominican/Jamaican identity, all under one roof in Mexico. I know what this journey really looks like—and I’m here to walk it with you.

Now, as a Cultural Heritage Reconnection Coach, I offer the support I once needed. I guide people to rediscover their roots, reclaim pride in who they are, and create a legacy so future generations never have to wonder where they belong.
You don’t need permission to reconnect.

You just need a place to begin—and you don’t have to do it alone.

https://www.instagram.com/tamideegarcia/

https://www.tiktok.com/@tamideegarcia

https://www.tamigarcia.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TamiDeeGarcia

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Can we thrive despite what happened in to us? If so how? Listen in as Wilson describes how he turned his life around after some difficult years in his mid-teens. It's an incredibly uplifting interview from the youngest guest we've ever had on the show. Wilson is just 19!

Here's a bit about Wilson..

"Hi! I’m Wilson. I’m a transracial international adoptee with a deep appreciation for history, tradition, and the values that shape us. Growing up, I was always told I was an “old soul,” and honestly, they weren’t wrong. My love for classic country and rock ‘n’ roll records, as well as old Western films, has always made me feel connected to a time before my own.

Being adopted from China and raised in America has given me a unique perspective on identity, belonging, and the legacy we leave behind. I believe in honoring the past while building a better future, and for me, that means leading with hard work, respect, and kindness. I want to be a positive example—not just for adoptees, but for anyone trying to navigate who they are in a world that doesn’t always make it easy.

I have faith that we are more than just where we come from—we are also what we choose to do with the life we’ve been given. I find so much inspiration in the people who came before me, and even more in those who are writing their own stories now."

https://www.facebook.com/wilson.munsterman.3/

https://www.instagram.com/wilsonmuns/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilson-munsterman-09782732a/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2ZW5CVK

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Looking for inspiration? Andrew, father of three - including one through adoption - shares his insights on igniting our passion, finding meaning and community. A powerful and empowering episode.

Andrew is a passionate supporter of foster care and adoption. Andrew launched the KPMG National Foster Care and Adoption Network in 2021, which has now grown to more than 45 of KPMG’s US offices. Focused initially on mentoring and coaching opportunities for new and prospective foster and adoptive parents, the network has grown to serve as a platform for connecting foster and adoptive parents, adult adoptees, birth parents, and adoption advocates. The network also connects with key community organizations that focus on foster and adoption and are actively supported by KPMG’s partners and employees.

Andrew has received numerous awards and recognition, including Seramount’s National Working Dad of the Year, and the Association of Government Accountants’ Andy Barr Award, National President’s Award, National Treasurer’s Award, and National Author’s Award.

Andrew and his wife are adoptive parents and former foster parents. They have three children, and live in Maryland.

If you'd like to connect with Andrew you can email him at [email protected] or connect here https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-c-lewis/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.