UnProfessional Parenting

In this episode of the Unprofessional Parenting Podcast, Matt and Laney sit down with Biblical counselor, Josh Waulk of Baylight Counseling, to unpack the powerful connection between attachment and the theology of adoption. Together, we explore how understanding attachment styles can help foster parents build trust, create stability, and form secure bonds with children from difficult backgrounds.

This conversation also digs into the gospel’s picture of adoption—how God welcomes us into His family—and how that truth shapes the way we parent foster and adopted children. With practical tools, healthy family rhythms, and biblical wisdom, this episode equips you to build a safe and secure home where healing can begin.

👉 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• An overview of attachment styles and how they show up in foster care

• Why healthy rhythms are essential to building security and trust

• Practical steps to create a safe, stable home environment

• How the theology of adoption shapes our understanding of parenting

• Encouragement for foster and adoptive parents to parent with patience, grace, and gospel-centered love

Perfect for foster parents, adoptive families, and anyone who wants to better understand how God’s design for family brings hope and healing to kids from hard places.

Foster care doesn’t just change your home—it changes your marriage. In this episode of the UnProfessional Parenting Podcast, we dive into the realities couples face when stepping into foster care: the stress, the miscommunication, the late-night conversations, and the unexpected strain it can put on a relationship. But we also share the practical things that have helped keep our marriage strong and healthy in the middle of it all. Whether you’re married and considering fostering, already in the thick of it, or simply curious about how foster care impacts couples, this conversation is full of honesty, lessons learned, and encouragement that you’re not alone.

With Special Guest Jeff Ford - CEO of ManUp

Fatherlessness has become one of the greatest epidemics facing America today—impacting foster care, families, and the next generation. In this episode of UnProfessional Parenting, we sit down with the CEO of ManUp, Jeff Ford, to talk about the fatherlessness crisis in the U.S., why it matters, and how foster families are stepping into the gap. From the impact of absent fathers on children’s development to practical ways the church and community can respond, this conversation shines a light on both the challenges and the hope for change. If you’re a foster parent, adoptive family, or someone passionate about breaking cycles and building strong homes, this episode is for you.

The foster care system doesn’t just involve families and social workers—it’s deeply shaped by the court system. In this episode, Circuit Family Court Judge, Aaron Hubbard, joins us to share the court system’s perspective on foster care cases. We discuss the frustrations judges face, the difficult balance between legal timelines and a child’s best interests, and the realities of making decisions that impact children, biological parents, and foster families.

If you’ve ever wondered how the court views foster care, why some cases take so long, or what challenges judges encounter behind the bench, this conversation gives an honest look at the intersection of child welfare and the legal system. Perfect for foster parents, adoptive families, child advocates, and anyone who wants to better understand the foster care process from the courtroom side.

UnProfessional Parenting 1.20 with special guest, Ron Cooney (Executive Pastor at Calvary Church Clearwater).

What role does the church play in meeting the needs of vulnerable children and families in foster care? In this episode,Called to Care, we dive into the biblical call to defend the fatherless, real stories from foster and adoptive families, and practical ways churches can step into the gap. Whether you’re a pastor, a foster parent, or simply someone who wants to live out James 1:27, this podcast equips and inspires the body of Christ to rise up for kids and families in crisis.

In Part 2 of How to “Co-Family” in Foster Care, we dive deeper into how foster parents can build strong, healthy, and intentional relationships with biological families. Learning how to “co-family” is essential for supporting reunification, reducing conflict, and creating stability for kids in care. In this episode, we share real-life foster care experiences, practical co-parenting strategies, and insights on communication, boundaries, and empathy. Whether you’re a new foster parent or have been fostering for years, you’ll discover encouragement and practical tools to help you partner with biological families in ways that truly put the child’s best interests first.

(Part One)

Foster care isn’t just about opening your home—it’s about navigating relationships. In this episode, we dive into the often complex, emotional, and important interactions between foster parents and biological families. From building trust to finding common ground, we’ll talk about what healthy co-parenting looks like, the challenges along the way, and why collaboration matters for the child at the center of it all. Whether you’re a foster parent, bio parent, or simply want to understand the process better, this conversation will give you perspective and encouragement for the journey.

In this episode of Unprofessional Parenting, we explore the powerful bond between siblings and why keeping them together in foster care can be life-changing. From shared memories to built-in emotional support, siblings can be a vital anchor in a child’s world when everything else feels uncertain. We’ll share real-life stories, discuss the challenges that sometimes separate siblings, and talk about how foster and adoptive parents can advocate for keeping brothers and sisters under the same roof. Whether you’re a foster parent, considering becoming one, or just curious about the system, this conversation will open your eyes to the lifelong impact of sibling connections.

In this episode, we dive into the heartwarming (and sometimes hilariously chaotic) movie, Instant Family. With its blend of humor and heavy truths, the film attempts to capture the real-life messiness of foster care and adoption. But how accurate is it? We break down what the movie gets right, what it misses, and how it hit us right in the feels. Whether you’re a seasoned foster parent or just love a good family film, join us as we laugh, cry, and maybe even cringe a little. Spoiler alert: it’s not all sunshine and inspirational montages.

In this episode of Unprofessional Parenting, we dive into one of the toughest and most misunderstood aspects of foster care—saying no. Whether it's declining a placement that doesn’t align with your family's capacity or recognizing when you're approaching burnout, learning to say "no" can actually be one of the most loving, responsible things you do. We talk about the guilt, the pressure, and the reality of navigating foster care with healthy boundaries. If you've ever wondered when it's okay to say no—or how to recover when you're running on empty—this episode is for you.