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Upwardly Dependent
Upwardly Dependent episodes
- 23. A Mother’s Ethical Journey to IVF with Ansley Smith
As medicine continues to advance, reproductive technologies provide more options to hopeful parents. Lauren’s sister, Ansley, shares her journey to motherhood with great vulnerability. This episode provides a frame for those who have wandered through ethical questions of in vitro fertilization. The things Ansley discusses here offer both challenge and hope in the midst of family planning.
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Episode Highlights
- An introduction to Ansley Smith (3:34)
- Ansley’s health and family journey (8:15)
- What is endometriosis? (14:42)
- The options and conversations for Ansley and her husband (19:14)
- Ethics and IVF (24:53)
- Ansley’s IVF journey (29:40)
- Impacts of sharing her story (35:28)
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For more information, details, and episode transcriptions, visit upwardlydependent.com/shownotes.
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Links
- Kindred Exchange - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission
- Think Orphan - Learn more and listen to the podcast
- Emmaus House - Learn more about their work with orphaned youth in Haiti
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Connect with Lauren
Email / Instagram / Leave a Review
Connect with Ansley
Instagram
43 min - 22. Forming Our Theology as we Form our Families with Shannan Martin
As the mother of four children who joined her family through adoption, Shannan Martin shares how loving and walking alongside the marginalized of her community not only revolutionized her faith, but also made her an unapologetic ally with those who are negatively impacted by the U.S. prison system.
Shannan, whose husband is a chaplain in their local jail, shares what she has learned by living with and loving the incarcerated. In this episode, you’ll hear about how Shannan accesses the promise of the Gospel through the lives of her neighbors. Be sure to read Shannan’s books or sign up for her Substack for more conversations like this.
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Episode Highlights
- Introduction to Shannan Martin (1:52)
- Critical lessons in community (6:28)
- Stories of injustice in the justice system (11:05)
- Shannan’s views on involvement in government (25:20)
- What is the Church in America missing? (31:07)
- Trauma, marginalization, and the relationship to the justice system (36:09)
- Resources and learning more (40:33)
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For more information, details, and episode transcriptions, visit upwardlydependent.com/shownotes.
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Links
- Kindred Exchange - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission
- Think Orphan - Learn more and listen to the podcast
- Emmaus House - Learn more about their work with orphaned youth in Haiti
- Start with Hello - Shannan’s latest book
- The Ministry of Ordinary Places - by Shannan Martin
- Falling Free - by Shannan Martin
- Death Row Support Project - Sign up to mail letters
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Connect with Lauren
Email / Instagram / Leave a Review
Connect with Shannan
Instagram / X / Website
52 min - 21. Reimagining the U.S. Justice System Informed By Survivors of Childhood Trauma with Cyntoia Brown Long
Since her release in 2019, Cyntoia Brown Long has been able to travel the U.S. speaking about her experience within the criminal justice system where she was tried as an adult and placed in a womens’ prison at the age of 16. Her story started long before her arrest, however, and long before she found herself fearing for her life in the home of a man who offered to pay her for sex.
Cyntoia shares about her journey out of early childhood foster care and into a loving adoptive family–a journey that was still weighed down by crises of identity and belonging. Her story is one of resilience and faith, and shows how the prison system in the United States should evolve in order to consider the trauma histories of children in the courts.
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Episode Highlights
- Introduction to Cyntoia (1:49)
- Behavioral presentations of children in the classroom (8:40)
- Cyntoia’s story and relationship with the criminal justice system (15:53)
- Clemency & redemption (26:17)
- Advocacy and interactions with the criminal justice system (30:51)
- What’s at stake if things don’t change? (36:34)
- Where should people of faith spend their time and energy? (41:40)
- What’s giving Cyntoia hope? (49:00)
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For more information, details, and episode transcriptions, visit upwardlydependent.com/shownotes.
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Links
- Kindred Exchange - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission
- Think Orphan - Learn more and listen to the podcast
- Emmaus House - Learn more about their work with orphaned youth in Haiti
- Free Cyntioa Book - Get an autographed copy of Cyntioa’s book
- Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story - Watch the Netflix documentary
- Soap & Water Organics - Shop Cyntoia’s handmade organic soaps
- The JFAM Foundation - Learn more about their work to broaden understanding and awareness of issues concerning marginalized populations by creating a platform for affected individuals to serve as thought leaders.
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Connect with Lauren
Email / Instagram / Leave a Review
Connect with Cyntoia
Instagram / X / Facebook
58 min - 20. Stories from Death Row: How ‘Criminal Justice’ is Failing Adult Children of Trauma with Patti van Eys, PhD
In this episode, Dr. Patt van Eys provides an incredible foundation of understanding about psychiatric illnesses and the U.S. system for diagnosing and treating mental health concerns. Listeners will find this conversation SO helpful as Dr. Patti connects child development, attachment, and dissociation to the critical ages of neurological growth for babies 0-3 years of age. For those parenting or teaching children who are neurodiverse, this episode will bring clarity to new research around “developmental trauma” and how this phenomenon can manifest in adults. Dr. Patti regularly visits prison residents with death sentences, and works to explain how trauma, dissociation, and the brain’s protective instincts should be considered when assessing criminal behavior.
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Episode Highlights
- An introduction to Dr. Patti van Eys (2:58)
- DSM-5 and language evolution around developmental trauma (14:20)
- Early brain development and attachment (26:28)
- Understanding dissociation and developmental trauma disorder (35:39)
- Understanding children with adverse childhood experiences (53:17)
- Trauma, justice, and healing (1:01:36)
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For more information, details, and episode transcriptions, visit upwardlydependent.com/shownotes.
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Links
- Kindred Exchange - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission
- Think Orphan - Learn more and listen to the podcast
- What Happened to You by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey - the trailblazers in the work of development trauma for the last 30 years
- Dr. Patti van Eys - Learn about her work and request a consultation
- Neurosequential Network - A biologically respectful approach to treating children
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Connect with Lauren
Email / Instagram / Leave a Review
Connect with Dr. Patti
Linkedin / Website
1 hr 21 min - 19. Understanding the Power of Racial Identity for Transracial Adoptees with Angela Tucker
Angela Tucker has been a long-time trusted voice in the space of transracial adoption. As an advocate for children growing up in foster and adoptive homes, she shares her own experience of finding her safest place amongst others who were raised apart from their birth families.
Angela facilitates the connection of a vibrant adoptee community full of teens and adults who share a unique journey to finding themselves and their identity. This episode is a critical listen for any parents who have adopted or fostered children of a racial heritage different from their own.
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Episode Highlights
- An introduction to Angela Tucker (2:00)
- Blindspots for adoptive parents and for society (4:46)
- Angela’s book title and the language of “should” (9:55)
- Expansive family and community models (12:02)
- Entering spaces of racial majority and considering identity (19:53)
- Angela’s experience in finding her birth family (26:48)
- Exploring a sense of belonging and “third culture” (31:19)
- The love and trauma realities of adoption (34:48)
- Angela’s work with adoptees (40:34)
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For more information, details, and episode transcriptions, visit upwardlydependent.com/shownotes.
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Links
- Kindred Exchange - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission
- Think Orphan - Learn more and listen to the podcast
- Angela’s Website - Learn more about Angela's work
- You Should Be Grateful Book - Order Angela's book today
- Adoptee Mentoring Society - Virtual mentorship for adoptees — by adoptees
- Angela’s podcast - Tune into Angela's podcast as she interviews adoptees from all backgrounds in an effort to shift societal perceptions
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Connect with Lauren
Email / Instagram / Leave a Review
Connect with Angela
Instagram / X / Facebook
45 min - 18. Understanding the Power of Racial Identity for Transracial Adoptees with Milton Washington
***This episode contains themes of self harm, some mild language, and other concepts that may be sensitive to listeners.***
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Milton Washington leads a number of ventures as he shares a powerful narrative of an identity formed through transnational and transracial experiences. In this episode, he sheds light on the unique origin to his story, and how he learned to grow into his own identity with pride. Listeners will be challenged in this episode as Milton bravely gives testimony to the parts of his adoption narrative that allowed him to find his place in his family. This episode provides excellent context to the complexities of the human experience, and offers an invitation for parents to understand their children as they best receive security and love.
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Episode Highlights
- An introduction to Milton Washington and his story (1:53 )
- Exploring identity and value as a transracial adoptee (11:15)
- Family culture and fitting in (19:28)
- Milton’s advice for adoptive parents (27:17)
- What it might mean to help vulnerable children (35:10)
- Follow Milton’s projects (44:55)
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For more information, details, and episode transcriptions, visit upwardlydependent.com/shownotes.
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Links
- Kindred Exchange - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission
- Think Orphan - Learn more and listen to the podcast
- Rokmil Studios - Check out Milton's work
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Connect with Lauren
Email / Instagram / Leave a Review
Connect with Milton
Instagram
50 min - 17. How might the American Church Apologize for Institutionalizing Children? with Kimberly Quinley
Kimberly and Lauren discuss the particular landscape of orphanages in Thailand, where $40M is donated to homes in 2 of the 76 provinces alone. Kim, a veteran advocate for reformed care led by Thai churches and families, shares how she’s seen practices shift over the years, and where donor churches still need to evolve in their understanding of child development and attachment. Kimberly leads StepAhead Thailand, an organization that offers training on scriptural frameworks for care as well as extensive guidelines for family strengthening.
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Episode Highlights
- Introduction to Kimberly & Lauren’s relationship (1:55)
- Kimberly’s story of moving to Thailand (8:11)
- The effects of the American Church in Thailand (12:55)
- Redefining the term “orphan” in the context of scripture (22:15)
- The industrialization of the orphan care system (25:44)
- Owning our past ill informed practices around orphan care (39:04)
- Kimberly’s research with Lumos & resources for churches moving forward (47:02)
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For more information, details, and episode transcriptions, visit upwardlydependent.com/shownotes.
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Links
Kindred Exchange - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission
Think Orphan - Learn more and listen to the podcast
Step Ahead - Learn more and find resources for family-based care
CAFO2024 Summit - Sign up for the conference happening September 18-20, 2024 in Nashville, TN
World Without Orphans Conference - Sign up for the global forum taking place in Chaing Mai, Thailand February 29 - March 3, 2024
Rabbit Proof Fence - Watch the movie about three aboriginal girls who were forcibly taken from their families in 1931 to be trained as domestic servants as part of an official Australian government policy.
Safe Families - Learn more about the work they do to keep children safe and families together.
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Connect with Lauren
Email / Instagram / Leave a Review
Connect with Kimberly
Linkedin / X
55 min - 16. Caring for Vulnerable Families Demands a Church-Wide Response with Jedd Medefind
As the President of CAFO (Christian Alliance for Orphans), Jedd Medefind invites people with any skill set or particular burden to care for the needs of vulnerable children and families. Whether that is through offering prepared meals, financial support, intercessory prayer, physical space, or emotional respite, there are things anyone in the Church can offer in the ecosystem of family-based care. Lauren and Jedd set the stage for the rest of this season, and offer a guide to posturing our hearts to place the lived experience of adult children from orphanages or foster care to guide our actions and thoughts around the issue.
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Episode Highlights
- An introduction to Jedd Medefind and CAFO (1:50)
- Engaging the hurt and beauty of the Gospel (7:40)
- Accurately communicating with the Church (15:34)
- The Church abroad and orphan care (19:10)
- Moving the work forward and growth in a time of critique (26:14)
- Jedd’s work and CAFO 2024 (32:39)
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For more information, details, and episode transcriptions, visit upwardlydependent.com/shownotes.
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Links
- Kindred Exchange - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission
- Think Orphan - Learn more and listen to the podcast
- CAFO Best Practices Research - Learn about the leading recommendations in improving care
- CAFO2024 Summit - Sign up for the conference happening September 18-20, 2024 in Nashville, TN
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Connect with Lauren
Email / Instagram / Leave a Review
Connect with Jedd
Linkedin
39 min - 15. Shouldn’t we be Qualified Before We’re Called? An Academic Approach to Reforming Care with Dr. Kristen Cheney
When Lauren was in graduate school, she committed herself to bringing research and data to inform the ways Christians engage with humanitarian issues. Dr. Kristen Cheney is an incredible resource for Churches to understand the psychology of attachment, best practices around child protection, and the need for excellent qualifications in the field of child development in order to appropriately work in the field of care. As you listen to this episode, consider the years of research that has been done to help us better meet the needs of children in vulnerable places.
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Episode Highlights
- An introduction to Dr. Kristen Cheney and her research (3:13)
- Adult adoptees’ perspectives on orphan care (8:38)
- Understanding familial systems (15:12)
- Orphan industrial complex: the monetization of everything “orphan” (28:00)
- The attachment experience (44:55)
- A better way to support children with your donor dollars (59:58)
- The importance of being qualified before doing this work (1:02:35)
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For more information, details, and episode transcriptions, visit upwardlydependent.com/shownotes.
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Links
Kindred Exchange - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission
Think Orphan - Learn more and listen to the podcast
Dr. Cheney’s Bio & Publications - Learn more about Dr. Cheney’s work and research
Hopeland - Learn more about the global initiative to end orphanage tourism
Crying for Our Elders - Order Dr. Cheney’s book today
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Connect with Lauren
Email / Instagram / Leave a Review
Connect with Dr. Kristen
Email / Linkedin
1 hr 12 min - 14. Family Preservation and the Complications of International Church Involvement with Megan Boudreaux
Like many guests on this season, Megan Boudreaux found herself swept up into the church industry or orphanages. The longer she stayed in Haiti, the more she noticed that something was awry with the North American approach to placing children in institutionalized care. Megan and Lauren discuss the crisis of children aging out of orphanages with no connection to their city, their family, or their culture. This episode is an invitation for Christians to consider the large how the conversation around orphan care in the Global South needs to shift.
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Episode Highlights
- An introduction to Megan Boudreaux (1:53)
- Megan’s work and the truth about orphanages in Haiti (5:50)
- Why are American churches building and supporting orphanages? (17:58)
- What is the call as followers of Christ? (22:09)
- What does positive support look like? (24:43)
- Megan’s organization Respire Haiti (27:38)
- Response to Megan’s organization and continuing the conversation (31:02)
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For more information, details, and episode transcriptions, visit upwardlydependent.com/shownotes.
...
Links
- Kindred Exchange - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission
- Think Orphan - Learn more and listen to the podcast
- Respire Haiti - Learn more about the work they are doing to empower the next generation of Haitians
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Connect with Lauren
Email / Instagram / Leave a Review
Connect with Dr. Megan
Instagram / Website
37 min
About Upwardly Dependent
From the publisher's feed
No matter where you’re from or how you’re wrestling through your faith, you belong here. This space is meant for wrestling. If you've been forced to reconcile new ideas or deconstruct some acquired knowledge, just know I’ve been through the same process. It is painful and challenging and we all hate it. But don’t give up - you will like yourself much better on the other side, I promise.
Hosted by the Kindred Exchange Podcast Network