Finding a foster home for a teenager is almost twice as unlikely as finding a home for children 12 and under. Yet, despite this trend, Maranda Karenbauer and her husband have welcomed four children (ages 17, 16, 13, and 11) into their home. Despite the stereotypes and fears around fostering teens, Maranda and her husband have instead found deep love and even their first son.

105. We Said Yes to Fostering Teens With Maranda Karenbauer

Caring for orphaned and vulnerable children is one of the most important jobs in the world, but often people are too overwhelmed to get involved or lack the support they need to keep going. Our podcast is a place where the powerful stories of real people will inspire, encourage, and support you in your journey. Because when you thrive, children thrive.

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Kids & Family

Parenting

Changing the way we care for orphaned children, getting kids back into families, and lifting up community….it all sounds great on paper, but is it actually possible? This is an important question because theory doesn’t necessarily mean it works.  This is why we are talking with our friend, Phil Aspergren, who has been helping children’s homes from all over the world change their model of care…and it’s working!

130. Is Reimagining Orphan Care Possible?

In most of our minds, orphanages are viewed as a protector of vulnerable children. This can be true, but often an orphanage can be a deceptive place that is using it’s position and power to serve selfish interests and even harm the children it claims to protect. This is why is so important to understand the warning signs. Our guest, Rebecca Nhep, is an expert in this field and has even been a part of closing down multiple nefarious orphanages. She is here to share her invaluable knowledge and wisdom and help us all understand the urgency behind reimagining the way we care for vulnerable children. 

129. How Do I Know If an Orphanage is Dangerous?

All over the world there are people who felt clearly called by God to either fund a children's home, serve at one, or leave everything to start an orphanage. But now that we know that orphanages and children's homes are not the way we should be aiming to care for vulnerable children, how are we supposed to view that very real and clear calling?  Thankfully our friend Brandon Stiver walked this journey. From being called and moving overseas to work at an orphanage to now being one of the biggest advocates for getting children in families, Brandon is perfectly positioned to help us unpack these important and complicated questions. 

128. How To Untangle Your Calling to Fund an Orphanage with Brandon Stiver

Travel with us to Maesot, Thailand to hear from the Thai Director of Global Child Advocates on what it looks like to run 4 children’s homes to closing them all down and finding safe family for each child. 

127. What does reimagining an orphanage actually look like?

This is a complex question that thousands all over the world are trying to answer.  We all want children in families but it’s not as simple as just sending them all home. Thankfully our friend and colleague Jedd Medefind joins us to talk through how we address the complexities and nuance of each child’s situation while still keeping family as our goal. 

105. We Said Yes to Fostering Teens With Maranda Karenbauer

Download our free app to listen on your phone