From Meth to Social Worker, a Powerful Reunification Story with Brenna Hunter

In this deeply moving episode, Travis and Courtney sit down with Brenna Hunter, a mother whose children were removed from her care in 2020 due to substance use. Today, she’s not only a reunited parent, but also a parenting time specialist working to support other families in the child welfare system. Brenna bravely shares her story—growing up in a conservative home, falling into addiction, losing custody of her children, and the painful yet powerful journey to recovery and reunification. She offers honest insights into the foster care system, the challenges of rebuilding bonds with her children, and the importance of empathy from foster families. Whether you're a foster parent, social worker, or simply someone wanting to understand more about reunification, Brenna’s story is raw, hopeful, and incredibly important. Key Quote: “I wasn’t thinking ‘How can I be a safer parent?’ I was thinking, ‘How can I get these people out of my life?’ But what I needed was someone to tell me what was expected and how to get there.” Resources mentioned: FosterCon.org — Free webinars, including Fostering Bio-Family Relationships, featuring Brenna. (CE credits available for foster parents!) Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast. Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community. Meet kids awaiting adoption. Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out. Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.