Bridging The Gap

In trauma‑informed parenting, marriage can drift into survival mode — fast. In this episode, Ryan & Kayla North share how they’ve stayed more than roommates through 24 years of marriage, 30 foster placements, adoption, and the realities of raising kids with big needs.They offer real-life tools for staying united: weekly date rhythms, transparent communication, dealing with triangulation, repairing with genuine apologies, and doing your own self‑work before trying to “fix” your kids. Their honesty and humor make this a deeply encouraging conversation for couples who feel stretched thin.What You’ll LearnHow to avoid drifting into “roommate mode”Why Unity — not agreement — is the key to hard-season parentingHow to handle triangulation & manipulation without dividingWhy repairing with apologies models secure connectionHow to regulate yourself before addressing behaviorsPractical ways to protect time, communication & connectionKey InsightA resilient marriage isn’t built by avoiding conflict but by repairing well, communicating honestly, and staying united — even when parenting feels heavy.Resource LinksMore from Ryan & Kayla: https://www.onebighappyhome.com#marriage #fostercare #adoption #kinshipcare #traumainformed #roommatestoteammates #connectedmarriage #parentingkidsfromhardplaces #marriageresources

This bonus episode features Jason Johnson in a candid conversation about why connection matters for foster, adoptive, and kinship dads. After hearing consistent feedback from foster families across the state, Child Bridge is launching a Just For Dads Journey Group, beginning in mid May 2026, to give dads a space where they can connect with men who understand the unique challenges and pressures of this calling.What You’ll Learn:Why community is essential for foster/adoptive/kinship dadsHow connection reframes discouragement, busyness, and expectationsWhy Montana families asked for this group — and how it meets a critical needPractical encouragement for showing up, even when life is fullKey Insight:You don’t have to have it all together — just be willing to bring what you have. Connection multiplies strength.Resources:The Just For Dads Journey Group is being offered as both a daytime and evening group beginning in mid May. Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/4tMr47V#FosterDads #MontanaFosterCare #AdoptiveFamilies #KinshipCare #JasonJohnson #ChildBridge #JustForDads #FosterCareSupport

What if the fear keeping you from fostering isn’t the real fear at all? Jason Johnson joins us to discuss the “thing beneath the thing,” why fostering often reveals more about us than we expect, and how families can navigate doubt with wisdom and faith. Whether you’re just exploring or already fostering, this conversation offers grounding, clarity, and compassion.💡 What You’ll Learn:- Understanding “the thing beneath the thing”- How to navigate fears around attachment and grief- Caring for biological and adopted kids while fostering- When spouses aren’t on the same page- Why outcomes don’t define success📖 Key Insight:God doesn’t call us to control the outcome — He calls us to be faithful with the next step.📌 Explore More Resources:- Hear more from Jason on his website: jasonjohnsonblog.com- Learn more about becoming a foster parent in Montana by visiting childbridgemontana.org/foster-Find trauma-informed resources for your foster, adoptive or kinship journey at childbridgemontana.org/resources👉 Subscribe for More:Subscribe today for foster care insights, adoption stories, and practical tools for kinship families.#FosterCareJourney #FaithDrivenParenting #FosterDad #AdoptiveFamilies #KinshipCare

Parenting children with trauma and invisible disabilities can feel isolating and overwhelming. In this episode, Amy J. Brown — author, mentor, and mom to six — shares her journey and practical tools for navigating grief, building resilience, and leaning into God’s presence in the chaos. Whether you’re fostering, adopting, or caring for kinship kids, you’ll discover hope, encouragement, and strategies to thrive in the hardest seasons.What You’ll Learn:How to process grief and avoid isolationPractical strategies for resilience and connectionWhy invisible disabilities require unique understandingHow faith can anchor you in overwhelming seasonsKey Insight:You are not alone — God sees you, and there is hope even in the hardest moments.Resources:Find more parenting resources at https://www.childbridgemontana.org/resource-libraryVisit https://www.amyjbrown.com to learn more about Amy

The world says fostering and adoption are too hard — but faith and community tell a different story. In this episode, Jeff and Emmy Ort share their journey of fostering and adopting, including raising a child with special needs. You’ll discover practical ways to navigate hard days, build resilience, and find joy in the midst of challenges.💡 What You’ll Learn:How fostering impacts biological childrenPractical strategies for surviving hard daysWhy asking for help is strength, not weaknessThe role of faith and community in long-term successHow grace changes the way we see trauma📖 Key Insight:“Taking a break isn’t failure — it’s an investment for the long term.”📌 Explore More Resources:Visit https://www.childbridgemontana.org/resource-library for tools, articles, and videos to support your parenting journey.Learn more about Connected Voices at voices4mtkids.com#FosterCareJourney #AdoptionStories #TraumaInformedParenting #ChildBridge #KinshipCare #ChristianParenting

Feeling exhausted and overwhelmed? Burnout is real — but healing doesn’t have to be complicated. In this video, certified health coach Chantel Oakley explains how movement, mindset, and grace can help foster, adoptive, and kinship parents thrive. You’ll discover practical ways to care for your body, mind, and soul while caring for others.💡 What You’ll Learn:How to recognize signs of burnoutWhy movement regulates stress and boosts energySimple steps to start — even with a busy scheduleTips for modeling healthy habits for kidsHow to overcome guilt around self-care📖 Key Insight:“Just do something. Small steps lead to big change.”📌 Explore More Resources:Visit https://www.chanteloakley.com/ for coaching and programs.Check out the https://www.childbridgemontana.org/resource-library for tools and support.#FosterParentTraining #BurnoutRecovery #SelfCareForParents #ChildBridge #AdoptiveParenting #ChristianParenting

In this practical and encouraging episode, therapist and author Daniela Coats shares strategies for navigating the holiday season as a foster or adoptive family. Drawing from her experience as a bio kid in a foster family, social worker, and mom, Daniela offers actionable tips to reduce stress, honor traditions, and create emotional safety for every child in your home.💡 What You’ll Hear:How to honor a child’s past traditions while building new onesSupporting kids through grief and big emotions during the holidaysSetting realistic expectations and boundaries with extended familyPractical ideas for family activities that foster connectionWhy parent self-care is essential for the whole family📖 Key Insight:“Communication and emotional safety are anchors in seasons of change.”📌 Explore More Resources:Visit withsiblings.org for tools, trainings, and Daniela’s book.👉 Subscribe for More:Follow our podcast for real-life stories, expert insights, and encouragement for families navigating foster care, adoption, and trauma-informed parenting.#FosterCare #Adoption #HolidayTips #TraumaInformedParenting #ParentingPodcast

What happens to siblings when adoption transforms a family overnight?Dr. Jana Hunsley knows this firsthand. As a teenager, her family adopted seven children in four years — a shift that changed everything. Now a clinician and researcher, Jana brings deep empathy and practical insight to the complex sibling dynamics in adoptive families.💡 What You’ll Hear:Why siblings often feel invisible and how to change thatHow trauma impacts every member of the familyTools for healthy communication and emotional safetyThe power of one-on-one time and family ritualsHow to support peacemakers, perfectionists, and overwhelmed kids📖 Key Insight:“Siblings are the unsung heroes of adoption and they need support too.” 📌 Explore More Resources:Visit childbridgemontana.org for tools, stories, and support for foster, adoptive and kinship families.Learn more from Dr. Jana Hunsley at drjanahunsley.com 👉 Subscribe for More:Follow our podcast for real-life stories, expert wisdom, and encouragement for anyone raising, supporting, or loving kids from hard places.#AdoptionStory #SiblingDynamics #TraumaInformedParenting #ChildBridge #DrJanaHunsley #ParentingPodcast #ChristianParenting

What does it look like to follow God’s call into adoption — even when the path is unexpected?For Eric and Shelly Basye, adoption wasn’t just a decision — it was a response to proximity, conviction, and a deep desire to live out their faith in action. Their journey is filled with moments of surrender, resilience, and the kind of hope that only comes from trusting God in the messy middle.In this heartfelt episode, Eric and Shelly share their journey through adoption and parenting — rooted in faith, justice, and a deep commitment to living out the gospel. From raising a refugee teen to adopting children both domestically and internationally, their story is one of courage, surrender, and hope.💡 What You’ll Hear:How proximity to need shaped their callingThe emotional and spiritual realities of adoptionParenting through trauma and building resilienceWhy saying “yes” to hard things can lead to deep transformation📖 Key Insight:“Our celebration is birthed out of trauma — and God makes beautiful things out of messes.”📌 Explore More Resources:Visit childbridgemontana.org for tools, stories, and support for foster, adoptive and kinship families.👉 Subscribe for More:Follow our podcast for real-life stories, expert insights, and encouragement for families navigating trauma-informed parenting.#AdoptionStory #FaithAndFamily #TraumaInformedParenting #ChildBridge #ParentingPodcast #ChristianParenting

Parenting kids who’ve experienced trauma can feel exhausting and uncertain — but you don’t have to stay stuck there. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, Parent Coaching can help equip you with the tools, strategies and confidence you need to bring more peace to your home. In this episode, nationally recognized parent coach Tina Feigal shares real-world techniques like those you’ll learn in Child Bridge’s Parent Coaching Program. From reflective listening to “I See You” letters to heartfelt appreciation, these tools help parents shift from feeling stuck and exhausted to feeling equipped, connected and hopeful.💡 Learn more and sign up for Child Bridge’s Parent Coaching Program: https://www.childbridgemontana.org/coaching📖 Present Moment Parenting by Tina Feigal: https://howdoparentthischild.com/book-present-moment-parenting📝 Free parenting resources from Tina Feigal: https://howdoparentthischild.com/resources🌐 Learn more about Tina Feigal’s work: https://howdoparentthischild.com

In this bonus episode, occupational therapist Saydee Miller helps us understand the deeper story behind food struggles in kids from hard places. She explains how trauma shapes a child’s relationship with food and offers practical ways to build safety and trust during meals. From interoception to simple tools for daily routines, Saydee gives foster and adoptive families the insight and encouragement they need to support healing — one bite at a time.🔗 Resources mentioned in the episode:Kelly Mahler’s Interoception Curriculum: https://www.kelly-mahler.com/product/the-interoception-curriculum-a-step-bystep-guide-to-developing-mindful-self-regulation/Katja Rowell, MD (“The Feeding Doctor”): https://www.thefeedingdoctor.com/Eating Disorder Center of Montana: https://edcmontana.org/

For many kids from hard places, bedtime isn’t restful — it’s triggering. In this episode, occupational therapist Saydee Miller joins us to explore why sleep can be so difficult for children with trauma histories and how caregivers can respond with compassion, patience and practical tools.From sleep journals and bedtime routines to sensory regulation strategies and “cookie dough rolls,” Saydee shares trauma-informed insights to help you shift the focus from sleep to safety and connection.Whether you're a foster parent, adoptive caregiver or simply raising a child who struggles to settle at night, this episode will equip you with hope and help for bedtime battles.📚 Resources:Learn more about Dwell Pediatric Sleep: https://www.instagram.com/dwellpediatricsleepExplore Interoception Tools from Kelly Mahler: https://www.kelly-mahler.com

Teens who have experienced trauma often carry unspoken grief, identity questions and emotional walls that can leave caregivers feeling shut out. In this episode, author and adoptive mom Susan TeBos shares wisdom from her own parenting journey and from the teens whose stories she gathered in her book We’ve Been There.From anger and grief to silence and withdrawal, Susan helps unpack why teens may not talk — and what it looks like to keep showing up anyway. If you're parenting a teen from a hard place, this conversation offers empathy, practical tools and a reminder that healing takes time — and love that doesn’t quit.Visit Susan's website: https://susantebos.com/Get Susan's book: https://www.amazon.com/Weve-Been-There-Surprising-Insights/dp/0825447313/

Screens are everywhere — and so are the risks that come with them. In this episode, we explore what it means to raise digitally safe and spiritually grounded kids in today’s tech-saturated world, especially for families parenting children from hard places. Our guest shares practical tools and insights for online safety for kids, from managing screen time to navigating social media and addressing hidden digital risks. More than just filters and apps, this conversation is about discipleship, trust, and creating safe rhythms at home that will guide children toward wisdom and resilience.Whether you're a tech-savvy parent or feeling overwhelmed by it all, this episode will equip you to engage the digital world with courage and clarity.Resources:Example Cell Phone Contracts for Kids & Teens: https://bit.ly/43J5F3w & https://bit.ly/4jy3QfxTake It Down - https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/

In honor of National Foster Care Awareness Month, Tricia trades seats with Ray Biggerstaff, Director of Advocacy at Child Bridge, to share her own heart-wrenching story of childhood abuse and neglect. But her story didn’t end there.Listen as she highlights the life-changing impact her foster family made by loving her unconditionally. She boldly sheds light on the horrific reality many children in foster care still face today and the profound difference a family can make. Read Tricia’s Full Story here.Learn more about how you and your family can make a difference in the lives of kids in foster care here.

Kids who enter foster care often get tossed into an ever-changing web of people, places and plans. At the center of that wheel, walking alongside the child through it all, is their CASA. In this episode, Executive Director of CASA for Kids in Flathead County, Cindy Basnett, explains the role and heart behind the volunteers who help set the trajectory of a child’s journey through foster care.To learn more about CASAs or to start the process of becoming one, visit https://www.montanacasagal.org/.

James and Ashley Newell join us in the midst of a chaotic season of their parenting journey. The adoptive parents of two boys from foster care, this couple gets really real about the awkwardness, uncertainty, growth and goodness they’ve met along the way. And they share how all of it together worked to prompt them to start all over again. See how God prepared two ordinary people for an extraordinary journey. 

“Adversity and trauma don't define the outcome of a life — rather, they describe an experience.” Researcher, missionary, author and marriage/family therapist Nicole Wilke dares to describe the formula for resilience, or the capacity to overcome adversity. In this episode, she draws on her real-world experience, professional knowledge and biblical faith to explore the science and scripture behind resilience.  Follow Nicole online at her personal Instagram: dr.nicolewilke, and through the Christian Alliance for Orphans Instagram: cafoalliance  Check out Nicole's newest books on resilience, "Overcoming: What Scripture & Science Say About Resilience" and "Caleb Koala's Comeback Ride: A Journey to Overcoming."  here. Scripts Blog Post - From one parent to another: Scripts for building resilience in our kids Scripts Resource - TBRI® Life Values Printable Resource Additional Resource — Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO): https://cafo.org/ 

Fear. Anger. Failure. Danica Montana went through a wide range of emotions when Child Family Services removed her children from her. Above all, she couldn’t believe that she had repeated the same cycle she’d grown up in, neglect and abuse that leads to devastation. Vulnerable and eye-opening, this is the rarely heard perspective of a birth mom’s journey as she’s lost and fought to regain her children from foster care.  Visit our website to read the story of another birth parent who fought for his daughter and the role one selfless family played in reuniting them. 

How do you see and respond to the birth parents who hurt a child you love? Author, speaker and foster mom, Jamie Finn, asks the big questions in this probing discussion of her own foster care journey. Jamie boldly digs into the root of what foster care is truly about, what makes it possible and why it’s worth it. Listen as she exposes the heart position necessary to love, lament and persevere like Christ. Get Jamie's new book: ⁠Filled: 60 Devotions for the Foster Parent's Heart⁠ Connect with Jamie online: fosterthefamilyblog.com Facebook: @fosterthefamilyblog Instagram: @fosterthefamilyblog

Foster care means constant decision-making, and how you approach those decisions makes all the difference, according to Corree Roofener. Foster mom and host of The Courage Coalition Podcast, Corree invites parents to name the beliefs and values that drive them. Getting to know yourself, she says, can help you identify ways to care for your own soul on this often-self-sacrificial journey.  Follow Corree online @ Facebook: corree.roofener Instagram: correeroofenercoach

Fostering teens can feel like a huge undertaking. After all, you only have so many years to prepare them to head out into the world. Right? Author and mom of 11 children, Beth Guckenberger, says wrong. In reality, there is no finish line for parents. Because “children aren’t projects to be finished but people to be healed.” Hear real stories of what it’s like to raise teens in foster care.  To learn more about Beth and Back2Back Ministries, visit ⁠https://back2back.org/

Phill and Emily Christiansen have a message for those who are hesitant to step into foster care. “To be a Christ-follower is to say yes to the uncomfortable.” Pastor Phill and Emily discuss how foster care became their family’s mission. In this episode they discuss the combined difficulties and blessings of navigating sibling dynamics, birth families, loss and love. To learn more about foster care, visit childbridgemontana.org/foster.

Have you ever thought to yourself, “I just don’t like my child?” Co-author of “The Connected Parent,” Lisa Qualls, tackles the problem of blocked care – the breakdown in connection between a foster parent and a child in their care. In this episode, Lisa explains the brain science behind blocked care, removes the shame around it and lays out practical steps a parent can take to heal it. Find Lisa online: Instagram: @lisacqualls Facebook: OneThankfulMom Website: ⁠https://www.lisacqualls.com/⁠

Tori Hope Petersen struggled to make sense of the events that led her into foster care. After abuse and neglect tore her family apart, she bounced between 10 different foster homes before the age of 18. Tori Hope grappled with the idea of God as darkness closed in around her. But God was not done writing her story, and ultimately drew her to Himself through the faith of her last foster family.  To learn more about Tori, visit her website at https://www.torihopepetersen.com/ To purchase Tori's book, Fostered, visit https://www.torihopepetersen.com/fosteredbook

Every marriage has its struggles. Throw in the stress and complexity of foster care or adoption, and you've got a recipe for a serious spiritual battle. Beth Guckenberger shares the wisdom God has given her through 30 years of marriage and the raising of 11 kids. Discover ways to reinvigorate your marriage and prioritize unity in the face of stress, fear and foster care.  To learn more about Beth and Back2Back Ministries, visit https://back2back.org/

It started with a statistic. “If just 7 percent of Christians across the world cared for just one orphan, there would be no more orphans.” Co-founder of Child Bridge, Mary Bryan, recalls the journey that led she and her husband, Steve, to devote their lives to a Spirit-led mission— to find a family for every child in Montana. Today, that mission is carried out by staff, volunteers and foster/adoptive families across the state. This is the story of Child Bridge.To learn more about Child Bridge, visit https://www.childbridgemontana.org/