The Call to Foster

In this powerful episode, hosts Shasta Miller, Jessica Fox, and Ashton Kever sit down with foster mom Michelle Ward to uncover the raw truth about foster parenting - the myths, the heartbreak, the healing, and the life‑changing rewards.Michelle opens up about how a mission trip first sparked her interest in fostering, and how her own family’s history with abuse inspired her to open her home specifically to teens — including her daughter, who wanted to help other teens overcome trauma just as she had.But Michelle didn’t think she could foster at first. She was single, renting her home, and didn’t have a high income — three of the biggest misconceptions about foster parenting. Together, the hosts break down these common myths and explain what actually qualifies someone to foster.Michelle also shares unforgettable stories from her earliest placements, including a teen mother and her baby who became like family — and why their move‑out became her first true heartbreak as a foster parent.She doesn’t shy away from the hard parts either. From kids making false allegations to “hotlining” her over normal household rules, Michelle explains how trauma shapes behaviors — and why many foster kids sabotage happiness simply because they’ve never experienced it safely before.Through it all, she delivers a message every potential foster parent needs to hear: “It’s not easy, but it is truly worth it.”This episode is an honest and hope‑filled conversation for anyone curious about fostering, anyone who has ever doubted their qualifications, or anyone who simply wants a deeper understanding of the resilience, courage, and love found in the foster care community.If you’ve ever considered fostering or want to better understand the impact you can make, this conversation will leave you inspired and informed. Learn how to get started on our website.

In this heartfelt episode of The Call to Foster Podcast, hosts Shasta Miller, Jessica Huckstep, and Ashton Kever sit down with Yolanda, a kinship foster parent, and her 13-year-old nephew, Jeremiah, to share their inspiring story. Yolanda opens up about her own experience in foster care as a child and how it shaped her decision to step in when Jeremiah needed a safe, loving home. Together, they discuss the challenges and joys of fostering teens, the importance of family bonds, and practical advice for navigating technology, setting boundaries, and finding support.Jeremiah offers a unique perspective from a youth in care by sharing what helped him feel safe, his coping strategies, and his honest advice for future foster parents. From powerful insights on “loving beyond the hurt” to the role of community and counseling, this episode is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and real-life experiences that every foster parent or prospective foster family needs to hear.If you’ve ever considered fostering or want to better understand the impact you can make, this conversation will leave you inspired and informed. Learn how to get started on our website.

In this episode, Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton, talk with Makenzie Muse. Makenzie is an older youth in foster care with a passion for independence. She shares her story and encourages foster parents to just listen. She also speaks highly of her foster placement and highlights that foster parents don't have to make big, grand gestures to win over the kids in their care. Sometimes, they just need the quality time and attention. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website.

In this episode, Ashton and Shasta welcome a few guests who are making a difference in the lives of foster parents and children across Missouri. Their guests are: Jennifer Adams from FosterAdopt ConnectRiannon Franklin from the Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption AssociationKenya Willis from the Foster and Adoptive Care CoalitionTogether, they explore many of the resources available to the Missouri foster care community, including support and independence programs tailored for older youth, innovative respite field trips, and family finding initiatives. Discover the physical resources available, such as clothing and food, and learn about the comprehensive foster parent training and support groups.If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website.

Listen along as Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton chat with Becca Underwood about her experiences as a foster parent. Becca works with an organization called CarePortal, which helps families around the country meet needs that contribute to children entering the state welfare system. Through her work, Becca was prepared to take on the care of a couple of children on a temporary basis through her job; however, the children were brought into care just before her team was able to make it happen. She and her family had never intended to get into foster care, but they stepped up and were able to work with the state to help take care of those children.Becca also has two children whom she's adopted internationally, and she discusses the differences between that and local adoption through foster care.If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website.

In this episode, Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton chat with Katie Tipton, a former foster youth who shares her experience and advice for current and future foster parents. Katie shares a lot of insight about the trauma a child coming into care might have and she encourages caregivers to remember that kids in care essentially come with a resume, but it is up to you to give them a chance to be more than their past. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

In this episode, hosts Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton speak with Barry and Hannah Cahill. These two foster parents are an incredible team with huge hearts. A biological family of five, the Cahills stay very busy providing the best care for all of the children in their home. When they started their foster parenting journey, it wasn't with teenagers in mind. After their first placement, a teenage girl, they decided to only foster teenage girls, even adopting their daughter, Felicity. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

In this episode, our hosts talk with an older youth with experience in the foster care system. Kurtis Dehart shares his story and provides hope to anyone considering fostering or worried about fostering teenagers. He's driven and responsible and shares the importance of helping teens, especially foster youth, become independent and responsible adults! If you've ever considered fostering, you don't want to miss this episode! If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

In this episode, Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton talk to DeeDee Button. DeeDee is a former foster parent, adoptive parent, licensed foster parent trainer, a college student seeking a degree in social work, a foster parent ambassador, and the creator and owner of a nonprofit called "The Chaos Closet." DeeDee is doing it all and showing the world that supporting foster parents and foster children can extend far beyond becoming a foster parent. When she was young, her mother was a social worker and regularly shared stories of her work that made an impact on DeeDee. Listen along as she shares her story and passion!If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

This month, our hosts have a conversation with Angel Williams, a former foster child who became a foster parent. Angel talks about her experience in the system, the challenges she's had in her journey to become a foster parent, and gives a raw and honest look at what it means to love the kids in your care knowing they may not be with you forever. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

In this episode, Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton speak with Tim Hite. Tim is the Executive Director of Divine Nest in Missouri. One piece of this nonprofit is the Sparrow House, a place for kids to go when they are removed from their homes for their safety and wellbeing while their case worker is in search of a foster placement. Tim and his wife are foster and adoptive parents and they've been passionate about helping kids in foster care for as long as they can remember. Their passion has created a legacy for their biological children - their oldest biological child is also a foster parent! Listen along and learn how you can make a difference for foster children - even if you don't become a foster parent! If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

Join Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton as they talk with Hillary Lammert. Hillary was adopted as a child and talks about her experience growing and learning as a foster/adoptive parent. She shares advice for working with biological parents, and practical information about taking care of yourself while you go through a foster and adoptive journey, the many lessons she learned in her first year of fostering, and the power and purpose in respite care. You don't want to miss this episode! If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

This month's guest, Micah Smiley, shares her experience as a "medical home." Micah is currently a respite only foster home, but she started as a full foster home! Micah even moved to a new home to get closer to medical care for a child in her home. This episode is full of great information for anyone who is considering the opportunity to care for these children! If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

Our hosts, Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton talk to a very special guest this month - Shasta's husband, Chris Miller. Chris grew up in foster care, experiencing 6 or 7 placements before finally aging out of the system. While his story was not always positive, Chris does his best to share that even through the hard times, there is a lot of positive swirled in his life. Listen along as Chris shares his story and advice for anyone considering becoming a foster or adoptive parent. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

This month, Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton talk with Tori Ward. Tori was introduced to foster parenting at a young age when her parents became licensed. She saw, first-hand, the impact foster parents have in the lives of children. As soon as she could, she became a foster parent and is a mentor and advocate for foster parenting. Tori is living proof that you can be a foster parent at a young age and be successful and make a difference. Want to know more about Tori? Check out this short interview she did with DSS.If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

Listen in on a conversation with the Founder and current CEO of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, Monica Kelsey. Safe Haven Baby Boxes' (SHBB) mission is to prevent the illegal abandonment of newborns through education, raising awareness of the safe haven law, and offering the only anonymous option, the Baby Box. Monica talks about how the organization got started, where the idea came from, and the impact of the boxes across the United States. Currently, Missouri has one box in Mehlville, MO, and several other Missouri communities trying to raise the appropriate funding to acquire a box. A former foster parent herself, Monica encourages anyone considering foster care or adoption to take the leap and "Just do it!"If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

This month, Shasta, Jessica, and Ashton sit down with Deborah Stukey. Deborah is a retired school teacher and principal and is a resourceful learner. Her natural educating talents, as well as the training she received as an educator and to become a foster parent, has been extremely valuable in her foster parenting journey. Deborah has an adopted son with significant medical challenges and has learned a lot about how to take care of children with high medical needs while learning to care for him! She encourages all foster parents and potential foster parents to not shy away from caring for kids with high medical need - the learning curve is not too sharp and she says it is worth it! Most of all, she encourages all foster parents to never stop asking questions, even the hard ones. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

This month we had a wonderful call with the Kueblers! Alexus Kuebler, a former foster child, is passionate about being a safe home for Missouri's foster children. She knew she wanted to be a foster and adoptive parent since she was taken into care. The Kueblers are excited to work with families to achieve reunification. Listen along and soak up their passion! If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

The fight for children starts July 4, 2024. In this episode of the Call to Foster, our hosts are joined by Darrell Missey, the Director of Children's Division, and Rebekah Weigel, Writer and Producer of "SOUND OF HOPE: The Story of Possum Trot". Hear from the writer of this incredible film about the writing process, the characters, and the true story of Possum Trot, Texas, as well as her experience as a foster parent and social worker. Rebekah has great advice and practical solutions that you need to hear. You don't want to miss this movie - get your tickets today! Want more information about how you can host a private showing of this film? Learn more on the Angel Studios website. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm

In this episode, our hosts speak with author, youth pastor, and foster parent, David Wermuth. David has over 11 years of experience as a foster parent to older teen boys with a goal of independence. He used his experience as a foster parent to share stories of encouragement and helpful tips in his book, "101 Considerations for Foster Parents." A licensed therapist in Missouri, David specializes in working with children and families. You won't want to miss this episode! Pick up your own copy of David's book or share it with a foster parent you know.If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, learn how to get started on our website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent.htm