Instead of only sharing our own thoughts, we asked foster parents what they wish everyone else understood about foster care. Their responses were honest, vulnerable, challenging, and deeply insightful.

We talked about comments foster families hear all the time:

• “I could never do foster care because I’d get too attached.”
• “They’re lucky to have you.”
• “You knew what you were signing up for.”

Most people who say these things mean well. We know that. But this episode is an invitation to see foster care from the inside and understand the realities many families live every day.

We discuss:

• why foster parents do become deeply attached
• why attachment is actually healthy and necessary
• trauma and why it changes parenting
• misconceptions around adoption and healing
• biological parents and compassion
• reunification and complicated grief
• how foster care impacts biological children too
• why foster parents need support more than praise
• practical ways anyone can help foster families

We also share stories from our own journey and highlight people in our community who have stepped in and made an incredible difference for our family.

Our hope is simple:

• More understanding.
• More compassion.
• More support.
• Because you do not have to foster to make a difference.

Support The Podcast

https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Speaking Requests

If your church, conference, or organization would like Jason and Whitney to speak about foster care, adoption, faith, leadership, or living a meaningful life through small acts of faithfulness, you can contact them at: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Join our weekly devotional newsletter here:

https://captivate.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c75f5dfcf9d690c6c9f256d22&id=d17b98130b

Follow & Contact

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

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Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

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Music Credit

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons.

In this powerful and emotional conversation, we sit down with former Indiana DCS case worker, foster/adoptive mom, and child advocate Moriah Coons to talk about the side of foster care most people never see.

From overwhelming caseloads and dangerous home visits to heartbreaking court decisions and emotional burnout, Moriah gives an honest look at the impossible weight many case workers carry every single day. She shares stories from the front lines of child welfare that reveal just how complicated the foster care system really is and why so many good case workers end up exhausted, overwhelmed, and misunderstood.

But this conversation is not about defending a broken system. It is about humanizing the people inside it.

Moriah also shares incredible moments of hope and redemption, including adoption stories, reunifications, and the moments that reminded her why the work mattered in the first place.

Whether you are a foster parent, adoptive parent, CASA worker, social worker, church leader, or someone simply trying to better understand foster care, this episode will challenge the way you think about the system and the people trying to hold it together.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What foster care case workers actually face behind the scenes
• Why communication can feel so difficult in foster care cases
• The emotional toll of carrying impossible decisions
• How judges, policies, and courts impact child safety decisions
• Why many foster care workers burn out
• Threats, trauma, and overwhelming caseloads
• The heartbreaking realities of neglect and domestic violence cases
• How churches and foster families can support case workers
• Stories of adoption, healing, and redemption

Some moments from this episode that will stick with us:

• “Every single time I walked up the stairs, I was terrified the baby would be dead.”
• “They’re not thriving. They’re surviving.”
• “For every one bad egg, there’s a million more trying to do the right thing.”
• “They’re just normal people trying to make a difference.”

Moriah Coons was born and raised in Texas and studied Bible, Theology, Children’s Ministry, and Special Needs Ministry at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. She served as a Family Case Manager with Indiana DCS before transitioning into victim advocacy and domestic violence support work. Today, she serves as the Foster And Adoption Family Support Lead at Trader’s Point Christian Church (https://tpcc.org/fam). Moriah and her husband Austin were licensed foster parents for nearly four years and recently adopted a sibling group of three. She also serves on the Executive Board for Champions For Children, an organization focused on making Indiana children safer.

If this episode encouraged or challenged you, would you take a moment to follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone else? Those small actions truly help us continue growing this community and spreading awareness around foster care, adoption, and living faithfully right where God has placed us.

Support The Podcast

https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Speaking Requests

If your church, conference, or organization would like Jason and Whitney to speak about foster care, adoption, faith, leadership, or living a meaningful life through small acts of faithfulness, you can contact them at: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Join our weekly devotional newsletter here:

https://captivate.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c75f5dfcf9d690c6c9f256d22&id=d17b98130b

Follow & Contact

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

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Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

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Music Credit

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons.

In this episode, we kick off Foster Care Awareness Month with a conversation that is both deeply personal and incredibly practical. After years of fostering, one thing has become clear to us: the families who last are not the strongest or the most prepared. They are the ones who are supported.

There are roughly 200,000 licensed foster homes in the United States and nearly 400,000 children in care. While that gap matters, there is another reality that often gets overlooked. Not everyone is called to foster, but everyone can do something.

This episode is for anyone who has ever thought, “I want to help… I just don’t know how.”

We share real stories from our own journey. The meals that showed up at just the right time. The people who stepped in to help with childcare. The unexpected financial support. The handwritten notes that reminded us we were not alone. Even the moments where someone simply stayed present with us when things were hard.

These weren’t grand gestures. They were small, faithful acts of care that made it possible for us to keep going.

We also walk through practical ways you can support foster families in your own community. Whether you are part of a church, a friend, a neighbor, or someone who simply cares, there are tangible steps you can take starting today.

Because the truth is simple:

You don’t have to foster to change a foster child’s life.

And in many ways, the greatest need in foster care today is not just more families stepping in. It is more people willing to stand beside those who already have.

As Whitney shared in this episode, foster care is an emotional rollercoaster, and no one is meant to ride it alone. The support system around a family often determines whether they can continue saying yes.

So if you have ever wondered how to make a difference, this episode will give you clarity, direction, and encouragement to take that first step.

Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply stay.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why support systems matter more than strength in foster care
• The real reason many foster families burn out
• Simple and practical ways to support foster families
• How small acts of care create lasting impact
• Why you don’t have to foster to make a difference

Practical Ways to Support Foster Families

• Provide meals during placements or transitions
• Offer childcare or respite support
• Help with transportation for appointments and visits
• Write encouraging notes or check in consistently
• Support financially when unexpected needs arise
• Help create or prepare a child’s space in the home
• Be present during hard seasons without trying to fix everything

A Simple Challenge

Think of one foster family in your life or in your community.

This week, take one step.

Send a message. Drop off a meal. Offer to help.

It doesn’t have to be big to matter.

Small acts of faithfulness can change everything.

Support The Podcast

https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Speaking Requests

If your church, conference, or organization would like Jason and Whitney to speak about foster care, adoption, faith, leadership, or living a meaningful life through small acts of faithfulness, you can contact them at: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Join our weekly devotional newsletter here:

https://captivate.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c75f5dfcf9d690c6c9f256d22&id=d17b98130b

Follow & Contact

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music Credit

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons.

May is Foster Care Awareness Month, and while a lot of people are familiar with the idea of foster care, far fewer understand what it actually looks like inside a home that is living it every single day. In this episode, we wanted to slow things down and offer a more honest picture of that reality, not to overwhelm you, but to help you see what is often hidden and to invite you into it in a meaningful way.

When most people think about foster care, they tend to picture the big, visible pieces. They think about court dates, caseworkers, home visits, and the system as a whole. Those things are certainly part of the experience, and they can be difficult in their own right. But what often goes unseen are the quieter moments that carry just as much weight, if not more.

It shows up in a child filling their plate at dinner and not taking a single bite. It shows up in tears late at night and questions that do not have easy answers, like “Why can’t I go back to my mommy?” These are the moments that don’t make headlines or get talked about often, but they are the ones that shape a foster family’s daily life.

There is also a layer of unpredictability that is hard to explain unless you have lived it. Schedules change at the last minute, visits get canceled or rearranged, and communication is not always as clear or timely as you would hope. In the middle of all of that, you are still trying to create stability for a child who has already experienced significant disruption. That tension can be exhausting, not just physically, but emotionally.

One of the biggest shifts foster care requires is learning to see behavior through a different lens. What might look like defiance on the surface is often rooted in fear. What looks like anger may actually be grief. Even withdrawal can be a form of protection for a child who is trying to make sense of a world that has not felt safe or consistent. There is no simple formula for responding to those moments well, which means you are often learning as you go, relying on patience, grace, and a lot of prayer.

Another important piece that we talk about in this episode is the purpose of foster care itself. Many people assume the goal is adoption, but in most cases, the goal is reunification. The hope is that families can heal and that children can safely return home. That reality creates a unique tension for foster families, because you are called to love a child deeply while also preparing your heart for the possibility that they may leave. It is a kind of love that requires both openness and surrender at the same time.

Even with all of the challenges, there is still so much beauty woven throughout the experience. There are moments that feel sacred in a way that is hard to fully describe. A child who begins to trust after weeks or months of uncertainty. A small expression of gratitude that carries far more meaning than expected. Watching your own children develop compassion and awareness in ways that would not have happened otherwise. These moments do not erase the hard, but they give it purpose.

We also spend some time challenging the idea that foster care is only for a specific group of people. While not everyone is called to open their home, we do believe that everyone is called to care in some capacity. There are many ways to step into this space, and they do not all require becoming a foster parent. In fact, some of the most impactful support comes from people who are willing to come alongside foster families and help carry the load.

If you are not sure where to begin, it can be simpler than you think. Bringing a meal to a foster family can create margin in a day that feels overwhelming. Offering to help with transportation or childcare can relieve pressure in a very tangible way. Even small acts like helping with yard work or providing groceries can communicate to a family that they are not alone. There are also opportunities to support biological families when it is safe to do so, which can play a role in preventing children from entering foster care in the first place.

As we move into this month, our encouragement is to take a step, even if it feels small. Learn more about foster care, ask questions, and look for ways to get involved. You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. Often, it is simply a willingness to say yes to what is in front of you that makes the biggest difference.

If this episode encouraged you or gave you a new perspective, we would love for you to share it with someone else. You never know how one conversation or one small action might impact a child or a family in need.

Support The Podcast

Speaking Requests

If your church, conference, or organization would like Jason and Whitney to speak about foster care, adoption, faith, leadership, or living a meaningful life through small acts of faithfulness, you can contact them at: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Join our weekly devotional newsletter here:

https://captivate.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c75f5dfcf9d690c6c9f256d22&id=d17b98130b

Follow & Contact

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com
• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast
• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast
• Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music Credit

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons

This week, we sit down with Josh Cortez, pastor at Westfield Friends Church and foster dad of nearly eight years. He and his wife have had over 10 kids in their home, and their story is unique because almost every placement has ended in reunification.

That perspective shapes everything about how they approach foster care.

Big Topic: Reunification and Loving Bio Parents

Josh shares why reunification is not just something they accept, but something they actively pursue.

We talk about:

• Why reunification reflects the heart of the gospel
• How foster care can be a ministry of reconciliation
• Why bio parents are often misunderstood
• The tension of wanting what is best for a child while trusting a broken system

Even when reunification is good, it is still incredibly hard.

Personal Foster Care Stories

We get into real, lived experiences:

• Kids going home and the grief that follows
• Their biological children grieving placements for days
• Moments where reunification felt too fast and out of your control
• Stories of building real relationships with biological parents

Biblical Perspective

This episode is rooted deeply in Scripture and the gospel.

Josh talks about:

• Foster care as a picture of redemption and reconciliation
• The call to die to yourself daily in following Jesus
• Living as ambassadors of reconciliation from 2 Corinthians 5
• Seeing bio parents as people made in the image of God

Practical Encouragement

If you are struggling in foster care, especially with bio parents, this episode gives real, practical wisdom:

• Resentment is normal, but you do not have to stay there
• You need community to sustain this calling
• Rest is not optional, it is necessary
• You may be the only advocate that child has
• Loving bio parents starts with surrendering your own heart

Support The Podcast

https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Speaking Requests

If your church, conference, or organization would like Jason and Whitney to speak about foster care, adoption, faith, leadership, or living a meaningful life through small acts of faithfulness, you can contact them at:

dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Join our weekly devotional newsletter here:

https://captivate.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c75f5dfcf9d690c6c9f256d22&id=d17b98130b

Follow & Contact

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

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Music Credit

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons.

In this episode, Jason and Whitney open up about the heartbreaking reality of disrupting placements. They share what it means when a foster family reaches the point of saying a child can no longer stay in their home, why that decision is almost never quick or easy, and the guilt, shame, and grief that often follow.

Drawing from their own personal experiences with three disrupted placements over nearly eight years of foster care, they unpack the difficult truth that sometimes love is not enough, and sometimes the most loving decision a foster parent can make is to acknowledge that their home is not the right fit for a child’s needs.

This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply encouraging for foster parents who may be carrying shame, questioning their calling, or wondering if they are alone in the struggle.

In This Episode

Throughout the episode, they discuss:

• Why placements disrupt and the many factors that can lead to that decision

• How trauma, safety concerns, and unmet needs can impact a placement

• The guilt and shame foster parents often feel when disruption becomes necessary

• The fear of judgment from others who do not understand foster care realities

• Why disruption does not automatically mean failure

• How foster parents can know the difference between a hard season and an unhealthy placement

• The importance of advocating for children when their needs are not being acknowledged

• Why protecting your marriage and biological children matters in foster care

• How to ask for help before reaching the breaking point

Personal Stories Shared In This Episode

Jason and Whitney walk listeners through three different disrupted placements from their own foster care journey.

They share about an early placement during COVID involving an older child whose trauma history and fear responses created challenges they were not equipped to handle.

They recount another placement where significant trauma and behavioral concerns surfaced after placement, revealing far deeper needs than they had originally been told about.

Finally, they share about a recent disruption involving a child they loved deeply and desperately wanted to keep, but after months of counseling, prayer, and trying to make things work, ultimately recognized that their family was not the right long term fit for what she needed.

Biblical Perspective

One of the central reminders in this episode is that foster parents are not the Savior.

Jesus is.

Foster care can easily create a savior complex where families begin believing they have to fix every hurt, heal every wound, and carry every burden. But Jason and Whitney remind listeners that God has not called foster parents to control outcomes. He has called them to faithfulness.

They discuss how obedience is not always easy, and how sometimes the hardest act of obedience is acknowledging your limitations and trusting God with the outcome.

Practical Encouragement For Foster Parents

If you are in a difficult placement right now, this episode offers practical encouragement for how to navigate that season wisely.

Jason and Whitney encourage foster parents to:

• Ask for help early before reaching burnout

• Be honest with your team about what is happening in your home

• Advocate fiercely for the child in your care

• Listen carefully to your spouse and children

• Protect your marriage and the health of your family

• Remember that loving a child and not being the right home can both be true at the same time

Support The Podcast

https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Speaking Requests

If your church, conference, or organization would like Jason and Whitney to speak about foster care, adoption, faith, leadership, or living a meaningful life through small acts of faithfulness, you can contact them at: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Join our weekly devotional newsletter here:

https://captivate.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c75f5dfcf9d690c6c9f256d22&id=d17b98130b

Follow & Contact

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music Credit

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons

This episode is ultimately about a bigger message: you don’t have to be special to do something meaningful. Most of the time, you just have to be available and willing to take the next step.

Jason and Whitney explain that they did not set out to become a medically fragile foster family. Their journey started with a placement they were told was a healthy baby, and within a short period of time they found themselves learning how to use feeding tubes, manage medications, attend specialist appointments, and completely adjust their daily lives.

They talk about how overwhelming it felt at first and how unqualified they felt stepping into medical care they had no experience with. They share how they learned over time through training, doctors, therapists, and other foster parents, and how what once felt impossible eventually became normal.

They also talk about the emotional side of medically fragile foster care. The constant appointments, managing care, advocating for the child, navigating the system, and carrying the responsibility can feel heavy and exhausting. But they also share the joy that comes from watching a child make progress, heal, grow stronger, and begin to thrive.

A major theme throughout the episode is that many people think they are not capable of fostering or helping because they are not nurses, doctors, or experts. Jason and Whitney challenge that idea and explain that most foster parents learn as they go. The goal is not to be perfect or fully prepared — the goal is to be willing and available.

They emphasize that big, meaningful things often start with small steps of obedience. Most people who end up doing difficult, meaningful work did not start out feeling ready — they just took the next step that was in front of them.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• What medically fragile foster care actually means
• How quickly a placement can change
• The learning curve of medical needs and equipment
• Hospital visits and specialist appointments
• The emotional weight of medically fragile placements
• The importance of community and support
• Advocating for children in the system
• Why feeling unqualified is normal
• Why availability matters more than ability
• The joy of seeing progress and healing

Call To Action

If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who has been thinking about foster care, supporting foster families, or stepping into something that feels bigger than they feel ready for.

Support The Podcast: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Speaking Requests

If your church, conference, or organization would like Jason and Whitney to speak about foster care, adoption, faith, leadership, or living a meaningful life through small acts of faithfulness, you can contact them at: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Follow & Contact

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: @Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music Credit

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons

In this episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney talk about how easy it is for foster care to harden your heart and why followers of Jesus must fight to stay soft, compassionate, and tenderhearted anyway.

They begin by asking a simple but honest question: Have you ever felt yourself getting harder, not because you wanted to, but because it felt safer? From there, they unpack how foster care can do exactly that. The broken systems, hard goodbyes, repeated disappointments, caseworkers and judges making frustrating decisions, compassion fatigue, and the trauma children bring into your home can all make it feel easier to shut down emotionally than to stay open and loving.

Whitney shares that even foster care relicensing paperwork can become a reminder of how exhausting the system can be. She talks about filling out the same paperwork again, getting fingerprinted over and over, and answering questions about reunification in ways that don’t always seem centered on the best interest of the child. That frustration becomes part of the larger conversation: foster care often feels more system-centered or bio-parent-centered than child-centered, and that reality can harden foster parents if they are not careful.

Jason and Whitney also reflect on how hardening can show up in real life. It can look like losing compassion and becoming transactional, seeing a child as a bed to fill instead of a human being with trauma, a story, and a need for love. Whitney shares an example of receiving a placement call for a sibling set and recognizing that while they wanted to help, it would not be fair to the child to say yes beyond what they could realistically handle with her upcoming surgery. Their point is that tenderness is not the same as saying yes to everything. Tenderness can still have boundaries.

A major part of the episode centers on what soft strength really looks like. Jason talks about tenderness not as weakness, but as strength under control. He points to Jesus as the model: strong, powerful, and fully capable, yet gentle, compassionate, and willing to love even when betrayed. They reflect on Jesus washing Judas’s feet and forgiving those who crucified Him as examples of softness that is deeply powerful, not fragile. Their message is clear: softness is not weakness, it is Christlikeness.

They also name the specific things that can harden foster parents:

1. repeated disappointment in the system
2. feeling unsupported and unseen
3. compassion fatigue
4. trauma in the home
5. unsafe or rushed reunifications
6. the temptation to emotionally detach because loving children who may leave is painful

Whitney shares that compassion fatigue can cause you to stop seeing behavior through the lens of trauma and start simply seeing a child as frustrating, difficult, or “a pain in the butt.” Jason adds that hardening can show up as not wanting to come home, losing joy, being short with your spouse and kids, or refusing moments that normally would spark joy — like when a child asks you to play.

One of the most moving parts of the episode is when they revisit stories from their own foster care journey with Leah. Whitney talks about how, early on, Leah was a medically fragile baby who was miserable, vomiting constantly, and incredibly hard to care for. In her exhaustion, Whitney reached out to close friends and vulnerably asked them to pray that she would genuinely love this baby because she felt tired and disconnected. Just a couple hours later, Leah smiled at her for the first time, and Whitney describes that moment as healing.

They also share a painful hospital story involving Leah’s biological mother. Whitney describes greeting her warmly while holding Leah, only to be charged at and nearly hit while being accused of harming the baby by using a feeding tube. After security got involved, Whitney hid in the chapel and cried, asking Jason, “How am I supposed to love her?” That story becomes one of the clearest examples in the episode of how foster care can tempt someone to harden, and how God can still soften a heart.

Later, Whitney explains how that same relationship changed over time. As she continued sending updates and building trust, she was eventually able to tell Leah’s biological mom that if Leah did not return home, they would adopt her and love her like their own, and that Leah would not get lost in the system. That conversation became a picture of what it looks like to stay tenderhearted even when there has been hurt, fear, and conflict.

The episode closes with practical ways to remain tenderhearted:

1. stay connected to Jesus
2. feel your feelings instead of burying them
3. grieve losses honestly
4. set boundaries without becoming hard
5. choose empathy
6. stay in authentic community
7. let God heal the wounds you are carrying

Jason and Whitney end by speaking directly to foster parents: this calling is hard, but loving children who may leave is not wasted. Even if a child is only in your home for a season, the love you give matters. They challenge listeners to ask: Where have I started to harden? and pray, “God, soften what life has hardened.”

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

1. Why foster care can make it feel safer to harden your heart
2. How broken systems, paperwork, and reunification decisions wear foster parents down
3. What it looks like when foster care becomes transactional instead of compassionate
4. Why tenderness is not weakness
5. Jesus as the model of soft strength
6. Signs of compassion fatigue and emotional hardening
7. Why staying connected to God matters if you want to stay soft
8. Why feeling your grief matters after foster care loss
9. How to set boundaries without losing compassion
10. Why authentic community matters
11. Stories from Leah’s early placement, medical struggles, and hospital stays
12. A painful interaction with Leah’s biological mom, and how God softened Whitney’s heart anyway
13. Encouragement for foster parents who feel weary and tempted to shut down

Call to Action

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a foster parent, adoptive parent, or someone walking through a season where it feels easier to shut down than stay soft.

Support the Podcast

https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Follow & Contact

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music Credit

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons

In this solo episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason shares reflections from attending the Every Child Symposium in Central Indiana, a conference designed to encourage foster parents, adoptive families, and churches to care for vulnerable children.

Jason originally attended the event to complete some required foster parent training hours, but he walked away with far more than that. The day included keynote speakers and several breakout sessions that offered honest insight into the realities of foster care.

In this episode, Jason walks through some of the most powerful moments from the conference, including stories from adults who grew up in foster care and lessons that continue to shape how he and Whitney approach fostering.

Breakout Session: Adults Who Grew Up in Foster Care

One of the most impactful breakout sessions Jason attended was a panel discussion with three adults who had experienced foster care and adoption.

Two of the panelists had been adopted, while one man had aged out of the foster care system after spending more than ten years moving between homes.

At one point in his teenage years, he told a judge he was tired of the instability and simply wanted to age out of the system rather than continue moving from home to home.

Hearing that story was a sobering reminder of how difficult the foster care system can be for children who never find permanency.

At the same time, seeing him now as a grown adult with a family of his own showed that a child’s story does not end with the foster care system.

Lessons from the Keynote Sessions

Jason also reflects on several powerful moments from the keynote speakers.

1. The Wilderness is a Place of Formation

Pastor Josh Cortez opened the conference with a message about the wilderness seasons we experience in life.

In Scripture, the wilderness is often where God prepares people for what comes next. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness before beginning His ministry.

Foster care can feel like a wilderness.

It can mean isolation, uncertainty, hospital stays with children who are not biologically yours, and seasons where you don’t know what the future holds.

But those seasons are not wasted. They are often where God forms and strengthens us.

2. Accept Assignments That Outsize You

One quote that stuck with Jason was:

“Accept assignments that outsize you.”

Foster care often feels exactly like that.

From the first “yes” to becoming a foster parent to saying yes to placements that stretch your comfort zone, the journey frequently requires stepping into situations that feel bigger than your capacity.

Jason shares several moments in his own family’s foster care journey that felt like assignments bigger than they were ready for, including:

• Saying yes to their first foster placement

• Expanding the age ranges of children they would accept

• Continuing to foster during Whitney’s cancer treatments

• Buying a giant van to accommodate their growing family

Each one required trusting God with something that felt overwhelming.

3. Don’t Underestimate What God Can Do Through a Submitted Life

Another quote from the conference that stuck with Jason was:

“Don’t underestimate what God can do with a submitted vessel.”

When we say yes to God in obedience, we often have no idea how He may use those moments to impact the lives of others.

For foster parents, that obedience may look like opening your home, loving a child through a difficult season, or simply showing up when things feel hard.

Those small acts of faithfulness can have generational impact.

The “First Chair” in a Child’s Faith Story

One illustration from the conference walked through the biblical genealogy from Rahab to King David, using a series of chairs to represent generations of faith.

For many children in foster care, a foster parent may be the first person who introduces them to a relationship with God.

That means foster parents may be the first chair in a child’s spiritual legacy, something that could shape generations that follow.

Encouragement for Foster Parents

One of the most encouraging parts of the symposium was simply being surrounded by other families walking the same journey.

Foster care can often feel isolating, but events like the Every Child Symposium are a reminder that there are many others faithfully stepping into this work.

And while foster care is rarely easy, the small, faithful acts of love shown to children today may shape stories for generations.

If this episode encouraged you, share it with another foster parent or someone considering foster care.

You can follow the Dream Small Podcast and join the conversation as we continue exploring what it looks like to live a meaningful life through small, intentional acts of love.

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

If this episode encouraged you, please share it with another foster or adoptive family.

You can also support the podcast financially here:

https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Music credit:

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons

In this episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney open up about the different kinds of goodbyes foster parents experience. Some are joyful. Some are heartbreaking. Some come without warning.

From reunification with biological parents to unexpected court decisions, to realizing a child needs a different forever home, foster care is full of emotional transitions that few people truly understand.

In this honest and vulnerable conversation, we share:

• The different types of goodbyes foster parents face

• Why loving foster children always carries risk

• How we processed one of the hardest decisions we've ever made

• What happens when a child leaves without warning

• Ways foster parents can process grief in healthy ways

If you're a foster parent, considering fostering, or simply want to better understand the reality of foster care, this episode will give you a deeper look into the emotional side of the journey.

Because sometimes loving a child well means letting them go.

The 5 Types of Foster Care Goodbyes

1. Reunification With Biological Parents

This is the best-case scenario in foster care.

When parents do the hard work and are able to safely bring their child home, it's something worth celebrating.

But even when it's a good outcome, it still hurts to say goodbye to a child you've loved.

2. When the System Sends a Child Home Too Soon

Sometimes the system makes decisions that foster parents struggle to understand.

When children return home before parents are truly ready, foster parents are often left with grief, fear, and unanswered questions.

In those moments, faith becomes a major anchor.

3. Moving to a Pre-Adoptive Home

Not every foster family is meant to be a child's forever family.

Sometimes the most loving decision is recognizing when a child needs a different home that can provide permanence.

This was the difficult situation our family recently walked through.

4. When a Placement Isn't the Right Fit

Foster parents often feel pressure to say yes to everything.

But sometimes the healthiest decision for both the family and the child is to recognize when a placement simply isn't a good fit.

This doesn't mean you failed. It means you recognized your limits.

5. The Goodbye You Never Saw Coming

One of the hardest moments in foster care is when a child leaves without warning.

Court decisions can change quickly, and sometimes foster families don't even get a chance to say goodbye.

These are the moments that often hurt the most.

Processing Foster Care Grief

Even after a child leaves, the goodbye doesn't end immediately.

The empty bed.

The missing car seat.

The quieter house.

Grieving those changes is normal and healthy.

One way Whitney processes this grief is by keeping a journal with:

1. Each foster child's name
2. The time they spent in our home
3. Bible verse for them
4. A personal prayer

We also keep photos of every child who has lived with us as a reminder of the lives we've been honored to be part of.

Encouragement for Foster Parents

If you're a foster parent who has experienced these kinds of goodbyes, remember:

Your love mattered.

Even if you weren't their forever family, you were the family they needed in that season.

And sometimes the greatest act of love in foster care is being willing to open your heart, knowing it might break.

Connect With Us

If this episode encouraged you, share it with another foster parent or someone considering foster care.

You can follow the Dream Small Podcast and join the conversation as we continue exploring what it looks like to live a meaningful life through small, intentional acts of love.

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

If this episode encouraged you, please share it with another foster or adoptive family.

You can also support the podcast financially here:

https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Music credit:

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Marriage is hard. Add kids. Add trauma. Add foster care. Add special needs. Now multiply the stress.

In this episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney talk honestly about what it takes to protect and strengthen your marriage while fostering and parenting children with trauma, disabilities, and high needs.

With divorce rates hovering around 50 percent and dramatically higher among families raising children with disabilities, this conversation matters.

We are not claiming to be perfect. But after nearly 14 years of marriage, multiple foster placements, adoptions, court cases, sleepless nights, and emotionally charged seasons, we have learned a few things that have helped us stay connected.

If you are a foster parent, adoptive parent, special needs parent, or just a tired spouse trying to stay close, this episode is for you.

What We Cover in This Episode

• Why roughly 50 percent of marriages end in divorce

• Why parenting increases divorce risk

• The staggering divorce statistics among families raising children with disabilities

• How fostering stretches your marriage in unique ways

• The number one key to staying connected: communication

• Assuming positive intent in your spouse

• How to check in emotionally during stressful seasons

• What to do when one spouse is emotionally done for the day

• Serving each other instead of keeping score

• Protecting physical intimacy after kids

• Why marrying the right person is the ultimate life cheat code

• Putting Jesus at the center of your marriage

Key Takeaways

1. Assume the best in your spouse.
2. Don’t assume they are against you. Assume positive intent.
3. Communicate daily, even briefly.
4. A simple “How are you really?” can protect your connection.
5. Say when you are done.
6. It is not weakness to admit you are emotionally empty.
7. Parent as a team.
8. Especially in foster care, you must be aligned.
9. Marriage takes sacrifice.
10. Selfishness is one of the biggest marriage killers.
11. Intimacy requires intentionality after kids.
12. It does not just happen automatically anymore.
13. Faith matters.
14. A Christ centered marriage changes everything.

Encouragement for Foster and Special Needs Families

The stress is real. The exhaustion is real. The court days are heavy. The behaviors can be overwhelming.

But your marriage can survive it. Not perfectly. Not without hard conversations. But it can grow deeper if you choose to fight for each other instead of against each other.

Connect With Us

We would love to hear what has helped strengthen your marriage.

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

If this episode encouraged you, please share it with another foster or adoptive family.

You can also support the podcast financially here:

https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Music credit:

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this deeply personal episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney share the real story behind the day their daughter’s adoption became official. Just four hours after leaving the courthouse, they sit down to reflect on the logistics, emotions, surprises, and sacred moments that marked the day she officially became theirs forever.

This episode pulls back the curtain on what adoption day actually looks like, from the sudden call announcing the date, to the courtroom experience, to the unexpected realization that in many ways, nothing changed at all because she had already been their daughter in their hearts long before it became legal.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

The Surprise and Waiting Leading Up to Adoption Day

After months of uncertainty, court dates, and waiting on the system, the adoption date finally arrived with only about ten days' notice. What had felt distant and uncertain suddenly became real overnight.

We talk about:

• Living in the uncertainty of the foster care system

• The emotional rollercoaster of waiting for permanency

• How quickly everything can suddenly change

• Preparing your heart and your home for adoption day

What Adoption Day Actually Looks Like Logistically

Many people imagine adoption day as a dramatic life-changing moment. But the reality is often far more practical and surprisingly ordinary.

We walk through:

• What happens at the courthouse

• Who attends and what roles they play

• How the judge interacts with the child and family

• Funny, unexpected moments during the hearing

• The waiting, the photos, and the practical flow of the day

The Small Faithfulness That Changes Lives Forever

Adoption day is not the beginning of love. It’s the recognition of love already lived out in ordinary, faithful, daily moments.

This episode is a reminder that God often works through small yeses, quiet obedience, and everyday faithfulness to change lives forever.

Because forever families are built one small act of faithfulness at a time.

This Episode Is For You If:

• You’re a foster parent wondering what adoption day looks like

• You’re considering foster care or adoption

• You’ve adopted and want to reflect on your own story

• You love hearing real stories of God’s faithfulness

• You want encouragement that small acts of obedience matter

Support the Dream Small Podcast

If this episode encouraged you, you can help us continue sharing stories of faith, foster care, and everyday obedience:

Support the podcast financially: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Contact and Follow Dream Small:

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music credit:

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of the Dream Small Podcast, we sit down with Renae, Executive Director of Resources of Hope, a nonprofit based in Whiteland, Indiana, that is quietly and faithfully wrapping around foster, kinship, and adoptive families with the kind of support that actually meets real needs.

Renae shares her own foster care journey, including the painful experience of stepping away from fostering after a difficult placement, and how God used that story to shape her deep empathy and leadership today. From there, we dive into the heart of Resources of Hope and the many ways they are serving families across Indiana.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

Renee’s Personal Foster Care Story

Renee opens up about her lifelong desire to foster, how she and her husband stepped into foster care in 2017, and the difficult reality that led them to step back. That painful season became the foundation for how she now leads Resources of Hope with compassion, understanding, and a deep respect for foster families.

What Resources of Hope Really Does

Resources of Hope exists to wrap around foster families for the long haul, not just in a one-time moment of crisis. Their programs are built by listening to foster parents and responding to what families actually need, not what outsiders think they need.

The Clothing Boutique (Not Just a Closet)

Their largest program is the clothing boutique, which serves an average of 82 children per month. Children receive up to two weeks worth of clothing, including pajamas, socks, shoes, underwear, diapers, hygiene items, bedding, and more.

Families can return as children grow or change sizes, because foster care is not static. This ongoing access is a lifeline for families navigating constant change.

Teen Connect

A Friday night program for youth ages 12 to 17 in foster, kinship, or adoptive care. Teens share meals, talk through highs and lows, and participate in practical life-skill activities like car care, self-defense, and basic home skills. It is not therapy, but it is meaningful connection and support.

Birthday Blessings

Every child deserves to be celebrated. Resources of Hope provides a full birthday experience in a bag, including new toys, books, clothing or pajamas, party supplies, and a birthday dinner. These bags are intentionally customized and affirm each child’s identity and dignity.

Foster Parent Training and Support Groups

Resources of Hope offers DCS-approved trainings and monthly support groups that count toward required foster parent hours. One huge differentiator is that they provide childcare, removing one of the biggest barriers foster parents face when trying to attend training.

Recharge Events

These events offer foster parents a few hours of childcare so they can rest, reconnect, or simply breathe. Resources of Hope partners with churches and youth groups to make these nights possible.

Butterfly Blessings

Recognizing the lack of support in many rural areas, Resources of Hope launched Butterfly Blessings to bring clothing and resources directly to families up to an hour and a half away. Partnering with churches, they set up pop-up boutiques so families can shop locally and with dignity.

Holiday and Community Events

From the annual picnic to Hope for the Holidays, these gatherings go far beyond a simple event. Families share meals, shop for every child in their home, receive holiday food, and experience community with others who understand foster care life.

Teen Shopping Spree

Each May during Foster Care Awareness Month, teens new to care receive a $200 shopping spree focused on essentials first. Sponsors make this possible by directly funding individual teens.

All In for Foster Youth: Casino Night Fundraiser

Resources of Hope’s largest annual fundraiser is the All In for Foster Youth Casino Night, held each March. This event is not only a fun night out, it is a critical source of funding that supports nearly 25 percent of the organization’s annual budget.

Casino Night is designed for adults to gather, enjoy great food, play casino-style games, and rally around foster youth in a meaningful way.

What to Expect

1. Dinner catered by a local Greenwood caterer
2. Casino-style games including poker, blackjack, craps, and more (no experience required)
3. Professional dealers who teach you how to play
4. Silent auction with high-quality items and experiences
5. Prize drawings at the end of the night
6. Powerful stories about the impact Resources of Hope is making

How You Can Participate (https://www.resourcesofhope.org/casinonight)

1. Purchase an individual ticket or a full table
2. Sponsor the event or a specific program
3. Donate an item or experience for the silent auction
4. Attend, invite friends, and help spread the word

Even if you are not local to Central Indiana, you can still support Casino Night through sponsorships, auction donations, or direct giving.

Why This Episode Matters

This conversation highlights what meaningful foster care support looks like when it is done with humility, listening, and long-term commitment. Resources of Hope is a powerful example of how small, faithful acts can create real stability for families walking a hard road.

Whether you are a foster parent, church leader, volunteer, or someone wondering how to help, this episode offers a clear picture of how community can step in and make a difference.

How You Can Help

• Volunteer your time

• Donate clothing and supplies (quality matters)

• Sponsor a teen shopping spree

• Partner as a church or organization

• Spread the word about Resources of Hope

Connect with Resources of Hope

Renae’s email: R.Furnee@resourcesofhope.org

Website: www.resourcesofhope.org

Casino Night: https://www.resourcesofhope.org/casinonight

facebook.com/resourcesofhope

instagram.com/resourcesofhope

Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/17077V7EW8QXW/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

Connect With Us

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Love the show and want to help us keep it going?

Support the podcast here: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Music credit:

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

If you’ve ever wondered:

1. Do foster parents get paid?
2. How much money do foster parents receive?
3. Is foster care financially sustainable?

This episode gives honest, firsthand answers based on real-life experience.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Foster Care Per Diem Rates in Indiana

Foster parents receive a daily per diem intended to offset basic living expenses. Rates vary by age and level of need determined by a CANS score.

Approximate daily rates:

- Level 1: $27 - $35

- Level 2: $36 - $43

- Level 3: $48 - $55

- Level 4: $72 - $79

These funds cover essentials like food, clothing, and hygiene items, not income.

2. Initial Clothing Allowance

Indiana provides a one-time $200 clothing voucher when a child is placed, helping cover immediate needs like clothing, shoes, and baby supplies. No sales tax applies.

3. Annual and Special Allowances

1. $300 annual personal allowance per child
2. $50 birthday allowance
3. $50 Christmas allowance

(Some agencies may supplement these amounts.)

4. Medicaid and WIC

All foster children receive Medicaid coverage. Children under five may also receive WIC benefits to help cover formula and basic nutrition.

5. Adoption Through Foster Care

Adoptive families may continue to receive:

1. Ongoing per diem support
2. Medicaid coverage
3. Partial adoption legal fee coverage
4. A federal adoption tax credit

6. Kinship Care vs Licensed Foster Care

Kinship caregivers often receive fewer benefits unless licensed. Licensing unlocks additional financial supports.

7. The Big Takeaway

Foster care payments are reimbursements, not income. Families who do foster care well almost never break even.

Who This Episode Is For:

1. Prospective foster parents
2. New foster families
3. Kinship caregivers
4. Anyone curious about foster care finances

If this episode was helpful, please consider sharing it with someone who has questions about foster care or who may be considering becoming a foster parent.

You can support the Dream Small Podcast by following, rating, and reviewing the show on your favorite podcast platform.

To financially support the podcast, visit: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Contact:

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music Credit:

“Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode, Jason and Whitney invite you into one very long, very real week in their home. From fevers and stomach bugs to basketball games that start early, overlapping school schedules, missed Bible studies, and late night cleanup, they walk listeners through the day by day reality of life in a large foster and adoptive family.

But this episode is not just about the hard stuff.

It is also a heartfelt reflection on the beauty and necessity of community. Jason and Whitney share powerful examples of people who stepped in during this exhausting week and made a tangible difference. A former teacher pouring into their son’s creativity, church members offering transportation and childcare, and friends quietly showing up in faithful, practical ways.

This episode is raw, honest, and deeply encouraging. It offers a realistic glimpse into foster care life while reminding listeners that no family is meant to do this alone. Whether you are a foster parent, adoptive parent, part of a church community, or someone wondering how you can support vulnerable children and families, this conversation will help you see that small acts of faithfulness truly matter.

In this episode, you will hear:

1. What a typical overwhelming week can look like in a foster and adoptive home
2. How sickness and packed schedules multiply stress for large families
3. Why authenticity matters when sharing foster care stories
4. Real examples of community stepping in and serving in meaningful ways
5. How people can answer the biblical call to support vulnerable children without fostering themselves
6. Encouragement for parents who feel exhausted, unseen, or stretched thin

This episode is a reminder that dreaming small looks like showing up, lending a hand, and being faithful in the everyday moments.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the podcast, leaving a rating, and writing a review. These small actions help the podcast reach other families who may be looking for encouragement and hope.

If you would like to support the Dream Small Podcast financially, you can do so here:

https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

We would love to connect with you.

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music credit:

“Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this powerful episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney sit down with Deidra, a mom of 12 children (a mix of biological, adopted and foster) and a leader in a thriving foster care and adoption ministry. Deidra shares her family’s incredible story and sheds some light on how a grassroots church effort grew into a fully supported, staff-led ministry that has changed the lives of countless families.

From care communities and support groups to closets, meal trains, and trauma-informed training, this conversation offers a clear, hopeful blueprint for churches wondering how to step into foster care ministry, and for foster families longing to know they’re not alone.

Whether you’re a foster parent, church leader, volunteer, or someone simply asking, “What can I do?” - this episode will challenge and encourage you to dream small, love intentionally, and show up faithfully.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

1. How Deirdre’s family grew from 8 kids to 12 through foster care and adoption
2. Why foster care is impossible to sustain without community
3. How a foster care ministry can start small and grow over time
4. What “care communities” are - and why they matter
5. Practical ways churches can support foster families beyond good intentions
6. Why many foster families quit after the first placement, and how the church can change that
7. Encouragement for churches and individuals who feel overwhelmed but willing

Key Takeaway:

You don’t have to do everything but you do have to do something. Foster care ministry works best when the church commits to walking alongside families for the long haul.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it, following the show, and leaving a rating or review, it truly helps more people find the podcast and encourages us to keep going.

Want to support the Dream Small Podcast financially?

👉 https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Connect with us:

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

X / Twitter: @DreamSmallShow

Music Credit:

“Paradise Found” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

From needing court approval to take a foster child out of state, to regulations around haircuts, ear piercings, medical appointments, and even sleepovers, this conversation is equal parts informative, humorous, and eye-opening. If you’ve ever considered fostering, support foster families, or are already licensed and nodding along thinking, “Yep… that happened to us too,” this episode is for you.

The Smalls also explore why these rules exist, how much they vary by state and county, and how experience, relationships, and caseworker discretion often shape what actually plays out in real life. Along the way, they share real stories, from a surprise ear-piercing during a visit to the logistical headache of documenting every single dose of Tylenol.

In this episode, we cover:

1. Why you often need court approval to cross state lines with a foster child
2. The surprising rules around haircuts, hairstyles, and ear piercings
3. Medical appointment restrictions you might not expect
4. Medication rules (yes... even over-the-counter meds)
5. Why foster care regulations vary so widely by state, county, and caseworker
6. How trust and experience can impact flexibility
7. The emotional toll of navigating constant regulations while parenting kids from hard places

Whether you’re a current foster parent, considering fostering, or simply want to better understand the foster care system, this episode offers honesty, perspective, and plenty of “wait… WHAT?” moments.

Contact Us:

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Support the Podcast:

If you’d like to help us continue sharing stories that encourage faithfulness in the small things, you can support the show here: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

🎶 Music Credit:

“Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney dive into a powerful parenting truth that came straight from one of their own kids: fair doesn’t always mean equal. Inspired by an insightful conversation with their son Benny, they unpack why different children, especially those impacted by trauma, autism, ADHD, or other forms of neurodiversity, often need different responses, expectations, and support.

Through personal stories, humor, and hard-earned experience, Jason and Whitney explore:

1. Why parenting every child the same can actually cause harm
2. How trauma changes the way kids experience authority, correction, and safety
3. The difference between fear-based parenting and trauma-informed parenting
4. Why connection must come before correction
5. How shame shows up in kids with impulse control challenges
6. Why “different” doesn’t mean favoritism - it means love

They also share practical, real-life examples - from chores and video games to food insecurity and emotional regulation - that help explain how trauma-informed strategies don’t just help kids with big needs… they often benefit everyone in the family.

This episode is especially helpful for:

1. Foster and adoptive parents
2. Parents of kids with autism, ADHD, or trauma histories
3. Parents feeling guilty for parenting kids differently
4. Anyone who wants to lead their family with more grace, understanding, and wisdom

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re doing it “wrong” because your parenting doesn’t look equal across the board, this episode is for you.

Contact us: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us:

1. Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast
2. Facebook: Dream Small Podcast
3. Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Support the podcast:

https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Music:

“Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this special Christmas episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney sit down with their three oldest children - Lia, Laney, and Benny - for an unfiltered, unscripted conversation about Jesus, family, foster care, and the meaning of Christmas. With honesty, humor, and wisdom well beyond their years, the kids remind us that Christmas isn’t about perfect traditions or perfectly wrapped gifts - it’s about presence, people, and the Prince of Peace.

From Lia’s simple yet profound declaration that “Jesus is the best present,” to Laney’s thoughtful reflections on authority, humility, and why Jesus came as a baby, this episode invites listeners to slow down and see Christmas through the eyes of children. Along the way, the Smalls reflect on what makes Christmas unique in a foster family - where welcoming others, embracing differences, and creating belonging are part of everyday life.

Whether you’re a foster parent, adoptive family, ministry leader, or simply someone longing for a quieter, more meaningful Christmas, this episode will encourage you to pause, listen, and dream small this season.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What kids think Christmas is really about (and why it’s not just presents)

• Why Jesus being born as a baby matters

• How foster care shapes the way kids experience Christmas

• The beauty of family, difference, and belonging

• Slowing down in a season that feels overwhelmingly busy

• Why small voices often carry the biggest truths

Pull up a chair, lean into the stillness, and let these kids point you back to the heart of Christmas.

Connect With Dream Small

If this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or reminded you of the true meaning of Christmas, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

📸 Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

📘 Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

🐦 Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

💛 Support the Podcast:

If you believe in the mission of Dream Small and want to help us continue sharing stories of faith, foster care, and faithfulness in the everyday, you can financially support the podcast here:

👉 https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

🎶 Music Credit:

“Paradise Found” — Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

From navigating biopsies and PET scans to wrestling with the “unknowns,” Whitney shares openly about being a mom of seven in the middle of a cancer diagnosis—and how God met her in the middle of it. This episode is raw, real, emotional, and full of hope.

Whether you’re walking through cancer, supporting someone who is, or simply need encouragement for your own difficult season, this episode will remind you that God is present even in the waiting—and that small steps of faith matter, even on the hardest days.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• How Whitney first discovered something was wrong

• The moment she learned it was cancer

• How Jason and the kids processed the news

• What the waiting—between scans, biopsies, and results—feels like

• How fear, faith, and family collided

• What helped Whitney emotionally and spiritually

• What she wishes others understood about supporting someone with cancer

• The unexpected gifts that suffering brought

If this episode encouraged you, please consider supporting the show:

https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Connect with us:

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music:

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

You’ll hear Whitney share:

• How her early career with DCS led her toward foster care

• What it felt like to receive her first foster placement within hours of being licensed

• How fostering has shaped her faith and taught her the art of surrender

• The lessons she’s learned raising seven kids, including two with special needs

• Why she sometimes wishes she could “clone herself into four people”

• The funniest, wildest kid moments that happen in a house full of little personalities

• Honest reflections on parenting through chaos, exhaustion, and pure joy

Listeners will also get to meet Bennett and Laney - two of the Smalls’ oldest kids - who bring humor, curiosity, and sweet sincerity as they ask everything from, “What’s your funniest foster care memory?” to “Which Disney character would make the best foster parent?”

This episode is perfect for foster parents, adoptive parents, big families, anyone considering foster care, or listeners who love authentic parenting stories filled with faith, humor, and honest emotion.

Connect With Us

We’d love to hear from you, pray for you, or cheer you on in your own foster or adoptive journey!

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Support the Podcast: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Music Credit

“Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This episode dives into:

• The joyful chaos of parenting seven kids
• Why gratitude matters — even in seasons that feel overwhelming
• Their daughter’s hilarious 6th-grade teacher and the viral “because he’s fat” family joke
• The emotional, courageous decision that allowed their 2-year-old foster daughter to officially become adoptable
• The story of saying an unexpected “yes” that changed their family forever
• The unique privilege of being a dad (and mom) to kids who didn’t share their DNA
• How foster care has strengthened their marriage, stretched their faith, and shaped their children into more compassionate humans
• Remembering that gratitude doesn’t ignore hardships — it reframes them
• The beauty of being chosen to love children for a season or for a lifetime
• Learning to see God’s faithfulness in everyday “small” moments

If you are a foster parent, adoptive parent, or someone considering taking that step, this episode will encourage your heart, make you laugh, and may even bring a few tears (Jason included!).

Scripture of the Episode:

“Be thankful in all circumstances.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

Perfect for listeners searching:

foster care stories • adoption encouragement • Christian parenting • family joy • trauma-informed parenting • Thanksgiving gratitude • foster parent podcast • adoptive family podcast

🔗 Connect With Us

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

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Support the show: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Music: “Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

From unexpected triggers (yes, even turkey and side dishes), to family dynamics, to overstimulation, to kids suddenly melting down in the middle of the “perfect” holiday moment — this episode is packed with real stories, practical strategies, and a whole lot of grace.

Whether you’re a new foster parent, a seasoned adoptive parent, or just someone trying to love kids well during the holidays, this conversation will encourage you, equip you, and remind you: you’re not alone, and you’re doing holy work.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Why holidays can trigger big emotions in foster and adoptive kids
• How smells, sounds, family traditions, and even snow can bring up unexpected memories
• Real-life stories from our home (including plate-throwing, pajama-dress snow adventures, and our hatred for the elf)
• How to honor your kids’ past traditions while building healthy new ones
• Prepping foster kids — and prepping extended family — for holiday gatherings
• Balancing grace and boundaries
• Practical ways to build in quiet moments when the overstimulation hits
• Gift ideas, coordinating with bio parents, and navigating DCS resources
• Why flexibility over tradition is the motto for surviving the holidays
• How the hope of Jesus reframes the entire season for our families

Practical Tips You’ll Walk Away With:

• How to reduce sensory overload
• Scripts and ideas for preparing kids ahead of time
• Ways to talk to extended family before a holiday gathering
• Trauma-informed gift-giving ideas
• How to create space, margin, and “trauma room” during busy days
• What boundaries matter most — and which traditions can bend
• How to keep Christ at the center of the holiday mess

Connect With Us - We’d love to support you on your foster care or adoption journey!

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

• Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

• Support the show: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

• Music Credit: "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

From early-morning reflections after a rare night away to wrestling with questions of long-term placement, Jason and Whitney explore how God’s call to faithfulness often requires showing up again and again and again. They discuss what it looks like to love a child through trauma, to seek discernment in hard decisions, and to remember that “God’s mercies are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23).

Whether you’re a foster parent, adoptive parent, or simply walking through a tough season where consistency feels costly, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone — and that God is always faithful.

Key Topics Covered:

• The unseen cost of faithfulness in foster care
• Wrestling with the question: “Are we what’s best for this child?”
• Recognizing Satan’s shortcuts vs. God’s steadfast calling
• Avoiding false idols of “what could have been”
• Finding hope in Galatians 5:22–23 and Lamentations 3:22–23
• Why faithfulness isn’t glamorous — but it’s holy

Memorable Quotes:

“Faithfulness isn’t about perfect results. It’s about showing up again and again and again.”

“The enemy loves to offer shortcuts — but they’re always counterfeit versions of God’s best.”

“Every morning, His mercies are new. That’s how we keep going.”

Scriptures Mentioned:

Galatians 5:22–23, Lamentations 3:22–23

If you’re in a hard season:

Pause. Pray. Remember how God has shown up before — and trust that He’ll do it again.

💖 Support the show: dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Connect with Us:

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music credit: “Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

ROTTEN (Faithfulness Pt 8)

Nov 2, 2025

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Mount Pleasant Christian Church

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Make an IMPACT

The Bible teaches us that tithing is an act of obedience and that we should trust God with every aspect of our lives, which also includes our finances. Sacrificing a portion of our income helps us look beyond ourselves and makes us more aware of the needs of others. We offer many ways for you to make an IMPACT and give back. Take a look at some of the options below:

https://mpcc.info/give

Why is it so hard to stay consistent… even when we really want to?

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬‬

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Faithfulness

Semper Fi

Semper Fidelis

“Always Faithful”

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭23‬‬

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭14‬-‭15‬‬

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭16‬-‭18‬‬

“The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭19‬-‭21‬‬

“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together! ’

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭22‬-‭23‬‬

“The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’ “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

God isn’t impressed by the size of your return; He’s moved by the sincerity of your effort.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭24‬-‭25‬‬

“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭26‬-‭27‬‬

“But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’

The servant didn’t fail because he tried and lost… he failed because he never tried at all.

Faithfulness isn’t about being perfect; it’s about doing something with what God gave you.

1. Start Small. Stay Steady.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭16‬:‭10‬‬

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

2. Be the Same Person in the Dark as You Are in the Light.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭15‬‬

He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are; your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

- Coach John Wooden

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬‬

Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

3. Keep Showing Up When It Would Be Easier to Quit.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭58‬‬

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

“They were my kids. You don’t quit on your kids.”

“Faithfulness is a long obedience in the same direction.”

Where have you stopped showing up?

Action Steps for this Week:

Faithfulness isn’t something you feel… it’s something you practice. Here are three ways to put Spirit-driven faithfulness into motion this week:

Action Steps:

1. Stay Close to the Source. Before you scroll, rush, or react… PAUSE.

Take two minutes. Breathe. Let the noise settle. Ask the Spirit to center you, to fill what’s empty, to grow what you can’t fix.

Remember, faithfulness doesn’t start in motion, it starts in stillness.

2. Show Up When It’s Easier to Quit.

There’s always a reason to stop… too tired, too busy, too disappointed. But faithfulness is built when you show up anyway.

Maybe that means praying again, serving again, forgiving again, or giving again… not because it’s easy, but because it matters.

The enemy loves a quitter. The Spirit builds finishers.

3. Finish What God Started.Maybe there’s something you’ve buried… a habit, a calling, a relationship, a step of obedience. Ask God to give you the courage to pick it back up and trust Him with the outcome.

The same Spirit who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.

If you are looking for a church home, we would love for you to join us at Mount Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood, Indiana. To learn more, check out: www.mpcc.info.

Support the Dream Small Podcast:

https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Connect with us:

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

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🎵 Music: “Paradise Found” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons BY 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

They walk listeners through what mediation actually looks like, who’s in the room, and the heavy reality of sitting across from a biological mom who deeply loves her child while navigating the legal process that could end her parental rights.

Through honesty, faith, and even a little humor, Jason and Whitney wrestle with questions like:

• What does love look like when it’s this complicated?

• How do you balance heartbreak and hope?

• Where is God in the middle of broken systems and human stories?

You’ll hear raw emotion, practical insight, and a reminder that love and loss often coexist in foster care — and that God’s redemption is quietly at work in every heart involved.

If you’re a foster parent, adoptive parent, or someone who wants to understand the deep faith it takes to say yes to a child in need, this episode will move and encourage you.

Scriptures referenced: themes from 1 Corinthians 13 (love that endures) and Proverbs 3:5-6 (trusting God’s plan) and Galatians 6:9.

👉 Listen now and share this episode with anyone walking through foster care or adoption.

Support the Dream Small Podcast:

https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Connect with us:

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

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🎵 Music: “Paradise Found” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons BY 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

From mysterious “toilet paper genies” to Amazon angels who send kickballs, the Smalls share real stories of how their village has shown up in unexpected ways—and why isolation can be one of the hardest battles foster families face.

Whitney also gives a sneak peek into her upcoming article in Foster Families Today, titled “Community in the Chaos: Why Foster Families Should Not Do This Alone.” Together, the two unpack the deeper truth that God designed us for connection, not self-sufficiency.

Whether you’re a foster parent, a friend of one, or simply someone looking to love your neighbor better, this episode will make you laugh, nod, and maybe even rethink what community really means.

In this episode:

• Why isolation is one of the biggest challenges foster families face

• The myth of “you signed up for this” and why it’s a lie

• How to ask for (and receive) help without guilt

• Real-life stories of people showing up in simple, powerful ways

• A reminder that saying “yes” again and again requires others walking with you

💛 Support the Dream Small Podcast

If this episode encouraged or inspired you, would you consider supporting the show?

Your gift—big or small—helps us share stories of faithfulness, foster care, and everyday hope with even more people.

🎧 Click here to support the podcast

Thank you for being part of this community that believes small acts of obedience can make a big impact.

Connect with us:

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

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Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music credit: “Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

What You’ll Hear About in This Episode:

• How parenting reveals God’s grace and deepens faith
• What it’s really like to raise a big family — the chaos, the laughter, and the love
• The story behind their family’s call to foster and adopt
• Moments when God showed up in powerful, miraculous ways
• How to keep trusting God when life doesn’t go as planned
• Lessons learned from each of the kids — and how children can shape a parent’s faith
• Why saying “yes” to hard things can bring the deepest fulfillment

Key Takeaways:

• Faith in Action: Parenting and fostering are daily opportunities to live out Romans 12 — being a living sacrifice and trusting God in every challenge.
• Grace on Repeat: Just as God shows us grace, parents must extend it constantly, even when life is messy.
• Purpose in Chaos: A big, busy family may be chaotic, but it’s also a picture of love, laughter, and sanctification.
• Obedience Over Comfort: There’s never a perfect time to foster, adopt, or say “yes” to God’s call — but obedience leads to eternal impact.
• Dream Small: God can use the small, faithful steps of everyday obedience to do extraordinary things.

Memorable Moments:

• Laney’s thoughtful questions that reveal a young heart full of wisdom and compassion.
• Stories of miracles — from health scares to unexpected blessings.
• Heart-to-heart reflections on trusting God during miscarriage, cancer, and uncertainty.
• Laughter over dad jokes, family chaos, and the beauty of imperfection.

Scripture Highlights:

• Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”
• James 1:27 – “Pure and genuine religion means caring for orphans and widows in their distress.”
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you…”
• Romans 12:1 – Living as a sacrifice that honors God.
• Ephesians 3:20 – “He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.”

Call to Action

If this conversation encouraged you, please subscribe, rate, and share the Dream Small Podcast! You can also connect with us on social media or visit our website to learn more about fostering, faith, and family.

Support the Dream Small Podcast:

If this episode encouraged you, consider supporting our mission to inspire others to live faithfully in the small things. Your generosity helps us keep sharing stories that matter.

👉 Support the podcast here.

Connect with Us:

📧 dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

📸 Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

📘 Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

🐦 Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music: “Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Jason and Whitney listen as Bre reflects on the foster parents who shaped her, the struggles that challenged her faith, and what she wishes every foster parent understood about the teens in their care. This honest and hope-filled conversation will move anyone who has ever wondered how to love kids from hard places well.

Whether you’re a foster or adoptive parent, teacher, social worker, or simply someone who cares about vulnerable youth, Bre’s story will leave you inspired to show up—because sometimes one caring adult can change everything.

Key Topics & Takeaways:

• The faith confusion that comes from moving between drastically different foster homes

• Overcoming stereotypes and isolation as a teen in foster care

• The life-changing influence of one consistent, caring adult

• What Bre wishes every foster parent knew

• Why genuine faith is shown in action, not just words

Support the Dream Small Podcast:

If this episode encouraged you, consider supporting our mission to inspire others to live faithfully in the small things. Your generosity helps us keep sharing stories that matter.

👉 Support the podcast HERE.

Connect with Us:

📧 dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

📸 Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

📘 Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

🐦 Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music: “Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Bre is the second oldest of eleven siblings and entered foster care as a teenager after years of instability and hardship. In this conversation, she opens up about:

• What it was like to be separated from her siblings and move through multiple foster homes.
• The painful realities of neglect, false assumptions, and lack of support that many foster teens face.
• How she learned resilience through broken systems, financial struggles, and the weight of raising her younger siblings.
• The turning points that helped her reject destructive cycles and choose a different future.
• The role of faith, perseverance, and intentional choices in becoming the mom and wife she always longed to have herself.

Bre’s honesty gives foster parents, adoptive parents, and anyone walking alongside vulnerable kids a rare glimpse into the lived reality of the foster care system. Her perspective is raw, emotional, and filled with hope.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• What does foster care feel like through the eyes of a child?
• How can foster parents better support teens in care?
• Is it possible to break free from generational trauma?

…this conversation will inspire, challenge, and encourage you.

✨ Share this episode with foster parents, adoptive families, social workers, or anyone who cares about kids from hard places. Bre’s story is a testimony of redemption and the impact of choosing faithfulness in the small things.

Connect with us:

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com
• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast
• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast
• Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music Credit: "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Years earlier, this little girl had entered their home as a scared toddler, quickly bonding with their family. But in a painful and unexpected turn, the foster care system sent her back home before it was safe, leaving their family grieving a sudden loss with no closure. For three years, Jason and Whitney prayed for her, never knowing if they would see her again.

Then, in the middle of the hardest season of their lives — Whitney’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, Jason’s dad quickly deteriorating from dementia, and the everyday chaos of raising five (at the time) kids — the phone rang late on a Friday night. It was DCS, and the little girl they had never stopped loving needed a home again.

In this powerful episode, Jason and Whitney share:

• The heartbreak of sudden reunification and how the foster care system sometimes fails children
• The reality of foster parenting in seasons of personal crisis
• How they wrestled with God’s timing when the call came during cancer treatment and grief
• The emotional homecoming — what it was like to see their “forever yes” walk back through the door three years later
• Why saying yes to foster care and adoption rarely makes sense logically, but always reflects God’s love
• How community support — friends, church, and even strangers — carried them through this season

This conversation is raw, honest, and full of hope. It’s a story of foster care, faith, obedience, and the power of saying yes even when life feels impossible. Whether you’re a foster parent, adoptive parent, or simply someone seeking encouragement in following God’s call, this episode will remind you that love is an action — and sometimes the smallest yes can change a child’s life forever.

We’d love to hear from you! Has God ever asked you to step into something hard when the timing made no sense? Message us and share your story — your obedience might encourage someone else to keep going.

Connect with us:

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

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Music credit: "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under CC BY 4.0

After wrestling with the decision for months and wondering if they were “too old for babies,” Jason and Whitney prayed for clarity. God answered in unmistakable ways: from baby clothes showing up at just the right time, to neighbors offering cribs and car seats, to surprise meals, strollers, and even toilet paper left in their garage “from a friend of Jesus.”

You’ll hear:

• How Galatians 6:2 and Proverbs 3:5–6 came alive in real time as their community carried their burdens.
• The funny and heartwarming stories of unexpected blessings — big and small — that confirmed God’s calling.
• Why saying “yes” to foster care isn’t just about one family, but about the body of Christ stepping in together.
• Practical encouragement for anyone wondering how to support foster families (hint: it doesn’t always take much to make a huge impact).

This episode is a reminder that in the middle of heavy weeks and hard seasons, God still shows up — often through the everyday faithfulness of His people.

If you’ve ever questioned whether small acts of kindness matter, this story will encourage you to keep your eyes open for how God is moving in your own life.

Let’s Connect

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

• Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music Credit: "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Clara was only in second grade when her parents became foster parents, and over the years their home welcomed more than 50 children. As the oldest sibling, Clara experienced the ups and downs of foster care in ways that shaped her faith, her resilience, and even her career path. From the surprise of meeting her very first foster sisters to the chaos of courtroom visits, she opens up about the challenges of being a foster sibling, the seasons of bitterness she faced as a teenager, and how her parents found ways to make sure their biological children still felt seen and loved.

Jason and Whitney also reflect on how Clara became part of their own story, stepping into the role of nanny at a pivotal time for their family. Her experience with trauma, medical needs, and everyday parenting made her more than a caregiver — she became family.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• Clara’s first memories of foster care and what it was like to welcome new siblings overnight
• The struggles biological children may feel when their parents foster, including resentment and loneliness
• How her parents wisely used respite care and intentional one-on-one time to support their bio kids
• Why building community for foster siblings is just as important as support for foster or adopted kids
• The unexpected ways foster care prepared Clara for future jobs, responsibilities, and leadership
• How God used her childhood experiences to give her grit, compassion, and wisdom beyond her years

Clara’s story is both heartfelt and practical, offering encouragement and guidance for foster parents, biological kids in foster families, and anyone curious about the impact of foster care on the whole household.

Connect with us:

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com
• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast
• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast
• Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music Credit: "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Il2zP02awZc8RIBXdjW0

A Foster Home is a busy place - where multiple visitors come into your home. This episode will give you a glimpse of some of the visitors. You’ll hear:

• What a DCS Family Case Manager (FCM) does and why they’re central to every case

• The difference between GALs (Guardians ad Litem) and CASAs and how they advocate for kids

• The juggling act of multiple providers in one home—and how faith sustains families through the overwhelm

• Encouragement for foster parents (and those considering fostering) to show grace to caseworkers

👉 Whether you’re a foster parent, considering the journey, or simply curious about how the system works, this episode offers both practical insight and heartfelt encouragement.

Sponsor:

This episode is brought to you by our friend Ray Podesta with Stone & Gable Realty. If you’re buying or selling a home in Central Indiana, contact Ray at 317-538-3226 or ray@stoneangable.com.

Connect with us:

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

• Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music credit: "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Michelle and her husband fostered for 13 years, ultimately adopting five children. Her foster journey began with a surprise call late one night about twins—and what followed was a whirlwind of faith, heartbreak, disruption, and God’s provision.

Michelle opens up about:

• How infertility led them to private adoption and then foster care

• The unexpected late-night phone call that launched their fostering journey

• The challenges and heartache of disruption—and how God used it for a greater plan

• The importance of community and church support when saying “yes” to kids in need

• How God shifted their hearts from “growing a family” to “serving children and families”

Her story is a reminder that the path of fostering isn’t easy—but God is faithful, even in the hardest yes.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor:

A huge thank you to Ray Podesta, realtor with Stone Gable Realty. If you’re in Central Indiana and looking to buy or sell a home, reach out to Ray at 317-538-3226 or email him at Ray@stoneangable.com.

Connect with Us:

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

• Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music Credit: "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

From choosing the right school and advocating for trauma-informed teachers to preparing children with routines, comfort items, and role-playing, this conversation is packed with encouragement and real-life strategies. Whether you’re new to fostering or a seasoned resource parent, you’ll find wisdom and hope to help your child feel safe, supported, and ready to thrive in the classroom.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to evaluate school options for foster children
• Why trauma-informed teachers and staff make all the difference·        
• The importance of routines and preparation for school success
• Advocating for IEPs, 504s, and support services
• Helping kids feel safe, secure, and understood in new environments
• The vital role of community and your “village” in back-to-school transitions

Whether your child is starting kindergarten, entering middle school, or switching districts, this episode will remind you that you are not alone—and that your faithfulness in the small things truly matters.

🙌 Special Thanks to Our Sponsor:

A huge thank you to Ray Podesta, realtor with Stone Gable Realty. If you’re in Central Indiana and looking to buy or sell a home, reach out to Ray at 317-538-3226 or email him at Ray@stoneangable.com.

📬 Connect with Us:

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music credit:

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under

Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

From green heron drama in the front yard to miraculous provisions of strollers, bedrooms, and cribs, each story showcases how God often meets needs before we even know we have them. You’ll hear:

• The saga of Chuck and Duck, the neighborhood green herons who stole Whitney’s heart.

• How God provided the exact stroller they needed—down to the dollar.

• The offer to build a bedroom they initially declined… only to need it months later.

• A perfectly timed crib donation that made an urgent foster placement possible.

• Stories of children who came “just for the weekend” or “for six weeks” and became forever family.

• Why listening to God’s prompting—even when it doesn’t make sense—can lead to life-changing moments.

Whether you’re a foster parent, considering fostering, or simply in need of encouragement, this episode will remind you that God’s timing is always perfect and His provision is never late.

📌 Connect with Us:

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

• Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

💼 Sponsor – Ray Podesta, Realtor (Central Indiana)
Looking to buy or sell a home in Central Indiana? Contact Ray Podesta at Stone & Gable Realty for expert real estate guidance and personal service.
📞 Call/Text: 317-538-3226📧 Email: ray@stoneandgable.com🌐 Website: StoneAndGable.com

🎵 Music Credit:"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | ⁠http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/⁠

You’ll hear:

• What emotional rollercoaster to expect when saying "yes" to a new placement
• Why it’s okay to feel overwhelmed — and how to stay grounded
• Questions to ask during “the call” (and why it’s okay to say no)
• Trauma-informed ways to welcome a child into your home
• Tips for preparing your space, your bio kids, and your support network
• Stories from the Smalls’ personal journey — including Grammy’s “placement magic” and car seat chaos

📖 Verse shared: Isaiah 41:10

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you…”

Resource mentioned: Raising Kids with Big Baffling Behaviors by Robyn Gobbel

Whether you're actively fostering, just exploring it, or supporting someone who is — this episode is packed with practical wisdom, grace, and a few laughs too.

Connect with us:

📧 Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

📷 Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

📘 Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

🐦 X/Twitter: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music credit:

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

You’ll hear:

• Why having “just four kids” felt like a vacation

• The emotional and spiritual cost of fostering

• Why rest is not only okay—it’s biblical

• How respite care prevents burnout and supports long-term placement stability

• Practical ways non-foster parents can make a huge difference by becoming respite providers

We also unpack stats on burnout, share some honest struggles, and reflect on how foster care is ministry—and ministry needs rhythm, including rest.

📖 Scriptures mentioned:

• Mark 6:31 – “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

• Isaiah 1:17 – “Defend the cause of the fatherless…”

• Romans 12:13, Genesis 2:2–3, Matthew 11:28–30, Luke 5:15–16, Ephesians 1:5, John 15:13

If you’re a foster parent feeling tired or guilty about needing a break—this episode is for you. And if you're not a foster parent, we’ll show you exactly how you can step in and be the support that keeps a family going.

👉 Share this episode with a foster parent or someone who wants to help.

📩 Contact Us:
Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast
Facebook: Dream Small Podcast
Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music credit:
“Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

From unforgettable smiles to unexpected friendships, this episode is a celebration of how God shows up in the small things. You’ll hear:

• The moment a gummy baby smile turned exhaustion into joy
• The emotional rollercoaster of adoption day
• How a Walmart parking lot became a sacred place of encouragement
• Why being called “super Christians” left them both laughing—and reflecting
• The powerful ministry of foster care and how it’s changed their community

Whether you're a fellow foster parent, considering getting involved, or just curious about the day-to-day joys and chaos of a big family with a big mission—this episode will encourage you, make you laugh, and remind you that God works powerfully through obedience in the everyday.

🙏 Psalm 127:3-5 reminds us:

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him…”

📣 Get Involved

If this episode encouraged you, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing with a friend. It helps others find the show and spreads the mission of dreaming small to make a big difference.

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com
• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast
• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast
• X/Twitter: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music Credit:

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

📬 Connect With Us:

We’re talking about real-life phrases we’ve heard like:

• “Are you going to keep them?”
• “Which ones are yours?”
• “What happened to their real parents?”
• “You’re such a saint!”
• “I could never do that.”
• “You look tired.”
• “Everything happens for a reason.”
• “At least....”

But this episode isn’t just about the hard stuff — we’re keeping it funny and honest too. You’ll hear about:

• Whitney’s traumatic bathtub corn dog incident during a hair-washing session (yes, it’s as wild as it sounds)
• Our mini bernedoodle’s attempt to save the day
• The beauty and chaos of a full house
• And the sweetest moment when our little one says, “Mommy, tonight was really fun…”

We’re not here to shame anyone — we know most people mean well. But we hope this conversation helps others better understand how to support, speak to, and love on foster and adoptive families.

Whether you’re a foster parent, someone who loves one, or just want to be more thoughtful with your words — this episode is for you.

Let’s Connect:

📧 Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com📸 Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast📘 Facebook: Dream Small Podcast🐦 Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music Credit:

“Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Whether you're just starting out in foster care or years into the journey, this episode will challenge and encourage you to take one more step toward grace.

In This Episode:

• Why loving bio parents didn’t come naturally at first

• The power of perspective: hearing the backstory behind a parent’s pain

• How to protect dignity, even when it’s hard

• Real stories of handwritten notes, bubble bottles, and grace-filled gifts

• Why loving their child well is one of the best ways to love them

• A reminder from Scripture that it's not about us—but about how we love

Key Scriptures:

• Romans 12:10 (NLT): “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”

• Romans 12:9 (NLT): “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.”

• Matthew 25:35–40 (ESV): “As you did it to one of the least of these… you did it to me.”

Challenge of the Week:

Pick one small way to show grace to a biological parent — even if it’s just a prayer or a kind word in your own heart.

Connect with Us:

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

• Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

🎵 Music Credit:

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

💡 Key Themes:

The Dichotomy of Adoption

Adoption is both joyful and heartbreaking. While it's a celebration of redemption and new beginnings, it's also rooted in profound loss and brokenness. The Smalls share how this tension has shaped their journey.

Real-Life Adoption Stories

Though they respect their children's privacy and don’t share full details, Jason and Whitney walk through how each of their two adoptive children's stories began—with a weekend of "TLC" that turned into a lifetime, and a pre-birth call that changed their lives.

Emotional Complexity

Whitney reflects deeply on the emotional turmoil leading up to and following their daughter's adoption—especially the bittersweet pain of her birth mother losing parental rights. Jason offers insight into the more even-keeled perspective that balanced their emotional responses.

Theological and Personal Perspective

They connect their experience to the biblical theme of adoption as a picture of God’s redemptive love. Still, they resist simplifying adoption as "God's plan" without acknowledging the trauma and human failure that necessitate it.

Challenging the “Lucky” Narrative

The Smalls explain why well-intentioned comments like “she’s so lucky to have you” fall short. Adoption is not about luck—it’s about healing, trauma, redemption, and a long journey of trust and love.

A Letter from a Mother’s Heart

Whitney reads a powerful, emotional letter she wrote to her daughter the night before the adoption. It’s a raw reflection on hope, fear, and the overwhelming love of a mother who waited so long to make her child “forever hers.”

💬 Listener Takeaways:

• It’s okay to feel conflicted emotions about adoption—both joy and grief can coexist.

• Adoptive families need compassion, support, and space to process the ongoing challenges of trauma and attachment.

• Understanding adoption as part of a broken world in need of redemption creates room for grace—for the child, the birth family, and the adoptive parents.

📌 Resources & Next Steps:

• Follow or subscribe to Dream Small on your podcast platform.

• Share this episode with a friend walking through adoption or foster care.

• Stay tuned for future episodes where the Smalls may invite their kids to share their stories—when they’re ready.

📬 We’d love to hear from you!

• Email: ⁠dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com⁠

• Instagram: ⁠@dreamsmallpodcast⁠

• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

• X (Twitter): ⁠@DreamSmallShow⁠

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This episode is honest and real, covering topics like:

• Financial and emotional cost

• Partner disagreements

• Connecting with kids

• Lack of energy, time, or support

• The brokenness of “the system”

• Interracial foster/adoptive families

• Fear of regret

• And the belief that it “takes a special person”

You’ll laugh, maybe tear up, and definitely walk away more equipped and encouraged to say yes to God’s calling—whatever that may be.

📍 Action Steps This Week:

• Pray boldly: “God, if You’re calling me, I’ll say yes—even if I’m scared.”

• Reach out to someone who fosters.

• Attend a local info session.

• Support a foster family near you (even dinner or a yard cleanup goes a long way).

🎧 If you missed Part 1 (Episode 5), we recommend starting there!

📬 We’d love to hear from you!

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

• X (Twitter): @DreamSmallShow

🙏 Thank you for listening, sharing, and living a life of small faithful yeses.

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

What You’ll Hear:

• Why “What if it’s hard on my biological kids?” is a valid but manageable concern
• The tension between comfort and calling—and how the Gospel calls us to sacrifice
• The reality of getting too attached (and why that’s actually a good thing)
• Stories of heartbreak, healing, and hope from their own foster journey
• Biblical encouragement for feeling unqualified or fearful
• Honest moments (and a few laughs) from life with six kids, garage sales, and broken vans

Key Quote:

“If God is calling us to it, He’s already factored in our inadequacy and our stupidity.”

Encouragement of the Week:

Call someone. Speak life into them. Let them feel seen.

Scripture Mentioned:

📖 Isaiah 41:10 — “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God…”

• Book Recommendations: The Body Keeps the Score and What Happened to You?
• Interested in fostering or supporting a foster family? Start here:
• https://josiahwhites.org/
• https://handsofhopein.org/

Enjoyed this episode? Please follow or subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share this with a friend who needs encouragement.

📱 Follow us on

Instagram / Facebook — @DreamSmallPodcast

📩 Contact:dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Laney shares how a terrifying medical emergency after a tonsillectomy turned into a personal mission to help others. After losing 50% of her blood and receiving two life-saving transfusions, she founded Laney’s Love, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about blood shortages and bringing hope to hospitalized kids.

From launching her first blood drive to partnering with Riley’s Cheer Guild, Laney’s story is a powerful reminder that small acts — a pint of blood, a deck of Uno cards, a homemade bracelet — can lead to life-changing impact.

🩸 Laney’s Love Blood Drive📍 Location: Outside the Small family home📅 Date: Friday, July 26⏰ Time: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM💻 Sign-up link:

https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11613778?fbclid=IwY2xjawK1wVFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE2d21xMUVDOG5WQXpQdURxAR6A5O73AMeMbf1th_fhB7oNJmRx2VtbAnuANK1ajwt0XrNEeZW7ueK7wsON9w_aem_n0fpsVb60PjSbHWQrq7hqw

🧃 Bonus: Blood donors get a handmade bracelet from Laney — and possibly lemonade from her siblings!

Feeling inspired? Here’s how you can help:

• ​Donate blood — locally or in honor of Laney’s Love
• ​Support Riley’s Cheer Guild
• ​Share this episode to spread awareness

If you’ve been encouraged by Laney’s story, please:✅ Follow/Subscribe⭐ Leave a rating or review📤 Share with a friend who could use some inspiration

Email: DreamSmallPodcast@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577306725470

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Whitney shares how he welcomed every foster child as his own grandchild, while Jason reflects on how his father's quiet example has shaped their family's values and inspired the podcast's mission. Tune in to hear how small, faithful choices can create a legacy that lasts far beyond a lifetime.

Scripture Connection:

"Well done, good and faithful servant." – Matthew 25:21

✅ Action Steps

- Identify one person in your life you can serve this week—a neighbor, someone at church, or a person who may be lonely or overlooked.

- Commit to one small act of faithfulness that you can repeat regularly, even when it’s inconvenient or unnoticed.

- Share this episode with someone who could use encouragement to live a life of quiet impact.

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

With honesty and vulnerability, they share the highs and lows of the licensing process, the emotional rollercoaster of welcoming their first placement (a toddler they affectionately call “Number One”), and the 2,353 days that followed with foster children in their home.

Whether you're considering foster care or just wondering what it looks like to “dream small,” this episode offers a powerful reminder that small, faithful steps can change lives.

✅ Action Steps:

• Reflect on your own “dream small” moment. Where is God asking you to say yes—even in something that feels small?
• Share this episode with someone who may be exploring foster care or needs encouragement in saying yes to God’s call.

In our very first episode, we (Jason and Whitney) introduce ourselves, our family of eight, and the heart behind starting this podcast. As foster and adoptive parents who’ve welcomed 12 children into our home, we’ve learned that God does some of His best work through the small, everyday acts of faithfulness.

We share:

• Our story of how the podcast began (hint: it involves a Josh Wilson song 🎶).
• Why “dreaming small” matters in a culture obsessed with chasing big.
• How Scripture (Zechariah 4:10) reminds us not to despise small beginnings.
• Practical examples of how anyone can make a difference—whether it’s buying cookies for a new neighbor, mowing someone’s lawn, or showing kindness to a single parent.

Our hope is that this podcast encourages you, refreshes you, and maybe even makes you laugh along the way. Most of all, we want you to know: the little things you do matter. God rejoices in your everyday faithfulness.

This week’s challenge: Do one small thing to love someone well—and trust God to use it in a big way.

Contact Us:

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

• Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music Credit:

"Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/