As we conclude our Best of Fostering Change series, we revisit one of our favorite conversations from Season 7 with Emmy Award-winning journalist and producer Pedro Andrade. Pedro is the creator and host of the HBO Max documentary series Somewhat Familiar, which follows his and his husband's journey to parenthood while exploring the many ways families are formed around the world. One episode of the series holds special meaning for the Fostering Change community. Pedro featured Rob Scheer and the Scheer family, sharing an honest and heartfelt look at foster care, adoption, and what permanency can look like in real life. In this conversation, Rob and Pedro continue that discussion, exploring how storytelling can broaden our understanding of family, elevate the voices of children in foster care, and inspire more compassionate conversations about belonging. Conversation Highlights How storytelling can reshape our understanding of family and belonging Why foster care deserves a place in global conversations about family Pedro's journey to parenthood through adoption The impact of featuring the Scheer family in Somewhat Familiar The role documentaries and media can play in reducing stigma and inspiring change Looking Ahead Thank you for joining us throughout our Best of Fostering Change summer series. Next week, we begin an exciting new chapter. Season 8 premieres with the same meaningful conversations, inspiring guests, and commitment to children and families, but under a brand-new name: Comfort Cases UnPacked We'll continue exploring the issues surrounding foster care while also unpacking the stories, challenges, solutions, and conversations that matter most. We hope you'll join us as we begin this exciting new season! Connect with Pedro Andrade Instagram: @pedroandradeTV Series: Somewhat Familiar with Pedro Andrade (HBO Max) Thank You for Listening If you've enjoyed these conversations, please follow, like, comment, and share the podcast. Your support helps us grow our audience and bring these important stories to more people. From all of us at Fostering Change, thank you for listening, for sharing this journey with us through seven incredible seasons, and for believing that every child deserves dignity, belonging, and hope. We'll see you next week for the premiere of Comfort Cases UnPacked.

With just two episodes remaining in our Best of Fostering Change series, we’re revisiting one of the most moving conversations from Season 7. Rob sits down with Lindsay Lendyak, South Carolina State Director for Isaiah 117 House, an organization transforming one of the most traumatic moments in a child’s life: the day they enter foster care. Rather than spending hours in a government office while caseworkers search for a placement, children are welcomed into a warm, home-like environment. There, they can enjoy a meal, receive clean clothes, play, rest, and simply be children. It’s a model built on dignity, compassion, and the belief that a child’s first hours in foster care shouldn’t add to their trauma. Conversation Highlights * What “Removal Day” is really like for children entering foster care * How Isaiah 117 House replaces fear and uncertainty with comfort, stability, and hope * The critical role trauma-informed volunteers play during a child’s first hours in care * Why supporting caseworkers and foster families strengthens the entire child welfare system * How Isaiah 117 House continues to expand its impact through community partnerships Looking Ahead There’s just one more Best of Fostering Change episode before we begin an exciting new chapter. This fall, we’ll return with Season 8 under our new podcast name: Comfort Cases UnPacked Same mission. Same meaningful conversations. A new name that better reflects our commitment to unpacking the issues, challenges, and solutions surrounding foster care and child welfare. We can’t wait for you to join us for this next chapter! Connect with Isaiah 117 House Website: isaiah117house.comYork County Facebook: facebook.com/isaiah117houseyorkcoscYork County Instagram: instagram.com/isaiah117houseyorkcoscYork County Linktree: linktr.ee/isaiah117houseyorkcoscGreenville County Linktree: linktr.ee/isaiah117housegreenvillescHorry County Linktree: linktr.ee/isaiah117househorrycosc Thank You for Listening If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, like, comment, and share Fostering Change. Your support helps us reach more people and continue these important conversations about foster care, adoption, and child welfare. Join us next week for our final Best of Fostering Change episode before we return this fall as Comfort Cases UnPacked. Thank you for listening—and thank you for being a GOOD HUMAN.

Our Best of Fostering Change series continues with an inspiring conversation that reminds us of the life-changing power of education.

Rob sits down with Shanté Elliott—a former foster youth, learning scientist, social entrepreneur, and founder of TasselTurn, an innovative organization helping foster and housing-insecure students graduate from high school and successfully transition into adulthood.

What began with a $300 grant has grown into a nationally recognized platform that combines mentorship, coaching, technology, and milestone-based incentives to help young people realize their potential. Through her own lived experience and groundbreaking research, Shanté is proving that when we invest in young people—and redesign systems to support them—extraordinary things can happen.

• The educational barriers many foster and housing-insecure youth face

• How TasselTurn is helping students stay engaged and reach graduation

• Why technology can be a powerful tool for creating opportunity and accountability

• How Shanté's own foster care journey inspired her life's work

• The importance of believing in young people's potential—and building systems that help them succeed

We're now halfway through August, with just three more "Best of Fostering Change" episodes before we launch Season 8 this fall.

When we return, you'll hear the same meaningful conversations and inspiring guests—but under our new podcast name: Comfort Cases UnPacked. We can't wait to share this exciting next chapter with you!

Website: https://www.tasselturn.org

Instagram: @tasselturn

LinkedIn: TasselTurn

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to like, follow, comment, and share the podcast. Your support helps us reach more people, elevate important conversations, and advocate for children and families experiencing foster care.

Thank you for listening—and thank you for being a GOOD HUMAN.

Conversation HighlightsLooking AheadConnect with Shanté Elliott & Tassel Turn Thank You for Listening

As August begins, our Best of Fostering Change series continues with one of Season 7’s most popular and heartfelt conversations.

Rob welcomes back his good friend Peter Mutabazi—author, speaker, foster and adoptive father, and founder of Now I Am Known. Known to many as the “Foster Dad Flipper,” Peter has welcomed more than 40 children into his home and adopted three.

In this powerful conversation, Peter discusses his book, Love Does Not Conquer All, and shares an honest look at foster parenting and the deep commitment required to help children heal from trauma. He reminds us that while love is essential, healing also requires patience, consistency, trust, and the willingness to keep showing up—day after day.

Episode Highlights

• Why love alone isn’t enough—and what children in foster care truly need to heal

• How practical life skills can help children build confidence and independence

• The importance of every child having at least one trusted adult in their corner

• Why families should receive support before children enter foster care

• Navigating the heartbreak of saying goodbye—and maintaining meaningful relationships afterward

Looking Ahead

Only four more Best of Fostering Change episodes remain before we launch Season 8 this fall under our new name: Comfort Cases UnPacked.

You can expect the same meaningful conversations, inspiring guests, and unwavering commitment to children and families—now entering an exciting new chapter. We can’t wait to share it with you!

Connect with Peter Mutabazi

Website: https://petermutabazi.com

Organization: Now I Am Known

Book: Love Does Not Conquer All, available wherever books are sold

Facebook: Peter Mutabazi

Instagram: @fosterdadflipper

Thank You for Listening

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, follow, comment, and share the podcast. Your support helps us reach more people, raise awareness, and continue these important conversations about foster care, adoption, and child welfare.

Thank you for listening—and thank you for being a GOOD HUMAN.

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As our Best of Fostering Change series continues, we're revisiting an important conversation about a topic that's too often overlooked—but can have a profound impact on girls experiencing foster care.

Rob is joined by Yvonne Esipila Patron, Co-Founder and CEO of the PATESI Foundation, a global nonprofit working to end menstrual and postpartum poverty through education, access, and empowerment.

This episode also highlights the meaningful partnership between Comfort Cases and the PATESI Foundation. Through this collaboration, every Comfort Cases backpack distributed to girls ages 11 and older includes an emergency menstrual kit, helping ensure that no girl has to face menstruation without the basic products, dignity, and confidence she deserves.

Conversation Highlights

Why menstrual poverty remains an overlooked global issue

The unique challenges girls in foster care face during times of transition

How the Comfort Cases and PATESI partnership is making a tangible difference

Why postpartum poverty deserves greater awareness

The important role men and boys play in breaking stigma and supporting lasting change

Looking Ahead

There's much more to come.

This fall, we'll return with all-new episodes featuring inspiring guests and meaningful conversations—along with a new name for the podcast, which we'll announce very soon. Same mission. Same commitment to children and families. An exciting new chapter begins this September.

Connect with the PATESI Foundation

Website: https://www.patesifoundation.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patesifoundation

Instagram: @patesifoundation

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Best of Fostering Change series continues with an unforgettable conversation featuring Susan Chesnutt—a family law attorney, former child abuse investigator, and former foster youth whose life has come full circle through advocacy and service.

Susan has experienced the child welfare system from nearly every perspective. Raised in foster care herself, she later investigated child abuse cases for Florida's Department of Children and Families before earning her law degree and dedicating her legal career to representing children and families. Today, through The Chesnutt Law Firm and her podcast, From Foster Care to Family Law, she works to make the child welfare system more compassionate, transparent, and effective.

Conversation Highlights

How Susan's own foster care experience shaped her career in child welfare law

What really happens during a child protective services investigation—and what families should know

Why empathy and trauma-informed advocacy are essential in family law

The importance of protecting both children's safety and families' rights

Susan's vision for a child welfare system rooted in compassion, accountability, and healing

Looking Ahead

We're enjoying revisiting these memorable conversations throughout the summer, but there's even more ahead.

This fall, we'll return with all-new episodes featuring inspiring guests and important conversations—under a new podcast name we'll announce very soon. We can't wait to share what's next, so stay tuned!

Connect with Susan Chesnutt

Website: https://thechesnuttlawfirm.com

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's Best of Fostering Change episode brings back one of our most powerful and personal conversations from Season 7.

We look back to September, at Rob's powerful conversation with Dr. Danisha Keating—author, speaker, educator, and former foster youth whose remarkable journey is one of resilience, healing, and hope.

At just 16 years old, Danisha was removed from her home, separated from her eight siblings, and given just five minutes to pack her belongings into a trash bag. Rather than allowing that moment to define her, she reclaimed her story—eventually earning her Ph.D., becoming the guardian of five of her younger siblings, and dedicating her life to helping others heal from trauma and find their own voice.

Conversation Highlights

Dr. Keating's journey from foster care to earning her Ph.D.

Healing from trauma and learning to reclaim your own story

The importance of finding your voice while honoring the stories of others

The challenges foster youth face in navigating systems that often tell their story for them

Why education became the foundation for hope, healing, and opportunity

Looking Ahead

All-new episodes return this fall with more inspiring guests and meaningful conversations.

While our mission remains the same, the podcast will soon have a new name that better reflects where we're headed. We'll be announcing all the details in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

Connect with Dr. Danisha Keating

Website: https://danishakeating.com

Instagram: @drdanishakeating

Facebook: Danisha Keating

YouTube: The Dr. Danisha Keating Show

TikTok: @drdanishakeating

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Throughout July and August, we're revisiting some of our favorite conversations from Season 7 as part of our Best of Fostering Change series.

This week's featured episode originally aired during the 2025 holiday season and showcases an extraordinary story of resilience, determination, and reinvention.

Carolyn Aronson, founder and CEO of It's A 10 Haircare, shares her remarkable journey from experiencing foster care as a child to building one of the world's most successful beauty brands. Today, It's A 10 Haircare is a global company valued at more than $1 billion, with products sold in more than 130 countries.

Beyond her entrepreneurial success, Carolyn is a passionate philanthropist whose work supports youth, foster care organizations, LGBTQ+ initiatives, disaster relief efforts, and workforce development. Her story is a powerful reminder that our past does not define our future—and that success is measured not only by what we achieve, but by how we lift others along the way.

Conversation Highlights

Carolyn's journey from foster care to founding a billion-dollar global company

Building It's A 10 Haircare through authenticity, perseverance, and innovation

How her childhood experiences shaped her leadership and philanthropy

The importance of giving back and creating opportunities for others

Lessons on resilience, entrepreneurship, and believing in yourself

Looking Ahead

All-new episodes will return this fall with more inspiring guests and meaningful conversations.

While the mission remains the same, the podcast will soon have a new name that better reflects where we're headed. We'll be announcing all the details in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

Connect with Carolyn Aronson

Website: https://www.itsa10haircare.com

Instagram: @itsa10ceo

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we wrap up Season 7 of *Fostering Change*, we’re joined by Kym Renner, President and CEO of the RennerVation Foundation and a longtime leader in child welfare and public service.

With more than 25 years of experience in Los Angeles County’s child welfare system, Kym brings a powerful perspective at the intersection of public policy, foster care, and community-based support. Alongside her brother, Jeremy Renner, she co-founded the RennerVation Foundation to create opportunities and meaningful support for foster and at-risk youth throughout Nevada.

This conversation is especially meaningful for Comfort Cases. Earlier this year, we partnered with the RennerVation Foundation for a Packing Party and community event in Lake Tahoe. Later this summer, Rob will spend time at Camp RennerVation meeting directly with campers and hearing about their experiences in foster care.

Together, these moments reinforce a simple truth: the best solutions begin by listening to young people themselves.

Conversation Highlights:

Why foster youth must have a voice in shaping the programs designed to support them

How public systems and community organizations can work together to create better outcomes

The impact of Camp RennerVation and the Foundation’s Pave Your Way program

Building meaningful support that feels accessible, welcoming, and relevant to young people

Why collaboration between nonprofits can create lasting change for youth in foster care

A Special Season Finale Message:

This episode marks the conclusion of Season 7 of *Fostering Change*.

Beginning next week and continuing throughout the summer, we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite conversations from this past season in a special “Best Of” series.

We’ll also be releasing our special six-part investigative series:

*The F Word: America’s Foster Care Crisis*

This limited series takes an honest look at some of the biggest challenges facing child welfare today while highlighting real solutions and practical ideas for reform. Featuring former foster youth, advocates, attorneys, policymakers, and frontline professionals, *The F Word* explores where the system is falling short and what we can do to help fix it.

Finally, we’re excited to announce that when we return with brand-new episodes in September, the podcast will have a new name:

*Comfort Cases UnPacked*

Same mission. Same meaningful conversations. Same commitment to children and families.

Just a new name that better reflects what we’ve always done: unpacking the issues, challenges, and solutions surrounding foster care and child welfare.

We can’t wait to share Season 8 with you.

Learn More:

Website: https://www.rennervationfoundation.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rennervationfoundation

Instagram: @officialrennervationfoundation

TikTok: @officialrvfoundation

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rennervationfoundation/posts/

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, we celebrated Father's Day with a special conversation between Rob and his son, Tristan. This week, we're continuing that theme with a powerful discussion about what it means to show up for young people who need someone in their corner.

Rob is joined by Corey McKinney, a speaker, mentor, author, and former foster parent whose life has been dedicated to helping young people navigate some of life's toughest challenges.

Through his work with the Steve Harvey Mentoring Program and other youth-focused initiatives, Corey has spent more than three decades encouraging young people to overcome obstacles, believe in themselves, and build brighter futures. But some of his most meaningful lessons came through foster parenting.

In his book Foster Dad, Corey shares the joys, challenges, heartbreaks, and unexpected rewards of opening your home to a child in need. More importantly, he shares what can happen when a young person experiences consistency, encouragement, and unconditional support.

This is a conversation about mentorship, fatherhood, foster care, and the life-changing impact of simply being present.

Conversation Highlights

What inspired Corey to become a foster parent

The experiences that led him to write Foster Dad

The joys and challenges of opening your home to youth in foster care

Why attachment and connection are worth the risk

The importance of consistency and showing up for young people

How mentoring and foster parenting often intersect

Remaining connected to former foster youth long after placement ends

Why positive adult relationships can change the trajectory of a young person's life

About Corey McKinney

Corey McKinney is a professional speaker, mentor, author, and former foster parent dedicated to helping young people overcome gun violence, bullying, and peer pressure. A former Division I basketball player and longtime mentor with the Steve Harvey Mentoring Program, Corey has spent more than 35 years working with youth. He is the author of Coach Daryl's Colts and Foster Dad, inspired by his experiences as both a mentor and foster parent.

Why This Episode Matters

One of the most common questions prospective foster parents ask is: "What if I get attached?"

Corey's answer is simple: that's the point.

Children and youth in foster care need adults who are willing to invest in them, encourage them, and remain present through both good and difficult moments.

This conversation reminds us that foster parenting is not about being perfect. It's about being available. It's about showing up consistently and creating relationships that can last long after a placement ends.

Whether you're a foster parent, mentor, coach, teacher, or simply someone who cares about young people, Corey's story demonstrates the profound difference one committed adult can make.

🎧 Thank you for listening to Fostering Change. Join us next week for another conversation focused on creating brighter futures for youth experiencing foster care.

Connect with Corey McKinney

Website: www.coreymckinney.net

Facebook: CoreyMcKinney

Instagram: @TheCoreyMcKinney

TikTok: @TheCoreyMcKinney

LinkedIn: Corey McKinney

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Father's Day approaches, this week's episode of Fostering Change is one of our most personal conversations yet.

For years, listeners have heard Rob Scheer share his family's story through the lens of a former foster youth, adoptive father, advocate, and founder of Comfort Cases. This week, he sits down with his youngest son, Tristan, for an honest and heartfelt conversation about family, foster care, belonging, and the journey they've shared together.

Tristan joined the Scheer family as an infant, alongside his older brother, Greyson, instantly transforming the family from two children to four. Today, at 17 years old, he's a high school junior, an accomplished football and track athlete, and a young man beginning to think about college, adulthood, and the future ahead.

Together, father and son reflect on growing up in a family built through foster care and adoption, what it was like being surrounded by advocacy and public service, and how Tristan defines family, belonging, and home.

More than a Father's Day episode, this is a conversation about love, resilience, healing, and the lasting impact of showing up for one another.

Conversation Highlights

Tristan's perspective on growing up in the Scheer family

What it means to be part of a family formed through foster care and adoption

Growing up around Comfort Cases, advocacy, and public service

The values Rob and Reece worked to instill in their children

How family is built through commitment, consistency, and love

Lessons learned from fatherhood, family, and shared experiences

Athletics, college aspirations, and Tristan's hopes for the future

Why belonging matters at every stage of life

Why This Episode Matters

This conversation reminds us that foster care is not ultimately about systems, policies, or paperwork.

It's about people.

It's about children finding stability, growing into young adults, building relationships, and creating futures for themselves.

As Father's Day arrives, we also recognize that families come in many forms. Some young people have traditional fathers in their lives. Others are guided by foster fathers, adoptive fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, mentors, coaches, teachers, or caregivers who step forward when they're needed most.

And many are still searching for that connection.

To all those who show up, stay present, and help a young person know they matter: Happy Father's Day.

And to every young person experiencing foster care, may this conversation remind you that family is not defined by biology alone. Family is built through love, commitment, and the people who choose to stay.

🎧 Thank you for listening to Fostering Change. Join us next week for another powerful conversation focused on creating brighter futures for youth experiencing foster care.

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!

Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:

👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.