Best CASA Volunteers Podcasts (2024)

1
Asking the Right Questions featuring Cindy Dyar 39:55

21d ago39:55

39:55

One of the CASA guiding principles is respect for the parents we walk alongside, as well as for all parties involved in the case. This episode is brimming with insights from our guest Cindy Dyar, Director of the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid Family Defense Project, on how we can approach collaboration with parents and their attorneys with an open mind…

1
Advocacy for Health and Healing featuring Elizabeth Wendell 40:09

2M ago40:09

40:09

How can CASA advocacy be more deeply informed by what we know about lifelong health outcomes for youth involved with the CPS system? Research has revealed profound inequalities in adulthood related to the type of care experienced by youth in the foster care system. Joining us to put this important research into conversation with CASA advocacy is gl…

1
Illuminating the CASA Difference with Joan Ulsher 31:43

3M ago31:43

31:43

In this episode we're delighted to be joined by author, speaker, and CASA advocate Joan Ulsher, a powerful voice for the mission and impact of CASA. Joan shares insights from her work as a deeply devoted advocate as well as from her memoir "Misplaced Childhood: A True Story of Resiliency and Child Advocacy," which touches on her own experience with…

1
Cultivating Resilience and Compassionate Presence with Christa Mayfield 34:02

4M ago34:02

34:02

What are some tangible ways CASA advocates can cultivate resilience and keep our compassion game strong when engaged in advocacy work that can sometimes weigh heavily on our hearts and minds? The wonderful and wise Christa Mayfield of Good Sustained shines a light on strategies for mitigating burnout and building resilience within ourselves so that…

1
Glenda Wright: I Don't Match A Stereotype 59:49

4M ago59:49

59:49

Jayne Amelia speaks with former foster youth, advocate and attorney Glenda Wright. Glenda recently graduated from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law, where she received her Juris Doctorate in May 2022. Glenda has also earned her Bachelor of Science in Business with a minor in legal studies from Murray State University. While attending law school, G…

1
Hope-Focused Advocacy with Cortney Jones 37:16

5M ago37:16

37:16

In this episode, we're thrilled to be in conversation with Cortney Jones, founder of Change 1, an organization that aims to support young adults with foster care experience in realizing their full potential. Cortney draws on examples from the work she leads at the intersection of restorative justice and child welfare practice to explore how CASA vo…

1
Dr. Bruce Sogolow: Children Do Everything They Do To Try To Meet A Need 57:02

5M ago57:02

57:02

Jayne Amelia speaks with therapist Dr. Bruce Sogolow. Dr. Bruce has been a psychotherapist for nearly 40 years. He relates that “There was a kind of inevitability that led to my practice of specializing in ‘walking along side’ of families with children who suffered from attachment challenges.” His most valuable teachers along the way were children …

1
Warren Press: Elizabeth And I Are The Ones Who Are Unbelievably Lucky To Get To Be Their Parents 1:05:21

5M ago1:05:21

1:05:21

Jayne Amelia speaks with her friend and (very loving and proud) adoptive parent, Warren Press. Warren lives in Los Angeles with his wife Elizabeth Mestnik and their 14-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter. Their journey to parenthood was a tad unconventional and each child took longer to reach their home than the typical gestation period. Warren a…

1
Collaborative Child Advocacy: Partnering with Attorney Ad Litems Featuring Lori Duke 31:21

6M ago31:21

31:21

Our guiding principles emphasize collaboration with and respect for all parties involved in the case. What can CASA advocates do to build effective working relationships and increase collaboration with attorney ad litems? For this conversation, we're honored to be joined by the deeply insightful Lori Duke, Clinical Professor and Co-Director of the …

1
Rachel Elovitz: I Am Going To Do A Damn Good Job Because I Genuinely Care 55:00

6M ago55:00

55:00

Jayne Amelia speaks with guardian ad litem and child advocate/attorney, Rachel Aliza Elovitz. Rachel has worked as a family law attorney for more than 27 years. In that capacity, she has represented fathers seeking to legitimate children (who were born out of wedlock), grandparents seeking visitation rights with grandchildren, third party relatives…

1
Tige Charity: There's No Greater Agony Than Bearing An Untold Story Inside You 49:05

6M ago49:05

49:05

Jayne Amelia speaks with the powerhouse founder of Kids in The Spotlight, Tige Charity. In Tige's words: As a visionary with a strong faith & a passion for serving others, I have devoted my career to empowering young people in foster care to address and overcome trauma through the power of storytelling. In 2009, I founded Kids in the Spotlight, Inc…

1
Romi Lassaly and Pat McCabe : One Caring Person Can Make All The Difference 52:29

7M ago52:29

52:29

Jayne Amelia speaks with Romi Lassally and Patrick McCabe, co-founders of Ready To Succeed which has supported college bound students impacted by foster care or “scholars” (as they call them which is fantastic!) by helping them get into school, stay in school, and flourish after school with resources, relationships with passionate professionals, ca…

1
Chrisie Morris: I Will Not Let The Darkness Change My Heart 58:15

7M ago58:15

58:15

Jayne Amelia speaks with artist and animator, and former foster youth Chrisie Morris. Chrisie is a junior at Cal State University Long Beach pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Art in Illustration for Pre-Production. She’s currently working as a Visual Development Artist at Mr. Clown’s Productions through the prestigious Television Academy Foundation Fall …

1
Gavin Glynn: You Have Get Them To Trust 56:58

7M ago56:58

56:58

Jayne Amelia speaks with single foster dad and entertainment producer Gavin Glynn. Gavin and his then partner fostered to adopt a young boy, then Gavin went on to foster a foursome sibling set when he was a single dad. In order to keep all the kids in the house, Gavin gave up his lucrative but very demanding career as a producer in the entertainmen…

1
Strengthening a Web of Supports for Teens and Young Adults in Foster Care 30:23

7M ago30:23

30:23

In this episode, we’re delighted to be in conversation with Laura Villarreal, the Neurodevelopmental Program Specialist with the Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Laura shines a light on the web of services and supports that the Texas Workforce Commission offers for teens and young adults in foster care to help expand t…

1
Elizabeth Garcia Herrera: I've Got To Do My Part Of Not Repeating The Same Mistakes As My Family 55:55

7M ago55:55

55:55

Jayne Amelia speaks with foster alum Elizabeth Garcia Herrera. Liz and her sisters (America's story is Episode 16 of Season 3) were placed in foster care when their mother could no longer look after them. Liz was 17 and spent several confusing years struggling to get on her feet but she put herself through college and now works as a supervisor in c…

1
America Gutierrez: I Am Not Going To Be Silenced Anymore 45:45

7M ago45:45

45:45

Jayne Amelia speaks with foster care alum America Gutierrez. America is a passionate advocate for mental health, firmly guided by the belief that our voices are our most potent tools. With unwavering determination, she fearlessly shares her personal journey, notably her harrowing experiences within the foster care system. Through her advocacy effor…

1
Georgette Todd: That's When Everything Changed 48:14

7M ago48:14

48:14

Jayne Amelia speaks with former foster youth and now child advocate Georgette Todd. Georgette is a speaker, author, and a foster care and child abuse prevention advocate. Georgette spent her teenage years bouncing around from home to home in the broken foster care system before she emancipated at age 18, with no safety net or anyone to depend on. T…

1
Bridging the Gap: Advocacy for Educational Wellbeing with Chantal Hinds 47:30

8M ago47:30

47:30

As the families we walk alongside embark on a new school year, let's pause to reflect on how CASA advocates can have a powerful impact on increasing educational stability and success for youth in foster care. In this episode, we're joined by the brilliant Chantal Hinds, an attorney, policy entrepreneur, and an advocate for the well-being of student…

1
Ron Jenkins: One Of The Reason Kids Don't Get Help Is Because They Don't Learn How To Trust Again 52:57

8M ago52:57

52:57

Jayne Amelia speaks with child advocate and mentor Ron Jenkins. Ron is a former foster youth who along with his siblings was placed in foster care after his mother died of cancer when he was two years old. He bounced around in foster care for several years until he was adopted by a friend of his mom, but that didn't turn out well for any of the kid…

1
Lorry Leigh Belhumeur: What's Happened To You, How Can I Help? 50:19

9M ago50:19

50:19

Jayne Amelia speaks with Dr. Lorry Leigh Belhumeur, a renowned leader in the field of mental health and wellness, with over 30 years of experience serving children and their families. Dr. Lorry’s unwavering commitment to empowering young individuals and the adults who care for them, along with her exceptional leadership skills, has positioned her a…

1
Paul Freese: Who Are You, Why Are You Here, What Will Become Of You, What Impact Will You Have? 55:29

9M ago55:29

55:29

Jayne Amelia speaks with advocate Paul L. Freese, Jr. Paul has worked as a public interest attorney for more than 25 years and provides consulting on holistic innovations and solutions to poverty, with special focus upon traumatized populations. He specializes in strategic project development to achieve upstream early intervention impact. He has de…

1
Jeremy Buchanan: I Was Thirsty. I Think Anybody Who Wants To Make It... Be Thirsty. 59:21

9M ago59:21

59:21

Jayne Amelia speaks with creative and foster care alumni Jeremy Buchanan. Jeremy was raised in Illinois, Georgia, and California. He moved around a lot as a kid and attended more elementary schools than he can even count. He was first placed in foster care as a young boy and then again as a teenager when he became a "runner" as he says. Not one of …

1
Barbara Lane: They Did Everything They Could To Break My Bonds To My Sisters But It Didn't Work 56:15

10M ago56:15

56:15

Jayne Amelia speaks with Reverand Barbara Lane. Rev. Lane is the author of "Broken Water: An Extraordinary True Story." Barbara is the ninth of eleven sisters, abandoned by their birth parents, who were all placed in St. Dominic’s Orphanage in St. Louis, then eventually separated into different homes and finally reunited 43 years later. Her book te…

1
Charity Chandler-Cole: I Am Capable Of Achieving Whatever I Want To Achieve 48:35

10M ago48:35

48:35

Jayne Amelia speaks with Charity Chandler-Cole. Charity is an author, scholar and activist and "... the CEO of CASA of Los Angeles, Court Appointed Special Advocates for youth impacted by the Foster Care and Juvenile Justice Systems. Born and raised in Los Angeles and having harshly endured its child welfare and juvenile justice systems, she has sp…

1
Improving Access to Information, Resources, and Support with Sarah Bryant 39:53

10M ago39:53

39:53

As CASAs, we know how critical it is that parents and family members have access to the information and support needed to successfully navigate what can be a complex and overwhelming child welfare system. In this episode, we're deeply honored to be joined by Sarah Bryant, managing attorney for The Family Helpline. A project of the Texas Legal Servi…

1
Mike Wiskar: Music Saved My Life As A Kid, Teenager, Adult...Totally 53:53

10M ago53:53

53:53

Jayne Amelia speaks with award-winning musician and adoptee Mike Wiskar. Mike is a Leo-nominated composer, songwriter, independent music producer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist. He was also adopted as a baby and raised in a caring home by a family who loved him very much. Even so, he longed to know his birth family and finally met his bio mom…

1
Peter Mutabazi: My Role As A Dad...I Can Do As Much As Momma Can Do 46:08

10M ago46:08

46:08

Jayne Amelia speaks with adoptive dad to one and foster dad to many Peter Mutabazi. "As a child I ran away from an abusive home and was helped by the kindness of strangers. As an adult I found myself in a position of being able to help foster children, so I began taking children into my home years ago to give back what was so freely given to me. It…

1
Steve Pemberton: You Need To Speak To Them In The Language Of Their Dreams 1:02:18

11M ago1:02:18

1:02:18

Jayne Amelia speaks with foster care alumnus Steve Pemberton. Steve is a best selling author, philanthropist, businessman and acclaimed speaker. Steve's "story is about defying seemingly insurmountable odds to become a trail-blazing corporate executive, enlightened diversity leader, visionary youth advocate, and acclaimed speaker. His best-selling …

1
Noah Nash: We All Are Special In Our Own Ways 54:36

11M ago54:36

54:36

Jayne Amelia speaks with Dr. Noah Nash. Noah is a foster care alumnus from very early childhood, as well as an educator and creative web designer-developer who is amplifying stories, products and projects with people, for people — as he says. His portfolio includes work in international children's rights, emerging technologies, social impact and ph…

1
Advocacy for Children 0 to 5 Years Old and Their Families Featuring Krystal Vann, Carollyn Thesing, and Anna McDonnell(Part 2) 30:17

11M ago30:17

30:17

With 47% of children in foster care falling into the 0 to 5 age range, it's critical that we're up to date on best practices in advocating for young children and strategies for effectively supporting their families. Powerhouse duo Krystal Vann and Carollyn Thesing from Child Advocates of Fort Bend return for part two of this conversation with a foc…

1
Jacqueline Robles: I Saw People Die, I Saw People Get Addicted To Drugs And Fall Victim To The Streets 1:03:50

11M ago1:03:50

1:03:50

Jayne Amelia speaks with Jacqueline Robles, a former foster youth, and a relentless determined powerhouse of a young woman who aged out of the system and made her own way... jumping through hoop after hoop with the hoops always changing and ever higher. Identifying as both Indigenous and Latina, Jacqueline is set on a career to “level the playing f…

1
Regina Louise: I'm Done With That Carrot-ing Love 49:43

11M ago49:43

49:43

Jayne Amelia speaks with foster care alumnus and abolitionist, Regina Louise. Regina is a sought-after speaker, teacher, coach, and author. Recently she was the recipient of the prestigious Christopher Award, given to producers for stories that “affirm the human spirit.” In 2019 she received the Jordan Award for service in transforming foster care …

1
Elle Fox: It's So Worth It Even With The Pain That You Feel At The End 34:09

11M ago34:09

34:09

Jayne Amelia speaks with artist and foster sibling, Elle Fox. Elle, a high school student, has been sketching for as long as she can remember. Growing up in a family that fostered children, Elle draws on her experience of life, love, and loss while sharing her heart and home for a period of time with numerous babies and children. As an author, illu…

1
Adisa: The Tenacity To Live Is Greater Than The Scars From The Struggle To Live 54:32

12M ago54:32

54:32

Jayne Amelia speaks with former foster youth, Adisa. Adisa compares himself to a lion cub who had to fight for survival all his young life against the bigger badder lions all so hungry and looking to feed. Born in Long Beach to a single mom who was declared unfit to raise her children, he grew up on the streets of Los Angeles. Adisa and his sibling…

1
Advocacy for Children 0 to 5 Years Old and Their Families Featuring Krystal Vann and Carollyn Thesing (Part 1) 34:54

12M ago34:54

34:54

In part one of this two-part conversation, we're thrilled to be joined by the seasoned team of Krystal Vann and Carollyn Thesing from Child Advocates of Fort Bend to draw on their experience leading a trailblazing advocacy program for children five and younger and their families. We’ll be talking about best practices in advocating for the developme…

1
Building Trust-Based Relationships with Youth featuring Jordan Bartlett 32:36

1y ago32:36

32:36

How can we support the youth we walk alongside in cultivating resilience across the essential, interconnected domains of life? In this episode, we're joined by powerhouse CASA advocate and social entrepreneur Jordan Bartlett for a conversation about showing up, building rapport, and creating authentic relationships with youth. Jordan draws on his e…

1
The Bedrock Importance of the MSL with Leslie Cocke 22:02

1y ago22:02

22:02

The minimum sufficient level of care or MSL is a critical polestar for CASA advocacy. How can advocates ensure that we are fully embracing the MSL in our decision-making and our recommendations to the court? Drawing on her legal background as an attorney and mediator as well as her decade+ tenure with CASA, the brilliant Leslie Cocke joins us to un…

1
Understanding and Preventing Child Trafficking with Rhonda Kuykendall 19:13

1y ago19:13

19:13

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and Texas CASA is deeply honored to have Rhonda Kuykendall discussing what advocates should know and can do when it comes to preventing child trafficking and supporting youth who have experienced the trauma of trafficking. Some trainings and resources mentioned in the episode include Innovation…

1
Mimi Savage: Be Of Service...Share...Give 47:59

1+ y ago47:59

47:59

Jayne Amelia talks with therapist Dr. Mimi Savage. In this episode Mimi describes her upbringing: "My parents are not who I am. My mother's a white woman, my father's a black man. I am born of the two of them, a melange, a mixture. But I had to find my way. And it's not just about race. As I say this to your listeners, everyone needs to find their …

1
Jeremiah McWright: Sorry You Guys Got To Go 52:14

1+ y ago52:14

52:14

Jayne Amelia speaks with former foster youth Jeremiah McWright. Jeremiah is from Sacramento, California. At 15, his four siblings and he were removed from their family and put into the system. After two years and 15 placements, Jeremiah was shipped to a low-level group home in San Francisco. He started his career at 17 in San Francisco as a cinemat…

1
Jennifer Stern: I Can't Imagine Anything Worse Than Losing Your Child 47:13

1+ y ago47:13

47:13

Jayne Amelia speaks with foster and adoptive mom, Jennifer Stern. Jennifer and her husband decided to become a foster family after realizing their dinner table was too quiet and knowing they had space in their home and hearts to welcome more children. They wanted to foster after learning how great the need is for foster families who can provide a s…

1
Kendra Lukens : I Feel Like I Never Really Had A Childhood 37:00

1+ y ago37:00

37:00

Jayne Amelia speaks with Kendra Lukens. In her words: “My name is Kendra, I spent my entire life going in and out of the foster system after the death of my father in 2012. This started a spiral of abusive homes, and losing hope in a lot of people. After recently aging out at 18, I started a podcast of my own, HEAR US YELL, where I’m able to bring …

1
Emi Niefeld: So Many Things I Could Not Have Known 57:18

1+ y ago57:18

57:18

Jayne Amelia speaks with Emi Nietfeld. Emi is the author of the memoir Acceptance, published by Penguin Press. A former foster youth, she graduated from Harvard in 2015 and worked as a software engineer at Google and Facebook. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Vice, and Slate, been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and noted in The Best …

1
Breyon Johnson: If I Just Give Up Now Then I'm Letting Them Win 47:00

1+ y ago47:00

47:00

Jayne Amelia speaks with Breyon Johnson. Breyon is a former foster youth and now a student at Santa Monica college studying to be a storyboard artist and writer. She’s currently working as an intern at Better Youth, a nonprofit that helps youth who face adversity get their foot in the door in entertainment to work in film, video games and animation…

1
David Ambroz: And Yet Here I Am And I Remain Optimistic 53:20

1+ y ago53:20

53:20

Jayne Amelia talks with activist David Ambroz. David is a national poverty and child welfare expert and advocate, and author of a new memoir “A Place Called Home.” He was recognized by President Obama as an American Champion of Change. Currently serving as the Head of Community Engagement (West) for Amazon, Ambroz previously led Corporate Social Re…

1
Syd Stewart: I Deserve Grace Just Like I Extend Grace 38:35

1+ y ago38:35

38:35

Jayne Amelia talks with Syd Stewart. Syd is a poet, actor and filmmaker, and the author of two books of poetry, A Rock and A Hard Place (iUniverse, 2010) and Babylon Graffiti (Zeitgeist Press, 2019). Syd was featured in films Hughes’ Dream Harlem and Everyday People, and has appeared in The New York Times, Variety, and People Magazine. Most recentl…

1
Ångela Quijada Banks: I Learned To Really Operate On Reciprocity of Relationships 56:32

1+ y ago56:32

56:32

Jayne Amelia speaks with Ångela Quijada Banks. Ångela is a former foster youth and an NAACP Image Awards Nominee and American Award-winning author of the Black Foster Youth Handbook. As a certified holistic health coach she supports women impact leaders to get re-energized for life and reconnected to their purpose, passions and personal relationshi…

1
Akhim Dev: Hear Me As Loud As I Can Say It 59:43

1+ y ago59:43

59:43

Jayne Amelia speaks with filmmaker Akhim Dev. Dev has over 20 years of experience in broadcast television and digital content. His credits include writing and directing on "The 3G of US" for SBS, "Storm Surfers" for Firelight Productions, and "The Final Sacrifice" for Discovery and National Geographic. His new film "The Children In The Pictures" ta…

1
Fostering Collaboration with Naomi Sawyer: the Power of Partnering with Foster Caregivers 24:54

1+ y ago24:54

24:54

Foster and kinship caregivers play an incredibly important role in caring for the children and youth we walk alongside. How can CASA advocates ensure that these caregivers have the support they need while engaging them as valuable team members in our advocacy for children and families? Joining us for this conversation is the phenomenal Naomi Sawyer…

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CASA Volunteers Podcasts

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