Back-to-school season can be stressful for any family—but for foster and adoptive parents, navigating school can feel especially overwhelming. In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney share their lived experiences of sending foster kiddos to school and offer practical advice for making the transition smoother.

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/

In this heartwarming and faith-filled episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney share a week full of unexpected bird-watching, laughter, and incredible “only God” stories from their seven-year foster care journey.

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/⁠

In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney pull back the curtain on what it's really like to prepare for a new foster care placement. Whether you're a brand-new foster parent or just curious about the process, this episode offers a real, relatable, and faith-rooted look into the emotional, mental, and physical preparations that come before that knock on the door.

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/

This week, we’re talking about something that took us over seven years of foster parenting to embrace: respite care. We dive into what respite care is, why it’s essential (not selfish!), and how it can actually strengthen your calling as a foster parent.

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

In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney take a trip down memory lane, sharing some of their most meaningful, funny, and heartwarming moments from their foster care journey.

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:

Let’s be real — fostering and adoption come with a unique set of challenges… and sometimes, even more challenging conversations. In this episode, we share the top awkward, cringey, or unintentionally hurtful things people have said to us as foster and adoptive parents — and we unpack why those comments can be difficult, and how to say something more helpful instead.

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/

In this real-life conversation about foster care and faith, Jason and Whitney share what it’s looked like for them to love biological parents through their years of foster care. From fear and tension to empathy and friendship, they walk through the emotional and spiritual journey of learning to honor the first families of the children in their care.

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/

In this heartfelt episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney open up about one of the most emotionally complex topics in their lives: adoption. With vulnerability and honesty, they reflect on the bittersweet layers of adopting their daughter, in honor of her recent gotcha day anniversary—a celebration marking four years since she officially became part of their family.

💡 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/