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Lenore Skenazy, President of Let Grow and founder of the Free-Range Kids movement, joins Michael Ramey to discuss a recent Virginia case involving a mother who was convicted of contributing to the delinquency of a minor after allowing her five-year-old son to walk alone in their gated community. She received a six-month jail sentence that was suspended, while the child welfare investigation also resulted in her placement on Virginia’s child abuse and neglect registry.

In this episode: Our all-former-foster-youth crew takes an honest, compassionate look at healing from sexual trauma. We talk about what it means to reclaim your story— deciding if, when, and with whom to share it. Together, we explore what it looks like to heal on your own terms, without pressure or timelines imposed by society. We also offer practical tips & helpful resources to help you navigate your own healing journey. Take it from us: healing *is* possible, but it looks different for everyone. You deserve the patience, support, and space to heal at your own pace.

What does it take to help raise a child when you’re not their parent? Ivory sits down with her sister Ebony Turner to talk about becoming Jayden’s mother and aunt, the joys and exhaustion of caregiving, and the gap between having a village and having people who show up.

Sarah Katz, Clinical Professor of Law at Temple University Beasley School of Law, and April Lee, founder of Philly Voice for Change, join us to discuss a Pennsylvania proposal that would allow parental rights to be reinstated in certain circumstances after they have been terminated. Sarah brings her experience in family law and child welfare, while April brings lived experience as a parent involved in the child welfare system and her work advocating for families.

Host April Dinwoodie sits down with journalist, writer, and AdoptMent mentor Siobhan Neela-Stock. Adopted from India at 1.5 years old and raised in rural Vermont alongside three adopted sisters, Siobhan spent much of her life believing her adoption didn't deeply impact her. But an ordinary moment watching her young niece unlocked an undeniable truth: our bodies, minds, and nervous systems hold early memory, attachment, and love that conscious memory cannot always access.

In this episode of Community In-Site, host Valerie Frost speaks with Dr. Megan V. Smith, Chief of Innovation & Impact at the National Diaper Bank Network, about diaper need, the Super Bundle, and why immediate material support can be an entry point to something much larger: maternal well-being, direct cash support, economic security, and long-term opportunity through baby bonds.

The conversation focuses on Connecticut’s recent changes to homeschooling law, the constitutional concerns they raise, and the broader landscape for homeschool freedom across the country. Jim also discusses recent victories for homeschooling families, the connection between homeschooling rights and parental rights, and what families and advocates should watch for in the coming legislative session.

Our all-former-foster-youth squad chats about self-discovery, challenging gender norms, and self-care. Our speakers also discuss how to create a supportive community, and how to love yourself, even in a world that seems full of hate. You deserve self-love and the opportunity to find others who appreciate you for you!

The conversation explores how anonymous allegations can trigger intrusive CPS investigations, the constitutional questions raised when investigators arrive at a family’s home, and what happens when parents refuse entry or interviews. Dale also discusses how common these investigations are, whether anonymous reporting actually helps identify child abuse, what parents can do if CPS arrives at their door, and what reforms could help prevent the misuse of the child welfare system.

When substance use is involved during pregnancy, the instinct to protect a baby can quickly lead to testing, reporting, child welfare involvement, and possible separation. But what if pregnancy is also one of the most important opportunities we have to help a parent recover, stabilize, and safely care for their child? In this episode of Community In-Site, host Valerie Frost speaks with Dr. Sharon Ostfeld-Johns, who is dual board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics and is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Internal Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Ostfeld-Johns appears in this episode in her personal capacity and not as a representative of any organization.

In this episode, we discuss the stigma that comes with choosing abortion care, especially for the foster youth community. Our all-former-foster-youth crew clears up important medical terms – like the differences between in-clinic abortions and medication abortions. We also give tips on how to prepare for your medical visit and consider your needs for childcare, transportation, a support person, etc. We talk about what the abortion experience can be like, and how you can be a supportive friend in the process. The decision is yours, and we are here to empower you with knowledge and confidence.

As the back-to-school transition gets underway, new routines, unfamiliar hallways, and shifting social circles can test a child's confidence—especially for kids navigating difference, transracial adoption, or mixed-race identity. In this episode, Rooted in Connection: Back to School with Dr. Jenn, we explore how to send children into the new school year anchored in deep self-worth and belonging.