Called To Foster: An Honest Guide with Jen Lilley and Dr. John DeGarmo

After entering foster care at just two months old, QpidLuv the World Bender spent his entire childhood in the system—moving through approximately 20 foster homes before eventually aging out. He grew up without the security of a permanent home, separated from his biological siblings and repeatedly forced to adjust to new families, new rules and new surroundings. Over time, he learned not to unpack completely because another move could always be coming. In this deeply personal episode of From Foster to Forever, QpidLuv shares what it was like to grow up in foster care, experience placement instability and enter adulthood without the support system or practical tools every young person deserves. He also explains how one foster mother changed the direction of his life by seeing him as more than a case file. When others said he would never graduate or even questioned his ability to read, she believed in his intelligence, introduced him to books and encouraged him to learn skills that would later support his career as an author and creator. Today, QpidLuv is a writer, musician, producer and imaginative “world bender” who transforms his lived experience into stories about belonging, identity, healing and hope. His fictional Haven Ridge community and Forever Home Project envision a place where children and young adults affected by foster care can find safety, stability, guidance and connection. QpidLuv also offers powerful advice to foster parents, particularly those caring for teens and children with significant trauma. He reminds caregivers that challenging behavior is often rooted in fear, grief and survival—not because a child is inherently “bad.” His message is clear: consistency matters. Patience matters. Believing in a young person matters. Even one safe adult—and even one year in a stable, loving home—can change the course of a child’s life. Rather than waiting for the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, QpidLuv says he learned to bring his own flashlight. Now, through his books, music and creative projects, he hopes to help other foster youth discover their own light and create a path forward. In This Episode, We Discuss: Entering foster care as an infant and remaining in care until emancipation Moving through approximately 20 foster homes The emotional impact of placement instability Being separated from biological siblings Aging out of foster care without a permanent family The foster mother who recognized QpidLuv’s potential How reading, writing and imagination became tools for survival The connection between childhood trauma and adult isolation Rebuilding relationships with biological family members Why healing is a continuing process rather than a destination Turning lived experience into books, music and fictional worlds The inspiration behind Haven Ridge and the Forever Home Project Why foster youth need practical life skills before leaving care How foster parents can respond to trauma-related behaviors Why fostering a teenager is never “too late” The importance of consistency, patience and unconditional support Creating hope when the light at the end of the tunnel feels out of reach

Every adoption story has multiple perspectives—but we don't often hear directly from birth mothers. In this deeply moving episode of From Foster to Forever, Rachel Fulginiti speaks with Janet Munro, host of the Roots and Branches Adoption Stories podcast, about placing her son for adoption in 1970, searching for him nearly five decades later, and the extraordinary reunion that changed both of their lives forever. Janet shares what it was like to be a young unmarried woman facing an unplanned pregnancy during a time when secrecy and shame surrounded adoption. She opens up about the heartbreaking decision to place her son for adoption, the decades she carried that loss, and the remarkable series of events that ultimately led her to finding him. Their reunion brought healing, answers, and a growing relationship—until tragedy struck when her son unexpectedly lost his life in a workplace accident. This powerful conversation explores the lifelong impact of adoption, the importance of understanding every member of the adoption constellation, and why keeping the child's needs at the center is essential for foster, adoptive, and biological families alike. It provides powerful insight for adult adoptees, birth parents, adoptive families, and foster parents navigating the lifelong impact of adoption, offering compassion, hope, and profound insight. In this episode: Janet's experience placing her son for adoption in 1970 The realities faced by birth mothers decades ago Finding her son after 47 years The emotional first phone call and reunion Navigating adoption reunion as adults Healing through storytelling The devastating loss of her son after reconnecting What adoptees should know before searching for biological family Advice for birth mothers considering reunion Foster care, adoption, and keeping the child's needs first Why open communication benefits everyone in the adoption constellation

What happens when a foster-to-adopt family channels their journey into creativity, imagination, and storytelling? In this heartwarming episode of From Foster to Forever, Rachel sits down with father-daughter writing team Mark and Genevieve Marino to share the remarkable story of how their family was formed through foster care adoption—and how that experience inspired the creation of the whimsical Mrs. Wobble's Tangerine House book series. Inspired by friends, Mark and his wife always dreamed of adopting through foster care. When they received a life-changing call about a two-and-a-half-year-old boy who needed a family, they welcomed him into their home and began a journey that would transform all of their lives. Years later, that experience became the inspiration for a magical fictional world where foster children discover belonging, adventure, healing, and choice. Together, Mark, Genevieve, and their adopted son Dayveon collaborated on stories that explore themes of family, identity, resilience, imagination, and foster care—all through the lens of fantasy and humor. This conversation explores the realities of foster care adoption, sibling relationships, open adoption connections, trauma-informed parenting, and the powerful role storytelling can play in helping families process difficult experiences. It's an inspiring reminder that creativity can be a bridge to healing, understanding, and connection. Mark and Genevieve Marino, alongside host Rachel Fulginiti, share their unique familial bond that emerged from their creative endeavors. The episode showcases how creativity can bridge gaps in understanding and foster deeper connections. Mark recounts heartwarming anecdotes about their first encounters with Dayveon, the joys and challenges of creating stories that resonate with children, and how they integrate elements of their lives into the narrative without compromising the privacy or dignity of their experiences. With humor and sincerity, they highlight the role of empathy and support in their family, offering listeners a candid look at the highs and lows of their journey while celebrating the power of stories to heal and connect. In This Episode Why Mark and his wife chose foster-to-adopt The emotional phone call that led them to their son Bringing a foster child home for the first time Helping biological and adopted siblings build connection Navigating early trauma and attachment challenges What foster parents should know about incomplete records and diagnoses Maintaining connections with birth family members Reuniting with biological family as an adult adoptee How storytelling helped their family process foster care experiences Creating Mrs. Wobble's Tangerine House Why representation of foster care in children's literature matters The healing power of creativity and imagination Raising empathetic, resilient children through collaboration and play

What happens when a school employee opens her home to two brothers in foster care just days before Christmas? In this heartfelt episode of From Foster to Forever, host Rachel Fulginiti sits down with foster parent Susan Devine, who shares her powerful experience fostering two brothers through the child welfare system and supporting their eventual reunification with their father. Unlike many foster-to-adopt stories, Susan's journey highlights another important goal of foster care: helping families heal and reunite whenever safely possible. Susan discusses how a simple conversation at work led her to become a foster parent, the challenges and rewards of caring for children who have experienced trauma, and the deep bonds that can form even when adoption isn't the outcome. As a single mother and school health aide, Susan offers a refreshing perspective on fostering older children, supporting children with special needs, and staying connected after reunification. If you've ever wondered whether foster parenting is right for you, this episode offers an honest, encouraging look at how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference in a child's life. In This Episode How Susan unexpectedly became a foster parent Fostering two brothers just before Christmas Supporting children through trauma and uncertainty The importance of maintaining connections with biological families What reunification looked like for these children Foster parenting as a single parent The realities of fostering children with special needs How community support can help foster families succeed Why foster care isn't only about adoption Coping with saying goodbye when children reunify The lasting impact foster parents can have on a child's life Why more families are needed in foster care

What does it take to break the cycle of trauma and create a forever family? In this powerful episode of From Foster to Forever, host Rachel Fulginiti sits down with foster care advocate, author, and Comfort Cases founder Dr. Rob Scheer. Rob's story begins in foster care. As one of ten children removed from his biological family, he entered the foster care system carrying his belongings in a trash bag—a reality still faced by many foster youth today. After aging out of care, overcoming trauma, and building a successful life, Rob went on to adopt five children through foster care and become one of the nation's leading voices for foster care reform. Together, Rachel and Rob discuss: ✅ Foster care and adoption realities that prospective foster parents need to understand ✅ Why permanency matters for children in foster care ✅ The challenges and rewards of foster-to-adopt parenting ✅ Transracial adoption and raising Black children in a white family ✅ Maintaining healthy relationships with biological families after adoption ✅ Trauma, resilience, and breaking generational cycles ✅ Foster youth aging out of care ✅ Advocacy efforts to eliminate trash bags in foster care ✅ How Comfort Cases is helping children enter foster care with dignity and hope Rob also shares why he believes every child deserves unconditional love, stability, and a permanent family—and why communities must do more to support struggling families before children enter foster care in the first place. Whether you're a foster parent, adoptive parent, social worker, CASA volunteer, child welfare professional, or someone considering foster care adoption, this episode offers practical wisdom, inspiration, and hope. About Rob Scheer Dr. Rob Scheer is a former foster youth, adoptive father of five, author of A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time, and founder of Comfort Cases, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children entering foster care with backpacks filled with essential items instead of trash bags. Through advocacy, education, and direct support, Comfort Cases has impacted hundreds of thousands of children nationwide.