The More Than Enough Foster Care Podcast

They say necessity is the mother of invention and foster care has the potential to be one of the most inventive systems in existence, because necessity is everywhere. When the standard playbook doesn’t work, we’re forced to get creative.

Today, we sit down with Dan Vogel, the founder of the Flourish Fund. Dan spent years working on massive, complex strategic challenges in government and philanthropy before turning his focus toward the foster care system. He’s here to talk about what it looks like to move from playing checkers to playing chess—why innovation matters in child welfare, and how knowing better can finally help us do better for vulnerable children and families.

Foster care changes the landscape for the entire household—especially the siblings who were there first. In this episode, Matthew Haines reflects on growing up in a foster family and how it shaped his approach as a parent today. Plus, Dr. Nicole Wilke, Mackenzie Jamison and Philip Pattison share their own firsthand experiences navigating life in foster and adoptive families.

With so many worthy causes out there, why should we prioritize foster care?

Today we sit down with Brian Mavis, the founder of America’s Kids Belong, to answer that question. We talk about his new book Upstream: Diving into Foster Care to Heal 10 Social Wounds and social issues that impact our communities - incarceration, poverty, homelessness, mental health and more.

This episode highlights a workshop from the CAFO 2025 Summit - a discussion between Chad Robichaux, Jason Johnson, Dave Frett and Keith Howard about parenting vulnerable children. It will leave you encouraged in the gospel, inspired in your calling, and challenged to take your next best steps forward in a healthy, sustainable way.

In this episode we talk about measuring our impact in foster care — and what it looks like to figure out if our organizations are accomplishing what we set out to do.

Mentorship isn't about having all the right answers. Most of the time, it's simply about opening up your life and inviting someone in. In this episode, Zach Garza shares his story, from being a struggling student changed by a professor to mentoring his own students and empowering leaders nationwide to build youth mentorship ministries in their own communities.

Today we're joined by Peter Mutabazi, Stacy Glass, and Laura Hutfless to talk about the unique journey of single foster and adoptive parents and what it looks like for a church to really come alongside and champion these families.

When data stops being abstract and starts feeling real, it compels us to act. In this episode, we share an excerpt from Until There’s More than Enough followed by stories from five foster care leaders on the data points that fuel their work.

We all have things that we’re afraid of. From imaginary dragons in the attic to snakes to some deeper fears, ‘What if I fail?’, ‘‘What if I let others down?’, or ‘What if I get hurt’? And our children, especially those who have experienced hard things, often carry even more of those “what ifs.”

Today we talk with Kia Gelinas, an adoptee, teacher, and mentor about what it looks like to face those fears—and how to help others in your life do the same.

Recorded at CAFO 2025, this episode features author and speaker Kevan Chandler. We explore what it looks like to dream so big for kids and families in foster care that it requires leaning on others—and on God—to see it come to life. Kevan shares about interdependence, vulnerability, and the incredible gifts and challenges that come from working together towards more than enough for children and families.

Prefer video? This special episode is available in full on the CAFO YouTube channel.

We revisit 1 Corinthians 13 with Pastor and dad Mark Gomez of Project 1.27, exploring how this familiar chapter on love takes on deeper meaning in the context of foster care and community. What if the passage hasn’t changed — but we have?

Recorded at CAFO 2025, this episode features author, speaker, and lawyer Justin Whitmel Earley. In this episode we talk about the habits that shape us, the relationships that ground us, and even the ways our physical bodies can teach our souls. This conversation isn’t just about what you do, but about who you’re becoming as you do it.

Prefer video? This special episode is available in full on the CAFO YouTube channel.

Scripture and research have much to teach us about resilience, healing, and what it really takes to overcome. In this episode, Dr. Nicole Wilke and former foster youth Nick Tucker share insights—from both research and lived experience—on moving forward after early adversity.

Great stories often begin with an unlikely ensemble—imperfect people learning to work together toward something bigger than themselves. That same dynamic plays out in communities working together to better serve children and families in foster care. Recorded at CAFO 2025, this episode features psychiatrist and author Dr. Curt Thompson in a conversation about collaboration, difference, and formation—and why God seems far more interested in who we are becoming than what we accomplish.

Foster care and adoption can strain even strong marriages. This episode explores what helps spouses stay connected when life is already full.

How can Christian ministries use AI-powered tools wisely—especially when it comes to the context of serving vulnerable children and families? In this episode, Jedd Medefind, Nicholette Antoniuk, and Travis Hesson explore how to use AI within this context and share key questions and principles that can help ministries approach it with wisdom and care.

Today, we hear from two experts, Dr. Melody Aguayo and Traci Newell who share practical ways churches can support adoptive families and their personal stories about what made a real difference in their own lives.

Reaching more than enough for children and families in our communities takes everyone pitching in, even those who may not feel that they squarely fit into the world of foster care! Join a conversation with Jason Johnson, author of the book Everyone Can Do Something, to talk about what a culture of 'everyone can do something' can look like in your church and your community. Then leaders from across the country share real-life examples of how people are doing their 'something' to care for children & families in some pretty creative ways.

The movie Sound of Hope, was inspired by the true story of Possum Trot, Texas. In this episode, we hear about the way one church made a decision that changed not only their own lives but the lives of dozens of children in foster care straight from Bishop W.C. Martin himself.

In this episode, you’ll discover fresh ideas for how your church can participate in Pure Religion Sunday in ways that are meaningful and uniquely tailored to your context. Hear from Gabe Forsyth at Mosaic Church on how his church has leveraged this day over the years, and from Lisa Robertson at HopeBridge in Ohio on how it has helped their organization engage local churches in powerful ways.