We’re bringing back this episode because it’s especially fitting for summer. Maybe this season has felt heavy—hard to juggle new rhythms, tiring for your biological family, or filled with questions about whether foster care is still good for your home.

This conversation is a timely reminder: foster care can be good for your family. It’s not about dragging them through it, but leading them well—anchored in purpose and grace.

What is the difference between dragging your biological family through the muck and mire of foster care versus leading them through it well?

If you are a foster or adoptive parent, more than likely, you know what we are talking about when it comes to facing some adversity from the people who love you when you first share the news that you are becoming Foster Parents. Although it can sometimes be disheartening, we believe there is a way to confidently lead your family through this journey while mirroring the love of Jesus to those around you.

In today’s episode, you are getting a sneak peek into one of our breakout sessions from the Mobilize Ohio Conference titled “Dragging vs. Leading.” Our panel is made up of four women who collectively have a wealth of experience and knowledge from all different perspectives of the foster care journey.

We hope the wisdom shared throughout this episode will give you the strength and knowledge to find a group of people who get you, even if you are still waiting for the people who love you to get on board.

We encourage you to keep pressing forward on God’s calling on your life despite any challenges you may face; you are touching more lives than just the kiddos who walk through your door.

Episode Highlights:

• Initial reactions of biological families to foster care
• Hesitation from bio family in regard to foster care
• The Positive Impact of Foster Care on Your Biological Family
• The challenges of Biological children in Foster Care
• Finding your why

Find more on Guest:

• Find Rhonda's Children's Books on Foster Care
• Find Bethany’s Podcast

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook
• Foster Our Community Instagram

We’re continuing our Spiritual Formation Series here at Hope Bridge, and this month, we focused on an especially timely theme: Experiencing God’s gift in nature.

Whether it’s a walk in the woods, sitting on your porch, or just paying attention to the sky—it all counts. Nature has a way of slowing us down and pointing us back to our Creator.

And guess what? Science backs it up. Spending time outside is good for our spiritual, mental, and emotional health—it’s not just a nice idea, it’s truly life-giving.

Tune in as we talk about how to connect with God through creation and explore simple ways to make this a meaningful part of your life.

Episode Highlights:

• God’s Creation
• Experiencing God’s Gift In Nature
• Overall Health Benefits of Being in Nature
• Scientific Research of Being Outdoors
• Simple Ways to Experience Nature

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook
• Foster Our Community Instagram

Register for the FASD Workshop

At Hope Bridge, two of our biggest priorities are supporting single moms and engaging the local church. But bringing those two things together isn’t always simple. In this episode, we’re discussing a sensitive but important topic: church hurt—specifically, how it affects single moms.

This conversation is not meant to overgeneralize or place blame. We are incredibly grateful for the many churches we partner with that do amazing work to support families. At the same time, we also want to honor the stories of single moms who have felt excluded from ministries, overlooked for leadership, or disconnected from small groups. Sometimes, the hurt comes through unsolicited advice that, while well-intended, causes pain. Other times, it’s not about what’s said—but what isn’t. The absence of acknowledgment or representation can leave single moms feeling invisible.

God created us for community. Even when that community has caused hurt, the need for connection remains. We talk about the importance of continuing to seek out healthy church spaces, even after past wounds. Sometimes, God meets us most powerfully outside of a traditional church setting—but we have to be seeking Him. Church is meant to be a place of restoration, hope, and belonging. In this conversation, we explore how we can help the Church reflect that vision more fully—especially for single moms.

Episode Highlights:

• Single Moms
• Church Hurt
• Church Community
• How to pursue healing
• Single Moms Program at Hope Bridge

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Check out our Single Moms Program
• July Empower U Registration
• Schedule Coffee with Mel!
• Link for Friendly Faces/Spiritual Development
• Single Mom Connection Form
• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook
• Foster Our Community Instagram