Think Orphan - In Pursuit of Orphan Excellence

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201. Supporting Domestic Adoption in Kenya with Simon Njoroge

In episode 201, we're talking with Simon Njoroge about his work in family based care, welfare reform and the adoption landscape in Kenya. A little change up, we gave Phil a break and recorded this episode live at the 1MILLIONHOME office in Tacoma, Washington. Apologies for slight audio issue at the start of interview, Brandon is a work in progress! We know you'll learn a lot from Simon and his experience as an adoptee, an advocate and an administrator working in orphan care.

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200th Episode Reunion!

In this special episode of Think Orphan, we celebrate the 200th episode! What started as an idea that Phil just hoped people would listen to has turned into a resource, a movement and a community focused on loving orphaned and vulnerable children with excellence. Join us for this episode where we bring back former hosts, hear from past guests and current listeners and of course look forward to the many more episodes to come.

Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com

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199. Abortion and the Future of Orphan Care with Jedd Medefind

In episode 199, we're talking with old friend and President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, Jedd Medefind. With his years of leadership in the OVC space, we pick Jedd's brain on what trends he's seeing and what the future might hold for advocates and practitioners alike. We then get into a longer conversation on Roe v. Wade and the practical implications if federal legislation on abortion changes.

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198. Writing a New Story in Guatemala with Alycia Pinizzotto

In episode 198, we're speaking with Alycia Pinizzotto of Story International in Guatemala about piloting foster care in a new context, parenting teens and ministering in the midst of tragedy. Alycia brings a lot of first-hand experience and thoughtful reflections on ministering to orphans and vulnerable children, not only in Guatemala but in the US system as well.

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197. Navigating Cross-Cultural Adoption with Brittany Salmon

In episode 197, we're speaking with author, professor and mother Brittany Salmon about the in's and out's of cross-cultural and trans-racial adoption. We learn not only from her family's experience but also research and writing that she's put together in her new book, It Takes More Than Love. After the interview, Brandon and Phil discuss race a little further and emphasize the importance of listening and building towards unity.

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196. An Insider’s View of Foster Care with Tori Hope Petersen

In episode 196, we're talking with Tori Hope Petersen. Tori is an author, speaker and foster care advocate with lived experience in the system (oh, yeah, she's also Mrs. Universe). We discuss what foster care looks like from the inside, what changes ought to be made and what compelled Tori to go from being a foster youth, to now welcoming kids in to her home as a parent.

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195. Addressing Violence Against Children with Scott Moeschberger

In episode 195, we're talking with Dr. Scott Moeschberger. Scott is the Director of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Degree Program at Taylor University and a leading expert globally on violence against children. We discuss the program at Taylor and dig into his upcoming book "Building Cultures of Peace: Psychological Perspectives on Understanding and Addressing Violence Against Children".

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194. “Not About Me” with Morgan Wienberg

In episode 194, we're talking with Morgan Wienberg about her organization Little Footprints Big Steps, serving vulnerable children in Haiti and the new feature documentary Not About Me. Our conversation centers around eager volunteers, maturing into better practice and the prevalence of for-profit orphanages.

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193. The Effects of War on Ukrainian Children with Ruslan Maliuta

In episode 193, we're talking with Ruslan Maliuta about the war in Ukraine and the tragic realities for children in the country and those that are fleeing the country. Ruslan is a Ukrainian and a founding leader for World Without Orphans. He currently works for OneHope, a global ministry that helps children engage with God’s story, supporting several networks, including the 4/14 Movement and the World Evangelical Alliance.

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192. “Foster the Family” with Jamie Finn

In episode 193, we're talking with Author and Advocate, Jamie Finn about foster care, adoption and reunification. Jamie has written extensively on her blog Foster the Family about how God has been working in their family's life and we get to glean from the lessons that they've learned along the way.

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Special Episode – Francis Chan Journeys Through Kenya

In this special episode of Think Orphan, we're joining Pastor and Author Francis Chan as he travels through Kenya to hear about what God is doing in the lives of orphans and vulnerable children. Along the way, he talks with care leavers, organization directors and advocates for family based care. This podcast is brought in partnership with JourneyHome, the online community learning platform that is training and resourcing leaders in global child welfare.

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190. HIV/AIDS, Child Sponsorships and Fundraising Excellence with Brent Phillips

In episode 190, we're talking with Brent Phillips from Cherish Uganda. A long-time friend of the podcast, we get Brent on to share about the work that Cherish is doing in Uganda, what it looked like for them to transform to a family based model of care and then get into the nitty-gritty of fundraising for our missions and whether or not child sponsorships are the way to go.

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189. Creating a Lasting Impact for Care Leavers with Sinet Chan and Grace Njeri

In episode 189, we're talking with Sinet Chan and Grace Njeri who sit on the USAID Care Leavers Council and are recipients of Miracle Foundation's Youth for Social Impact award. They share their personal experiences of what it was like to grow up in an orphanage and the years thereafter. Hear what they are doing now to help impact future adolescents coming out of institutionalized care.

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188. Helping Children Thrive with Caroline Boudreaux

In episode 188, we're talking with Caroline Boudreaux, the founder of Miracle Foundation. Caroline talks with us about what led her to starting the organization, what child welfare looks like in India and some important reflections on running non-profit organizations with excellence.

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Season 10 Premiere

In episode 187, you will hear Phil and Brandon share their reflections on this past Season 9 on the Think Orphan Podcast. Hear memorable highlights, their end of year recommendations, and what's ahead in Season 10.

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186. Equipping Organizations and Protecting Children with Mick Pease, Dan Hope and Caitlin Hope

In episode 186, you will hear from the crew at SFAC: Mick Pease, Dan Hope and Dr Caitlin Lance Hope. They get into an array of topics with Phil and Brandon around child protection, family care services and what they've learned from years working in global child welfare.

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185. From Leaving Care to Leading Care in Ethiopia with Tamrat Kebede

In episode 185, you will hear from Tamrat Kebede who is the Ethiopia Director for Selamta Family Project. Tamrat talks with Phil and Brandon about his own experience growing up in an orphanage and how that has informed his work overseeing Selamta's family and community based model of care. Tamrat also explains the current conflict unfolding in Ethiopia and how that is adversely affecting orphans and vulnerable children in the country.

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184. Orphanhood in the Age of COVID-19 with Dr. Susan Hillis

In episode 184, you'll hear from Dr. Susan Hillis who works at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and also serves on the leadership team of World Without Orphans. In this episode, Dr. Hillis shares with us her own background as an adoptive mother, the importance of a global response for orphaned and at-risk children and the far reaching implications of the millions of children left orphaned by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

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183. Strengthening Children and Families in El Salvador with Kara Wilson Garcia

In episode 183, you’ll hear from Kara Wilson Garcia who serves as the Executive Director of Project RED. We talk with Kara about the effects of conflict in El Salvador, how reintegration policies can go wrong and the work Project RED is doing to strengthen families and support children.

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182. Transforming Children’s Care in Kenya with Jonathan Dowell

In episode 182, you’ll hear from Jonathan Dowell who serves as the Executive Director of Weza Care Solutions. We talk with Jonathan about the emphasis on their social work and rehabilitation work by filling gaps in transition between the old system of institutionalized care and maturing more organizations in Kenya who want to take on new models of care to help children and families.

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