Think Orphan - In Pursuit of Orphan Excellence

This is a placeholder for your sticky navigation bar. It should not be visible.

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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".

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

181. Driving Innovation in Child Welfare with Ian Forber-Pratt

In episode 181, you’ll hear from Ian Forber-Pratt who serves as the CEO of The Institute for Child Welfare Innovation, the Director of Global Advocacy at CERI, and also teaches at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. We talk with Ian about the work that he and his team are undertaking in domestic and international reform to “Protect Childhood.”

Read more

180. Soccer, Savings Groups and Family in Thailand with Aaron Blue

In episode 180, you'll hear from Aaron Blue who serves as the Thailand Director for The Charis Project. We talk with Aaron about the work that he and his team are undertaking in Mae Sot, Thailand to strengthen families and develop communities.

Read more

179. Orphan Care and the American Church with Pastor Evans Baggs

In episode 179, you'll hear from Pastor Evans Baggs who serves as the Pastor of Mobilization at Port City Community Church in Wilmington, North Carolina. We talk with Evans about the recent research from Barna Group, Faith to Action and Changing the Way We Care on Christian giving to orphanages. We'll also hear his thoughts on the role of the American church in missions and ministry to orphan and vulnerable children and how to prioritize relationship and accountability with international partners.

Read more