Podcast
Bonus Babies
Hosted by Jayne Amelia Larson · EN
The Anthem Award winning BONUS BABIES podcast is the only one of its kind that features the compelling true-life hard-hitting stories of those with a lived foster care experience and the people who care for them––all via the unique 360* lens of a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer. Through raw first-hand accounts, BONUS BABIES reveals the daunting complexity of the foster care world while documenting the challenges, failures and successes of the system as well as the people and the agencies involved. The creator and host, Jayne Amelia Larson, is a CASA - a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer for youth in foster care. In the same way a CASA works, she explores all things in the foster care maze by talking to kids, parents, caregivers, attorneys, social workers, therapists, adoptees, adoptive parents, members of community and social programs...anybody and everybody who will speak to her to keep the conversation open and the information flowing about all things CASA––to give a forum to help people understand what it's like to have a lived foster care experience. Original music by Christina Apostolopoulos. Emma Karpman is our Social Media Manager. Audio engineering and mixing by Adam "Yukon" Harr of Blue Oak Mastering. Executive Producer is Jake Eberle. Cover art by John Crowther.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Traci Gurley-Tomashosky: You Just Have To Be Consistent
Dec 1200:47:19Tap to summarizeSend a textJayne Amelia speaks with child advocate and executive director of CASA of the Ninth in Colorado, Traci Gurley-Tomashosky. Traci is a distinguished educational leader and advocate with over 22 years of experience dedicated to the development and success of children and youth. Currently serving as the Executive Director for CASA of the Ninth, Traci combines a deep clinical background in special education with a visionary approach to community-based advocacy. Her career is defined by the unwavering conviction that every young person, regardless of their starting point, can achieve significant growth when met with evidence-based support and authentic human connection. She also recently became a CASA as well, and has gained a better understanding of what it means to advocate for a children in need. Traci’s professional foundation is built upon academic training and a multidisciplinary suite of licensures including a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology (2007), Specialist Endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education (2012), and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences (2005). As well as professional licensure as an Elementary and Early Childhood Educator, Special Educator, and Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, providing her with a holistic understanding of the developmental spectrum from infancy through adolescence.Throughout her 18-year tenure as a Director and Special Educator, Traci has mastered the complexities special education and trauma informed educational practices. Additionally, she ensures that the organizations she leads remain in strict compliance with evaluative timelines and documentation standards, while never losing sight of the individual child.Traci's vision for community impact and leadership philosophy is rooted in transparency, authenticity, and cultural humility. She actively fosters environments that celebrate diversity and invite family partnership, believing that learning is most impactful when it is centered on the student’s unique interests and lived experiences. Under her direction, the focus of CASA of the Ninth is on building robust, trusting relationships—not only with the families served but across multidisciplinary teams—to ensure that the systems supporting our youth are as resilient and compassionate as the children themselves.https://www.ileadwithlove.org/care-for-the-caregivers-programCASA of the NinthSee bonusbabies.org to learn more about what we are doing and please donate to support us by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution. EVERY PENNY OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION GOES TO RECORDING AND PLATFORMING THESE STORIES. Yeah!IG@bonusbabiespodcastTW@BonusBabiesPodFB@BonusBabiesPodcast
Transcribe →Dana Hargus: And Nobody Is Bothered By This But Me?
Dec 1201:07:29Tap to summarizeSend a textJayne Amelia speaks with therapist and founder of Restore Of Ada, Dana Hargus, M.Ed., LPC. Dana is a foster mom and adoptive mom, and now a grandmother of many children. Dana was raised in the Ada area and has a bachelor's in education and special education and a master's degree in school counseling. After successfully working with students with behavioral and developmental issues, she returned to earn her degree in counseling. She has been working as a counselor for over twenty years. Dana owns Biofeedback and Counseling Inc. of Ada which serves the Central Oklahoma area with twelve counselors. Restore utilizes biofeedback, relational coaching, and nutritional therapy as an adjunct to (or independently of) traditional talk therapy. When talk therapy is not enough, Restore may help.Restore of Ada is a wellness company offering innovative programs and well-researched therapies, dedicated to renewing hope by healing the mind, body and spirit. These programs were designed to jumpstart the healing process by promoting a calm, regulated nervous system, training clients to better care for themselves and their relationships.Restore of Ada was formed in 2024 in Ada, Oklahoma and is unique in its application of several healing interventions: trauma and resiliency science through life coaching, nutritional interventions, and other additional modalities of healing. Founder Dana Hargus, a counselor with over twenty years of experience, was inspired to start Restore Of Ada when she acknowledged that once-a-week talk therapy sometimes isn’t enough to treat those suffering from persistent emotional, physical and relational traumas.While traditional counseling can provide powerful outcomes, she recognized the need for an accelerated healing program for those struggling with addictions, attachment disorders, autoimmune disease, anxiety, PTSD, depression, ADD, chronic pain, behavioral issues and many more. This led to the creation of the innovative healing program Restore House, an accelerated 9-week healing program, designed to address physical, emotional, and neurological traumas through both virtual and in-person experiences, as well as ongoing coaching and community support.Restore Of Ada is a place to heal the body, soul and spirit.See bonusbabies.org to learn more about what we are doing and please donate to support us by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution. EVERY PENNY OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION GOES TO RECORDING AND PLATFORMING THESE STORIES. Yeah!IG@bonusbabiespodcastTW@BonusBabiesPodFB@BonusBabiesPodcast
Transcribe →Jenny Serrano - My Family Needed Intervention
Nov 2801:12:34Tap to summarizeSend a textJayne Amelia speaks with Jenny Serrano, a former foster youth and now administrator at DCFS. Exiting foster care in the 1990s after spending six years in the child welfare system left an indelible mark on Jenny Serrano. Ill-prepared for the responsibilities that came with living on her own, she struggled.“After I left care, I was homeless, lived in a shelter and remained precariously housed until I finished graduate school,” Jenny said. “When I exited care, there weren’t a lot of opportunities available or even a broad awareness of what youth needed.”Since that time, however, assistance for youth exiting care has evolved significantly, in large part due to input from Jenny and others with lived experience.Now a children services administrator with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Jenny works tirelessly to support older youth and prepare them for the transition into adulthood.Jenny and her dedicated team of nine staff members in the Youth Development Services (YDS) Division manage a number of workforce initiatives through partnerships with other agencies that aim to help current and former foster youth gain job experience through subsidized employment and internships.For example, Jenny recalls a young mother who completed 400 hours of work experience as a recreation leader at a local city park through the Bridge to Work program. She was later hired full time by the program, allowing her to get her own apartment and purchase her first car.“Many of our youth are entirely responsible for their own financial well-being as soon as they exit care,” Jenny said. “Employment preparation and career exposure are essential to ensuring the success of young adults.”Although research shows that work experience prior to age 18 dramatically improves later employment outcomes, nearly 90 percent of foster youth in California do not have a job at age 17, according to the National Youth in Transition Database. Data further reveals that more than 40 percent of these young people are still unemployed when they turn 21.To address this issue, YDS employment programs provide youth with pre-work training in various soft skills, such as communication, attitude, teamwork and critical thinking, followed by paid work experience supervised by a case manager and an employer. DCFS also offers paid internships within the department, as well as project-based internships for academic credit.Earlier this year, Jenny and her team received an award from the Los Angeles County Quality and Productivity Commission for developing and implementing an automated referral system that links DCFS to a network of more than 40 job centers. Thanks to the team’s ingenuity, the likelihood of future employment for current and former foster youth has greatly increased.Reflecting on her own experience, Jenny is motivated by the memory of one committed DCFS coordinator who supported her as she struggled to find her footing. “He always took my calls from payphones at odd hours and always had a pocket full of quarters to give me for my laundry,” she said. “I think of him and show up every day the way I wish more people would have showed up for me.”See bonusbabies.org to learn more about what we are doing and please donate to support us by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution. EVERY PENNY OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION GOES TO RECORDING AND PLATFORMING THESE STORIES. Yeah!IG@bonusbabiespodcastTW@BonusBabiesPodFB@BonusBabiesPodcast
Transcribe →Lucretia Taylor: You Don't Have To Change The World In One Day
Oct 900:46:10Tap to summarizeSend a textJayne Amelia speaks with Dr. Lucretia “Cre” Taylor, a seasoned strategist and consultant with over two decades of experience leading and supporting organizations across the nonprofit and public sectors. Her expertise spans strategic planning, program design, evaluation, organizational development, and capacity building—particularly for organizations advancing equity, healing, and access for historically marginalized communities. Dr. Cre is the founder of Strategic Choices Consulting, where she works closely with nonprofits, funders, and coalitions to strengthen infrastructure, align programs with outcomes, and move from vision to impact.While deeply committed to youth-serving organizations, Dr. Cre’s portfolio includes a wide range of mission areas—from education and mental health to justice reform, housing, and leadership development. Her consulting work focuses on helping organizations sharpen their strategy, build sustainable programs, design meaningful partnerships, and increase their readiness for funding and growth. She has supported over 200 organizations nationwide through technical assistance, training, and implementation support—facilitating organizational assessments, strategic planning retreats, program audits, and leadership coaching.A former foster youth turned scholar-practitioner, Dr. Cre draws on both personal experience and research expertise to inform her work. She holds a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Policy, Reform, and Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University, a Master’s degree in Urban Affairs & Public Policy with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management and Evaluation from the University of Delaware, and a Bachelor’s degree from Spelman College. Dr. Cre was recognized as an “American Champion” by PBS for her contributions to education and community transformation.She is also a sought-after speaker and facilitator known for her engaging, affirming approach to leading conversations on systems change, trauma-informed practice, and community-led design. Whether helping organizations develop a strategic roadmap, align programs with community needs, or build internal capacity, Dr. Cre brings thought partnership, clarity, and care to every engagement.See bonusbabies.org to learn more about what we are doing and please donate to support us by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution. EVERY PENNY OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION GOES TO RECORDING AND PLATFORMING THESE STORIES. Yeah!IG@bonusbabiespodcastTW@BonusBabiesPodFB@BonusBabiesPodcast
Transcribe →Renee Santos : I Never Unpacked My Bag
Aug 2200:56:55Tap to summarizeSend a textJayne Amelia Larson talks with performer and former foster youth, Renée Santos. Renée is a fierce multi-hyphenate performer — actor, writer, comedian — whose work lives at the intersection of raw truth and bold humor. In 2025, she’s been touring nationally with her critically-acclaimed one-woman dramatic solo show, CROSSROADS — a gripping, emotionally honest theatrical journey about her experience growing up in the foster care system. Through powerful storytelling and unflinching vulnerability, the show explores identity, survival, and what it means to reclaim your narrative.Best known for her sharp wit and fearless presence, Renée first made her mark in stand-up comedy and continues to bring her signature mix of social commentary and edgy charm to comedy stages nationwide. Whether she’s bringing audiences to tears with deeply human storytelling or tears of laughter with a perfectly timed punchline, Renée is committed to using her voice — and her full artistic range — to spark connection, healing, and hilarity.Visit her website here.See bonusbabies.org to learn more about what we are doing and please donate to support us by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution. EVERY PENNY OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION GOES TO RECORDING AND PLATFORMING THESE STORIES. Yeah!IG@bonusbabiespodcastTW@BonusBabiesPodFB@BonusBabiesPodcast
Transcribe →Mark Daley: How Do We Address The Smoke Rising From Families
Aug 700:43:31Tap to summarizeSend a textJayne Amelia speaks with social activist, entrepreneur, and foster turned adoptive father, Mark Daley. Mark has over two decades of experience in message development, communication strategy, and public policy, including as a communications director and spokesperson for then-Senator Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign. He has worked with more than thirty members of Congress, numerous governors, and other elected officials. He is the founder of One Iowa, the state’s largest LGBTQ+ equality organization, and TheFosterParent.com, a national platform to connect interested families with foster organizations. He's written a wonderful book about his family's growing journey: "Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family."Find about more about his book and work here: Mark Daley and TheFosterParent.comSee bonusbabies.org to learn more about what we are doing and please donate to support us by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution. EVERY PENNY OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION GOES TO RECORDING AND PLATFORMING THESE STORIES. Yeah!IG@bonusbabiespodcastTW@BonusBabiesPodFB@BonusBabiesPodcast
Transcribe →Greg Brake: Foster Warriors 24-Hour Challenge
Jul 2500:53:21Tap to summarizeSend a textJayne Amelia speaks with Greg Brake, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Foster Warriors. Greg has built companies including a 200+ person legal & technology team that have handled some of the nation's most critical matters such as the World Trade Center disaster. He created the initial model to determine the value of a life lost in 9/11 and handled numerous regulatory inquiries which include but are not limited to: NYSE & Archipelago, Oracle & Peoplesoft, Harrah's & Ceasars. He built global litigation systems, cyber security, and data breach response and remediation solutions Greg loves solving complex problems that others don't want to tackle. In 2019, he reached out to his longtime friend and former business partner Chuck Rubac, former US Navy SEAL, to help him build a program to change foster children's lives and create a positive way forward for great Americans who served this country. The underlying mission is suicide prevention but Greg and Chuck wanted to focus on the opposite framework of Veterans having a mission and purpose in life to materially change the lives of a forgotten population, foster youth that have aged out of the system. Foster Warriors held its 1st 24-hour challenge in September 2023 and it was a resounding success. Greg most enjoys spending time with his family and coaching youth lacrosse.Foster Warriors - Bringing Navy Seals and their allies together to mentor Foster YouthSee bonusbabies.org to learn more about what we are doing and please donate to support us by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution. EVERY PENNY OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION GOES TO RECORDING AND PLATFORMING THESE STORIES. Yeah!IG@bonusbabiespodcastTW@BonusBabiesPodFB@BonusBabiesPodcast
Transcribe →Andrew Bridge: Tear It Down
Jul 400:51:49Tap to summarizeSend a textJayne Amelia speaks with attorney, child advocate, and bestselling author Andrew Bridge. Andrew spent 11 years in Los Angeles County foster care, before earning a scholarship to Wesleyan University and graduating from Harvard Law School. He is a Fulbright Fellow and a Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Writing Resident.His work has garnered coverage in The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Showtime, The Observer, The CBS Early Show, NBC Nightly News, Time Magazine, PBS, Psychology Today, NPR, and Observer Magazine.He began his legal career representing children against the State of Alabama. His work resulted in the closure of one of the most notorious psychiatric institutions in the country, the Eufaula Adolescent Center. After that, he returned home to Los Angeles as CEO of The Alliance for Children’s Rights. He defended children at MacLaren Hall, where he was once confined. Under Andrew’s leadership, The Alliance successfully sued Los Angeles County over its practice of not visiting foster children. The victory gave every foster child the right to see and speak with their social worker at least once a month.Andrew chaired Los Angeles County’s Blue Ribbon Foster Care Task Force, which called for an end to the disproportionate removal of African-American babies from their parents. He is the co-founder of National Adoption Day. He went on to lead California’s largest recruiter of LGBT+ foster and adoptive parents.A sought-after expert in his field, he has advised senior federal and state officials on reforming our foster care system to meet the needs of families living in poverty. His educational work resulted in the establishment of New Village Girls Academy, California’s first all-girls high school for pregnant and parenting teens. He regularly consults with child welfare systems, children’s facilities, and private foundations. As a member of Arizona’s Foster Care Review Board, Andrew advises Arizona’s Juvenile Court on the safety and well-being of individual children in the state’s care.His website is here and his best-selling books:Hope's BoyThe Child Catchern this episode we talk about:*Growing up in Los Angeles foster care and his early experiences that shaped his perspectives*His journey to becoming an attorney and child advocate, including earning degrees and professional milestones*Discussion of his new book The Child Catcher, which offers a critique of the child welfare system and calls for transformative reforms *Reflections on how storytelling and personal narrative can ignite change in foster care policies and practicesSee bonusbabies.org to learn more about what we are doing and please donate to support us by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution. EVERY PENNY OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION GOES TO RECORDING AND PLATFORMING THESE STORIES. Yeah!IG@bonusbabiespodcastTW@BonusBabiesPodFB@BonusBabiesPodcast
Transcribe →Alexis Longmire: I Made Me, Who I Am Today, I Did This
Jun 800:51:05Tap to summarizeSend a textJayne Amelia speaks with former foster youth Alexis Longmire who is an entrepreneur and fashionista. Lex is a fashion journalist, stylist, traveling wardrobe consultant and a proud Los Angeles native. When she was 10, she discovered her passion for styling and has never looked back! As she gained experience, Lex immersed herself in runway fashion, fashion magazines, cutting edge designers, and Instagram influencers. She graduated from the University of Arizona with degrees in Fashion Retailing and Consumer Science.Lex has styled music videos, photo shoots, album covers, fashion shows, events, and red carpets for over 4 years. Her experience includes assisting Celebrity Stylist Okera Banks, interning under Celebrity Stylists Jill Jacobs and Morgan Pinney, and working as an intern at The Honeyman PR Agency. She also worked as a personal stylist in luxury boutique settings, helping everyday women feel confident.Lex has expanded her services to include wardrobe reorganization, capsule collection consultations, and personal shopping for men and women. Featuring fashion, fun, style, industry insights, tips for curating your own personal style, shopping smarter, and looking cute everyday, Lex Styles Mag is a magazine with a unique twist! Here you’ll discover her favorite looks of the season and thoughts on life in the fashion industry. You’ll also find outfit suggestions that take the stress out of getting dressed and more!Aside from fashion, Lex loves helping others in her community. In her free time, she spends time with her fur baby, visits local coffee shops, and spends hours at the library.LEX STYLES MagazineALL THINGS FASHION, FUN, AND STYLISHEstablished in 2017 and emerging as a fashion magazine in 2022, Lex Styles Mag looks to inspire, empower and inform both men and women on creating the life they want through fashion and style. Dedicated to Honoring the importance and impact of fashion on everyday life, self-esteem, careers, music and as a display of passions. Curated by experts with unique perspectives and understanding writers and using education and creation as a tool to make fashion and a style accessible to everyone and helping to enhance everyday moments.In this episode we discuss:*Childhood & Creativity Alexis talks about discovering her passion for fashion at age 10 and how creativity became her anchor.*Professional Journey Alexis details stepping into couture—runway fashion, photo shoots, red carpets—and working under celebrity stylists like Okera Banks, Jill Jacobs, and Morgan Pinney. *Lex Styles Mag She shares her vision for a style magazine that empowers confidence and accessible fashion for all.*Practical Style Advice She shares tips on cultivating personal style, smarter shopping, wardrobe organization, capsule collections, and getting dressed with ease.*Giving Back Alexis describes her local involvement: supporting her community, spending time in coffee shops and libraries, and loving her “fur baby."Alexis on LinkedIn here.See bonusbabies.org to learn more about what we are doing and please donate to support us by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution. EVERY PENNY OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION GOES TO RECORDING AND PLATFORMING THESE STORIES. Yeah!IG@bonusbabiespodcastTW@BonusBabiesPodFB@BonusBabiesPodcast
Transcribe →Shimeka Lott: The People Coming In For The Rescue Don't Need to Be Perfect But Need To Operate With A Perfect Heart
May 11, 202501:06:27Tap to summarizeSend a textJayne Amelia speaks with former foster mom, Shimeka D. Lott. Shimeka is the visionary Founder and CEO of the Ashlynn B. Jackson Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting the lives of young people and underserved communities. With over 25 years of experience volunteering and leading community-driven initiatives, Shimeka’s passion for service runs deep. Whether it’s feeding the unhoused, supporting annual Thanksgiving and Christmas drives, or distributing hygiene kits on Skid Row, she is a constant presence in her community, driven by a mission to make a tangible difference. One of her most cherished achievements is partnering with Mt. Sinai Church of Los Angeles to launch a youth academic initiative that led to the creation of the Ashlynn B. Jackson Scholarship Fund. Through her leadership, over $190,000 in scholarships has been awarded to ambitious youth over a five-year span, empowering them to pursue higher education and professional success. Shimeka played a critical role in establishing the program’s online application process, setting qualifications, and developing structured guidelines to ensure its impact.Recognizing the importance of academic support, she also formed a partnership with UCLA to deliver an annual tutoring program focused on college readiness and career development for students. Leading a team of 15 volunteers, Shimeka was instrumental in expanding program outreach, organizing impactful fundraising events, and securing endorsements from city officials and celebrities. Her efforts culminated in the highly successful Annual Scholarship Gala, which attracted donations and sponsorships from major brands like Nike, the Dodgers, Lakers, Clippers, and Angels.Beyond her nonprofit work, Shimeka brings over 25 years of accounting expertise to her foundation, managing financial operations, event sales, and strategic marketing with precision. As a licensed Realtor and Inglewood area specialist, her extensive network and community ties enable her to foster meaningful connections that further the foundation’s mission. Whether in business or philanthropy, Shimeka Lott embodies her mantra of “impacting one heart at a time,” continuously leveraging her skills and influence to create lasting change.See bonusbabies.org to learn more about what we are doing and please donate to support us by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution. EVERY PENNY OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION GOES TO RECORDING AND PLATFORMING THESE STORIES. Yeah!IG@bonusbabiespodcastTW@BonusBabiesPodFB@BonusBabiesPodcast
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