Podcast
Resilient Voices & Beyond
Hosted by Michael D. Davis-Thomas Aka MDDTSpeaks · EN
Resilient Voices & Beyond is a podcast that amplifies the voices of those who were once silenced and aims to empower a new generation of foster care alum leaders. Through conversations with community partners, leaders, advocates, and activists, this podcast educates listeners on reforms, policies, and advocacy related to foster care, adoption, kinship, CCIs, JJ, and the child welfare system. The podcast challenges stigmas and labels surrounding these topics and creates a dialogue on reform and advocacy that is already happening or needs to happen. The core values of Resilient Voices & Beyond include empowerment, inclusivity, education, collaboration, authenticity, and innovation. The mission of the podcast is to create a platform for silenced voices to be heard and received, while the vision is to inspire and empower a new generation of leaders committed to making a positive change in the world.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
"Your direction is more important than your speed."
May 17, 202501:01:07Tap to summarizeSeason 3, Episode 47Title: “Your direction is more important than your speed.”Subtitle: From Surviving to Serving: Reclaiming Purpose Through Pain In this deeply moving episode of the Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas (MDDTSpeaks) sits down with Andrea Atkins—a single mother of four, foster care alumni, and child welfare specialist—for an unfiltered, soul-stirring conversation about survival, motherhood, healing, and the audacity to rewrite your own narrative. With raw vulnerability and unwavering strength, Andrea shares her journey through the foster care system—beginning with removal at age four, adoption at ten, and ultimately a disrupted adoption that led her to find family in unexpected places. But this isn’t just a story about trauma. It’s a testimony of intentional healing, of learning to embrace authenticity after years of masking pain, and of turning personal wounds into a mission of service. Now a child welfare professional, Andrea doesn’t just occupy space in the system—she’s reshaping it. Fueled by lived experience and maternal wisdom, she advocates for youth who feel voiceless and unseen, helping to create trauma-informed spaces rooted in dignity, empathy, and care. This episode unpacks the messy, miraculous in-between: the tension of healing while serving, the weight of single motherhood, and the power in moving forward—not fast, but faithfully. Key Themes Covered:Growing up in and aging out of the foster care systemNavigating disrupted adoption, identity loss, and cultural disconnectionBreaking cycles and reclaiming voice through motherhoodThe unspoken pressures of “beating the statistics”From performance to purpose: why healing is the real workSystemic gaps in child welfare and the role of lived experience expertsSelf-forgiveness, therapy, and the slow walk toward wholenessThe power of proximity in advocacy and why small actions matterWhether you’re a parent, professional, survivor, or simply someone navigating life’s unpredictable terrain—this episode will meet you right where you are. Andrea’s story is proof that your pain is not pointless, your pace is not your identity, and your past doesn’t disqualify your purpose.Guest: Andrea AtkinsFoster Care Alumni | Child Welfare Specialist | Advocate | Boy Mom of 4
Transcribe →“Life is not what happens to you, but how you respond to it.”
Apr 19, 202501:02:08Tap to summarizeSeason 3, Episode 46Title: “Life is not what happens to you, but how you respond to it.”Subtitle: Stepping Into the Call: From Surviving to SurrenderingIn this transformative episode of the Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas (MDDTSpeaks) reconnects with long-time friend and fellow advocate Ashley Watkins—and what unfolds is nothing short of sacred. Together, they journey through Ashley’s powerful testimony of resilience, healing, and divine surrender.Ashley Watkins, a spoken word poet, therapist, foster care advocate, and founder of Her Untold Stories Heard, opens up about her evolution—from surviving childhood trauma, navigating the foster care system, and enduring abuse, to stepping boldly into the woman God called her to be. In this vulnerable yet victorious dialogue, Ashley shares how she moved from living in the shadows of her pain to reclaiming her voice, redefining her worth, and helping other women heal through truth and transparency. Key Conversation Highlights:The journey from surviving abuse and abandonment to discovering divine identityChoosing surrender over striving, and trusting God in the midst of uncertaintyWhy healing isn’t linear—and how to stay the course when the process hurtsThe importance of self-trust, faith-led obedience, and emotional accountabilityAshley’s founding of HUSH (Her Untold Stories Heard) and her mission to help women evolve through their truthThe spiritual tension of being called but not yet prepared—and what it means to wait wellThe reality of mental health battles, faith fatigue, and learning how to pray when words run outThroughout the episode, Michael and Ashley exchange reflections on surrendering ambition for purpose, embracing God’s timing, and answering the call to be light—even when life has tried to extinguish that light. Their conversation is raw, rich, and soul-deep—reminding us that our response to adversity defines our resilience.If you’re in a season of questioning, healing, or trying to find your footing after brokenness, this episode is your invitation to stop surviving and start surrendering.Guest: Ashley WatkinsSpoken Word Poet | Therapist | Foster Care AdvocateFounder & CEO of Her Untold Stories Heard (HUSH) Connect with Ashley:@soulevessel__@heruntoldstoriesheard_LinkedInFacebook
Transcribe →“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” – Colossians 3:23 (NLT)
Apr 19, 202501:01:56Tap to summarizeSeason 3, Episode 45Title: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” – Colossians 3:23 (NLT)In this deeply moving episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas is joined by author, advocate, mother, and lived experience leader Kayann Foster—a woman whose life and work exemplify faith, resilience, and radical healing.From surviving childhood trauma, homelessness, domestic abuse, and aging out of foster care, to becoming a Lived Experience Consultant for the Department of Children and Families in New Jersey, Kayann’s journey is one of extraordinary transformation. She shares her story with humility and honesty, reflecting on the path that led her from survival mode to sustainable healing—both for herself and for the communities she now serves.In this episode, Kayann opens up about:Healing from childhood trauma and domestic abuse while navigating motherhoodThe power of faith, transparency, and self-compassion in breaking generational cyclesWhy embracing her scars instead of hiding them has become a cornerstone of her healingHer work as a PACEs (Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences) trainer, creating trauma-informed spaces across New JerseyBalancing advocacy and motherhood while raising five beautiful childrenPublishing her book “Water in the Wilderness”—a reluctant but powerful act of obedience and courageKayann also reflects on the emotional weight of being a mother determined to parent differently—choosing connection, honesty, and grace over reaction and shame. She and Michael explore the importance of naming our survival-mode behaviors, reframing pain as purpose, and stepping out of isolation into healing-centered community.If you’ve ever struggled with trauma, faith, parenting after pain, or finding your voice through adversity—this episode will meet you exactly where you are. Kayann’s story is a beacon for anyone ready to stop hiding their story and start living healed.Key Themes:Resilience through motherhoodThe intersection of faith and healingSelf-care beyond survival modeSystemic advocacy rooted in lived experienceOwning your truth and sharing it with othersOrder Kayann’s Book:Water in the Wilderness – [Available on Amazon] Follow Kayann Foster:LinkedIn: Kayann FosterEmail: [fosterkk.4404@gmail.com]
Transcribe →"Your Story Is Your Superpower—Own It, Share It, and Let It Open Doors for You."
Apr 12, 202500:52:09Tap to summarizeEpisode Title: "Your Story Is Your Superpower—Own It, Share It, and Let It Open Doors for You."Season 3, Episode 44In this transformative episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas sits down with powerhouse speaker, author, trauma expert, and former foster youth Dr. Danisha Keating for a deeply authentic conversation about healing, identity, and turning pain into purpose.From living in her car while navigating college, to raising her siblings while building a life rooted in impact, Dr. Keating’s story is one of resilience, grit, and radical self-determination. She shares how her experiences in the foster care system and with generational trauma shaped her—but didn’t define her. Instead, she reclaimed her narrative and has since dedicated her life to empowering others to do the same through storytelling, education, and systemic advocacy.As the author of Faith Through the Desert, From Foster to PhD: Letters from a Suitcase, and Taking My Voice Back: Healing What Broke Me, Dr. Keating is a leading voice in the foster care reform space and a nationally recognized coach for speakers and authors. Her mission is clear: to help others own their voice, craft their message, and step into spaces they were once told they didn’t belong.In this episode, Michael and Dr. Keating explore:Navigating homelessness and foster care while pursuing higher educationThe emotional toll of systemic disconnection and budget cutsHow to recognize and break generational trauma and learned helplessnessThe power of community and finding just one person who believes in youTurning your story into your platform: authentic storytelling as advocacyThe importance of self-care, celebration of small wins, and setting boundariesThis conversation is a reminder that your story is not a liability—it’s leverage. For every listener who's struggled with feeling unseen, unheard, or unworthy, this episode is your invitation to reclaim your voice, rewrite your narrative, and realize your worth. Connect with Dr. Danisha Keating:Website: www.danishakeating.comInstagram: @drdanishakeatingFacebook: Dr. Danisha KeatingLinkedIn: Danisha Keating, PhDYouTube: The Dr. Danisha Keating ShowTikTok: @drdanishakeatingExplore her books on Amazon:Faith Through the DesertFrom Foster to PhD: Letters from a SuitcaseTaking My Voice Back: Healing What Broke Me
Transcribe →