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Fostering Change

Fostering Change

Hosted by Rob Scheer

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Episodes

312

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN

About the show

Fostering Change with Rob Scheer Hosted by Comfort Cases founder Rob Scheer , this inspiring podcast shares powerful stories of resilience, compassion, and community. Each week, Rob sits down with guests who are making a difference in the foster care system — from former foster youth and foster parents to advocates, authors, and celebrities whose lives have been touched by foster care. With warmth, humor, and heart, Rob leads conversations that remind us all how dignity, hope, and love can change a child’s life forever. 💙 Have a story to share or a question for Rob? 📧 Email: info @comfortcases.org Follow us on social media: @comfortcases Learn more at comfortcases.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 4, 202632 min

Love Does Not Conquer All: Peter Mutabazi on the Truth About Foster Care, Parenting, and Hope

As August begins, our Best of Fostering Change series continues with one of Season 7’s most popular and heartfelt conversations.Rob welcomes back his good friend Peter Mutabazi—author, speaker, foster and adoptive father, and founder of Now I Am Known. Known to many as the “Foster Dad Flipper,” Peter has welcomed more than 40 children into his home and adopted three.In this powerful conversation, Peter discusses his book, Love Does Not Conquer All, and shares an honest look at foster parenting and the deep commitment required to help children heal from trauma. He reminds us that while love is essential, healing also requires patience, consistency, trust, and the willingness to keep showing up—day after day.Episode Highlights• Why love alone isn’t enough—and what children in foster care truly need to heal• How practical life skills can help children build confidence and independence• The importance of every child having at least one trusted adult in their corner• Why families should receive support before children enter foster care• Navigating the heartbreak of saying goodbye—and maintaining meaningful relationships afterwardLooking AheadOnly four more Best of Fostering Change episodes remain before we launch Season 8 this fall under our new name: Comfort Cases UnPacked.You can expect the same meaningful conversations, inspiring guests, and unwavering commitment to children and families—now entering an exciting new chapter. We can’t wait to share it with you!Connect with Peter MutabaziWebsite: https://petermutabazi.comOrganization: Now I Am KnownBook: Love Does Not Conquer All, available wherever books are soldFacebook: Peter MutabaziInstagram: @fosterdadflipperThank You for ListeningIf you enjoyed this episode, please like, follow, comment, and share the podcast. Your support helps us reach more people, raise awareness, and continue these important conversations about foster care, adoption, and child welfare.Thank you for listening—and thank you for being a GOOD HUMAN.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 28, 202625 min

Breaking the Silence: Menstrual Health, Dignity, and the Power of Partnership with Yvonne Patron

As our Best of Fostering Change series continues, we're revisiting an important conversation about a topic that's too often overlooked—but can have a profound impact on girls experiencing foster care.Rob is joined by Yvonne Esipila Patron, Co-Founder and CEO of the PATESI Foundation, a global nonprofit working to end menstrual and postpartum poverty through education, access, and empowerment.This episode also highlights the meaningful partnership between Comfort Cases and the PATESI Foundation. Through this collaboration, every Comfort Cases backpack distributed to girls ages 11 and older includes an emergency menstrual kit, helping ensure that no girl has to face menstruation without the basic products, dignity, and confidence she deserves.Conversation HighlightsWhy menstrual poverty remains an overlooked global issueThe unique challenges girls in foster care face during times of transitionHow the Comfort Cases and PATESI partnership is making a tangible differenceWhy postpartum poverty deserves greater awarenessThe important role men and boys play in breaking stigma and supporting lasting changeLooking AheadThere's much more to come.This fall, we'll return with all-new episodes featuring inspiring guests and meaningful conversations—along with a new name for the podcast, which we'll announce very soon. Same mission. Same commitment to children and families. An exciting new chapter begins this September.Connect with the PATESI FoundationWebsite: https://www.patesifoundation.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/patesifoundationInstagram: @patesifoundation🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 21, 202631 min

From Foster Care to Family Law: Susan Chesnutt on Justice, Healing, and Child Welfare

Our Best of Fostering Change series continues with an unforgettable conversation featuring Susan Chesnutt—a family law attorney, former child abuse investigator, and former foster youth whose life has come full circle through advocacy and service.Susan has experienced the child welfare system from nearly every perspective. Raised in foster care herself, she later investigated child abuse cases for Florida's Department of Children and Families before earning her law degree and dedicating her legal career to representing children and families. Today, through The Chesnutt Law Firm and her podcast, From Foster Care to Family Law, she works to make the child welfare system more compassionate, transparent, and effective.Conversation HighlightsHow Susan's own foster care experience shaped her career in child welfare lawWhat really happens during a child protective services investigation—and what families should knowWhy empathy and trauma-informed advocacy are essential in family lawThe importance of protecting both children's safety and families' rightsSusan's vision for a child welfare system rooted in compassion, accountability, and healingLooking AheadWe're enjoying revisiting these memorable conversations throughout the summer, but there's even more ahead.This fall, we'll return with all-new episodes featuring inspiring guests and important conversations—under a new podcast name we'll announce very soon. We can't wait to share what's next, so stay tuned!Connect with Susan ChesnuttWebsite: https://thechesnuttlawfirm.com🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 14, 202633 min

From Trauma to Triumph: Dr. Danisha Keating's Journey of Foster Care, Healing, and Hope

This week's Best of Fostering Change episode brings back one of our most powerful and personal conversations from Season 7.We look back to September, at Rob's powerful conversation with Dr. Danisha Keating—author, speaker, educator, and former foster youth whose remarkable journey is one of resilience, healing, and hope.At just 16 years old, Danisha was removed from her home, separated from her eight siblings, and given just five minutes to pack her belongings into a trash bag. Rather than allowing that moment to define her, she reclaimed her story—eventually earning her Ph.D., becoming the guardian of five of her younger siblings, and dedicating her life to helping others heal from trauma and find their own voice.Conversation HighlightsDr. Keating's journey from foster care to earning her Ph.D.Healing from trauma and learning to reclaim your own storyThe importance of finding your voice while honoring the stories of othersThe challenges foster youth face in navigating systems that often tell their story for themWhy education became the foundation for hope, healing, and opportunityLooking AheadAll-new episodes return this fall with more inspiring guests and meaningful conversations.While our mission remains the same, the podcast will soon have a new name that better reflects where we're headed. We'll be announcing all the details in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!Connect with Dr. Danisha KeatingWebsite: https://danishakeating.comInstagram: @drdanishakeatingFacebook: Danisha KeatingYouTube: The Dr. Danisha Keating ShowTikTok: @drdanishakeating🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 7, 202627 min

From Foster Care to a Billion-Dollar Brand: Carolyn Aronson's Journey of Resilience and Reinvention

Throughout July and August, we're revisiting some of our favorite conversations from Season 7 as part of our Best of Fostering Change series.This week's featured episode originally aired during the 2025 holiday season and showcases an extraordinary story of resilience, determination, and reinvention.Carolyn Aronson, founder and CEO of It's A 10 Haircare, shares her remarkable journey from experiencing foster care as a child to building one of the world's most successful beauty brands. Today, It's A 10 Haircare is a global company valued at more than $1 billion, with products sold in more than 130 countries.Beyond her entrepreneurial success, Carolyn is a passionate philanthropist whose work supports youth, foster care organizations, LGBTQ+ initiatives, disaster relief efforts, and workforce development. Her story is a powerful reminder that our past does not define our future—and that success is measured not only by what we achieve, but by how we lift others along the way.Conversation HighlightsCarolyn's journey from foster care to founding a billion-dollar global companyBuilding It's A 10 Haircare through authenticity, perseverance, and innovationHow her childhood experiences shaped her leadership and philanthropyThe importance of giving back and creating opportunities for othersLessons on resilience, entrepreneurship, and believing in yourselfLooking AheadAll-new episodes will return this fall with more inspiring guests and meaningful conversations.While the mission remains the same, the podcast will soon have a new name that better reflects where we're headed. We'll be announcing all the details in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!Connect with Carolyn AronsonWebsite: https://www.itsa10haircare.comInstagram: @itsa10ceo🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 30, 202623 min

Listening First: Bridging Policy, Community, and Youth in Foster Care Support with Kym Renner

As we wrap up Season 7 of *Fostering Change*, we’re joined by Kym Renner, President and CEO of the RennerVation Foundation and a longtime leader in child welfare and public service.With more than 25 years of experience in Los Angeles County’s child welfare system, Kym brings a powerful perspective at the intersection of public policy, foster care, and community-based support. Alongside her brother, Jeremy Renner, she co-founded the RennerVation Foundation to create opportunities and meaningful support for foster and at-risk youth throughout Nevada.This conversation is especially meaningful for Comfort Cases. Earlier this year, we partnered with the RennerVation Foundation for a Packing Party and community event in Lake Tahoe. Later this summer, Rob will spend time at Camp RennerVation meeting directly with campers and hearing about their experiences in foster care.Together, these moments reinforce a simple truth: the best solutions begin by listening to young people themselves.Conversation Highlights:Why foster youth must have a voice in shaping the programs designed to support themHow public systems and community organizations can work together to create better outcomesThe impact of Camp RennerVation and the Foundation’s Pave Your Way programBuilding meaningful support that feels accessible, welcoming, and relevant to young peopleWhy collaboration between nonprofits can create lasting change for youth in foster careA Special Season Finale Message:This episode marks the conclusion of Season 7 of *Fostering Change*.Beginning next week and continuing throughout the summer, we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite conversations from this past season in a special “Best Of” series.We’ll also be releasing our special six-part investigative series:*The F Word: America’s Foster Care Crisis*This limited series takes an honest look at some of the biggest challenges facing child welfare today while highlighting real solutions and practical ideas for reform. Featuring former foster youth, advocates, attorneys, policymakers, and frontline professionals, *The F Word* explores where the system is falling short and what we can do to help fix it.Finally, we’re excited to announce that when we return with brand-new episodes in September, the podcast will have a new name:*Comfort Cases UnPacked*Same mission. Same meaningful conversations. Same commitment to children and families.Just a new name that better reflects what we’ve always done: unpacking the issues, challenges, and solutions surrounding foster care and child welfare.We can’t wait to share Season 8 with you.Learn More:Website: https://www.rennervationfoundation.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rennervationfoundationInstagram: @officialrennervationfoundationTikTok: @officialrvfoundationLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rennervationfoundation/posts/🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 23, 202618 min

Foster Dad: The Power of Showing Up with Corey McKinney

Last week, we celebrated Father's Day with a special conversation between Rob and his son, Tristan. This week, we're continuing that theme with a powerful discussion about what it means to show up for young people who need someone in their corner.Rob is joined by Corey McKinney, a speaker, mentor, author, and former foster parent whose life has been dedicated to helping young people navigate some of life's toughest challenges.Through his work with the Steve Harvey Mentoring Program and other youth-focused initiatives, Corey has spent more than three decades encouraging young people to overcome obstacles, believe in themselves, and build brighter futures. But some of his most meaningful lessons came through foster parenting.In his book Foster Dad, Corey shares the joys, challenges, heartbreaks, and unexpected rewards of opening your home to a child in need. More importantly, he shares what can happen when a young person experiences consistency, encouragement, and unconditional support.This is a conversation about mentorship, fatherhood, foster care, and the life-changing impact of simply being present.Conversation HighlightsWhat inspired Corey to become a foster parentThe experiences that led him to write Foster DadThe joys and challenges of opening your home to youth in foster careWhy attachment and connection are worth the riskThe importance of consistency and showing up for young peopleHow mentoring and foster parenting often intersectRemaining connected to former foster youth long after placement endsWhy positive adult relationships can change the trajectory of a young person's lifeAbout Corey McKinneyCorey McKinney is a professional speaker, mentor, author, and former foster parent dedicated to helping young people overcome gun violence, bullying, and peer pressure. A former Division I basketball player and longtime mentor with the Steve Harvey Mentoring Program, Corey has spent more than 35 years working with youth. He is the author of Coach Daryl's Colts and Foster Dad, inspired by his experiences as both a mentor and foster parent.Why This Episode MattersOne of the most common questions prospective foster parents ask is: "What if I get attached?"Corey's answer is simple: that's the point.Children and youth in foster care need adults who are willing to invest in them, encourage them, and remain present through both good and difficult moments.This conversation reminds us that foster parenting is not about being perfect. It's about being available. It's about showing up consistently and creating relationships that can last long after a placement ends.Whether you're a foster parent, mentor, coach, teacher, or simply someone who cares about young people, Corey's story demonstrates the profound difference one committed adult can make.🎧 Thank you for listening to Fostering Change. Join us next week for another conversation focused on creating brighter futures for youth experiencing foster care.Connect with Corey McKinneyWebsite: www.coreymckinney.netFacebook: CoreyMcKinneyInstagram: @TheCoreyMcKinneyTikTok: @TheCoreyMcKinneyLinkedIn: Corey McKinney🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 16, 20267 min

Growing Up Scheer: A Father and Son's Perspective on Family, Foster Care, and Finding Home

As Father's Day approaches, this week's episode of Fostering Change is one of our most personal conversations yet.For years, listeners have heard Rob Scheer share his family's story through the lens of a former foster youth, adoptive father, advocate, and founder of Comfort Cases. This week, he sits down with his youngest son, Tristan, for an honest and heartfelt conversation about family, foster care, belonging, and the journey they've shared together.Tristan joined the Scheer family as an infant, alongside his older brother, Greyson, instantly transforming the family from two children to four. Today, at 17 years old, he's a high school junior, an accomplished football and track athlete, and a young man beginning to think about college, adulthood, and the future ahead.Together, father and son reflect on growing up in a family built through foster care and adoption, what it was like being surrounded by advocacy and public service, and how Tristan defines family, belonging, and home.More than a Father's Day episode, this is a conversation about love, resilience, healing, and the lasting impact of showing up for one another.Conversation HighlightsTristan's perspective on growing up in the Scheer familyWhat it means to be part of a family formed through foster care and adoptionGrowing up around Comfort Cases, advocacy, and public serviceThe values Rob and Reece worked to instill in their childrenHow family is built through commitment, consistency, and loveLessons learned from fatherhood, family, and shared experiencesAthletics, college aspirations, and Tristan's hopes for the futureWhy belonging matters at every stage of lifeWhy This Episode MattersThis conversation reminds us that foster care is not ultimately about systems, policies, or paperwork.It's about people.It's about children finding stability, growing into young adults, building relationships, and creating futures for themselves.As Father's Day arrives, we also recognize that families come in many forms. Some young people have traditional fathers in their lives. Others are guided by foster fathers, adoptive fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, mentors, coaches, teachers, or caregivers who step forward when they're needed most.And many are still searching for that connection.To all those who show up, stay present, and help a young person know they matter: Happy Father's Day.And to every young person experiencing foster care, may this conversation remind you that family is not defined by biology alone. Family is built through love, commitment, and the people who choose to stay.🎧 Thank you for listening to Fostering Change. Join us next week for another powerful conversation focused on creating brighter futures for youth experiencing foster care.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 9, 202616 min

The Girl I Am: Identity, Adoption, and Who Tells the Story with Shannon Gibney

Who gets to tell the story of adoption?For generations, adoption narratives have often been shaped by agencies, systems, and families. But increasingly, adoptees themselves are taking ownership of those stories and offering perspectives that are more complex, nuanced, and deeply personal.This week on Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by acclaimed author, educator, and activist Shannon Gibney, whose award-winning memoir, The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be, explores transracial adoption, identity, race, belonging, and the lifelong process of understanding where we come from.As an adoptee, Shannon brings lived experience to a conversation that challenges assumptions and invites listeners to think more deeply about identity, voice, and perspective. Together, Rob and Shannon explore how adoption stories evolve over time, why adoptee voices matter, and what it means to reclaim ownership of one's own narrative.This is not a conversation about simple answers. It's a conversation about listening, understanding, and making space for experiences that have too often been left out of the discussion.Conversation HighlightsHow adoption narratives are evolving to include more adoptee-centered perspectivesThe unique complexities of transracial adoption and identity formationWhy race, culture, and belonging remain important parts of the adoption conversationHow Shannon uses "speculative memoir" to explore memory, identity, and possibilityWhat it means for adoptees to reclaim and tell their own storiesWhy listening to lived experience strengthens conversations about adoption and foster careAbout Shannon GibneyShannon Gibney is an award-winning writer, educator, and activist whose work explores race, identity, family, and adoption. She is the author of several acclaimed books, including The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be: A Speculative Memoir of Transracial Adoption, which received a Michael L. Printz Honor and a Minnesota Book Award.In addition to her writing, Shannon teaches at Minneapolis College and was named Educator of the Year in 2023. Her work encourages readers and audiences to engage thoughtfully with questions of identity, belonging, and social justice.Connect with Shannon Gibney🌐 Website: Shannon Gibney📧 Email: shannongibney@gmail.comClosing ThoughtIdentity is not a destination. It is a lifelong journey.This conversation reminds us that adoption is not a single event but an experience that continues to shape people across a lifetime. By listening to adoptee voices, we deepen our understanding of belonging, family, and the many ways people make sense of their own stories.🎧 Join us next week for another powerful conversation as Fostering Change continues to explore the people, ideas, and experiences shaping the future of foster care and adoption.https://youtu.be/k8YuD5iw_uE🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 2, 202617 min

No Child Should Age Out Alone: Finding Families for Older Youth with Jennifer Pinder

What happens to a child when they grow up in foster care… and no one ever comes for them?Not when they’re five. Not when they’re ten. Not even when they’re fifteen.This week on Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by Jennifer Pinder, Executive Director of You Gotta Believe!, an organization that has spent the last 30 years proving that it is never too late for a young person in foster care to have a permanent, loving family.As an adoptee herself, Jennifer brings both lived experience and professional leadership to this conversation — helping challenge the harmful belief that older youth are “too old” for adoption or permanency.Together, Rob and Jennifer discuss why older youth are so often overlooked, the emotional realities of aging out of foster care alone, and how You Gotta Believe! is redefining what family can look like for teenagers and young adults in care.At the center of this conversation is a simple but powerful truth: every child deserves belonging, commitment, and someone who will show up for them — no matter their age.Conversation HighlightsWhy do thousands of youth age out of foster care each year without permanent family connectionsThe misconceptions and fears that prevent many families from considering older youth adoptionHow You Gotta Believe! focuses exclusively on permanency for older youth in foster careWhy lived experience matters in leadership, advocacy, and building trust with young peopleWhat permanency and belonging truly mean for youth who have spent years in the systemAbout Jennifer PinderJennifer Pinder is the Executive Director of You Gotta Believe!, a nonprofit dedicated to finding permanent families for older youth in foster care. Since joining the organization in 2020, she has led efforts in advocacy, communications, fundraising, and strategic growth as the organization celebrates its 30th anniversary.An adoptee herself, Jennifer brings a deeply personal connection to the organization’s mission and works alongside a team that includes many individuals with lived experience in child welfare.Connect with Jennifer & You Gotta Believe!🌐 Website: You Gotta Believe! 📸 Instagram: @jennifer_yougottabelieve 💼 LinkedIn: Jennifer Pinder LinkedInClosing ThoughtFamily is not about perfection. It is about commitment. Consistency. Showing up.This conversation is a reminder that no young person should leave foster care believing they are unwanted or forgotten — and that it is never too late for someone to belong.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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