The Field Center’s Aging Out Podcast

Episode 039: Interview with Samantha Baldassari with C.B. Community Schools (Philadelphia, PA)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Samantha Baldassari, Postsecondary Coordinator with C.B. Community Schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They talk about how C.B. Community Schools provide academic and support services for older foster youth, the school's unique model that focuses on competency rather than grade levels (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior), and how they managed through the Covid crisis. 

Episode 038: Interview with Daniel Crandall - Foster Parent, Speaker, & Trainer (Nolensville, TN)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Daniel Crandall, who is a foster parent, speaker, trainer, and Creative Director with a passion for helping youth to create the future they love. Lynn and Daniel talk about the journey that brought him to helping foster youth, the future focus of his work with youth, and the importance of helping young people find hope and meaning in their lives.

Episode 037: Interview with Jamie Pfau from Peace for All of Us Homes (Winnipeg, Manitoba)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Jamie Pfau, co-founder of Peace for All of Us Homes in Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada. They talk about the transitional housing program that she and her husband started during COVID, the state of foster youth support in Canada (particularly in Manitoba), and ideas to improve the way the foster care systems in Canada and the USA prepare youth for aging out. 

Episode 036: Interview with Miriam Connolly from Blavin Scholars (Ann Arbor, MI)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Miriam Connolly, LMSW, with Blavin Scholars at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. They talk about Miriam's background as a social worker in the foster care system, the services that the Blavin Scholars program provides youth aging out of foster care, and ideas to improve the way the foster care system prepares youth for aging out. 

Episode 035: Interview with Natalie Chavis Fisher (Indianapolis, IN)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Natalie Chavis Fisher from Indianapolis, Indiana. They talk about Natalie's work as an attorney in foster care and adoption law, as well as a novel she has written, a documentary being developed, and a television show - all focusing on adoption and aging out of foster care. They also brainstorm solutions that the foster care system could implement that would help youth be better prepared for aging out of care.

Episode 034: Interview with Natasha Doan-Motsinger and Alyssa Silletti from Our House (Ypsilanti, MI)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Natasha Doan-Motsinger (Executive Director) and Alyssa Silletti (Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator) from Our House in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Natasha, Alyssa, and Lynn talk about the variety of services that Our House provides to help prepare youth in foster care for independence. Their services include mentoring, teaching life skills, providing transitional housing, piloting a temporary host home model, and helping youth build resiliency. 

Episode 033: Interview with Sarah North Wolfe from Dawson Community College (Glendive, MT)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Sarah North Wolfe, Dawson Promise Coordinator and Interim Dean of Enrollment at Dawson Community College in Glendive, Montana. Sarah and Lynn talk about Dawson Promise's services supporting youth aging out of care throughout their time as a student at the community college, which includes assistance applying to the college and for financial aid, a summer bridge program before their first year, academic and mental health support, and other services to ensure student success. 

Episode 032: Interview with Tammy Spence from Second Shift (Alabaster, AL)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Tammy Spence, Founder and Executive Director of Second Shift based in Alabaster, Alabama. Tammy and Lynn talk about Second Shift's many services for youth aging out of care, their "host home" transitional living model; opportunities that could improve the foster care system, and more.

Episode 031: Interview with Jordan Bartlett and Denae Esteban from Doing Good Works (Irvine, CA)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Jordan Bartlett (Co-Founder) and Denae Esteban (Research Intern) from Doing Good Works based in Irvine, California. Jordan, Denae, and Lynn talk about their organization's for-profit, social enterprise model; the 10/20/30 structure that enables financial support, mentoring, and employment for youth aging out of care; and more.

Episode 030: Interview with Rob Scheer from Comfort Cases (Rockville, MD)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Rob Scheer, Founder of Comfort Cases based in Rockville, Maryland. Rob and Lynn talk about Rob's own experience in foster care, the mission of Comfort Cases to eliminate the use of trash bags as suitcases in the foster care system, the importance of providing dignity and hope to youth in care, and more.