Episode 23 - Community in the Chaos: Why Foster Families Can’t Do This Alone

In this heartfelt (and often hilarious) conversation, Jason and Whitney pull back the curtain on what life looks like as a family of nine—newborn and all—and why community is the difference between surviving and thriving as foster parents.

From mysterious “toilet paper genies” to Amazon angels who send kickballs, the Smalls share real stories of how their village has shown up in unexpected ways—and why isolation can be one of the hardest battles foster families face.

Whitney also gives a sneak peek into her upcoming article in Foster Families Today, titled “Community in the Chaos: Why Foster Families Should Not Do This Alone.” Together, the two unpack the deeper truth that God designed us for connection, not self-sufficiency.

Whether you’re a foster parent, a friend of one, or simply someone looking to love your neighbor better, this episode will make you laugh, nod, and maybe even rethink what community really means.

In this episode:

• Why isolation is one of the biggest challenges foster families face

• The myth of “you signed up for this” and why it’s a lie

• How to ask for (and receive) help without guilt

• Real-life stories of people showing up in simple, powerful ways

• A reminder that saying “yes” again and again requires others walking with you

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Music credit: “Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/