James Trail: from functional to flourishing
Explore the world of trauma-informed care with 'James Trail Podcast.' Join Meredith Shuman, founder and therapist, as she shares insights and resources for families and organizations affected by trauma. Learn from experts, hear inspiring stories, and discover practical tips for creating safe, supportive communities. Whether you're a professional, caregiver, or someone impacted by trauma, this podcast offers hope, understanding, and tools for healing and flourishing. Discover your path to healing and wholeness with each episode. https://www.jamestrail.org
Episodes
What does it mean to say yes — even when you know it’s going to be hard?
Will and Carrie share their real journey through foster care, adoption, parenting, and trauma-informed care. They open up about the beauty they found, the brokenness they had to face, and how their understanding of family and healing has changed along the way.
If you’re parenting through trauma, supporting kids from hard places, or building a family diff...
Meredith talks with Daniela Coats, a therapist and the founder of With Siblings, an organization focused on supporting biological children in foster and adoptive families. They talk about Daniela’s personal journey growing up with foster siblings, how that shaped her professional path, and what it means to create emotional space for all kids in a family. Daniela shares powerful insights on birth order, scripts for awkward questions...
What happens when the systems meant to help actually hurt? Shanelle is a pastor’s wife, attorney, and Executive Director of the Racial Equity Collaborative. In this episode, she shares her passion for addressing racial disparities in the child welfare system—and her commitment to community-driven solutions that bring lasting change.
We talk about racial trauma, what’s often misunderstood about equity work, how faith informs her ...
1 in 20 school-age kids in the U.S. are impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)—yet most go undiagnosed. Sandra Flach, host of The Adoption & Foster Care Journey podcast, shares her powerful insights as an adoptive mom, FASD educator, and advocate for trauma-informed care. If you're parenting a child from a hard place, navigating FASD, or supporting adoptive and foster families, this episode is for you.🔹 Learn h...
The church should be the most welcoming place on earth—so why do so many families with disabilities feel unseen and excluded? Rebecca Wall, Executive Director of WITH Ministries, shares powerful stories, eye-opening stats, and practical ways churches can shift from exclusion to belonging.
In This Episode:
✅ Why so many families with disabilities are leaving the church
✅ The heartbreaking reality of being told, "Your c...
Parenting kids who have experienced trauma or live with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) comes with unique challenges. In this episode, Meredith sits down with Barb Clark, Director of Training at Families Rising, to discuss parenting strategies that work, the power of connection, and how understanding brain-based differences can transform the way we support kids. With humor and real-life insights, Barb shares her journey as a...
In this episode, Meredith sits down with Ryan and Kayla North to delve into the unique challenges and joys of foster and adoptive families. They discuss how shared experiences, trauma-informed approaches, and practical tools can build trust and connection in families navigating complex dynamics. Together, they explore what it means to create a community where healing and growth are possible, even in the hardest seasons. Join us for...
At James Trail, we believe healing begins with understanding. In this episode, Meredith, founder and leader of James Trail, shares her personal journey with trauma-informed care and how it shapes her leadership and approach to community building. From real-life stories to practical insights, Meredith dives into how empathy and connection create safe spaces for growth and resilience.
📚 What We Offer:
-Trauma-informed trai...
Meredith welcomes back Dr. Joshua Kreimeyer, James Trail board member, mental health professional, and friend, for a heartfelt conversation about healing, faith, and the journey of walking the trail together. They dive into Josh's personal experiences with emotional suppression, the power of rest, and the profound significance of the word "yet."
Through shared wisdom, humor, and a Marvel-style team spirit, they unpack the mission o...
Meredith and Pastor Roy Sprunger discuss the critical role of listening and leadership in healing spaces. From the power of presence to the importance of community, Pastor Roy reflects on James Trail’s work and how empathy transforms lives touched by trauma.
https://www.rainiercomcog.org/
Learn more about James Trail:
Meredith talks with James Trail board member Irasema Renteria about faith, vulnerability, and the transformative power of trauma-informed practices. Irasema shares her journey as a parent and advocate, her perspective on the importance of curiosity and compassion, and how James Trail has opened unexpected doors. They discuss the beauty in small moments, the importance of listening to God's guidance, and the global impact of bringin...
Meredith talks with Daniel Ziegler, James Trail board member, about faith, leadership, and the role of empathy in parenting, business, and relationships. They discuss the power of community and the importance of understanding trauma.
Daniel graduated with a design degree from the University of Cincinnati and spent the next 6 years working in marketing for Back2Back Ministries, a global non-profit dedicated to giving a voice to orp...
In this special episode, we sit down with members of the James Trail Board, sharing personal stories, reflections, and deep insights on the power of empathy, vulnerability, and healing in trauma-informed care. From exploring how faith guides their mission to the importance of community and leadership in addressing trauma, this conversation delves into what makes James Trail a unique force in transforming lives.
Learn more about Ja...
In this episode, Nate Nielsen, Principal Consultant at the Table Group, dives deep into the importance of trust, vulnerability, and healthy conflict in organizational leadership. Nate shares his personal journey, professional insights, and the role faith plays in his work. He also tackles the complex intersections of leadership, mental health, and trauma, illustrating how authenticity and vulnerability can transform not only teams...
Meredith sits down with Matthew Ayers from Dream Centers in Colorado Springs to discuss the profound impact of trauma-informed care in today's world. Matthew shares invaluable insights into the importance of intentional healing work for individuals, especially children, who have experienced trauma. From building safe spaces to creating authentic relationships grounded in trust and love, they explore the transformative effects o...
In this episode, Meredith sits down with Susie Gurley, host of the Just A Mom podcast, to explore the powerful stories behind teen mental health. Susie shares her family's personal journey, discussing the challenges and redemptive moments that come from navigating mental illness in a loved one. From the inception of her podcast to the importance of safe spaces for vulnerability, this conversation sheds light on the realities of...
Join us as we explore the powerful story of Cory Ard, a former gang member turned urban missionary. Cory opens up about his tumultuous past, the violence he endured, and how he found redemption in Christ. Now, he's dedicated to transforming his community and spreading hope to those who need it most.
Connect With Cory Ard
https://coryard.com/
https://www.instagram.com/coryard
https://www.facebook.com/coryard
https://www.tik...
Join Meredith as she talks with Kim Botto, an advocate for children with unique needs. Kim shares her journey from banking to ministry, her experiences as an adoptive mother, and her work in creating inclusive spaces in churches and communities. Learn about the importance of curiosity, empathy, and understanding in supporting children and their families. Discover practical strategies to make every child feel seen and safe. Tune in ...
Step into The James Trail Podcast, where host Meredith takes you on a journey through inspiring stories and heartfelt conversations. Each episode, released every other Friday morning, brings you closer to understanding the power of community, resilience, and faith. Whether you’re looking for encouragement, personal growth, or just a great story, The James Trail Podcast offers something special. Join us on the trail and let’s walk t...
In this episode of The James Trail Podcast, we sit down with Dolly Regier, a passionate advocate for neurofeedback therapy. Dolly shares her personal journey from experiencing trauma to becoming an adoptive mom, which led her to discover the transformative power of neurofeedback. Learn how this non-invasive technology, likened to physical therapy for the brain, can help improve flexibility, resilience, and overall mental health. Jo...
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