WHAT IF WE DIDN’T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL BAD ENOUGH

Spoken word poet, Slam Anderson, and her mom, Lillie Lee-Williams, engage in an emotional conversation demonstrating the strength of family bonds despite a 14-year child welfare-initiated separation. This episode questions what would happen if the child welfare system was designed to support root causes of family stress instead of waiting for late-stage intervention. Plus, Slam recites her spoken word poem “My Need for Change,” detailing her experiences with the system, which Matt Anderson refers to as the “anthem” of the family well-being movement. 

Show Notes: 

0:56  | Meet Slam Anderson, spoken word poet
 
1:08  | Slam recites the first segment of her original poem “My Need for Change.”
 
2:50  | Slam shares insight on life growing up and how her mom poured into Slam and her siblings' lives while struggling to make ends meet.
 
5:00  | Meet Lillie Lee-Williams, Slam’s mom.
 
6:55  | What would’ve helped Lillie’s family?
 
8:26  | What does it feel like to go through a system that isn’t designed to truly listen to what families need? Listen to Lillie’s experience when she asked for help.
 
9:40  | What happened to Slam when she and her siblings were separated from their mother, Lillie? Slam reveals her story and shares the second segment of her poem “My Need for Change.” 
 
16:00  | How does Slam find her love for poetry?
 
17:54  | After 14 years, Slam and Lillie share how reconnecting was emotional and exhilarating.
 
20:05  | The third and final segment of Slam’s spoken word poem “My Need for Change.”
 
21:20  | Matt asks Lillie, “What do you want us to know? What do you want us to do?”
 
23:00  | Matt shares final thoughts. 

Transcript:
View transcript here

Resources: 

Slam works with these organizations to promote self-empowerment and love: Kitchen Table and FosterStrong 

Introduction to Family Well-being: Promoting Child & Family Well-Being | Child Welfare Information Gateway 

Program example of in-home services that build supports for families: CHSNC | Family Preservation Program 

Kinship Care Resources | Child Information Gateway 

Housing Services | Child Welfare Information Gateway 

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