Jessie Elliot is the author of the memoir, a Hummingbird Lion. In this episode, she recounts her story that includes being internationally adopted from Korea, racism as Black and Korean woman,  sexual and developmental trauma, and serendipitous moments that led to meet her father in later life. Learn more about Jessie Elliot and her memoir by visiting thehummingbirdlion.com

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About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

This episode highlights the impact of  Ventura Housing Organization located in Ventura, CA and sheds light on the FYI Program, a rental assistance voucher for  former foster youth.

Donate or Get Involved with Ventura Housing By Clicking on Links Below

Atlas-Ventura Housing

https://venturahousing.org/

Bio Jeffrey Lambert

Jeffrey Lambert serves as Chief Executive Officer for Ventura Housing. Ventura Housing owns and manages nearly 1,200 affordable units and manages nearly 2,000 Housing Vouchers. Most recently, Jeff served as Chief Operating Officer of the Ventura County Community Foundation. Jeffrey previously served as Community Development Director for the City of Oxnard and City of
Ventura. Jeffrey has a proven track record as a public servant through his career and is recognized as a Certified Planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Jeffrey previously owned his planning and government consulting firm, served as Community Development Director for the City of
Santa Clarita and as the Land Use Manager for Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Jeffrey served on the national Board of the American Planning Association (APA) and was President of the California Chapter of APA.
Lambert graduated from the University of Southern California with a Masters in Urban Planning and previously earned his B.A. degree in Psychology and Government from Clark University in Worcester Massachusetts.

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About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

Thomas Brooks, author of A wealth of family: An adopted son's international quest for heritage, reunion, and enrichment shares his perspective on the intersectionality between race, ethnicity, and adoption.

Link to A Wealth of Family Book by Thomas Brooks:

https://alphamultimedia.com/product/book-a-wealth-of-family/

https://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Family-International-Heritage-Enrichment/dp/0977462935

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About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

Should you tell your adopted child that they are adopted? Thomas Brooks, author of A wealth of family: An adopted son's international quest for heritage, reunion, and enrichment shares his prospective. 

Link to A Wealth of Family Book by Thomas Brooks:

https://alphamultimedia.com/product/book-a-wealth-of-family/

https://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Family-International-Heritage-Enrichment/dp/0977462935

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

This episodes shares the adoption story of adoptee Thomas Brooks.

Thomas Brooks is the Managing Director of Alpha Multimedia, a marketing and public relations firm that helps organizations increase brand recognition, generate more qualified leads, and grow revenue. He is also the author of A Wealth of Family: An Adopted Son's International Quest for Heritage, Reunion, and Enrichment, the inspiring true story of his international search for his biological family and the life-changing reunions that followed across the United States, England, and Kenya. 

An award-winning speaker, author, and marketing executive, Thomas has been featured on television, radio, and in numerous publications. Through his writing and speaking, he encourages audiences to embrace identity, strengthen relationships, and discover that our greatest wealth is family.  

Link to by book A Wealth of Family:

https://alphamultimedia.com/product/book-a-wealth-of-family/

https://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Family-International-Heritage-Enrichment/dp/0977462935

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

Here, I discuss how organizations, schools, and government can promote the inclusion of individuals of a foster care, adoption, homeless youth background through policy and practice. To learn more about my research or consultation and guest speaking, visit zaydasorrellmedina.com

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About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

Are you in foster care or a transitional foster age youth? In this episode, I share tips based on life experience to strengthen youth resilience while going through foster care and beyond. 

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

Drawing from the framework of synchronicity and a strengths-based perspective, I reflect on how our woes may be points of beauty concomitantly creating lifelong friendships and family.  Share this episode with someone you know who may benefit from this lesson.  

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

In this episode, I draw from research and personal experience to share three trauma-informed strategies for working with individuals of foster care and adoption background. Learn more about my research, guest speaking, and research collaboration by visiting zaydasorrellmedina.com.

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

In this episode, I share 5 life lessons allowing for living life with more intention and purpose. Happy New Years to those listening to this in the New Year!

To learn more about my advocacy and research visit zaydasorrellmedina.com OR for speaking and consulting zsmresearchandeducation.com. 

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About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

Como puedo  apoyar a mis clientes, estudiantes, o amigos que son padres adoptivos o de cuidado de crianza? Escuche este episodio para aprender más. 

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

Teachers, professors, and educators: Let’s get real about how we can increase access to the curriculum for all students, including foster/homeless youth, adoptees, and other vulnerable populations. In this episode, I share 5 practical techniques for enhancing equity in the classroom.

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About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

This episode highlights the vital role nonprofits play in addressing youth homelessness in Los Angeles. We’re joined by Guest Dexter O’Connell, Director of Youth Policy and Advocacy at Safe Place for Youth (SPY), who shares with us the impactful work that SPY is doing to address youth homelessness and the secret ingredient that makes their work effective. 

About Safe Place for Youth

Web: www.safeplaceforyouth.org

Get involved: https://www.safeplaceforyouth.org/get_involved

Donate: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/dmqdeQ?vid=1kb49o

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

Support the Show

• https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

About the Episode

This episode highlights the vital role nonprofits play in addressing youth homelessness in Los Angeles. We’re joined by Christian Quijano, Associate Director of Program Innovation and Impact at My Friend’s Place, and Chino Quinlan, a former participant of the organization and now a Coordinator at the LA LGBT Center. Together, they share powerful personal stories and insightful research that reveal the heart of what makes nonprofit work so impactful.

About the Guests

Christian Quijano 

Christian Quijano is a visionary leader currently serving as the Associate Director of Program Innovation and Impact at My Friend's Place. With a distinctive background, Christian holds an MBA from Pepperdine University's Graziadio Business School and a Sociology degree from Cal State Northridge. His role blends his business acumen and understanding of human attachment to drive meaningful, sustainable change. With a history of driving impact, Christian has led projects ranging from designing social-emotional learning solutions to managing high-profile philanthropic portfolios to fostering cultures informed by data, leveraging Ai tools in the process. His entrepreneurial mindset, coupled with a commitment to innovation and relationship-building, positions him as a trusted partner for fostering positive transformation and unlocking the potential of young people and teams at My Friend's Place.

Chino Quinlan

Harnessing the powerful lived experience of a past marked by incarceration and an abusive adoptive family, Matthew "Chino" Quinlan, 24, is a remarkable voice for positive change. Now an advocate for youth at the Los Angeles LGBT center and a member of SPA 4's Young Adult Steering Council (YASC), Chino is fueled by a passion for reforming the justice system and redefining rehabilitation. Chino boldly advocates for alternatives to youth incarceration and a more humane adult prison system. His lived experience as a former foster youth also fuels his fight for solutions to youth homelessness and mental health awareness. Though new to the world of non-profit advocacy and legislative change, Chino's local impact is undeniable. He spearheaded the creation of two peer staff positions in his service area and even attended the inaugural White House Youth Policy Summit, where he joined over 100 young leaders in advocating for policy changes directly with lawmakers.

About My Friend's Place 

Get involved and donate: https://www.myfriendsplace.org/get-involved

About LA LGBT Center

Get involved: https://thecenterlv.org/

Donate: https://thecenterlv.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

In this episode we have guests Kaili Farhat and Kathleen (Kate) Soto Gisler present their master’s thesis on foster parent training programs in Los Angeles County. As home to one of the largest child welfare systems in the United States, LA County offers a wide range of trainings for foster parents. However, notable gaps remain in the content and scope of these offerings. Kate and Kaili's county-level analysis identifies these gaps and weaves in recommendations that can strengthen foster parent training efforts both within LA County and beyond. 

Kathleen (Kate) Soto Gisler 

Kathleen (Kate) Soto Gisler (she/her) is a social worker & researcher with a focus in supporting community college students through their academic journeys and providing strengths-based care in community centered work.  

Kaili Farhat

With a background in psychology and a passion for understanding how systems impact vulnerable populations, Kaili Farhat is a clinically oriented social worker and researcher with specific interests in mental health, trauma and grief.

Request the Research Report

To receive a copy of the research report, send an email to zayda.sorrell-medina@csun.edu with REPORT in the subject line.

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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• https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

What is freedom? This episode presents a profound critique of freedom drawing upon key concepts in Nichiren Buddism and the story of Tsunesaburō Makiguchi.

Que es la libertad? Este episodio presenta una crítica profunda de la libertad por recurrir al Buddismo Nichiren y el cuento de Tsunesaburō Makiguchi.  

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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• https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

Happy foster care awareness month! In this episode, child welfare workers and Maggie Reddington and Jasmine Mitchell  disseminate their research from their master's thesis, which examines the exclusionary requirements of the U.S. foster care licensing process. If you've ever wondered, what is the process to become a foster parent, this episode is a must listen, shedding light on the approval process in different states.

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

Have you ever thought about becoming a foster parent? Save yourself a headache and tune in to these five things you need to know before becoming a foster parent. 

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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• https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

This story is for children as much as it is for adults, inviting the listener to tap into their inner child to cultivate imagination. Alas para volar means wings to fly in Spanish. This is a special episode release to recognize International Multilingual Day on March 27th. I practice multilingual parenting, and this story that I share with you is one that I created for my trilingual toddler.

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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• https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

This story is for children as much as it is for adults, inviting the listener to tap into their inner child to cultivate imagination. Alas para volar means wings to fly in Spanish. This is a special episode release to recognize International Multilingual Day on March 27th. I practice multilingual parenting, and this story that I share with you is one that I created for my trilingual toddler.

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

Support the Show

• https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

Have you ever wondered: What is DEI? There is a lot of misinformation about what it is and what it is not. In this episode, I present a basic definition of DEI in lay terms.

Stay tuned for the special episode release on March 27th in recognition of International Multi-lingual Day! I will be sharing a cuento infantil, or child story.

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

This podcast is an official announcement regarding the podcast's name change, from "The Voice" to "Foster Care, Adoption and Beyond: Untold Stories", also revealing in more detail what this podcast is about and what you can expect.

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

How can I love myself? What is self-love? This episode provides a basic definition of self-love and strategies to embark on a life long journey of self-love.  

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

This episode presents a poem and song dedicated to all birth mothers, and especially birth mothers who had their child taken away. This episode is inspired by my experience as a former foster and homeless youth, adoptive parent, and professor of social work. Share this episode with someone who you believe can resonate.

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

This episode sheds light on the role of caring adults in paving the way for first generation college students and tips for success for first gen college students. 

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

The foster-adopt community experience a heap of invasive and rude questions. Have you ever wondered what this is called? It's called a foster-adoption micro-aggression. This episode draws on research and personal experience to discuss this concept in more depth.

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

 In this episode, I draw upon my personal story to shed light on overcoming stigma, shame and secrecy as a former foster and homeless youth and other intersecting identities.

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

This episode is a call to action for educators, clinicians, parents, advocates and individuals working with individuals of foster care, adoption, and homeless youth backgrounds to optimize their support by recognizing their invisible experiences of oppression.

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

Support the Show

• https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

This episode reveals the beauty and hiccups of having an unconventional family. I reflect upon my own unconventional family living  with my Puerto Rican Jewish mom and Chinese siblings as a high school teenager. I conclude with tips and words of encouragement on how we can better understand our unconventional family from a strengths based approach.

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

This episode invites listeners to foster gratitude and positive energy despite prevailing life challenges. As a former homeless youth, I tried to see the glass half full, which kept me going towards my master plan of going to college despite my adversity. This episode draws from tender moments during my homeless adventures to illustrate this point.

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

How can I support a runaway teenager? First, meet the teenager where they are. This episode draws from personal experience and evidence-based practice to shed light on how to optimize support for teenagers who runaway from "home". 

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

Support the Show

• https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

Drawing upon an experience from as a homeless youth, this episode interrogates black hair and gender norms. I share how listeners may foster pride over conformity and shame.

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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• https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

There are millions of homeless youth in the United States, which represents a critical social problem to be addressed by social workers, scientists, policy makers, nonprofits, and other professionals. In this episode, I share my story on how I became a homeless youth in the U.S. and share strategies on how you can support this population. 

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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• https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

 This episode invites you to think of ways to honor, acknowledge, and recognize your child's family of origin. This is especially relevant if you are a foster or adoptive parent, legal guardian,  social worker, educator, or family friend. In this episode, I share how I visited my biological mother who I hadn't visited in forever. Before we departed, she gave me her White Diamond perfume, which I used anytime I wanted to remember by mother.  I conclude with key takeaways. 

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

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• https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. 

This episode invites you to reframe your adversity story. As a product of the 1980s crack epidemic in the United States, I was separated from my birth mother and went into foster care. This story shares how I now understand my story decades later.  I conclude with an empowering message that challenges us to reconceive how we perceive our adversity stories.

Support the show

About Me

Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina is a professor, social scientist, former foster and homeless youth, foster adoptive parent, author, and advocate.   

zaydasorrellmedina.com

Support the Show

• https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support
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Episode Schedule

A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year.