Resilient Voices & Beyond
Resilient Voices & Beyond is a podcast that amplifies the voices of those who were once silenced and aims to empower a new generation of foster care alum leaders. Through conversations with community partners, leaders, advocates, and activists, this podcast educates listeners on reforms, policies, and advocacy related to foster care, adoption, kinship, CCIs, JJ, and the child welfare system. The podcast challenges stigmas and labels surrounding these topics and creates a dialogue on reform and advocacy that is already happening or needs to happen. The core values of Resilient Voices & Beyond include empowerment, inclusivity, education, collaboration, authenticity, and innovation. The mission of the podcast is to create a platform for silenced voices to be heard and received, while the vision is to inspire and empower a new generation of leaders committed to making a positive change in the world.
Episodes
May 2, 2026 • 75 mins
Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast
Season 3, Episode 57
Title: Power With Purpose, Leadership With Heart
This episode does not center leadership as a title. It centers leadership as a transformation. It asks a harder question. What happens when someone who was once navigating survival steps into spaces of influence and refuses to forget where they came from.
In this deeply grounded and forward moving conversation, I sit with Nathan...
Season 3, Episode 57
Title: Power With Purpose, Leadership With Heart
This episode does not center leadership as a title. It centers leadership as a transformation. It asks a harder question. What happens when someone who was once navigating survival steps into spaces of influence and refuses to forget where they came from.
In this deeply grounded and forward moving conversation, I sit with Nathan...
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April 25, 2026 • 56 mins
This episode confronts a truth that systems continue to avoid naming with clarity. Aging out of foster care does not mark a successful transition into adulthood. It exposes whether the relationships built around a young person were ever real, sustainable, or rooted in accountability.
In this deeply intentional and unflinching conversation, I sit with Aiden Abruzzino, a foster care connected advocate and lived experience leader who c...
In this deeply intentional and unflinching conversation, I sit with Aiden Abruzzino, a foster care connected advocate and lived experience leader who c...
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April 18, 2026 • 51 mins
This episode stands as a living testament to what it means to survive, to rebuild, and to reclaim identity beyond what systems, statistics, and suffering attempted to define. In this deeply reflective and unfiltered conversation, I sit with Jennifer Tai, MSW, ASW, PPSC, whose life embodies both the weight of trauma and the discipline of healing.
Jennifer does not offer a polished narrative. She offers truth. She walks us through her...
Jennifer does not offer a polished narrative. She offers truth. She walks us through her...
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February 28, 2026 • 63 mins
Resilient Voices and Beyond Podcast, Season Three, Episode 54. Healing while curating dreams and breaking generational trauma. Guest, Julissa Grozozski Torres, YPA, NYCPS, CRPA, Founder and CEO of Triumph OVA Struggles Advocacy and Consulting LLC.
This episode holds space for healing centered conversations and storytelling inside my Foster Healing Fellowship capstone work, and it honors the truth that survival skills keep people ali...
This episode holds space for healing centered conversations and storytelling inside my Foster Healing Fellowship capstone work, and it honors the truth that survival skills keep people ali...
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December 6, 2025 • 67 mins
🎙️ Episode 53 — “It Can Be Done”
Guest: Hery “Eddie” Acosta | Author, Speaker, Youth Advocate
Podcast: Resilient Voices & Beyond – A Healing-Centered Conversation
Foster Healing Fellowship Capstone Series
Episode Description:
In this gripping and hope-filled episode titled “It Can Be Done,” host Michael D. Davis-Thomas sits down with author, speaker, and youth advocate Hery “Eddie” Acosta, whose life story is both testimony and blu...
Guest: Hery “Eddie” Acosta | Author, Speaker, Youth Advocate
Podcast: Resilient Voices & Beyond – A Healing-Centered Conversation
Foster Healing Fellowship Capstone Series
Episode Description:
In this gripping and hope-filled episode titled “It Can Be Done,” host Michael D. Davis-Thomas sits down with author, speaker, and youth advocate Hery “Eddie” Acosta, whose life story is both testimony and blu...
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September 11, 2025 • 65 mins
🎙️ Episode 52 — “She Believed She Could, So She Did”
Guest: Faith M. Keen | DHHS Intern • FSM Contractor • LEx Policy Advocate • TLE Member • BSW
Candidate • Future MSW
Podcast: Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast — Season 3
Host: Michael D. Davis-Thomas Episode Description:
In this powerful and soul-baring conversation, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas is joined by rising advocate, policy shaper, and lived experience leader Faith M. Ke...
Guest: Faith M. Keen | DHHS Intern • FSM Contractor • LEx Policy Advocate • TLE Member • BSW
Candidate • Future MSW
Podcast: Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast — Season 3
Host: Michael D. Davis-Thomas Episode Description:
In this powerful and soul-baring conversation, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas is joined by rising advocate, policy shaper, and lived experience leader Faith M. Ke...
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August 1, 2025 • 57 mins
🎙️ Episode 51 — “Still Waters Run Deep”
Guest: Sylvia Monica Parrott | National Foster Care Advocate, Public Speaker, Lived Experience Leader
Podcast: Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast — Season 3
Episode Description:
Still waters don’t mean still souls. In this soul-stirring episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas sits down with the quiet force that is Sylvia Monica Parrott—a woman whose strength is ...
Guest: Sylvia Monica Parrott | National Foster Care Advocate, Public Speaker, Lived Experience Leader
Podcast: Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast — Season 3
Episode Description:
Still waters don’t mean still souls. In this soul-stirring episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas sits down with the quiet force that is Sylvia Monica Parrott—a woman whose strength is ...
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July 30, 2025 • 52 mins
🎙️ Episode 50 — “Your Story Is the Message. Your Story Is Your Legacy”
Featuring: Tamara L. Dillard | Author, Clinical Social Worker, Therapist, Foster Care Advocate, Foster Alumni
Podcast: Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast — Season 3
Host: Michael D. Davis-Thomas
In this milestone 50th episode and the Season 3 of the Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas sits down once more with powerhouse advocate ...
Featuring: Tamara L. Dillard | Author, Clinical Social Worker, Therapist, Foster Care Advocate, Foster Alumni
Podcast: Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast — Season 3
Host: Michael D. Davis-Thomas
In this milestone 50th episode and the Season 3 of the Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas sits down once more with powerhouse advocate ...
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July 12, 2025 • 91 mins
🎙️ Episode 49 – Season 3
Title: "Broken Systems, Funded Silence: Deconstructing the Nonprofit-Gov Pipeline” (Part 2)
Guests: Bobbi Taylor (Founder & CEO, Proximate Solution) & Tamara Dillard, MSW, CSW (Clinical Social Worker, Advocate, Foster Care Alumni)
Host: Michael D. Davis-Thomas | Founder & CEO, MDDTSpeaks
💥 Episode Description:
In Part 2 of our ground-shifting series "Broken Systems, Funded Silence," we continue th...
Title: "Broken Systems, Funded Silence: Deconstructing the Nonprofit-Gov Pipeline” (Part 2)
Guests: Bobbi Taylor (Founder & CEO, Proximate Solution) & Tamara Dillard, MSW, CSW (Clinical Social Worker, Advocate, Foster Care Alumni)
Host: Michael D. Davis-Thomas | Founder & CEO, MDDTSpeaks
💥 Episode Description:
In Part 2 of our ground-shifting series "Broken Systems, Funded Silence," we continue th...
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May 31, 2025 • 68 mins
Season 3, Episode 48
🎙️ Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast
Title: “Broken Systems, Funded Silence: Deconstructing the Nonprofit-Gov Pipeline” – Part 1
In this explosive Part 1 of a two-part special, Resilient Voices & Beyond dives into one of the most underexamined yet critical realities in system reform: the nonprofit-to-government pipeline. Host Michael D. Davis-Thomas, nationally recognized advocate and Founder of MDDTSpeak...
🎙️ Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast
Title: “Broken Systems, Funded Silence: Deconstructing the Nonprofit-Gov Pipeline” – Part 1
In this explosive Part 1 of a two-part special, Resilient Voices & Beyond dives into one of the most underexamined yet critical realities in system reform: the nonprofit-to-government pipeline. Host Michael D. Davis-Thomas, nationally recognized advocate and Founder of MDDTSpeak...
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May 17, 2025 • 61 mins
Season 3, Episode 47
Title: “Your direction is more important than your speed.”
Subtitle: From Surviving to Serving: Reclaiming Purpose Through Pain
In this deeply moving episode of the Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas (MDDTSpeaks) sits down with Andrea Atkins—a single mother of four, foster care alumni, and child welfare specialist—for an unfiltered, soul-stirring conversation about survival, mothe...
Title: “Your direction is more important than your speed.”
Subtitle: From Surviving to Serving: Reclaiming Purpose Through Pain
In this deeply moving episode of the Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas (MDDTSpeaks) sits down with Andrea Atkins—a single mother of four, foster care alumni, and child welfare specialist—for an unfiltered, soul-stirring conversation about survival, mothe...
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April 19, 2025 • 62 mins
Season 3, Episode 46
Title: “Life is not what happens to you, but how you respond to it.”
Subtitle: Stepping Into the Call: From Surviving to Surrendering
In this transformative episode of the Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas (MDDTSpeaks) reconnects with long-time friend and fellow advocate Ashley Watkins—and what unfolds is nothing short of sacred. Together, they journey through Ashley’s powerful te...
Title: “Life is not what happens to you, but how you respond to it.”
Subtitle: Stepping Into the Call: From Surviving to Surrendering
In this transformative episode of the Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas (MDDTSpeaks) reconnects with long-time friend and fellow advocate Ashley Watkins—and what unfolds is nothing short of sacred. Together, they journey through Ashley’s powerful te...
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Season 3, Episode 45
Title: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” – Colossians 3:23 (NLT)
In this deeply moving episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas is joined by author, advocate, mother, and lived experience leader Kayann Foster—a woman whose life and work exemplify faith, resilience, and radical healing.
From surviving childhood ...
Title: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” – Colossians 3:23 (NLT)
In this deeply moving episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas is joined by author, advocate, mother, and lived experience leader Kayann Foster—a woman whose life and work exemplify faith, resilience, and radical healing.
From surviving childhood ...
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April 11, 2025 • 52 mins
Episode Title: "Your Story Is Your Superpower—Own It, Share It, and Let It Open Doors for You."
Season 3, Episode 44
In this transformative episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas sits down with powerhouse speaker, author, trauma expert, and former foster youth Dr. Danisha Keating for a deeply authentic conversation about healing, identity, and turning pain into purpose.
From living in her car wh...
Season 3, Episode 44
In this transformative episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas sits down with powerhouse speaker, author, trauma expert, and former foster youth Dr. Danisha Keating for a deeply authentic conversation about healing, identity, and turning pain into purpose.
From living in her car wh...
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Episode Title: "Live life to the fullest, excel despite challenges, and never let those who wish you harm dictate your path."
Season 3, Episode 43
In this raw and transformative episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas is joined by Maegan “Mae” Mason, a resilient advocate, mentor, and lived experience expert who shares her powerful story of survival, self-discovery, and growth.
Mae opens up about ...
Season 3, Episode 43
In this raw and transformative episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas is joined by Maegan “Mae” Mason, a resilient advocate, mentor, and lived experience expert who shares her powerful story of survival, self-discovery, and growth.
Mae opens up about ...
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April 2, 2025 • 52 mins
Episode Title: "Love is the Work.”
Season 3, Episode 42
In this deeply enriching episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas welcomes the dynamic State Representative Stephanie A. Young, a legislator, community leader, ordained minister, and fierce advocate for children and families. With over two decades of service in both public and private sectors, Rep. Young brings her unmatched heart, faith, an...
Season 3, Episode 42
In this deeply enriching episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas welcomes the dynamic State Representative Stephanie A. Young, a legislator, community leader, ordained minister, and fierce advocate for children and families. With over two decades of service in both public and private sectors, Rep. Young brings her unmatched heart, faith, an...
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February 1, 2025 • 65 mins
Episode Title: "It Only Takes One Adult to Make a Difference."
Season 3, Episode 41
In this powerful episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas welcomes Jacob Holley, a Certified Trauma-Informed Trainer, Lived Experience Leader, and passionate foster care advocate. With firsthand experience navigating 27 different placements within Arizona’s foster care system, Jacob shares his deeply personal jour...
Season 3, Episode 41
In this powerful episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas welcomes Jacob Holley, a Certified Trauma-Informed Trainer, Lived Experience Leader, and passionate foster care advocate. With firsthand experience navigating 27 different placements within Arizona’s foster care system, Jacob shares his deeply personal jour...
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January 25, 2025 • 61 mins
Episode Title: "Hurt People Hurt People"
Season 3, Episode 40
In this moving episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas is joined by the inspiring Victoria “V” DeHart, a 24-year-old adoptee, advocate, motivational speaker, and social work student, to discuss her incredible story of resilience and healing. Born in a prison in Kaliningrad, Russia, and adopted as a baby, Victoria’s life has been marke...
Season 3, Episode 40
In this moving episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas is joined by the inspiring Victoria “V” DeHart, a 24-year-old adoptee, advocate, motivational speaker, and social work student, to discuss her incredible story of resilience and healing. Born in a prison in Kaliningrad, Russia, and adopted as a baby, Victoria’s life has been marke...
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January 18, 2025 • 52 mins
>Episode Title: "Life Is 10% What Happens to You and 90% How You Respond to It"
Season 3, Episode 39
In this powerful episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas sits down with Tristian W. Smith, MSEM, a retired Army officer, published author, and advocate for foster youth. Tristian shares his extraordinary journey of resilience, from overcoming the challenges of a tumultuous childhood in the fos...
Season 3, Episode 39
In this powerful episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas sits down with Tristian W. Smith, MSEM, a retired Army officer, published author, and advocate for foster youth. Tristian shares his extraordinary journey of resilience, from overcoming the challenges of a tumultuous childhood in the fos...
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December 28, 2024 • 55 mins
Episode Title: "Don't Let Your Past Struggles Define Your Future"
Season 3, Episode 38
In this emotionally moving episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas sits down with the resilient and inspiring Tashala Webster, a foster care alumna, adoptee, advocate, and nursing student, to discuss her journey of overcoming adversity, trauma, and obstacles to create a brighter future.
Tashala shares her power...
Season 3, Episode 38
In this emotionally moving episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas sits down with the resilient and inspiring Tashala Webster, a foster care alumna, adoptee, advocate, and nursing student, to discuss her journey of overcoming adversity, trauma, and obstacles to create a brighter future.
Tashala shares her power...
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