In this episode of Restoried, we sit down with Jamie Fuller to hear her family’s unexpected journey into kinship care. It’s a story shaped by loss, faith, and God’s redemptive work. What Jamie thought would be a season of empty nesting turned into something she and her husband, JP, never imagined. They welcomed their two nephews after the tragic loss of their parents.

Jamie shares honestly about what it’s like to suddenly step into trauma-informed parenting while also grieving the life she thought she would have. She talks about the emotional weight, the impact on her whole family, and the loneliness that can come with caring for kids from hard places.

One of the most powerful parts of Jamie’s story is how finding people who truly understood changed everything. From her first Hope Bridge moms’ night to attending Mobilize Ohio, Jamie describes what it meant to finally be in rooms where she didn’t have to explain her story. It was a place where she and JP felt seen, supported, and less alone.

This episode is a reminder that healing takes time, that joy and grief can exist at the same time, and that community really matters. If you’re walking a foster or kinship journey or supporting families who are, this conversation is for you. Mobilize Ohio and Hope Bridge are places where your story can make sense, too.

Episode Highlights:

• Jamie’s Story
• Kinship Care
• Trauma Informed Parenting
• Mobilize Ohio
• Finding Community

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook
• Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026

Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026

Foster care doesn’t just enter a home; it enters a marriage. With Valentine’s Day approaching, this episode of Restoried opens an honest conversation about how foster care changes marriage when court dates, therapy, and survival replace date nights and quiet conversations.

Lisa is joined by her husband JJ as they reflect on eight years as licensed foster parents and over a decade supporting children and families in foster care. They share how foster care changed their marriage, from communication and emotional connection to dividing responsibilities and making decisions together.

They discuss real challenges, including exhaustion, grief, spiritual warfare, and times of being out of sync. They explore how spouses carry weight differently and how tension can arise if not addressed.

The conversation also covers practical realities, including managing responsibilities, navigating caseworker roles, and checking in regularly to avoid resentment.

At the heart of the episode is hope. Lisa and JJ share how God used the hardest seasons to strengthen their marriage. Through prayer, shared heartbreak, and choosing each other daily, their marriage grew deeper and anchored in Christ.

Episode Highlights:

• Foster care impacts marriage
• Balancing grief and logistics
• Communication is key
• Shared hardships strengthen love
• Relying on God
• Intentional connection matters
• Practical tips for parents

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook

Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026

In this episode of Restoried, we sit down with Ryan North of One Big Happy Home for a real and encouraging conversation about foster care, adoption, connected parenting, and staying faithful in hard seasons. With more than 30 foster placements and years of lived experience, Ryan shares what he and his wife, Kayla, have learned about building strong relationships with kids impacted by trauma.

Ryan talks about why connection matters more than predictions or diagnoses, how creativity and flexibility can make a huge difference, and what it looks like to keep showing up even when things feel overwhelming. He also shares honestly about marriage, self-care, and how caregivers can support one another so they don’t burn out along the way.

This episode is full of practical wisdom, hope, and reminders to celebrate progress — even the small wins. If you’re in the thick of foster care, adoption, or kinship parenting, this conversation will encourage you to keep going and remember that the work you’re doing truly matters.

Don’t miss hearing Ryan speak in person at Mobilize Ohio 2026! Register using the link below.

Episode Highlights:

• Connection over outcomes
• Creativity and flexibility
• Staying faithful long-term
• Marriage under pressure
• Celebrating small wins

Find more on Guest:

• One Big Happy Home
• One Big Happy Home on Social
• The Empowered Parent Podcast
• Follow Ryan on Instagram

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook

Register for Mobilize Ohio 2026